The Island

by Agnes Alexander

  He wasn’t ready to tell them about the old lady’s suicide or any more about the struggle to swim to the island. He also thought it was too personal to share how encouraging Amanda along not only kept her going, but him, too. It had given him a purpose to live. Now all he wanted to do was to be alone and think about her and their time together.

  He stood abruptly and walked over to the edge of the patio and stared into the darkness. “That’s all I can talk about it tonight. Maybe I’ll be able to tell you more later.”

  Claudia followed him. She put her arms around his waist and said, “Thanks for sharing with us. Of course we’re all interested in your story, but the main thing is that we have you back. That’s what’s important.”

  Steve looked down at her. “My son got a winner when he married you.” He hugged her and turned to the group. “Folks, if you’ll excuse me I think I’ll take a shower and turn in. Reliving only that much of the past twenty-seven months has drained me.”

  “Of course, Steve. Thank you for sharing with us,” Warner stood and shook his friend’s hand. “We’re going to be leaving soon, too.”

  “Thanks again for the ribs, Son. I’ll see you all later.”

  “You’re welcome, Dad. Good night.”

  Steve glanced back to the patio when he entered the house through the sliding glass doors. The four of them were gathered around the table. He knew they were talking about what he told them. He didn’t mind. It was a part of his life now and he knew they wanted to know about it.

  Later when he came out of the shower and crawled into bed, he thought of Janet and Warner. It amused him that he wasn’t at all jealous or upset when the two of them held hands or threw each other little smiles and glances. It was as if he’d never been married to her.

  He shook his head and thought of Amanda. He wished she was there in his arms. Maybe it wouldn’t be long. There was no need to wait if he could get the legal matters settled quickly.

  Chapter 9

  Twenty-Six Months and Three Weeks Earlier

  Gene stepped through the opening of the shelter. “It’s a boy,” he shouted. “Looks like about twenty-one inches long and feels like he weighs in at about eight pounds. He has all his fingers and toes and seems to be healthy. Wilma is cleaning him up and he acts hungry which is a good sign.” He took a breath and was interrupted by a round applause and some shouts of joy.

  Gene continued. “The little mother’s tired, but doing well. She’s already named him—Robert after her husband and Gene after me. I’m honored. She says we’ll all call him Bobby.”

  When the round of congratulations and more applause subsided, he added, “Now I’m going to get back to my patient. You can all see little Bobby tomorrow.”

  “Oh, Steve, isn’t it wonderful? A new life. A new beginning. I’m so excited.” Without thinking Amanda reached over and put her arm around his waist.

  “It’s great.” He dropped his arm around her and noticed the smell of salt on her skin as he pulled her closer. He thought of the way they’d splashed in the ocean earlier.

  “This is one big bathtub, isn’t it?” She’d asked as she flipped water in his face.

  “Yeah and I never thought I’d be taking a bath in it with a woman like you.”

  “What do you mean, a woman like me? I’ll have you know, I don’t share my bath with just any man.”

  “I beg your pardon. Then I am truly honored you allowed me to share it.”

  Before she could retort a stingray had slithered by and brushed her leg. She jumped into his arms. “I think I’m clean enough. Let’s get out of here,” she’d said.

  Steve had carried her to the sand and put her down.

  At the time he’d thought nothing about it. She was his partner and she was fast becoming his friend. Now their relationship seemed to be progressing to another level. Every time he touched her he felt a quickening in his body. A quickening he hadn’t allowed himself to feel with any woman except Janet for over thirty years. Now when he was with Amanda he had to keep glancing at his left hand to remind himself he was a married man. He knew she wasn’t married because the only ring she wore was a diamond dinner ring on her right hand.

  Steve’s marriage hadn’t been the perfect one. Not by a long shot, but it had been pretty good some of the time. He and Janet were mostly comfortable with each other. Or at least he wanted to think they were. For some reason the last few years had been hard. Janet had almost no interest in sex or in him in any other way. He attributed it to the fact that she was the same age as him, though he knew many couples enjoyed an active sex life well into their eighties or further. Sex had always been an important part of his life, but he decided to give her some space. He thought maybe she’d see she wasn’t getting too old for such a thing, as she often called it. There were times when he wondered if it was him. She’d lapsed into the habit of not taking a bath each day. Was she trying to push him out of her life? Had things between them become too routine? Was she tired of him? Did she want a different man? Did she want a man at all or was she happy to sleep in the upstairs bedroom as she’d been doing for almost two years? Did she only want to look married to the rest of the world? Was she showing signs of the mental illness which was prevalent in her family? It was the last question which haunted him the most. He didn’t want to admit this could be, still he wondered.

  To find out what was going on with her was one reason he’d agreed to take this trip. The group of beef producers he’d belonged to ask him to be one of the representatives to meet with some foreign dignitaries to discuss the possibility of exporting beef to their country. Most of the men were taking their wives along and making this a vacation. He thought it would be a good time for him and Janet to see if they wanted to get to know each other again and maybe work on getting their marriage back to a more enjoyable stage if possible. When he’d approached her with the idea, she’d balked. She told him she didn’t want to go to some strange country where they could be attacked or killed at any moment. He didn’t try to persuade her; he simply went on the trip alone.

