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“It is nearly time,” Elder Emmanuel turns to inform us. “Please join me as I pray.”
I’ll be honest; it’s been a long time since I’ve participated in our village’s rituals. For the longest time, I had lost faith in their beliefs, especially after what was done to me by Jason Alexandria. How could God allow this man to do horrifying things to me without any repercussions? For my momma, though, I’ll fulfill her final wishes and pray alongside Elder Emmanuel.
Hawke kneels on the other side of momma’s bed at the elder's encouragement, where he joins hands with Camila. With my head down and my eyes closed, I chant the words spoken by the elder as he encourages my momma to sleep. While the rest of us pray, he promises momma that she will find the serenity and peace she seeks once she crosses over.
A world without pain and suffering.
“It is done; yourmamais atpaz … peacenow.”
As the words fall from his mouth, my head falls onto the bedding, and tears stream from my eyes. A high-pitched squeal escapes from my sister’s mouth on the other side of the bed.
“Mariana has advised she does not wish to be kept at home,” Elder Emmanuel advises. “So, following her final requests, your mama will be placed in the church until her cremation.”
It doesn’t take long for Camila to ask why our momma has forgone the tradition of her body staying in their home for the next seven days. When he reiterates their conversation before momma’s passing, he tells Camila that she doesn’t want to be on display. She only wishes for her family and friends to grieve her passing in a place of worship and only for a short time.
Our momma led a simple life and never considered herself any more special than other villagers. Elder Emmanuel revealed to us all that momma believed her greatest achievements in life were her daughters. She didn’t want us to suffer any longer than we needed to, so she wanted her life to be cherished briefly so our lives could move on quickly.
Although Camila and I understood, we believe tradition should not be broken. Elder Emmanuel acknowledges our concerns but also reminds us that we need to respect the wishes of our momma as she always respected ours. Camila thanks the elder for his assistance before escorting him from her and momma’s home.
“We have all missed you, Luciana,” he turns to say before returning his attention to Camilla. “I will return soon to move Mariana’s body.”
When momma attempted to smuggle me out, Elder Emmanuel was instrumental in liaising with the American Aide Workers. He was hesitant initially, but like so many other villagers, he was unhappy about what was happening to the young girls in Antonio’s compound.
Eventually, he agreed.
I’ve also recently discovered that he had become one of Hawke’s most trusted allies.
“What are we supposed to do now?” Camila asks, aiming her question at no one in particular.
“Now we grieve,” Hawke’s voice announces from behind me.
“I don’t know how to do that,” she admits.
Tears are streaming down my sister’s face, but she’s frozen, motionless, near the doorway. Much like my sister, I stand completely still, just watching as Hawke moves to bring her toward the sofa.
“Crying is a start,” Hawke tells Camila as he sits her down.
“Grieving isn’t something any of us can teach as we each deal with death differently,” he tells her.
“I don’t know what I’m meant to do without her,” I hear Camila whisper through her tears.
Sitting beside her, Hawke comforts my sister by reminding her that our momma has taught her daughters to be strong, independent women. She knew we would be okay because she’d taught us how to be.
“Our offer still stands,” he declares.
Turning to look in Hawke’s direction, Camila thanks him but reiterates that her life is here.
“Then we will stay for as long as you need us,” he replies as he leans in to hug her.
“Thank you,” Camila cries, hugging him in return.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
Hawke
“Are you ready, sweetheart?” I call out to Emily, who is currently hovering over the bathroom sink. “Elder Emmanuel is here to lead the procession.”
Today, we say farewell to Mariana, which alone will be hard, yet, the woman I adore has also suffered severe morning sickness since waking this morning.
