Page 110 of Beautifully Wild

I go and hug him. “I’m lucky to have you always looking out for me.” I take a step back. Now is a good time than any. I clear my throat. “Though it’s time I do what’s right for me, and right now, I need a change, and I’m not sure the hotel is my future.” I twist my fingers waiting for him to say something.

“My girl, I knew this day would come. I hoped it wouldn’t be yet, although your mother did forewarn me. I want you to be happy, so I’ll support you on whatever you decide, even if it’s nursing. Just promise me if you’re unhappy, you’ll consider coming back to the hotel.”

“Oh, Dad.”

“Don’t say anything.” He pops his arm over my shoulder. “I’m proud of you and know you’ll do well wherever life takes you.”

“That’s because I have your determination,” I say and laugh once.

“That you do. That you do.”

I give him another hug before heading to my room, my shoulders lighter than a few minutes ago.

Below my bedroom window, the ocean crashes onto the foreshore rocks with a force of energy, creating a boom with each wave. The wind howls against the shutters. I shut my blinds and block out nature’s anger.

While wrapping a blanket around my shoulders, I slide onto my knees then pull open the closet door to find the locked wooden box. Something has been playing on my mind. Flipping through Gran’s belongings, I locate the brush and turn it to the tarnished decoupage of flowers decorating the back. Even behind the rust color, I recognize enough of the design to know it’s similar to the one Kaikare showed me.

Impossible.

Photographs, trinkets, jewelry lay sprawled around me until I find the black and white image my mother pointed out. My grandmother is standing beside a young man wearing a small ring of feathers around his head. The image is old and not taken close enough to identify anyone. Only the blonde hair of my grandmother contrasts with the dark heads surrounding her makes her identifiable.

Nothing is impossible—I learned that in Ulara.

I reach for my computer. I open it to a website on visa applications, knowing what I have to do.

53

Eden

Canaima, Venezuela

Three Months Later…

Fromthesmallwindowof the Cessna aircraft, I peer out to the mountains of green vegetation. It’s stunning and unchanged. A sea of green seen from the air, the beauty conceals the danger lurking below.

After a few bumps on the landing strip, the pilot pulls up the plane, brakes screeching.

I’m one of two passengers and surprised the flight wasn’t canceled, although I assume Canaima tourism will do everything to encourage visitors in light of what’s happening in the country.

My interest in obtaining a visa was questioned, especially in light of certain embassies closing. The closest is Colombia, and God forbid, anything goes pear-shaped, and I can’t get there. The visa took eight weeks to arrive, allowing me to save more cash in the meantime.

Victor greets me and drives me to the resort lodging. It appears I’m the only guest arriving today. We chat about Australia and his desire to travel there.

“You tell your friends to come visit Victor’s resort,” he says enthusiastically while wheeling my small case to reception.

“Of course.” I smile at him. “Is Asoo here?”

“He’s at a camp. Returning tomorrow.”

I wonder if it’s the same camp Kaikare and I visited, although there are hundreds dotted along the river and around the Gran Sabana. “Have many of the volunteers and medics returned to help?”

“Yes. Some.” He nods, not saying anything else, and I assume some may have re-evaluated their travels with visa problems.

“I’m so happy to be back here.” I inhale the clean, fresh air already heavy in my lungs and glance out to the vista before us. I’ll never tire of looking at the waterfalls on the other side of the lake. In the distance, three tepuis push toward the clouds.

I swat at the annoying buzz above my head. There’s not a guest in sight, and despite wanting to take a stroll since I have the entire resort to myself, I retreat inside to apply more repellent.

Here, mosquitoes are the enemy.

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