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 Chapter 4

   I got the boat underway and soon was on the lee side of the island where
it was somewhat calmer.  After about 20 minutes, my cabin came into sight.
I pulled up and helped Jennifer out of the boat and took her up to my
cabin. When we got inside, I found a quilt and moved a chair in front of
the fire.  Wrapped in the quilt, Jennifer could sit in the chair and warm
up.

   "I'm going to go and get the rest of the stuff out of my boat and secure
it since there's another storm brewing up." I told her.  "When I get back
I'll replace that sling with a better one and make you something to eat."

   I told Maggie to stay with Jennifer and headed back down to the boat. 
It was a good thing we got back when we did as the wind had picked up
considerably in the last few minutes.  I got the duffle bag and plastic
container and put them up on the beach out of the way of the waves.  Then I
pulled the boat up as far as I could and ran the chain from the boat up to
the huge stump that I used to secure the boat in times of a storm.  Picking
up the duffle bag and container, I headed back to the cabin.

   I was pleased to see that Jennifer had stopped shivering.  `At least
she's getting warm' I thought.  "Okay, let's see what we can do with that
arm of yours," I said as I got my first aid stuff.  When I moved to the
island, knowing I might accidentally hurt myself and being alone, I knew
I'd have to `doctor' myself.  I'd talked to the ambulance guys on the main
island about this then, acting on their recommendations, I'd purchased an
industrial sized first aid kit and a couple of padded aluminum splints -
one for an arm and one for a leg.  Taking the arm splint, some tensor
bandages and a proper sling, I headed over to Jennifer.

   "I'm not a doc, but I can put your arm in a splint.  Can you stand up so
I can take the first sling off?" I asked her.  Jennifer stood up and I
unwrapped the quilt.  I had her sit on a stool while I undid the makeshift
sling.  "Okay, hold your arm so I can take this rag off and look at
things." Jennifer did as asked and I looked at her arm.  It didn't look
like a complete break as the arm was still straight.  I figured it might be
a `green stick' fracture but it would still be very sore.  "I'm going to
put this splint on your arm to help protect it.  It may be a bit painful
but once it's on and I've got it back in a sling, things should feel
better. I'm going to pull your sweater up so I can take it off to put the
splint on.  Sorry about this but it's your modesty or the pain." Jennifer
grinned and clenched her teeth as I slid the sweater up over her head.  I
held her injured arm while I helped her take the other arm out then between
us, we got the sweater completely off.

   This was the first time I'd had a chance to get a good look at her. 
Jennifer looked to be 14 or 15 and had started to develop quite nicely.  I
did my best to not stare as I put the splint on and put the arm in the new
sling but I'm afraid I wasn't completely successful.  Jennifer was a very
attractive young lady.  "Okay, that's the best I can do for you right now.
I'm going to get one of my sweaters for you rather than put your wet one
back on." I got a heavy sweater that had been made by one of the local
women and pulled it over her, putting only her uninjured arm in a sleeve.
The patterns knitted into the sweater are based on ancient Haida symbols
and Jennifer asked about it so I told her a bit about where we were and
what the various symbol meant.

   I asked Jennifer, "Are you allergic to any foods?" Her reply was `No' so
I made a big pot of oatmeal and some hot chocolate.  I pulled a small table
over to the fire and put the oatmeal and chocolate on it for her.  "Sorry
but the milk is skimmed as I only get groceries delivered periodically.  If
I can't freeze it or it isn't dried or in cans, it spoils pretty quickly."

   "Where are we?" Jennifer asked as she ate.  I got a map of the area and
showed her then got a map that showed the whole west coast of Canada and
the lower part of Alaska and showed her where we were in relation to the
mainland of North America.  As I was doing this, I could hear the wind
picking up and knew I needed to close things up outside.

   "Jennifer, there's another storm going to hit us, probably tonight.  The
wind is really blowing and I need to make sure everything is secure
outside. I'm going to go out for a bit but Maggie will keep you company."
Maggie wagged her tail at the sound of her name.

   I went out and made sure everything was okay.  It didn't take long as
most things were still secured from the previous storm.  I found a couple
of tarps that needed snugging up and there were the shutters to close over
the windows.  The generator was running and the fuel tank was full so we
should be okay for a few days.

   As I approached the door I could hear Jennifer talking and realized she
was talking to Maggie.  Maggie is a really good listener, never complaining
if you tell her the same story again and again and never arguing with you.
When I entered the cabin I saw Jennifer had finished her food and had knelt
down to pet Maggie.  Maggie was in seventh heaven - another human to fuss
over her.

   "I see you and Maggie have become friends." I said with a smile. 
Jennifer grinned and nodded.  "Did you get enough to eat?" I asked her.

   "Could I have some more oatmeal?" she asked.  "We only had a couple of
sandwiches yesterday."

   "You bet." I said.  "I made a big pot as I figured you'd be hungry.  Now
that things are closed up outside, I'm going to have a bowl of oatmeal
too." I took her bowl and glass, refilled them then set them on the table.
I helped Jennifer stand and get seated on the chair again then got a bowl
of oatmeal for myself and poured a cup of coffee from the thermal carafe.
It wasn't as hot as I'd have liked but it was okay.  I watched Jennifer as
she finished off the second bowl of oatmeal.  "Feeling better?" I asked
her.

