Randal took the vegetables Tara had chopped and slid them into the bowl with the cut-up conch. He poured some dressing on it, stirred it quickly, and then set it aside. The people snorkeling trickled in slowly, and then the divers came up all at once. When everyone was back on the boat, they headed further out into the ocean, and Randal sat and cut grouper while he bullshitted with his guests. And the Goombay Smashes were now the hit of the day.
“The party switch has been turned on,” Roni said, snapping her fingers.
“I’ll say,” Jenny said. “So we’re going to another island to have lunch?”
“Yeah, a really pretty stretch of beach. Randal and his crew will put out a nice spread for lunch, and then everyone just hangs out, drinking Goombays,” Roni said.
The boat slowed down and when Sue came back to sit by the girls, they realized her front had gotten very sunburnt while she’d slept.
“You didn’t put sunscreen on?” Roni scolded like a mother.
“I thought about it and then forgot,” Sue said.
“That is going to be painful later,” Lacy said, tracing a finger down Sue’s side.
The red line separating her front and back was clearly visible. They pulled up to a dock, and the crew tied the boat off and shut down the motor.
“Look at this place,” Lacy said.
She was in sensory overload with the beauty of it, the white sand, the pines, the color and clarity of the water. I wish Kelly were here to share it.
“We’re the only people here,” Jenny marveled.
“The last time I was here, there was another boat with a group of people. I think all the tour boats use this beach. Come on,” Roni beckoned. “They’ll be feeding the stingrays.”
“Stingrays, like kill-Steve-Irwin stingrays?” Tara asked.
“Yeah, but they won’t hurt you. I don’t think they use their tail unless they’re threatened. Randal tells me they either feel or hear the boat because they come to shore. He feeds them the scraps of conch and grouper. Must have some sort of brain if they know the boat means food,” Roni said.
The girls disembarked and walked down the weathered dock. The dark gray stingrays swam in the shallow water between people’s legs and over their feet. Randal was handing out small pieces of the scraps to put between their toes. Sue jumped down off the dock and got in with them.
“Here, gals, you wanna piece?” Randal asked, holding out bits of fish. “Dey won’ hurt ya.”
They were watching the activity from the dock.
“Their mouth is on their underside, so they swim over your feet and get the fish from your toes,” Roni explained as she jumped the short distance from the dock into the water.
The other girls followed. Roni took a few scraps from Randal’s hand and handed a piece to Lacy and Jenny.
“I don’t think so,” Tara said when Roni tried to give her a piece.
“God Tara, quit being such a baby,” Jenny chided.
Jenny and Lacy took the fish and did as Randal instructed. Tara watched as the stingrays swam around, then over their feet to get the food. They were beautiful creatures, moving so effortlessly in the water, almost a flying motion. The sensation was incredible Jenny thought, to have a creature so wild and big swoop in and gently pick the fish from her toes.
“Wow, that is pretty cool,” Jenny said.
“It sort of tickles,” Roni said, as she put another bit between her toes.
Tara watched captivated yet fearful, she could feel her heart pounding as she waited for something terrible to happen. She had the feeling she got when watching a scary movie knowing some shocker was coming, but not sure when.
“Come on Tara, at least touch it,” Lacy encouraged.
As a ray glided back over Lacy’s feet, Tara reached down to feel it.
“It feels like silk, so smooth, sort of like a dolphin but softer.”
Her fear subsided and seeing that no one was getting barbed, Tara ventured further into the water. One swam over her feet and, finding nothing in her toes, moved on.
“Look at how big they are, must be like four or five feet across,” Tara admired.
Being right in the thick of them she could really get a sense of their size. Their thin tail was about the same length and the barb that Tara worried about was on the end of it. Randal’s crew was setting up a makeshift kitchen on benches that had been left on the beach. Totes with pots, pans, paper plates and silverware were being unloaded, along with more plastic jugs full of Goombay. An old fashioned kettle like cook pot hung from a tripod. Lacy watched as they rinsed it out and filled it with water. She hoped it was clean enough. Wood was pulled from a plastic crate and a fire was started underneath the hanging pot to boil the fish, white smoke swirled from it into the air.
