Home on the Tide

The sky turns pink as the Maribel slides into harbor. The captain sits below in chains, quiet at last. You stand at the rail in your too-big coat, salt in your hair, the wheel steady behind you.

The town bell rings out. People rush to the docks, waving and cheering. "The brave young surgeon!" they shout. You smile. The sickness is beaten. The ship is home. And so are you.