Just as West was at a loss as to how to deal with his mother, he spotted the chef, Plank, waving at him from afar and immediately breathed a sigh of relief. "Um, Mother, my friend is calling me, so I..."
"Go ahead, go ahead. You're a grown-up now, you should have your own friends—just remember to come back early."
"Okay! I'll definitely be back before 10 tonight." West dashed toward the chef as if escaping.
"Plank, thanks for helping me out back there."
"Help you out? The gang's drinking at the Anchor Bar. Are you coming?"
"Of course I'm coming!"
West followed Plank into the lively Anchor Bar and sat on a wooden stool. After downing a glass of chilled beer, he felt completely at ease.
Around the round wooden table in front of him sat his mates—sailors from the Narwhal and newer crew members like the assistant chefs.
Next to him, a sailor named Buck put down his mug, lowered his voice, and said, "Hey, did you all hear the news?"
"What news? That the Captain went blind?"