“Um, smell that wood,” Jenny said. “Why do fires on the beach always smell so good?”
“They do don’t they,” Roni said, sucking in a deep breath.
When Tara saw the two rope swings hanging from the pines that sheltered the beach, she made her way over to one. She sat on the large knot tied in it and pumped her legs to make it swing. The branch that it was tied to creaked as she swung. Roni saw what she’d discovered and came to join her on the other swing. Tara could feel the air pull at her hair as she went back and forth and she had a flashback to her elementary school, a place she’d spent hours swinging.
“Ha, love these,” Roni said, as she swung her legs.
“I know, somehow a swing always makes me feel young.”
The branch above groaned as the rope rubbed it. Randal laughed when he saw the girls laughing and swinging.
“Look at ya gals, jus’ like lil’ kids,” he called.
“Our turn,” Jenny said after several minutes.
Lacy and Jenny took over the ropes swinging and giggling like schoolgirls. Tara and Roni walked down towards the water and sat down on the sand.
“Did you see the tramp stamp on Sue?” Tara asked.
Sue was still standing in the water with a few other people her back to them.
“Yeah, I noticed she has two others besides the one there on her back. Call me old-fashioned, but I just don’t like them,” Roni said.
“It’s funny that she called Jonny ‘my friend’ and not yours,” Tara mused.
“She was at Sundowners the night you met him,” Roni said. “I think that’s why.”
“I know, but it’s you he has the crush on,” Tara teased.
Roni laughed as she slid her hand over the warm sand. They could hear the girls’ merriment on the swings behind them.
“Apparently not anymore. He’s got a young thing now, who’s willing to put out.”
“And it sounds as if they perform rather well together,” Tara joked.
During lunch, everyone got to mingle. They learned that the family of four was from Kansas, the couple from Iowa, and the doctor was from Miami as was his lady friend, Joey. Tara was having fun with the family from Kansas, subtly poking fun at the stereotypical person presumed to be from there. The two teenage boys were egging her on with stories. In an exaggerated hillbilly accent, they were describing hunting, ATV riding, even tornadoes and Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz. The parents had allowed the boys to drink the rum punch, and the more they drank, the funnier they got. Jenny was talking to the couple from Iowa, and Lacy had followed Joey into the ocean where they were floating in the water, talking. Randal started a game of Frisbee with his crew, and Roni and Leo joined in. Randal lurched and jumped in his pink Speedo, which was quite the sight. The boys decided to join in, and Tara took a stroll down the beach. The whole atmosphere was fun and made her feel very happy and free. On her way back, she did a few cartwheels.
“I can do those,” Roni called.
“Come on, let’s see who can do the most, one after the other,” Tara challenged.
She knew that Roni would have to win. They cartwheeled down the beach until they were dizzy and finally fell down laughing.
“Interesting group,” Tara said sprawled out on the sand
“I know. It’s fun, though, don’t you think?” Roni asked.
“Totally, I even had a good time chopping salad with Randal. He’s more interesting one-on-one. You get to see the person, not the performer, come out.”
Roni moved her arms and legs in the sand like one doing a snow angel.
“I agree, he’s very smart. I’ve gotten into some worthy debates with him over dominoes,” Roni said.
“Good cook too,” Tara said. “Lunch was delicious.”
Jenny joined them, bringing with her three full glasses of Goombay.
“Thanks, Jen,” Roni said, taking a plastic cup.
“They get a little too sweet after a while,” Tara grumbled.
“Yeah,” Jenny said, sitting down. “But it’s this or water.”
“Lacy seems to be having a nice chat with Joey,” Roni observed.
