Under the Mango Tree

[chanaud]

for Ari!

Her nose crinkled immediately. It wasn’t because the odor was bad, actually it was appealing enough to make her stomach grumble forcing her steps to quicken. And this wasn’t by far her first beisbol game, she’s been to many. But the strange odors of sweet coffee and fried pork never seized to surprise her. It was different, strangely and delightfully different from the stale beer and hot dogs from the baseball park back home.

Isabel paid her dollar for food and coffee and scanned the inviting wide green field for a seat. Bleachers are a rarity in most small towns in Cuba. And Camaguey, a small seaport in Northern Cuba was as small as you get. Her eyes flickered back and forth and watched the trees sway in symphony orchestrated by the warm gulf breeze. There off to the side away from the cluster of trees was an overgrown mango tree full of fruit and vacant of any spectators. The location was probably the reason why no one occupied it, yet it didn’t dissuade Isabel as her long limbs started towards that direction.

Unerringly, Isabel crossed the soft green carpet, careful not to step on anyone’s blanket or to obstruct anyone’s view until she reached her destination. With one graceful fluid movement, her backpack fell to the ground while she settled down to watch the beisbol game which was about to start.

Nine brown smiling faces were in position. In lieu of crisp uniforms, they wore color coordinated red shirts or red bandanas around the neck. A ball was being thrown from one position to another for practice while the other team wearing blue shirts were gathered in a huddle listening intently to their coach.

While sucking on her fried pork, Isabel watched the scene before her and couldn’t help losing herself to the scene before her. So lost she didn’t hear the footsteps approaching her until a dark shadow clouded over forcing Isabel to look up. Expecting a dark cloud, Isabel gasped at the man standing over her. He must not have seen her. And Isabel’s heart leapt to her throat forcing her to watch in silence. With wide dark eyes, she watched the dark stranger lean above her and pluck a fruit from above her head. She saw his white teeth tear into the hard skin and spit it out through his thick shiny lips to the ground next to her. Then he bore into the fibrous ripe fruit. The muscles on his face worked vigorously as the sweet nectar dripped down his chin. Isabel watched in wonderment. Her arid lips opened partially begging for a taste…

 

[ariosto]

Alejandro Octavio Perilla had not intended to come out at all that day. There was still a project on his drawing board due at the Ministry in two days and he also wanted to work on the painting he was doing of Pilar. The painting that never seemed to get any closer to completion since every time the leggy Habanera showed up for a session and started taking her clothes off...they ended up in bed.

But he was here because of her. She'd called at 9 am and asked if he would "Please do me just one little favor..please?", in that purring, kitty cat voice of hers.
What could he say? So he was here to pick up her brother's Juan and Estaban who both played for the Camaguey Blue Parrots after the game.
It was a good team and Alejo didn't mind watching a fine game of beisbol now and then. He used to play a lot himself, before the accident anyway.
Pilar offered to pay for the gas, but he politely refused even though he knew it would cost him his lunch money.
It was a good reason though to take out the precious red, 55 chevy and go for a pleasent ride. He only wished she were with him...
"Oh Pilar, Temptress of my dreams..."


The girl had been sitting on the far side of the mango tree as he approached it and he wasn't really aware of her or how good looking she was until, the fat mango he'd plucked was juicily running down his chin and the skin was sailing towards the ground beside her.

Alejo swallowed fast and managed to get out, "Ahhhh! My apologies Miss. I didn't see you there!"

She looked up startled at first and then smiled.
"Whatever your eating looks pretty good."

"Ummmm..it is."
He offered the dripping yellow- rose fruit to her.
"Want a bite?"

She was a gringa, no doubt about it. A very pretty one too.
Pilar faded from his mind with the warm summer breeze.

 

[chanaud]

She sat staring awkwardly. She knew it but she couldn’t help it. The fleshy meat of the mango was held out waiting for her to take a bite. She was about to decline graciously but its sweet odor was too enticing to refuse. The dark Cuban lowered himself to her level. The tips of her fingers reached out to graze the bottom of his offering hand. Using it as a guide, she finally sunk her teeth into the fruit.

The mango was sweeter than any other she’s tasted. Its soft fleshy meat rolled delicately on her tongue. A droplet of juice leaked from her lips. Isabel didn’t care. They both continued to stare at each while savoring the mango.

“Striiiiiiike Uno!”

The loud voice broke their trance. Isabel turned her head towards the umpire’s cry and realized the game had already started. When she looked back at the stranger, he had found a comfortable seat next to her. An easel was propped on his lap. And a light circular shape the size of the pitcher’s head was already drawn in the center of the page.

