” I told them and started up the stairs again. When I got to the wheelhouse, I found Mike's body in the corner with his neck broken. I could barely ...ake out an island off out starboard side. The storm was blowing full force and didn’t look to let up anytime soon. I grabbed one of the life jackets and started back to get the girls just as they came up the stairs.“Mike’s neck is broken and the boat is caught on a reef. We have to get to that island before this storm tears it apart.” I told them. "You set a fine table, ma'am," I said, trying to sound sincere."Doan sass me, girl!" She shook her head. "You take ahold that bed now." Owwww ... Mercy!" I winced and tilted my head as the old woman grabbed my ear, pinching it hard as she pulled me where she wanted me.My bed was a four poster, with a canopy draped in lavender satin and thin silk. It was a beautiful bed and very sturdy, but other than the one time Mr. Reiser had made love to me on it, this was the only real purpose it served. I. ?Uh, ma’am? That wasn’t the right box.??What??‘You opened the wrong box. I need to see inside the other one.?Babs sighed deeply, switched the order of the boxes and sliced open the second one. She opened it more carefully, trying to see if any more surprise lay within. The boy craned his neck, too, but he seemed more interested in checking out her cleavage than the contents. Inside was an assortment of wax fruit and vegetables, the kind used to make displays at a restaurant. There was two ears. Proceed no further unless you want a war. The last group you sent murdered two members of our community so they were killed when they wouldn't surrender. This is your only warning. If your leader wants to talk, two people may come forward on foot and a representative from Preservation will meet them. This is our land and we defend our land and our people."One stayed and the other went back to the main group. That suggested that they didn't have radios with them! We waited as the main group came.