  When they’d arrived in the foreign land, the meetings were the first things on the agenda. He was glad, because he didn’t want to be in a distant country with a bunch of married people who were sight-seeing and having a good time. After the meetings he’d taken the early morning flight back to the states. The others had stayed to enjoy the hospitality of the host country.

  Now here he was sitting on an island with a woman he hardly knew in his arms and feeling feelings which should be reserved for his spouse. Or should they? Was he kidding himself when he thought Janet would one day become the wife and sexual partner she’d been in the past? Was she trying to tell him that their marriage was over? Did he want to stay married to her?

  This last question startled him and he glanced down at Amanda. Her head rested on his chest and her breathing was becoming steady. He knew she was either asleep or close to it. The moonlight danced off her platinum white hair. Her small size four frame melted against his side. She looked vulnerable, but he knew better. She might look helpless, but she was far from it. With only a few lessons from him she’d learned to catch fish as they swam by with the spears he’d carved. She might be small, but she was wiry and tough. She could keep up with the younger women and she was able to teach them things. She might be in her fifties, but she was full of sexual attraction. Especially for someone like him whose wife had practically cut him off.

  Steve shook his head. He knew he was going to have to get this kind of thinking out of his mind. Amanda had never given him any indication she felt anything for him except friendship and sometimes she’d shy away and make him wonder if she wanted even that. He knew he had to show friendship was all he felt, regardless of his true feelings or impulses. After all, he didn’t know how long they’d be here before they were rescued. He couldn’t take a chance on upsetting the balance the eleven of them had worked out.

  “Amanda,” he whispered. “Let’s lay down. We can’t sleep sit
ting here against this tree trunk. Out backs will kill us in the morning.”

  She nodded and he removed his arm from around her. He moved a little away from her and lay down on the sand. In an instant he felt her beside him. Without saying a word, she put her head on his right shoulder. Being careful with his wrist, he slid his right arm around her and pulled her a little closer. She responded by snuggling her body close to his. He knew the chill of the night air was getting to her because in a matter of minutes she was asleep. It took him longer.

  * * * *

  May 22—1:00 PM

  Charlotte, NC

  “Diane, that was a lovely lunch. I thank you for asking me to join you and your mother.” Callie folded her napkin and placed it by her plate.

  “It was good, honey. I hadn’t had chicken in a long time.”

  “I’m glad you liked it, Mom. I thought it might be something different for you.”

  “There are a lot of things I haven’t had in a long time. I guess I have a lot of special treats in store.”

  The telephone rang. Diane said hello then listened to the person on the other end. “Yes, she’s still here. We just finished lunch and Aunt Callie’s come to pick her up...Okay, I’ll tell her.” She hung up and turned back to them. “That was Noah. He wanted you to wait until he gets here before going with Callie. He has something to tell you.”

  “I guess this means you’d better get your bag packed so we can get out of here before he arrives,” Callie said. “I know you don’t want to be confronted by him now.”

  Amanda and Diane smiled at each other. “It’ll be fine, Callie. I want to hear what Noah has to say. Besides, I don’t have anything to pack except the jumpsuit the military gave us, the robe and nightgown Diane bought me and a few of Kristy’s clothes I’ve been loaned.”

  “What about all...” She paused. “Oh, I remember. We gave all your clothes away. We’ll have to do something about that. Maybe we could go shopping at the mall this afternoon.”

  “I don’t think I should go to the mall. I don’t want to be bombarded by reporters and such. I’ll have to get more clothes later.”

  “Well, you can’t wear mine. I wear an eight and so does Diane. I know you used to wear a four, but I bet you’re down to a two now. You need to gain a little weight, sister.”

  “Now that I’m home to all this good southern cooking, I probably will.”

  “Well, you’re going to have to eat more than you did today. I noticed you had only one chicken tender and your salad. You won’t gain much weight eating like that.”

  “I’m sure Mom’s stomach has to adjust, Aunt Callie. She ate almost a whole steak last night.”

  “I paid for it too. I had a stomach ache and it took me forever to go to sleep.”

  “But you must have slept well once you went to sleep. You got up in an awfully good mood this morning.”

  “I did sleep well. I had some good dreams about being safe again.” She didn’t add that she felt safe because she’d dreamed of lying in Steve’s arms and feeling his kisses on her neck and shoulders. She almost laughed out loud when she remembered waking and up face to face with Boswell, the twin’s Old English Sheep dog who’d managed to open her door and come into her room to investigate the intruder. His investigation had consisted mainly of licking her.

  “Why are you grinning like a—” Callie didn’t get to finish her question because Noah came through the door.

  He was grinning too. “Well, I did it,” He announced.

  “Well, pray tell, what did you do?” Callie’s voice was sarcastic.

  “Hi, Aunt Callie,” he said, ignoring her tone.

  “Okay, honey, what did you work out?” Amanda asked.

  Callie stared at her for a moment then looked at Diane.

  Diane shrugged and smiled. “Noah, would you like some lunch? We had orange roasted chicken tenders and salad.”

