*This is my second attempt at posting this story. I must warn all readers that this will be a long story, covering several years. There will be real life struggles... problems and temptations that any family might face. Faith, Love, Family, and Friendship will be the heros in this story. This is the point I am trying to make, and this is the reason I feel so strongly about reposting. The characters will be OOC, but they will be under circumstances we aren't use to seeing them in. I will say right now I don't own Gilligan's Island or any of the characters. If any of this offends you, I won't be hurt if you don't read. However, if any of it touches you, causes you to empathize, God bless you. Who of us hasn't felt loneliness, inadequate, worry, sorrow, like an outcast, unloved, scorned, or a slave to our job? What joy we feel when we overcome those feelings? That is what will happen in this story... just wait for it.*
Seven years... was it really possible that the castaways had been home now for seven years? Much had happened to them, and each year they could never wait to get together to catch up on every little detail of each other's lives. Each one had families of their own now, and not much to anyone's surprise, the children got along famously with each other. Dexter Hinkley and Grace Gilligan were the best of friends. Abby Gilligan and Isaac Grumby were as close as a brother and sister would be. Not only did they enjoy each other's company at the reunions, but soon their parents would live in close enough proximity to each other for them to be first grade class mates at the same elementary school. Amy Hinkley would tag along behind the two, claiming that Isaac was her boyfriend (which always made Isaac make a face) and that Abby was her best friend for all eternity. On the other ends of the spectrum was fourteen year old, Jolani Grumby, who was the mother hen of the little group of children.. and the baby of the group, William Gilligan Jr.
Ginger Grant-Hinkley almost didn't make it to this year's reunion. For the past two years, since hiring a different agent, her career had taken off like wildfire. She was suppose to be shooting on location in Brazil for a movie she was doing. However, she wouldn't have missed the reunion for anything in the world. She had been working hard all year, recording a new album, getting another book published, and shooting her film "Natives Of Parrot Island", where she played an anthropologist. Frankly, she felt she deserved the rest and relaxation, just spending time with her family and her good friends.
Professor Roy Hinkley was glad to have this time with his wife, who at times was gone a week or two at a time. A glass of champagne in one hand, and his other arm draped around his wife, he and Ginger chuckled at something witty Mr. Howell had just said. His heart fluttered as she smiled. He loved her smile. He wished he could see it more often. Of course, the fight they had on the way to the airport was still fresh in his memory. It was the same old story. The Professor had once again begged her to drop a project to free up her schedule some. Her response was to call him controlling and telling him she couldn't let her fans down. All he wanted was to spend more time with the woman he fell in love with several years ago. He would never try to control her. He wished that she would realize this.
Mr. and Mrs. Howell loved this time with their friends. Of course, it wasn't some gala in a grand ballroom. It was just a barbecue in the Skipper's backyard, but it was the best time they have had all year. The Howells, like the Hinkleys, needed this little get together to free themselves from the rat race. Mr. Howell and his business associates were constantly busy making the company better, cutting costs where they should and investing where they should. For Mrs. Howell, this day was a time to sit and reminisce on the good times. For some reason, she had been scatterbrained lately: forgetting dates, jumbled memories, spacing out when she was spoken to. It was an odd feeling for an organized socialite as herself. She would become embarrassed at her little memory lapses. Today, however, was different as Mrs. Howell listened and relayed tales of the island days, such as when Gilligan found the "Eye Of The Idol" or when The Mosquitoes landed on their island. She laughed as the Skipper retolded the story of Wrongway Feldman coming to their island. Of course, she couldn't forget about all the love and romance. There was Gilligan's first date with Mary Ann, their marriage, all the hugging and kissing she caught them doing. Then there was Ginger and the Professor, who always seemed to be locked in a kiss, always sneaking off somewhere to be alone. The Skipper and Doris' romance was truly a unique one. Two past lovers being reunited after almost thirty years, by way of shipwreck nonetheless. Their wedding had been beautiful and touching.
