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Driving through the parking lot past rows of four-wheel drives, vans, and motorhomes, I stop in the staff zone. The gateway to the Daintree Rainforest. People visit here to learn about the culture of the Australian indigenous people and come from all over the world to experience the Dreamtime Walks. Among the trees boasts the biggest conifers in the world, almost as large as the statue of liberty.
Rose and I meander through the center and wave to the staff before heading outside to the bus waiting area. A group of tourists circle a guide. They listen intently to the guide talk about the plants and how they can treat certain diseases. Questions are answered with respect to the indigenous way of life and include his extensive medical knowledge. The guide with messy blond hair isn’t indigenous but has studied and learned from the leaders here, and I’m proud how he’s passionate about their culture.
The rainforest has much to offer us all.
“If you have further questions, please see Mooksy inside the center,” Samuel says to the group. The circle breaks apart. A smile lights up his face as he shares a joke with one of the tourists. Samuel’s cheeks are fuller, his body more muscular. His energy has returned, and so has his zest for life.
My chest expands with pride.
My heart is full.
Samuel raises a tanned arm and comes to join Rose and me. He lifts Rose into the air and plants a kiss on her cheek before taking my hand and leaning in for a kiss. He pulls me close to his body, our tongues entwine, and my insides flutter as warmth fills me with his lingering kiss.
“I’ve missed you,” he murmurs against my lips.
“Eww.” Rose squirms to get down.
He lowers her to the ground and takes her hand. “Are you excited to visit Nanna and Pop?”
“Yes, and my c’usins. I want to play on the beach,” Rose says in a higher pitch.
“We’ll have months of beach fun,” I add. I hand Samuel a bag with a change of clothes from his khaki shorts and shirt. “We’ll wait in the car while you change.”
“Before I forget, I received a call from Asoo. He wants to bring his family out for a visit. I told him I could help pay for flights, after all he did for me in Ulara.”
“Oh honey, that’s wonderful news.” He leans and kisses me on the lips, slow and enticing. “Go, and change,” I murmur, breaking the kiss. He gives me a quick peck on the cheek before striding toward the office.
“He’s takin’ for-eva,” Rose complains.
“We have time before the plane departs. And we’re saying goodbye to Aunty Dana first.”
* * *
One Day Later…
We stayed up late last night celebrating our return with the family. Even Amy and Yasmine popped in to see me. Apart from our time at the beach, the day has been about relaxing in our home on the esplanade.
We have committed to living in the Daintree from May to early December. Samuel works at the cultural center, teaching about the benefits of the rainforest. From mid-December to early May, we return to Adelaide, to our beachside home, where we can enjoy the dry summer months by the ocean while avoiding North Queensland’s wet season. Since summer is Monte Hotel’s busiest months, I help in the office three days a week while Samuel takes care of Rose.
Mum and Dad arrive, and I pour us a glass of wine before dinner. We share the stories of our new life, and then they talk to us about Gran’s journal.
“I want to feel closer to my mother,” Dad confesses. “After reading her journal, I found the box she left for me. There was another journal where she documented notes about Dawn and her memories of being in Ulara. Most were sad entries, but it’s triggered an enormous amount of guilt. I wish I knew before.”
Mum lays a gentle hand on Dad’s shoulder, and I sense there’s more to say.
“If there is a chance to meet my sister, then I want to try.”
Samuel stares wide-eyed at my father. “Sir, I-I…” he stutters.
“Samuel isn’t sure where they are?” I interject. “And it might not be safe.”
“I could get a message to the nearby missionaries.” He shrugs.
We both know it’s risky to go into the jungle after getting his health back to some normality.
I have fought for his happiness so we can befree.
“You know how we talked about setting up a fundraiser?” Samuel rubs my thigh, and I know it’s to calm me.
