Dink and Kylie approached the group. Kylie could see that the young man was exceptionally handsome, with dark, kind eyes and a radiant smile. His hair was in small tight curls, short and stylish. A round diamante earring sparkled in his left lobe. He was medium height and build but with the svelte body of an athlete. The young women were thin and pretty, sporting diminutive bikini tops with skimpy jean shorts, and they were fawning over him. And why wouldn’t you? Kylie mused. As she approached the group, she caught his eye announcing, “That was impressive.”
They all turned towards Dink and Kylie, but the young man addressed her directly, “Hi. Yes. It’s easy when you know how.” His voice was melodic. Soft, but clear.
“I’ll bet it is.”
This short interaction had broken his spell on the European girls, and they looked uneasy. Moving to get back onto their bikes, one pretty blonde girl flirted on departure, “We’ll see you later, Marlon.”
“Yes. I’ll come to the beach after.” He smiled and produced a short wave to them, like an aloof monarch. He maintained an air of mild disinterest.
“Please, we didn’t want to interrupt. We’re just walking down to Shipwreck Beach. Is it far?”
“No, it’s OK. The girls want to go now to get a suntan,” he explained. “The beach, it’s a few minutes down the road.”
“Thanks. I’m Kylie by the way.” She shook his hand.
“I’m Marlon.”
Dink also introduced himself and, noting the small yellow house set back from the road, said, “Great place to live.”
“Yes. It’s fine.”
“And it’s on the tourist route.” Kylie nodded her head in the direction the girls had gone.
He cocked his head slightly and with a cheeky grin agreed, “That is a bonus. When you live here the girls like to pass by and chat.”
Marlon and Kylie had an instant rapport. She retorted quickly, “I’m sure they like to do more than that.”
“Madam.” He acted mildly offended. Raising an eyebrow and gesturing towards the nearby peaks and the beach road sloping through the palms, he glanced Kylie quickly up and down and announced emphatically, “I am a gentleman, but sometimes it’s nice to spend a little time in the mountains before going south to the forest.”
“Oh, clever!” Her cheeks coloured a rosy pink. “And so smooth.”
Dink joined in, “Classic! Your own personal one-liner. I love it.”
Marlon remained cool but grinned, satisfied by their appreciation. A rocky forest surrounded the road and they all paused to take in the scene. Massive rounded boulders dotted the yard around the house. Behind it the mountain began to slope upwards into a mess of thick palms and tangled vines hanging from colossal trees. A few scrawny chickens scratched about in the yard.
Dink quizzed, “Can you hike to the top of Mont Sur?
Tck, Marlon clicked his tongue suggesting no. “It is possible. But not easy. You need a guide.”
“And where might I find a guide?”
Pointing at his own breastbone, Marlon answered that question.
Kylie re-joined the conversation, “Ah, a man of many skills.”
Dink looked up towards the peak with eager anticipation. “I might take you up on that sometime.”
Marlon was non-committal. He told them he’d lived in this house all his life. “My brothers and I used to explore the mountain all the time. Now, not so much.”
“And where are your brothers now?” Her eyes betrayed her interest.
“Some moved to La Premiere for work, others live with their friends by the beach. I live here alone now.”
“Your parents?”
“They passed away about ten years ago. My brothers raised me and taught me how to survive. You know, to guide and fish, and to cook and clean. I don’t need much.” The delivery was matter of fact. There was no search for sympathy or pity.
Kylie softened her tone. She was so ridiculously kind-hearted that she often physically experienced people’s pain. Her heart melted at hearing this story of sorrow and loneliness in one so young. Marlon was trying to cover his emotion, but his misty eyes gave him away.
“I’m so sorry to hear that. You must miss them.”
Marlon’s gentle voice answered her simply, “Yes. I do.”
She tried to lift his mood. “Why don’t you come down to the beach with us. We can catch up with those pretty girls.”
“OK. That sounds good. I’ll just get my shirt.”
Dink studied the topography, assessing potential routes to climb the mountain. He patted his paunch before indicating Marlon’s six-pack. “If I had a body like that, I’d never wear a shirt.”
Marlon slow-jogged the dirt path to his house and came back carrying his shirt. He didn’t put it on. He slung it over his left shoulder. They all walked down the road together, Kylie and Marlon deep in conversation. Dink ambled behind, enjoying and surveying the dense pristine forest that stretched either side of the road.
Never shy, Kylie asked Marlon directly, “And what about the local girls? No one special?”
He hesitated briefly, Tck, he clicked his tongue again, “Too much trouble.”
“I saw an attractive girl the other day with lovely green eyes. I think her name was Camille. She’s Ajay’s friend.”
“Ah. You’ve already met Ajay.” Then added, with a hint of sarcasm, “Of course. Everyone knows Ajay!”
“He’s been so nice to us.” She outlined his generosity with the phone, motioning towards Dink who was now trailing behind taking a multitude of photos.
“Yes. He is nice. And kind. We’ve known each other all our lives.” Recounting growing up, Marlon told her that he is a year younger than Ajay. Selwyn, one of Marlon’s brothers, was in Ajay’s class at school. “I got along with Ajay better than Selwyn did.” A slight shoulder shrug seemingly indicated that Marlon was unsure as to the reason for this.
“And Camille?” Kylie re-focused the discussion. She was like a dog with a bone once she had settled an idea in her head.
Camille was clearly an uncomfortable topic for Marlon and his gaze flicked from one side of the road to the other. He paused, his answer considered but with scant emotion, “We all used to hang out together growing up. Ajay, Camille, and I, we were best friends. We spent all our time together, exploring the island. Ajay’s brother Jonah was also part of the group,” his voice trailed off. “I still see Ajay. But not so often. He is a busy man.”
“I guess you all grew up and went your own ways.” Kylie let him off the hook.
“Something like that. Yes.”
Abruptly, Marlon stepped off the path and picked up what looked like a large black coil from the leaf litter on the forest floor. Dink and Kylie were curious and gathered around. Marlon held the object closer so they could better examine it. A sausage-like body was encased with tight black skin, and multiple tiny feet wriggled rhythmically in an effort to escape.
“The largest millipede in the world. Found only in the Sedois Islands.” Proudly, he displayed the animal. It was curved, dark, and eight inches long. “Would you like to touch it,”