The Pirate - 2. Chapter 2

We sailed to the Cay, I didn’t know how long it would take but we had lunch and dinner on the boat. Captain even enticed me into doing a little fishing, that was fun.

It was late evening when we arrived at the Cay. We docked the boat in the cove facing the mountain next to a rather large sailing ship. I quickly found out that was home for the Captain.

Boarding the boat, Captain headed for the back of the boat, in the movies this was always the captain’s quarters. “”Bob, as you probably guessed this is where I live. I have rooms for you just below the deck. Let me drop my stuff off here and I’ll show you to your quarters.”

I was amazed at the size of his quarters, it was a large room, on one side was a bed, with a drape in front for privacy, there was a desk, a small table with four chairs and a lounge area with a TV. He dropped off his suitcase and I followed him down the stairs, there were several cabins along a center aisle. He stopped at one, opened the door, ushering me inside. Again I was amazed at the room, it was as large as the Captain’s quarters.

“This originally was the pirate ship of my ancestor that you read about. It has been passed down from family to family and now it’s mine. Over the centuries, it has been modified by each family and the last modification I did 10 years ago. All of the cabins on this level are the same size as this cabin. There is another level below where I have storage, waste tanks, water tanks as well as a kitchen. I find it very comfortable living here but I still want to have my apartment right on the top of that mountain. As comfortable as this ship is, it isn’t good for a family which I hope to have one day.”

Saying good night he left me and I assumed he went to his quarters. I was tired so it didn’t take me long to get ready for bed, I was surprised how comfortable the bed was, I was asleep in no time.

The next thing I knew, someone was knocking on my door, loudly. I woke a little groggy not understanding where I was. At the second knock I was awake enough to get up and answer the door. I thought it was Captain so I just went and answer the door, I sleep naked and Captain had seen me many times waking up. There was no privacy in a college dorm. Throwing the door open, I realized it wasn’t Captain but a very good looking man. I quickly ran and pulled a blanket off the bed to cover myself. When I went back to the door, he was laughing. My face turned red, not only because I was naked when I answered the door, but also because this man was very good looking, long black hair tied in a knot which allowed his hair to drop past his waist, the stunning feature was his blue-green eyes. Looking into them, I was drawn to him as one would be drawn to the sea or a moth to the light.

“I guess Captain didn’t tell you about me. My name is Victor and I’m a friend of Captain. I’ll have your breakfast ready in 30 minutes, but here’s a cup of coffee till then. You might also want to change your outfit for the day.”

I’m gay and my dream man just left a cup of coffee for me, I watched him walking away laughing, I’m sure I’ll hear something about this from Captain.

i took a shower and finished getting dressed. The coffee was good, I wondered what breakfast would be like. I didn’t have long to wait, I just finish making my bed when there was a knock on the door. My dream guy was there with a cart and standing in back of him was Captain.

“Vic, I thought you said he was naked when he answered the door?”

I knew Captain was giving me the raze. He knew I was gay and had caught me many times naked coming from our dorm shower.

I just gave him a haha, as Victor pushed the cart into the room. I watched the smile on Captain’s face as I started to look at Victor unloading the cart. He set three places, two on one side and one across the table. Before I had a chance to take a seat, Captain grabbed a seat on the two chair side. Victor took the other side chair leaving the chair opposite Victor empty.

“You prepared a very hearty breakfast Vic, wouldn’t you agree Bob?”

I knew his game, he wanted to make me blush. I thought two could play this game. “Yes, I can’t wait to see what Victor will prepare for lunch. I look forward to spending a nice lunch and maybe even dinner with him and his cooking.”

I didn’t blush but I noticed Victor blushed a little, the only thing I didn’t know if it was me or my comment about the food. I did make it my resolve for the next 7 days to get to know Victor. If I’m going to spend any time on this Cay, I’d like to share it with him.

Over the last cup of coffee, “Bob, what are your plans for today?”

“If I can get help, I want to measure the inclination of the mountain. Then if we have time, I would like to check out the cove. I wonder if the mountain was a straight drop into the cove’s edge or a slanting drop. I also think you should develop the other side of the cove as a dock for incoming customers or visitors.”

‘That is an ambitious day’s work. Maybe Vic can help, Vic do you have time to help Bob today?”

I was hoping for a yes, but I got, “Maybe, this afternoon, after lunch I’ll have time. I have an appointment to see the doctor this morning.”

I was disappointed, but I still needed to get my measurements. After Victor left with the cart, “I’m sorry he won’t be with you this morning, he helps the doctor treat the kids. Living on the Cay has its health problems and Vic is very good with children. I think a lot of the kids go to see the doctor, but they really want to see Vic,”

“i would” Captain laughed.

