Three months had past since Lily's birthday. Christmas, New Years, and Mike's birthday had all flown by quite rapidly. In that short time, the relationship between Mike and Lily had grown from being close friends to two people who were deeply in love with each other. It had come to the point where Lily almost wished to never go home. Mike, who had been homesick for his friends from day one, even found himself less restless than usual.
Mike found it difficult to keep himself occupied without daydreaming of Lily. His every thought was of her eyes, laughter, smile, and touch. It was becoming increasingly difficult to remain a gentleman, so to speak.
Lily, on the other hand, had become somewhat critical again. Though she loved Mike deeply, she feared that he had let himself go. Though he had a full beard from the third week on the island, it was now long, scraggly, and very unkept. Mike's hair was long and hung just at his shoulders. He stunk too. Worst of all was Mike running around in nothing but his boxers. Of course, the weather had gotten hotter, but she felt it was no excuse to look like an ape- man. When she finally had enough, she let her feelings out.
"Mike, why don't you cut your hair and shave that beard? You're such a handsome man. Why do you want to hide it?" Lily asked.
"You don't think I'm handsome anymore?" Mike asked.
"Well, I love you no matter what, but I can't hardly see your face," Lily complained. "You could use a bath too," she added.
"I shower in the waterfall everyday. Those homemade soaps aren't going to get rid of the odor. They just cover it up," Mike said, getting a little defensive.
"Are you saying I stink too? I use those soaps," Lily said.
"No, I never said that. Men just stink more," Mike said.
"Well, how about the shaving? You could do that," Lily told him.
"What do you want me to shave with? I don't have a razor," Mike pointed out.
"You do have a knife though. That's what Shatzu uses I'll bet," Lily told him.
"Are you crazy? Do you want me to slice my face off?" Mike asked, shocked by what Lily was suggesting.
"Ok, I understand. However, you could put your pants on. Do you think I like looking at you like that?" Lily asked.
"I'm comfortable like this. Shatzu only wears a loin cloth," Mike pointed out.
"For heaven sakes! You're not Shatzu! You look like Tarzan running around in that getup," Lily exclaimed finally throwing her hands in the air.
"Me Tarzan, you Jane," Mike said in a deep, gruff voice as he grabbed Lily around the waist. He held her so tight she could hardly breathe. He began to nibble at her neck, and she giggled at first. Soon, Mike became more aggresive as he tried to pull her down to the sand.
"Mr. Nesmith, please!" Lily retorted as she slapped Mike's hand away. Mike knew she was really mad, for it had been months since she called him Mr. Nesmith.
"Aw come on Lily. I need you. Don't make me wait forever. It's awfully tempting, just you and I here," Mike said as he tried to kiss her again. Though Mike meant it as a compliment, Lily took it as an insult. Tears burned her eyes. She tore away from Mike's grasp and slapped him across the face.
"There are plenty of native women here if all you want to do is fool around! Just don't expect it out of me," she said as she ran into her hut and slammed the door behind her.
Mike hung his head, feeling like a fool.