Ruby Island

by Anita Rodriguez

  "Can we see a movie, Mom?" Benji asked.

  "Yes, of course," Amy answered.

  "Mom?" Ruby asked Amy. Then he turned his attention to Matt. "Maybe next time you will heed Amy's thoughts on the subject of how to get here. And if I would've known you were bringing your boys, I would've planned some fun things for them to do while they were here."

  "My boys?" Matt asked, and Reynolds dropped her fork.

  "Are you okay, Amy?" Ruby asked as he reached across and put a hand on her shoulder. She smiled and Ruby turned his attention back to Matt. "Yes, your boys. I'm surprised you would take the chance and fly them to Ruby Island."

  Matt looked at the little faces, convinced he had never seen them before in his life. "Those aren't my boys," Matt said a little embarrassed.

  “Dad!” the oldest yelled, and Matt shrugged.

  "Donnelly, can you take the boys to the theater and ask Rebecca if she could sit with them?" Amy asked.

  "Of course, Miss Reynolds," the butler answered with the nod of his head. "Come with me, young men. I know just the movie you should start with." The youngest hugged Matt and then Amy, and then the three boys left with Donnelly. Bill Ruby put his fork down and pushed his chair back from the table.

  "Mom?" he asked again. "What’s going on, Amy?"

  "I will tell you, but you won't believe me," Amy said. Then she told Bill Ruby the whole story, starting with the fact that they were supposed to take a boat over like everyone else, about the bright flash of light when they thought they were dying, the boys appearing in the back seat, and finally ending when she saw him speeding out to the runway on a motorcycle to save them. Matt rolled his eyes at this. They didn't crash or anything crazy. No one needed saving.

  And today was the day that they were supposed to arrive for the photo shoot and interview. It was the same date on the calendar as when she had packed her bag at home and had boarded her flight in New York City. They hadn’t been on an island and living in a cave for years and years. They were in the airplane on their way to Ruby Island, and the boys just appeared. It was insane and Amy knew it, but it was also true.

  When she was done, Bill Ruby had a good laugh at both of his guests. "Amy, you know nobody flies to the island. That's why I bought it."

  "I know," Amy said defensively, "but he was badgering me." Amy's face turned pink, and Bill Ruby didn't say anything. He knew why she was blushing, but he wanted her for himself.

  "Those are not our children," Matt insisted.

  "Of course they are," Bill Ruby cut in decisively. "Look at the oldest. He looks just like you."

  Matt looked at Reynolds and she looked back at him. They both knew that Ruby was right. The resemblance was uncanny.

  "What I can't figure is that they are calling you both mom and dad, and I know for a fact that Amy’s not a mom, not yet anyway."

  Ruby took Amy's hand and Matt could see them share a moment. This made him angry. He didn't know who these boys were or where they had come from. They had appeared after that giant flash of light and it was as though they had come from the light itself. He was getting upset, but he didn't want to show his temper. He was not their father and Reynolds was not their mother. Matt knew that for sure.

  "When will you be ready to do the interview, Mr. Ruby?" Matt asked. Matt was frazzled and beginning to fray at the edges, and he was in no shape to do an interview, but he needed the attention back on real life and not on three boys who didn’t exist in his life. The sooner he could get off this island, the better.

  "Well, there's no rush now," Ruby said. "Amy needs a couple days of rest and the weather is beautiful. We can spend some time getting to know each other and do some fun things on the island, and then maybe in a few days when Amy is ready, we can do the interview and the photo shoot."

  Reynolds was holding her fork, but she wasn’t eating. She was staring at Matt and waiting to see what he would say.

  "I don't want to intrude, and I'm sorry for almost crashing a plane onto your island, Mr. Ruby."

  "Call me Bill."

  "I'm a little done in, and I think it best if I head back to New York now. Perhaps we can do the interview at a later date when everyone has..." Matt trailed off. He wasn't sure what to say. Reynolds needed to heal, and then there were the three boys who he did not want to get to know better, and the walls were closing in on him. The panic was back and his hands started to shake. He was a caged animal, and he had to get out of here immediately. "I have an event with my fiancé tomorrow, and I can't miss it,” he lied.

