by Nikki Lewen
“I’d like to start with a toast.” Sadie raises a glass and the others follow. “To the happiness we’ve found…the family we’ve become...and the future we’ll share.”
The group clinks glasses, wishing Merry Christmas’s all around before sipping their wine. Both kids scrunch up their faces, making the adults laugh. Sadie giggles, retrieves a different bottle, and re-fills their glasses. This time they smile, liking the sparkling apple cider much better. They all sit and Clara has them hold hands while giving thanks, but Caleb doesn’t even hear her words. His concentration lies solely on the hand he’s holding and before they break, he lifts it to his lips and lightly kisses the back of it.
“You look…in-in-credible,” his voice breaks, as Sadie blushes.
There’s so much food on the table there’s barely enough room. Plates get passed around and filled with mounds of delicious-looking and smelling food. When they finish, it takes the kids nearly an hour to do the dishes, and it’s just enough time for the meal to settle enough for dessert. There’s fudge, cookies, and a hot apple pie straight out of the oven that’s been filling the air with tempting smells.
It’s a new feeling being so full, and both Anna and Jose have never eaten so much in their lives. Sadie tells the kids to leave the dessert dishes. Grateful, they head to the living room. When she gets up to wash them, Caleb takes over instead. The adults chat while he works, and once done, they join the kids, only to find them both asleep. Anna is lying on the couch and Jose’s passed out on the floor. Instead of waking them, they return to the kitchen where Clara, also feeling tired, pours what remains of the second bottle of wine into Sadie and Caleb’s glasses before saying goodnight and leaving them alone.
Sadie catches the twinkle in the old woman’s eye and watching Clara leave, she smiles. “That woman,” she thinks, taking another sip. A warm tingling sensation fills her cheeks and lips. Caleb too, feels the effect of the alcohol and finds enjoyment in finally being alone with Sadie. He figures she’ll go to bed as soon as her glass empties, so he finds ways of distracting her from drinking. Starting with a few simple questions, he gets her talking, and Caleb’s mesmerized by simply watching Sadie. Fueled with wine and good spirit, she’s more animated than usual and her answers are neither vague, nor short, and often leave them laughing.
As the glasses slowly empty, Caleb wishes the night wouldn’t end. With the last sip, he takes the glasses to the sink and asks if she’d like tea. To his surprise, she answers yes. He puts the kettle on, but has no idea where to find anything else. Seeing him turning in circles, Sadie laughs. She brushes past him, as Caleb inhales her scent.
“Here,” she opens a cabinet and picks from a wide selection of canisters. “How ’bout…kukicha?”
“Ku-ki…wha?” Caleb says, with a distorted facial expression.
Sadie smiles. “Kukicha. It’s a decaffeinated, Japanese green tea.” She opens the lid. “Here…look…it’s made from roasted tea twigs.”
Intrigued, he leans to look and suddenly, they’re extremely close to one another and very aware of it. Caleb, feeling the moment is finally appropriate, carefully tilts his forehead to hers and slowly moves towards her lips. But, before they make contact, Jose walks in, rubbing his eyes, and Sadie, using it as an escape, steps aside.
“I’m thirsty,” is all the boy manages to say in his groggy state.
“We’re making tea. You want some?” Sadie offers.
The boy, already at the sink, doesn’t answer; instead, he drinks straight from the faucet. Swallowing several huge gulps, he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, then stumbles past, saying goodnight, and heads into the apartment. As the door shuts, the teakettle whistles, and Sadie pours them each a mug. Her heart pounds excessively and briefly braving eye contact, Sadie tells Caleb she’s going to get Anna to bed, and then also turn in. Standing on the opposite side of the kitchen, she doesn’t give him the chance to get close again and says goodnight while quickly leaving. Unconsciously spinning her wedding band with her thumb, she makes it to the living room and takes a deep breath.