Lacy and Joey were still floating in the water, chatting away. Leo and Randal had left the game of Frisbee to the two boys, and now Sue and they stood talking on the beach. The rest of the group was relaxing on the picnic tables. The three girls sat in the sand, watching the group.
“Dr. Lacy is no doubt getting the scoop on Joey and Leo,” Roni said. “The last trip I was on Leo had, his fiancée with him. Kiki, a petite little Asian girl, like Joey with big fake boobs. Makes me wonder who this girl is?”
“I’m sure our doctor will get the scoop. Lacy will tell us,” Tara laughed.
They watched Leo sway slightly into Randal as they stood talking. Randal reached out and steadied him.
“I think Leo’s pretty drunk,” Jenny said.
“He got really drunk the last trip too,” Roni commented. “I guess he’s a regular of Randal’s. Vicki, his first mate, told me Leo’s always bringing a different girl on the trips. Maybe Joey is just this week’s fiancée.”
“Maybe,” Jenny chuckled.
The crew cleaned up lunch, packed away the makeshift kitchen, and bagged the trash to haul. The hanging pot was cleaned out with sand and ocean water and left for the next boat, the fire covered with sand. Everyone was jovial, loading back onto the boat, and Randal was right, there was still more Goombay Smash to go.
“Ya gals wanna join me on de roof up fron’?” Randal asked.
“Not me,” Roni said. “Tara, you and Jen go if you want.”
Lacy was still talking to Joey, so Jenny and Tara followed Randal up onto the roof where Leo and Sue joined them as well.
“It’s nice up here,” Jenny said. “You can see more.”
“You don’t get so much of the engine fumes either,” Tara agreed.
The boat ride back seemed a lot longer because there was no snorkeling break. When they pulled into the harbor at Green Turtle Club, Roni was anxious to get off the boat. Equipment was hastily dropped off back at the dive shop, and the girls headed back to the house.
Tara collapsed in one of the cushioned chairs in the screened-in porch. Patches of fine white sand still clinging to her arms and legs. She pushed her hair back and could feel the stickiness of the salt water in it. A shower will do me wonders later.
“I was ready to get off. I was getting bored with our Midwest friends. Lacy, you were sure enthralled with Joey. She your new best friend?” Roni teased, as she sat down on the small loveseat.
“I was enthralled, and I’ll tell you why once I get a bottled water,” Lacy said. “Anyone else?”
“Oh, that sounds wonderful,” Tara said. “I couldn’t do any more of those sweet drinks. Leo sure liked them, though.”
Lacy went into the house towards the kitchen.
“I’ll take one too,” Roni called.
“Me too,” Jenny said, and then slipped inside the house quickly.
“That was a fun day, Roni,” Tara said.
Lacy returned with four bottled waters and sat down next to Roni on the loveseat. The air was still warm, but being away from being on the water, in the sun all day, it felt nice. The girls were a little pooped and it felt good to just veg.
“Well?” Roni asked. “Dr. Lacy get the story on Joey?”
“Wait for Jenny,” Lacy said then took a swig of water.
Jenny came back a few minutes later. She’d taken off her bathing suit and shorts and had thrown on a comfy cotton loose fitting cover up.
“I couldn’t wait to get off the boat ‘cause I had to pee so bad, but I was on the roof and the head stank anyway, so I waited,” Jenny said as she took a water and settled into another chair.
“Okay, Lacy, give us the scoop,” Roni said.
Lacy had spent almost the entire trip with Joey. She had been very friendly and open and Lacy had really enjoyed her company. What she’d learned had shocked and fascinated her. Lacy felt like she’d been so sheltered from people like her in the world, thinking them weird. Getting to know her had proved to her that they’re just people too.
“Joey was a transvestite,” Lacy started, her expression very serious. “She, he used to be engaged to Leo until Joey decided to have his penis removed, becoming the full she or transgender.”
The three girls stared at Lacy like she’d lost her mind. Lacy waited for a response, but none came. Lacy smiled at the expressions on their faces. Suddenly the weary looks they’d had were gone.