  Bill smiled, and Matt instinctively knew that Ruby was glad to hear there was no competition in the pursuit of Reynolds. Ruby was fawning over Reynolds, but in a decent way. Of course there was no competition. Matt was engaged, and Reynolds was more like a buddy to him than anything.

  "You're engaged?" Ruby asked.

  "Yes," Matt said. "But we haven't set a date yet," he added with a smile as he looked at Reynolds. He did this just to get under Ruby's skin, but he saw Reynolds clench her jaw.

  "Are you okay, Reynolds?" Matt asked.

  "Yes," she said looking down at her plate of food. It's just my neck." Her face was turning red and Matt wasn’t sure if she was in pain or embarrassed, and he didn’t want to ask. He stood and placed his napkin on the table.

  "Will you invite me back for the interview if I go now?" he asked Ruby.

  "Of course," the movie star said graciously. "As soon as Amy is ready, we will let you know and you can come over by boat," he said with a chuckle.

  "Yes," Matt said, turning to leave and almost stepping right into the bodyguard who he hadn't known was standing behind him. The intimidating figure took two steps backwards and nodded, but his gaze didn’t leave Matt's eyes.

  "I will show you where to go," Reynolds said.

  "Donnelly can do that," Ruby said softly, but she stood.

  "It's okay," she said. "I’ll just be a minute." Reynolds passed by Matt and he followed her out of the room. She walked him through the maze of hallways and rooms to the front door.

  "So, you and Bill Ruby?" Matt questioned. "I didn't see that coming."

  "Is it so surprising?" she asked defensively.

  "The man is an international movie star and is in every tabloid show and magazine. I'm just amazed I didn't know because usually that stuff is plastered all over."

  "Usually the magazines make up a story to have a story, and it was years ago," she told Matt.

  He glanced over at Reynolds as they walked, the neck brace keeping her face forward. Her short, curly hair was disheveled and her bangs were bouncing into her eyes as she moved. She was plain, no makeup as usual, but she had a classic look about her. Her nose and her mouth were perfectly dainty, and her chin was pointed at just the right angle. She was actually pretty, Matt noticed.

  "Sure, magazines make up stories, but I don't know how they missed this one. Bill Ruby is clearly in love with you. I just can't wrap my mind around it."

  "Is it so hard to believe?"

  "It's just that, you’re nothing like a woman."

  "Thanks a lot!" she said as she hit Matt gently in the stomach.

  "No, it's not like what you’re thinking. It's just that you're not like the goddess type I'm used to seeing on Bill Ruby's arm. You’re more like a buddy."

  They walked out onto the perfectly manicured gravel drive where a servant was standing next to the open door of a car. Bill Ruby had clearly watched too much of Downton Abbey. Matt was certain that the moment the car was down the drive, more servants would jump from the bushes to rake the stones back into position.

  "If we’re such good buddies, Matt, why are you leaving me here with those three boys? We have to figure out what happened today." Reynolds was starting to tear up, and he could see that she also felt that she might be losing her mind.

  "I don't know what the hell happened," Matt said, uncomfortable with her insecurity and filled with resentment toward the entire situation. He’d listened intently when Reynolds was telli
ng Bill Ruby what had happened to them. Matt had been relieved to hear that Amy had experienced the same wash of white light, and had felt the same pulling at her skin, and had the same confusion about the appearance of the three boys. Still, he had no intention of sticking around Ruby Island for a few days just to find out he was going crazy. He was not a father, and that was that.

  “There was that light and that energy and they were just there,” Reynolds said. “Something is happening here, Matt. We need to talk to those boys to find out what they know.”

  “I only have one interview to do, and that is with Bill Ruby. If you want to stay here to talk to those kids, go right ahead.”

  “It was the Bermuda Triangle, Matt. I told you we shouldn’t fly here.”

  Matt’s neck started to burn with his rising blood pressure. “Reynolds, those are not our children. We left New York this morning together. We landed on Ruby Island today, the same day we left New York. For all I know, Ruby is pumping this island full of hallucinogens just to get a rise out of people.”

