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“Good. We’re fine. How could we not be? It’s a beautiful plane. Rose has barely cried, which is good, and she has fed regularly.”
“The staff has assisted you?”
“Yes. Wonderfully.”
“Good.”
We pause, and I sense he’s hiding something with the formalities. “I miss you,” I say, and my throat dries with the pain in my chest.
“I miss you too.”
“Did you send your email to Caracas?”
“Eden.” He hesitates a moment, and my heart goes to my throat. “Asoo called me. There were more drones flying near Ulara, and this time, he followed a boat. When they realized he was behind them, they didn’t take the secret turn down the river. They continued on, and the boat was more powerful than Asoo’s curiara.”
“They had boats… what are you telling me?” I croak.
“Asoo believes they are scoping the area, and it’s putting the village in danger.”
“And?” I whisper.
“When I return to Ulara, I’ll have a meeting with the chief. I think it’s time they considered migrating deeper into the jungle.”
“And?” I repeat.
“Eden, please don’t read into this. Allow me to return and assess the situation. I’m in Canaima now. I feel obligated to keep them safe.”
“They’re not your responsibility anymore,” I whisper. I glance up as Jenna strolls toward me. Daryl is collecting my bags, and everyone is heading toward the jet. “I have to go. Please don’t make any rash decisions. I’ll call you when I’m in Adelaide. I love you.”
“I love you too. I’ll speak to you when you’re safely at home. Look after our precious Rose.”
I nod and end the call as Jenna reaches me and blink away the tears. “Is it time?” I fake a smile.
“Yes, we’re cleared now.”
I follow Jenna toward the plane and hope to hell Samuel doesn’t leave for Ulara before I have a chance to speak to him again.
On board the jet, I settle back into the seat for the final leg of the journey. I glance down at Rose sleeping in my arms. “We’re going home,” I whisper. “You’re going to meet your grandparents, your aunty and uncles, and your cousins. You’ll love your new home.”
It’s weird to think Ulara was her first home, one she’ll never know. Maybe a home she would have loved, like Kaikare, as she’d be ignorant to what lies beyond the jungle, the privileged world that relies on money as power rather than survival skills.
I promise to teach you to respect the land, all creatures, and people just as you would if you lived in Ulara. Money will not rule our egos or happiness.
Leaning forward, I kiss her cheek, and her little lips purse in the sweetest duck face I’ve ever seen.
Once the plane is in the air, I unclip my belt and the strap over Rose and place her in the crib. Digging into my bag, I pull out Gran’s diary, ready to embrace the last of her words before she begins her journey.
Date: 15thNovember 1962
The journey by boat has been long.
The nausea never leaves me. Most days, I vomit. I intended to write in the diary every day on the boat, but it’s dragging on, and after being surrounded by nothing but blue, it has affected my mood.
So this is my last entry in my diary. I have bought a new leather diary for my volunteering journey, and I can’t wait!
Her adventure is about to begin just as mine has come to an end.
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