  “That’d be great, sweetheart. I didn’t have time for lunch.” He took a seat beside Amanda and took her hand. “I’ve got you a place to live.”

  “She’s going to live with me,” Callie said.

  “That’s only temporary, Sis.” Amanda looked at Steve. “Where will I be living?”

  “Next door.”

  “Next door?” Diane looked at him. “I thought the folks were selling.”

  “They were, but when I told them about Amanda and her circumstances, they agreed to lease the house to you for the year they’ll be working as missionaries in South America. In fact, they were delighted to let you have it. They said not only did they feel they’d be helping you out, but if you lived there for a year they’d have a home to come back to when their time there was up. They also said they knew you’d take care of the furniture and everything there would be safe. They’ll be leaving a week from Saturday. I figure we can have the place ready for you by then.”

  “Oh, Noah, that’s great.” Amanda threw her arms around his neck. “You don’t know how much I appreciate this.”

  “I think it’s the perfect solution. Kenny can keep the yard up for you and if anything breaks or needs repair, I’ll be here to do it. Of course, we’ll be close so we can help you out with anything you need. We might even let you cook us a meal now and then.”

  Callie was actually staring at them with her mouth hanging open. Everyone ignored her.

  Diane sat his plate before him. “Noah, that’s the best idea you’ve had for a while.” She kissed his cheek. “Not that all your ideas aren’t great.”

  “Well in that case,” he said as he patted her behind. “I have another one.” He pulled a slip of paper out of his shirt pocket. “I made this list of things I thought you’d need, Amanda. See if there’s anything else.” He handed it to her. “I’ll go pick it all up for you so you won’t have to go in public yet.”

  She read the list aloud. “Computer, printer with fax, scanner and copier, tapes, paper, telephone, miscellaneous office supplies and a big supply of coffee.” Amanda laughed out loud. “What about the pot to make it in?”

  “Oh, my dear mother-in-law, I can handle that too.”

  She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I know you can, big boy. I know you can.”

  Callie stood and put her hands on her hips. “I want to know what the hell’s going on. Why are you acting like you’re the best of friends? I know good and well you two hate each other.”

  Noah looked at her and grinned. “Why, Aunt Callie, what ever gave you that ides?”

  Chapter 10

  Twenty-six Months and Three Weeks Earlier

  Amanda awoke before Steve. Being careful not to hurt his broken wrist, she moved his arm and slid away from him. He grunted, but didn’t wake up.

  She walked down the beach and joined Curtis and Phyllis who were eating mangos. “Want one, Amanda?”

  “Sure.”

  Curtis handed it to her.

  “Have you seen the baby?”

  “Not yet.” Phyllis smiled. “I can’t wait. It’s been a long time since I held a baby.”

  “Me too. My grandchildren are ten now. They let me hug them, but they’re passed the holding and cuddling stage.”

  “How many grandchildren do you have?” Phyllis asked.

  “Two. They’re twins. A boy, Kenny and a girl, Kristy.”

  Curtis changed the subject. “Phyllis and I were talking. We’ve decided we want to build a shelter for us like the one we built for Debbie. As a matter of fact, we think it’d be a good idea if we all had one. What do you think?”

  “It might not be a bad idea. It’s probably going to rain sometime. We’re going to want some protection when it does.”

  “I agree.” Curtis said. “I noticed some clouds this morning when we went to the lagoon to get water. I thought it might rain then, but it passed over us.”

  Phyllis added, “We thought if we could get one built for each couple before it rains, it would be good. Later if anyone wanted one by themselves, we could do it.”

  Amanda didn’t say sh
e and Steve probably should have separate shelters. Instead she said, “I guess we’d have to build one for Mr. X. He’s not going to stay with anyone.”

  “He is one strange dude, isn’t he?” Phyllis frowned. “I try to like him, but for some reason I can’t.”

  “I feel the same way, yet, he was right there when we built the shelter for Debbie. He did his share, but of course, he grumbled all the time about it blowing down when the first wind came,” Curtis said.

  Amanda laughed. “He did something special last night too.” When they looked at her she related the story of the handkerchief.

  Curtis chuckled. “He’s a mystery all right. I wonder if we’ll ever be able to figure him out?”

  “That shows he’s not as tough as he wants to appear,” Phyllis said. “I hadn’t thought of things like diapers and such, but he’s right. We need to get some things together.” She looked at herself. “I guess I can spare my kerchief. I use it to keep my kinky hair out of my eyes when I climb the palms, but I can borrow it back when I need it.”

  “I gave them the jacket to my suit last night. I knew they needed something to wrap the baby in. Steve said as soon as his hand healed he’d give them the scarf.”

  “I bet the men who are wearing long sleeves wouldn’t mind tearing the sleeves off and donating them. That and handkerchiefs are about all we’ll be able to supply.”

  The faint sounds of a baby came to them.

  “Let’s go see the little rascal.” Phyllis hopped up.

  Curtis and Amanda followed her.

  Gene met them at the door. He was grinning. “They had a good night. Debbie was able to sleep when Bobby did and he latched on real well. He’s eating like a little pig.” He stood aside. “There’s not a lot of room in here, but I know you want to see him.”