  She took his arm and pleaded with him. “Come on, Matt. It’s me. I was with you on that airplane. Something happened. We have to figure out what is going on.”

  "I’ll see you in a few days, Reynolds," Matt said, ducking into the car. The servant closed the door and it began pulling forward. Matt realized he was sweating all over and he had to gulp back his emotions. Reynolds was the most self-assured person that he had ever known. She always had a plan for any situation that might present itself. It was upsetting to him to see her so vulnerable.

  Bill Ruby has a world-class staff to care for her, Matt thought, as he wiped his hands on his pants and tried to forget about Ruby Island.

  Amy had forgotten how good life with Bill Ruby could be. His island was truly a tropical paradise, and his staff was wonderful. She knew that he had poached his butler and some of the other staff during his stays at six star hotels around the world. They had all earned their place within Bill's life. They were loyal to Bill's privacy and were always at hand but never intrusive.

  Amy had been furious when Matt drove away. She wanted to run away too, but even if her injury would allow it, she couldn't turn away from the three boys who claimed to be her sons. She had never seen them before, and she’d never been pregnant in her life, yet there was something so undeniably familiar about them.

  Bill went to watch his movie in the theater with the boys leaving Amy to relax, and it wasn't long before the youngest boy found her. He walked over to the couch and lay down next to Amy, putting his head on her shoulder and snuggling up right next to her. Amy was startled, but it was comfortable, so she lie still. He had a stuffed dinosaur in his hands, and she was now certain that Bill stocked a small toy store on the island.

  "Mom?" the boy asked.

  "Yes?" Amy said, surprised she had responded.

  "Why were they shooting everyone in Bill's movie? I mean, maybe we shouldn't be here with him if he's that kind of person."

  Amy's eyes opened wide as she remembered that all of Bill's movies were rated PG-13 or rated R, and she was glad the boy had removed himself from the violence. "That's not Bill in real life. He's acting. He's playing a part. It's his character that is chasing the bad guys."

  "So he has bad character?" the boy asked again.

  "It's make believe, Benji," Amy said, finally remembering his name.

  "So it's all made up, like at home when we would put on plays for each other and pretend to be someone else?" Benji asked.

  "Yes, like a play," Amy's voice shook as she answered. "I don't think you should watch any more of Bill's movies. Let's see if there’s something on TV you could watch." Amy changed the channels until she found a cartoon.

  "What is that?" he asked, but Amy didn't answer. She let him watch and she closed her eyes enjoying his giggles. "Mom, can you put your hand in my hair like usual?" he asked. Amy took a deep breath and started brushing her hands through his long, fine hair until they both fell asleep.

  The next day, Bill gave them their space and Amy took the boys to a large beach along the south coast of the island. The water was tropical and the boys were fearless. They swam like champions, even Benji, not afraid of the waves that would tumble upon them. She was able to learn their names and personalities by watching them interact with each other.

  She called the oldest William because it was too confusing with two Bill’s on the island. He had pulled a long branch from a copse of trees and expertly sharpened it with a stone. He trotted back out into the water and speared a large, red fish, pulling his catch up over his head in triumph. Amy had never fished nor hunted, and she didn't want to watch too closely at how they handled the fish. The boys each took turns with the spear, and before long they had caught ten fish. She watched their long hair move in the breeze, watched how they used their bodies as a tool in the water, and listened to their sharp and confident speech. It was as though they were primitive, yet educated.

  A valet brought a chest full of ice down from the truck and the boys spent some time playing with the ice before putting the fish in the cooler. "Can we have more pop?" Steven asked the valet.

  "Everything in moderation," William answered, and Amy could hear her own mother in that.

  Amy had applied sunscreen three times, but the boys seemed immune to the stinging rays. She had made them put it on when they had first left the house, but their fully tanned frames seemed to beat off the sunburn. They must get that from Matt's side of the family, she caught herself thinking and then recoiled.

