The next morning when she awoke, her body ached horribly from the wild sexual abuse she had endured the previous night. She looked down at her naked body and saw that there were bright purple bruises around her breasts, and even they were sore and tender to the touch. Her mind was hazy and she couldn't remember exactly what had taken place, but she did have the horrible recollection of making violent love to a man and she knew that she had been only half conscious when he crawled on the bed with her. Her mind was clouded, which she attributed to the large quantity of drinks she had had, but it disturbed her that she couldn't even remember what the man had looked like. She certainly couldn't have bruised herself in this manner, even in the most violent nightmare. She got up slowly, steadied herself on the edge of the bed and walked painfully to the shower. Maybe some cold water would clear her memory and she would be able to remember exactly what had happened.
The cold, icy points of the water stung her aching skin as she let the shower beat down on her body. She stayed under the water for almost a half an hour, but it did not help to refresh her memory. Oh well, she thought, it's a hell of a way to start a vacation, but at least I can't be embarrassed if I ever see the man again because I won't know him. She tried to laugh it off, but her New England upbringing told her that it really wasn't a laughing matter, but she didn't know what else she could do. Here she had been so careful to protect her virginity until she had met Jim and then she's away from him for three days and then without even knowing why, she lets some stranger make love to her… make love to her hell, she grimaced. He just plain fucked me! It was hard for her to believe, but her body certainly showed the marks of a wild animal-like encounter-one like she had never experienced with Jim.
She got dressed in a pair of white duck slacks and a cotton man's shirt which she tied just below her breasts which accentuated their fullness, and reluctantly walked down the stairs to the dining room. Maybe it was the liquor, she moaned to herself. I haven't been eating the past few days and it must have hit me pretty hard. Unbelievable!
As she walked by the desk, Raoul called out, "How do you feel this beautiful morning? Get a good night's rest, you look radiant!"
She smiled back at him and said, "Yes, thank you. I slept marvelously, but I still feel a bit shaky, it must have been those 'Specials.' "
"Probably so," he answered, smiling knowingly at her, but realizing that she would not remember what a magnificent lover he had been. Oh well, he smiled secretly, there's time enough for her to find out what I can do, but next time when she's fully conscious.
She ordered a large breakfast and two carafes of coffee from the waiter and lit her first cigarette of the morning, but put it out. Even they taste bad today, God, I must have really tied one on; I don't even remember getting upstairs and to bed.
She hadn't quite finished her last cup of coffee when she saw Mr. Ward coming into the dining room.
"Well, well, you certainly look chipper this morning. You must have had a good rest. You almost fell asleep at the table in the middle of cocktails!"
"Oh yes, I'm afraid that I wasn't very good company, I'm sorry."
He laughed, "That's perfectly all right, you were charming company," he answered, and thought, if you only knew how charming, from what I understand.
He joined her while she finished her breakfast and asked her what her plans were for the day.
"Nothing in particular. Thought I'd walk around the Hay Market for awhile, do some souvenir shopping and maybe go to the beach, why?"
"Well, I just thought you might like some company. I know the island very well, and I would be happy to be your guide."
He patted her on the knee and said, "We don't want you to get lost or get yourself into any trouble on your first day here, besides I'd like to introduce you to some of my friends. Maybe we can even line up a job for you so you won't have to worry about going back right away."
"That would almost be too good to be true, but I'd love your company. Where should we start?" She just couldn't refuse him, he was being too nice and it would be marvelous if she could find a job so easily.
"Well, first I'll show you around the Hay Market, but I'm sure you won’t be able to stand that for very long. The stench down there is a little hard to take unless you're used to it and that takes quite some time. Then there is a little club called "Dirty Dick's" that you might enjoy and we can stop there for lunch and a cocktail. After that, I'll leave the agenda open and we can play it by ear, how's that?"
"That sounds just fine. Let me run upstairs and get my pocketbook and I'll be right with you."
While she was upstairs Raoul came over to Mr. Ward and whispered that everything was set up at the Kit Kat Club and that she would be offered a job, but not to go there until later that evening. They laughed privately about the performance the previous night and Mr. Ward said, "Can't wait to get at it myself, but this time it was your turn to go first!"
She was back in a few minutes and they left the hotel and walked out into the hot morning sunshine and headed for the market place.
The market was already thriving and crowded with people, mostly the local citizens who had gone down there early to buy conch, crayfish and the vegetables that had been shipped in.
"I can see what you mean by the odor here. It really is pretty awful, isn't it?" she commented.
"Well, even though the fishing boats come in every day, there are always some barkers who try to sell fish that has been around for a few days, and it certainly doesn't make it very pleasant. But there is another part of the market which you will enjoy I'm sure and you can get your mementos there. Shall we?"
She followed him through the crowded narrow street, down a small alleyway until they reached the stands where the women were selling baskets, pocketbooks and straw animals that they had made by hand. Each woman was trying to underbid the other and on several occasions they actually followed them down the street, trying to bargain.
"I know a woman who has a shop just down the street here and I'm sure that she will give you fair prices. Half of these people will take anything they can get and even then it usually isn't worth half of what you pay!"
They stopped in a tiny shop about a half a block away where they were greeted by a large Bahamian woman who seemed to know Mr. Ward quite well.
"Well, it's good to see you again, and with such a lovely young lady. What can I do for you today, baskets, jewelry or a favor?" The woman winked at Mr. Ward and she wasn't quite certain what was meant. Everyone in town seemed to know him by name and they all winked at him when they commented about her. Maybe it was just a local custom, she didn't know, but it was beginning to strike her as very strange.
