Gene chuckled and folded the knife. He handed it back to Steve.
“You wouldn’t really operate on him, would you?” Wilma looked at Gene.
“Of course not. I only want him to think I will.”
“I think he believed you,” Joanna said. “I do believe he wet his pants as he was backing up.”
There were a couple of muted chuckles.
“I wonder where he’s staying in the jungle?” Debbie said.
“I think he’s staying around the edge and when he sees us go to bed at night, he slips into his own hut,” Phyllis said.
“I wouldn’t bet against that,” Amanda said.
“I’ve told Amanda this, but all you ladies need to be watchful when you go to take your baths. There are some pretty good hiding places around the waterfall.”
“I told them, Steve.” Amanda stretched her legs. “We look around well before we take our clothes off.”
“Maybe one of us should go with you women when you go to the lagoon. I’d be willing to sit there with my back to you while you bathed. Why, I’d even let you blindfold me,” Tony said.
“Oh, honey,” Wilma said as reached over and patted his knee. “What kind of lookout would you be with a blindfold on?”
Everyone laughed and Tony turned red.
“We appreciate the offer, Tony,” Phyllis said. “But we stick close together. We’ll be fine.”
They finished eating and sat around talking for over an hour. When there was a lull in the conversation, Tony began to hum the song “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” It wasn’t long until they were all singing with him. After finishing, they sang “Oklahoma” then “Carolina Moon.”
“Does everyone know “Chicago?” Wilma asked.
“Or “Georgia on my Mind?” Steve asked.
“We’ll sing them both,” Joanna said. “Let’s start with “Georgia on my Mind.” I loved Ray Charles.”
“Maybe you just love men named Ray.” He reached down and pulled her close to him.
They were in the middle of a laugh when a cry came from the jungle. This time the voice was male.
* * * *
September 2—12:50 PM
Wendover, GA
When they reached home after the funeral, Steve pulled the car into the four-car garage. They got out and entered the house through the door, which led to the kitchen and family area.
Johnny ran to Kenny, who was sitting on the sofa in the family room. “I got a new truck. Want to go see it?”
Kenny stood. “Sure. Where is it?”
“In the playroom. Come on.” He headed toward the stairs.
Amanda winked at Kenny as he followed the small child. Kenny smiled back at her.
“Well, Mom,” Diane said kissing her mother on the cheek. “There was very little to do when we got back because Wanda had everything under control.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. Wanda’s a whiz in the kitchen.”
Wanda smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Brookshire.”
“I see Noah’s sitting on the terrace. I think I’ll get a glass of tea and join him.” Steve moved toward the refrigerator.
“Here you go, Mr. Brookshire.” Wanda poured him a glass from the pitcher sitting on the counter.
“Where’s Kristy?” Amanda asked.
Diane grinned. “She saw a kitten in the back and of course she talked Wanda out of a saucer of milk for it. She’s out there with it somewhere.”
“It’s probably one of the barn cats Steve and Dave keep around.” She patted Diane’s arm. “It wouldn’t surprise me if my granddaughter became a vet.”
“She sure does love animals.” Diane put her arm around her mother’s shoulder. “Where do you want to sit? Here or on the terrace?”
“Let’s go sit in the living room and let the men stay outside. I want to spend a few minutes with my daughter.”
“I hoped you’d say that.”
“Would you like some tea?” Wanda asked.
“Sure,” Amanda said and took the glass. Diane did likewise and the two women went down the hall to the formal living room.
Taking a seat on the sofa, Amanda looked at Diane. “Okay, child, what is it? I could tell you wanted to talk to me about something.”
“I never could hide anything from you, could I Mom?”
“I’ve always been pretty good at reading your moods.”
Diane turned her glass around in her hand. “Something’s happened and I don’t know what to do.”
“Just spill it, Honey. It’s easier that way.”
“I guess you’re right.” Diane sighed. “Mom, Noah made it clear after the twins were born he didn’t want any more children. He even suggested he get a vasectomy. I talked him out of it.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Now I’m pregnant and I’m afraid to tell him.”
Amanda wanted to jump up and yell with joy, but she knew Diane was in a real quandary. She remained calm. “Darling, maybe Noah’s changed his mind or will change it when you tell him. Maybe that’s why he didn’t have the operation.”
“I don’t think so. Friends of ours told us a couple of weeks ago they were going to have a baby and Noah said he thought it was selfish of them. He said it’s not fair to bring kids you can’t afford to educate into the world today. He also said people in their forties should be more careful.”
“Honey, you’re not forty yet.”
“I know, but Noah will be forty his next birthday. I’m afraid...” Her voice trailed off.
Amanda sat her tea down and motioned for Diane to come sit with her on the sofa. When she did, Amanda put her arm around her child. “What has you so scared, darling?”
Again Diane whispered, “I’m afraid he’ll try to make me have an abortion.”
Amanda’s heart sank. “Surely not,” she said before she could stop herself.
“I don’t know, Mom. He mentioned that could be an option for our friends.”
“Oh, Diane, please don’t think the worst. I’m sure you and Noah can work this out. You’re good people and you’ll do the thing that’s best for both of you.”
