Storm of Locusts

Chapter 33

Later, we eat the fish Ben caught, dipped in blue cornmeal and fried. It’s probably the best thing I’ve eaten in years. Tó also has some sort of water plant he’s collected and dried, and Rissa boils it with bits of something sweet that makes it melt in your mouth. But even more than the food, there’s the company. Rissa and Aaron sit next to each other, and he fusses over her food, making sure she eats in a way that makes me think that maybe she has a point about him trying to change. Ben tells a literal big fish tale, and Tó tops it with a story about the time he and Nohoilpi tried to convince a bobcat to dance, and before we know it dinner is over.

“Going to check my charts,” Tó announces, pushing back from the table. “We should be there any minute now.”

Once he’s tottered off to the front of the boat, Ben says, “You notice he left before cleanup?”

Rissa laughs. “Of course he did. I don’t think he’s washed a dish a day in his life.” She stands and starts gathering the dirty dishes. “It’s fine. I’ll do it.”

“I’ll help,” I say, joining her. I station myself at the little sink, and Rissa hands me the pile of dirty plates. I dip the plate in one of Tó’s ubiquitous buckets, this one filled with soap and water, then into clean water for a rinse, before handing it to Aaron to dry. He rubs it down with a towel before handing it to Ben, who puts it back on the shelf where it came from. Working together, we make quick work of the cleanup, and by consensus we all end up on the upper deck, watching the sun set across the water.

“This is it,” Tó shouts up to us as we pull in close to the shoreline. He’s at the helm now, which consists of a steering wheel and a gearshift not so different from the one in my truck. He’s turning the boat into the breeze and slowing down as we reach a sort of sandbar jutting out into the lake.

“Where’s the dock?” I ask, coming down the stairs.

“No docks out here. You’re going have to swim.”

“What?”

He chuckles. “A little water’s good for you. I didn’t want to say nothing, but you all could use a bath. Loved-By-Fish smells like her name.”

Ben protests somewhere behind me, but Tó only laughs more.

“I’m not getting my boots soaked,” Rissa says, coming up beside me.

Tó gives her a squinty look. She gives him a look back. “For the lady, then,” he says deferentially. Rissa gives him a smile that would make grown men piss themselves in fear. Tó only cackles.

We pull up as close to the jutting sandbar as we can get without bumping it. From here, we should be able to make the jump at a run. Rissa wants us closer, but Tó insists that it’s as close as he can get.

We throw our packs over first. Aaron shakes Tó’s hand and says something about not forgetting to add oil to the engine, which makes Tó nod his head sagely. Rissa’s next, with a kiss on the hand. Then Ben, who gives Tó a hug before making the leap.

“Ahéheé, Grandpa,” I say as I get ready to make my jump.

“Wait,” he says, hand on my arm. I pause. Look back.

“I’ve got something for your friend. The one you’re going up there to rescue.”

“Kai?”

“Aoo’. Somewhere here.” He pats the pockets of his blue robe, searching unsuccessfully. His hands move to his chest, patting, until his eyes light up in discovery. He reaches into his shirt and pulls out a flask. No, it’s more like a hand-size clay pot. Black-and-white, wider at the bottom with a thin narrow neck. It’s attached to a rawhide string, which he pulls up over his neck. He hands it to me.

“What is this?”

“A present. For your friend. You give it to him when you see him. Tell him it’s from me.”

I drop the string over my head, tuck the pot safely under my shirt. “I will.”

“Don’t forget.”

I pat the object. “I won’t.”

I turn back to the shore. Swing back and forth on the rail to build a little momentum for my jump, and then leap to dry land. I give Tó one final wave.

“Maybe your silver-eyed boy will change my luck,” he says under his breath, but I hear him well enough.

I turn, incredulous. “What did you say? About Kai’s silver eyes?”

He grins. “Don’t forget your fish psychology!” he shouts, waving vigorously.

“What did you say about Kai?” I repeat.

But the boat is already drifting away.

“Tó!”

I hear the engine punch into drive. “Tó!” I shout again over the roar of the engine. I watch it pull away, quickly becoming a diminishing speck on the darkening lake. I linger for a while, wondering who the mysterious old man was. I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough.

“Maggie!” Rissa shouts from down the path. “Let’s go!”

One last look across the lake and then I’m hurrying to follow my companions, down to whatever awaits us at Amangiri.