CEREMONY
Robin Davis
Published by GoodStoryPress.com at Smashwords
Copyright 2011 by Robin Davis
Cover Art: Alina Bradford
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
PART ONE
“Passion, though a bad regulator, is a powerful spring.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Chapter 1
Juliana wiped the tears from her eyes before she turned off the television. She replayed the romantic train station scene in her mind and wondered if such things happened in real life. The movie had been much better than she expected, and she didn’t want the pleasant feelings that lingered to be dissipated by advertising blather or the late night talk show that came on next. Green tea and chocolate would be a much more pleasant indulgence than more television while she waited for her husband’s arrival. Anthony had called to tell her his plane was delayed and not to wait up, but she wasn’t sleepy.
She smiled as she remembered her favorite scene from the movie. She had a hard time visualizing Anthony making love to her in the rain in an abandoned church yard. Father Francisco would probably tell her she shouldn’t have those thoughts, but she wondered if God would really object to a husband and wife doing such things together.
Anthony didn’t like dark chocolate, so Juliana finished it without feeling guilty. She took a sip of tea and tried to imagine how she would feel if he unexpectedly died. Would she feel the intense grief of the movie heroine who had believed her husband to be dead? Would she feel the same depth of joy the heroine had shown upon learning her husband survived? She stared at the off-white dining room wall. Was it a sin to feel little sadness at the idea of never seeing her husband again? She forced herself to think about something else. After all, Anthony was a decent man, and she wasn’t living in a movie.
Juliana noticed for the first time how blank the wall seemed and decided she needed to paint it a more cheerful color, maybe orange or yellow. Perhaps a bold orange with an abstract sculpture in the corner would make the small dining room more interesting. Tomorrow, she would ask Anthony to help her find something interesting in the art market, and then she would prepare his favorite meal for a romantic dinner together.
* * * *
Juliana awoke when Anthony sat on the edge of the bed and kissed her cheek.
“I have good news,” he said, and despite the darkness, Juliana could tell he was smiling.
She sat up and pushed her pillow against the headboard.
“Really?”
“The editor likes my story proposal on primitive religions. He thinks it would be a great piece for the cultural section.”
“That’s great, Anthony.”
“Wait ‘til you hear the rest. I told him about your father and the village where he teaches. He got really interested in that and assigned me to go there to interview people who practice the island religion. He’s already approved a travel budget for it.”
Juliana leaned forward and hugged Anthony. “That’s wonderful. Of course I’m going with you, right?”
“Of course you are. We won’t be able to stay long, because I have a deadline for this project, but I know you’ve wanted to visit your dad for a long time. It would be great if he could help me with background information for my story.”
“This is wonderful news, Anthony. How soon do we leave?”
“Probably in a couple of weeks.”
He nuzzled her neck, gently kissed her cheek, and said, “Your hair smells nice.”
Juliana closed her eyes as Anthony leaned forward and kissed her lips. She thought of young lovers embracing at a train station with moonlight shining on fresh snow and fog coming out of their mouths as they laughed with joy. He pushed her back against the pillow and slid one hand under her nightgown along the top of her leg. She stroked the sides of his face and kissed him back deeply.
Warmth spread through Juliana’s belly in anticipation of pleasure as he cupped a breast with the one hand and slid the other between her legs. She ran her fingers lightly over his back and along his chest. She was disappointed when he abruptly stood and shed his clothes because she would have enjoyed caressing and being caressed much longer. She heard the sound of a condom package being ripped open and felt the bed shift as he sat back down.
“I think you’re ready for me,” he said and rolled toward her.
He pushed her nightgown above her hips, and moved over her as she spread her legs for him. She was wet, and he slid in easily.
“I’ve been looking forward to this.”
“Me, too.”
Juliana thrust her hips upward to match his rhythm and pulled his face closer for another kiss. She liked the sensation of fullness and sighed softly as the pleasure intensified with each thrust. He began to move faster and Juliana pressed her hands against the headboard as the bedsprings began to squeak. Too soon, a familiar change in the rhythm of his breathing signaled his approaching finish.
She closed her eyes and imagined the old churchyard with rain streaming over Anthony’s back and between her breasts as he pounded her. The wind whistled through the trees and the dark clouds loomed above them. The notion of having sex with her husband outdoors thrilled her. She imagined sinking her fingers into the turf as he sank into her. What if someone she couldn’t see was watching? She became even more aroused as she imagined a stranger walking slowly toward them, and she wrapped her legs tightly around Anthony and pulled him more deeply into her warmth.
