02 The Moon And The Tide - Marina's Tales (38 page)

He looked like I just slapped him in the
face, “Are you trying to get back at me?”

I paused for a second, shaking my head, “You
can’t be serious.”

“You were out with him last night,” he said
in an accusing tone.

“And?” I asked.

“So what are you going to do? Are you going
away with him?” his tone was demanding.

I turned to look him in the eyes.

“Well?” he continued, his eyes blazing into
mine.

“I
said
we were friends,” I answered
angrily, storming off to find Cruz and Megan.

The rest of the day was a haze of alternating
outrage and disappointment. I didn’t do anything wrong, but the
fact that Kimo was interested in more from me than just surfing
made me feel a little less righteous. The look on Ethan’s face
really had me rattled. Cruz and Megan must have sensed that things
didn’t go too well with him, but wisely didn’t try and draw me out
about it.

Shayla and Mike approached me in the hallway
later in the day.

“Is it true?” Shayla asked, “Long says that
you and Kimo are going out.”

“We only went out to get something to eat
after surfing all day,” I said, exasperated, “We’re just surfing
buddies.”

“Whoa,” Mike was clearly impressed, “Kimo
Wakita... what was it like surfing with him?”

I smiled for the first time all day,
anticipating the waves at the point, “What are you guys doing after
school?”

When the final bell rang they met me at the
parking lot. Like a true surfer who knew that the surf was up, Mike
had packed his board and suit to school, and he transferred them
from his car to the Rover. We all drove to Shayla’s, loaded her up
and headed out for the point. I told them a little bit about my day
surfing with Kimo and his friends, and they listened with rapt
attention. Shayla told Mike in detail about the time we first met
Kimo.

“This dude that hassled us that day ended up
getting munched by sharks!”

Mike looked at me wide eyed, “It’s like that
animal thing you got going on, right?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said, “I can’t
control sharks.”

I felt queasy thinking about Joe, for the
whole ugly memory had been bubbling in the back of my mind all day.
I was anxious, and not quite sure how it would feel to revisit the
scene of the crime.

We pulled up to at the point to find Kimo,
Eric and Gabe standing in the parking lot, waiting by the van.
Kimo’s face broke into a huge grin when he saw me pull in. It felt
good to be wanted, and his happy enthusiasm passed over me like a
fresh breeze. I felt better instantly.

“Aloha!” he called out to us, elbowing Eric,
“Tol’ you she’d show.”

I got out and Kimo rushed over to give me a
bear hug, Gabe and Eric each embraced me in turn.

“Hi Kimo, you remember Shayla,” I
gestured.

Introductions were made all around. I noticed
Eric and Gabe checking out Shayla as she looked up at them shyly
from under her lashes. I smiled, for the difference in Shayla was
really phenomenal. Her mask of hardness and hostility was crumbling
away to reveal a sweet and beautiful girl. Knowing I had some part
in her transformation made me smile inside.

“And this is our friend Mike,” I added. Mike
gaped at Kimo, Eric and Gabe in turn.

“Have you guys been out already?” I asked as
we changed into our suits.

“Yeah,” said Eric, “But Kimo wanted to wait
up here for you in case there were any hostile locals.”

“Don’ wanna let nobody bodda you,” Kimo
grinned at me.

“Did you hear what happened to that dude that
was hassling us before?” Shayla went on and on, describing Joe’s
untimely death and mutilation as I stood there squirming. Kimo
watched me carefully as she spoke and when his dark eyes met mine I
had the feeling that he suspected I had something to do with it.
Mike elbowed Shayla to stop talking, looking at me and Kimo.

“It’s really pumping today!” said Gabe,
“Let’s go!”

We shuffled our way down the precarious
pathway to the rocky shore, Kimo going just ahead of me, glancing
back protectively. My gaze landed on the spot where I nearly died,
and my stomach lurched with anxiety. Taking a deep breath and
tearing my eyes away, I looked out at the beautiful sets coming in
and felt the familiar rush of excitement. I ran into the surf with
my board, diving through the white water, letting the sea wash away
all of the painful memories.

“C’mon Marina!” Eric waved me out to the
lineup, “Tell me which one to take!”

