Castaway

The next morning, they came for me and took me to the courthouse. It was a small building left over from colonial days, and like the colonial days, wasn't air-conditioned. It was hot. I was glad all I had to wear were shorts, a T-shirt, and flip-flops.

In the courtroom, I was instructed to sit on the witness bench. Muriel was led a few minutes later, but sat in the dock.

Ten minutes later, a man, dressed in robes, wearing a wig, walked up and took a seat behind the judge's bench.

The assistant struck the floor with his staff and called us to order in the name of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the second.

The judge put on some glasses and read the paper before him.

"Well, Muriel," he said, "You're charged with assault and attempted murder. What do you have to say?"

She was shaking with fear, but said clearly, "Not guilty, your Lordship."

"I see you have your defense attorney with you," he said.

"Yes, your Lordship," said the man. He stood and bowed to the judge. Then he walked up and presented the bailiff with a note. It was passed on to the judge.

"Good heavens, its Michael Novak," he exclaimed. "What the devil are you doing here?"

"I've been asked to be a witness, your Lordship."

"Very well," he said.

"Get on with it, Rodger," he said to the prosecutor.

The prosecutor put Jesse on the stand and proceeded to paint a very black picture of Muriel, stating that she waved the gun right in his face and tried to shoot him and all that.

The jury, which looked like they'd just been rounded up from the street didn't look very happy.

When he finished, the judge asked whether the prosecutor had the weapon in question. Of course he didn't, it was on the island for defense purposes.

"If it's the same gun as was there when I was a boy, it's left over from the Great War," said the judge. "Any other witnesses?"

"No, your Lordship, said the prosecutor.

"Well, it's your turn," Mister Anderson.

The defense lawyer stood up and said, "I would like to call a witness, if you please, your Lordship."

"I suppose you mean Mister Novak."

"Yes, your Lordship," said the defense attorney.

"I have a few questions for him, first. Mister Novak, how the hell did you get on that island?"

I stood up and replied, "My boat was wrecked during the storm. Muriel and Anita rescued me from the surf and nursed me back to health."

Jesse practically jumped up and down with glee, "See, I told you there was somebody else. He's the son of a bitch from the Andromeda. They've been gunning for me all along."

The judge said mildly, "The Andromeda has been sunk for two years now. There weren't any survivors. Next time I hear a peep out of you, I'll have you in irons in the basement of this wretched building." It was getting hotter in the courtroom and the 18th century dress he had to wear was not improving his attitude. He wanted this over with as fast as legally possible.

"Please go on, Mister Novak."

The defense lawyer had an elaborate line of questioning planned, but that was obviously not wise at that point. It was well over a hundred degrees in the courtroom, so the questioning was short and to the point.

Was I there? I answered yes.

What was the reason for the conflict? I told the court that the fuel that Jesse was going to provide was laced with water and I had not doubt in my mind that it wasn't the first time. I told him that he tried the same trick on us when I was on the ship.

Did Jesse threaten Anita? I answered yes, with a big, rusty wrench.

Did Miss Muriel Adams fire the gun at him? I replied that if she did, he would be dead. She was on the porch of the house and only twenty yards away.

"I see," said the judge. "What then?"

"He left in a rage, your Lordship," I replied.

"Anything else?"

"No, your Lordship."

He looked relieved. "Well, anything more from the prosecution or the defense?"

"No, your Lordship," they said as one. They, too, were in heavy clothes and wigs.

The jury was sent out to deliberate and was back in five minutes. The verdict was not guilty.

After the court adjourned, I paid the defense lawyer and bid him farewell.

Muriel went shopping.

I waited for the judge, Hiram Wallingford, to join me at Snuffy's.

"I haven't seen you in ages," he said as we took a table. "Why did you leave the ship?"

It was getting too tense between the Master and Chief Engineer. Each of them tried to enlist me to get the other off the boat. I didn't want to be a part of it. I took my money and bought the boat. The rest is in the Royal Bank down the street."

"What will you do now?"

John Reed said, "I need someone on Barracoon Light. Two isn't enough with the antique machinery."

We'd discussed that on the boat.

"I'd like to apply for the job."

John pulled out the application form, which was already filled out, and I signed it.

"Stand up, and raise your right hand," he said. "Hiram, you can witness it."

So he swore me in as an apprentice lighthouse keeper. My orders were already cut and he handed me two copies. "One for you, and one for Anita," he said. "Now, how about a drink?"

Muriel knew where to find me. She'd finished everything and was ready to go.

"Well," she said, "I'm not sure how to thank you. You were a great help on the island. I'll miss you."

John cleared his throat. "He's now Anita's apprentice."

She took a step back in surprise.

"As soon as I can get some clothes, I'll be coming with you," I said. "I'll meet you by the boat in an hour."

John had a uniform, which fit, more or less. I went and quickly bought enough to start with. Hopefully, in a month, I could come back and finish my shopping.