FORTY
Caleb can’t believe how fast the time has gone and how soon he’ll be separated from Sadie. There hasn’t been another chance for him to be alone with her since that night in the kitchen and, strategically, she’s made sure of it. Since Christmas, her focus has solely been on preparing for spring, when Gus is scheduled to return. Every day, Sadie gathers and moves additional supplies, and in the evenings, the women sit together planning, leaving Caleb curious about what they discuss.
After dinner each evening, the boys work on relocating the arranged materials to the apartment, leaving the women to their doings. Items are designated to three areas: the cave, Anna’s, or the helicopter landing. Tomorrow, when the ladies depart for Clara’s, the boys will begin the arduous task of carrying the cargo to its proper location. Jose is still the main workhorse, since Caleb has yet to fully recover, but they’ve got months of work ahead of them, and eventually, he’ll be strong enough to do more.
On their last evening together, Clara casually reminds Sadie of what they’ve discussed. Sadie gets up to works alongside the boys, moving the last substantial pile, and when it’s stacked with everything else in the studio, there isn’t much room to maneuver around the apartment. Setting down the last box, she surprises the boys further with an invitation to come back over to join the women as they meet.
Shocked, Caleb jokingly comments to Jose, “You hear that, kiddo? Tonight…we get to join the…three sisters! We must be moving up in the ranks!”
Smiling, Jose doesn’t respond. Instead, he turns around and heads right back to Sadie’s. As Sadie follows, Caleb moves to quickly stop her—even if it’s only for a moment. He lightly grabs her arm and unexpectedly, Sadie violently knocks his hand away while instinctively taking a defensive stance.
“Sorry,” she replies, seeing the horrified expression travel across Caleb’s face, “habit.”
Taken aback and unsure how to proceed, Caleb hesitates long enough to give Sadie the chance to speak again. She knows he’s aware of the distance she’s kept between them and at some point, Sadie realizes their near kiss, needs to be addressed.
“Look, I’m not sure what…you…expect. I’m not even sure what I expect, but…right now…my focus is on gettin’ ready for Gus and keepin’ us safe.” Not giving Caleb an opportunity to respond, Sadie quickly continues, “Splitters already made it here once…and they could do it again. If so…we gotta be ready.”
Caleb sees the determination emanating from her eyes and, taking a breath before replying, he makes an attempt at softening her disposition.
“Sadie, there’s more to livin’…than…preparing and plannin’…this place…this entire island…it’s the safest location I’ve been…since…the Tri-nami.” He takes an attentive step closer, carefully watching her. “It’s okay…to sometimes let your guard down…especially…with me.”
When she doesn’t move, he takes another step, but this time Sadie stops him.
“Come on…we need to join the others…there’s lots…to…discuss,” she says, turning to leave.
Disappointed, he follows, wondering if Sadie will ever let something between them happen. His curiosity is aroused by the invite and it at least provides some form of encouragement. As Sadie and Caleb return to the kitchen, there’s hot tea, alongside the remnants of holiday fudge and cookies. Jose, already seated, is dipping chunks of the sweets in his tea while Clara and Anna do the same. The old woman nods at Sadie, who sits, motioning for Caleb to do the same, as she slides a pocket-sized notepad and pencil over to him. He notices it’s similar to the ones sitting in front of Jose, Anna, and Clara. Sadie makes eye contact with each of them, then, glancing down, opens her notebook and begins.
“Alright we’ve,” she speaks, while scanning the first page, “got several items, starting with…this.” Sadie holds up a large map of the island and unfolds it across the table.
Impressed with
its size and detail, both boys lean over to get a better look. It’s the first time they’ve seen it and obviously, it’s something a lot of energy has been put into. Sadie begins detailing the routes they’ve been using between all of their places, how far radio contact reaches, and their hope to establish regular communication schedules. As she talks, the other ladies nod in approval, never saying a word.
Moving along, Sadie shifts to the areas each of them will cover. As the boys already know, Anna and Clara will return to the canyon. Jose’s station will be at Anna’s homestead, once all the prepared supplies have been relocated. Until then, he’ll travel between the apartment and the cave, using the later as a base of operations for all the next moves.
“Caleb,” Sadie says, looking at him.
