Chapter 18 - Page 267 - Pirate Ship

   "All hands on deck," he yelled. Rhasha and Shanha had gone to their cabin to get dressed for the occasion. When they heard Jim yelling, they both ran to stand at attention in front of him, side by side. They both touched their hands to their foreheads, palms down, and saluted Jim. He saluted back, then cracked up laughing.

   Rhasha and Shanha both wore a head scarf tied around their forehead and a paper patch covering one eye. The patches were cut square, and way too big. Shanha held a cardboard sword. They were both wearing their blue jean shorts with a scarf run through the belt loops and tied on the right side. Their oversize shirts were tied in a knot above their belly buttons.

   "Mates," Jim laughed, "you're the funniest looking pirates I've ever seen."

   Rhasha pulled her face tight and spoke with a harsh voice. "Take that back, landlubber." She scowled. "Or I'm gonna hack off your leg."

   "Yeah," Shanha added in a gruff voice, "and I'll give you a wooden leg."

   They all laughed. Jim got down on one knee and kissed Shanha on the cheek. Rhasha got down on one knee too, and Jim put his arms around both his girls and hugged them tightly.

   "Wait, Papa," Shanha said. She ran down the stairs. Seconds later she came back on deck and returned to Jim and Rhasha. She took off Jim's hat and placed a paper patch over his left eye. She handed Rhasha a head scarf and asked her to tie it around Jim's head. Rhasha and Shanha were giggling as Rhasha did as Shanha asked. The patch slipped down on Jim's face, so Shanha readjusted it. "Now, Papa," Shanha said, "we can all be pirates." She smiled, proud of herself.

   Jim smiled too. He left everything as it was.