“Not really.”
“I know. You were always too busy on the farm or you were messing with your horses. You didn’t need to knock a little ball around and then act as if you’d really accomplished something when if fell in the little hole.”
“Well, it’s a good sport. If a man enjoys it, there’s no reason not to play. I’m sure Warner has the time now.”
“Warner has the time for a lot of things.” She batted her eyes at him. “He spends a lot of time with me.”
“He should.”
“He even spends time with me when I get all confused and do things he thinks I shouldn’t.” She twisted her face into a girlish pout. “Aren’t you just a teeny-weeny bit jealous?”
Steve knew he had to put a stop to this conversation. “No, Janet. I’m not at all jealous. In fact, I was happy and relieved when I learned you’d married Warner.”
She chuckled. “You don’t have to pretend, Steve.” She reached out and touched his cheek.
“I’m not pretending, Janet.”
She moved closer to him and he tried to back away. Before he could move she put her arms around his waist. “I was pretending the other night when we saw each other. I wanted everyone to think I really loved Warner, but I don’t.”
Steve took her arms gently and pulled them from around his waist. “Don’t do that, Janet. You belong to Warner now.”
“I’ve never belonged to any man except you Steve. Remember in college how we pledged to always be together? When we made love you said there’d never be another woman for you.”
“I was a kid, Janet. We both were.”
“We weren’t kids when we made a baby. Remember, Steve? It was after that hard English Literature test. You were never very good in literature. You barely passed, but you did pass. We celebrated by going back to your dorm and sharing a bottle of wine and making mad passionate love. That was the day I got pregnant, remember?” She put her arms around his waist again.
Steve removed her arms a second time. “Yes, Janet I remember. I also remember I wanted to quit school and marry you so we could make a home for the baby.”
“But I wanted you to finish school. It didn’t matter whether I finished or not, because I felt it was more important for you to graduate. That’s why I had the abortion, Steve. I couldn’t let you mess up your career by quitting school.” She laughed. “Girls are so lucky today. They can get rid of a baby on demand. It wasn’t so easy back then. I’m glad I didn’t mess up like some girls did. I was lucky the old woman who did my abortion knew what she was doing.”
“That happened a long time ago and there’s no need to drag it up now.” He moved to the side of the room near the family area.
She followed him. “You never really forgave me for getting rid of that baby, did you Steve?”
“Of course, I forgave you. We got married, didn’t we?”
“But you didn’t really want to marry me. You only did it because you felt obligated. You’d sullied me and I was a used woman. You felt you had to make it right.” She came up behind him and put her arms around him again. “You still need to make things right, don’t you, my love? You know I should still be married to you. I truly thought you were dead and just got carried away with Warner. I would’ve never married him if I though you’d someday come back. Why, that wonderful tan you have has made you even better looking and sexier than you were before. You know I really belong to you, don’t you, Steve?”
He turned and pushed her gently away. “No, Janet. It’s too late. Our marriage is over. You need to get yourself together and go back home. You shouldn’t have come here.”
“I realize now I was wrong to move out of our bedroom. At the time I was just confused and didn’t think I liked sex. I still don’t like it with Warner, but I know I’ll like it now with you.”
“Don’t talk like that, Janet.”
“I know what I’m saying. I want to be with you today. I really do. Warner will never have to know. Make love to me one more time, just for old time’s sake. Warner isn’t that good in the bedroom, but you were. I want to see if you’re still the same.” She laughed. “I know how much it means to you so I took a shower this morning and everything.”
“Stop it, Janet. It’s not going to happen—”
She ripped open her blouse. “Don’t tell me you don’t want to put your hands on these. You always liked to play—”
“I said stop it. Put your clothes back together and get out, Janet. I’m not going to have sex with you. Our time for that’s long over. If you want to go to bed with someone, go home and wait for your husband.”
“You act as if there’s someone else.” She glared at him. “Is there someone else?”
