Part 60: Confessions

The sun was slowly beginning to set. McKay and John had gotten finished with the project that Tony had suggested. They collected enough wood, and wrapped clothing around them as tight as possible, creating torches. They gently placed them into the sand along the outer lining of the jungle entrance. This way, if anything approached during the night, John would have a better chance of spotting their shadows. He was, after all, the only one with decent target vision.

Tony jabbed his cane in the sand as he made his way to the wreckage they called the General Store. Once he felt it in front of him, he tapped it along and discovered the entrance. As he walked in, he could already tell someone was in there. “Hello?” he asked.

“Hello, Tony,” Bernard whispered, “Is there something I can find for you?”

“What are you doing in here, Bernie?”

“I was folding clothes. I had washed them and once they dried, I placed them in here.”

“It’s funny. I never would have thought we’d have to worry about clean clothes this long in crashing.”

“No one ever does, I am sure.” Bernard felt of his beard and then looked at the blind man, “You were in the military, right Tony?”

“Yeah, I was.” The blind doctor told him.

“Then you know something about rescue operations?”

“Some what.”

“Tell me, please in all honest, man to man. What really are our chances?”

Tony lowered his head, rubbing his cane. He took in a deep breath then exhaled. “Not good.” He confessed.

“I was afraid you’d say that.” The old black man said, sitting in one of the chairs.

“We’re ten days out here, Bernard. That just means they are having a real problem finding us. Which would suggest they might not know where the plane crashed. Hell, we could have gotten off course or something. We don’t know where the pilot is, so we don’t know.”

“What are you saying?”

“If we are here by at least 30 days . . . .then I would hazard to guess they won’t be coming.”

“Are you certain?” Bernard said, losing hope.

“I’m sorry, Bernard. I can’t think of any operation out there who would continue to look for a crashed ship in a months time. Who would waste that kind of money?”

Bernard stood up, and tried to stifle his tears. He leaned against one of the many counters they constructed in the General Store. “I’m sorry if I upset you.” Tony whispered.

“No, I . .I asked for your honesty and you gave it. I thank you. I was just . .thinking of my children.”

“I know what it’s like to want to see someone again. We still have hope, Bernard. I am just taking guesses here.”

The black man smiled at the doctor, glad he wasn’t ready to give up just yet. After Bernard collected himself, he rubbed his hands on his shirt. “Did you come in here for a reason, Tony?” he asked.

“Uh, yeah, “he scratched his head, “You hear about the gun John found?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Well, I might be able to use it but it needs to be cleaned. I was coming in here, hoping to find some kind of alcoholic derivative, like maybe . . .mouthwash or cologne.”

“There is a cologne pile back here,” Bernard said, turning around, “At least your gun will smell good.”

“Yeah, “Tony chuckled.

“Any kind you want?”

“Naw, any kind will do.”

“Okay, here we go, “ Bernard handed him a bottle of the cologne, “At little Old Spice for Mr. Gun.”

“Thank you.” Tony said, turning around.

The blind doctor walked a little ways, then stopped. He smirked, turning back around. “Say, Bernard,” he grinned, “Back there in that cologne pile, does there happen to be any Stetson?”

“Uhm . . .YES, a small bottle. It appears to be full.”

Tony held out his hand, smiling. “I’ll take that one too.”


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McKay huffed as he was finished with the torches. He walked down to the beach where the water met the land. He walked slightly into the ocean and scooped up some water, splashing it on his face. After he was cooled down, he saw Mandy and Taylor walking toward him. He smiled at both of them. “How are my favorite ladies this evening?” he asked.

“Right as rain, mate,” Taylor said, kissing him on the cheek.

“Mandy, you okay?”

“I’m fine, McKay,” she smiled.

There was a slight pause between them. McKay pulled his rolled up shirt out of his back pocket and leisurely placed it on. He could tell there was something on their minds, just by the way they were looking at each. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

Taylor walked up and took Mandy’s hand. The young blonde tried to refrain from crying. Her best friend gently rubbed her arm, coaxing her to do what she wanted to do. “McKay, Mandy has something she wanted to tell you.” Taylor said.

McKay walked up to the blonde and stood before her. “It’s okay, Mandy. You don’t have to cry. What do you want to tell me?”

“McKay, . .I like you. You’ve been kind to both of us and I consider you a friend.” She said, wiping her tears.

“Thank you, Mandy. I consider you a friend too.”

“The other day when Cecil was touching me . .the reason I didn’t back. .him off was because. . .it excited me.”

“Oh, God, Mandy, why?” McKay said, feeling sick.

“Because it’s been one of my fantasies to have a man . . . just . . .take me.”

“Luv, there is a difference between having fantasies and the reality. A man like Cecil could have-“

“McKay, please let her finish,” Taylor said.

McKay stopped talking and shook his head. He waited for Mandy to continue speaking. “The reason I thought . . .Cecil was coming onto me . . .” Mandy sniffed, “Was because . . .I thought he might have known me.”

“Known you?” McKay blinked, “Where could he have known you from?”

Mandy closed her eyes, letting her tears travel down her cheeks. She took a deep breath and said, “From the porn video I did 7 years ago.”

“Oh, darlin,” McKay whisper, amazed at what he was hearing.

“It was . . .a mistake, and it seems like I am forced to carry it around with me for the rest of my life. When my parents found out, they didn’t disown me but they didn’t speak to me for three months. I wanted to tell you . . because . . I didn’t want you to think I was a whore, just dying to give it up to the first man who touched me.”

McKay sighed. He then held out his arms. Mandy quickly approached him and embraced him. She finally started crying full tears into his chest. He gently stroked her hair to comfort her. “I don’t think you are a whore,” the Australian whispered, “I don’t judge people on the mistakes of their past. Lord knows I’ve made a few myself.”

He gently parted her back. She sniffed and wiped her tears. McKay leaned downward a bit and one of her eyes, looking at her at eye level. “Don’t you let this bring you down. You are a good person, I can see that.” McKay said, giving her a warm smile, “And I thank you for having the courage to tell me. I promise I won’t tell anybody else. Your secret is safe with me.”

Mandy smiled at what she heard. She was glad she finally buckled and listened to Taylor to tell McKay about what happened. It only made their friendship stronger. Then he even promised that he wouldn’t tell anybody else. She knew he could be trusted. “Awesome.” She whispered.

McKay took one girl by the arm and guided them back up the beach. Taylor rested her head on the Australian’s shoulder. As they walked up the beach, the Australian could hear her whisper a quiet Thank you.