“Hola, My name is Isabel.”

 

[ariosto]

"Alejandro."
He said, not looking up as he quickly sketched in the body of the stocky left fielder playing close to them.

"Alejo is fine though...Isabel."
He looked up and grinned.
"What brings you to Cuba, pretty lady?"

His English was heavily accented but clear. His voice smooth and deep...his eyes...

His eyes!
Come on Isabel, she thought what have his eyes to do with anything!?

"I know what your thinking."
He said, laying his pencil down.

She was taken aback.
"You do?"
Gray eyes...gray eyes in copper hued face...extraordinary.

"Yes, you are wondering how I know you are from the States."
He smiled showing large white teeth. Very white.

She became defensive.
"I could be from Canada you know."

"Maybe...but I don't think so."
He turned back to the sketch pad and began drawing again.

"Well... are you going to tell me how you know?"

"Sure..."
But he just kept drawing.

She had about decided that handsome or not Alejandro was a bit to strange for her when suddenly he thrust the drawing into her lap.
It was a quickly executed but beautifully drawn pair of legs.
Her legs....from the hem of her skirt to her pretty toes.

"You have lovely legs Isabel. Will you go out with me?"

CRAAAAK! someone had just hit a homerun.

 

[chanaud]

There was something about him that piqued her curiosity. For a brief moment, when he didn’t heed her questions, she thought he was ignoring her. Isabel was growing impatient with his silence. But there was something about him. Something she couldn’t quite place. Maybe it was his confidence, his brooding silence, or maybe it was as simple as biting into the flesh of the mango, she was drawn to him. Also he was pleasing to the eye.

When he drew her legs, she couldn’t help smile. The twin limbs were a replica of hers.
How could she deny him?

“Go out? As on a date? Ermm.. sure, I suppose.” She stammered.

Stop it, Isabel! Why are you babbling like a child?

“Where are you planning on taking me?”

Isabel’s mind spun. She imagined a quaint restaurant, dancing afterwards to the hot Cuban drums, and finishing the evening with sweet coffee. What she didn’t expect was what came out of his mouth.

“Good. I’ll meet you at the marina at 8. Be sure to bring a bathing suit and a towel.”

 

[ariosto]

Disaster struck cruelly on the way back from the game...His mind was full of the lovely Gringa's shapely body, her tanned legs, slender ankles, sweet full lips...

"Watch out Alejo!"
Juan made a grab for the wheel but to late! and the classic couché ran right into the bright yellow rear end of the Camaguey bus.
There was no damage to the bus and after a brief exchange of words, some rather heated, Alejandro managed to start the engine and wheez his precious auto into a shade tree mechanic's yard about 6 miles from town.
He haggled Pedro Colon down to a price he could barely afford and turned down an invitation to stay for supper, though he dearly loved conch fritters and his stomach was echoing forelornly with the mango long forgotten.

It was nearly 7 when he waved goodby to the Colon's and Pilar's brothers who WERE staying for supper, and managed to flag down a ride into town. Then came a long walk to the Marina, in the rain, in clothes quite greasy from his mecahanical crises of the afternoon.

He was not a pretty picture when finally he spotted her, a shapely silhouette against the crimson sunset.
Oh well, make the best of it...

"Hola Isabel!"
He called,
"I've had an afternoon mas terriblita."

 

[chanaud]

Isabel paced the dock nervously. He was late. Fifteen minutes late. Under any other circumstances, she would have left without even giving her date a chance for a valid excuse. Somehow this one was different. There was something in his eyes earlier that afternoon that told her he would show.

And he did. He was late and dirty. Dirty to the core. He strolled up and stated how his afternoon ended, offering no story of explanation or the reason for his state. Isabel didn’t mind. All was forgotten at the first sight of him. And besides once again her tongue grew heavy making it impossible for her to form words.

Instead he leaned in and kissed her sweetly on the lips. Surprised by his action, she couldn’t help responding any other way but to offer the sweet taste of her luscious lips.

As quickly as he kissed her was as quickly as he ended it. Isabel’s mind was floating on a thick cloud. When she finally descended down to earth, she was surprised to see Alejo had already hopped onto a long, sleek red Buccaneer.

“She’s beautiful. What’s her name?”

He reached out a gentlemanly hand to Isabel. “Pilar.”

“Pilar. What a beautiful name. Look at her lines. Do you sail her often?”

“Sure. Whenever I get a chance. Which isn’t often.” He answered, his voice vague.

“Well she sure is a beauty. Are we going to take her out?”

