Chapter4
ROY
The professor picked up the breakfast plates as he cheerfully greeted Mary Ann. "Good morning, Mary Ann. Looks like a beautiful day for our hike." He made his way over to the table.
"Yes, it does. I have our picnic basket already packed and ready to go," Mary Ann said. She followed the Professor with their drinks.
Professor shook his head, "I don't know how you get so much done before breakfast. I need a cup of tea before I can even think of starting on anything."
"Living on a farm, I'm used to getting up early," Mary Ann explained. "Besides, it's so peaceful before anyone else is up. It was no trouble, anyway. I kept it simple with a mixed green salad and some fruit."
"Sounds just right for a picnic. I'll get the blanket and water as soon as we finish up here."
After eating a quick meal and cleaning up after themselves, the professor and Mary Ann grabbed their picnic and headed out. Along the way, the professor paused periodically to pick wildflowers. Each time, handing them to Mary Ann. And each time, Mary Ann blushed and smelled them.
"Why, thank you, Professor."
"Well, I did notice that you seem to love having flowers around. The table always had fresh flowers. They also seemed to appear in my hut every time you cleaned it. Must be a coincidence," the professor teased.
I'm actually surprised he noticed. He's not the distracted professor that everyone thinks he is. Mary Ann shrugged her shoulder. "I just try to do what I can to make our days as cheerful as possible. And you're right, I do love flowers. I had a flower garden back home and planted them all around our front porch. But here I don't have to do any work to have beautiful flowers, they just grow wild. If you'd rather, I'll stop putting them in your hut."
The professor handed her a beautiful pink orchid. "To be honest, when I first noticed them, I didn't care for them all that much. I wasn't used to a woman's touch. But then I started to look forward to seeing a new bunch every few days. I genuinely enjoy them now. They brighten the rather dull décor of my hut. If I haven't told you before, thank you. It's a very thoughtful gesture."
"You're very welcome." Mary Ann turned her head and blushed again.
The professor and Mary Ann walked at a leisurely pace. It was nearly midday by the time they reached their favorite picnic area. They stood near the edge of the cliff and took in the picturesque view. The waves broke against the shore far below them and the ocean stretched to the horizon in every direction. Nothing could be seen on the deep blue surface of the water.
"This has to be my favorite place on the island," Mary Ann breathed.
"It is an impressive view."
"You can almost see forever."
"When I first came here and saw this view, I didn't like it," the professor confessed.
Mary Ann turned to him. "Why?" she asked, surprised.
"Because it seemed like we could see forever. But we couldn't see any civilization. I knew it was out there, I just couldn't get to it. My main objective is to get us rescued. This view only reminded me just how hopelessly isolated we are." The professor continued, "You helped me to see it differently over time. To enjoy the view for what it is. Until recently, I have spent all my life focused on my studies. Then on my work. Without you, I wouldn't have learned to enjoy the small things, like a view or flowers in my hut. I now understand I need more in my life. I need people, friendships, and hopefully one day, a family." He turned to look deeply into her eyes.
Mary Ann shyly smiled. She was unsure how else to respond.
The pair spread out their blanket and sat down to enjoy their picnic. They had come to this spot several times together. Over that time, they got to know one another very well. They traded stories about their lives before their shipwreck, what they missed about civilization, and what they liked about the island. They also wondered what their future would be like after being rescued.
The professor observed Mary Ann tying strings of flowers together. "What are you making?"
"I'm making a lei. When I was a little girl my friends and I used to tie flowers together to make necklaces and bracelets. Of course, they weren't as beautiful as these flowers but still, it was fun."
"You're very talented."
Mary Ann shrugged her shoulder, "Oh, I just play with things."
"Your playing has helped us quite a bit." The professor waved his hand toward the picnic basket. "Look at the baskets you've made, not only useful but decorative."
"Thank you." Mary Ann held up the finished lei.
The professor took it and placed it over her head. He then leaned forward to kiss each cheek. "Tradition," he said with a smile.
Mary Ann picked up the second lei she had made and placed it over the professor's head. She leaned in and kissed each of his cheeks, just as he had. Blushing, Mary Ann began to unpack their food. She handed the professor a lunch of kula onions, carrots, watermelon radishes, and a salad of mixed greens.
"Thank you, everything looks wonderful."
The professor raised his eyebrows as he took the first bite of his salad. "What did you do to the salad dressing?"
"I ground up some papaya seeds and added them to the dressing. I thought it had a little peppery taste. Is it alright? If you don't like it, I won't add it next time."
