RUFUS LISTEN TO THE DISCUSSION SILENTELY

It took the entire month of November, December, and half of January to rebuild homes and to bring some semblance to the Island and its full glory.

The Islanders weren't concern about Christmas, but as they did their planting and building many told their stories as to what they observed.

Though matter what I told Courtney she made her decision to stay with grandmother and Pappie at the cottage.

During the day she comes to the house when she is not at the mill and as she rest she had the girls working, if not in the kitchen doing each other nails.

Risha thought she will be just relaxing but Courtney change her mind slowly and they became good friends. On evenings she had each of the girls making something to put on the table for dinner. Beside teaching Carlos she had train the girls to develop their skills. Courtney never bother with what the Islanders said , when she and Martha heard their stories they would just smile when she never enlightening anyone. "Son before you take my child to the mainland for medication I will like to meet with her and say goodbye. We had fought a strong battle together, my child and I."

"Yes Martha, you certainly did, let me take you to her, she will like that very much."

Noticing the smile on her face as I drive wondering what she was thinking about. 'I have never heard the real story myself but the murmuring around the market place the mill and the orchard have me curious to learn the truth.

I wanted to take Courtney to the Mainland to get treatment after the storm but she was afraid of riding the plane and the ride in the fairy was too long and too rough.

She has grown so big but grandmother had brought her home, seeing she was close to having the baby. I am afraid to let her descend the stairs without me being there to hold her.

Standing in the room as Martha and she converses, it is good to hear her laugh, she still doesn't have much of a conversation with me.

It pains but I can't force her to love me but I love her. Hearing her saying, "Granny, why don't you join me when I am ready to visit the mainland.

I will visit my Mom, and won't you want to hold the Dawson Heir that will live in this land free from any more torment."

"Oh, I will love to child."

"Then come with me, I will take good care of you and my Mom will be very happy to meet you."

"Oh child, Elsie won't recognize me."

"Granny, do you know my Mom, or are you still reading my thoughts?"

"How can I do that child?"

"But granny you speak about Tamara as though you know her, and now my mom, what is it you are not telling me.?"

Turning to look at the both of them, 'Did I hear right, Martha know Tamara and her mom also but how is that possible?' "I can't explain it to you now child but know this, I have been watching you."

"I don't understand what you are hiding from me granny, but please return with me to the mainland."

"Okay, child, my work on this Island is completed, but I am not traveling in the plane, strange things happen to me when I do."

"Whatever do you mean granny?"

"Oh, I can't explain that either, but I know strange things happen when I sit in the plane." Martha heard her laugh, "Why are you laughing child?"

"Granny, from everything I heard, I believe we are related some ways or the other, and don't ask me why I said that because I can't really explain it, but the same thing happens with me."

"That's not true, when I brought you here it was the smoothest ride."

Liar!"

"Alf, what are you doing here?"

"Oh it a good thing I came in time, hearing you lie to the Island Queen. It was the strangest plane ride I had ever experience in my twenty years as a pilot, besides the storm in July, now I know it wasn't my imagination."

"Alf, do you think it will be safe in the fairy to return to the mainland?"

"My Queen that ride is for over ten hours, it is not safe in your condition who knows on that journey the Dawson Heir might touch down."

Hearing her laugh when she said, "But I am scared to ride on a plane."

"Look my Queen, from all the crazy stories I been hearing about the both of you, and you two are not telling anyone the truth. I could sure use an adventure right about now."

"Well, my friend I could barely recall what occurs that tedious and scary day, and I am certain granny here has already forgotten half of what transpired, but I can tell you adventure is not one on my list to the mainland.

Look at me, I am so bulky I could barely bend and see my toe much less to swim to save my life if it depends on it."

"Come on I am ready for a challenge and the plane is working in good condition."

Rufus turns to look out the window as memories of that day flooded through his mind. 'She was sound asleep when I change her when the bell boy came for our bags to the waiting taxi.

I carried her but she was restless in my arms. The rides on the plane were rather bumpier than my regular trips from the mainland to the Island, but I never cared, I was just pondering with the thought of her being a virgin and if she had conceived.

But her behavior hasn't changed from then to now, with all of Martha encouraging words of me, she still doesn't let me near her.

The only time I get close to touch her is when she alights the stairs. I am not giving up on her, I know if I have patients the road ahead looks brighter.

She has accepted her duty as the Island Queen, the people have already accepted her as their Queen.

Carlos has accepted the fact that Pappie has placed the responsibility of the people and this Island into our hands.

And he doesn't argue with her any-more, strange as it may sound he has gotten used to her giving the orders and has accepted the fact that she knows what she is doing.

Risha has changed and she and Carlos don't fight any longer, his work at the mill is ensuring that every order is ready and waiting for when the trucks come from the mainland, so there was no delay.'