“I’m probably doing something wrong.”
When Amanda just looked at her, Diane went on. “I’m trying to get past the first trimester without telling him so it’ll be too late to abort the baby.”
The thought crossed Amanda’s mind this could be the best solution, but she knew it wasn’t the right thing to do. “Honey, you know I don’t want you to have an abortion, but I don’t think it’s right to keep your pregnancy from Noah.”
Diane sighed again. “I knew you’d say that. I also know telling him’s something I have to do. Maybe I’ll confess while we’re here. He might take it better.”
Before Amanda could answer there was the sound of voices coming down the hall. Dave and his family had arrived.
They all ate in the family dining area. The grown-ups had the dining table and the kids sat at a folding table to the side. Wanda had baked a ham and fixed a slew of vegetables.
After eating their fill they retired to the terrace for dessert. Wanda had made a chocolate layer cake and two lemon meringue pies.
After eating, the girls gathered on the opposite end of the porch and giggled and talked in low voices. After Johnny fell asleep in Amanda’s lap, his father carried him inside and bedded him down on the family room sofa. Kenny then went inside and played video games. The adults lingered at the table over coffee and second helpings of dessert.
When everyone was finally finished nibbling, Diane folded her napkin and said, “Noah, it’s so lovely here. Would you go for a walk with me around the grounds?”
He looked surprised. “Sure.” He stood and said, “Would you all excuse us?”
Amanda stood and took Steve’s hand. “Let’s sit on the glider.”
“Okay. You kids want to come over here?” he said to Dave and Claudia.
“I think we’d better.” Dave laughed. “I’ll keep eating if I stay at the table.” He and Claudia took matching c
hairs across the cocktail table in front of the glider.
Amanda was still clinging to Steve’s hand. He looked down at her. “Honey, is something wrong?”
She shook her head. “No, it’ll be fine.” He frowned and she added, “If not, I’ll explain it later.”
“Whatever you say.” He pulled his arm from her hand and put it around her shoulder.
“Dad,” Dave said. He was looking at the floor. “Has it crossed your mind that Warner might have deliberately pulled in front of that tractor-trailer?”
Steve started to say no, but decided he was going to be honest with his son. “Yes, son, it has.”
“Claudia and I talked about it and we both think it was no accident.”
“Is there anything to make you think it was deliberate?”
“They estimated Warner was going between eighty and ninety. You and I both know, Warner never drove that fast. He was always conscious of obeying the speed limit, especially in his Mustang.”
“He would sometimes call me down when my foot would get a little heavy,” Steve said.
“Also the accident happened on a stretch of road where there were only a few feet of separation between the lanes. It was close to the truck stop where trailer rigs are constantly entering the highway.” Dave sighed. “I think he cared too much for Mom to have her arrested for his mother’s murder. To him the best solution would be for them to die together.”
“Surely he wouldn’t have done that,” Amanda said.
“I don’t know, honey. I saw a strange look in his eyes when he took Janet away the other day.”
“I know he heard Mom confess to killing his mother. Warner wouldn’t hesitate to punish her for that. Everyone knew how close he was to his mother.”
Amanda reached over the cocktail table and took Dave’s hand. “I’m so sorry, honey. I know you must be very upset with him if he did this to your mother. I want you to know if I can help you in any way, I’m here for you.”
Dave squeezed her hand. “I know you are, but I’ll be fine, Amanda. I’ve always been closer to Dad than I was Mom. And now that he’s brought you into the family, I know I have a step-mother I can count on.”
“We’re both so glad you and Steve are together.” Claudia said. “You’re the Nana this family needs.”
“See honey, I told you that you were the perfect woman for me and my family.” Steve chuckled.
“She sure is!” Dave looked at him. “Look how happy she’s made you. Amanda, I never thought I’d see my dad walking around acting like a teenager in love, but he’s doing just that.”
“And don’t forget the kids. The girls think you’re the coolest grandmother in town. They brag about you to their friends and they’re already calling you Nana. Of course Johnny’s in love with you. He told me the other day he was going to marry Pamanda when he grew up.” Claudia smiled. “Of course I already think of you as my mother-in-law.”
“What you kids are saying makes me feel wonderful and I want you to know the feelings are mutual. I love all of you. I know I only gave birth to one child, but now I feel as if I have four children and five grandchildren.”
Noah cleared his throat behind them. Before anyone could speak, he said, “Let’s make that, uh.. six grandchildren, Amanda.”
She jumped up. A big grin crossed her face. “Do you mean...”
“Yes, Mom. Noah and I are going to have a baby. What do you think about that?”
“I think that’s wonderful.”
“So do I,” Steve said coming to his feet. “You know I get to be Grandpa, don’t you?”
“Of course you do.” Diane hugged his neck. “My kids couldn’t ask for a better Grandpa.”
As Claudia hugged Diane, Dave shook Noah’s hand, saying, “Congratulations. Man, you’ve got more gumption than I have. I’m not so sure I’d be this happy if Claudia sprung something like this on me.”
“After swearing for years I didn’t want any more children, I can’t believe I’m happy about this, but I am.” He put his arm around his wife. “I can’t help being a little proud too.”