"I love it," the Professor assured her. "Please continue to add it."
"I'm glad you like it. It's hard to find new flavors."
After finishing his lunch, the professor sat thoughtfully. "I think I'm finally getting used to how quiet it is now. Or at least I've finally accepted the situation."
Mary Ann sighed. "Yes, it's not as unsettling as it first was."
"Not that I don't miss them. After all, they are family."
"I miss them a lot too," Mary Ann agreed. "The only good thing is I have more free time. I may have more chores, but they don't take up as much of my time."
"True, and I don't have to be worried about my experiments being damaged. But still, the potential destruction would be worth it to have them all here." Professor reached into the basket for a piece of fruit. "Ahh, strawberry guava, my favorite. Thank you, my dear."
"You're welcome, Professor."
"Mary Ann, I don't think we would break any protocol if you called me Roy." He made a show of looking all around them, leaned closer, and whispered, "Mrs. Howell isn't here to tell us it isn't proper."
Mary Ann chuckled. "That might take a little getting used to... Roy."
Roy smiled. I can't remember the last time anyone except my parents and sister called me by my first name. Hearing Mary Ann say it sounds musical. She has a beautiful voice. I could listen to her speak all day.
Mary Ann looked out over the ocean. "I miss Mrs. Howell. We had some wonderful talks together. She always tried to look out for me, and she acted like a substitute mother. Of course, she treated me like I was 12, sometimes."
"Yes, she did. But she genuinely cared for you. I think it gave her a purpose here."
"It meant so much to me knowing how much she cared."
Roy stretched out on the blanket. "If you don't mind, I think I'll just relax for a minute."
Mary Ann laid down next to him. "Good idea."
Mary Ann smiled as Roy fell asleep as soon as he laid his head down. She lay gazing up at the sky, guessing what the shapes of the clouds reminded her of. Listening to Roy's breathing, Mary Ann's eyes grew heavy. Soon, she slipped off into sleep.
Roy and Mary Ann slowly awoke from their nap. They were facing each other only a few inches from touching.
They both quickly sat up to put more space between them. With pink cheeks they busied themselves, slipping their shoes back on and folding the blanket.
"Yes, well... I guess it is time to head back," Roy stuttered.
#
Reluctant for the day to end they strolled down to the lagoon. Mary Ann looked up at the sky and thought about how different her days were now. She did miss having Ginger for some girl talk, but really, she usually spent more time with the professor. Oops, I mean Roy. It's a nice strong name but it'll take a little getting used to.
Roy was lost in his own thoughts. He missed everyone but if only one castaway was with him, he was grateful it was Mary Ann. They had become close. Mary Ann became the one that helped him gather materials for his work. She really listened to him when he talked, which helped him contemplate his experiments. Mary Ann seemed to enjoy listening to him. She didn't stare into space when he talked, as Gilligan put it, his scientific mumbo-jumbo words. We are also comfortable not talking while we are together. It would have been so much harder if one of the others were here instead of Mary Ann and not just for her abilities as a chef. She has become a friend, my best friend, which I've never really had before. I've had schoolmates, colleagues, and even a couple of casual friends. But I've never had a best friend. One I could talk about anything with. Yes, I am very lucky Mary Ann is here.
Mary Ann raised her eyes in wonder at how many stars were in the sky, "I love looking at the stars. They're so beautiful and it seems like you can see millions here... Roy, where is the north star?"
Roy leaned closer and pointed. "Right there, the one that is a little brighter than the others. And if you look over there– Roy pointed in another direction –you can see the southern cross. Here at twenty-one degrees North Latitude, it's one of the only places on Earth where you can see both."
"Oh, aren't they beautiful?"
Roy moved a little closer to Mary Ann and spent a few minutes pointing out different constellations.
"I'm sorry you have to keep pointing them out to me," Mary Ann said.
"I don't mind."
"I guess I'm not very good at remembering them," Mary Ann admitted.
Roy smiled. "That could be because you don't look at them scientifically, but with your feelings."
"You found me out," Mary Ann laughed. "They just seem so magical to me. Not very logical, I know."
Roy smiled and looked into her eyes. "No, it's not. But we all need a little magic in our lives."
As they held each other's gaze, they found it hard to look away.
Later that night, they finally laid down in their beds after their fun-filled day.
Mary Ann called out over their Wall of Jericho. "Thank you for a wonderful day. I had such a good time."
"I had a good time as well. It was a most enjoyable day."
"Good night, Roy. Sweet dreams."
"Good night, my dear. Sweet dreams.