Alone at Last Part 3
Bo and Nora break apart and look towards the beach. They see before them a man, tall and bronzed, hair to his shoulders, hands on his hips, glaring at them.
Man in a very stern voice: What are you doing here?
Bo: We got caught in a storm. The current brought us here.
Man: This is private property. Go away
Bo: But our boat is ruined. We're waiting for someone from our
hotel to come rescue us.
Nora was getting a little irritated: If we'd known that this was
private property we would have told the current to take us somewhere
else!
Man: No one will be here to get you today. It's a native feast
day, a holiday, a day off.
Bo and Nora look at each other with eyebrows raised
Nora: Now what honey?
Bo: Ummm (he turns his head back to the stranger) How do you suggest
we get back?
Man: And exactly when did this become my problem?
Nora: Look here...we were out sailing, we got caught in a storm,
we ended up here. What exactly IS your problem? Don't you think
you could just cool it and try to help us? Haven't you ever heard
of the commandment "help thy neighbour"? (Nora turns
to Bo) That is a commandment isn't it? And besides, we're not
invading your space. We spent the night on the beach. Big whoop!
It's not like we came up to your door, if you have a door that
is, and demanded all your worldly possessions. We came, we slept,
we swam - we even brought our own food so don't feel obliged to
feed us or anything. We can manage just fine ourselves. And besides
Bo: Nora! Noooora!
Nora: Ooops. Well it's true
Man covers his mouth to hide his smile: Come this way
Nora: We can't
Man: Pardon me?
Nora: Turn around. Um we have to get some clothes and besides
we don't know you. We don't just follow anyone. For all we know
you could be
Bo: Nora!!!!
Nora: Ok Ok, but if you wake up dead, don't blame me
The man looks at Bo with a sympathetic smile and Bo hunches up
his shoulders and smiles back: Snarky, but cute!
Man: So I see
Nora glares at Bo
The man turns his back and walks towards the treeline, and
waited for them. They rose out of the water and donned T's and
shorts and made their way over to him.
Nora: I demand to know where you are taking us
Man: Follow me
Nora raises her voice: I said I want to know...
Bo takes Nora by the elbow and they trek behind the man through
the bush for about 10 minutes
Nora now whispering: I don't like this one bit Bo. Bo! Bo!
Nora stops dead in her tracks. She's shaking uncontrollably pointing
her finger to the ground in front of her.
Bo: Nora what's the mat.....oh, yea, well, ummm
The man backtracks to them and laughs: Jake, you old snake, what
are you doing so far from home? (He picks up the snake and stuffs
it into his backpack)
Nora: Ok, I've had a very nice time thank you, it's time for me
to go back to the beach now. Coming dear?
Man: It's not much farther, and I promise it'll be worth the trip
Nora: We're not in Kansas anymore, are we Toto? There's no place
like home. There's no place like home.
Bo: This'll be some entry for your diary, eh Red?
Nora: How do you know about my diary? You haven't read it have
you?
Bo: Your diary? Me read it?
Nora: This day just keeps getting better and better!
The bush finally started to thin out and they stood in awe
as they looked around - acres of lush green fields, the bluest
of rivers with a forty foot waterfall emptying into a clear blue
lake, a magnificent home built on stilts off to one side.
Man: Welcome to my home
Bo: This is beautiful
Nora: Beautiful
They continued their walk down a small path through the fields
and climbed the steep steps up to the house. It was not large,
but it was immaculate. Overstuffed couches and chairs made of
cane and covered in wonderfully coloured cotton filled the living
room. A strong breeze flowed through the rooms cooling them off
as they walked over the tiled floor. Nora walked from room to
room, lightly running her fingers over the furniture, the works
of art on the crafted chests, the unbelievable paintings that
were hanging on the walls.
The man leaves them for a minute and returns with an older native
man: My name is Graham Jackson and this is Friday. I know, not
too original but it works.
Bo: THE Graham Jackson, the artist?
Nora: I knew those paintings had a familiar look. I've seen a
lot of your work at The Gallery in New York
Graham: Those would be mine. Now, who may you be?
Graham led them out to a shaded veranda which overlooked scenes
depicted in his artwork. They sat down at a table and Friday opened
a bottle of wine and poured them each a large glass. He excused
himself and told them that lunch would be served in about an hour.
Bo and Nora introduced themselves and described a bit about their
lives.
Graham: I'm very sorry about earlier. I've had a few interlopers
here in the past and I have to be careful. I spend about 9 months
a year here, on my own, painting, and return to the states to
make the money I need to come back for another 9 months.
Nora: It's very beautiful, but isn't it lonely?
Graham: I have a wonderful staff who live on the island and I
take a day trip to the big island for supplies every once in a
while.
They chatted and dined then were taken to a guest room for
a rest since the sun prohibited outside activities for a few hours
Friday: If there is anything I can bring you please ask
Nora: This is lovely thank you.
Bo jumped on the bed and wriggled around like a child. It
was if he hadn't seen a real bed in months.
Bo: Honey, you gotta try this out
Nora: And what exactly are you meaning here? (she jumps on the
bed and curls up beside Bo)
Bo holds Nora in his arms: I could sleep for a week
Nora: Oh
Bo: Well I mean after the chores are done
Nora: Chores?? Well thank you very much (she pulls him on top
of her)
Bo: A man's work is never done
Nora: Well then, get working it commish
They slept in each others arms for a couple of hours and
were both woken by an incredibly loud thunderstorm. They got up
and dressed and walked out to the veranda to watch the spectacle.
Graham was there with binoculars at his eyes.
Graham: Oh no.... Friday!!!
Friday: Yes sir
Graham: There's fire coming from the big shed - my fields!! Friday,
ring the alarm, get everyone possible out there - it must be stopped
Friday: Yes sir, right away
Graham grabs some gear and makes his way to the door
Bo: I'm coming too. I'll do anything, just tell me
They rush out the door leaving Nora, alone, watching from the
veranda.
To be continued
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