“Ah, she’ll be grand after we get there,” said Dom. “She’s taken an awful case of seasickness, but I’ve walked her outside on the deck as much as I can. The fresh air does her good.”

I smiled at Dom. He was a thoughtful lad. I wondered why I hadn’t known him better in school. But then, I hadn’t been interested in any of the boys. I don’t know if it was because I was afraid of them or they were afraid of me. I suppose I wasn’t too popular. I used to blush with shame when the teachers singled me out, telling the class I was the scholar they should all look up to. I wanted to crawl into a hole every time the teachers praised me.

“’Tis a pity we weren’t friends in school,” Dom said, as if reading my thoughts. “Maybe ’twas because you were cleverer than the rest of us. I was afraid to talk to you.”

I blushed. “Ah, sure that wasn’t true, I was just the one the teachers picked out as an example. I wanted to disappear into the ground every time they did it. Anyway, you’re talking to me now.”

“Aye. Being on this boat and on our way to America changes everything, doesn’t it? It’s as if Kilcross never existed. Maybe we’ll be friends in New York.” He hesitated, and a faint flush covered his cheeks. “I’ll give you the address where we’ll be staying, so. Maybe we can meet some day for a cup of tea.”

Later, as I walked back to my cabin, my heart fluttered. Dom was the first boy to ever take an interest in me. I could hardly believe it. Suddenly, the promise of the New World took on a shine I had never thought to see.

Nora

Nora

I was enjoying myself. I’d made a lot of new friends, girls and lads, and was having the time of my life. I giggled with the girls and gossiped about other passengers. It was like being back in school again. As usual, just like at home, the boys were tripping over themselves to dance with me. I had no intention of being friends with them once the journey was over, even though they all wanted my address in New York. It wasn’t just Ma’s advice echoing in my ears; I realized that I’d have no future with any of these lads. Mr. O’Hanlon was the better prospect; Ma was always right.