  She had talked to them at length this morning, and they told her about their life on the island, and then repairing the airplane to get off the island so they could get to civilization. She could hear both herself and Matt in the way they talked, and it was all she could do to not burst into tears. She’d excused herself five times to go in the bathroom to cry in private. Yesterday, her mother was encouraging her to get a life. Yesterday, she had an impossible crush on Matt. Yesterday, she left civilization for this island, and today she had a family.

  Amy was reconciling herself to the fact that she was the boys’ mother, but Matt had run for the hills. And as wonderful as they were, she couldn't allow herself to start thinking of them as a family.

  Chapter 5

  Matt watched the doors open, but he didn't immediately step off the elevator. He had landed on Ruby Island forty-eight hours earlier, and his nerves were still shaken. He hadn't heard from Reynolds and he didn't know if that was good or bad. Good probably. He tried to forget the faces of the three boys as he stepped into the magazine lobby. His phone buzzed in his pocket and he looked at the number. It was the owner of the aircraft looking for him again, but this time Matt wouldn't answer the phone.

  He had already told the man that he would get the aircraft back, and that he was just getting aircraft fuel brought over to the little island to refill the tanks. That had worked for a few hours, but it turned out to Matt's chagrin that although the islands were separated by water, the pilots might as well have been sitting in lawn chairs right next to each other and gossiping about the tourists. The pilot had just left him a message that he knew of no request for fuel and that he could put in the request if Matt would give him a different credit card number.

  Matt had winced at the message. He had panicked in the Miami airport and had called the credit card company from a payphone and told them he had lost it on his trip. He didn't want the deductible for the airplane put against his credit. He didn't want the FAA to find out what had happened. If he was honest, he still didn't know what had happened.

  Matt shook his head and walked toward Nicole. She was smiling at him, but her eyebrows were raised and that was never good. Matt tried to look past her to his father-in-law-to-be's office, but Nicole called out to him. He couldn't ignore her anyway. She was the editor on his Bill Ruby story.

  "Matt Cole," she said conclusively, like she was hammering each syllable into the table.

  "Hey, Nicole." He tried to smile b
ut his lips got hung up on his dry teeth. He instinctively looked over to her desk calendar and noticed the date and year. It had been two days since he’d rented the airplane, not thirteen years and two days. He smiled with the knowledge that he was right, but he was still a bit frantic and shaken at what had taken place. Although he’d binge watched documentaries in the last two days, Matt would not admit to himself that something had happened to him and Reynolds in the Bermuda Triangle.

  "So, Amy decided to stay behind after the interview, eh?" she asked. Matt thought about lying, but he knew that Reynolds was friends with Nicole, so he thought partial truth was better.

  "She was injured when we arrived at the island, but don't worry. She's all right. The doctor wanted her to stay for a couple of days. He had her in a neck brace but I think it was just for show. She seemed fine when I left." Matt didn't sit down at first, passing Nicole a few steps and turning his body toward Charley's office as though he had an important meeting he was late for.

  "Matt," Nicole clicked reproachfully. "Amy has asked to put off the article for two weeks, so she must be more hurt than she's letting on."

  "Really?" Matt asked and backtracked to sit down opposite Nicole.

  "She called me and asked for your cell phone number. She said her phone was broken and she was calling from Bill Ruby's house." Nicole was leaning forward and Matt didn't know if she was trying to get information from him, or just dishing out what she knew.

  "She did?" he asked and looked at his cell phone dismissively. This was an old cell phone he’d kept in a drawer for three years. He'd had to pull it out when he returned since his phone had also broken in the... well, in whatever that crazy lightning strike was. Matt grimaced. His phone was fried, and he had lost it on the boat ride back to the main island. Actually, it had been swept away by a rogue wave that had almost rolled the boat over. The men on the boat were visibly shaken and shocked, and they had told Matt that a big wave like that had never happened before on calm water. It only happened during a bad storm. Matt Cole was starting to think that Ruby Island hated him. It was a ridiculous thought though. How could an island hate him? Still, the fog and white light, the strange boys, and the rogue wave; his heart rate increased just thinking about it, and he made a silent promise to never return to that place.