The Boss (3 page)

As Jake lies back down, his wallet falls out of his pocket. Abbey grabs it to hand it back, and it opens, revealing a photograph in the clear plastic sleeve normally reserved for a driver’s license.

“What’s this?”

“Nothin’. Gimme that.”

Jake reaches over and tries to get his wallet back. Abbey pulls it from his reach.

“Come on, Abbey. That’s personal.”

“What are you doing with a picture of me in your wallet?”

“It’s not you. It’s just someone who looks like -”

“- I know what I look like. Who took this?”

“My - my brother.”

“You don’t have a brother. Why do you have this?”

“Man has a picture of a woman in his wallet. You figure it out.”

“If it was anyone else I’d say it was romantic.”

“Well it’s me, so it isn’t.”

“Oh, Jake. I didn’t know you cared.”

“OK, so maybe at one time I thought - oh hell - what was I thinking? Take it out. You can keep it.”

“I can’t believe you’d have this. I’m really touched.”

“Come on, Abbey, it’s Jake here. A big eyed puppy couldn’t touch you.”

“Do you really think I’m incapable of feelings?”

“Ummm - yes.”

“Why would you think that?”

“I work for you, remember?”

“So really, you actually think about me as - you know, someone -?”

“- If you must know, yes. I actually had a thought one day that somewhere under all the bullshit there might actually be a woman. Especially the day I saw you crying on the phone.”

“I didn’t know anyone saw that.”

“It’s a good thing I did.”

“Why?”

“It was the first time I thought you might be human.”

“You still think that?”

“You have your moments.”

“You were the last one I ever thought would notice.”

“Why’s that?”

“You act like a kid most of the time. I never imagined you to have a serious side. And romantic? About as much as a stone.”

“Come on, Abbey, anyone can be romantic. You don’t think I can?”

“No.”

“When I look into your eyes, there are no words capable of describing how your charm warms my heart. In your lips I can feel the radiance of your smile. I could lose all sense of time if held in your arms -”

“- Bullshit.”

“OK, you got me on that one. But over the years, a little bit here and there, I saw those things. And I thought to myself, if I could only have one night with her at dinner, I could see if she could ever be someone I could share my time with.”

“You really think you could share part of your life with me?”

“Probably wouldn’t be a happy life.”

“You know, you almost had me for a moment.”

“Abbey, you won’t let anyone have you. If not for this mishap, you would never have given me the time of day. Most of the time you make my skin crawl. But there are times when I imagine us together. Why? You’re a beautiful lady. I can’t help thinking something underneath has to reflect a little of what’s on the surface. But I know you’ll never feel that way, even if I could muster the nerve to ask.”

“No, because then I’d have to fire you.”

“You’d actually fire the one guy willing to take the time to get to know you?”

“You really think I’d ever date a guy like you?”

“Maybe not a guy
like
me. But me.”

“I wouldn’t date you if you were the last guy left -”

“- I am the last guy left. At least for now. Abbey, are you gonna have breakfast in the morning?

“If we can get another coconut.”

“By yourself?”

“Maybe.”

“There’s no one else here. I have to assume you’ll be eatin’ with me, right?”

“Probably.”

“And you plan on that?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’d say we just made a date.”

“How embarrassing.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll get over it.”

“You’re nothing but a - a -”

“- a frog. I know.”

“It’s just that - well -”

“- Come on, Abbey. I kid myself thinkin’ I have a chance, because women like you, I know what they’re like.”

“You can’t possibly know what I’m like.”

“You think your job makes you better than me. But I don’t even care. I’m not afraid to say -”

“- Say what?”

“Abbey, do I make you crazy?”

“Certifiably.”

“Do I make you laugh?”

“Sometimes.”

“Am I the only one you’ve ever been stranded on a desert island with?”

“Yes. No. I mean, - uh, - what I meant to say was -”

“I’ve known couples who started out with less.”

“Look at us. What do you think could ever work out between us that you couldn’t find with someone closer to your -?”

“- Out of all the ladies in the office, you’re the only one I wish I could be with, but I can’t.”

“Don’t tell me you’re actually serious.”

“Dinnng! No off position on your genius switch.”

“I sure didn’t see this coming.”

“Of course you didn’t. You have your secret diamond decoder ring to prevent it.”

“Why me?”

“The sweetness inside the coconut shell.”

“We’re so different.”

“Are we really, Abbey? I mean, besides our jobs?”

“You don’t know me at all.”

“But at least I’m willing to try. I don’t see anyone else hangin’ out at your door.”

“I used to get asked out quite often, you know.”

