The Island- part three

A new chapter.

                          The Island- part 3.

I remembered Nicole song and her soft hands caressing my face and chest. I fell into a deep and needed sleep. I had a week of hell. Finding money, a place to bury my brother and my mother wanted a memorial. I didn't rest till I accomplished the needed task. A heavy day at the funeral. Few talks and many cried for the twenty year old boy. He left no note and he hung himself in his aunt's attic. Silence and prayers, all we could do. I awoke fighting ghosts and Nicole whispered. It is okay Johnnie, I am here. She kissed my face and caressed my face with her soft hands. I returned to peaceful sleep.

I awoke early and I left her in the warm bed. I took my journal to a wood bench near Lake Superior. I wrote some words into my journal.

 "Did I do enough?

Why couldn't I see the struggle?

why couldn't I know?

Little brother was fighting demons.

Now I know a worn-out life,

my life.

my last words to him,

were they kind?

Were they spoken from a selfless place?

My careless life  taught me.

Slow down,

lead with concern, kindness and listen.

Lessons learned too late."

"Little brother shall find his older brother, now,

I pray my brothers found a better place than Detroit to rest.

My toilsome life, forgot to find time to listen,

I forgot to find time to look into my brothers eyes.

Ask, are you okay?

Foolish men learn too late.

Life is fragile,

time is gold.

Love shall break your heart."

I  heard Nicole called my name, she was at the cottage entrance standing in her panties only. She was so beautiful and I knew. She was a miracle. I found Idyllic by mistake and the blessing of Nicole and Lana, a gift of kindness, of mercy . I waved at her and she ran to me. She embraced me tightly and she asked, was I okay? I told her, I am perfect dear Nicole. She looked sad and she whispered. You are not okay. Last night you had a loaded 32 pistol and dancing on death edge. Today we shall eat a small breakfast and you and I, will sit by the lake. We will discuss anything and everything. She released me and she handed me the 32 pistol. She told me. If you are okay. Toss the pistol into Lake Superior. I saw in her hazel eyes, they were blue as the sea and we walked to Lake Superior. I tossed the 32 into the lake. She kissed me and we held embrace till we heard Lana yelling. Time to eat.

The meal consisted of some fruits, toasts and two eggs. We ate in silence till Lana asked. Can I paint your face today? I want your face on the wall of the bridge. I love your ancient face and faraway eyes. If I create a painting of you, you will become part of the folklore of Idyllic. I laughed at her words and I told her. You want my ugly face on the beautiful bridge? You will scare people away from the island. She smiled and she told me. Idyllic found you, you didn't find the island. The island find people in need.

After breakfast, Nicole ran away to get dressed. She ate her meal topless, left me to look at the lake during the meal. I wanted to see her bare shoulders and perfect breasts, but I was polite. I went to my cottage, I got dressed and washed myself. I told the mirror. This is a dream, Johnnie on a island with two beautiful women. I whispered a silence prayer. Thank you god of life and death for bringing me here. I was so tire, so damn tire. Please make me learn how to live with the sorrow and the loss. Baby brothers, I pray you have found a place for you, to be content.  I dreamed last night  I saw you, my brothers running toward the sun. Laughing and dancing with the lake.

 I heard a voice. Nicole asked, are you ready for the lake walk? I came out of the bathroom and Nicole was wearing  a Summer cotton dress of white,  allowed me to see bare shoulders and powerful tanned legs. I told her. You are so beautiful, you look like a Greek goddess. She smiled and she whispered. Maybe I am?

She took my hand and she led me to the path. She told me, the path circled the island. I asked for the Captain to meet us at the Witch tree. The halfway point.  I want him to burn sage for us. He is a good listening and he know the mystic ways. Sometimes, you need help to heal. Pain and sorrow, can kill the soul, destroy the heart. The path was wide and the wildflowers were blooming everywhere. Nicole told me stories of the herbs. She told me, the natural herbs are everywhere and can heal the body and the mind. She reached in her small backpack and she handed me a drink. I tasted the drink and I told her. Taste good, what is it? She smiled and she told me. My wild rosemary tea, the healing of the mind. Make the mind alert and the blood flow better.

They stopped at the Witch tree. A very old tree reaching in 20 directions. The tree roots touched the water. She told me. The Captain said the tree is a thousand years old. If you listen, the tree will tell you many stories. I brought her close and we watched Lake Superior dance for us. I heard a old voice and I turned. A Native American man with a ancient face said good morning.

                       Dancing Coyote

Author's Note

Chapter three

Reviews

[Anne Martin]

Many of the things I've written about the first two chapters apply here, too. One thing that confused me near the beginning of this chapter was the time. I tend to lose track of it because, it sounds like you are discussing the past (I remembered Nicole's song.), and then you are talking about bad week. It makes me thing that Nicole sang her song a week ago, but soon I learn it is the present, the next morning. Perhaps rephrasing the first sentence would do.

Lying in bed, I recalled Nicole's lullaby, sweet as a Siren's song, coaxing me to a deep much-needed sleep.

I think Nicole deserves more description than just that she was standing at the door with just her panties on. Think about how he might feel about that. Is she taunting him? Is she seducing him?

About hazel eyes, my eyes are hazel. In some lights they appear blue, but in most light they are green. I wouldn't shift from hazel to blue so quickly. Even when they are blue, they are not as blue as true blue eyes. Blue may dominate at times, but there is still green in them. No one would ever describe my eyes as blue.

I like how you hint that they might be Goddesses as well as the progression to the herbal remedies and the mysterious native American, who I presume is the Captain. Your narrative in this chapter is becoming more assured, but never as strong as when it dips into poetry.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Anne. I know the story need a deep edit. Based on truth and myth. I dreamed the story and free-flow wrote. I appreciate the detail help. You are very kind.

[Neville]

....... this chapter three is also excellent and takes me back to some of the very earliest Coyote poems of years ago .. despite the fact you write such beautiful words .. the roughness that is so Coyote characteristic serves only to enhance the beauty contained therein .......

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Neville. A hard one to write. Going back 32 years in time.

[Neville]

......................... You done seriously good my friend .................

[~Sarah~ Idríel T..]

This is a good one, great work.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Sarah. I need to edit. I appreciate the comment my friend.

[Dave]

It is so easy to see how much he feels responsible for his brothers' suicide. Nicole is urgently, it seems, helping to overcome his grief and move on. The two women seem as though they are truly goddesses.

Take care - Dave

[Coyote Poetry]

They are. All the characters, ancient gods and people who committed suicide. Thank you Dave for reading and the comment. I appreciate.

[Dave]

It was a real pleasure.
Take care - Dave

[Rye]

sadness gloomed in this one, very nicely written.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. I appreciate your time reading the new story.