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“I don’t think I have anything left to throw up, Hawke,” she yells from the tiny bathroom she’s been hauled up in for nearly an hour. “Give me a minute to freshen up.”
I want to laugh, but if I learned anything from the past, it’s to never joke about the ails of pregnancy with a pregnant woman.
“I will wait for you outside with the others,” I holler.
“I’m ready,” Em snaps as she exits the bathroom.
“Lead the way, darlin’.” I smile as she storms past me.
Once we reach Camila, her boyfriend Nicholas, and his family, the elder leading the procession commences walking toward the church. With Emily’s hand in mine, we walk side by side and watch as the other villagers exit their homes to join us. It may be a solemn day, but it is also one of rejoicing for Mariana's life.
Mariana’s presence within this small village was more significant than she would’ve ever admitted; tonight, they will honor and celebrate her life in the way she deserves. The traditions adopted by cultures other than my own have always fascinated me. Although Mariana’s funeral hasn’t fully conformed with the village’s usual burial traditions, it appears that none of that matters to those who loved her.
Initially, I believed we’d do our farewells within the church so Mariana could be cremated privately, but it was made very clear to us yesterday that the village had different plans. Yes, there would be time to say goodbye, but the cremation was to be a public one held in the center of the village. Each of us will carry a fire-lit lantern which we will then use to ignite the fire that cremates Mariana’s body.
Standing beside my beloved, I listen to the mourners sing while Mariana’s cloth-wrapped body is placed on a large pile of bamboo sticks. Through the singing, we hear the voice of the elder conducting the service, encouraging everyone to raise their lanterns and move in closer. Joining in, Elder Emmanuel sings loudly while lowering his lantern to place it amongst the bamboo. As soon as he steps back, the rest of the congregation waits until Emily, me, and Camila have each placed our lanterns before also taking turns laying their lanterns down.
There is a part of me that sees the beauty in how this village says farewell to their beloved, but another part can visualize how uncivilized it could appear. It’s that rare moment of clarity that many of us will never have the opportunity to experience, which makes you appreciate just how good our lives are.
“I think that was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Emily whispers through her tears.
“It truly was,” I agree, squeezing her hand tightly.
“I’m so glad I got to see her, Hawke.” She sobs. “I’m so glad I was able to share our news.”
Turning, I hug her and grip her sobbing body as tightly as I can. “Your mama was proud of the woman you became,” I say in comfort.
“I wish I had more time with her, though,” she confides, breaking our embrace.
There was nothing about Mariana’s daughter’s life that she wasn’t aware of; I made sure of it, and apparently, so did the Proctors, and I told Emily so. She was proud of her daughters and their ability to survive in a world Mariana believed to be cruel at times. Although she could see the beauty, she was also aware of the evil swirling around us.
It’s one of the reasons she chose never to leave her village. It was easier to hide from the evil because, for the most, she was surrounded by beauty. To leave meant that she would be searching for beauty in a world surrounded by evil. It was something she believed she was too old to consider, hence why she watched her daughter from afar.
Camila is very much like her mother, which is why she will never leave the confines of their village. Life here is simple and uncomplicated, and she has everything she will ever need. In her eyes, to leave seems unnecessary, and both Emily and I can respect her outlook.
“Our sweet Mariana has made her transition into the afterlife,” I hear the elder call. “Let the feast begin.”
Hanging back, I allow Emily to join her sister as they make their way to what will now become Camila’s home. We knew this would be where the feast, as the elder called it, would be held. When the preparations began yesterday, I could do nothing more than watch. Every time I tried to help, Camila told me to stop beingmolesto … annoying. I’ve never had anyone openly admit that to my face, so I found her reaction funny.
As I watch the sisters being hugged and consoled by the other villagers, I remember something Mariana said to me during another visit. We were unsure who we could trust amongst these villagers, which I voiced to Mariana at the time. She told me to look into their eyes when we talked to them. The eyes are the pathway to one’s soul and will never lie to you. I recall asking how I’d know, to which she replied that innocence could not be faked.
We were searching for a missing girl on that mission, and although we knew she was being held captive, we didn’t know her exact location. I needed the village’s assistance, but at the time, I hadn’t known which villagers were on Antonio’s payroll.
“Ask your question,” she’d told me that day. “Listen to their story and then ask them to repeat themselves.”
I hadn’t understood what she meant at the time, but she explained that liars would practice their lies. I had to catch them off guard if I wanted to catch them. Their lies would unravel if they had to retell their story from the end to the beginning. I hadn’t realized until this moment just how philosophical she was. It’s no surprise to me now why her daughter went on to become a psychologist.
I discovered during that mission that these villagers live simple, carefree lives and are fiercely loyal to one another. They didn’t stop the criminal activity surrounding them, yet they didn’t partake in it either. It’s hard not to admire the simplicity of their lives, particularly when our own tend to be complicated and rushed.
“Are you ready, my love?” My woman interrupts my thoughts.
Nodding, I allow Emily to grab my hand and lead me toward the festivities.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Emily
“I’m blaming you, Hawke,” I attempt to yell. “Why did you let me eat the pickles and ice cream last night?”