We all sat up on our boards in the swells, a
few locals eyeing us but saying nothing. Kimo and his friends
commanded respect, partly because of their fame but mostly because
of their size. I pointed out some great waves to the guys and then
took a few of my own, surfing into a personal mindless oblivion. It
was exactly what I had craved all day. Immersed in the sea, rinsed
clean of all the unpleasantness, I was purged of all pain and
anger.

Mike paddled up to me, “Marina, did you know
that Gabe and Eric are champion surfers too?”

“No,” I shook my head, “but I believe it.
Those guys are really good.”

“How come you’ll rip in front of these dudes
but not Aptos dudes?”

I thought about how to explain it and
realized it sounded stupid even as I said it.

“They’re just passing through,” I said, “and
no one around here will know.”

“Know what?” asked Kimo as he drew near.

“Marina won’t surf in front of anyone at
school,” Mike said.

Kimo looked at me quizzically, “How ’bout her
boyfriend?”

Mike shrugged.

“You tell him fo’ me he’s one stupid dude.
Dis here girl is magic, an if she was mine I’d neva leave her alone
fo’ one minute.”

“Knock it off Kimo,” I splashed him a warning
and paddled out to sea further to better listen to the voices in
the water. The last thing I wanted was for Ethan to hear was how
interested Kimo was in more than just surfing. It tainted my
friendship claim, and made me wonder if I was wrong to be friends
with him. It was complicated, but I didn’t feel as though I was
doing anything wrong. I was honest with Kimo. Was I leading him on
simply by being friendly?

I sat up on my board, looking out to sea
pensively. The sunlight glittered off of the water; the rise and
fall of the swells was soothing. I was feeling a little better when
a pair of dolphins surprised me, surfacing on either side of my
board and laying down their heads. I smiled faintly, and couldn’t
resist petting their soft throats. Their watery ocean eyes gazed up
at me affectionately, their charming smiles made my eyes well
up.

I scanned the sea for Lorelei, knowing full
well that they were her messengers. I’ll come soon, I thought,
sensing that she was nearby and could hear me. I missed the
otherworldly peace and freedom of nocturnal surfing, and I closed
my eyes, imagining the moonlight shining on the water. A tear
escaped the corner of my eye, tricking down my cheek to join the
salty sea.

“
Go now, give Lorelei my love… tell her
I’ll come soon,
” I sent them off with a pat and turned back to
see Kimo and Mike watching, mouths agape. They drew closer and
began talking with their heads together conspiratorially. I was
pretty sure Kimo was being treated to Mike’s version of my animal
taming powers. Shayla and the guys were surfing, oblivious to
everything but their flirtations. I turned to swim back with a
sigh.

“What?” I asked defensively, paddling past
their wide eyed stares to surf some more.

As the day drew to an end I took one last
wave into the shore. I trudged through the breakers onto the rocky
beach, failing to completely rid my mind of the last time I went
ashore there. I looked down to see a glint, and then a familiar
glimmer that burned with blue green fire. I reached down to
retrieve my necklace, holding it in my outstretched palm, looking
at it in wonder.

Kimo came up beside me, “Whas dat?” he
asked.

“It’s mine,” I said in a small voice. I
looked up at him, stunned, “I lost it here.”

“It came back to you,” he said, “Means it’s
meant to be yours forevah.”

I hiked back up the steep path in a daze. It
felt like an omen, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what it might
portend.

After we all changed into our clothes Kimo
asked if he could have a minute alone to say goodbye. I agreed,
leaving Shayla and Mike waiting by the Rover. Waving off his
friends, Kimo led me around to the other side of the van and leaned
on it, his muscular bulk blocking me from their view.

“Why not come wid us?” he asked, “I can take
you surfin’ everywhere.”

I smiled my regrets, “Really, Kimo, it sounds
like fun, but I can’t leave school.”

“Dis summer then?” he asked, moving closer,
persistent, “I’ll be back roun’ then...”

I shook my head no, “I can’t leave.”

“Maybe someday... eh?” he cocked his head
charmingly and I couldn’t help but smile at him.

He leaned in, and before I could react he
planted a kiss on my lips, backing me into the van. His hands took
me by the waist, reaching around to pull me close. It was all
wrong, and I turned away with an involuntary whimper.

He sighed as he pulled back, “Sorry, I jus’
couldn’t resist.”

