Cynic, Surfer, Saint (Scenic Route to Paradise #1)

by Andrea Aarons

  Nothing special but plainly a spell of good clean fun for the surfers.

  Toni hadn’t realized that in her excitement she clasped Hugh’s arm, holding firmly for some moments and even letting go, still not noticing what she had done. What Hugh noticed was that Toni had not noticed! He turned his face toward the water again.

  Hugh was a handsome athletic guy and a bachelor, not that being marriageable meant as much now as it did at one time – when he was young. Women from Albania to Argentina had gushed over him; flattered and flirted and bantered with him. Gobs of females tried seducing him over the years. Their gender was a crafty one, he came to conclude. He had hardened toward the opposite sex. His future would be like his past he assumed and there was no love relationship in his past. D’Almata women he knew were the most beautiful in all the world. He had eyes, he could see this. Still, this perky industrious unD’Almatan, widow had not only caught his eye but something dead in the core of his being was being poked and prodded as if it could be resurrected.

  Healthy, Hugh was comfortable at 58. Often, he traveled on state business and for pleasure. People all over the world knew him and some of them called him, friend. He had an extensive family who for the most part lived on the Isles of D’Almata.

  Hugh was securely set in his ways. He wasn’t sure if he wanted that which was inanimate for three decades to come to life again.

  Should he remain content but lonely and often bored or should he try to be uncomfortably amused? Over the last few days he pondered this question repeatedly.

  Thank the gods, she does not have blue eyes! He shuddered at the superstition which hailed from D’Almata.

  Breaking in on his thoughts, Toni said, “Look Hugh, there goes Mishael and Billie. I think that might have been Rick that caught the big wave.” The wave rider was coming in. She assumed that after catching an above average wave, Rick realized it wasn’t going to get any better than that until the wind changed – probably at sunset.

  At dinner that night, Mishael voiced his intention to go back to the Beachcomber and to get in the water with some of the other local surfers. Toni was pleased that he was not intimidated by better surfers but she said as his coach, “Not yet.”

  In addition she said, “You need to give it a couple weeks. Practice out front or we’ll go some place up the beach. You’re not ready for the Beachcomber break.”

  Unused to being thwarted, Mishael didn’t like her censure and he said so.

  “Mishael, I didn’t say you need to like my guidance but as your coach, I know more than you do… Trust me, in two months, you’ll know more than I know,” she told him with a knowing grin following. “If you want to go watch them, fine but I think with this swell you should be out working the wave… just not at the Beachcomber. It’s too crowded.” Toni didn’t tell him that the fishing pier made for prime surfing, but also that it was a danger especially to newbies.

  Toni’s phone buzzed. She returned to the table a minute later. Hugh had finished his meal and thrown his napkin up on his plate but the young men were still eating. When Hugh looked up, Toni said, “That was my girlfriend from Santa Fe. She called to wish me a happy birthday.” Toni left her phone on the counter and then sat again at the table to complete her final last few bites.

  “Your birthday, yes?” asked Rifta. Hugh’s eyebrows had jumped but they were down again before she could explain.

  “No,” she replied looking at Rifta, smiling vaguely. She wiped her hand on her napkin before tossing it up on the table top. “Patsy does it every year. It isn’t until next week. I think she gets mine mixed-up with her sister-in-law’s birthday. It is almost a tradition between us.” Toni shrugged and began clearing the dishes.

  When she returned to get more, Hugh pushed away from the table and said, “I will help you.” He carried his plate to the sink. Mishael looked up from finishing his food. First, he looked at his cousin and then he looked at Toni. His eyes went back at Hugh who was at the sink rinsing his plate and utensils. Toni wasn’t sure what to think but she did know that Hugh usually sat while Rifta or she did the work; after all that is what they were hired for… to do work that the others did not want to do.

  Mishael smiled.

  Toni reached for his plate and asked, “Are you finished?” He nodded and still smiling handed off his plate. “Thank you and thank you, Hugh for helping,” she added over her shoulder. It was obvious Hugh had “helped” before, as he knew to rinse the dishes before loading the dishwasher, even if he didn’t know how to load the dishwasher.

