He turned to her. “Now tell me Amanda, since you were stranded on that deserted island for over two years, I’m sure there were many hardships the group endured. You mentioned in the book that building with no tools was one of them. Could you elaborate on that?”
“Of course. It was dark when we reached the island and we all slept from exhaustion, but when we awoke we knew our first priority was to find food and water. After locating the lagoon and discovering the abundant fruit supply, we knew we had to find a way to build a fire. Tony Vaughn was a scout leader, which was bonus for us. He built the fire-starting kit using only a pocketknife as a tool. Of course constructing the huts was hard, but we used bamboo like poles and covered them with palm leaves. There was almost unbearable heat especially after the days of rain. Sleeping on the ground all the time took some getting used to.” She smiled at him. “Then when we got home it took some time to get used to sleeping in a bed again.”
“I bet it did.” He nodded. “You were very honest in your description of your romance with Steve Brookshire, but you didn’t go into much detail about others on the island. Did any of the others fall in love?”
“I went into detail about Steve and me because that’s what I lived. As for the others, yes there were romances. In fact Wilma and Tony were married in Florida this summer. Debbie has moved to Baltimore and she and Gene will be married later this winter.”
“You described your beautiful wedding on the island, then the nuptials here, but I wasn’t able to discern if you and Mr. Brookshire are still married.”
Amanda laughed. “I hope everyone doesn’t feel that way. Yes, Steve and I are still happily married. In fact, he’s with me on this promotional tour for the book.”
“Our time’s about up, Amanda. Let me say before we close, I think your book’s an inspiring one and I’m sure our audience will feel the same way. I hear the first printing sold out in two days and there’s a waiting list at many bookstores.” He flashed his white teeth at her. “Thank you for coming on the show, and I wish you continued success with the book.”
“Thank you for having me.”
“Folks if you get a chance I recommend you get a copy of The Island by Amanda Winston Brookshire. It answers all the questions people have wanted to ask the survivors of the plane crash who spent twenty-seven months on a deserted island.” He held up the book. “We’ll be right back.”
He stood and shook Amanda’s hand. “Thank you again for coming. I enjoyed meeting you.”
Amanda smiled, nodded and walked off the set.
Steve was waiting for her. “That went well, Sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m not sure how well it went. He didn’t ask the questions I was expecting. I got the distinct feeling he hadn’t read the book.” She smiled at her husband. “Nobody couldn’t know we’re together. I know I didn’t confuse that issue in the book.”
“I agree with that.” He looked at his watch. “It’s still early and you didn’t eat anything this morning. How about going out for a late breakfast before you head for the interview with the newspaper?”
“That sounds good to me. I’m going to need the strength. I have a taping for another talk show after that.”
They found a small restaurant a few blocks from the television studio. In a few minutes they were enjoying waffles and sausage. The coffee was extra good.
“Where are we going after we leave New York?” Steve eyed her.
“I think Bernard said Chicago.”
Steve smiled sheepishly at her. “Thanks for telling Bernard we’d go to today’s events on our own.”
She grinned back. “I knew you’d had about all of him you could take at dinner last night.”
“He was nice enough, but I just couldn’t get used to a man calling me darling.”
“I call you darling all the time.”
He reached over and grabbed her hand. “But my love, you’re not a man.”
“Touché.”
He winked at her and dropped her hand. “I must admit, he really had everything arranged nicely for us when we arrived.”
“I know. I never dreamed they’d put us up at the Plaza or give us the use of a limo.”
“I’m anxious to use those tickets he got for us to that Broadway show too. I’ve never been to one. Have you?”
“Not in New York. I went to a couple that came to Charlotte.”
“I guess we still have to meet Bernard for dinner tonight.” He gave her a longing look.
“I’m afraid so. We don’t want to be rude. After all, the man worked out a great deal for me with the publisher.”
“He did at that.” Steve lifted his eyebrow. “I wonder what his reaction would be if I called him Bubba.”
Amanda giggled, but didn’t get a chance to answer because a heavyset man with a dark beard and a white chef’s apron came out of the kitchen and walked up to their table. “Aren’t you the woman who was on that island for over two years?”
Amanda nodded.
“I thought so.” He looked at Steve. “You must be the man who was with her.” When Steve nodded, the man went on. “It’s a great honor to have you both in my restaurant.”
“Thank you,” Steve said. “We’re really enjoying the food.”
The man grinned. “That’s nice of you to say. Of course, you know it’s on the house for you two.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Yes it is. I’ll be proud to say you ate here. It’ll be good advertising for me.” He was still grinning. “If it’s not too much of an imposition, could I take a picture of you? I’d like to have one.”
“We’d be delighted to have our picture taken if you’ll join us in it.” Amanda spoke for the first time.
He grinned even bigger.
By the time a disposable camera was found, several of the other patrons learned of the presence of the survivors. They also wanted pictures. Some wanted to ask questions, but the café owner shooed them away after their pictures were taken.
“These folks have to eat,” he said. “Let’s leave them in peace. You can see her answer questions on television.”
“Thank you,” Steve said in a low voice to him.