   "Well, I don't feel hungry but I'm still pretty shook up."

   I wasn't surprised at that statement in view of what she'd gone through.
"I understand.  Let me explain what I think I can do for you and what, for
sure, I need to do.  Firstly, I need to let the folks on the main island
know that I've got you here and that you're basically okay.  I'll also let
them know that the boat is wrecked at the north end of the island and that
your folks got washed overboard before the wreck occurred.  Doing that will
calm a whole bunch of folks down quite a bit.  I'll get on the radio over
there (pointing) and as soon as I can raise someone, I'll get the word out.

   "As for what I can do for you, I can give you a warm place to stay and
feed you and try to help you deal with what you've just been through.  I
live by myself but on occasion have visitors and have a curtain that I can
draw across my sleeping area where you can sleep.  With the next storm
right on our doorstep, it may be a while before we can get off the island.
There are a couple of RCMP officers who live on the main island and they
know me pretty well.  If I tell them I have you here and are looking after
you, they'll be satisfied.

   "Once there is a break in the storms, I'll take you over to the main
island and we can talk to one of Mounties to see what needs to be done. 
Other than that, I have one rather indelicate item that I must ask. 
Without trying to sound like I'm prying, will you need any `feminine
products' soon?  The reason I ask is I don't have anything of that nature
to help you with here on the island."

   As I had expected, Jennifer got beet red then quietly replied "I'm okay
for a couple of weeks."

   I breathed a sigh of relief.  "That's good.  We should be able to get
over to the main island before then."

   Jennifer looked at me and started to cry.  "I don't have any money" she
sobbed.

   "Jennifer, look at me." She stopped crying and looked at me.  "Listen, I
didn't say you had to pay for things.  I know you have no money.  All you
have is the clothes I found you in and the clothes I managed to salvage. 
I'll give you whatever money you want and you can go shopping on your own.
You get you want and if there is any other essentials you'd like, get them
as well.  I think I have a new toothbrush over by the sink and I can
probably find a comb for you as well that you can use for now.  Okay?"

   Jennifer gave me a weak smile and looked down at her lap.

   "I'm going to get on the radio and try to get hold of someone on the
main island then I'll take your clothes out of the bag and hang them up to
dry."

   I got on the radio and managed to make contact with my friend Ben on the
main island.  He worked as an in-between to pass information between myself
and the RCMP.  As I'd told Jennifer, the RCMP were glad to get the news and
just asked that I come and see them as soon as the conditions permitted.  I
promised I would and signed off.

   As I turned to go and hand up Jennifer's clothes, I noticed she was
looking around, somewhat anxiously.  "Is something wrong?" I asked her. 
Jennifer blushed and told me she needed to go to the bathroom.

   "Oh, yeah.  Well I'm afraid the bathroom is in a building outside.  I
can probably find something for you to use." and started to look around to
see what I could use.

   Jennifer stopped me.  "It's okay, I can use the outside one," she told
me.

   "Well, we'd better get going as it's going to rain very soon." I led the
way and showed her where the `biffy' was.  "I don't quite know how this
thing works, just that it doesn't have much smell and as long as I don't
put anything I shouldn't down there, it does its own thing." I opened the
door and let Jennifer enter.  I heard her latch the door closed and heard
the sounds of what I assumed to be her clothes being dropped down.  A few
minutes later I heard her struggling with her clothes then suddenly a
sobbing voice called me.  "I can't get my clothes back on with only one
hand.  I'm so embarrassed."

   "Open the door and I'll help you.  I promise to make it as quick as
possible."

   Jennifer opened the door and I could see her undies were just above her
knees while her jeans were still down around her ankles.  Without a word, I
reached down and pulled the panties up then the jeans zipping them closed.
"Let's get back inside before we get wet." I told her.

   Jennifer stepped out and reached out to take my hand.  I was surprised
at this and looked at her.  "You're being so nice to me, I just thought I'd
like to hold your hand for a moment," she said.

   "You may hold my hand or give me a hug any time you wish.  While you're
here with me I'll do whatever is necessary to look after you." I told her.

   Jennifer looked at me, let go of my hand and reaching around me with her
one good arm, gave me a one-handed hug.  "I like that," she said.

   When we got back inside, I finished hanging the clothes then sat down
opposite Jennifer.  "Listen, since you're not able to do everything you'd
like and because of the close quarters we'll be living in for the next few
days, let's not be too worried if we see something that normally would be
improper.  I know you'll probably want to take off your bra tonight and
unless you're a magician, you'll likely need someone to undo the hooks. 
I'll help, just like... a nurse would." I'd been going to say `your mom'
then thought better of it.

   Jennifer smiled and nodded.  "Okay, but I still might blush."

   I was about to answer then I heard my name on the radio.  I answered the
caller who told me the Coast Guard had been advised of the adults being
swept overboard and one of the military patrol planes had spotted a bunch
of debris in the area where it probably occurred.  The crew on the plane
said they didn't see any sign of life but did see something that might be a
body.  The Coast Guard would try to get out there in a boat to see take a
look, weather permitting.

   "I'm sorry you had to hear that." I told Jennifer.

   "It's okay, I figured that they'd be dead and I'd already got my head
around that," she replied.

   I went over and gave her a hug while she cried.