Page 86 of Wild Life

I nodded furiously. “I’m in.”

He clapped his hands, settling the deal. “Good, because you’re scaring the rest of the staff with your zombie-like demeanor.”

I laughed again, my heart beating giddily. “Why is everyone who works for you so weak?”

Malcom offered me a smile. Not as my boss, but as my friend. “Funny, your boyfriend asked me the same question.”

Chapter 37

Boat Klepto

Aleki

People were on my island. I hated people.

People were intrusive and demanding, and these infiltrators were no exception.

They were scientists who asked too many questions and disturbed everything.

I had intimidated them enough, at least, that they had stopped visiting my hut to ask me to be their tour guide.

Poaka despised them, too, and charged at the leader after his wristwatch had reflected sunlight into his eyes one too many times.

He was testier than ever before, existing in only two modes: agitated or depressed. The visitors didn’t help.

I wanted my privacy back.

But a part of me didn’t want them to leave since they were connected to Maris.

My Maris.

Life could never be as it had been before, when I had been alone, because she had changed me. Every smart comment, every smile, every kiss… She had awakened the parts of me that had gone dormant after my parents had died.

I didn’t have photos or home videos of her. The scientists were my only link, and as long as they remained, I had a pathway to her.

She had been surprised when Eli had shown up for her, despite demonstrating her desire to seek treatment for the bats. It was like she hadn’t been convinced she could ever leave. However, I never had a doubt. A person could accomplish anything as long as they found a purpose.

It happened sooner than I had anticipated, though. And I’d never imagined that her ex-lover would be the one to carry her home.

I spent nights wrapped in bed sheets that were still perfumed with her scent, convinced she had forgotten her promise to return once she had realized how much easier a life with Eli was. I didn’t blame her for choosing him and the amenities that a man of the outside world could offer. What more did I have to give her than a bushel of bananas and some salted fish?

Maris was a special woman—too special to conceal. She needed to be shown off, taken to nice places, and showered with gifts. She deserved much more than I could give her. And while I hated Eli with every fiber of my being, I hoped that he treated her well.

That didn’t stop my heartache, though. I missed her like a drowning man missed air. Days blurred into nights, and I moved through time like an apparition, not quite alive but not fully dead. I had stopped marking the days on the trees. It didn’t matter how many years had passed when I would eventually meet the same fate my parents had. I hoped it would come soon.

I wished that Maris was happy. Maybe one day she’d get married and have babies of her own. She’d be a wonderful mother, so enthusiastic and caring. I wanted her life to be fulfilling, allowing her to flourish.

I studied the contents of my basket. The fish were finished curing. These would last me several days until I could figure out a way to find more food. I remembered that food could be bought from stores, but I didn’t have any money. Perhaps I could set out traps for smaller prey like birds and rodents when I got to my destination.

Poaka shoved his nose into my stash, and I pulled away my goods in time. “Nope. Sorry, buddy. These are for me.”

He protested with a high-pitched squeal.

“I wish I could take you with me, but you’d hate the modern world. It’s covered in concrete, and it’s so hard that it’ll scrape your knees if you’re not careful.”

His eyes dimmed, and his head lowered. Leaving him would be as hard as when Maris had left us. I rubbed his ear and kissed his head. “Don’t worry. I promise to be back soon and bring Maris with me.”

He shuffled energetically when he heard her name. He loved her. We both did.

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