Night of the Pirates

ONE

The last light of day silhouetted the modest curves of the young girl who stood on the shoreline of the Connouqua River. She was at that awkward age when all a girl sees in the mirror is ugly. Like those faint freckles that dappled her nose and round cheeks, and her generous lips that were slightly distended by the wires reforming her teeth. Her auburn hair was cut execu-chick short by parental decree, but she wore the clothes of rebellion. Earlier in the evening, her faded and ripped super-snug jeans and the equally tight black tank top had been the subject of a parental rebuke on her trampy attire.

The trampy clothing skirmish was a perfect example of how her mother attempted to rule every facet of her life. In less than two weeks Wendi Parker would be eighteen, but none of the stupid rules had been lifted. Her mother wasn’t going to let her get a driving permit and she still wasn’t allowed to date. She had been allowed to go to the movies and mall with her girlfriend, Brenda Stark, but that was before her mother found out where the girls were really going.

Wendi’s impassive hazel eyes gazed aimlessly over the river which had shifted from swamp stained coffee brown to black in the waning sunlight. Gloomy cypress trees draped with spooky veils of Spanish moss bounded the river that flowed at her feet and tempted her with a promise of freedom. The river meandered out to the sounds and then to the ocean beaches. A wet highway out of parent hell. If I only had a boat, she muttered.

Wendeee, her mother hollered.

Cursing, Wendi trudged toward the ostentatious house, her jail. She had been grounded until the end of the school year and maybe the entire summer, a sentence equivalent to life. No more going off with Brenda since her mother found out they had been going to parties and accused Wendi of making out.

No, not me, Wendi had lied, hoping that her mother didn’t notice the makeup-caked hickey on her neck. But she had. You little slut, her mother had yelled.

Wendi had retorted, I’m a slut? You go off to country club parties without dad. That’s hardly proper behavior for a married woman.

Wonderful. Now in addition to being grounded, her mother had revoked her phone and computer privileges.

The deepening shadows of night had overrun the spaces among the trees. Wendi skirted the span of black woods that she feared at night but fearlessly navigated in daylight to visit Will Gibbons, her neighbor and refuge from parent hell. Will was almost thirty, divorced and lived alone, facts that had prompted her mother to make his home off limits.

But Wendi ignored the ban. Unlike her parents, Will listened to her and suggested solutions rather than give her unexplained and seemingly indefensible orders. She was deeply infatuated with him. And in her deepest unspoken fantasies, Wendi imagined the perfect way to become a woman would be to sleep with Will Gibbons.

Her mother met her at the back door and threw a shirt at her. Put this on. We have a guest, the preacher. Family meeting in your father’s den. Kathi Parker led the way, three inch heels clicking on the hardwood floor and buttocks shimmying the sky blue silk dress that matched her eyes. Wendi slipped the shirt on and hooked one midriff button.

The Right Reverend Harrington jumped to his feet and greeted them with a Lord loves ya. He wore black, save for the white ring of his ecumenical collar. The shined black surface of his plain toed shoes had cracked.

Kathi placed a cup of green tea in front of her husband and sat on the desk.

Thanks. Duane Parker glanced at his petite blonde wife as he flipped the sand timer. Brewed for three minutes, green tea was high in antioxidants, just one of Duane’s health habits. Exercise wasn’t one of them. He was overweight and hopelessly out of condition.

The Right Reverend let his stout body settle back on the love seat and grinned at Wendi. Have a sit-down, child. He patted the cushion beside him. Averting her gaze from his florid features and bulbous, spider veined nose; Wendi leaned against the door jamb.

Her younger brother, Timmy, was slumped in a wingback chair with one lean leg crooked over the arm and earbuds plugged in his ears. He had his nose in a Handguns magazine. He had turned seventeen the week before. Tall, dark and handsome, Timmy attracted girls and was feeling the crunch of the restrictive rules. He had not been allowed to get a driver's license either.

Kathi reached over, snatched Timmy’s earbuds off and slapped the magazine out of his hands. We’re here to discuss both your educations so pay attention, young man.

