Chapter Six
Ella couldn’t believe it when the horn blasted, and the behemoth ship left port.
Specifically, what she couldn’t believe, was that she was on the thing! Setting sail on the high seas and about to have the time of her life…with other Littles!
And who knew? Maybe with her Daddy.
One thing at a time, she reminded herself.
The way she was dressed, no one would even realize she was a Little. She planned to rectify that immediately.
Her cabin was big enough for her, but it wasn’t anything huge. It had a TV and she wondered how it would get a signal once they were in the middle of the ocean. It couldn’t have cable. Could it? She then remembered satellites and figured that’s how the ship had Wi-Fi, too.
The flat-panel television hung over a long dresser on the wall directly across from the bed. There was also a chair and small table. The closet was set into another wall. There was a compact bathroom, and it was big enough to shower and take care of other needs one might have—but just barely.
The small room size didn’t bother Ella. She wasn’t going to be hanging out in her cabin very much, anyway. She’d paid some cash—and had overcome too much anxiety about the trip—to waste it just sitting around by herself.
She was bound and determined to have some fun.
She found the remote control, turned on the television, and was greeted by the ship’s information channel. She watched as images of the buffet scrolled by. A moment later, a slide stating the pool times appeared on the screen. After that, a commercial for the store came on.
That’s what I’m looking for, she said to herself with a smile.
It was time to get properly outfitted for her cruise.
***
She went onto the deck to see Littles scurrying about, eager to get to the plethora of fun activities. Some were in groups. Others were with their respective Mommy or Daddy. Some were alone, making Ella feel a little less out-of-place.
She walked around for a while, finding out that the deck was a massive space. The ship seemed to go on forever! And that was just one level. There was a lot more to explore, not to mention the parts that were inside.
“Well, hello there. May I be of assistance?”
She turned to see a man of about fifty years smiling at her. He looked sharp in his crisp, white captain’s uniform. Beside him was a woman—maybe a decade younger than him—smiling as she hung onto his arm.
“I’m Captain Sam Reagan. This is my wife, Nelly. Welcome aboard the Little Star. We’re glad you’ve joined us for this excursion.”
“Hi,” Ella said, fighting back the bashfulness she felt welling up inside her. “I’m Ella.”
“Is there something I can help you find?” the captain asked.
“Is it that obvious I’m lost?” Ella said with a grin.
“These ships can be overwhelming,” Captain Regan said. “Truth be told, this is my vessel and sometimes I get turned around, too. Where are you headed?”
Nervousness once again gripped Ella. This was a big moment for her, outing herself as a Little to another person. It was the first time.
But she’d come too far to get cold feet now.
“The Littles’ store,” she said.
“Ah. I figured you were a Little but didn’t want to assume,” he said.
Just then, Ella realized that the captain had had no way of knowing whether she was a Big or a Little. Why had he figured she was the latter rather than the former?
As if reading her mind, he said, “Daddies just know. Littles have a certain air about them. Please don’t take that as an insult. It’s quite the opposite, actually.”
Ella giggled.
If Littles had an air about them, then maybe Bigs did, too. Meaning, perhaps her fantasies about Dr. Kirk weren’t too far off the mark. Was she actually picking up legit Daddy vibes from him?
“Do you have a Daddy or Mommy, honey?”
“No, sir,” she said.
“Well, there are plenty of Bigs on our cruise this week. So, if you’re looking for one, perhaps…” He let his words trail off with a slight shrug and suggestive smile.
Ella giggled again.
“As for the store,” the captain said. “It’s on Deck 4. It’s sandwiched right between the arcade and ice cream shop. You can’t miss it.”
“Thank you!” Ella said.
“You’re quite welcome. And if you want someone to play with, track down Little Nelly. She is always eager to make new friends.”
Nelly waved and then reached into her pocket, pulling out a friendship bracelet. “Do you want one?”
“Thank you!” Ella said.
“I love making them and I have all different colors. I’ll give you some more when I see you next.”
Ella thanked Nelly and the captain again before setting off to find the store.
Well, you did it. You had your first encounter with another Little. And a Daddy. And you survived. Just relax and enjoy this. You’re in the middle of the ocean. No one from back home is going to see you.
She took a deep breath, plastered a smile on her face, and went inside the store.
It was time to stock up on supplies.
And have some fun.