“No problem.” He looked down at Steve’s half-eaten waffle. He picked up their plates and turned toward the waitress who’d served them. He handed her the plates. “Get these folks some hot food. I don’t want them telling people I serve cold waffles.”
“We wouldn’t do that,” Amanda assured him.
“I know you wouldn’t. You’re too nice, but I want you to have a hot breakfast. I’m sorry you had to quit eating before you got finished.”
“We were almost through,” Steve said.
In a matter of seconds the waitress appeared with hot waffles and sausage. She scurried away to get the coffee pot.
“If you folks will come back for lunch or dinner, I’ll have those pictures developed and I’d be honored if you’d sign them for me.”
“I’m afraid we won’t be able to come today,” Steve said. He began pouring syrup on his waffle. “Maybe we could come for breakfast again. I’d like to try your ham and eggs.”
“I’ll get you some right now.” He started to inform the waitress.
Steve stopped him. “Please, not now. I won’t be able to eat any more today.”
“Neither will I,” Amanda said. “But we’ll come back for breakfast tomorrow.”
“That’ll be great.” He started to move away. “Now you folks enjoy your meal and I’ll see to it that nobody bothers you.”
He was true to his word. They finished eating and after bidding him good bye, they headed for the newspaper office. Amanda was sure they were going to be late.
Chapter 33
Fourteen Months and Three Weeks Earlier
Nobody spoke as Mr. X’s cries faded in the denseness of the jungle. Finally Amanda mumbled, “I feel like an executioner.”
“I do, too,” Debbie whispered as she hugged Bobby to her breast.
“We probably all feel that way, darling, but we did what we had to do. They would’ve killed every one of us to get to him.” Steve hugged her close to him. “Sometimes we have to make hard choices.”
“Steve’s right, Amanda,” Joanna said. “They would’ve probably killed little Bobby too.”
“There’s no way we could let that happen,” Gene said. “I’ll do anything to protect Bobby.”
“I wonder how they’ll kill Mr. X,” Phyllis said.
“I hope they do it quickly. I don’t want to think he was tortured. Not even an evil person like him.” Wilma looked at Tony.
He nodded.
“The sun’s about gone. Let’s go to our hut, Steve. I don’t want to talk about it any more.”
“Okay, Honey,” He nodded to everyone and they walked away.
As they lay on the mat in their hut, Amanda whispered. “Hold me tight, Steve.”
He put both arms around her and pulled her to him. “We’re in this together. Don’t forget that. You didn’t make the decision on your own.”
“I feel like I did, Steve. It was as if everyone was waiting for me to speak. I think I heard a collective sigh of relief when I told Ray to give him to the natives.”
“No, Amanda. We all made our own decision. Any of us could have said no and the rest of us would’ve tried to protect him.” He kissed the top of her head. “It was hard for me to say give him over, but I knew Mr. X committed terrible crimes and he broke one of our laws. He had to be punished.”
“I know he did awful things, but what law of ours did he break?”
“We said from the beginning we wouldn’t interfere with the natives and we’d respect their laws as we came to know them. Mr. X didn’t do either. He interfered with them and he raped and murdered their children. We did the right thing, Amanda.”
For a minute she didn’t answer. Then she said quietly, “I suppose our actions today will protect those step-children he mentioned.”
“And his wife will never have to know what kind of man she married. She’ll always think he went down on that plane.”
“You’re right. Let his wife think he died that way. We have to make a pact that if we’re ever rescued, we’ll never tell anyone he was on the island with us.”
They were silent for a few minutes. Steve broke it by asking, “Honey, do you think we’ll ever be rescued?”
“Probably not, but sometimes down deep in the recesses of my mind I think there’s a chance somebody will stumble upon this island and find us someday.”
“At least you’re not clinging to the idea of rescue immediately. I don’t want you to have false hopes.”
“I don’t, Steve. I doubt you or I will ever leave this place. I just hope when we go the natives will allow us to be buried in the ravine.”
“I’m sure they will. I’m also sure they’ll pick out their biggest and brightest stone to honor you.”
“Oh, Steve. Let’s hope it’s a long time from now. I want to spend as much time with you as I can before I leave this old earth.”
He pulled her closer to him. “You’ve got that right. I never knew what love was until I met you.”
She knew he was probably stretching the truth, but it didn’t matter. She loved hearing him talk this way. “I didn’t know love at all until I met you. You’re my soul mate.”
He pulled her face to his and kissed her gently, then passionately.
After their love-making, they went to sleep in each other’s arms.
At daybreak there was a shuffling noise outside their hut.
“I think your native friend’s here,” Steve whispered in her ear.
Amanda opened her eyes as Queenie entered the hut, followed by her guard and King. Amanda got to her feet as Queenie motioned for her to stand. Steve followed.
Queenie led them from the hut and Amanda’s mind ran wild.
Is Queenie taking us to Mr. X’s burial? Are we now being taken away for punishment? What’s going on?
It was the first time they’d been taken out in the morning.
Outside, Queenie began to make motions to Amanda. It didn’t take her long to understand. “She wants to wake the others, Steve. Best I can gather she wants us all to get together.”
