Chapter 9
By the early morning Richard, Shanna and Sal were packing the boat for the trip back to the island. Richard helped Sal put a few sacks of rice into the boat.
Shanna had woke up that morning finding Richard gone. She had wondered where he went.
Sal headed toward the island she was at the helm. Richard was sitting down with Shanna's head on his lap.
When they reached the so called garage. Sal headed underwater to alert her friends that they had arrived. Bugs and Keaty pulled up a net Richard and Sal had filled with the things they had bought. After the last load was done Sal headed back to the other side. Richard looked up at Bugs he thought to himself "it was good fucking Sal but it was even more better fucking Bugs."
Shanna had went underwater before Sal. The baby was growing inside her it had already been a while since she checked herself out. Shanna had also noticed that she no longer like Thai food anymore. Luckily she loved rice.
Back at the hut. Richard was passing out things he had in his pockets. He finally got to the rattle he had bought at the store back at Ko Pha Ngan. He was looking for Shanna he had noticed she sat outside and looked somewhat pale.
"One baby rattle." Ok I know it's not the best. He looked at her.
What's wrong? he asked.
Nothing I was feeling sick, but I'm ok now. she grinned.
Thank You for the rattle Richard. I love it. So will the baby. She leaned to kiss him.
The following days were quite hot and rainy.
Richard laid in a hammock playing with a gameboy and Shanna tried to knit some booties for the baby.
He fumbled with the game cause he had lost. Richard and Shanna noticed screams. They both got up and ran outside.
They found Sten half eaten like a shark had bitten him. His insides were coming out and his leg was almost cut to the bone.
Richard knew he was a goner.
Shanna asked everyone to step away she inspected him no pulse he was dead.
Richard heard another cry out toward the shore it was Christo his leg was bitten also.
When Shanna realized there was nothing she could do she followed Richard to Christo.
Shanna told Keaty and Bugs to put him in the medical hut they did as they were told.
She started to clean his leg she gave him some sedatives to go to sleep. As soon as he was out . Shanna started to cut his leg off there was no saving it. It was a very bloody mess. She tied the veins together. That was a slow process and not only that she needed blood. Because Christo had lost a lot. When she was done she sewed it together and put a dressing around the amputated leg. It had seemed a lifetime but when she was done she was very happy because that was her best work.
Keaty, Karl ? she called out.
They came.
Can you stay with him while I bathe?
Yeah sure.
What if he moves? Keaty asked.
Wipe his forehead. The fever will pass. His body is just in shock is all.
ok.
When Shanna came back . She went to the main hut to announce Christo's condition.
All right everyone listen up Christo is going to be fine, but I had to amputate his leg there was no saving it. He will walk again, but in time.
Everyone had a smile on their face. They didn't want to lose Christo he was a good fishermen.
Thank You Shanna for saving him. Etienne said.
Your welcome, Etienne. She kissed his cheek.
Shanna walked back to the medical hut. Keaty was still there.
She walked passed him and got a syringe and a bag. Some way some how Keaty matched Christo's blood type.
Keaty I need you to lay down here. He got on top of the makeshift gurney.
She tied a band around his arm the vein popped up.
She inserted the needle to get some of his blood to give Christo.
When the bag was full she hung it up and inserted the needle into his arm.
He was still asleep.
Keaty can you get some people to watch Christo while I sleep. I would but the baby takes a lot out of me.
All right I will get some people. He left.
The first to come was Etienne.
Etienne if he wakes up wake me or if his temperature rises wake me.
Ok.
She went across the room there was a bed near the medical cabinet she had wanted it there because in case someone was ill like there was now she didn't have to run across to the other hut. She soon drifted to sleep.
Etienne had a chair to sit by Christo he still hadn't woken up.
Etienne got bored so he started to walk around. He found himself staring at Shanna.
The kiss she gave him. He couldn't help but wonder if she really loved Richard or was pretending to.
He knelt by her and put his hand on her head and started patting it. Shanna moved.
Richard? she said in her sleep.
No, its Etienne. When she mentioned Richard's name his heart broke to pieces.
She woke up this time.
Etienne what's wrong? Did Christo wake up?
No he didn't wake up.
I just wanted to feel you again.
Oh, Etienne. She hugged him as Richard came in.
He walked out.
Shanna somewhat ran after him holding her stomach as she ran.
Richard stop you know I can't run.
He stopped a few feet away. He didn't say anything.
Richard it was just a hug nothing happened honestly.
Honest Shanna?
Yes I thought he was you. I was half asleep.
Ok, I'm sorry. It's just that I love you and I don't want to lose you.
He walked to her.
Richard I love you too.
They kissed passionately.
Richard come on we deserve the time to ourselves. I got a surprise for you.
They walked back to the main hut.
Shanna reached inside her bag and took out a paper.
She put the paper behind her back.
Close your eyes she told him.
He did.
She brought the paper in front of his eyes.
Ok now open them.
What's this? He asked.
This is our baby and of you want to know what it is I'll tell you.
Sure I do. He looked at the photo in fascination.
It's a boy see right there. She pointed on the photo.
I'm gonna have a son.
Yes.
He got up from where he was sitting and told everyone to be quiet.
Listen everyone. I'm going to have a son.
Congratulations Richard said Keaty the others raised their hands to him in salute.