“Where? In a men’s prison?”

“I - I -”

“I didn’t think so.”

“I’ve been hurt so many times.”

Jake looks deep into Abbey’s eyes. He can see her fighting what’s really inside her soul. She wants so much to have someone care about her and love her, but she is not about to break down and admit that to Jake. He knows it isn’t because he’s any better or worse than any other man in Abbey’s past. It’s just that he’s willing to put up with her long enough to see the real Abbey when no one else is.

“Abbey, I promise you that I will never hurt you. But please don’t punish
me
for the misdeeds of others.”

“I just wish - we weren’t stuck here overnight.”

“I’m kinda glad we are.”

“Why on Earth would you be glad?”

“You’d never understand.”

Abbey smiles at him. She is beginning to see in Jake a man she might be able to admire. Little by little, she’s beginning to cave in.

“There are office policies against these things, you know.”

“You’re the boss. Change the policies.”

“Even if I did, you still work for me. It wouldn’t look right to the others.”

“So make me a partner and give me a big raise.”

Abbey sees something in the corner of her eye. She stands up and looks out over the water.

“What’s that?”

“It’s an increase in pay. Something you probably never heard of.”

“No, I mean what’s that on the horizon?”

Jake stands up next to Abbey and looks out at the horizon.

“You see it, Jake?”

“It’s a boat.”

“You sure?”

“Well it ain’t no pickup truck.”

Jake starts jumping up and down, waving his arms and yelling.

“Over here, over here!”

“You think they can see you?”

“Not a prayer.”

“So why are you jumping up and down like a wild kid?”

“Cause it feels good, Abbey.”

“Oh.”

Abbey begins doing the same thing. They are both jumping and waving their arms, yelling out in unison.

“Over here, over here!”

Abbey looks at Jake. She smiles and laughs. It is the first time Jake sees the real Abbey shine through as he wished he could. He reaches out his arms to her. She opens up her arms to him. They casually embrace and then resume jumping up and down together yelling.

“Over here, over here!”

Jake knows that even if someone can see Abbey and him, they’re not going to stop and help. Most passing boaters would just think he was making a friendly gesture. This isn’t a deserted island. But Abbey doesn’t know that. This is a corner of the island where a few boaters come for solitude now and then. Jake hopes tonight isn’t one of those nights when they will come.

Abbey is tied up and blindfolded in a chair. One of her employees is her captor. In an creepy tone, the man begins his eerie monologue.

“You give a little, you get some back, ya know? Take me for instance. Been workin’ for ya for seven years. Have ya ever even said so much as ‘thank you’? I don’t think so. Ya prance around the office - like you’re the Queen - of England. That everybody should bow at your feet just because of who you are. You’re no different than the rest of us - other than your money. Ya lucked into the job. You want a little respect - show it to the people. They know you own the business. It’s not the issue. They just want a little humanity, that’s all. You’d be surprised - you give ‘em a little humanity - you get a lot back - a lot more than you give. And they’ll be happy to give it.”

The man removes the blind fold and continues speaking. Abbey is too scared to say a word.

“So. When you’re ready to change yourself a little bit - I’ll change my attitude. But - right now I don’t have to worry - cause right now you work for me - and if you don’t - you don’t eat, sweetie.”

Abbey pops up suddenly with a rush of fear surging through her body. She sees Jake sleeping peacefully by her side. Knowing he will protect her, she holds him for comfort. He awakens surprised to find Abbey holding him, but he comforts her by gently snuggling her back.

“Abbey, what is it?”

“I had a nightmare.”

“A bad one?”

“I never had a good nightmare.”

“You wanna tell me about it?”

“It was scary and creepy.”

“Oh, that could have just been me.”

“Just hold me.”

“OK, if you say so.”

“You know how long it’s been since someone held me like this?”

“Since you were a child?”

“A long time.”

“Well, you won’t be able to say that tomorrow, now, will ya?”

“I suppose not. You know, Jake, it feels really good.”

“For me, too, Abbey.”

“I mean really good. You have no idea.”

Abbey begins to nuzzle Jake in a somewhat more sensual manner. He allows himself to forget who she is and just enjoys the moment. Suddenly she presses her lips to his. She darts her tongue between his lips as he opens his to accept it. His hand slowly begins caressing the side of her body as he tests to see just how far she will allow this to progress. She matches his move with a similar gesture, rubbing his body more and more. She moves her hand over his crotch to find out how this is affecting him. He is responding as any man would in a moment like this. He reaches for her breasts and gently caresses each one. Slowly he works his hand from her breasts, sensuously down her body to that forbidden place between her legs. He can feel her getting more excited by the second. She rolls over on him and begins rubbing her hot, tingling
 
body on his.

