A Cult in Paradise; Episode 24, Makani Understands

This is episode twenty-four of the fifth book in the Trace Troy Adventures in  Paradise series. The Title is A Cult in Paradise. It will be featured in episodes over the next few months. It will eventually be published in full on Amazon. All of the Trace Troy books, as well as my other novels, can be purchased on Amazon by clicking the Bookstore tab above. I hope you enjoy. And thanks for stopping by. 

Makani Understands

Trace sailed to the west side of Flint Island. Sage and Coyote luffed the sails. Trace called Makani to the pilothouse.

“What’s up, boss?” Makani said.

“You’ll be the captain before long,” Trace said. “You’ll be safe here.”

“I would like to go with you,” Makani said sincerely.

“I know you would,” Trace said, “but you are our lifeline.”

“How you mean?” Makani said.

“If you see and hear explosions, that means the airplanes and their boats have been disabled. There is no way they can get to you. You can wait for a long time. If we aren’t back to the boat by noon, start the engine and head to Penrhyn Atoll. You have enough fuel to get you there.”

“What then?” Makani said.

“Fly to Pago Pago,” Trace said. “Cally will be there. He’ll know what to do.”

Makani’s face seemed as though it turned to melting wax. A realization he had previously pushed to the back of his thoughts. Death may be involved. The place in life he felt good and comfortable with, may be gone in a heartbeat. Men as dependable as the sunrise may be gone. All of his plans centered in some fashion or another included The Tramp Islander and its crew. And he reasoned, when Trace and Sage return to Texas, somehow, he imagined himself with them. He didn’t know how he might fit in; he reckoned he would always be with them.

Trace interrupted Makani’s forlornness. “Might you have something else in mind?”

“No,” Makani said distantly.

“I know you’d like to go,” Trace said. “You are just as invested in this as anyone. I know you’d be more than up for the task, but I need someone who knows and can handle the ship. Makani, you are the best man for the job. I don’t really know Pete or Calley. If I left Dad her, his concern for me would cloud his judgment. Sage is my oldest and best friend; he’s done some pretty boneheaded things in his life. And he had to have gotten it from somebody—Coyote. You see, you’re it. You bring coffee to me in the pilothouse at the right time. You cook and shop for our food. None of us complain or worry. We’ve never run out of anything. If Sage were in charge of the galley, we’d be having chili for breakfast, lunch, and supper.”

“I understand,” Makani said. “I don’t feel better, but I understand.”