Chapter Fourteen - The Lone Ranger and Tonto

Every joint in Rudy’s body ached. His salty, naked body was wrapped around Ravens salty, naked body and they were slippery with sweat where they touched. The sun had been up for hours and the tiny cabin had become hot and stuffy. Raven groaned when he climbed out of the bed. They were both sore and bruised from their adventures the night before.

When Rudy had moved away from this island at the age of 12, he’d wondered if he would ever set foot on it again and his best guess had been that he never would. He certainly couldn’t have guessed that if he did, it would happen like this.

He searched the boat for his clothes until it slowly it dawned on him that they must have washed overboard during the storm last night.

“I think we have a problem.” He told Raven, “It looks like we lost our clothes in the storm last night.”

Raven laughed. “Have you ever heard the old joke about The Lone Ranger and Tonto?” she asked.
“Where they’re riding in the desert and bands of wild Indians surround them from all sides. The Long Ranger says, ‘What do we do now, Tonto?’”

“I know, and Tonto says, ‘Whachew mean we, white man.” Rudy finished the joke.

Raven got up and walked over to a closet while Rudy looked on, puzzled. She opened the door, revealing a closet full of clothes.”

“Whachew mean we, haole?” she laughed.

“Great.” Rudy said, suddenly aware of his nakedness.

“I suppose I could loan you one of my bikinis” she said with a giggle. “You might look kinda silly in it but we do have decency laws around here, ya know. You can’t just walk around with your tally whacker hanging out.”

“You’re really a laugh a minute, you know that? I hope that’s not your only idea.”

“What size jeans do you wear?”

“30-32.”

She pulled a brick of a cell phone from her handbag and dialed a number. Rudy was amazed that she had a cell phone. He didn’t know anyone else who did.

“Mary, it’s Raven. I’m on Nevermore at the dock in Kaunakakai. I need a room at the Kailuakoi and a rental car to meet me on the pier. Oh, and have them bring a pair of men jeans, size 30-32 and a T-shirt, medium, I’d say.” She listened for a minute and then laughed. “Yes, the writer, okay? Are you a travel agent or a gossip columnist? I’ll tell you all about it later. Thanks."

“You forgot about the shoes and socks.” Rudy said after she hung up.

“You on da islands now, brudda. Doan be no da kine wussy, ah?”

“What about da kine underwear?” he asked.

“You never go commando, brah? ‘Side, you doan need no da kine underwear today, brudda.”

A half hour later two GEO Metros pulled up to the boat and Raven climbed down the ladder.

“Sorry, Ms. Olsson,” one of the drivers said, “this was all they had left.”

“This will be fine.” Raven replied, fighting back a smile.

She climbed back up the ladder carrying a new pair of 501s and a hot pink T-shirt that said “My parents went to Molokai and all I got was this dumb shirt.”

“Here,” she said, handing the clothes to Rudy, “make a fashion statement.”

A few minutes later they were in the Metro, driving to the Kailuakoi on the islands’ windward side. When they got to their room, Raven put her arms around Rudy’s neck and kissed him.

“You know,” she said, “I really don’t think those clothes are you. Maybe you’d better take them off.” She grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled it up over his head. “Hot pink for guys went out with Wham! thank God.” she continued as she unbuttoning his jeans.

Rudy said nothing while she undressed him.

“My, aren’t we eager?” she said when she pulled them over his hips, revealing the little General at full attention.

Rudy pushed her onto the bed. “Last one in the shower’s da kine haole wussy.” he said, running for the bathroom. Seconds later Raven had him pinned against the shower wall, planting kisses on his face.

“How’s this for a plan?” she said between kisses, “We’ll call for room service and spend what’s left of today in bed. Tomorrow you can show me your old haunts and tell me all of your Molokai stories but tonight, all I want to see is you.”

“You’re insatiable.” Rudy said, only partly in jest.

“Hey,” she said, “I’ve waited a long time for you.” She knew it was way too soon to be talking like that but Rudy was ecstatic.

He picked her up, pushed the shower door open and carried her to the bed, their bodies still wet and the shower still running.