Serena's face split into a smile, "That's every day with you Captain."
"No Serena. This trip is much more off the beaten path than all our other excursions around the globe I assure you."
Her smile went away, as she sobered up to the seriousness of what I was saying.
"Serena I think it would be best if Christina went home. I'll pay her way there that's no problem, but this trip is far too dangerous to take a young girl like her on."
A spot of moisture came out of Serena's eye to wet her eyelashes as she bit her lip.
"What is it Serena?"
Her voice rough with emotion Serena said, "I don't have anything to send her back to. Two weeks ago my sister got diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer that's already spread everywhere. The doctors only gave her six weeks to live. She asked me to look after Christina. I'm all she has!"
I looked out at the quiet harbor for a long moment before responding, "Well I guess she stays then."
"Thank you Captain!" Serena said giving me a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek before she hurried off.
I stared moodily out at the dark water. May God forgive me if something happened to Christina on this expedition, because I'd never forgive myself for putting her in harm's way!