“Listen, the stuff I found out from Joey, I couldn’t even begin to make up. Kiki, the current fiancée, is also a transvestite, but she still has her penis. Apparently Dr. Leo likes them all-girl everywhere, but in their pants.”
Roni started to laugh softly. Lacy was telling them this so seriously, and in such a clinical way, it was almost like she was giving a report.
“Leo didn’t want Joey to get his penis removed, but it was super important to Joey to be a hundred percent what she felt she was. She didn’t think it would end their relationship, but it did. She’s very sad about it. I’m pretty sure she still loves him. I really felt for her.”
“So, wait why was Joey with Leo and not Kiki?” Tara asked.
“Well I guess they’re still best friends,” Lacy answered. “That’s what she said anyway.”
“She’s so pretty,” Jenny said, dumbfounded. “I would have never guessed anything but girl. I mean you can tell the boobs are fake, but that’s half the world. She had gorgeous hair, gorgeous skin. I can’t imagine her as a man.”
“A few of the comments Randal’s crew made to me about Leo make sense now, about how he brings different girls all the time, and about how much he likes Randal. He likes Randal all right,” Roni chuckled. “Probably like some of what’s in that Speedo is my guess.”
“Yes,” Tara jumped in enthusiastically. “Jenny, up on the roof, remember. Leo had to sit next to Randal. He kept trying to talk to Randal, but Randal kept talking to me. I thought it was because Leo was slurring so badly. I bet Randal knows.”
“I don’t know. Joey said she couldn’t believe she was telling me everything, but she was feeling sad, and I seemed trustworthy,” Lacy said.
“Dr. Lacy,” Roni and Jenny said in unison.
Tara laughed. She could see where Lacy would make someone feel comfortable. Even though Joey’s disclosure most certainly shocked Lacy she wouldn’t show it.
“Whether Randal knows or not, he was obviously trying to avoid talking to Leo,” Tara said. “Well, my story isn’t as good as Lacy’s, but it’s kinda funny.”
Tara shifted in her chair throwing her legs over one of the arms.
“So, Randal is talking to me instead of his buddy, Leo, and I’m rattling on about my family. I figured if I talked about them, it would keep Randal from being so flirty. Well it didn’t work. He’s saying shit I’m trying to ignore, and he keeps sticking his tongue out, running it around his lips. It’s hard not to notice the pink against the black, and it’s pretty icky, so I’m kind of backing away, right, but there’s not a whole lot of room up there,” Tara said.
“I was having to listen to drunk Leo while you were having all the fun,” Jenny teased.
“Wait, it gets better. As I’m trying to lean away, Randal leans closer and says in his thick Bahamian accent ‘I could do wonderful things to you with my tongue’.”
“Oh, shut up,” Lacy said, surprised.
“I think Randal drank quite a few Goombays himself,” Roni chuckled.
“Really, he said that?” Lacy asked.
“Believe it,” Roni said. “Randal goes after what he wants, and lucky Tara’s in the crosshairs.”
“I acted like I didn’t understand what he’d said. I’d told him I was married, happily, and he just kept after it,” Tara laughed. “So I change the subject, ask about his business, if he’s having a good season, and he just ignores me, runs his tongue around again, and says ‘I want to eat you out’.”
“Ewww,” Lacy screamed and rolled back into the loveseat cushion. “Eww.”
She kicked her feet in the air, which caused Roni to roll into her, and they both started laughing uncontrollably. Jenny and Tara started laughing as well. Lacy ultimately snorted, making them laugh even harder.
“Oh, my god, you girls are making my sides ache,” Roni said out of breath. “Now you know why I didn’t want to join Randal up top. Not to mention drunk Leo, who I thought was gross to begin with. Now, thanks to Dr. Lacy’s investigative work, I know he likes transvestites and penises.”
The girls launched into another fit of laughter.
“What a day, girls,” Tara said, wiping the tears from her eyes.
