The whole community had scrubbed up and put on their best clothes for the party. The spread of food was impressive. Jonathan had no idea what much of it was, but he tasted everything and loved it. There were several root vegetables that looked like types of potatoes, lots of fish dishes, many of which had been cooked wrapped in leaves, mashed vegetables, a delicious array of sauces, and a wide selection of grains and vegetables. He even tasted one of the grilled grubs with their little black eyes and wasn’t surprised when everyone laughed as he politely refused a second one. Everyone was crowded into the main house, seated wherever they could find a space. There was much chatter, and a small group played lively music on a beaten-up guitar, wooden flutes and traditional drums. For Molly and Jonathan, it was good to relax, and to eat.
A young woman entered the room and bounded up to Linorio. Dark and slender, she moved quickly and gracefully. She was like a flash of energy. She bent down and whispered in Linorio’s ear.
Linorio introduced her to Molly and Jonathan. “This is Maribel, our exceptionally brilliant strategist.”
Molly greeted her warmly.
Jonathan was dumbstruck, lost in the eyes of what seemed to him the most incredible woman he had ever seen. Maribel and Molly talked brightly for a while, which gave Jonathan a chance to regain his senses.
Linorio helped him back to earth by saying “Maribel, tomorrow, I want you to take Jonathan around. Show him the communications and how we set up surveillance posts. Jonathan is an expert on robotics. He could have some very useful tips for how we can position those new long-range cameras. He also has hundreds of photographs we need to safeguard.”
Maribel turned to Jonathan, saw the look in his eyes, and beamed with a smile. She seemed to melt in his gaze. The two started to talk and laugh. It was as if they had instantly melded together.
After the meal, people produced all sorts of musical instruments, some of which looked like they had been invented by their players. There was music and dancing. People cheered and laughed, and all the children joined in. Some people gave their own special performances. A comedian stood up and fired jokes non-stop for a full 10 minutes, mostly hilarious exaggerations of Molly and Jonathan’s journey. A beautiful woman sang three traditional songs with the voice of an angel that brought a tear to many, and a small, stout man gave a mime performance of the perils of living in the jungle. Maribel put on an impressive demonstration of dancing the Charleston.
After the show, Maribel invited Jonathan out to the balcony to see the crescent moon, which had risen over the tree tops. Molly and Linorio exchanged a grin when they caught a glimpse of Jonathan, as he lightly rested his hand on the girl’s shoulder while pointing to a bright constellation. They saw Maribel look up into his face with her gentle smile. Suddenly she pulled away and went back inside the main house. Jonathan nodded gently. He knew there was something fragile about this buoyant and vivacious young woman and that he had to be cautious. He stayed quietly on the balcony for a while. But inside he was glowing.
It was late when everyone started to leave. Linorio and Maribel walked the new arrivals back to their hut and wished them goodnight. They were under strict instructions to sleep until late in the morning. Molly asked that someone contact Bob the Scot to say they were fine and had returned to the city, or there would soon be a search party out looking for them.
Jonathan was too excited to sleep and sat with Molly on the porch of their hut. George was still cradled to his chest but was now sound asleep. Molly lit a mapacho and smoked slowly, hoping the smoke would keep away some of the mosquitoes that Jonathan now seemed oblivious to. He said how extraordinary this place was, and how incredible it was that they had found it. He was buzzing as he talked about what the community was doing, what they had found with the poachers and loggers and what else might be happening here in this massive jungle.
Then they sat quietly for a while, listened to the sounds of the night, and watched the bats and bugs flying past.
“I think I understand the voice in that dream now,” Jonathan said gently. “It wasn’t ‘Marry Belle’. It was ‘Maribel’.” Then he floated off to his room, whistling.