  They all went down to watch Mishael in the water. At sunset, a full moon came up in the east over the ocean. It was a glorious sight. The scene inspired Toni to talk about God but she kept her peace. Both Rifta and Hugh had been asking questions, and especially Hugh seemed to be having an internal struggle. To this extent, she didn’t want to overstep what God was doing.

  Chapter 13

  The foursome fell into a pattern by the second week which included attending the church in Forecastle followed by lunching at Ruth’s again.

  Toni and Rifta had recurring discussions which centered on Mishael’s security concerns, but likewise on the seeming incompetence of God when people actually needed Him.

  “What good your God when you pray, you beg… and nothing?” asked Rifta one early morning. Both discovered that the other had attended Todd Nelson’s self-defense programs and with that each had a personalized essential bag. The discussion unfolded as they compared equipment. Rifta carried super glue too, Toni noticed.

  Toni said, “What good? Rifta, God is the God of everything that exists. He is the definition of good. His plan for mankind – including you, is profoundly good.”

  Now he was repacking his kit. “That is what you say. But me... I leetle boy. Six years old,” he looked around conspicuously not wanting to offend the D’Almatans by using the number six but they weren’t up yet. Rifta continued. “I’m leetle. I know war, yes? Then one day, we in siege. The city? Surrounded. My mama, she tell me it is ‘siege’. Now we have no water! No groceries! The lights and the heater – do not work, yes?” Continuing to pack, an ugly, lopsided smile broke out on Rifta’s face as he recalled his past. “Bosnia, it get very cold. We burn everything to cook, to stay warm. The family – we a big family, move to my Aunt’s house. Her house big! A tall stone fence around it, yes?” Rifta threw up his hands demonstrating the height and solidity of his aunt’s wall.

  “My mama, she have one god. Papa, he have another, no? Everybody call to their god,” Rifta shrugged. “Nothing! So, we get busy to stay alive.”

  Toni had several thoughts and scriptures too on the tip of her tongue but she sensed correctly that it was not the time to reason with Rifta. She said, “Rifta, I’m awfully sorry. It must have been terribly difficult for you.”

  “Your air force – he drop food many times, yes? The peoples say, ‘thank god’ and we are glad. Thankful, yes. It not god! It the US Air Force!”

  Toni said, “Well, Rifta don’t you think God might use…” but Rifta cut her off in mid statement.

  “Police run away. Hospital a meat store, nothing clean. Bad guys begin a nasty job. Everybody is a monster – to live. I learn to survive – to fight, yes?”

  Rifta began adjusting the straps on his bag. He said, “Why my old uncle have to die? My little sister get sick with bad water, no? She die! Yes!” He swung the pack up on his back and turned to leave. At the hallway entrance, Rifta still wearing the ugly grin looked back at Toni. He said, “Ask your god where he was when leetle boy cry for him to help.” Rifta’s room was in the back of house near a small office used for storage and security surveillance. He disappeared down the darkened hallway.

  Toni put her face in her hands and cried for Rifta and for every child that had to suffer through the hardship and violence of war.

  Chapter 14

  Hugh had been making a lot of calls. Mishael confirmed that his cousin was on the phone frequently when he was out of the country beca
use there was meager cell reception on D’Almata. Hugh denied this later, telling Toni that their phone and internet reception was exceptional.

  “Many D’Almatan’s have cell phones… How would they communicate regularly with their family members who migrated elsewhere, if not?” Hugh stated. On further inquiry she found that there was only one place on the capital island where cell phones actually picked up a signal.

  Hugh made it sound as if climbing behind the old castle ruins to the top of the hill, is what most people do to use a cell phone.

  “Why, before dinner there are often 15 or 20 people standing around up there speaking to someone on another island or even calling to the mainland,” he told her but he changed the subject right away.

  So Hugh had been on the phone and Toni thought this odd as he hadn’t used his phone at all in her presence since his arrival to America.