Wendi stiffened her lackadaisical pose. Bible Day Academy! The absolute pits! Uniforms! Yucky calf length A-line skirts! Dumb blue polyester blazers! Stupid looking saddle shoes! And she’d be cut off from her friends! Her life would be over!

Yes indeed, Sister Parker. The Right Reverend nodded. I’d like to see your children have the best Christian schoolin’ available-Bible Day Academy. I’m here to answer any questions y’all might have.

Y’all must be her mother's thighs, Wendi thought cynically. Kathi’s stretch to grab Timmy’s earbuds had left her immodestly exposed and Harrington’s stare had crawled up her aerobics tuned calves and locked on her sleek thighs. Lips pinched, Kathi tucked her dress under her legs, cutting off his view.

Timmy straightened and leaned forward. Count me out, Mother. I’m not going to a wussy bible school. Not now, not ever.

You have no choice, young man. You will go wherever we send you.

I think not. He pushed himself out of the chair. I’ll pack my stuff and boogie before I switch schools again. Timmy stared at his mother in defiance. He had observed the harsh treatment his sister had received and wasn’t about to give up an inch of his freedom.

I’m not going either, Wendi said with a foot stomp. Every other year we move or change schools and I’m sick of losing all my friends.

Silence, both of you. As for you, young lady, your questionable choice of friends and your bad attitude is exactly why we’re considering a change.

But.... Wendi made a spitting sound and looked away from her mother. It was useless. Arms crossed, she slumped against the door jamb.

Now, Reverend Harrington, Kathi continued, we’re considering several options for our children’s education. Our major concern is Wendi. Although Connouqua County High School is quaintly placid by modern standards, we find their lack of discipline unacceptable. However, I am concerned about the co-ed structure at Bible Day. Wendi has a cavalier attitude and boys are becoming a problem.

As you was sayin’, Sister Parker, they don’t know the meanin’ of discipline in them county schools. We don’t put up with sinful behavior at Bible Day Academy. All our social events are chaperoned an’ we don’t allow dancin’. Pure in body, pure in mind.

Purely awful. Wendi cast a disdainful glance toward the ceiling.

I have no quarrel with that, but I’ve researched Bible Day and I’m not pleased with the report. Duane held up a piece of paper.

You researched this? Kathi grabbed the paper from his hand.

Yes. Duane fidgeted in his chair before looking back at the Reverend. Bible Day’s certification is marginal and the SAT scores of your graduates are dismal. I’m sure my wife will agree that Bible Day lacks the academic excellence we require.

Yes! Wendi cheered silently. Timmy smirked, settled back in the chair and sneaked his earbuds back on.

Them standardized tests is skewed by a buncha heathen liberals. They ain’t worth the paper they’re printed on.

Maybe so, Reverend, but this doesn’t look good. We started both our children a year late in school to give them a maturity advantage over their classmates and it worked. Both are honor roll students. Kathi eased off the desk and walked to her husband’s side, bending down and whispering in his ear. Duane fanned out a stack of private school brochures. More whispering.

Reverend Harrington cleared his throat. Brother Parker, we prepare our students to lead fine Christian lives.

Again, I have no quarrel with your goals, Duane nodded.

Nor do I, Reverend. Kathi selected a pair of brochures before returning to her post at the front of the desk. However, we require academic excellence as well as discipline. We’ve decided that Wendi needs the controlled environment of an all-girl boarding school.

No way! You just want to get rid of me. I won’t go to...I’ll...I’ll run away.

Silence, young lady, her mother warned.

No! I’m not going off to a boarding school.

You’ll go where we send you.

A pink flush crept up Wendi’s neck. Fuck you!

Whoa, the F word. Yea, sis, Timmy shouted, punching air with his fist and pantomiming a victorious football spike.

Duane froze with the teacup halfway to his mouth, looking at his livid wife.

