Summer curtsies and looks up into a pair of rich brown eyes. “How do you do, Dr. Rudolph?”
“How kind of you to allow your daughter to assist you in your work, Dr. Denning.”
Summer sees him dismiss her and she sighs inwardly. Of course, good looking, muscular and a complete Sod! She turns away to watch the final emigrants board. They are quickly shuffled up the gangway and down into the lower quarters.
“My daughter is highly qualified, I assure you.”
Summer turns back to see the man look her up and down with his typical sexist attitude showing in his eyes judging her for what she is rather than her knowledge and intelligence.
“Your accent is interesting, Dr. Rudolph. Are you from Germany?” She asks feigning interest.
His eyebrows lift and she has the oddest urge to mess up his perfectly smooth blonde hair. Even the wind seems determined to lift it, to no avail. A surge of wind blows down the pier, and her father moves to block it for her, while Dr. Rudolph stares at her.
“Yes, Miss Denning, I am from Schievelbein, pronounced ‘Swidwin.’ I studied at Humboldt University in Berlin. My true interest is in pathology.”
Her father turns now and takes a sincere interest in the young man before them. “Perhaps you would join me for tea, tomorrow. I am working on a new protocol, it will revolutionize the medical industry. I would love to discuss your field in more detail, Dr. Rudolph.” They agree to a time in the dining hall and Summer interrupts her father.
“Please excuse my ignorance, gentlemen, but I have a question. When I look at the lines of people from all different countries, crossing paths in the same country, it boggles my mind.”
Her father shakes his head completely understanding her concern. They had spent years fighting with the conditions in London, to vaccinate and educate the public about inoculations. “Summer, you know more than the average citizen. They have no idea that they are creating a melting pot for disease. We will fight for change and hopefully, help where we can.”
Dr. Rudolph stares at the young woman and her father. Perhaps she will be more helpful than he initially thought. Most women her age are interested in only one thing, finding a husband. “It is true. Germany, London, and Spain all have had outbreaks of diseases that could be eradicated with the right vaccination. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with our way of thinking. I believe it should become a law to vaccinate everyone and hopefully, it will be in the future.”
“Try explaining to a mother of a young child that you want to inject their child with the puss of a major disease, to help them fight it. I will not stain your ears with the words I have been called!” Summer laughs and looks closer at Dr. Rudolph.
Her father watches them both with a grin.
“True enough, but that is exactly why this choice should not be given, only required,” Dr. Rudolph replies coldly as he turns to look over the railing at the mass of people below.
“Yes, well, we will do what we can, and the one blessing from all these people coming together will be the exchanging of knowledge. Perhaps together we will find a better solution.” Dr. Denning continues while Summer glances away uncomfortable with the turn in this conversation. Choice is a gift, but as she looks over the crowd, it occurs to her that this German does have a point.
The steam whistle blows and the crowd grows excited, cheers are heard, and people applaud as the gangway is pulled away. The mooring lines holding the ship to the pier are released and pulled back with a growl of the winches holding them. A low thudding rumble can be felt and heard from the heart of the ship as her engines come to life pushing the great mass of steel and people to their future.
“Here we go!” When the ship begins to move a sudden quiet falls over the crowd. All of them realize in that instant that it is really happening! They are heading to the New World! Almost anything is possible.
Excitement abounds on the ship as everyone begins to filter back their cabins and berths.
Summer watches and notices many things. First, the fact that the upper class has more room and fewer passengers. No doubt the sleeping cabins below decks are not nearly as luxurious as theirs, which means more bodies in tighter spaces. That means sickness can spread easier. Sometimes she wishes she didn’t know as much as she does. A deep voice pulls her back to the present moment. The Captain is talking to her father.
“Dinner at the Captain's table, yes, we'd be delighted.” Dr. Denning accepts the gracious offer, and inwardly Summer sighs. The Captain includes the invitation to Dr. Rudolph as well.
“Miss Denning, I look forward to dining with you this evening.” He gives a sharp bow with a click of his heels and she curtsies and watches him walk away.
On their walk back to their cabin, her father smiles. “Dr. Rudolph seems to have an interest in you.”
“More likely, he is interested in my Father,” she teases.
“Don’t sell yourself short any man would be lucky to have you for a wife and partner.” He grumbles.
Summer loops her arm through his, “Thank you Papa, but I will know him when I meet him. Mama says she fell in love with you the moment she met you.”
A gentle smile crosses his face, “Tis true, Summer girl, but don’t wait too long to choose. Not everyone is as lucky as we have been. Companionship is important, and I want you to be happy.”
“True, but I am willing to wait.” She assures him.
When they enter the cabin and find everyone resting