  One evening when the men were playing cards after dinner, Toni had her laptop open and was checking her e-mail. She said to Mishael, “Did you see the jet-ski in front of the Beachcomber today?”

  Mishael said, “Yes, it looked amusing. I have two back at D’Almata.”

  “He probably was having fun but he was actually working with one of the local surfers,” Toni said.

  “Like a coach?” asked Mishael.

  Toni nodded. “Yes, like a coach. The guy on the jet-ski might have been simply a friend but he was coaching and helping the other guy on the surfboard,” she explained.

  Mishael said, “That is what we need. Toni, you should get a jet-ski.” Mishael looked over at Hugh who was studying his cards. Mishael waited until Hugh lifted his eyes and then the prince nodded at Hugh. Hugh looked over his shoulder at Toni but she looked away. The men were quiet after that. Toni guessed that Mishael was going to get a third jet-ski.

  Later in the week, Merry’s research suggested a Friday morning swell would be arriving with the tide and a mild offshore wind might produce favorable conditions for surfing 3 to 4 feet waves. Toni thought Mishael would most probably get up on his board. His balance was fine and key to his success of dropping in and making it. The household was a buzz when she told Mishael at dinner. Especially, Hugh was excited for his cousin.

  “I will use the video camera,” he said.

  Later, when they were having dessert on the back deck, Hugh said to Mishael, “So, where do you want to go next week, Mishael? After all, we have plenty of fine places to surf here.”

  Mishael looked up from his surfer’s magazine. “What? Oh, that is correct. Toni… Billie and Rick and everyone say that I should go to Cape Hatteras to see the surf and maybe even surf. I want to go. Will you take me next week?”

  “Cape Hatteras?” Toni asked somewhat astonished. “Well, sure but we shouldn’t go next week… Remember, you haven’t even got up on the board yet! We’ll go in late July or early August and maybe, Billie Cliff will go with us.” Toni finished her final bite of ice-cream and was thinking about having another, smaller bowl.

  Mishael said, “That is excellent idea. We will do that. I’ll ask Billie myself but I want to go up next week too. I want to go on Friday! Please, make sure you call and get motel reservations for us.”

  Hugh coughed. Toni was frowning. Hugh said, “My dear Toni, please fetch us some more of that superb ice-cream.”

  She went inside thinking perhaps Hugh was going to scold Mishael for his high-handedness. But Hugh said as the door slid closed behind her, “Mishael, I don’t see how she can say no. Whatever you do - don’t back down. We’ve got to have her gone until Saturday late afternoon. Your father won’t be here until then.”

  Rifta was laughing quietly in his chair at the edge of the deck. He said, “This one is tough like the Bosnian woman, no?”

  Hugh responded huffily. “No, she isn’t! But I’ll help you Mishael. It won’t be much of a surprise party if she is here arranging the flowers.”

  Rifta said, “And I will go, yes?”

  “No, you will not be going with Mishael. I need you here. Toni seems capable of handling any situation that might arise, with Mishael,” Hugh replied. “I’ve seen her down on the beach doing her karate kicks or whatever it is she doing as she pummels the air around her.” He waved his hand about to ward off a pretend attack. He added, “And she carries a little pop gun with her everywhere, except perhaps in the water.”

  Mishael said, “My father says she is an exceptional shot.”

  Supposing she was, Rifta laughed again. He warned, “Here she comes.”

  Hugh jumped up and opened the sliding door for her.

  Toni scooped ice-cream into each bowl.

  Hugh thanked her and then said, “Mishael sometimes asks too much. You are kind to an extreme in offering another trip to the surfer’s Cape Hatteras. Mishael will enjoy that.” She nodded but before she could respond, Hugh hurried on, pulling out his cell phone to emphasize his words. “I took it upon myself to reserve you and Mishael rooms at a superior motel there for next Friday night.” He fabricated and continued, “You shouldn’t have to bother; you are plenty busy already. I will print out the directions for you.”

  Mishael said blandly, “We thank you cousin, Huram. But you are not going?”