“That’s none of your business,” he said in a quiet, even tone.
“Well, look at you! Mr. High and Mighty. You do have another woman in your world.” Her face quivered as she stared at him. “Is it one of those young pretty things on the island with you? Maybe the one they called Joanna? She looked pretty hot.” She glared at him. “I hope you get her pregnant and I hope she’s like me and has an abortion just to punish you.”
She started out of the room then whirled around. “Did I ever tell you the kid I got rid of was a boy, too?” She threw back her head and laughed. “That means your precious Dave wasn’t your first son after all. What do you think of that?”
Steve stared to say something, but she continued. “There’s one other thing I never told you. Well two things really. One was that I’ve wished a million times over the years I’d had an abortion when you made me pregnant with Dave. Being so big and fat for nine months was such a nuisance. I never wanted kids and you knew it, but you knocked me up anyway.”
“Janet you don’t mean that.”
“Oh yes, I do. I never wanted to be a mother, especially to a boy. If Dave had been a girl, I might have felt differently.” Her eyes were blazing when she added, “I also never told you I had my tubes tied after he was born. I knew you wanted more children so I made sure he’d be an only child. I was stuck with one kid and there was nothing I could do about that, but I wasn’t going to get stuck with another one. Knowing you, you would’ve had a dozen. You doted on the boy. I understand you’re still close.” She drew in her breath. “Now the bastard has made me a grandmother. The girls are okay, though you know I’m too young and sexy-looking to be a grandmother. But he didn’t stop with them. He went on and had Johnny, the little brat. I’ll never like that kid.”
Steve took a long breath. His hands had curled into fists, but he knew no matter how much he wanted to, he wouldn’t hit her. Finally he said between his clinched teeth, “I think you’d better go now, Janet.”
“Okay, I’m going, but remember this. I was willing to give myself to you today. When you see me hanging on Warner’s arm and you’re going to bed alone at night, you’ll remember what you turned down. I know how much sex means to you so I hope you regret turning your back on me. I truly hope it haunts you for the rest of your life.”
She opened her purse and slapped a check down on the broken kitchen counter. “Warner got this at the bank yesterday. He told me to give it to you. Now when you feel deprived, honey go hire yourself a prostitute if you can find one who doesn’t mind going to bed with an old worn-out man.”
With that, she turned and stomped out of the house.
Steve stared after her for a long minuet. He couldn’t believe what had happened. Was this really the woman he’d lived with for so many years? Did she mean the awful things she’d said? Or was she losing it, as he’d suspected before he’d taken the trip overseas?
Slowly he turned and picked up the check. Something made him glance at the terrace. He caught his breath when he saw Dave standing in the open door. For a minute neither of them spoke. Finally Steve broke the silence.
“How long have you been there, son?”
Steve didn’t have to ask any more questions or wonder what Dave had heard when his son answered, “Long enough.”
>
Chapter 15
Twenty-Five Months Earlier
Steve’s skin began to warm slightly during the night. Amanda took this as sign he was getting better. She had to have something to cling to. He still hadn’t moved or opened his eyes. Sometime during the early morning hours she’d dozed a little, but deep sleep eluded her. She knew there would be time for sleep when Steve was well.
Just before dawn broke she heard movement outside the hut. She figured Gene or someone had awakened and had gone to the latrine the men had built down the beach. It would be like them to check on her and to see if Steve was still alive. She didn’t go to the hut’s door. There was no need. They’d made the rule that one was to announce their presence and be invited in before entering. She waited for someone to call. They didn’t.
Finally the branches covering the opening stirred and the native woman walked in. Her bodyguard followed. Without a word, she motioned for someone outside. Another native came through the door and walked to the other side of the hut where he placed a large earthen pot on the dirt floor. He left and was followed by another native with two earthen jugs. He put them beside the pot. He was followed by a woman with a blanket woven from a thin grass. She handed it to the native woman standing there. After this, another man came in with a spear. He propped it against the wall. One by one, a line of natives entered the hut and deposited a variety of gifts—tools, vessels, more grass woven coverlets, utensils and some items Amanda wondered what uses they had.