Anthony buried himself as far as he could go and grunted in satisfaction. She felt him pulsing and ground against him frantically, trying to trigger her own orgasm. She squeezed one of her nipples and imagined the Anthony of her fantasy caressing her and driving into her hard and deep as a surprised groundskeeper gaped at them with an open mouth, one hand rubbing his groin. She moaned loudly as she nearly crested but the release she desperately sought eluded her.
Juliana remained awake long after Anthony rolled onto his back and fell asleep. She had wanted to talk more about their trip to the island. She would also have enjoyed talking about the movie she had watched, or the people she had seen in the market. It seemed they didn’t talk together as much as they had before they married. She wondered if other young married women her age felt more excitement lying in bed with their husbands at the end of each work day. Maybe over the romantic dinner she had in mind, Anthony would be able to relax and think about something other than his work and his deadlines, and she could begin rekindling some of the passion she felt slipping out of their relationship.
She smiled at the thought of telling Anthony about her fantasy of having sex in the outdoors, leaving out the part about a possible audience, of course. She knew if she were going to tell Anthony about her fantasy, she would be wise to tone it down to a very private encounter in a warm, green place with flowers and birds singing. She didn’t think Anthony would approve of her imagining a stranger watching, but she thought she could at least get him interested in considering private outdoor sex on her childhood island.
Juliana watched the moonlight flickering through a tree just outside her window, and thought of the friends she had left behind on the island. How good it would be to see them again! She wondered what Anthony would think of this place she remembered so fondly. As pleasant memories gradually lulled her to sleep, she imagined Anthony smiling and telling her how wonderful it was.
* * * *
“Just heed my warning. There is nothing good for you on that godforsaken island, nothing. You would be better off staying at home and letting Anthony do his research by telephone.”
Her mother sat at Juliana’s dining room table. Her advice on wall color had been to leave well enough alone. Why would someone want an orange wall, anyway? Abstract art just meant there was no real creativity involved. A classical painting would be a much better choice, but there wasn’t enough space, so just leave it alone.
“I have good memories of the island,” said Juliana. “And of course I’m not going to pass up this chance to visit with Papa. I should have gone to see him a long time ago.”
“I suppose it’s natural for a daughter to want to see her father, even if he is a bad one. If he had any sense at all, he would leave that damned island and come to see you here in London, but he obviously only cares about himself.”
“I’ve never understood what happened between the two of you, or why we left.”
“I had my reasons, and it isn’t something I want to discuss.”
“Well, all my memories of the island are good ones. I had good friends there, and it will be great to see them again.”
“They were only playmates. Now that you’re a young lady, you won’t find anything at all in common with those primitive people.”
Juliana didn’t press the point. It was clear she wasn’t going to gain any new insights from her mother, and she didn’t want an argument to cloud her enjoyment of a good weekend.
“Mom, you’re welcome to stay for dinner with Anthony and me. I’m going to make that special lasagna he likes so much.”
“Thanks dear, but I’ll leave you two alone. Philippe has offered to take me to see that new play tonight after we have dinner with his son and daughter-in-law and their new baby.”
As she mentioned the baby, her mother gave Juliana a meaningful look but said nothing. Juliana was relieved when she finished her tea and gathered her purse and jacket to leave. Her mother expected a good Catholic daughter and son-in-law to deliver grandchildren, and Juliana didn’t want to once again defend the decision she had made before her wedding to delay pregnancy for at least a year.
She walked to the door with her mother and wondered why they seemed to see the world so differently. She hoped her father would be as she remembered him, a man full of ideas, both a good listener and eager to discuss just about any topic. She closed her door and hurried to the kitchen, eager to finish preparing dinner and make plans for a mini-vacation to the exotic island of her birth.
Chapter 2
Juliana squinted into the bright afternoon light as the shore came into view. Anthony stood next to her with his back to the railing watching seagulls flying in circles above the boat.
“Look, I see him!” Juliana waved and bounced on her toes in excitement.
She hadn’t seen her father in seven years, not since she was fifteen and her mother took her off the island, first to Italy and then to England. But she recognized him easily in his trademark jeans and floppy hat, leaning on the old wooden cane he had carried since she was a baby.