Muriel said little on the trip over to the island. I think the day was too much for her, and I think she was worried what Anita would say.

Anita didn't say a lot when I stepped off the boat onto the pier and presented my orders to her. She opened them and looked at me, and then said, "Now you're really mine. Get to work."

As soon as the boat was sufficiently away from the pier, she threw her arms around me and kissed me hard.

"I thought you were gone for good," she said.

"I like it here. It's so peaceful."

I moved the groceries into the kitchen and Muriel began to put them away.

Then I went out to help Anita. She had some new parts for her engine.

"Did you order these?" she asked.

"Yep. Hopefully, help solve the fuel problem. The Magistrate told me that your friend Jesse is under investigation. I don't think he's going to wiggle out of this one."

Anita smiled. "Go make supper."

"Yes, Ma'am," I replied.

After dinner, Muriel went to her room for a bath. Anita followed a few minutes later.

I had finished cleaning up, when Anita called from their room, "Michael, get in here right now."

"Now what?" I thought as I dried my hands.

I knocked and Anita said, "Enter."

I opened the door and saw Muriel standing by the bed. She was wearing a sheer robe. She had a serious expression on her face, anticipation mixed with fear. Anita was behind her. She opened the robe and let it fall to the floor.

"Come, lover," she said, "And join us."

I dropped the towel and went in.

Muriel put her arms around me and gave me a long kiss. She pushed me onto the bed and pulled off my trousers.

Anita took off my shirt and whispered in my ear, "Be good to her, Michael. She's a virgin."

I gently pulled Muriel to her feet and pushed her back on the bed. Oh, she was so beautiful! Her skin was light brown, almost golden in appearance and so, so smooth. I had to taste it. I gave her little round tummy a kiss, right below her naval, then a lick.

She giggled and said, "That tickles." The she tried to push my head away. I moved lower, licking a trail until I met the dense and curly forest of her pubic hair.

Anita had not been idle. She distracted Muriel with a shower of kisses on her face, chin, and lips. Their mouths met and Muriel let out a long, low groan of pleasure. She gasped when my tongue found her pussy. It was already wet and swollen. I spread the lips and found her clit, which was peeking out from under the hood.

Anita had one of Muriel's breasts in her mouth.

I continued licking until Muriel arched her back and came with a little cry.

"Oh, please do it to me now," she moaned.

I slid up on the bed and lay on my back. Anita gently guided her astride my hips and then put the tip of my cock inside her. It felt so good that I pushed in a little more. Muriel opened her eyes and smiled at me.

Little by little, I pushed into her and she bore down on me, her tight pussy opened to take me inside.

She was dripping wet now and her pubic hair was matted with her juices. The smell of sex filled the room.

Anita bent over and started kissing Muriel on the mons, just above the slit. She groaned and arched her back. I put my hands on her hips and guided her as we continued that long, slow erotic dance of love. Without even knowing it, she found the right rhythm and moved against me, grinding her pubic area against me, then lifting off me until I almost came out of her.

Anita was now inflamed, too, and she was kissing Muriel on the hips, ass, and licking the crack between her cheeks. I felt her warm breath on my balls and then her pointed little tongue lick my shaft. I gasped and almost came.

Muriel leaned forward to give me access to those breasts of hers, heavy, pendulous, swinging in time to our movements, nipples hard an swollen like pencil erasers.

I caught a breast with my mouth and gently sucked on the smooth skin of her areola. There was no taste to it, yet it tasted good. I flicked the nipple with my tongue. Her pussy tightened around me. She inhaled sharply with the pleasure of it.

He breathing was coming faster now, I could see her face go slack with concentration. Her hips rolled across my groin, sucking in my cock and letting it out with a wet squishing noise. She started to move faster and Anita moved away and let her drive herself against me. Her head lolled around and her long hair caressed my face.

Then her orgasm broke like a wave on a beach. She arched her back and pushed against me, hard. Her pussy rippled and pulled at my cock. I followed and thrust into her, pushing myself as far inside as I could then I burst, arching my back, my cock pounding, pounding harder than it ever had. I let out a cry and a groan, then fell back on the bed.

"Is it over?" she asked, panting. "Oh, it felt so good." She smiled at me.

I nodded. "Ah, yes. Oh, Muriel. Oh, Anita. I never came like that before."

She climbed off me and then lay down, snuggling against me. Her sweet breath played across my face. Anita moved behind her and we wrapped ourselves around her.

I fell asleep, like all men do after that kind of exertion.

When I awoke, it was dark. I slipped on my pants and shirt and went outside.

The generator rumbled softly, and the surf washed against the beach. Silently, the light turned around the tower of coral rock, sending its beam seaward flashing out the Morse letter B.

Muriel and Anita were curled up in the chair, watching the light. I took a seat on the porch and laid my head against Muriel's thigh. Her hand came down and stroked my hair.

I was a peace at last. I was home.