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“I’m not coming outin this!” Doris called from behind the door of our hut.
Marge planted her hands on her hips. “Come on, Doris! They gave us these outfits so we could join the wedding celebration. You would be insulting them by refusing to come out. What did Ndungu tell us when we arrived?”
Her voice was quiet as she said, “To accept everything they give us with a smile and gratitude. Saying no is a deep insult.”
Sylvie nodded even though Doris couldn’t see her. “Exactly. Now don’t insult them. The women helped us get dressed, and they are all waiting for you to come out. Now, get out here!”
“I do appreciate the mud salve they gave me for my ant bites. That was a nice gift, and it really helped stop the itching. But this I can’t accept! It barely covers my bosom! It’s not modest at all!”
“It’s their traditional dress for celebrating weddings,” Sylvie answered. “It’s beautiful, and we should feel so honored they are inviting us to this special celebration. Now, quit being a prude, and get your cute butt out here!”
After a long silence, the door to the hut creaked open. Doris peeked out, the paint on her face making her look quite exotic, and when she finally fully emerged, I couldn’t stop grinning.
“Nowthatis a gorgeous look on you, Doris! Axel would be falling over himself if he saw you right now!”
She shrunk back. “But it isn’t appropriate for the other men to be looking at me in this.” She gestured to the colorful materials draping over her breasts and wrapped around her waist in a sarong type skirt.
“You look gorgeous.” Sylvie stepped forward and grabbed her hand, tugging her out the door. “I can’t believe we get to wear this stuff. How awesome is this?”
I looked at the three Widows all sporting the same tribal outfit as me. There weren’t any mirrors here for me to examine my own appearance, but I glanced down and could only imagine how incredible I looked in it. Alejandro would definitely be having a heart attack to rip this baby right off me.
Note to self, when I get home, hire a designer to make this costume for me for role play night.
“You ladies look wonderful,” Ndungu said when he stepped around the side of the hut wearing the male version of the colorful outfit. “How lucky we arrived on a night with such a special celebration happening. You’re in for a real treat. This is rare to see them in this special attire doing the ceremony you’re about to witness. It’s incredible. Come. They are starting now, and we don’t want to be late.”
As much as I’d grumbled about our luxury stay getting transformed into this rough and rugged fight for survival, since we’d arrived a couple hours ago, we’d been treated so kindly that I’d started to enjoy our time here. Then when the women had come in with the ceremonial clothing so beautiful they put my Vegas showgirl outfits to shame, I’d lit up like a lightbulb that we were going to get to wear them. I never passed up an opportunity to get dressed up. Ndungu had explained to us that there was a wedding celebration happening tonight, and it would consist of a great feast, dancing, and other ceremonial displays.
“This is so freaking awesome,” Marge whispered as we followed behind Ndungu toward the sounds of drums beating. “I feel like we’re on National Geographic.”
“I’m really excited too.” Sylvie beamed.
Before I had a chance to answer, we stepped into the center of the small village, and my breath hitched in my chest at the beautiful people all circling around the huge fire.
“Wow,” Doris whispered.
“Wow is right,” I said quietly, and followed Ndungu over to a bench where some villagers indicated we should sit.
“We can’t participate in the ritual,” Ndungu said, “but they are giving us a great honor in allowing us to eat with them and watch the beautiful ceremony.”
“An honor indeed,” Marge said, giving a smile and a small bow to the woman gesturing to the benches for us to sit on.
We all took a seat beside one another, then several small children came running over with bowls for us.
“Thank you,” I said to the small girl grinning wide as she placed the bowl in my hands.
“Thank you,” the other Widows and Ndungu said as they got their bowls as well.
With giggles, the girls ran off and disappeared, leaving us to examine our meals.
“Is it ... bugs?” Doris asked. “I saw a special once that some tribes often eat bugs for protein.”
“It’s not bugs,” Ndungu said. “This is a traditional corn dish specially made for wedding ceremonies. No bugs.”
She stared into the bowl like it had three heads.
“Doris, quit offending them!” Marge bumped her with an elbow. “Just smile and do this.” With one hand, Marge scooped into her dish then paused before she put her fingers in her mouth. “Wait. I gotta ask one more time, Ndungu. You’re certain they aren’t cannibals? I’m all about trying new things, even bugs, but I draw the line at eating some guy named Ted.”
He chuckled. “You’re safe. Not cannibals.”