“Ray!” Steve called. “The natives want us to get up!”
In a minute Ray came out of the tent. Steve explained what was going on and the two men went from hut to hut getting everyone outside.
Soon they were all gathered at their eating place. Debbie and Joanna looked scared, but the rest seemed only to be curious.
It wasn’t long until five men came out of the jungle in a single line. They propped their spears against trees. Queenie nodded at them and they came toward the group in a single file. Each one walked up to a different man of their group and handed him a small gold statue. They gave the men a quick nod and offered their hands the way Steve had taught King. The men shook the native’s hands. The natives then moved behind Queenie.
A line of four women appeared. They came forward and each one stopped in front of Amanda and placed a precious stone in her hand. Without a word each of them went to another woman of the group and handed her a precious stone. Each woman then moved beside one of the men behind Queenie.
The stunned survivors stared as the little girl who’d been attacked came out of the jungle, led by her mother. They walked up to Amanda and each of them gave her a precious stone. They then moved down the line giving each woman of the group stones. When they were finished they joined the last man behind Queenie.
Queenie then turned to the group and made a motion. In unison the natives said, “Tonk-ooh.”
Amanda then understood these intelligent people were thanking the group in the most respectful way they could. She and Steve had said “thank-you” to them often and they were trying to copy the white people’s word for gratitude.
Two other things dawned on her. They were not only thanking the survivors for turning over Mr. X, but for finding out who’d been killing their children. The people behind Queenie and King had to be the parents.
She turned to her friends and said, “Let’s say ‘you’re welcome’ together,” which they did.
Queenie nodded and turned toward the jungle. The natives followed her.
The group stood in stunned silence and watched the natives leave. They were almost to the woods when the little girl broke loose from her mother. She ran to Amanda and threw her arms around her. Amanda hugged her back.
* * * *
Thanksgiving Eve—8:00 PM
Charlotte NC
Noah came into the living room with hot cider for the adults. With the exception of Johnny, who was cuddled against Amanda’s side, the kids were playing table tennis in the basement.
“I told the kids if they didn’t want to come up here to watch Nana and Grandpa on TV they could turn it on downstairs,” Noah said as he took the last cup of cider from the tray and sat on the arm of the overstuffed chair his wife occupied.
“I’m going to watch my Pamanda and Grandpa right here,” Johnny announced.
“You do that, big boy.” Steve tussled Johnny’s hair.
Thanksgiving was only a day away and at Diane’s insistence the family had gathered in Charlotte for the feast. “I’ll have a little one to tend next year so please let me fix the meal for everyone this time,” she’d begged her mother.
After insisting she and Steve have Christmas, Amanda had given in to her daughter. Dave and Claudia agreed it would be fun and the youngsters were delighted to get together again.
As the announcer said the upcoming program would feature Amanda and Steve Brookshire, two of the island survivors, Amanda looked around her daughter’s full living room. She was full of pride at what she saw.
She couldn’t help herself—she scooted a little closer to her husband where they sat on the sofa. Steve smiled down at her and dropped his arm around her shoulder.
Dave sat on the other end of the sectional sofa. He had
his arm around Claudia’s shoulder and they looked completely relaxed. Amanda was glad he was coming to terms with his mother’s death. Or at least she thought he was.
Callie and Sam were sitting in two pull-up chairs and their faces looked content and happy. They had the family earlier for a wonderful dinner of Sam’s famous beef stroganoff.
Noah was holding Diane’s hand and was looking lovingly at her. Amanda couldn’t help thinking he was acting like a proud peacock strutting its feathers. This pleased her to no end. Noah had told them at dinner he was making plans to turn his office into a nursery and move his supplies into their bedroom.
As a Christmas surprise Amanda and Steve had decided to buy Noah and Diane a larger house in the new exclusive development that had gone up in the area.
“Honey, we’ve got plenty to live on,” Steve had said when she’d told him what she wanted to do. “I think spending it on the kids is a wonderful idea. We won’t live long enough to spend all the money your book’s going to make.”
“But we have to come up with something to do for Dave and Claudia,” she’d insisted.
“We will.”
They did. They decided to completely renovate their house and purchase the twenty-six acres Dave had his eye on, adjoining the farm.
The announcer broke into her thoughts.
“It was my pleasure to sit down with Amanda and Steve Brookshire a few days after her book, The Island was published. At that time the book was already in its second printing. As of today, it’s now in its seventh. Now here’s that interview.”
The program started and the cameras showed Amanda and Steve sitting on identical charcoal-colored stuffed chairs. There was a coffee table in front of them. At the end of the table the announcer sat in a chair similar to theirs.
“First let me welcome the both of you not only to my show, but back to the United States.”
“Thank you,” Amanda said and Steve nodded.
“I want you to know right off that sometimes I skim through a book before I do an interview.” He shook his head. “I planned to do that with yours, but I didn’t get to. You grabbed me on the first page and I read it word for word. I don’t know when I’ve ever been as spellbound by a book as this one. You kept me up almost a whole night.”
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