Isabel’s mind conjured a romantic midnight sail. Little did she know, Alejo didn’t know his way around his girlfriend’s boat.

 

[ariosto]

"Take her out...sure we can do that."
Alejo stared at her for a second and jumped overboard.

"Alejo?"

*Was it something she'd said?*
Isabella rushed to the side just as the painter's head broke water.
He grinned up at her.

"Why'd you do that?"

"To get wet", he said clambering back over the side.
"Can you hand me a towel?"
He pointed at the worn but soft faded beach towels spread out to dry.
"No running water aboard and as you can see...."
He opened his arms and turned around.
"I am very dirty."

Alejo stepped into the cockpit and began to strip.
She could see everything. It was a pretty small boat.

Broad coppery shoulders, lovely muscles...
He began removing his pants
Isabella colored slightly but didn't look away.
She did throw down a towel, albeit a bit slow in coming.

"Do you like my boat?"
He called up as his trousers fell to the deck.

Oh yes, she liked his boat. A very fine boat indeed!

 

[chanaud]

She gasped at the sight of him. The gods sculpted his body after theirs; he was perfect in every way possible. Before Isabel’s mind wondered if the rest of him, particularly under his trousers were just as bronzed as his chest, he had dropped his pants. Yes, it was.

A blush filled her whole being. Her breathing became erratic. Still her eyes remained fixated as Alejo dried himself off and found a fresh pair of pants.

He climbed back up deck. Isabel stepped back making room for him. His eyes wandered wildly as if he was lost. Isabel cleared her throat.

“Where are you taking me?” She imagined a remote island, far away from the mainland, possibly a midnight snack followed by a midnight swim.

“I have a pickup to make.”

“Pickup?” She wasn’t expecting that!

“Yes, I have to pickup a package. You don’t mind, do you?”

His white teeth gleamed in the darkness.

Uh oh, he’s a drug runner!

 

[ariosto]

He'd never taken the boat out by himself...ever.
But what could he do?
The gringa obviously wanted some romantic adventure tonight and he sensed what his coppery body in the tight faded denim cutoffs was doing to her...He had to give it a shot...didn't he?

Let's see, Pilar had always turned this key and hit this button...

The engine roared into life, the boat pulled against the mooring lines and Isabel had to grab the hatch combing to keep from being catapulted overboard...

"The ropes, shouldnt you...", she gasped.
She was beginning to worry. ..a lot.

"Just testing, lovely one."
He grinned down at her and managed to throttle back to idle.

He gave an anxious look at the wheel and lept to the bow, throwing off the line. That was close!

When the Pilar finally backed safely into the channel, Alejo breathed a very deep sigh of relief.

"Isabel, I have to pick up that package and then we'll head to a beautiful island I know of."

His handling and confidence seemed to have improved and she settled back in the deck chair watching him take the boat into the
bay. The water was calm and flecked with gold and scarlet from the setting sun.

"Look for a boat, Isabel..an old one with a black hull, named the
Bocanegra.

*Black Mouth...how fitting,*she thought. *cocaine?, cannabis?, panatellas?*
"What are we picking up Alejo...you know I don't want to get into anything illegal here."

Suddenly he was beside her, the boat chugging easily across the broad waters.

"It will be a surprise for you."
His voice dropped, his arm slipped around her waist...
"We will enjoy it togeher, eh?"

"Pilar is that you!"
Came a cracked an ancient voice to starboard.

"Uhhhh..NO NO, It's Alejo, but I'll take delivery." He was up again, peering into the gloom.

A cold chill ran up her spine as a long black boat, reeking of diesel oil and fish slipped like a phantom along the side.
A package the size of table radio landed with a wet THWACK at her feet.
She drew back as if it was a copperhead.

"Pilar will pay you in the morning Pepe."
Alejo was already at the wheel and angling the boat away from the other.

"Hey wait!"
Pepe called but his voice was drowned out by the roar of the engine as Alejo opened the throttle wide...

'What the hell is it!," she called up to him, tentatively nudging the newspaper wrapped package with her toe.

"In ten minutes we'll be at the island and you'll see. It's the best in the world. Your in for a treat!"

Isabel, had been drunk three times in her life, stoned on marijuana twice and had once tried cocaine, but blew the stuff all over the little mirror when she sneezed.
She was to say the least in for a treat allright.
She wished she was back in her hot, stuffy hotel room now, practicing her spanish verb conjugations...