Nothing was said, but when the last gift was presented the woman leaned over and looked at Steve. She nodded and straightened. She made the motion to indicate Steve was sleeping. Her eyes met Amanda’s and she smiled. She handed Amanda the blanket she had in her arms, then lifted her hand and pointed to the ring. Once again she touched Amanda’s bra strap then without a word she turned and left the hut. Her bodyguard followed.
For a long minute Amanda stared at the collection of items against the wall of the hut. She smiled. At least there were things Steve could use when he recovered. She noted the spear with its sharp point. It would help him with fishing. Though the one he’d sharpened from a limb was useable, this one would be more efficient.
She looked down at the woven coverlet in her arms and couldn’t help admiring how meticulously it had been made. She would put it to use right now. Though she’d kept Steve warm with her body, the blanket would help. No matter how hot it was during the day, at night the temperatures on the island sometimes plummeted to what felt like fifty or more below. This coverlet would now keep them comfortable.
She spread the blanket over them and lay close to him again. She entwined her fingers in his right hand and said, “We may have this to cover us now, my love, but it will never take the place of being near you. I have no intention of ever sleeping anywhere except right here next to your warm body.”
She wasn’t sure if she imagined it or if Steve actually squeezed her hand a little.
When she tried to get him to do it again, nothing happened. She finally decided it was her wishful thinking and nestled closer to him. In a little while she dozed off.
A voice called to her. “Amanda, are you awake?”
She opened her eyes and sat upright.
“Amanda!”
“I’m awake, Gene. Come in.” She yawned.
“We’ve been worried about you. It’s mid-morning and we hadn’t heard a sound from here. No crying or anything.” He stepped inside. “We were sure you were here with Steve’s body, refusing to accept the inevitable.”
She smiled. “I’m here with his body all right. A body that’s warm and alive and getting better by the minute.” She moved aside so he could look at Steve.
Gene knelt and took Steve’s wrist in his hand. “I’ll be damned. He is alive. His pulse is steady and fairly strong.” He leaned over and put his face close to Steve’s mouth. “His breathing is even, too.” He turned and stared at Amanda. “I never would’ve believed this could happen.”
She only smiled.
“Why don’t you go get something to eat and I’ll stay here with him?”
“I’ll run to the latrine and be right back. I don’t really want anything to eat.” She patted his shoulder. “Thanks, Gene.”
Amanda was only gone a few minutes. Though several people looked at her as she went down the beach, she didn’t stop to talk with any of them. She waved and headed back to the hut.
“Did he move or say anything?” she asked as she came back inside.
Gene shook his head. “But, with your faith and determination I won’t say that he’ll not come out of it.” He smiled at her. “He’s a lucky man to have a woman love him as much as you.”
“I’m the lucky one, Gene.”
He looked back at Steve. “I have to admit for his age he’s one tough guy. Without it being set, he was over his broken wrist in less than a month, though it usually takes four or more weeks for a person to heal in a cast. He can work as hard and as long as any of us and from what I’ve seen when the men take their baths, he has the capacity to...” His voice trailed off.
“To what?”
“I was going to say, satisfy the woman he loves.” Amanda blushed and he grinned. “I have a feeling, you’ll be finding that out if...no I mean....when he recovers.”
She didn’t answer and he stood.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go eat something?”
“I’m sure.”
“Then call me if you need me.”
“I will.” She sat down beside Steve and took his hand in hers. “Yes, sweetheart, I’ll find out what he means when you’re able. I can’t believe I’m thinking about this, but I am and with what happened to me in the past, too.”
A little later Wilma called from outside the hut. “Hi, honey. May I come in?”
“Sure, Wilma.”