Kathi's full lips twisted, Both of you are grounded indefinitely! She pointed at Timmy, Go to your room. Then she strode toward Wendi. I’ve had all I can take from you, young lady. Go to your room right this second and stay there. I don’t want to see your face until you leave for school on Monday morning.

Wendi ran upstairs and down the hall to Timmy’s room, pushing his door open. Why are you smiling, little brother, we’re screwed.

No, we’re outta here. He dropped a large camouflage backpack on his bed. I’m calling Suzy later to let her know where I’ll be, probably at Dave’s. You can crash at Brenda’s if you’ve got the balls to blow this concentration camp.

Oh, sure, and that’s the first place they’ll look for us.

Timmy frowned, looking around his messy room. Yeah, you’re right. Plan B. Tossing his sleeping bag on the bed, he dumped his gym bag onto the floor. We’ll pack enough food in this to last a couple weeks and hide out at the abandoned shack me and Dave found upriver. No one will find us there.

I...I don’t think that’s a good idea. She had been to Timmy’s hideout shack in the swampy jungle along the riverbank. Dark and secluded, the shack reminded her of a perfect setting for a slasher movie.

It’s cool. Don’t be a wuss, I’ll protect you. Timmy held up his .22 carbine.

You’re taking your gun? That was a dumb question, thought Wendi, Timmy loved his gun. He had slept with it until their mother screamed at him for getting gun oil on the sheets.

Hey, we might have to shoot our way out of here.

Get a grip! Please, Timmy, there has to be a better way.

Name one, sis. You just don’t get it, do you?

Uh...get what? She backed toward the door, nervously eyeing the carbine.

Mom doesn’t want us around because...forget it. Listen, I know things.

Oh really, my brother and his little secrets. How cute. Grow up, Timmy.

I am grown up and I’m not staying here. He stepped close to her, his expression determined. You heard them, sis, they’re going to send us to private school. I’ll bet yours will be run by stuffy old hags and have a chain link fence and razor wire to keep you in.

Yeah, but...but we can’t just run away. How are we going to live?

We’ll live free! He hoisted the carbine over his head.

Timmy, put that gun away, you’re scaring me.

He snorted in disgust. Why do I bother, you haven’t got the balls. You’re a dreamer. So live in your dreams and get sent off to private school. Not me. He shoved her into the hallway. You better keep your mouth shut too. And they better not try to stop me.

Timmy, please... When he slammed the door in her face, Wendi ran to her room. Her bedroom door didn’t have a lock, so she wedged a chair under the knob. Surprise inspections were part of her mother’s routine.

Timmy always laughed when Wendi got caught sneaking a smoke. And she had laughed the week before when Timmy got caught flailing away. Her mother had the biggest cow ever, and launched into a sermon on the sin of masturbation. Hell, here I come a giggling Wendi had said to herself after she had turned out the lights and snuggled under her bed covers that night.

Safe behind her jammed door, Wendi beat up her pillow. I am not going to boarding school. She punched the pillow again, then hurled it onto the bed.

Running away did seem her only option. She still had a year of school left but she was not hiding out in that creepy cabin in the swamp. Wendi stared out the window at the endless black that had enclosed the river. The liquid ink motion of the water seemed like an illusion.

Was that a shadow...moving in the woods? Wendi blinked and stared, but saw nothing. A chill feathered down her spine. No, just my eyes playing tricks. I’m not scared. She nodded and her reflection in the window nodded back.

The swampy woods were full of predators and full of ghosts if legends could be believed. Wendi had heard many tales of primitive Indian spirits stalking the woods and the rivers and sounds were rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of the legendary pirates who had plied the dark waters centuries before.

Wendi closed her eyes and imagined a handsome pirate sweeping her into his arms and rescuing her from parent hell, like in a romantic adventure novel. A pirate full of animal lust. He would rip her clothes off and ravish her - make her a woman. Then she opened her eyes to reality. Her room. Her jail.

She snapped the blinds shut and flopped onto her bed. Posters of Sea Doo and Kawasaki watercrafts shared wall space with the eternally sexy Mick Jagger. A bad boy, like her latest heart throb, Jesse Maples.

