River Queen

It was a very hot and sticky summer in New Orleans. Bastien La Rue had come for a long stay at port due to his very pregnant wife’s request. Estel’s sister Ida lived here. Someone who Bastien was not keen on and the feeling was mutual. “I need help delivering the baby..” Estel had told him the other night while they laid in their bed. “Unless you think you can do it,” she teased. “I helped deliver sheep as a boy. It can’t be much different right?” he answered jokingly which awarded him a playful slap from Estel. Bastien was the captain of the steamboat “Queen Victoria” and every day stuck in port was a day without pay.  Bastien had grown up on a farm but once he saw his first steamboat he knew what he was going to do for the rest of his life. Although he didn’t own the steamboat the owner, Robert Sellers, let Bastien run it as he saw fit. Under Bastien the boat became one of biggest money earners in the company. During one of his port stays in New Orleans he met Estel. Once married she began living and working aboard the boat with him. Luckily for Estel it was a short walk from the boat to her sister Ida’s house. She smiled as soon as she saw Ida. Estel let go of Bastien’s arm and hugged her sister. “It’s so good to see you!” she exclaimed. Ida scowled at Bastien, “It’s great to see you too. He’s kept you away for far too long!” Ida ushered Estel through the door and almost slammed it closed on Bastien.  “Oh Ida he didn’t keep me away. I love living on the boat!” Estel tried to defend her husband. Although that was true Estel did love the river as much as Bastien did. Ida scoffed at her and lead them to their room. “We’ll only be staying until a couple days after the baby is born. I feel like it will be arriving any day now.” Estel walked into the room and sat on one of the velvet wing back chairs in the sitting area. “We?” Ida asked side eyeing Bastien.  “Yes. We. I’m not missing my first child being born.” Bastien dropped the suitcases on the floor with a loud thud. “It’s just not typical…” Ida started to protest. “Ida. I want Bastien here also.” Estel’s voice was warm but firm. Two nights later, on June 2nd 1840, Estel went into labor. Bastien held his wife’s hand as Ida and a midwife helped guide the baby out. Estel and the baby’s screams could be heard throughout the house. “It’s a girl!” the midwife lifted the baby up and placed her on Estel’s chest. “A girl! Elle es belle!(She is beautiful!) Just like her mother.” Bastien kissed his wife’s forehead. “What is her name?” Ida asked.  “Giselle, Giselle La Rue.” Estel smiled. Three days later, much to Bastien’s relief, they were leaving New Orleans. He went to make sure all the crew were aboard and the boat was ready while Estel said goodbye to Ida. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay any longer? Bastien can be without you for some time I’m sure.” Ida continually tried to get Estel to stay behind in New Orleans. “Ida, I’m not leaving forever. We will return to visit.” Estel reassured her. She hugged her sister and with Giselle sleeping soundly in her arms walked toward the boat. As she got closer to the dock she could see Bastien standing with a small crowd around him. Watching Bastien with their daughter these past three days made Estel fall that much more in love with her husband. He was tall, muscular and tanned skin from working outside on the boat. He was redheaded, many thought he had a temper but Estel knew better. He rarely got angry. She stood there watching him speak to the crew when she was approached from behind by a couple. “Excuse me ma’am?” A man tapped Estel on the shoulder. “Oh!” she exclaimed when she turned around. The man’s wife was also holding a baby girl who looked to be the same age as Giselle. The wife and her exchanged smiles. The couple were people of color, Estel wasn’t sure if she’d ever seen a more handsome couple. The husband was strong and muscular and his wife was also tall and very beautiful. Her hair was styled into long braids.  “I’m sorry to bother you but are you waiting to board that boat?” the man asked. “Yes I am, can I help you?” “I need to know if there is any room for us to buy a ticket. We are newly freed and I need safe passage for my family.” he explained. Estel started to answer the man when she heard Bastien start to yell at someone. It made her jump. She looked back at the boat and noticed one of the men had his bags and was leaving. She sighed, this happened sometimes. “My husband is the captain,” Estel pointed to Bastien, “I will go talk to him on your behalf.”  She gave the wife a reassuring smile and started towards the boat. “How can he honestly do this right now?! Does anyone else want to join him?!” Bastien yelled at the rest of the crew members while they started at him dumbfounded. No one gave an answer when Estel walked up. “Everyone go about you’re duties,” everyone walked away and Bastien turned to her. “This is ridiculous!” he yelled and Estel tightly grabbed his arm. Giselle stirred. “DO NOT yell……” she let go of his arm. “Je suis désolé mon amour.(I’m sorry my love) Our first mate decided to quit. We can leave without him but we will need to find another very soon.” He hugged Estel and Giselle. “Bastien, that couple on the dock,” Estel pointed, “They are newly freed and asked me if there was room for them for safe passage.” “All of our passenger rooms are full. But, I have an idea.” He walked briskly off the boat, Estel close behind. Bastien reached out and shook the husbands hand, “I’m Bastien La Rue I’m the captain and this is my wife Estel and our daughter Giselle. Estel tells me you are in need of passage?” “I’m Hennrick Wilson, this is my wife Alvita and our daughter Zurie. Yes we are looking for passage.” “I’m sorry to say that I do not have a passenger room available to you,” Alvita’s eyes looked worried as Bastien talked, “But, my first mate just decided to quit. If you’re fine with it you may have his room. If you and your wife are looking for work we can always use extra hands if you wish to stay aboard once we arrive at your destination.” Alvita looked first to Estel’s warm smile then to her sleeping daughter. Hennrick watched her, waiting for her opinion. She smiled at him and nodded. “Yes, we will take you’re offer.” Hennrick shook Bastien’s hand.