Hearing himself mentioned for the first time, Caleb becomes anxious to learn what role Sadie wants him to fill.
“You’ll split time between here and the cave…helpin’ Jose, but…” she pauses, then finishes with an overprotective tone, “be smart…and careful…make sure you don’t do too much and reinjure your ribs.”
He likes knowing he’ll be around Sadie’s place, thinking it’ll provide opportunities to spend time with her, but then she adds more.
“When all the supplies have been moved from here, we’ll need you stationed at the cave.”
Caleb’s hopes instantly dwindle.
“From there, you’ll travel back and forth to Anna’s, helping Jose with the preparations and, of course, protecting the island’s two points of entry.” Sadie’s focus turns to the map. “Here,” she points out the landing site, “and here,” she motions over the boats cove, “are the only ways in.” Then, under her breath, adds, “that we’re aware of.”
Something about the comment alerts Caleb, but there isn’t time to dwell on it, because Sadie continues talking.
“Keeping them secure and guarded is priority.” Still looking at the map, she shakes her head up and down. “Leaving them unattended has been risky. They should be guarded…at all times.”
Sadie sips her tea, while the other ladies sit quietly, already knowledgeable, and in full agreement with all she’s said. As Sadie sets down her cup, Caleb breaks the silence.
“So…you’ve told us where everyone will be…except…you,” he says.
Looking at him, then referencing the map, Sadie responds. “I’ll travel between all of you until…closer to spring, then…I’ll also stay at Anna’s.”
Caleb’s eyes light up, but only Clara notices, as everyone else is focused on Sadie’s finger as it traces the circuit she’ll travel. Then, she outlines specific goods she’ll move between them and lists what each site is responsible for. Jose jots a few notes, making Caleb realize he should do the same.
“Jose, when you settle on the homestead, your work truly begins.” Sadie says.
Serious and astute, Jose holds his pencil posed to write. Sadie unrolls a clear film over the map. Dashed lines, in two different colors, represent the old and new sections of roads. She switches writing utensils and uses a marker to carefully detail what remaining roadwork needs done. She includes Caleb, hoping that he and Jose can complete the project in a couple of weeks. Feeling confident, Jose nods repeatedly, asks clarifying questions, and scribbles a few additional notes. Sadie interjects a couple of last details and when they’re ready, she introduces a major component of the plan.
“While all this is goin’ on…track tides” she says, looking at Jose, “and the ocean conditions…” she pauses to emphasize her next statement, “and…get the Intrepid II prepared for a trip around the island.”
The boys, shocked, are spellbound and unable to comment.
Sadie notices their surprise, but continues providing additional information. “It’ll be a test run. We’d like to confirm its capabilities…inspect the coastline and…make sure it’s a viable back-up plan.”
“Back-up plan? What?” Jose thinks it, but it’s Caleb who asks.
Sadie reaches the segment of their plan that worries her and Clara the most. The old woman tries to ignore the uncomfortable feeling growing in her stomach, but as Sadie talks, her distress strengthens.
“When…or…if Gus returns…I’m planning on leaving for the colony.” She looks directly into Caleb’s eyes. “With you.”
Caleb, remembering the intensity of all their one-sided discussion sessions, understands how everything he communicated and she asked, led Sadie to this conclusion.
“But…if somethin’ goes wrong,” Sadie shakes her head side-to-side, “I don’t wanna get stuck...away from home. So…the boat’s…our contingency plan.” She looks at Jose, who’s battling an extreme sense of worry and utter excitement. “If stranded…I’ll need you to come and get me.”
The boy swallows, feeling the severity of the task and hoping it doesn’t ever come to that. For the first time, Caleb’s doubts creep in, and he’s unable to just listen.
“No way,” Caleb bluntly states.
Sadie shoots him a look.
“There’s no way I’ll let you take that trip alone.” Caleb turns to Jose, “If you have to come,” he turns back to Sadie, “then you’re pickin’ up the two of us. No way I’m risking somethin’ happening…to either of you.”
