Ancient Island

  Chapter 20

  Revelations

  Dan and the others met at Becky’s for breakfast the following morning. The reaction of Steve’s friend Ashley Sagan to the restaurant was priceless. Even before they entered, she commented how unusual it was to find such a charming restaurant in a small community.

  An engraved sign on the front door read:

  “Please knock and wait to be greeted before entering our home.”

  Customers had no choice. The door was locked, so nobody walked in unaccompanied. An important part of the experience was the greeting.

  The door opened to reveal Becky wearing a gown like something straight from the pages of Gone with the Wind. She was stunning in the finest tradition of Scarlett O’Hara.

  It was impossible to predict what she was going to say, but her words were delivered with a sweet Southern drawl that transported visitors’ consciousness to another time and place.

  Ashley’s mouth dropped open from delight, but once she entered the front door her amusement changed to awe.

  There was a sense of euphoria that everyone who entered the house experienced. The architecture was exquisite and the décor was flawless, but this was a pleasant out of body sensation. Like a near death experience, guests felt a floating sensation as if watching from above as they walked across the room. Psychics, parapsychologists, even scientists came to study the phenomenon. They said it had something to do with a small device above the entry, but no one could explain the intoxicating effect.

  Becky seated the teens next to the window. She had already set an extra table to accommodate the large group.

  Ms. Shelby stopped by to say hello and take the order. Ashley, Linda and Jamie were standing at the window admiring the garden. Chris, Steve, Matt, and Dan were discussing Wimbledon tennis, so Brian took the opportunity to talk with Haley.

  “Do you remember anything about your birth parents?” he asked.

  “No, I was just a baby.” Haley replied casually. “Mom said my parents were Hopi Indians. She said a recessive gene might be the cause of my blond hair and pale complexion. Even the doctors can’t explain the reason for my unusual eyes.”

  “I don’t mean to be insensitive, but do you ever wonder why your mother abandoned you?”

  “Yes of course, but I wouldn’t call it abandoned.” Haley sounded a little defensive. “In all probability it was because of my eyes. I think my birth parents did what they believed was best for me. My adoptive parents respected the Hopi culture and had the money and means to provide care required by a special needs child.”

  “Do you consider yourself a special needs child?” Brian asked. He knew this was getting a little too personal.

  “I did but not anymore. If anything, I think of it as my superpower. Don’t laugh at me but I sometimes dream I’m queen of an ancient civilization.” She smiled wistfully, scrunching her face with a puzzled expression, “Why are you asking all these questions? You’ve known me for five years.”

  A chill ran down Brian’s spine. He realized Haley was getting suspicious, but wasn’t afraid of her any longer. He wanted to tell her everything at that moment.

  “Haley, there’s something I want to give you and a thousand things I want to tell you, but I can’t do it here. Since Chris is going back to Wildwood for Wednesday church meetings tomorrow, will you come out to the shack with Jamie before lunch?”

  Haley seemed excited. “This sounds very mysterious. If it’s not too busy at the restaurant, I’ll come.”