Page 19 of Still See You Everywhere

Captain Marilee materializes behind me.

“Is that Trudy and Ann? God, I miss their tuna poke. Don’t we get lunch? Snack? I don’t remember our schedule.”

She waves to two older women who wave enthusiastically back.

“Depends on how fast they offload. While they’re packing us up again…” Brent’s voice trails off optimistically.

“Yes!”

Captain Marilee turns her attention to me, staring hard. I realize belatedly that I’m blocking the exit. I sling my messenger bag over my shoulder, then stick my head cautiously out of the door.

The humidity slaps me wetly in the face. Then I register the sounds of birds screeching overhead and waves crashing ashore. Finally, I notice the slight but nearly imperceptible pause among all the people scurrying around the plane’s underbelly, clearly curious about the newbie but trying not to show it.

The two ladies, Ann and Trudy, are already drawing closer, gesturing to me to come on down. And just like that.

Ready or not.

Here I come.

CHAPTER 6

I MEET TRUDY AND ANN ON the edge of the landing strip. Both look to be mid-fifties with the kind of fit build and rugged look of born outdoorspeople. They are yin and yang in physical coloring—Trudy appears distinctly Italian with her olive-brown skin and short-cropped dark hair, while Ann is a petite blue-eyed blonde with pale skin that must be a bitch to maintain in this environment. They both wear beaming smiles that crinkle the corners of their eyes and ease the anxiety building in my chest.

I barely make it two steps before they’re talking excitedly.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome.”

“You must be Frankie. I’m Ann.”

“I’m Trudy.”

“Forget everyone else, we’re the two most important people on this island.”

“We’re in charge of the food.”

“And coffee. And sometimes booze.”

“Everyone loves us. Don’t worry, they’ll love you, too.”

I simply nod, the two women continuing almost as a singular unit: “Follow us, we’re going to give you a quick tour of the camp; then we’ll head to the mess hall to fix lunch.”

“Is it tuna poke?” I ask.

“Yes!” Trudy pauses long enough to be impressed. “How did you know?”

“Captain Marilee—”

“Totally her favorite,” Ann chimes in.

“What is tuna poke?”

“You don’t know tuna poke?”

“She doesn’t know tune poke!”

Trudy and Ann share a look of total shock.

“Do you like sushi?” Trudy asks me.

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