Jesse had a reputation and no wonder. He was so hot looking and wow, did he have muscles. She especially liked his rippled belly and his buns. Tall and nineteen, he was perfect. He had long curly dark brown hair, emerald green eyes and a wicked smile that made Wendi’s knees weak.

At the party the night before, Jesse had led her away from the noisy crowd and into an empty storage closet where he proved that he deserved his reputation. She had made plans to meet Jesse tonight. She was positive it would have been the night of her dreams.

Damn! Just my luck - grounded. And after the scene in the den, a lecture and a search from her mother would be likely. Yikes! Wendi scrambled out of bed and grabbed her backpack.

She dug to the bottom and pulled out the outfit she’d worn to the party, an outfit her mother didn’t know she owned. The light green camisole style top had a narrow neck strap to keep it from falling down. Bare shoulders. The tan micro-mini skirt fit too tight to go anywhere but up. Bare legs. She opened a dresser drawer and buried the secret outfit underneath a pile of sweatshirts, then spied a bra that she had forgotten. Blushing, she tossed the bra into the lingerie drawer.

She had banished the bra to her backpack in an effort to wow Jesse. Anything to distract him from Trina Walker’s huge breasts. The naughty feeling of nothing under the flimsy top was thrilling and her strategy worked.

Bad boy Jesse had worked fast. Huddled in the closet with his roaming hands under her top and then up her skirt, Wendi had scored her first hickey in between feverish tongue kisses.

She dropped onto her bed again. Oh... Jesse. She sighed in delight and punched in the search code for her favorite song on the Stones CD. "Let’s spend the night together," she sang softly as she dreamed of freedom, bad boys and the enticing but elusive mystery of sex.

Many songs later, the sudden shutdown of the CD player startled her eyes open to darkness. Damn! Another power outage. Wendi stomped to the window and peered out. The lights from Will Gibbons’ house winked through the trees. Odd, he always lost power when they did. Confused, Wendi grabbed her small flashlight and headed for the stairs.

Duane, Kathi called, her tone a demanding whine.

In a minute, dear.

Wendi paused at the head of the stairs and looked down. Her mother had lit a candle. The warm glow was friendly to her pale complexion and the soft shadows highlighted the classic beauty of her cheekbones. An envious Wendi wished that she could be as pretty.

Duane walked into the living room, flashlight in hand. I’ll go check the breakers. We need to get a reputable electrician out here to fix this ongoing problem.

But the phones are out too, Kathi told him.

I’ll get my cell phone.

Wendi heard a noise and looked behind her. Timmy beckoned. She knew he had a fire escape ladder in his room. The month before, during his military style practice drill, she had chickened out, refusing to climb down the flimsy rope ladder.

He beckoned again, whispering, Come on, let’s go.

No...no. Wendi shook her head. But Timmy, carbine in hand, was insistent.

TWO

A curious Willis Gibbons stared at the dark void downriver. The woods and a sharp bend in the river blocked his view, but usually a battery of exterior floodlights had the sky glowing above the Parker’s mini-mansion. Wendi had griped about having to go off with her folks to visit her aunt. This must be the weekend.

He looked at Allison. Ready to go aboard?

Allison Workman nodded and uttered a timid squeak. Crap, I left my glasses back at the house. She squinted at the blurry pier over a blurry river that looked like a bottomless black hole. She gripped Will’s arm in both hands.

No problem, darlin’, I’ll help you. He plucked her hands loose and boarded his twenty-four foot Grady White that he had named Boy Toy. Will set the insulated tote down, grabbed Allison’s waist and lifted her into the cockpit. Dufus, Will’s aged retriever, followed them aboard and curled up under the helm seat. Flipping a pair of switches, he turned on the dim lamps that illuminated the cockpit floor and cabin, and turned on the stereo. Several speakers came alive with `50s Rock and Roll music.

Unfamiliar with boats, Allison peered through the open hatch into the compact cabin below. Is that a little kitchen down there?

