We laughed the morning away and took a light lunch up in the tree. After

lunch we started gathering orchids and by midafternoon had several large bouquets of them. I

was bending down to pick a particularly pretty flower when I heard an abrupt cry from Tiger

Lily. To my horror a pirate had a hold of her arm and I watched as she violently wrenched

herself away from him. A large number of other pirates had appeared beside him and I then

 feared for our lives. We were not far from the tree and ran as fast as we could to it, but there

were many pirates and they almost cut us off. We scrambled up the tree and were able to bring

up our ladder before the pirates got to it but it was a close call. Swiftly Tiger Lily grabbed her

bow and began to pick off the pirates below us they however also had an archer with them who

 sent us both diving for cover. The few pirates that had first attacked us had doubled in number

and now several more could be seen coming through the jungle. At this point, grandchildren,

we knew that we were in trouble. We were not expected back until tomorrow and there was a

good chance that by then rescue would be too late. Tiger Lily only had so many arrows with her

and it would not take the pirates long to come up with some sort of ladder to scale the tree. As

we guessed the pirates had already thought of a way to get us out. Several men with spikes

came to the base of the tree and began pounding them into the trunk. Tiger Lily was able to

keep them away from the tree for a short time but presently her arrows ran out. Now all we

could do was watch and wait while the men below us slowly worked their way up the tree.

There was now about thirty pirates around the tree and they each took turns working on the

stakes. Suddenly two of the men cried out and went down with arrows in them! Then from a

 different direction another pirate fell. This threw the pirates into a great confusion and more

and more men succumbed to the bite of an arrowhead. Tiger Lily and I were shocked and

curious of the identity our rescuers. Surely we thought the braves in the village had somehow

discovered our plight and had come to rescue us. The pirates now numbered between fifteen

and twenty after their loss from the unseen archers. A sudden movement from below us caught

my eye and I saw a form jump in the midst of the pirates and cut two of the men down. I

realized then that it was David and when another person joined him I recognized Tiger Lilly's

brother, Eagle Feather, the same one who I had struck a deal with. They began a fierce battle

with the pirates which Tiger Lilly and I quickly joined. She fought with a long dagger that she

kept with her and we stood back to back while fending off the pirates. It was a close thing but

 to my astonishment we were much better swordsman than the villainous pirates and eventually

either killed all of them or beat them back. When the battle was over we all stood breathing

heavily in an uncomfortable silence. Tiger Lily was the first to speak. "Thank you for rescuing

us!" She blurted out. At this David wheeled around to face me and exclaimed, "Why did you

leave the tree house??!! I mean where were you! Why didn't you leave a message or  

something!!!" "But, I did leave a note..... It was on my bed.... Didn't you get it?" I asked in

vexation. "No! There was no note and all we knew when we got back was that you were gone!"

David said in a rising voice. "I can't believe you left the Tree House! You were supposed to stay

there until we got back. I had no clue of where you were and you were attacked by pirates.....

You could have been killed!!!!" At this point my temper got a hold of me and all of my pent up

anger from the past months came spilling hotly out "I did leave a note!" I said. "And I'm sorry

that you didn't find it but I'm not a baby I can take care of myself! You never let me do my own

stuff you always have to make rules about it and then worry even if I stick to them! You won't

let me go down to the beach by myself, I can't walk in the jungle when I want to, and too top it

 all half the time I have to have a 'bodyguard' to protect me!! Well, let me tell you, I can protect

myself just fine thank you and even though it could have gone badly with the pirates I wish that

you would have never come and rescued us!" I suddenly stopped, horrified at what I had just

said and a wave of guilt washed over me. Tiger Lily and Eagle Feathers stared at the two of us

and when David started to speak I turned away and ran through the forest. Tears streamed

down my face as I pushed through the undergrowth and rushed back to the Tree House. I ran

straight to my room and flung myself onto the bed and buried my face in the blankets. I cried

until I felt empty inside. The sun was starting to set in the sky and I walked out onto the

boardwalk and stared vacantly at the sunset over the jungle. I heard footsteps coming behind

me but I stood rooted to the ground refusing to turn around. Out of the corner of my eye I saw

David walk up a few feet away from me and lean against the railing and look out over the

jungle. We stood in silence for a long time until I finally turned to him and rasped out "Why?

Why did you rescue me? I mean let's be honest we have not exactly been on friendly terms

lately. " David came towards me and stood so that we were facing each other. "Why? Because

it's my job and it was also the right thing to do." He said. But I was still bitter so I countered,

"Oh come on! All I have been is trouble to you and the Lost Boys. First I was a pain to take care

of because of my injuries, now that I am no longer hurt I have broken your rules and went

against your wishes, and now I am planning to leave!" "Yes, I understand that," David replied

"But I have to tell you something.....I should have said this a long time ago but I was afraid to.

Look the truth is I love you. I've been crazy about you ever since I found you on the beach. I set

up rules because I was worried about you. It's my own fault that you have been so stifled, I

mean no wonder you're angry with me! Please here me out though. I'm really sorry that I hurt

you and even if you do decide to leave no matter what happens you still have my friendship

and love." I was shocked. A sudden flood of emotions rushed through me and I felt fresh tears

spring to my eyes. "What have I done?" I whispered. I tried to turn away but David pulled me in

and held me tightly while sobs wracked my body. "I am SO sorry" I said muffled by David's shirt.

"It's okay, I forgive you" David said and then he kissed me. For the second time that day I was

shocked. It was like seeing fireworks and being stung all at the same time. I was so surprised

that "WAIT A MINUTE!!!! GRANDMA YOU DIDN'T SAY THIS STORY HAD KISSING IN IT!!!!" "Oh

Joshua you make me smile. I suppose we can skip that part if it would make you feel better."

"Aww but Grandma I think it's so sweet!" "Now Jeanette, your brother is hiding under the

pillows. I think that we should be kind to himand move on with the story."