  Toni hadn’t expected this and she looked from one cousin to the other as they discussed the Hatteras trip, of which she had no intention of taking. She expected Hugh to stand with her on this but as she was learning, these men from D’Almata were predictably unpredictable.

  It was a week away. Surely between now and then she could convince Mishael to change his mind.

  As Rifta strapped the second board to the roof rack on Toni’s rental, early the next Friday morning, she couldn’t understand why Rifta was not going to the Cape with her and Mishael. Hugh had said simply, “He cannot go.” And when she pushed Hugh for a reason he said, “We are working on something important. You and Mishael go but return no later than 5 on Saturday and 7pm will be too late.”

  Exasperated, Toni had text Merry the night before and asked for stats on Hatteras. Merry returned her call, saying the water looked “sweet.” Toni told her daughter the story.

  Merry responded unsympathetically, “He’s the boss! Go to Hatteras and enjoy yourself.”

  Mishael had dropped into a wave and actually stood, surfing a few seconds before losing his balance and getting tossed, the Friday before as Toni had hoped. Since then, he had gotten up a few more times in the mediocre waters at the beach house. Toni would have preferred to have him surf with Billie and Rick at the Beachcomber before attempting the Cape but her advice was overturned by both Mishael and Hugh.

  The Cape Hatteras trip turned out to be disappointing. It was a long drive with two ferry trips to reach their destination. The swell was more like 4 and 5 feet and the wind was strong and onshore. They didn’t even get in the water Friday night but went shopping instead at Mishael’s insistence.

  He bought some shirts and then picked out a green summer dress for Toni. “Please, try this on. I think you will look marvelous,” he told her.

  She laughed, “You sound like my daughters. They are always trying to get me to buy something or other.”

  He picked out three other dresses. “I want to buy you a present for your birthday. I heard you say it was this week. In D’Almata we always give gifts for someone’s birthday.”

  “Well, thank you Mishael for remembering. It is actually tomorrow and you must know, we Americans give gifts for birthdays too,” she said. Toni tried on the dresses and the first one, the green one positively worked. She liked it and Mishael liked it too.

  “This dress is a birthday gift from me and so, tomorrow you will wear it. Now, let’s get dinner,” Mishael commanded.

  Toni suggested the Thai restaurant they had seen on the way to the motel. Mishael liked Thai and therefore, it was decided. Over dinner, Toni asked Mishael what he thought about the Church services they had been attending the last three Sundays.

  “That first Sunday, I will tell you the truth. I was con
fused,” he said seriously but he was smiling. Toni perceived no defensiveness about his manner. “The building is simple. I was shocked especially after you convincingly explained the night before that we were going to worship the big God of the entire universe. I expected a monolithic structure with extensive artistic craftsmanship. I was thinking of the European cathedrals and eastern places of worship. Our own temple where we do obeisance is renown. But Rifta, he did tell me, that he thought not.”

  “Oh? What did Rifta mean?” asked Toni.

  “He informed me that the larger the edifice the smaller the person who worships there! I thought he must be wrong. But Rifta says that you Toni, are a big person. You have a big God and that He cannot be satisfied in the furnishings of flawed men, no matter how skilled or talented they are. In his limited way, Rifta forewarned me to expect simplicity. He was right.”

  Toni was flummoxed at this explanation… and coming from cynical, sneering Rifta!

  Their food came and once the waiter stepped away, Mishael was ready to eat. Toni stopped him by asking, “Mishael, have you ever noticed that I usually say a prayer before I eat?”

  Chapter 15

  Toni drove back to the Edgewood beach house wearing Mishael’s birthday gift, the green dress. She admitted that it was just what she liked, a wrinkle-free silk blend in the Chanel style. The color and cut looked great on her. They left the Cape without seeing much surfing as the swell wasn’t what Mishael had seemed to hope. They had an unhurried drive, skipping breakfast and stopping for an early lunch.

  “Mishael, in spite of the lack of good surf, I feel it was a worthwhile exploratory trip for us. You saw the area. We talked with a few locals and next time we go up, maybe you’ll get to surf,” Toni said as she turned down Magnolia Drive. The rented house was one of only five homes on the street.