I spent the morning placing wooden poles along various sides of the mountain. What I now needed were two poles of the same height. By placing the poles opposite each other I can determine the slant of the mountain surface. I started to take pictures making sure I had both poles in my sights. I continued during this as I worked my way up the side of the mountain. Although I only needed the side facing the cove, I would need the same measurements on the back and sides as well.

It was after lunch time when I finished with the front and was finishing with the right side when Victor showed up. “It’s pass lunch time. Captain sent me to get you.”

“Thanks I got involved in taking my measurements I forgot the time.”

I followed Victor back to the ship. Entering my room, I took off my shirt, I decided before putting on a clean shirt I should wash some of my smell away. I forgot that Victor was with me, I didn’t close the bathroom door, I washed my face and went to wipe down my chest when looking into the mirror I saw the smile on Victor’s face. Interesting I thought, maybe I did have a chance with this dream.

I quickly finish and putting on a clean shirt, followed Victor to Captain’s cabin. Lunch was fish with rice and plenty of island fruits. It was delicious or I was a lot more hungry than I thought.

“How was your doctor visit? I hope what ever you had was treatable.”

“I wasn’t sick, I help the doctor treat the children. There are a lot of myths that the island people believe and being treated by a professional doctor isn’t one of them. They use witch doctors who visit the island. I go to the doctors office dressed as a witch doctor so he can treat them. I know it’s a sham but the beliefs of the people who have lived here for centuries is hard to change. Captain doesn’t want to upset the people so he devised this method. It’s better than having the doctor dress as a witch.”

“How did your morning go?”

“I got the front measured and part of the right side, I have the left side and the back to do this afternoon.”

“I don’t understand why you are measuring the slope of the mountain.”

“If we’re going to build on the side of the mountain I need to know not only the height but also the slope. The units need to be built into the mountain, essentially a high rise apartment building leaning into the mountain. We can’t build it straight up as you would on flat land.”

“If you still need help, I’ll help you after lunch.”

It was agreed, but I also need to check out the base of the mountain. “Do you have scuba gear?”

“Yes, but I suggest we do it tomorrow after breakfast. We’ll want the light from the sun to help us.”

The rest of the afternoon we finished the measurements.

I wanted to look at the other side of the cove. To get there I had to walk around the mountain. “Where are you going now?”

“I want to look at the other side of the cove. If you would like after dinner tonight I’ll give you a peek at what I had in mind.”

“The walk around the mountain will be a long walk, let me get a small boat and we can row over.”

I agreed, that meant more time with Victor. “That sounds like a good idea Victor.”

“Bob, could you call me Vic, Victor sounds too formal for friends.”

That was okay by me, I’d like to call him ‘boyfriend’.

Dinner was with Captain and Victor, I don’t know who the cook was but the food was simple but very good. I think I may have over eaten.

Victor did get a row boat and we rowed to the other side of the cove. After we reached the other side, we beached the boat. I made a note that we definitely would need to build a dock. I walked around the mountain from that direction. I was surprised to discover the mountain was fairly symmetrical, I’d need to make a few measurements to make sure. Walking back along the water towards the sea, I noticed that once you were beyond the entrance to the cove, there were sandy beaches. I thought with a little bit of development this could be attractive for potential customers.

“Vic, do think we could do some scuba diving?”

“Sure, where do you want to go scrubbing diving?”

“Here in the cove, I want to see what the base of this mountain looks like.”

“Okay, I’ll get some scuba equipment and maybe Cap would like to go with us.”

We rowed back to the ship, “Bob, do you have an idea of what you're going to design. I think that in the back of your mind you have some ideas.”

“Captain wanted to design a hotel on this mountain facing the ocean. So yes, I have an idea of what I'd like to see. But I need the data I have been collecting to check the feasibility of my idea. Before we leave to go back to school, I can give you and Captain my idea. This Cay has the possibility of being a vacationers dream, as well as a money maker.”

In the morning I was ready this time when Vic brought my breakfast. I had on my swimming trunks, so when Vic would knock I’d not be naked like yesterday.

I heard the knock and went to open the door. “I see you have decided to sleep in your underwear.”

I laughed, “These are my swimming trunks, I’m ready to go and check the cove this morning.” He just smiled, handed me my coffee and left to get breakfast. I started to sketch out the mountain from my measurements. Based on the slope I measured yesterday, the construction wasn’t going to be as bad as I originally thought. We won’t have to cut into the mountain as much as I thought we would. I just need to check with Captain to determine how many suites he wants constructed and how many bedrooms per suite. Additionally, there are a few more details I need, like air conditioning.

