“I’m sure he does, honey.” Amanda smiled up at him. “Look at Bobby. He knows all of us and I’m sure if we were separated, he’d have some memories. They might be vague, but they’d be there.”
As it always did, the sun began to sink quickly. Nobody seemed to be in a hurry to go to their huts. Everyone was in a melancholy mood. They continued to sit in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
Joanna broke the mood. “I have an announcement.”
They all looked at her and she went on. “Ray and I have decided to try for another baby.”
“Oh, Joanna, are you sure you’re ready? It’s only been a few months.” Wilma looked concerned.
“It may be a little soon, but it took a while for me to get pregnant the other time. I figure it’ll take longer this time.” She sighed and added, “Besides, I have a good doctor here and I plan to do everything he tells me to do.”
Gene shook his head. “I’ll do my best.” He looked as if he wanted to say more, but Debbie put her hand on his arm and he didn’t say anything else.
“Well, I for one won’t mind having another baby to cuddle and love. How about you, Amanda?” Phyllis looked at her.
“It’ll be lovely having another baby. I’m sure we all support Joanna and Ray in this decision. We’ll do everything we can to make sure this baby’s protected.”
“Thank you, Amanda.” Joanna leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“On that good note, I think we should start ambling toward the huts. Darkness is coming quickly tonight. It must be winter time.” Tony stood and offered Wilma a hand.
“I miss the seasons,” Phyllis said taking the hand Curtis offered her.
“I miss them too,” Debbie said. “We only have one season here and I’m not sure what to call it since it’s hot in the daytime and cold at night.”
Steve and Amanda were following Curtis and Phyllis up the beach. Curtis looked back at them. “Those cold nights sure make for some good snuggling, don’t they Steve?”
“You bet.”
Once they were in their hut and had lain down on the mat, Amanda said. “You miss your family, don’t you Steve?”
“I sure do.”
“I miss mine too.” She put her head on his right shoulder. It felt reassuring to have his arm around her and feel his warmth next to her.
“I know, baby.”
“Do you miss your wife, Steve?”
“You’re my only wife, Amanda. And if you mean do I miss Janet, the answer is no. I don’t miss her at all.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem.” He put his other arm around her and pulled her next to him. “I only wish I could introduce you to my son and his family. They’d love you just as I do.”
She put her hand on his chest. “Do you suppose they think of us very often?”
“I’m sure they do. I’m sure all the families think of the members they lost. I bet Mr. X’s wife thinks of him occasionally, too.”
Amanda shuddered. “I’m glad she’ll never know what kind of man he was.”
“Or what happened to him,” Steve added.
“I still have bad dreams about it sometimes. Do you?”
“Occasionally.”
“It was a horrible burial. I wish Queenie hadn’t come for all of us to witness it.”
“I know, but we had no choice. We had to go. I honestly think you women handled it better then we did.”
“I think we concentrated on what he’d done to those little girls, but I’m sure it was hard for you men to watch the natives crushing his privates. Queenie told me it was like when they lopped off his hand for stealing. He’s manhood had to be crushed because it had done an evil thing.”
“I guess we couldn’t get past what was happening to his manhood to remember what he’d done.”
“Queenie told me the fathers of the dead girls were the men beating him. I’m sure as a father you can understand their rage.”
“Of course. I never had a daughter but if it had been one of my granddaughters, I could do the same thing to him and not have a guilty twinge about it.”
“It was when they asked me to be the first to drive that hunk of coal into the cave wall that I almost lost it.”
“I know, Amanda. Let’s not talk about it any more. I know it upsets you.”
“It does. I still think of how they carried his body and threw it where they dispose of their garbage so the snakes and rats and whatever could have a feast at their leisure.”
“Amanda, please don’t get yourself worked up. It’s over. We’re going to put it behind us and you do remember that we made a pact.”
“Yes, I remember. The group agreed we’d never let anyone know he was on the island with us, if by some miracle we were ever rescued.”
“That’s right.”
“Oh, Steve, do you realize how many secrets we’re going to have to keep if we ever leave here?”
Steve didn’t answer and she asked, “Have you gone to sleep?”
“No. I was thinking about the secrets.”
“I know. We can’t tell about the gold or the jewels, we can’t tell about Mr. X, we can’t tell about the cure for the snake bite which means we can’t tell about the natives because somebody would come and destroy their civilization if they knew about the jewels and gold. Maybe it would be better if nobody said anything if we’re ever rescued.”
“It’s all probably a moot point anyway, Amanda.”
“What do you mean?”
He took a deep breath. “I’m not counting on us ever leaving this island, honey.”
She sighed. “I’m not either, Steve. At our age—”
“Don’t you start about our age, girl. In years we may be creeping toward senility, but in spirit you make me feel like a young man.”
She hugged him close. “And you make me feel like a young desirable woman.”
He turned her face to his and kissed her. “You are desirable, my love. The most desirable woman I’ve ever known.”
“And you’re the only man in the world I’ve ever loved.”
“You’ve told me that before and it makes me feel good. I can’t help but wonder—”
“Let’s not talk about it now. Someday, if I ever get the courage, I’ll tell you why I say that.”