Sure is, an’ there’s a head to starboard.

Her expression looked even more confused.

Head - a little bathroom. An’ forward she has a berth - bed big enough for two.

Oh, how convenient, she giggled.

Smiling, Will opened the insulated tote and handed Allison her second wine cooler. Then he pried the cap off his third beer of the night. A whine came from Dufus and Will bent down and filled his cupped hand. The dog’s nose and bottle neck competed for space. Will took a drink from the bottle.

Eeyew! He licked the top.

Don’t remind me, darlin’, I’d hate to think where that tongue has been tonight.

Oh, how gross.

Let me guess - those puckered lips ain’t an invitation for a kiss.

Not now. Maybe later, she giggled again.

Sounds good to me. Will grinned. He had a fair idea how this evening would end.

Allison had stretched out the getting-to-know-you phase for three weekends. But after a breathy phone call to see if he was available this weekend, she had made the trip from Raleigh in near record time. On previous visits she had spent the night at the Click home, but this afternoon she had off loaded her single bag in his spare bedroom.

Will liked the slow and easy approach, and he liked Allison who was an improvement over Melissa Click’s recent offering. Melissa, the wife of his best friend Doctor Peter Click, was on a crusade to entice him out of bachelorhood.

Her previous match-making attempt had been June, a divorcee who was five years older than Will. He had liked June, but she wasn’t into slow and easy. The overly eager June had gleefully jumped in the sack on their first and only night together. She couldn’t let go of her ex-husband’s image. Quiet laughter had been Will’s reaction when June had yelled OH, TEDDY at that special moment. Later a clearly upset June had dressed in a frenzy while babbling an apology.

Sorry, no chemistry, Will had told a disappointed Melissa. Unaware of the true reason for June’s flight, Melissa assumed the negative age gap was the problem and proffered distant cousin Allison, who at age twenty-two was six years younger than Will.

It’s so dark out here, Allison whispered.

Wanna go back inside?

Oh no, I feel safe with you. Her palm stroked his right shoulder and glided down his muscled arm. You’re so strong and very...well, manly.

Will laughed.

Well, you are. She petted his black hair and continued a tactile inspection of his rugged face that had enabled him to buy beer without an ID when he was sixteen. I like mature, experienced men.

Will displayed a counterfeit expression of shock. Now where in hell’d you get the idea I was mature an’ experienced?

Well...uh...Melissa said...

What’s she know, she thinks Pete’s better looking than Kevin Costner.

Allison laughed. Not hardly, but I think he’s kind of cute.

Yeah? So...you like older, experienced guys?

Yes, but Pete’s married and I’m.... Allison coughed twice before adding: I prefer men who are available as well as mature and experienced. Do you prefer older women?

I ain’t particular, but I’m not looking for a wife.

I’m not looking either-for a husband I mean, not a wife. She giggled and gulped another mouthful of wine cooler. I’m going to wait until I graduate and have my career underway. Thirty-something sounds good for marriage.

Never sounds good to me.

Because of your previous marriage or your job?

A little of both. My job has its downsides, long hours, late nights, an’ the possibility some asshole will punch my ticket. Ain’t a great life for marriage an’ a family.

Melissa doesn’t mind.

Pete’s a medical examiner. Only danger there is picking up a bug, an’ he’s real careful.

But he has lousy hours too.

An’ you know that `cause Melissa’s bitched about it.

That’s true. Allison waved her hands in defeat, but she had forgotten about the bottle in her right hand and a slug of fizzy liquid splashed on his shirt. She laughed. Oh crap. I’m so sorry, Will. I shouldn’t talk with my hands full. She set the bottle in a cup holder.

Will capped the beer bottle with his thumb and shook it, knowing that he had drained it dry moments before.

Oh no...no, please. Laughing, Allison backed away with Will in pursuit. He held the bottle to her face and lifted his thumb. Chuckling, he parked the empty bottle on the dash.

You’re a beast, Will Gibbons.