Amanda caught Diane’s eye and smiled at her. She returned the smile and Amanda know everything went fine.
“What’s all the excitement about?” Candy asked as the three girls walked up.
Noah asked, “Kristy, where’s your brother?”
“I think he went inside to play video games.”
Diane put her arm around her daughter’s shoulder. “Let’s go inside and find him. Your father and I have something to tell you.”
“What?”
“We’ll tell you and Kenny together.”
When they left the terrace, Candy looked at her parents. “What’s going on?”
They told them what had happened. Candy nodded and Robin said, “Thank goodness. Maybe that’ll be somebody to play with Johnny and he’ll leave us alone.”
They told them what had happened. Candy nodded and Robin said, “Thank goodness. Maybe that’ll be somebody to play with Johnny and he’ll leave us alone.”
Chapter 32
Fourteen Months and Three Weeks Earlier....
The cry from the jungle sounded again and the group all got to their feet as Mr. X ran toward them. Two native women were following him. They were yelling in their strange language and beating him with limbs. He was crying in pain with each lick.
He finally got far enough away from them that they couldn’t reach him with the limbs any longer. He ran to the middle of the group on the beach. “You’ve got to protect me!”
“Why?” Ray asked.
“They want to kill me.”
“Why?” Ray asked again.
By this time the two native women had reached the group. They spied Amanda and both started talking to her at the same time. Amanda held up her hands. She had no idea what they were saying.
“Queenie,” she said to them.
One of them nodded and went back toward the jungle.
“What did you do, Mr. X?” Amanda asked in a low voice.
“I didn’t do a damn thing for them to get so upset about.”
Amanda ignored that remark. “Tell me exactly what you did or—”
“Or what? What can you do?”
Ray hit him on the shoulder. “Tell her.”
“Okay, okay. I didn’t know her mama was so close by, if she is the mama. With these wild animals who knows who belongs to who?”
“What did you do?” Amanda demanded again.
“I was just trying to have a little fun with one of the little varmints. How did I know she wasn’t alone? Everything would have been fine if—”
Queenie and King appeared. Behind them, there were at least a dozen men with spears. Another man was carrying a little girl. There was blood on her legs and she was sobbing.
Amanda took a deep breath and cringed. The child couldn’t have been more than eight. “Did you rape that little girl?” She demanded again.
“Well, you can’t call it rape when you have sex with an animal,” he said.
Queenie stood in front of Amanda. There was very little friendliness in her eyes this time. She pointed at the little girl and then at Mr. X. She then waited for Amanda to respond.
Amanda didn’t think long. She nodded at Queenie and turned to the group. “Look at that poor child. My vote is to let them have him.”
As Queenie watched with a puzzled look on her face, Ray looked at the group one by one. Each one gave him an affirmative nod.
When it came back to him, he said. “I vote yes with the rest of the group.”
“No!” Mr. X screamed. “You can’t do this! I’m one of you. I vote no.”
“Your vote doesn’t count, Mr. X,” Curtis said.
“Please. You can’t let these wild creatures take me off into the jungle. They’ll kill me for sure.”
“There’s nothing we can do,” Ray said. “If we don’t let them take you, they’ll attack and kill us all. Either way, you’re a dead man.”
“No
!” He screamed again. “I won’t touch another one of their litter. I’ll even let you do the surgery. Just don’t let them take me.”
“It’s too late to beg now, Mr. X. You sealed your fate when you started killing their children,” Steve said.
“I told you those damn animals aren’t children. They probably don’t even have feelings.”
“Let’s get this over with, Ray,” Curtis said stepping up to the other side of Mr. X.
The two of them took Mr. X by the arms and pulled him forward.
“No!” the man continued to scream.
Queenie nodded at Amanda and the light came back into her eyes.
Amanda knew the rest of them were safe. These were a fair people. They only wanted to punish the one who broke their laws. Without asking, Amanda knew they’d kill Mr. X, but there was nothing she could do to stop it. She even wondered if she could stop it, would she?
“Please, people,” Mr. X was still begging. “Don’t let them take me. Please. Think of my family. Think of all the help I’ve been here with you. Please don’t do this to me.”
Two native men came and relieved Ray and Curtis of their burden. Mr. X cried and begged all the way up the beach. Queenie and King turned and followed, as did the man carrying the injured child.
It was then Amanda saw at least fifty natives with drawn spears standing on the perimeter of the jungle. She knew they’d been prepared to wipe the “white” people out if their demand for Mr. X had not been met.
She shuddered and Steve put his arm around her. They all stood in silence listening to Mr. X scream as he and the natives disappeared in the jungle.
* * * *
November 1—9:30 AM
New York City, NY
Amanda sat on the chair opposite the announcer. They’d paused in the interview for an advertisement. “When we get back,” the famous announcer was saying. “I want to turn to any hardships you suffered on the island.”
Amanda nodded.
The cameraman began counting down with his fingers and the announcer plastered on a smile. “We’re back and for those of you who may have missed the first segment, I’m talking with Amanda Winston Brookshire, survivor of the plane wreck and the author of the amazing book The Island.”
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