Cona Island

Chapter 7

After dinner and a delicious dessert, courtesy of Emily's excellent baking, Dave asked Drake to go for a walk in the garden with him. He didn't have any doubts that Drake was a respectable man. And after hearing about his life, this walk was more about figuring out what his plan was for the future.

"I saw the trims are broken," Drake started. "I could fix them for you. I don't mind. It's why I rented the Reef Bungalow, to keep busy."

Dave grinned and plunged his hands into his pockets. "That's mighty fine of you to offer. You know, I'm going to talk to our Doctor about that hearing problem of yours. Maybe he has a suggestion to make it easier for you."

"That's really kind but you don't have to."

"I want to." He placed a hand on Drake's shoulder for a moment. "You plan on staying around?" Dave knew that soldiers were always moving from one place to the next. And that often bled into their personal lives, even after they left the Force. He didn't want his daughter to be uprooted, but at the same time, he had an inkling that Drake wasn't into that sort of life anymore. The boy seemed exhausted to him, more in soul than in body. Like a fallen leaf that had been blown around incessantly by a whirling wind.

"I'll stay around Melody as long as she wants me to. It would break my heart to leave her. But, if she wanted me to,"

Dave thought the choice of words was telling. If she wanted to, not if I wanted. He wasn't the one who did the leaving. He was the one who was left.

"I'd still stay on the island. I have a feeling that I'll be more useful here than elsewhere. I need to be in a place where I feel like what I do matters. That's my,” he sighed wearily, “one line to sanity."

"Good. Because I doubt you'll be able to get rid of her. Our community is small here. Everyone needs everyone. Especially old Cliff. He's never had children of his own. Don't get scared now but, I think he plans on leaving the place to you eventually."

Drake figured as much. And whether or not he and Melody worked out, and he hated thinking of that, he couldn't leave Cliff. He was already tied up on Cona Island.

The quiet was broken abruptly with several loud detonations down the street. Drake spun in their direction, ducked down, arms in front of his face to defend. In his mind's eye he saw the eruption of flames, heard innocent people screaming as they caught fire and burned to death.

Dave quickly brought his arm around him, his other hand against his chest where he could feel his heart pound frantically. "Easy, son. Easy now. They're just having a party. It's the crackers."

Drake straightened slowly, his breath came out in shallow pants. He shut his eyes and brought visibly shaking hands over his face.

Dave could see the defeat, the anger, the embarrassment and all of the shadows creep back in. Suddenly the darkness under his eyes made sense to him. If he was being hunted by these monsters during the day, then he was probably hunted by them at night, too.

If he'd ever been in therapy, it didn't seem to Dave like it helped much. He'd seen and heard it all too often. He'd seen it with Melody after Jason. When after six months of therapy, he and Emily had helped her move on themselves. He knew the mind had a way of moving past its troubles in its own way. And sometimes all the people who suffered through it needed was support and understanding.

Distraction, Dave thought. He needed a distraction. And then he noticed they just happened to be in full view of the garage, and he conveniently forgot the door open, again.

"Have you ever seen one of those?" He asked, pointing to his old 1946 Chevy truck. It was a dusty blue colour. Once, it had been bright as the sky.

Drake followed his gesture, and Dave started leading him into the direction of the garage, before he could react. He started smiling, even as the heat of embarrassment still burned at his collar. His own was newer, a 1978 Chevrolet Classic. He kept it in tiptop shape. He had always been a Chevy fan. So when one came up for auction six years ago, he didn't hesitate to buy it, even if his parents thought it was garbage.

"She's a beauty," he murmured, running his hand across the cool metal of the bonnet.

Dave leaned against the doorway, one hand in his pocket. "Shame she doesn't run like she used to. Can't even get her to start. You maintain yours on your own?"

"Yeah. My parents thought I was being an i***t when I bought it. They said it was an old-fashioned joke. But I love that truck. It's a great drive."

"Old-fashioned things usually are." Dave shrugged, thinking Drake was just as old-fashioned and sturdy.

"Would you mind if I opened her up?" Drake asked.

"Have at it." Dave extended his hand in invitation.

He opened the bonnet and studied the engine. Dave watched with him fiddle about, muttering to himself, though he couldn't hear what the kid was saying.

"You know engines?" Dave asked, puckering his brow.

"Yeah," Drake came up. "I used to work on them all the time when I was working for Crimson. All kinds. Tanks, buggies, trucks. Now boats." He smiled. "I like the manual work of a mechanical job. It's very satisfying when you end up fixing something, it’s like bringing it back to life in a way. It's why I love working with Cliff."

He huffed out a breath, as if he had to prepare himself to ask the next question. "Would you mind if I tried fixing her up? I'll pay for the parts myself. Of course, it would mean that I spend a lot more time at your house, probably with your daughter. And I don't want to intrude-"

"You can have at it," Dave interrupted, "But you don't have to pay for it. And don't ever mention the word intrude again. Because if my wife hears you, she will wave her wooden spoon and hell would open up. And I will tell her if you use it again," he made a stern face.