“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. I’m content to love you for the rest of my life whether we’re on this island or back home.”
She kissed him. “Can I tell you something?”
“Sure.”
“You know those feelings I get?”
“Please don’t tell me you have one of those dark feelings now.”
“I don’t. This time it’s a good one.” He waited and she went on. “Though my logic tells me it can’t be true, somewhere in the pit of my soul I think we’ll get back home sometime.”
* * * *
Christmas Day—5:00 PM
Wendover, GA
The family gathered around the ten-foot brightly decorated Christmas tree in the living room. The smell of pine and apple cider filled the air and a fire blazed in the big rock fireplace. Wrapping paper was strewn about the floor and the kids were enjoying the gifts from Nana and Grandpa.
Claudia gathered the paper and put it in a garbage bag. Nobody mentioned the fact that Noah and Diane and Dave and Claudia had received only a small gift each from their parents. When the room was clean, Dave said, “Well, if no one minds, I think I’ll have another cup of that cider.”
“Wait just a minute, son.” Steve stood. He was still wearing the Santa hat the kids had insisted on putting on his head when he started to distribute the gifts.
Without being told, the kids all got quiet and turned to watch their parents.
Steve went to the bookcase and brought back two shirt-sized boxes. “I guess you noticed there weren’t many gifts for you four from Amanda and me.” He smiled a sheepish smile. “We held these out until the last. The one on top says to...” he paused and opened the tag
on the box. “Diane and Noah.”
Noah took the box and handed it to Diane. “Do you want to open it, honey?”
“Of course.” She ripped off the gold and red paper and opened the box. “It’s a bunch of keys.” She looked confused.
“Lift up the cotton,” Amanda said.
She did and her eyes grew big and her hand flew to her chest. “It can’t be... Oh, Noah, look at this!”
He took the paper and stared at it. “It’s the deed to a house!”
The twins come over to their parents. “What house?”
“Let’s see... Oh, Lord. It’s the one in the new development we liked so much.” Noah looked confused.
Diane squealed. “Really?” She looked at her mother and Steve with tears in her eyes. “Is it really?”
They both nodded.
Tears began to run down Noah’s cheeks. “I can’t believe this...how?...why?...I mean, it cost so much....”
He and Diane got up at the same time and enveloped Steve and Amanda in their arms. “You’re wonderful.”
Steve glanced at Amanda and winked. “I think they like it,” he said.
“We love it, we love it,” Diane said.
“Is it really the one with the swimming pool and tennis court?” Kristy was wide-eyed.
“Yes, darling. Nana and Grandpa have given us the beautiful five-bedroom home on the lake. The one I never dreamed we’d ever be able to afford.”
“The one where all the rich people live?” Kenny asked.
“Yes, honey. It’s that one.” Diane was shaking her head. “I can’t believe this.”
Noah looked at Steve. “It’s way too much. I’m not sure we can accept it.”
“Oh, yes you can. Move your family in and enjoy it. Amanda’s book’s made us very rich and we want to share it with our children.”
When everyone settled down, Steve picked up the other box. “I guess this one’s for Claudia and Dave.”
Dave took the box and handed it to Claudia. “You better open it. I’m not ready for a heart attack.”
“Sure.” She ripped the red and green paper and stared at the envelope inside. It said, Dave across the front. “It’s for you, honey.” She handed it to him. “Oh there’s another one. It’s for me. Let me open mine first.”
“Okay. Open yours.”
“Oh, my! Oh, my!” Claudia exclaimed. “It’s a contract to have everything done I’ve ever wanted to do to the house. I get new bathrooms and the playroom over the garage and a complete new kitchen... Oh, my! I can’t believe this.” She jumped up and hugged Steve and Amanda. “You’re wonderful. I love you both so much.”
“Well, calm down honey and let me open mine.” Dave ripped his envelope. When he pulled out the papers and unfolded them his mouth fell open. “I don’t believe this. It’s the deed to the land I wanted and didn’t think I’d ever get.” He stared at his father. “How did you get Stover to sell?”
“You’ll have to thank Amanda for that. I took her with me to talk with them and she turned on the charm. We came home with a contract.”
This time Dave and Claudia were doing the hugging. Candy and Robin joined in. “We love you,” Claudia said. “You’re the best in-laws in the world.”
Dave hugged his dad then turned to Amanda and put his arm around her. There were tears in his eyes. “Thank you so much, Amanda. You’re the kind of mother I always wanted. I love you.”
“I love you too, Dave.” Amanda put her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “I don’t want you to ever doubt that.”
Their eyes met and for the first time in his life Dave felt the unconditional love only a mother could give.
Chapter 35
May—Mid-day
The Island...
The group had finished lunch and were discussing the idea of building another storage hut. Since Amanda’s basket-weaving classes had ended the natives had swamped them with gifts.
“If we put it next to...” Tony paused. “Do you hear that noise?”
They became quiet.
“It sounds like...” Curtis shook his head. “It couldn’t be.”
Ray got to his feet. “Yes it is.”