Will growled in her ear and circled his arms around her waist. He liked what he saw. Allison had a narrow, angular face. With a touch of makeup her appearance was striking. Earlier she had spent a half hour generating that effect. Her shapely mouth didn’t need help. Naked or painted, her lips were tempting. He kissed her lightly.

Eight inches shorter than his six foot two inches, she rested her lips against his throat and hugged him. She loved the way he stroked her long brown hair. Oh Will, that feels so good.

While his hand kept gliding over her hair, his gaze fixed on the absence of light downriver. A sixth-sense chill tickled the hair on Will’s nape.

He had been a kid who had imagined monsters in the shadows of night. Now he was a cop who chased monsters. It was possible the Parker's were on a trip to Aunt what’s-her-name, Will reminded himself.

Hadn’t he sworn to leave his job in a desk drawer along with his gun and badge? But that was a promise he never kept. Will had his cell phone, only a few trusted friends and coworkers had the number.

Allison murmured and nipped his throat. He tilted her face up and kissed her. They had shared goodnight kisses on previous weekends and a gentle one a moment before. This time Allison parted her lips, teasing his tongue with her own. A throaty moan from her, then she wriggled her hips suggestively against his and came up from their kiss panting for air.

Got a serviceable bunk down below if you’re agreeable.

Uh...well.... Allison tensed and leaned away from him. I...  don’t want you to get the wrong idea if we...oh god, this is so embarrassing.

Hey, darlin’, I ain’t gonna get the wrong idea either way it goes. Call me dumb, but getting laid ain’t that important. Now don’t you be telling a damn soul I said that.

Allison smiled. So here we are, two fools who should have kept their mouths shut and enjoyed a good lay.

Wait a damn minute now, you didn’t tell me the part about being a good lay.

Wishful thinking...uh...we’ll never know unless we...oh god, Will, I am so nervous, but I want to...uh, you know.

I assume we’ll have to get buck-naked for you know. Will began to unbutton her cotton twill shirt.

Oh my. She giggled and blushed. I’m on the...uh...I’m safe.

About whatever you’re on, he whispered, slipping his hands behind her to unfasten her bra, I’m on the condom, so I reckon we’re extra safe.

Oh good. No...bad... please, god, don’t let him notice my disappearing cleavage, she prayed silently as she felt her push up bra relax and fall away. Thrilled, but apprehensive, she gazed into his eyes while his hands slid up her sides. She flinched when he cupped her small breasts in his hands. Sorry, Will, it’s been a long time since...oh...oh, that feels so good.

Hey, I ain’t got lucky in so long you might have to lead me though it.

Will...ooh, I don’t think so. Allison moaned and clutched his head to her chest. He was sucking life into the nipples he had exposed moments before.

––––––––

Tweet - tweet - tweet.

The gray dawn bloomed silver light through the cabin windows of Will’s boat. Fenders nudged the pier, while the gently rocking boat broadcast tiny ripples on the glass smooth river water.

Tweet - tweet - tweet. The cell phone chirped a second summons and then remained silent.

Oh good...oh good...oh good, Allison jabbered breathlessly. Her joyous declaration had nothing to do with Will ignoring the phone. On top of him and bouncing enthusiastically, Allison was immersed in the rapture of the dawn surprise that began when she had awakened Will with a kiss. His strong hands gently caressed her and the love words he whispered in his deep resonant tone had her nerves charged with passion.

She hadn’t been able to get enough of him. She wanted to stay joined with him forever, sweating, panting, moaning, but this run was almost over. Hips grinding she cried out, Oh Will...oh Will...oh yes!

Kee-risst, he groaned.

She rode his surge with a squeal, then collapsed on his chest with a feathery moan. Panting, she inhaled the combined scents of sex and sweat. That was spectacular, Will...perfect timing, she smiled.

Yeah, I reckon all that practice paid off.

Uh-huh, but I’m not through with you yet. She wiggled her hips. He swept his hands down her back and squeezed her buttocks.

Self-conscious about her big butt, Allison had pleaded with him not to look when she had disrobed the night before. He had looked, letting his