"This young lady would like to buy some mementos to take back to the mainland with her… if and when she goes. Give her a good price, Martha," he added and slapped the woman soundly on the bottom. She just laughed and assured him that she would be happy to accommodate her and that he shouldn't worry.
"We never deal unfairly with our friends, mon, you should know that!" And she laughed heartily.
The woman handed her a straw doll that had the address of her shop on it and said, "Here's just a little something from me to you. Come back anytime to do your shopping, a friend of Mr. Ward's is always welcome here."
She thanked the woman and tucked the doll into her purse and they left.
"Why does everyone always wink at you," she finally had the nerve to ask.
"Oh, it's just because they think you are such a pretty girl and I am such an old man. These people are very romantic and maybe they think we are lovers!" He chuckled as he said it and she blushed.
"Oh, come on now, I didn't mean to embarrass you, I was just kidding. They are all old friends and they love to tease. It means nothing more than shaking hands."
She accepted his explanation and took his arm as they fought through the people once more in order to get out of the marketplace.
The sun was hot as it beat down on the narrow earth streets and the stench from the fishing boats seemed to follow them even after they were several blocks away. A little boy ran up to them and begged for a penny and tried to sell them some Chiclets. She was about to reach into her purse to give the child a coin, but Mr. Ward stopped her. "If you give to one, we will have twenty following us all day, believe me. I made that mistake the first time I was here and it took me hours to find a peaceful spot where I wouldn't be bothered. It seems unfair, but that's just the way it is."
She smiled weakly at the boy and shook her head, and fell into step with Mr. Ward as he hurried up the street before any other of the street boys could follow them.
"How about some lunch now? It's 11:30 and if we don't eat early, everyone will be taking a siesta by 2 and we'll never eat."
"When in Rome," she answered with a smile," "do as the Romans. Let's go!"
They turned down what appeared to be the main street of the town and walked into a dark and dingy looking doorway. Inside was a small cafe with several tables scattered here and there with no apparent pattern.
"This is the famous Dirty Dick's," he told her. "Here we can always get a good cool drink and decent food. It may seem grubby, but that is just for atmosphere because everyone expects it. Actually the bar and kitchen are quite clean."
"It certainly is quaint, isn't it? I'm getting caught up in the island spirit already, and it feels marvelous!"
They chose a table in one corner and a slender, young Bahamian boy came over to their table.
"Mr. Ward, mon, I hain't seen you in a long time. Good to see you, we missed you."
He acknowledged the boy's enthusiasm and explained that he was only excited because he usually left him a big tip because he played the steel drum for him whenever he came in.
He ordered two tall rum drinks for them and offered her a cigarette, which she took and tried to smoke, once again. Her hangover was beginning to wear off and she was really feeling fine, except for the fact that she still wondered who in the world had been her lover the night before.
She fairly gulped down the cool drink, saying, "You can hardly taste the rum in this, how nice. After last night, I'm not sure I could stand the taste of liquor."
"The rum is very smooth, but potent, so be careful, I wouldn't want to have to carry you home."
She was completely relaxed and thoroughly enjoying his company. It was surprising to her that she had ever been nervous around him for he seemed to be so pleasant and such a gentleman.
They finished their first drinks and ordered a second round before they even thought about food.
"May I recommend an island specialty," he inquired.
"I suppose so," she answered, "as long as it isn't one of the specialties like I had last night!"
"No, no, my dear. This is a food, conch salad. It makes a delightful lunch, not too heavy, yet filling. I think you’ll like it."
"Isn't a conch one of those big snails," she asked, making a face.
"It certainly is, but it is a true delicacy, very bland and tender, do try it," he urged.
"Okay, I'll try it, but if I don't like it, may I order something else. I'm developing quite an appetite!"
"Surely, anything your heart desires, but try this first."
He called to the boy and ordered their lunch and another round of drinks.
In the background she could hear island music coming from somewhere and the sound of the maracas and steel drum did wonders to lift her spirits.
"I think I am really going to enjoy it here," she added. "I am certain of it."
They enjoyed a leisurely lunch and he asked her a lot of questions about where she was from, what had she done in Miami and after her third rum drink she was more than obliging. She told him how she had left home, lived in Miami and her disastrous love affair with her boss. She had discussed it briefly with him on the plane, but now that they had more time and had developed a rapport between them she went into detail. It seemed to her as though she were talking to her father and they had always been very close until she left home.
"Well, here in the islands it is difficult to find secretarial jobs, because there are a lot of British citizens who come here from Canada and take up residency and, of course, they get preferential treatment. However, there are many clubs in the island and I'm sure that we could find you a job as a cigarette girl or cocktail waitress. Would you mind doing work like that? I believe the pay is excellent, especially now that tourist season is starting."
"I haven't had any experience, but I'd be more than willing to learn, if you think they'd give me a chance."
"With your looks and the attitude that you want to stay, I'm sure we can find you something in no time at all."
It was four o'clock by the time they left Dirty Dick's for they had talked most of the afternoon.
"Why don't you go back to your hotel and get changed into something a bit dressier and warmer because the nights can get chilly and I'll pick you up in about an hour or so. We can go to one of the other hotels for dinner and wine and then "over the hill" as they say here and see some of these native clubs."
"It sounds marvelous. I'll be ready about seven."
She left him sitting at the table and walked slowly back to her hotel which was only a few blocks away. The sun was still very warm and her state of mind had improved greatly. The day had been filled with so many interesting things and Mr. Ward was so nice, she was sure that this evening would be just as enjoyable. She was beginning to trust him more and more and had been on the verge of telling him what had happened to her last night after she had gone to her room but had decided against it. He was just too nice and she knew he wouldn't have understood even if she explained that it had been pure and simple rape.
Some of it, anyway!