 

[chanaud]

The package was lying there on the floor like a heavy brick. She kicked it with her bare toe, and was surprised to feel the package was solid, it barely budged. Her eyes and mind was focused on that neatly wrapped brown package leaving her oblivious to Alejo jerking the boat in all directions through the early night’s calm tide.

“We shall be there soon.” Alejo yelled out, the wind carrying his voice southerly leaving Isabel to nod mutely, not attempting to answer him.

Oh, God! What mess have I gotten myself into? Her mind raced with all possibilities of contrabands stowed at her feet and the border police looking for them. She looked back at him suspiciously. Alejo looks like a drug dealer; she thought as he caught her determined stare and answered her with a wink and a lascivious grin.

How do I get myself out of this? Her mind raced with possibilities. Throwing herself overboard was an impossibility for she was deathly afraid of sharks. As she looked around for something that resembled a weapon, she didn’t see the wave coming up to meet the bow of the boat. She and everything that wasn’t tied down lurched forward at the sudden impact. Sprawled on the teak wooden floor, Isabel looked up on time only to see the brown package aiming for her forehead.

 

[ariosto]

She struggled up with the ominous package lying in her lap and saw Alejo shaking his fist and yelling at some one out in the dark waters.
"Isabel are you all right!?"
He called back from the wheel.
"That was a stinking cigar boat . The harbor patrol is running them now. Thet think they own the whole ocean!"

The Pilar was rocking heavily, pitching into the wake of the powerful patrol vessel.
It wasn't fear that was threatening to make her heave it up right now. No it was the motion of the boat and the smell...
The smell?

She leaned down and sniffed the package.

"IT's fresh! I guarantee it. Go ahead and open it, we'll be at the island in two minutes."
Alejo cut the engines as the dark loom of the island approached.

"Open it pretty girl and tell me they're not the finest snappers
you've ever seen."

Snappers?..a new drug term?
Hesitantly she untied the string, peeled back the warpper and peered inside.
Two small flat eyes looked back at her.

"DAMN! This is a fish!"

The painter laughed,
"You bet it is. Two nice ones. In an hour Lady we're gonna have us a feast!"

 

[chanaud]

The relief of fish being in the package made Isabel throw her head back and howl into the wind. Thank goodness she was downwind, Alejo would have thought she turned into a crazy lunatic.

“You’re always thinking the worse,” she scolded to herself as soon as she was able to control her thoughts. “Never again will I do that. From now on I will trust him.” She decided as her eyes gazed at him appreciatively.

Isabel lounged back on the seat and welcomed the salty night air to wash over her skin. Before she had a chance to close her eyes, Alejo cried out. “I see it now.”

Isabel sat up quickly and squinted. She didn’t see a thing. The darkness was overwhelming. Nervousness crept in. “Stop it. Remember your promise to trust him.” She reminded herself.

“Can you grab a line at the bow? I’m going to take her in slowly.”

She nodded and did as instructed. At the bow, she saw an outline. Forms were appearing. Palm trees. A building. With a smile, she turned to him and shouted. “I see it.”

Alejo couldn’t help admiring her statuesque beauty. Her long hair whirled around her, framing her pretty face. She was so tall and slender. So unlike the voluptuous senoritas he’s used to having his way with.

Bump…bump…bump

They had hit a sandbar and she was being jerked forward. She was doing a good job balancing herself.

BUMP!

Splash! He heard it before he saw her body disappear

Uh oh. Woman overboard.

 

[ariosto]

Fear tinged with hysteria overcame Isabel as the inky waters closed over her. She sputtered out an unladylike but effective call for help as she went under.

Alejo looked back at the empty boat and knew immediately what had happened. Instantly he was slicing into the water and scooping the struggling Isabel up in his arms. She clung to his broad shoulders like a lamprey on a shark.

"It's okay...it's okay.."
They were walking along the side of the boat to the shore.

Somewhat ashamed of herself, for the water was only 4 feet deep under the Pilar's keel, Isabel was about to ask to be set down when something cold and scaley and BIG slid by her naked foot!

She did her best to crawl up his chest as he began to run up the shelving beach a look of alarm on his face...

"What was that!" she gasped, bouncing in his arms with each quick stride.

"Is crockodile Isabel..."
He set her down on the cool sand of the beach and leaned over trying to catch his breath.
"Usually they are gone from here by now. I wasn't expecting them."

A cool breeze had appeared out of the night and in her thin soaking close she began to shiver.
Alejo put his arm around her and turned towards the dark looming shape up behind the tree line.
Her eyes could now see that it was an enormous multitiered villa, abject with neglect and partially in ruins.