His reaction is intense, heartfelt, and adamant. Sadie doesn’t want an argument, understands his logic, and admits, having another person would add additional security. What she doesn’t share is the possibility of also transporting colony members back here on the boat. That particular aspect might be too far ahead in the planning to be shared, and it may not even become a reality.
Clara lays a hand atop Sadie’s, and they share a brief silent conversation. Sadie, suddenly feeling tired, realizes it’s getting late and all of them have a heavy travel day ahead. She flips through her notebook, feeling good about how much they’ve accomplished and confident in the people surrounding her. Closing it signals the end of official business and the group collectively relaxes. Sadie thanks the guys for everything they’ve done and the roles they’re filling.
“We couldn’t do any of this without you…” pausing, Sadie glances at Clara before adding more, “the three of us,” Sadie gestures towards Anna and Clara, “want to make sure you know how much…we appreciate what you two bring.”
Anna smiles at Jose, slightly embarrassing him. He turns to Clara, who also has a huge grin across her face.
The old woman maintains eye contact with Jose, reaches a hand over to his, and takes a turn speaking. “We’re family now,” she reaches her other hand over to Caleb, “and this…is home.” Specifically for Caleb, she adds a footnote, “If you want it to be.”
Caleb wondered if talk about him coming back to live on the island would ever happen. His previous discussions with Sadie focused solely on Gus’s arrival, the colony, and the people living there. They never broached the subject of a return journey and several times, he almost mentioned it, but always felt it’d be too much to ask—especially, after everything Sadie’s already done for him. Besides, even now, he still isn’t exactly sure how she feels about it. Obviously, the ladies talked in depth and came to some type of agreement, but Sadie’s hard to read.
Looking at her now, Caleb searches for any clues. She hasn’t made eye contact, and Sadie can desperately sense he needs some type of affirmation, but she’s hesitant. Her gut instinct says there’s a reason they’ve crossed paths again after all these years, but—she pushes those thoughts aside. Clara’s the only one Sadie can’t fool. The old woman senses Sadie’s discomfort as she tries to remain nonchalant in Caleb’s presence.
Caleb graciously thanks Clara, then Anna, and lastly, turns to Sadie. As he begins to speak, Sadie meets his gaze and forces herself to hold eye contact. It’s unnerving, her pulse quickens, and she grows embarrassed by her body’s struggle to maintain control. Caleb sincerely, and with a humbling gratitude, thanks Sadie. He really wants to know how she feels about his possibly living with them, but fearing her answer, Caleb doesn’t ask.
Instead, not wanting to lose the opportunity, he simply stands up, offering another round of thanks before excusing himself and the boy.
FORTY-ONE
Closing the cave door, Sadie drops her things and immediately strips for a quick rinse before sleeping. Tired, she crawls into her bedding, thankful for the emptiness that surrounds her. She finds peacefulness in solitude and it’s a strange observation after so many years of forced isolation. She hasn’t spent a night alone in her hideout for quite some time and she relishes the privacy while drifting off to sleep.
Sadie doesn’t wake until late, which is a luxury she doesn’t often take, but this morning she’s planned for it. Looking forward to a slow day, Sadie lies comfortably in bed. When she eventually gets up and makes tea, her day finally begins. She moves about, warming up, takes a few more hot sips from her mug, and begins a yoga routine. Thirty minutes into her workout, a sweat covers Sadie’s brow and her body begins to respond. Her practice is long and thorough—as today—she’s taking as long as she pleases.
During a particularly difficult sequence, Sadie detects movement outside. Pausing, she strains her ears, listening closely as the noise grows louder. When the door latch slowly begins to turn Sadie ducks into a roll, grabs her crossbow, and lands crouched in a quick arrow load. With the bow posed toward the figure about to enter, Sadie hears her name being whispered, then a second time, only louder.
“Caleb?”
Sadie’s response encourages his entrance. He opens the door further, sticking his head and torso in, only to freeze at the sight of Sadie. It’s not just the loaded weapon pointed directly at his chest that causes him to stop short.
“Excuse me!” Sadie’s anger soars, watching his eyes travel over her body.