Drake swallowed and smiled awkwardly. "This is going to take some getting used to..."

Dave knew he was talking about them caring for him. He had no doubt it would take him a while to fully trust. And Drake tried his best to think of them as Melody had said, like they were his Brotherhood. That made it easier.

"We'll give you plenty of opportunity to get used to it."

"I don't mind paying," Drake added, "Old parts can be expensive. And I need to fix Cliff's boat first before we can go and pick up supplies for the island and all that. I'm sure I can order them online and have them imported to the mainland."

"They are expensive," Dave crossed his arms. "Which is why I should buy them. Or did you dig up a golden egg somewhere? Because if you did, I want to fondle the goose."

"No," Drake laughed. He had a feeling the old man was snooping. And he had a right to, if he was going to keep seeing Mel. If he had a daughter who'd gone through what she had, he'd do the same.

"I have money saved. And trusts and investments and so on. I worked so much I didn’t really have time to spend it, and when I did it was mostly on stupid stuff like a night out and a couple of beers. I'm just living on my disability right now, and the money Cliff pays me. I can afford to do this for you. It's the least I can do, you’re being so generous to me."

The old man shook his head. "If that's the way it is, I'll let you buy it, because I never intended to fix her. I'll see it as a hobby for you," And a distraction.

"But son, you are not buying our kindness or affection. Some things in life, should remain free."

They went back to the house and Melody suggested that she and Drake go for a walk. They strolled leisurely down the road, holding hands. They didn't say much, but after that first kiss, there were plenty of unspoken words passing between them. Then it was time for him to leave, and Melody felt sad that he was going back to that old bungalow alone.

"I have to go, Mel. I have, stuff."

"What stuff?" She asked with a pout.

He sighed. "I have to use crutches when I have to get up in the middle of the night. And I installed hand railings and a shower chair in my shower."

She drew her mouth to one side in a pout. He thought that was the cutest thing ever, and it made his heart thump.

"Okay. I don't want you to be uncomfortable. It's better for you there then. I just makes me nervous for some reason that you’re there alone."

"I've been alone a long time." He drew her into his arms, and she felt her blood slow.

"Yes, and it was more than enough penance paid."

This time she kissed him, folding her arms around his neck and standing on her toes. He brought his hands to her waist, dug into her soft flesh. She opened for him and he deepened the kiss, his tongue dipped inside, tasting her in long, leisurely licks, sending heat straight to her core. She tugged at the silky strands of his hair with her hand, and he let out a small, throaty groan into her mouth. The sound, so hungry like a man starving for her, made her damp.

She melted into his body, stiffening slightly when she felt the hardness between his legs press into her pelvic bone. She was soaring, knowing he needed her so much, while he ravished her with his mouth, stroking her tongue with the lush slides of his own. His hands lowered, his fingers dug into her buttocks and pressed her against his arousal. She moaned into his mouth. She craved rubbing against the hard length of him, but the thought of that starkly reminded her that they were standing in the street in front of her aunt and uncle’s house.

He must have thought about it too, because he pulled away from her just a little too quickly. She made a small tortured sound, both of them out of breath. The sight of her, with her glazed eyes and bruised lips sent a spear of white heat straight down his back that pooled low in his balls, and made him ache. She looked toward the house, but saw no one. She dug her fingers into his shoulders and hugged him tightly, but not before her hand went between them, down, until she caressed him through his jeans. He was hard as steel. Her touch made his erection throb, and she bit lightly into his shoulder.

“You’re gorgeous,” she whispered, “Better take care of that.” Then she giggled.

Even his whisper sounded hoarse to her, heavy with restraint. “It’s you. I’m already aching for you, and all I did was kiss you.”

“I’ve been wanting you since the first day I saw you. Can I tell you something?” she asked, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Anything.”

She paused. “I was never intimate with Jason, or with any man, really.”

He drew back, eyes confused. “You’re still…” there was a question in his voice.

She nodded, smiled. “So, you don’t have to worry, I have no one to compare you to.”

He let out a strangled chuckle, and for a moment she thought she saw the glint of tears in his eyes.

He drew her close again, and eventually they said their goodbyes for the night and he went home, unable to believe that this blessing had fallen on him. It was more than enough penance paid. He lay in bed and thought of all the ways he was going to love and cherish her, how he was going to show her what it was to be loved. He found it strange that he had grown up in a cold house with cold parents, yet he had instincts guiding him on how to love at all. Because all he could think about was worshipping her, protecting her, holding her close and supporting her. Like she supported him. She was considerate of him. He didn’t want to be in this bungalow tonight any more than she wanted him to come back here. He sighed heavily as he came to the realization that she had gotten exactly what she wanted since the first day she met him – he was falling for her. He closed his eyes and hoped for sleep.