Chapter 3
DEPRESSION
A month had passed since the mysterious disappearance of the five castaways. The professor and Mary Ann had spent days combing the beach and surrounding area of the lagoon. No clues were found, no trace of where the others had gone. They fell into a schedule that kept them busy during the day. Consisting of their normal chores and exploring the island. During the evenings the professor and Mary Ann tried to fill the time with games such as checkers, dominoes, and poker. But without the others on the island things were quiet, and loneliness crept in.
After winning the third straight hand of poker, the professor looked up from his cards to see Mary Ann resting her chin in her hand. "Something on your mind, Mary Ann? You seem distracted."
Mary Ann sighed. "I'm sorry, Professor. I guess my mind is not on the game tonight."
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
"No. Thank you. I don't know what's the matter."
"Why don't we take a stroll?" the professor suggested.
The professor took Mary Ann by the hand, and they strode toward the beach. After twenty minutes of strolling at a leisurely pace, the pair found themselves at the lagoon. They always seemed to unconsciously wind up back at that very spot. Perhaps they were hoping their friends would reappear as quickly as they had gone.
While the professor and Mary Ann stood at the lagoon, they tried to make small talk. They gazed at the sky and the professor talked about constellations, just to fill the silence.
"Is the night sky this clear where you're from, in Kansas?" When the professor didn't get a response, he leaned in toward Mary Ann. "Mary Ann?"
Mary Ann snapped back to the present and shook her head. "I'm sorry Professor, what did you say?"
"Nothing important. You still seem distracted. Tell me, what is on your mind?"
"I think I'm just a little down in the dumps today. I'm still not used to the others not being here." She turned and put a hand on the professor's arm. "Not that I don't enjoy your company. I do. But it's so different now. It's so much quieter."
The professor bent down to pick up a small flat stone. "I understand. Neither of us have been our jocular selves lately. Things seemed so much livelier with the others here." He skipped the rock across the water.
Mary Ann sighed. "I miss everyone so much. Ginger wasn't much help with the chores, but she did keep us entertained. I miss the shows she would put on for us. It gave everyone something to look forward to."
"Yes, and the days were always exciting with Gilligan's antics."
Tears formed in Mary Ann's eyes, "I know sometimes we didn't want that much excitement, but now I'd love to have some of it back. I miss them all. They are family."
Professor patted Mary Ann's back, "Yes, they are family."
The pair stood in silence for a moment.
"Mary Ann! Do you know what would cure our doldrums?" the Professor asked excitedly. "A party."
"A party? Just the two of us?"
"Yes, we've become too melancholy. It is important not only to nourish our body to stay healthy but to nourish our mind and soul as well. That, Mary Ann, includes having fun."
"Ginger and Mrs. Howell always planned our parties. I guess I never thought about a party for just the two of us."
"I think it is more important now that we only have each other," the professor replied. "Tomorrow is Sunday, a perfect day to just have a little fun. Without any chores."
Mary Ann felt her excitement building. "We can have it here, at the lagoon, for a little change of scenery."
"Good idea. No work tomorrow, Mary Ann. We are going to have our first party. In fact, let's make a day of it. After breakfast let's have a swim and spend the day relaxing on the beach."
Mary Ann's eyes sparkled with anticipation, "That sounds wonderful. Oh, thank you for suggesting a party. I'm so excited just thinking about it."
"We'll dance after supper so don't forget to wear your prettiest party dress."
#
The professor and Mary Ann woke early the next morning with excited anticipation for the day. After a quick breakfast, they slipped on their swimsuits and happily walked to the beach.
The professor dropped their towels on the sand and looked up at the sky. "It seems to be perfect weather for our beach day."
"Race you!" Mary Ann exclaimed as she ran toward the water.
The professor ran after her, laughing. They dove into the water and played like children. Splashing, dunking, and chasing each other. They searched the ocean floor for seashells and had a breath-holding contest. Once they were tired and winded, they threw themselves on the beach to rest.
"That is the most fun I've had in a long time," Mary Ann said.
"And the most exhausted I've been in a long time."
Mary Ann sat up after catching her breath and started digging in the sand. "Help me build a sandcastle."
"I've never built a sandcastle before," the professor confessed.
"What?" Mary Ann gasped. "Well, it's time you did."
After a few minutes of construction, the professor and Mary Ann stood back and admired their castle.
"It's kind of lopsided," the professor said.
"Oh, it's not so bad for your first try," Mary Ann replied.
The professor grabbed Mary Ann's hand. "Come on. I have a new game for us."
