Two days later we went to the harbor. Manuela kept looking over her shoulder. “The only reason anyone would notice us is because you are wearing a cloak on a warm spring day. You look odd,” I grumbled.

“Do you think I should take it off so that no one will notice us?”

“No one is going to see us. Nor will they care.”

“You never know,” she hissed. “There are eyes everywhere.”

“Manuela, we are the least interesting people in Laguna. No one will be watching us.”

“Not unless you let this flirtation get out of control.”

I chose to ignore Manuela’s last comment. I didn’t need her to remind me. A relationship with Giuseppe Garibaldi was the last thing I needed. We walked in silence for a few more feet before she added, “You do look nice today, though.”

“Thank you,” I responded. I wore one of Manuela’s old dresses, green with yellow trim. My hair was pulled into a modest chignon. Fidgeting with the sleeves of my dress, I wasn’t paying attention to where we were walking until Manuela placed a hand on my shoulder.

My breath caught in my throat as I spied Senhor Garibaldi’s ship up close, without a crowd of people, for the first time. “It looks like a horse, doesn’t it?” The tall ship sat proudly before us, large and beautiful, the masts reaching to the sun. It gently creaked with the smooth lull of the water. Men moved about the ship, engrossed in their work.

I looked back at Manuela and was disappointed not to see my enthusiasm reflected in her face. “Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked, holding me back as I tried to move toward the ship.

“I have never been on a ship before. This is so exciting.” I tried to pull her forward with me.

“Anna, are you excited about the ship or about Senhor Garibaldi?” I stared at Manuela as she ventured on. “A ship is no place for a woman. We shouldn’t be doing this; we can still turn around.”

I pulled on her arm. “Please, Manuela. I promise I won’t tell your husband if you don’t.”

Reluctantly she followed me onto the ship. Garibaldi paced on the deck but stopped when he saw us. He looked up at us and smiled. “Welcome!” A large smile spread across his face. “Let me show you around the ship.” We let him lead us around as he talked about the ship’s features with pride.

“I have climbed this mast myself, many times. Right up to the crow’s nest at the very top,” he said, slapping the thick wooden pole. “When the ship is at full sail it feels like flying.”

Stepping back, I took in the expanse of the large beam in front of me.

“On a clear day when there are no clouds and the sun glints on the crystal-blue water, you can see for miles and miles, all the way to the horizon.” He spoke as if in a dream. “You really feel like the ocean is yours. It is the most humbling feeling in all the world.”