The moment my name left her lips, I felt whole.
She might not remember the words…but she remembered me.
There was chaos all around us…our guides trying to explain to the tribe elders what was going on and the other members of the tribe trying to understand why an outsider was being embraced by one of their own.
Davi tapped me on the shoulder, trying to get my attention.
"They want you to meet with the headman before they will consider letting you stay," he said quietly, and I felt a moment of fear.
What if they didn't let me stay?
I couldn't go back now after just finding her.
But I realized there was nothing I could do if they wanted me to leave.
I had to respect their decisions, even if they threatened to devastate me.
I nodded to my mother before I followed Davi into the shabono.
Everyone lived in a communal style, kin living close together.
Children ran around, while women tended to the gardens outside.
After so many years of studying them, it was amazing to be able to see them going about their daily lives.
And all I could think was…I wanted to stay.
He wants to stay...but will he be able to?
Tomorrow...