The professor walked Mary Ann over to a pile of coconuts.
"I hope the game isn't to see who can open all these coconuts the fastest," Mary Ann said with her hands on her hips.
"Of course not," the professor chuckled. "Have you ever played horseshoes?"
"Sure, I played them on the farm."
"Well, this is the same concept. Since I didn't have the materials to make horseshoes, we'll have to compromise and use coconuts." The professor picked up a coconut and tossed it toward a branch placed upright in the ground several feet away. The coconut bounced and rolled past the stick. "Your turn, Mary Ann."
Mary Ann picked up a coconut, tossed it in the air, and caught it again, getting a feel for the weight. She closed one eye and arced the coconut into the air. Her makeshift horseshoe bounced once and hit the branch, coming to a stop at its base.
The professor raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, maybe we should have played chess."
#
"What a morning! I had so much fun, but I'm covered in sand." Mary Ann said as they arrived at their huts.
"Before our party, we have time to clean up at the waterfall." the professor said.
"Professor!"
The professor's eyes went wide. "Oh! No, I didn't mean together!" The professor's face turned red. "We'll take turns of course. While you shower, I'll get things ready at the beach."
"Oh, sorry… Of course, that's what you meant." Mary Ann turned toward her hut. As she hurried away, she called out over her shoulder. "Oh, don't forget the tiki torches and the radio."
"I won't."
#
Mary Ann stared at her clothes wishing she had something new to wear. I guess it's the red dress again. I really have to get serious about making some new clothes. These are going to wear out pretty fast. I have patched the Professor's pants as many times as I can. Hmmm, with Mr. & Mrs. Howell not here maybe I could tailor some of their clothes. I'm sure they wouldn't mind.
Mary Ann heard a knock at the door as she finished applying her lip gloss. Mary Ann opened the door.
The professor stood in the doorway, wearing his brown jacket. He gave Mary Ann an exaggerated bow, cleared his throat, and made his best aristocratic impersonation. "I'm here to escort the prettiest lady to an exclusive dinner party." He straightened and held out a bouquet of purple flowers.
With a twinkle in her eye, Mary Ann took the flowers and curtsied. "Why thank you, kind sir. The flowers are beautiful."
"They are Tibouchina Urvilleana, more commonly known as the princess flower." The professor offered Mary Ann his arm.
Mary Ann took it and they headed to their first party, just for the two of them.
#
Mary Ann took the flowers from her bouquet and arranged them on the table as the professor cooked the crabs.
They talked and laughed over dinner. After they finished, the professor found a station on the radio with dance music. At least, the only music he could dance to.
The radio announcer's voice came in over the radio. "Here is a favorite, Doris Day singing This Can't Be Love."
The professor stood and held out his hand to Mary Ann. "Shall we?"
Mary Ann placed her hand in his and the professor swept her into his arms. Well, at least I'm not missing my dance partner. She relaxed. Surrendering to the music and her dance partner.
Holding Mary Ann, the professor felt content. The most he had since the other castaways had disappeared. Dancing was his favorite extracurricular activity. Or was his partner why he enjoyed it so much? Thank goodness Mary Ann is here instead of one of the other castaways. The professor couldn't see himself dancing with anyone else. For the next couple of hours, the professor enjoyed the feeling of Mary Ann in his arms.
The song faded and the radio announcer's voice crackled through the speaker once again. "Here's the last song for the night. So, grab your girl for one last twirl on the dance floor. It's Ol' Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. Singing When Somebody Loves You".
"One last dance before we turn in?" the professor asked as he swept Mary Ann into his arms.
All the stress and depression of the last week disappeared.
Mary Ann laid her head on the professor's shoulder while he rested his cheek on top of her head.
#
Mary Ann laid in her bed. "Boy, I'm exhausted," she yawned.
"Quite an exhaustive day, wasn't it?" the professor asked over the Wall of Jericho. "I'm quite thankful that we enjoy the same music. I could never dance to that racket Gilligan calls music."
Mary Ann tried not to giggle out loud as she pictured the professor dancing to rock and roll. "I think you should try it. You never know, you could be good at it."
"Very funny."
"Thank you for the party. I feel so much better."
"Let's continue to make Sunday our rest day. We can plan a new activity each week. Giving us something to look forward to."
"That sounds wonderful. I didn't realize how much I missed our parties."
Professor smiled in the dark. "It was quite enjoyable."
"Goodnight, Professor. Sweet dreams." Mary Ann said after another yawn.
"Good night, Mary Ann.