She entered and handed Amanda a basket of fruit and a coconut shell filled with water. “You need to eat, girl. I’m a nurse, I know. The guys even peeled and cut up the fruit for you.”
“Thank you, Wilma.”
Wilma looked at Steve. “I’ve never believed in miracles before, but right now I’m beginning to wonder if I could be wrong. He’s one lucky bastard.”
Amanda put a slice of mango in her mouth. “I know part of it was luck, but I think most of the healing is coming from a higher power. I think there are things in this universe we’re not privileged to understand.”
“That’s what Tony keeps trying to drill in my head. You’re both probably right.” She looked at Steve again. “You know we’re all thrilled, don’t you?” Amanda nodded and Wilma went on. “When Gene told us he wasn’t dead we couldn’t believe it. Tony decided you were so grief-stricken you were up here with his dead body asking God to bring him back to life like he did Lazarus. We agreed with him.”
Amanda chuckled. “So you thought I’d gone nuts?”
“We hoped you hadn’t, but we wondered.” She smiled at Amanda. “As I said, we’re delighted Steve’s still hanging in. He’s an important part of our little family, you know.”
“He’s certainly important to me.”
Wilma grunted. “As if anyone doubted that. Why, when the two of you are around there are enough sparks flying between you to light up this whole island. Too bad we don’t know how to harness it.”
“Ah, Wilma,” she muttered and blushed.
“It’s the truth. We had a long discussion about it last night. Curtis and Phyllis both said watching the two of you has done more to put the spark back in their marriage than the whole second honeymoon trip did. And believe it or not, that crazy part-time carpenter and part-time Bible thumper is beginning to look good to me.”
Amanda laughed. “That Bible thumper would be lucky to get you, Wilma. You’re priceless.”
“Thanks, honey, but I’m kidding. You know I’m a big kidder. I loved my husband desperately and I still think about him every day. I married him right out of high school, but I’d always wanted to be a nurse. He
insisted on sending me to school before we started our family and he did. We’d been married thirty-two happy years.”
Amanda saw tears creep into Wilma’s eyes. She reached out and patted her hand. “I know it’s hard. I don’t know how I would’ve coped if Steve had died. And he and I aren’t even married.”
“That’s something we’ve got to do something about.” She swiped her hand across her eyes and smiled.
“What do you mean?”
“When Steve comes out of this, we’re going to throw you and him the biggest wedding party you’ve ever seen. We may not have the legal papers and such, but here on our island they’re not needed. We’ll make our own island laws about marriage. We’ve done it on everything else.”
“But Wilma...” She pointed to the wedding band on Steve’s left hand. “Steve’s a married man.”
“He may be married to some woman back in the states, but here he’s committed to you. All you have to do is open your eyes to see that.” She stood. “Yes sir. We’re going to have a shindig. Since he knows so much about the Bible and such, Tony can perform the ceremony. He’s also been working on some sort of thing from a piece of hollow log he found. He’s been looking for the right size vine to use for strings. He says it’ll make music when he’s through. I’ll rush him along so we can have the wedding march.” She reached down and patted Amanda’s shoulder. “You leave the details to me.”
“Don’t go jumping into this too quickly, Wilma. Steve might not want to marry me.”
“He’ll think the idea’s great. Steve loves you, Amanda.”
Steve moaned.
Amanda put the fruit aside and leaned over Steve. “Honey, are you trying to say something? Are you trying to wake up?” She took hold of his hand. “Come on, Steve. Open your eyes. Please darling.” She kissed his forehead.
His eyes didn’t open, but she felt the slight pressure on her hand again.
* * * *
May 31—4:00 PM
Charlotte, NC
Amanda stared at the contract. She couldn’t believe it. But the agent said it was what the publishing company had offered when he faxed it to her. In fact, he said there’d been an auction and this publishing company had won with a last-minute bid. It was more money than she ever dreamed she’d see, much less earn.
The Island Page 12