“Let’s get out in the open,” Steve said.
They all jumped up and ran toward the open beach. Amanda saw a group of natives coming from the jungle. Instinctively she knew they shouldn’t be seen. She motioned for them to go back. When they looked puzzled she gave them the sign they’d worked out for danger. They then obeyed her.
The small plane came close to the island, but it was too far out to see them waving frantically on the beach.
“No!” Debbie cried. “We can’t be this close to rescue and then not be seen.”
“Please,” Phyllis cried. “Look this way. Please.”
“Let’s fire up the signal fire,” Curtis said. “They might see the smoke.” It had been sitting there for all those months.
Joanna and Ray ran with him to the fire.
Ray had grabbed an ember from the cooking fire and pushed it into the huge pile of dried branches and leaves. They caught at once.
“Quick! Put some green leaves on top! We need to make smoke!”
Tony came over to help.
Gene walked up. “I’m afraid it’s too late. The plane’s out of sight.”
The noise of the craft died away and the rest of the group began walking back toward the fire. They looked dejected. Amanda clung to Steve’s hand.
“I thought we were going to go home, my love.” He looked down at her.
“I know. For a minute...wait. I think I hear it again.”
Everyone’s excitement began to build.
“Keep feeding the fire,” Ray said as everyone grabbed whatever they could find to throw on the flames. Dense smoke billowed.
The sound of the plane grew louder. In a minute it came into view. “You can stop now,” Ray said. “They see the fire. Let’s get out in the open where they can see us.”
In a matter of minutes the plane was dropping lower. The group began waving. The plane tipped its wing to let them know they’d been spotted. It was clear the pilot saw the vee they’d scraped into the sand so long before.
“Oh, Bobby, we’re going home. We’re really going home.” Debbie hugged her little boy to her.
“I can’t believe this,” Wilma muttered. She glanced at Tony. “You may get to see Texas again, cowboy.”
The plane circled the island and came back over the beach, lower this time. They could see the pilot. He was twisting his finger in the air.
“I think he’s trying to tell us he’ll send a helicopter.” Ray made the signal back. “A helicopter? Oh, it’ll be from a ship!”
“Let’s get ready to leave,” Joanna shouted.
Amanda smiled. At least she was seeing the first signs of healing she’d seen in Joanna since her second miscarriage. She turned to Steve and he nodded. He’d noticed too.
“I need to warn Queenie to keep her people back when the helicopter comes,” Amanda said.
“I’ll go with you.”
They headed for the jungle. Queenie and King met them before they got very far in.
It took some doing, but through many signs and drawings on the ground, Amanda finally conveyed to Queenie it would be a danger for the people in the metal bird to see them. Through another session of signs, she let her know the “white” people would be leaving in the bird.
It must have dawned on Queenie that her friend was going away. The native woman looked sad. She turned to her husband and said something. He nodded and said something to the guard. In a matter of minutes natives all seemed to be whispering to each other.
When Steve and Amanda returned to the beach, the women were gathering the few things in the huts they owned and each one had taken one of the larger baskets to put their items in. The jewels and the gold statues were well hidden. Nobody was taking anything else they didn’t make or could’ve made while being stranded there. When Amanda was alone, she slipped off th
e tattered blue lace bra which Queenie never seemed to lose a fascination for and put it in one of the baskets she’d made.
The men gathered the tools and the spears and carefully put them in a pile on the edge of the jungle. The women brought the majority of the jugs and bowls.
When all their baskets were packed and they were ready to go, they gathered for one last time at their eating place. “Well folks,” Ray said. “It looks like our prayers have been answered. We’re going home.”
“I guess I’ll always think of this place as my other home,” Wilma said. “And I’ll think of all of you as my family.”
“You said that beautifully, Wilma. I think you speak for all of us.” Amanda smiled at her.
“Now, we all know the rules we decided on.” Everyone nodded and Ray went on, “We decided only one of us will talk to the media when we get back. While you were in your hut, we voted you to be the one to do our talking, Amanda.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You have the charm and you have the expertise to do it. Besides we trust you to keep all the secrets.” He smiled at her. “As soon as we get back we’ll exchange phone numbers and emails and we’ll all stay in close touch. Now is there anything else anyone would like to say? I’m sure we’ll have a chance to chat at the hospital or wherever they take us, but this will be the last time we get to talk things over in this place.”
“I just want you to know I appreciate the trust you’ve put in me and I’ll do my best not to embarrass you or let you down in any way.” Amanda stood. “And I love all of you.”
They began to hug and everyone was teary.
There was a noise in the edge of the jungle. They turned, and Queenie and King were walking toward them followed by their ever-faithful guards. They indicated they wanted to know why the spears and other items had been returned.
Amanda let her know that where they had to go, the items weren’t allowed. Though Queenie didn’t understand this reasoning, it was clear she did understand why the survivors had returned them along with many of the things the survivors had made on the island.
King then motioned for a group of four boys and four girls to come forward. With the exception of Amanda, the girls gave each of the women a jewel. With the exception of Steve, the boys gave each man a small gold statue.
The Island Page 29