By the time I finished my sketch and listed my questions breakfast arrived. Rather than sit on the one chair side I sat on the two chair side. I began to realize there were two chairs on each side and true to nature Vic sat opposite me next to Captain, only this time Vic chose his seat. Breakfast again was very good. I needed a tour of this ship, maybe I’ll find out who’s doing all of the cooking.

“What is this?”

“That’s a sketch of the mountain and a list of questions that I’ll need the answers to before I can begin to design the project.”

“Is this the reason you were taking those measurements yesterday?”

“Yes, and once I get some questions answered, I can begin a more definitive sketch. And that leads to you Captain, I need to pick your brain.”

“After your dive today we can sit down and I’ll try and answer your questions.”

“I really need your input and we can let Vic act as judge as to what makes sense when we have a conflict.” I knew there would be no conflicts but I wanted Vic to be in on the project. While I’m in school, he can gather data for me.

I met Vic with the scuba equipment on deck. I almost had a heart attack, his swimming suit was like the suits worn in swimming and diving meets only on him they would stop a crowd. I quickly realized I better get in the water or I’m going to be really embarrassed.

I put on the scuba equipment with my back toward Vic. As soon as I had everything on, I dove into the water. I was amazed at the temperature of the cove water. It wasn’t warm as I suspected, it was cool and refreshing. I assumed the mountain providing some shade kept the sun from warming up the water. As we went deeper, the water temperature became cooler.

As I suspected the cove was a result of the mountain when it formed the Cay during its volcanic action. The molten lava formed two lines as it entered the ocean creating a pocket that became the cove.

While we were in the cove, I decided to check out the floor. I was surprised to see the formation of several coral. The sunlight lit the waters giving it a shining glimmer as the fish moved around the pockets of coral. This gave me an idea about the restaurant. I would need the help of someone who is knowledgeable about marine life. One of the advantages of going to college in Florida there are people who study marine biology.

I took advantage of the water to do some swimming and adoring the back side of a merman who swarmed with me.

We surfaced and climbed aboard the ship. “Vic, I’m afraid that I’m liking you too much. It’s probably best that you and I don’t meet anymore. I’m gay, you’re an extremely young man and it isn’t easy for me to be around you. If we continue, I’ll fall in love with you and I don’t want a broken heart. So, I think it might be best if we don’t see each other as often as we have. I’ll be going back to school in a few days so if I’m going to be able to finish I don’t need the distraction of an extremely handsome man in my thoughts.” Saying that I went to my room, showered and dressed in more casual clothes.

Sitting at the table sketching in the mountain under the cove, there was a knock at the door. I opened the door it was Captain.

“We need to talk.”

“Okay, what would you like to talk about, maybe the project.”

“No, Vic. I never told you how Vic came to be with me. These islands in this sector of the Atlantic seem to be a magnet for hurricanes. There is hardly any hurricane that doesn’t hit one of these islands including this Cay. Several years ago one hit the island where Vic lived. As is the custom, people from the other islands went to see what help they could provide. I had my boat parked just off the coast, I took one of the row boats and rowed to what was left of the boat docks. When I got there, a kid was begging for food. I put the kid in my boat and brought him to my boat. I fed him and found out his home was destroyed and the hurricane killed his parents. That boy is Vic. I don’t know what you said to him but he’s very upset.”

“Captain, you know I’m gay, we’ve had that discussion. Vic is a very attractive young man, I can’t get involved with a straight man. I don’t want to get hurt. I told him that till we return to school, it may be best if we don’t see each other.”

“Who told you he’s straight?”

I looked at Captain, “Your saying what? He’s gay?”

“Yes, he told me was gay a few years ago. He isn’t happy, there is no one here who he’s attractive to until he met you. Now he’s hurt, he thought that maybe you’d be the one. I thought so as well.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I’ve been beating myself up trying to not let my feelings get in the way of the project. Now I need to find Vic and apologize.”

“No you don’t, you can do it right now. Vic you can come in now.”

I watched the door open, Vic walked in with a smile. I jumped out of my chair and a certain young man was in my arms, lips to lips. I heard the door close and knew Captain had left. I stood there looking into his eyes as I saw tears running down his cheeks.

“I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t know you were gay. If I had known, I would’ve answered the door more often in my birthday suit.”

Now that that was cleared, I spent the rest of my time with my new boyfriend. We decided that we wouldn’t do anything but kiss till I finish school. On the day we had to leave to go back to school, Vic came with us to Barbados, he’d bring the boat back to the Cay. I was sad to see him leave, but I knew in a few months I’d see him again.