I Might Say No

Jeff opened his eyes to a blinding blue sky. His entire body ached. He pushed himself up onto an elbow and that's when he saw the others, a bedraggled woman to his left, and a woman with minor injuries comforting two small children on his right. Two teenage girls approached offering water to the woman and kids, then one came to Jeff and handed him the water bottle. The drink was cool and sweet in his parched mouth. After handing back the bottle, the girl set it in the sand and threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she said. Then she was gone.

His military training kicking in, Jeff rose and surveyed the area. They were in a sandy oval about an acre in size, treed slopes on the left and right, the ocean at one end, a forested hill on the other. Then he checked for supplies in the lifeboat, finding empty canteens, tins of emergency food and supplies, and a large knife. This he stuck in his belt. He next walked the perimeter of their new home, on the way locating the small waterfall where the teens were refilling their small bottles. The girls told him the sleeping woman appeared to have a broken leg.

Jeff decided to climb a ways up the hill in search of the water’s source, as well as possible food. What he found was a stand of bamboo plants with some large dry pieces lying on the ground. Near them was a field of bulbous leafed plants looking and smelling much like aloe. He grabbed what he could, including some convenient creeping vines, and returned to the others.

The teens, it turned out, were inventors who were on their way to an international competition aboard the cruise ship they were all on, before it sank in the storm. With the knife, they fashioned the bamboo pieces into a makeshift cast. The other woman was once a child actress, and was now a marine biologist. She and Jeff straightened the broken leg, slathered it in the aloe-like gel, and then the teens used the bamboo and vines to create a strong cast. The young kids, lookalike girls, sat nearby quietly watching. It wasn’t until later that Jeff learned the biologist was not their mother.

As the sun was sinking, the teens scoured the nearby area for dried twigs and branches. They found them, along with some trees bearing various fruits and nuts. Meanwhile, Jeff return to the lifeboat and found a box of waterproof matches. The woman with the cast began stirring for the first time, trying to sit up. She was given water, then the group gently carried her to the edge of the clearing where she could sit leaning against the smooth bole of a tree. Soon Jeff had a small fire going as the night gradually closed in.

The biologist settled down a few yards to the right of the injured woman, then said, “Well, it’s been quite a day. First, I want to say thank you to…” She turned her head.

“Jeff.”

“Thank you, Jeff. You saved all of us. I’m Kate.” She paused and hugged the twins, one on each side of her. “And what are your names?”

“I’m Molly,” whispered the one on her right.

“I’m Josie,” said the other.

“They’re not yours?” asked Jeff. Kate sadly shook her head.

“Well, hello ladies,” Jeff said brightly. “My name is Jeff.” The twins smiled. He spoke calmly and pleasantly, trying to create an upbeat atmosphere for the little ones.

“I’m 71, and spent most of my life as a military search and rescue specialist.” He looked to his right, to where the teens sat.

“I’m Aileen,” offered the blond. “And I also want to say thanks, Jeff.”

“Me, too,” said the brunette. “Thank you so much. My name is Laura.”

All eyes then turned to the woman leaning against the tree.

She hesitated before speaking. “I’m…Teresa. I have no memory of how I got here, but apparently I owe you my life, Jeff.” He smiled and shrugged. “Can anyone tell me why my leg is in a wooden cast? It feels fine.”

“Before we start sharing experiences,” injected Kate. “As someone with your background, Jeff, is there anything we should do before falling asleep? Are we safe, do you think?”

Jeff pursed his lips for a few seconds before answering. “The short answer is yes, I believe we are quite safe. Though I’ve never encountered a place like this. And I’ve trained and engaged in rescues on dozens of islands.”

He scanned the others before explaining. “For one thing, have any of you seen or heard a single bird? Felt an insect? Seen the tracks or detected the scent of any creatures but us?”

None had.

Aileen wondered, “But then how could all these plants grow with no birds or bees to pollinate them?”

“Exactly,” returned Jeff. “And consider this, within a few hours of our arrival we’d found water, food, and natural supplies needed to treat Teresa’s broken leg. It’s astounding.”

“In short,” he continued, “I’ve never felt so safe on an island as I do right now. I can’t speak for any of you, of course, but if a rescue ship were to find us tomorrow, I’m not sure I’d want to leave. I could explore here for years.”

“But for tonight, at any rate, I will stand guard, just to be safe. Get some sleep, all of you, and we’ll see what the morning brings.”

The teens, Aileen and Laura, curled up beside each other, and Teresa shifted off the tree, lay down and let her eyes slowly close. Kate lay back in the sand with Josie clinging to her left side. But Molly glanced at Jeff, then scooted beside him, took his hand and drifted off to sleep. Kate raised her eyebrows and smiled at Jeff, then nodded off.