The Next Ship Home

by Heather Webb

Francesca had worried the captain wouldn’t allow them to board, but she and Maria had passed the inspection rapidly—after Francesca paid an unspoken price in a back room on a narrow cot.

Reminder of what poor women had to do, and the shameful people who take advantage

Here, at Ellis Island, all of their fright, courage, and—most of all—hope funneled into this one moment: passing through the registry office to the stairwell, the exit to their freedom, and to possibilities of which they could only dream before now.

So many emotions bundled into one location. If you’re lucky, you pass through the gates and to the mainland. If you’re not, you go back. Passengers with money were able to avoid this and complete a pre-inspection. Those without had to endure this.