"We can get some wood up there and build a fire..we are safe little one...no one lives here anymore."

She allowed herself to be taken along , his arm was strong and felt good around her.
"What is this place Alejo, what's it called."

Their footprints were black pols of shadow in the sand as they walked into the palms...
"It was a gringo gangsters home, back before the revolution.
Everyone said he was crazy for building such a place on the Island of Ten Thousand Crockodiles."

 

[chanaud]

Crocodiles! Isabel never imagined she would be face to face to a crocodile unless she was in the safe quarters of her home, and was watching television. Good Lord, Crocodiles! What or who has she gotten herself involved with?

“Why don’t you stay here out of the draft while I gather some wood?”

“No!” There was no way she was going to stay alone. “I’ll come along. If you don’t mind?” She smiled, her white teeth gleamed in the dark, but her pupils gave away her nervousness.

Alejo understood. He didn’t want to wander about alone and was relieved she wanted to come along.

He tucked her arm around his and lead her out. They walked like an old couple slowly in the dark. The moon was barely peeking out from a dark cloud, giving enough light to accentuate every shadow. Alejo extended his arm out for guidance. When he finally came to a tree, he dropped down and brought Isabel with her.

“Feel your hand about..” He ordered.

Isabel nodded and did as told. She felt cold dampness under her hands. Images of snakes and slithery insects came to mind.

“How big do you want the branches?” She whispered. “Alejo?”

“Alejo, it’s not funny? Answer me!” Her voice trembled into the empty air.

 

[ariosto]

'What?"
His voice startled her.
He stepped from the deep shadows into the small pool of moonlight, arms full of sticks and branches.

"I said...how big do you want them, Alejo?"

She could see his white teeth when he grinned.
"How big do you want them? I should be the one asking that."

Had it been daylight he could have seen her blush.

He set the wood down and struck a match.
"Did you get any mangos?"

"Mangos?"
Isabela could hardly take her eyes off him. He was stripped to the waist and the firelight gave him the look of...
"You remind me of Tarzan."

He looked up over the blaze,
"The one in the Disney movie?"

It was her turn to laugh,
"No no , not a particular one just a type...Now what about mangos?"

He nodded at her feet,
"Pick some good ones, they're all around you. We're in the Mango Garden of the estate, the best mangos in Cuba."

Now that she wasn't too frightened to notice, she saw that the ground was covered with the delicious fruit and more hung in easy reach from the towering tree above them.

She reached up, stretching to pluck one perfect looking one.
"I've never seen so many!"

Alejo's eyes were rivited to the thin fabric pulled tight over her breasts.
"And I've never seen finer ones, I bet they are deliscioso."

 

[chanaud]

Tingles coursed through her veins, making her shudder.

“Are you cold?” He asked with a grin. Isabel felt her nipples rise to sharp points, almost poking his eyes out.

“Yes. I’m still wet.” She whispered. Then the realization of the implication made her moan.

He snickered. “Come… I’ll keep you warm.” His arms opened in offering.

Despite his snicker, she stepped forward and sat in front of him. His legs bordered her sides. She leaned back to his chest and found herself warming immediately.

The fire roared forming dancing shadows in the dark night. Alejo busied himself like a master chef. He tore into a mango and stuffed it into an oversized grape leaf with the red snapper. Soon the sweet scent of their dinner was filtering through Isabel making her stomach growl angrily.

“You surprise me, Alejo.”

“How so?” He asked calmly. He’s been told that one too many times from numerous of women.

“You seem to be a man of many talents. Tell me. What can’t you do?”

Isabel was interested in him. Very interested.

 

[ariosto]

From his vantage, Alejo was able to look down the loose fitting blouse she was wearing and glimpse the soft rise of her breasts.
He sighed,
"I cannot seduce beautiful gringo girls...I seem unable to do that.
"What is the secret Isabele, how do I do that?"

Isabele knew that the evening would probably turn on the next few words...the next few actions.
How to answer...
*I bet you say that to all the girls.*, she thought but didn't say.

Instead she squirmed more tightly against him until she could feel the heat and the swelling of his cock lying hard against her back.
He slipped his hands over her shoulders and slid them beneath the collar of her shirt, She tensed up but not much...a promising sign.
"How do I do that..."
He repeated, whispering close to her ear.
He felt the warm smooth skin begin to curve under his finger tips as they reached lower.
She turned her face and he kissed her, a long slow kiss that lasted until his fingers were caressing the stiff proud points of her breasts, that lasted until his palms were cupped over them gently squeezing.
Alejo was making a bold attempt to do what he said he couldn't...