A lawn mower started just then, the noise filling the quietness outside. Roni glanced next door and saw Chuck was in his front yard, starting to mow the grass. She realized how loud they must be to the neighbors.
“I wonder how much Gloria and Chuck have heard?”
“Well, I can tell you they’ve heard the laughter,” Jenny chuckled.
The telephone ringing in the kitchen again startled them.
“Maybe Randal has more to ask you,” Lacy teased.
Roni jumped up to go answer it. She talked briefly before she came back onto the porch.
“It was Devin. He’s playing for a private party at Pineapples at six thirty, a bridal shower or something, but at eight Pineapples opens back up to everyone and they’re paying him to play till nine. He told us to come out,” Roni said.
“Are we just hanging until then?” Jenny asked.
“I think so. If it’s all right with everyone, we’ll be lazy for a while, and then we can get showered. We’ll make some dinner before we head out.”
––––––––––––
On the way to Pineapples, the girls laughed about the events that had taken place so far, Tara getting off at the wrong dock, dancing, and Fifty Cents after Jenny at Green Turtle Club, meeting Jonny B. Good and the run, kissing Jonny, but today topped them all. Sue’s early morning revelation of her tryst with White Pants, Leo and Joey’s story, and Randal’s proposition.
“You get the prize though Lacy for uncovering the strangest story we’ve ever heard,” Roni said.
“No doubt,” Jenny confirmed. “I don’t think one of us even thought stuff like that existed.”
“Yes, I’m becoming quite educated on this trip,” Tara laughed.
Pineapples was busy when they arrived, and they were early. Roni figured that it probably wouldn’t matter, so they walked down the path and up to the bar.
“Sorry, gals, it private,” Lashanda said. “Ya have ta git till eight.”
“It’s the law,” Roni teased, mocking Devin.
Lashanda laughed.
“Can we at least get a glass of wine? We’ll go to Devin’s dock and hang out till eight,” Roni pleaded.
“All right,” Lashanda said as she started lining up plastic glasses. “Roni, ya gin git me in trouble.”
“Oh, there ain’t no trouble you can’t manage,” Roni joked.
A smile spread across Lashanda’s face as she poured the wine. Devin was busy playing his keyboard, but no one was dancing. White streamers newly attached to the palm trees fluttered in the breeze. A picnic table filled with gifts and a white sheet cake sat at the end of the pool. The group of Bahamian women around the picnic tables spoke quietly amongst themselves, none looking too cheery.
“Doesn’t seem like much of a party, does it?” Lacy whispered.
“Maybe it’s a shotgun wedding,” Jenny joked.
“Here ya go,” Lashanda said, pushing the cups forward.
They each took one and headed towards the dock.
“Lashanda’s smart enough to know who’s going to tip her later,” Roni said. “I seriously doubt she will get much from the shower girls.”
Devin’s music floated on the night air as they walked down the dock. Roni sang the words softly “Let’s go go to Abaco”. She danced slowly holding her wine cup high in front of her as not to spill it as she moved.
“Devin wrote this one,” Roni said.
The planks creaked as they walked and Roni danced down to the wooden bench and his chair. A single light above the locked office door spilled light into the area. Roni continued to sing along as she sank into Devin’s chair.
“Hey man, let’s go go to Abaco, yeah, lets go go to Abaco, music mon.”
She tilted her head back humming as she looked out at the stars.
“Is so tranquil,” Lacy said. “Makes you feel like there’s not a care in the world.”
The song ended and for a moment it was dead silence before Roni heard Devin launch into “She Left Me in My Own Tears.” She had added all the Cockadoodles songs to her playlist.
“What time is it?” Tara asked.
“We have twenty, twenty-five minutes. Devin will probably take a quick break at eight. I thought I’d invite him back to the house since he’s not playing late, if that’s okay,” Roni said.
“Of course,” Jenny said. “We like Devin.”
“Keep it quiet though, I don’t want Randal to think he has an invitation too,” Roni said.