Part 146: Rock and Roll

The sun was falling into the distance horizon. The waves were bushing up against the shore. Their main water color was blue but off in the horizon it was a light orange. Seth looked into the distance, hoping that his Tanya was watching the same sun. Charlie laid on his back in the sun, with his hands behind his head. Claire and Jenny were discussing celebrities. Kristy checked on Martin, who for some strange reason, was past out. She pulled up the blanket over him as he continued to snore.

Charlie stared at the approaching night sky. “We’re gonna be famous, Seth.” He grinned.

“Don’t let your dreams get ahead of you, Charlie,” Seth smiled, “We have to get off the island first.”

“Then we are going to take StereoGhoul to the map of the music industry.” The musician said.

“StereoGhoul?” Seth said, “I thought we were Inner Square?”

“We were. Thirty minutes ago,” the musician pointed out.

Jenny rolled her eyes and sighed. “Would you guys just PICK a name and be done with it!” she laughed.

“Brainstorming takes time, little girl,” Charlie laughed.

“Hey . .BRAINSTORM . . .that might work.” Seth snapped his fingers.

“Yeah, not bad!” his musician friend laughed.

Jenny just laughed, looking at Claire laugh as well. The young martial artist then tapped her Australian friend on the knee. “How do you put up with this?” she asked.

“You get used to it, after three days,” she smiled, rubbing her belly.

Jenny looked at her pregnant form, “Shouldn’t be long now, Claire.”

“I know . .it’s weird,” she smiled, “It’s my birthday, tomorrow.”

“No kidding?” Kristy gasped.

“Yeah, that is weird. The baby being born so close to your birthday, almost near it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that happening.” Jenny pointed out.

“It would save on Birthday supplies.” Claire smiled.

“What are you gonna name the kid, Claire?” Seth said, turning around.

“She . .hasn’t come up with a name yet.” Charlie mentioned.

There was a strange moment of silence between the friends. It was odd that Claire had not come up with the name of the baby yet. Most pregnant women already came up with a name before hand. There was also a tone about the way Charlie as it, as if it was a sore subject. Jenny didn’t want to make Claire feel uneasy; she immediately smiled and patted her on the arm. “Well, I am sure you’ll think of something.” She giggled.

“Yeah. Sure,” Claire smiled, then stopped.

Charlie quickly decided to change the subject. “We doing a jam session tomorrow?” he asked Seth.

“Sure thing, man,” he said, giving him a pound.

“I want to hear It’s Only Rock and Roll by the Rolling Stones for my birthday, Seth.” Claire laughed.

“It’s done,” He assured her.

“Hey, Seth, let’s go check that out,” Charlie pointed at the beach.

Seth looked down at the crashing water to see a giant black shape, emerging from the water. The two friends got up and began their walk down toward the beach. Charlie stepped into the water, letting the ocean liquid soak his pants legs. He kneeled down and picked up the black shape, which turned out to be a sea-shell of some exotic creature. Seth smirked, “You were hoping for a chest of gold, matey?”

“Yeah,” he sighed, “Something to give Claire on her birthday.”

Seth looked at the small man. He could tell he really liked the Australian woman. The young bookstore worker looked around. He couldn’t spot anything that made it useful to turn into a gift. He looked back at him, “I don’t think we are going to find a Wal-Mart here.”

“A what?” he asked.

“Never mind.” Seth sighed, remembering cultural differences.

“There is not telling what that bloody animal Ethan did to her. Then she come back with her memory erased.”

“Memory erased?” Seth paused.

“Yeah, man.”

“Then how did she know that you and her were friends?” the bookstore worker pondered.

“She kept a diary.” He chuckled, “Can you believe that?”

“Actually, I can.” Seth smiled, thinking of his own journal.

“It’s funny to think about it now. You know how I managed to get Claire off the beach into the safety of the caves?”

“How, Charlie?”

“She said if I brought her some peanut butter, then she would come with me. I brought an empty jar and told her it was peanut butter. Imaginary Peanut Butter.”

“That’s a good story, Charlie.” Seth smiled, then blinked, “Claire . . is craving peanut butter?”

“Yeah, who isn’t?” Charlie said looking down.

Seth smirked. He remembered the peanut butter stash he found from the poor woman on the helicopter. At that moment, it was like the island was giving them a gift for the one person who could have used it. Charlie placed down the black shell into the cool water of the ocean and began to walk back. As the friends walked, the musician looked a little depressed. “I wish I had something to give her, Seth.” He sighed.

Seth put his arm around him, “Don’t worry, Charlie. I have a feeling something good will happen tomorrow.”

“I wish I had your confidence.”

“Some things you just have to take on faith.”

“Bloody hell, you sound like Locke.” Charlie scoffed.

“Don’t say that, dude,” Seth chuckled.

The two friends arrived at the encampment. It looked like Kristy had joined Martin in slumber. Charlie went ahead and kneeled down, squatting next to Claire. The blonde Australian smiled at him, almost blushing. “Well, you crazy kids, “ Seth joked, “I am off to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Seth,” Claire called, “Remember my song, now!”

“I won’t forget.” He called back to her.

“Good night, Seth. We’ll jam tomorrow.” Charlie called.

“We will, Charlie, “ Seth said, then turned around, “Oh, by the way, I talked to seven people today and they said . . .that MechaGodzilla would clean that green bastard’s clock!”

“GET OUTTA HERE!” Charlie laughed, throwing an empty water bottle at him.

Claire laughed at his joke, as Seth playfully dodged the projectile. Charlie smiled, glad he was able to find Seth. Perhaps all he needed this time was to have a buddy. He knew Seth had a heart of gold and would help him through anything he needed.

Hopefully, they had no more trials to face.