<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Catherine knew David would be in stitches to get his present. She knew full well that her best friend was terribly curious, and that he would very likely beg for her to give it right away. But the girl also knew that David would forget about the begging as soon as she started telling the story she had for him.<br/><br/>As usual, Catherine's story was vivid and full of action. She loved telling those stories. Sometimes she did tell them to the other kids in the neighborhood, but David was always the first to hear the stories. And for him, she told them with more richness of details and enacting what she could using whatever she could get her hands on.<br/><br/>Catherine smiled when David screwed his eyes shut, and kept on speaking. She knew her best friend would do that, but at the same time, she knew he would probably protest if she cut short on details. And that he would probably forget the bad parts when he saw his gift.<br/><br/>David's words saying he loved the ship made Catherine show him a big smile and watch while he took in the details. She knew he would love it, and had made a point of having the Jolly Roger on the main mast. <span style="color: #BF00BF">"You're welcome"</span>, Catherine replied just as quietly.<br/><br/>When her friend looked into her eyes and asked that question, Catherine smiled. <span style="color: #BF00BF">"Didn't you know pirates believe it is bad luck to have a woman in the ship?"</span>, she commented. <span style="color: #BF00BF">"But I will, if that is not a problem for you"</span>.</span></div>