Chapter Five

"Because we're new the women are doting on us and not letting us get put to work but we wake up tomorrow at the break of dawn to help weed the crops." James said. I only half listened because I was watching Vuela tend to the fire.

"Hey, she's our sister." Eric scolded. James laughed.

"When I stayed the first time I was shocked at their nakedness too; it took a while to get used to it."

"We can tell." James had stripped but kept his boxers on. Eric made him.

"You guys should at least strip down to your underwear, you came to live like them right?" James asked.

"Yeah but…it's weird, she's a teenager and I'm old enough to be her father." I grumbled.

"I'm embarassed because we just don't show off our penis to the girls back home; I already know what Edward looks like, we were in PE together."

"Oh!" James teased.

"Not like that!" We pushed at each other. Vuela looked on with an angelic smile. When she saw I noticed she looked back at the fire. Her hair almost covered her face but I could see the grin she had. Her hair was super long, down to her lower back, and it was in large waves like continuously rippling river.

"Vuela's a beauty isn't she?" Vuela turned to us, with an expression that indicated she was wondering if she was being called.

"Stoy diciendo k eres bonita." Vuela places right hand on her heart and bows her head, these people's way of showing thier gratitude and saying thank you.

"Because she's the only one with light skin, the people believe the Gods sent her to watch over the lake where the swans live when they migrate here. They told me she was as white as an egg when she was born, adding to their belief she is the epitomy of fertility and mothering. Because of all this they called her Vuela which means 'fly' after the swans.

She goes to the lake to look for a sign that the swans have migrated back, she has to let everyone else know because they have to celebrate it; it marks the new year. While the swans are here she feeds them, and only her. She's the only woman with an actual job."

"Wow…" It added to the ethereal air she had. Apparently I have to stay away from her.

"She also shas the sweetest voice; I'm actually wondering why she didn't sing along with the other women, it was a special day but I guess she only sings when she really 'feels' it. She did clap along though."


James, Eric and I were playing cards but stopped when we began to hear songs again.

"Elder brothers, the feast in your honor has begun. We must go." Vuela said sweetly. She left the hut and we followed behind.

The air was filled with the scent of barbecue. Meat.

The men stood on the left and the women stood on the right, singing, smiling and clapping. To them they had gotten three more sons. It reminded me of my family. We were all awaiting the grandchildren. A pang of sadness rang in my heart.

"Come on, they're all waiting for us to eat first." James said.

"I feel like a kid again," Eric laughed.

The women made an assembly line, putting rice, the best meat, onto the leaves and passed them down to us.

"What is it?" I asked to no one in particular.

"Boar, Wild boar." A woman said.

"Listen, don't ask and eat; seriously it's easier to be accostumed that way." I took a bite and chewed rapidly. It tasted like pork chops only it was chewier. It was okay.

Vuela was fed next then the mothers prepared the 'plates' they, their husbands and children share. I watched their every move carefully. The women had the first and last bite and they alternated from feeding themselves and their children, and if the woman was breast feeding the husband fed the mother himself.

"Do you like it?" Vuela asked.

"Oh, yeah it's really great, really good." I told her. She smiled and took large bite, carrying on.

When the men who hunted the boar were done eating, they proceeded to tell the tale. Mika, one of the men who traveled with us, was one of the men who told the tale. They mimed it all while telling the story loudly.

"So then Mika pounced on it and sliced its throat-he was kicked off-but he doesn't have a bruise!" James translated. Mika playfully jabbed at the man I assumed was the one who was trying to embarrass him.

"That guy is trying to embarass him so he's less impressive and the guy can find a wife." He continued.

"How does the arrangement happen?" I asked him meanwhile Eric was conversing with other women and men our age, Cygnets and single men.

"Well the man has to prove he can take care of the women, one of the ways is bringing her meat. A man doesn't just hunt but butchers the animals too so the woman doesn't have to strain herself. He also has to make the fire so she can cook the meat; there's a pit in every hut.

Another way is by harvesting crops just for her, or maintainning her hut. These are the ways to show their strength, vitality and manliness but gentility is important too. On top of all that the man has to give her gifts that require a gentle, and precise hand like a necklace made of hand-rounded rocks, or flowers he has to travel far to get. It's to show they'll be gentle with her and very…sweet, loving."

"Man, why isn't it that simple in our world…" I grumbled. James laughed.

"I'm guessing you had it rough, I won't ask." I thanked him.

"To propose the man makes a wreath of flowers. There's a celebration and they are married by the community before sunset so they have a wedding night. It seems uneven but..."

"The women cook, clean, look after the children and trust me that's a lot of work, and they give birth to them. And I'm assuming they miss their husbands when they've gone hunting."

"Yeah, you didn't see today because they were happy to recieve us but you'll see tomorrow."

"There will be food for you when you return," Vuela said.

"I think she's worried you'll feel left out, gracias hermanita."

"I'll be fine," I told her. She gave a bit of a sad smile and I wondered if SHE felt left out.