Mystery Island

      Just pick up the pieces," Sheriff McCoy said to Deputy Smith. 




     "You want me to pick up the pieces after you are the one who made this whole mess. Sounds about right, you always leave your dirty work for me to clean up after." Deputy Smith was in his patrol car parked outside of Jake's Handy Mart and fishing Supply. 



     It was one of those stores where you could buy gas, groceries, get some minnows to fish with and grab a bite to eat at the grill in the back of the place. It was situated on the water and the grill faced the pier where boats docked. Locals came here all the time to do their shopping. It was the only convenience store on the entire island and everybody knew everybody here. That is why it was so obvious when he showed up on the island. Dressed all in black, carrying a guitar case over his shoulder. It was just strange, no one had ever seen him before and he was extremely pale traveling all alone. 



    He walked into Jakes's Handy Mart and Fishing Supply and up to the counter. "Excuse me, do you know where I can get some information on a rental house?" 



    Jake Carpenter who owned the place didn't like the looks of the boy. He was good for nothing. With Jake having three beautiful teenage daughters, he didn't want the boy staying around. Claude who was always hanging around the store, spoke up and told the boy he might be able to find a place from Claire's hair salon. I think she owns the beauty shop and some apartment rentals too. 

    He thanked Claude and shook his hand. "Thank you, thank you very much." 



   "No problem. People around here are like family. You will find out that we help each other." 


   He nodded and picked up his guitar case and walked out the screen door of the store. 

    Jake spoke up. "I don't like the looks of that guy. I think he is up to no good." 



   "Oh, Jake you're just worried he's going to catch the eye of one of your daughters. He is a handsome fellow. He looks like that new singer that was on the "Ed Sullivan Show." That young fellow was shaking ants out of his pants. He did have some jet black hair and a lot of it. Kind of strange a young guy driving around in a pink Cadillac. Something just don't seem right about a boy driving a pink automobile. What is this world coming to." Claude said as if he were utterly disgusted with the entire human race. 



    The young guy walked down the dirt road to the little house that said Claire's hair salon. Every woman in the place stopped gossiping and their jaws all dropped at the sight of the young man. 

    The owner, Claire spoke up, "Can I help you with something?" 



    "Yes, ma'am, I was told that you might have a rental available." The young man said in his deep masculine voice. 



   "Oh, I am sorry. Everything I have is rented for the entire summer." 

   One of the ladies sitting under a dryer put her head out and said, "I have a little cabana beside my pool. I will let you stay in it if you clean the pool and mow the lawn. By the way, my name is Marla Applegate." 



  "I am Jesse McMillan, nice to meet you. Well, Ms. Applegate, that sounds like an offer I would be foolish to pass up." He said in a very well mannered way, yet with a shyness too. 



   "I have about thirty more minutes until I am done with my hair appointment. If you want to wait around, I will walk with you back to my place." Marla said in her sultry voice. 



    "Okay, ma'am. Mind if I just sit our front on the bench out there and pick my guitar?" He asked nicely. 



   "No, go ahead, be my guest." Claire told him. 



   While he was outside picking his guitar, the women went full blast gossiping about who he was and how did he end up here on the island. They all knew every one else's business and no one had ever seen this guy. He was a mystery. People on the island did not like mysteries, because they usually led to trouble. 



  "What are you thinking, Marla? Offering him a place to stay. You don't know anything about him and from the looks of him, he is up to no good." Jacquelyn Grandview said in a disgusted tone. 

  "Oh, you all need to get your panties out of a wad. He is just a young boy searching for himself. I am not scared of him at all. I rather enjoyed looking at him. He was very easy on the eyes. Eye candy and he will make a perfect pool boy for me to keep me entertained for the summer." Marla said dreamily. 



   "Well, I think you are taking a dangerous chance. But, you are so stubborn, I know better than to try to change your mind." Claire told Marla. 



   When Marla had finished with her appointment she walked outside and told Jesse that she was ready to take him to the cabana. They walked down the dirt road to her beach house. All the women in the salon ran over to the window watching Marla in disbelief of the chance she was taking with the young stranger who could be anything, a killer, rapist, who knew.