Gilligan and Mary Ann kicked back and relaxed too, as they watched their children playing with the others. It was a welcomed relief to see their little Abby having a good time with her friends, with her sister. Abby was a smart and healthy child, but something wasn't quite right about her. She was constantly putting herself down, and she was only six years old. She was constantly jealous of her sister, and it never took much to make her cry. Mary Ann's mother had told her that the little girl was just overly sensitive and that was all there was to it. Mary Ann wasn't quite so sure herself. A little girl should never believe that she's unloved, unwanted, and not needed. Mary Ann did not believe that this was just a phase. If something didn't change soon, she and Gilligan would have to take her to a doctor.
The Skipper and Doris loved having everyone over. It took the pressure off of the struggles they faced. Not only would they be moving soon, they were also taking care of Jolani's aunt Helen. They had just spent the last six years working full-time, taking care of Jolani and Isaac, and taking care of aunt Helen and Mrs. Hansen. Mrs. Hansen had been laid to rest almost two weeks ago. The last month or two of her life, she needed almost constant care. Doris and the Skipper were completely worn out. They hoped that the move back to Hawaii and the Skipper getting back to the sea would be a rejuvenation for them. None of their friends knew the strain they were really under. To everyone around them, they were a loving and very happy couple. They were, for the most part. Both were very in love with each other. They adored each other, and their children. However, what no one else knew, was by night the two fought a struggle they just couldn't seem to overcome. With the fatigue they felt, and with both of them getting older, intimacy was very sparse. Both of them tried to pretend it didn't matter, but on the inside they both longed for the days where passion flowed like a running faucet. They longed for a time when one kiss could fan the flame of desire into a roaring fire. After all, it was no one's fault. What they felt for each other and what was physically possible for them were two very different elements, something that caused much frustration and sadness.
No one was sad today, however. The castaways stayed late into the evening with the Gilligan's leaving last, carrying their sleeping children to their car around midnight. The Skipper slapped his little buddy on the back, thanking him over and over again for coming.
"Skipper, I wouldn't have missed this for the world. I sure do miss you and Doris alot. I'll be really glad when you're back in Hawaii," Gilligan said with a sincere smile.
"I've missed you too, Little Buddy," the Skipper said, "it sure is going to be different though... you not being a part of my crew."
"Hey, we'll both be Captains. We can go to that little pub after work and complain about our First Mates," Gilligan laughed. This too caused the Skipper to laugh as well.
"Doris thank you so much once again," Mary Ann said, "we had a terrific time. I sure wish it didn't have to end."
"Are you sure you won't stay with us? We can make some room for the kids. You and Gilligan could sleep in Jolani's room. She could take the sofa," Doris offered.
"Please aunt Mary Ann, I don't mind," Jolani begged.
"We've already reserved a hotel room, but thank you anyway. Don't worry Jolani, we'll see you at church tomorrow. I can't wait to hear your solo. I didn't even know you could sing."
"She sings like an angel, just like her mother," the Skipper said, wrapping his arms around Doris and giving her a peck on the cheek.
"Darling, that would only make sense if she had inherited the ability to sing from me," Doris replied, "maybe her biological father or mother could sing."
"Mommy used to sing to me every night," Jolani said, "I especially loved "What A Friend We Have In Jesus". Sometimes, it's hard for me to remember what she sounded like." Jolani became sullen. The Skipper laid a supportive hand on her shoulder. The Skipper truly hurt inside for his daughter. He knew this move wasn't going to be easy for her. She had been orphaned at the age of seven, due to her parents being murdered by a tribe of people from another island. She had just lost her biological grandmother, one that she had only been given six years to get to know. Therapy sessions for her were usually emotionally draining, causing her to remember things that she would rather forget. She had come to love Minnesota and had made many friends, who all understood what kind of turmoil she had been through. Now she was going to have to start all over.
"Well, we'll see you in the morning Skipper," Gilligan replied, getting into the driver's side of the rental car.
"See you then," the Skipper replied, as he waved to the Gilligans with the rest of his family.