AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay. I trust you, pal.” She put her fingers in her mouth and ate the paste off them.
We watched her with wide, expectant eyes.
“Well?” Sylvie asked.
Marge shrugged. “Not bad! Get in there, girls!”
With Ndungu’s words echoing in my head about not refusing any hospitality, I tried to keep the cringe off my face while I mimicked Marge’s moves. The paste felt warm on my fingers as I slid them through it, and I held my breath for a moment before I shoved them in my mouth and swallowed fast.
“Not bad at all!” Sylvie said after taking her bite.
“You’re sure it’s not bugs?” Doris asked, her fingers covered in food she still hadn’t consumed.
“Not bugs, Doris. And not Ted. Eat the damn food. It’s a gift from our hosts.” Marge shoved her with an elbow.
Sylvie gestured for her to eat. “Come on, Doris. Even Alice ate it.”
“Yeah, but that’s not a good endorsement. Alice has had a lot worse things in her mouth I bet,” Marge whispered under her breath with a chuckle.
I glared at her but didn’t argue since Ndungu was sitting right beside us.
“It’s fine, Doris. Just eat it,” I said.
With a little whimper, Doris shoved it in her mouth. We all watched as she chewed, then with one big swallow, she looked at us. “Hey! I liked it!”
“See! Told you!” Marge smiled and took another scoop of her food.
After finishing our bowls, the little girls ran more food over. We ate three more courses together, each tentative about the new foods, but getting braver with each course. Some meats, fruits and vegetables were the main course, and I had to admit, they’d done an excellent job preparing them.
Ndungu pointed to the group gathering by the fire. “Now that dinner is over, there will be the ceremony then the ritual dancing. You’ll love this part.”
We watched in awe as they paraded the bride out in the most elaborate costume of all. Her waiting partner greeted her with a special dance, then she was placed on a throne while he performed for her and her alone. His moves were incredible, and the dancer in me wanted nothing more than to get up and join him, but I sat quietly until his ritual dance ended. When that portion finished, a final ceremony was performed to bind them together, followed by loud cheers and cries from the tribe at the end. They exploded into dancing and cheering, each moving their bodies wildly and freely as they leaped and danced around the fire.
“That was amazing. So romantic.” Doris dabbed her eyes.
“It was truly beautiful. The start of a wonderful life together I hope,” Sylvie said.
I looked at the young couple locked in an embrace, and I felt happy for her ... and sad at the same time. “That was it. Her last first kiss. The last time a man will ever dance to woo her. Tonight will be her last first time for many things. I hope she remembers it,” I said on a sigh. “Because it’s going to have to keep her sustained for the rest of her life.”
Marge furrowed her brow. “Okay. What in the hell is going on with you, Debbie Downer? And enough of the cryptic crap. Are you and Alejandro okay? You keep saying stuff that makes me think you’re not okay. What gives?”
“Yes. We’re great,” I said with enough lack of enthusiasm it kept them all staring at me. “We’re not supposed to talk about our spouses. Remember? We’re in the here and now. So, just ignore me.”
Sylvie stared straight into my eyes, and I swear I felt her probing inside my mind. “Alice, I’m officially lifting the ‘Don’t talk about spouses too much’ rule. We’re doing a temporary switch from Wilder Widows over to Wilder Wives. Something is going on with you. I can tell, and it’s getting worse every day we’re away. What’s happening? Marge was hesitant to talk to us about Roxie, but she did, and she feels so much better. Right, Marge?”
Marge blew out a puff of air. “Muchbetter. I know now that nothing is wrong with Roxie and me. We’re only in a rut ... and I’m going home with a shovel and some tow chains to drag us right back out of it! Are you two in a rut or something?”
I shook my head. “No. We aren’t. Things are still hot and heavy. He’s perfect.”
“Then what the hell is it? Spill, Alice.”
With a sigh, I finally admitted my truth to them and myself. “I’m pissed off at him.”
Marge furrowed her brow. “Why? What did he do? Did you have a fight on the phone.”
“No. No fight. I’m just pissed because he ... he ruined me.”
Her brow furrowed deeper. “I’m not following. Do you mean your chastity? Like you’re a ruined woman? I think that was ruined long before Alejandro came along.” With a snort, she chuckled.