I looked down as my eyes filled with tears,
suddenly sad. I really liked Kimo, I liked his direct gaze, his
protective nature, and his relaxed attitude about life. Evie would
say he had a real “joie de vivre”. It would be so easy to go with
him, to spend some time surfing and frolicking in warm tropical
seas. I wished that I could say yes and just run off with the jolly
little band of surfers.

The truth was, I simply didn’t love him, and
I knew that I never would.

“It’s okay,” he said, tipping my chin up
between his thumb and finger, “Don’ be sad pretty girl, it’s
awright.”

I didn’t have a chance to respond.

Kimo was pulled away from me and tossed aside
as though he didn’t weigh an ounce. He bounced off another car and
stood there stunned for a second. I looked up to see Boris looming
over me, with Kimo regrouping and lunging at him.

“Stop it!” I screamed, and watched as Boris
straight armed Kimo, deflecting him like he was a beach ball. I got
between them, facing Boris, “Stop! He’s my friend!” Kimo paused,
looking up at Boris.

Boris glowered down at him, a solid wall of
muscle, “Looks like he attacks you.”

“No Boris,” I said, blushing. I turned to
Kimo, “I’m sorry, Boris is just... overprotective. Are you
okay?”

“I’m good,” Kimo was staring at Boris with
hard eyes.

I turned back to Boris, starting to feel like
a ping pong ball, “What are you doing here?”

“Evie comes to takes you home,” boomed Boris
in his thick Russian accent.

“What?” I cried, craning my neck to look
behind Boris. Evie’s silver Rolls was gleaming at the end of the
lot. I could see a figure sitting in the back seat and I stomped
over with Boris trailing behind me, Kimo following him.

Evie swept out of the Rolls regally. She was
dressed impeccably in a couture suit, a beautiful Chanel hound’s
tooth check that was dripping with pearls. Her hand reached up to
smooth back her platinum hair, pinned in an elegant French twist.
She looked like a million dollars.

“Dahling,” she cooed, holding her arms
open.

I was surprised and a little angry, but it
was Evie, and I missed her. I gave her a hug, a huge lump welling
up in my throat. I was about to cry like a baby.

“Hi Evie!” Shayla came up excitedly, “How did
you find us?”

Good question, I thought. Nobody knew we were
here. I looked at the Rover and back at Evie suspiciously,
disengaging from her arms, “You have a tracking device on my car?”
I asked in shock.

“No dear,” she replied, “It’s in your
phone.”

I just stood there, an irritated look on my
face.

“You okay Marina?” asked Kimo, watching as
Boris took a position at the front of the Rolls, casting a wary eye
on our surroundings. Mike, Gabe and Eric stood at the van, gaping
at the scene unfolding before them.

Evie took charge, “Hello dear,” she smiled at
Shayla, and then turned the full force of her charm on Kimo,
“Marina, why don’t you introduce me to your friend?” she held her
hand out and smiled engagingly.

Kimo looked stunned, not knowing what to make
of the glamorous apparition. A well dressed woman of a certain age
was about the last person a surfer would expect to encounter at the
point.

“Kimo, this is my Aunt Evie,” I was struck
with the sudden realization that she really was a relative, and my
usual disclaimer was no longer necessary.

He took her elegantly manicured hand in his
huge paw gingerly, as though he might break her long delicate
fingers. She shook, her crystal eyes gleaming at him.

“Nice ta meet you,” Kimo said with a goofy
grin, “I can see where Marina gets her looks.”

Evie laughed her flirtatious tinkle, “And how
do you know Marina?” she asked, appraising him with a sharply
arched brow, “You certainly don’t look like a high school boy.”

Kimo puffed up a little, “I saw her surf,” he
said with a glance over to me, “I nevah seen a girl take a wave
like her.”

“Marina is extremely talented,” she said, and
frowned, “But she has a talent for attracting trouble too...”

“Marina has a stalker,” Shayla chimed in
guilelessly, “Someone’s following her in a creepy black car!” Boris
made an angry snorting sound.

“Fo’ real?” asked Kimo, looking at me, “That
car you hidin’ from yesterday?”

“I think it’s a reporter,” I said through
gritted teeth, willing everyone to stop talking about it. I had
made up my mind that Evie was not bringing me back to San
Francisco, but all this talk was going to make her panicky.