They slide each others clothing aside and in the late starlit evening, Abbey and Jake make passionate love so hot as neither of them have experienced in years. Their bodies spent from years of pent up passion finally released, they roll and cuddle into the wee hours of the morning. They finally fall asleep in the warm embrace of each others half naked bodies.
 

The sun is beginning to lift itself slowly above the horizon. Jake awakens to find himself still locked in Abbey’s embrace as she sleeps so peacefully. He can not imagine this is real. He hopes she will not awaken to regret what happened between them. Finally, she
 
wakes up. For a moment, she is confused. He thinks to himself, “Oh no, here it comes.” But Abbey remembers where she is and sweetly kisses him on the cheek.

“Good morning, hot stuff.”

“Now there’s four words I never thought would come out of your mouth. At least not directed at me.”

“I know. I can’t believe it myself.”

“So you’re OK with this?”

“Are you?”

“I can get used to it. I thought you might wake up thinking it was all a big mistake, you know, caught up in a heated moment of passion, and that was all it would be.”

“What would you like it to be, Jake?”

“I’d like it to be like this all the time. I mean, after all these years of the way it’s been, who wouldn’t want it like this instead?”

“That’s it?”

“Abbey, it’s been my dream for over six years. You have no idea how many times I’ve had this fantasy.”

“So it was just a fantasy for you?”

“I’ll get past that. But I guess what happens next is up to you.”

“Up to me? Why?”

“I been thinkin’ about this in my mind for years. But I don’t think you have. I just hope you don’t change your mind, that’s all.”

“I guess it’ll take some getting used to.”

“I like it, that’s for sure. As long as you don’t get tired of me, I’m pretty sure I can make you happy for a long time.”

“So how do we get off this stinkin’ island?”

“Abbey. We just started something beautiful on this stinkin’ island. It can’t be that bad a place.”

“I need a shower. And breakfast. I’m ready for civilization.”

“Me, too. Tell ya what. Let’s take a walk. I have a feeling today’s gonna be our lucky day.”

Abbey and Jake get up and begin walking hand in hand. They are heading south to the side of the island where there are people. As they near civilization, Abbey spots what looks like a foot path.

“Look, Jake. I think someone might have been here before. They might even still be nearby.”

“You could be right, Abbey. Let’s keep walking.”

“You don’t think they’d be savages or pirates, do you?”

“Could be.”

“Oh, God, really?”

“No.”

“You seem pretty sure about that.”

“My gut tells me we’ll be fine.”

“Look, Jake. A building! We’re gonna be rescued!”

“Yes. We’re gonna be OK.”

“You don’t seem too excited about it. I mean, we could have been stranded here for months.”

“Told ya, today’s our lucky day.”

“Wait a minute, I see lot’s of buildings now. It’s a whole village.”

“I believe you’re right. See? You wanted civilization, and here it is.”

Abbey stops him in his tracks.

“Did you know this was here?”

“Not exactly.”

“What do you mean, not exactly?”

“I’ve never been here before.”

“But you knew there was a village?”

“ I saw something on the charts.”

“And you didn’t tell me? You let me think we were marooned?”

“Abbey, we’re gonna be OK.”

“I’m pissed, Jake.”

“Why?”

“You lied to me.”

“I never lied, Abbey.”

“By not telling me there was a way off this island, you lied.”

“Abbey, if I had told you right away, you’d have wanted to get off this island and we wouldn’t have had last night.”

“Is that all this was about? Getting into my pants?”

“It was about much more than that.”

“If we were driving, this is when I’d make you stop the car and I’d get out and walk.”

“OK, so we’re ahead of the game. You’re already walking.”

“It’s no joke.”

“Abbey, can’t you just enjoy this for what it is?”

“It’s a lie, Jake. It’s no way to begin a relationship.”

“There wouldn’t be a relationship if I told you this last night. Come on. There’s a resort up ahead. Let’s get cleaned up and enjoy this place.”

“You enjoy it. I’m getting my own room. I’m going to shower, eat and get off this oversized sand bar.”

“I swear, Abbey, you can never do one thing to make the best of a situation.”

“Oh, I can think of one big thing last night. But don’t worry. I won’t make that mistake again.”

“Mistake, huh? Only mistake was thinkin’ you could be human for more than ten minutes. You wanna say last night was a mistake? Say it all you want. But I know better.”

They walk in separate directions, find separate means of cleaning up and depart the island each on their own.