Juliana was apprehensive about returning to this place of her childhood despite many pleasant memories. This island she remembered so fondly was relatively obscure and undeveloped, nothing like the world her husband was from, and Anthony had made it clear he wanted to stay only long enough to get the background material he needed for his magazine article. After a year of marriage, Juliana had learned he was not very open-minded despite his professional commitment to journalism.
The ferry slowed and maneuvered carefully toward the old wooden dock. Now Juliana recognized another person she had not seen in seven years but remembered well. Nasir, her former classroom rival was no longer a boy. He had grown into a man—a strong handsome man. Seeing him standing next to her father awaiting her arrival filled her heart with a new kind of anxiety, but the feeling was not entirely unpleasant. With her hand on her husband’s arm, she silently scolded herself for having thoughts she knew a young married woman should not dwell on.
“He’s there, Anthony, my father—next to that yellow Land Rover. Come on. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
“It looks like he brought a servant. Good thing—I’m tired of lugging around all the books you brought,” said Anthony.
Juliana’s bright smile turned to a frown. “That’s not a servant. He’s the grandson of the island chief.”
“Oh, you know him? What does the island chief do? Isn’t it just a ceremonial position?”
“No, each of these outlying islands has an independent government. The chief controls everything—the fresh water, the minerals, timber, building, even whether or not outsiders are allowed to visit.”
“That’s interesting. Maybe I can interview him for my article. You go ahead. I’ll lug this stuff and catch up with you,” Anthony said.
The ferry bumped gently against the dock, and the deck hands quickly secured it. Juliana hurried into the crowd of people jockeying to move down the narrow gangplank. She wanted to run, but it was difficult to thread her way through the tourists slowly making their way off the ferry.
Nasir watched the slender young woman break free from the cluster of loud-talking vacationers and hurry to embrace her father. He was glad to see his friend and mentor so happy, but he was more focused on the sight of Juliana’s thin summer dress dancing against her graceful curves in the gentle sea wind. Strands of her long black hair blew across the delicate lines of her neck and shoulders.
“You remember my daughter, don’t you?” Peter asked.
Nasir remembered Juliana quite clearly, and not only because she was the daughter of the kindly outsider who had arrived on the island years before to build a school and stayed to teach. She was smart, and had been a skinny but pretty girl, one of the few he had tried and failed to add to his list of adolescent sexual conquests. After she rebuffed him the second time, he moved on to other girls more willing to play, but he didn’t completely give up until she moved off the island.
“Julie, you’ve changed,” said Nasir.
He dropped his eyes from her face to the swell of her breasts and then met her eyes with no hint of embarrassment about his blatant examination of her charms. The scrawny girl of the past had become a beautiful woman, but she still had the friendly, open manner of a girl unaccustomed to thinking of herself as desirable.
“They call me Juliana now,” she said and brushed the hair back from her eyes. She smiled and didn’t glance away from Nasir’s steady gaze.
Anthony caught up with the group, panting from the effort of carrying the heavy luggage. He ignored Nasir and extended his hand to Peter.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Professor. I’m glad to meet you in person.”
Peter grasped Anthony’s hand firmly and gave him a warm smile.
“Welcome. I’m very glad to meet you, and I appreciate your bringing Juliana back for a visit.”
“We’re fortunate my magazine was willing to send me on this assignment. They’re covering my expenses, so we only had to pay for Juliana’s tickets.”
“Anthony, meet Nasir. He and your wife were my best two debaters when they were kids—almost made it a spectator sport the way they’d go after each other.”
“I still enjoy a good argument—almost as much as a good game of chess,” Nasir said. He extended his hand to Anthony. “Do you play chess?”
“I don’t have much time for games.”
“Just as well.” Nasir grinned at Anthony, glanced again at Juliana and winked. “If you don’t play, you won’t lose.”
Juliana noticed how easily Nasir hoisted the luggage, including the heavy box of books, onto his shoulders as though it weighed no more than a few loaves of bread.
“You go ahead, and I’ll bring this for you,” Nasir said.
Anthony steered Juliana closer to his side, and they walked toward the Land Rover.
The strong, handsome man walking behind them was far different from the gangling boy she remembered. He was built like her husband, strong and lean, but with a rugged handsomeness and casual confidence she didn’t see in Anthony. The gleam in his eyes was exciting and a little disturbing. He moved with the grace of a jungle cat, and she marveled at how much the skinny kid she had known as a teenager had changed.
His bold visual assessment of her body reminded her of the time she had turned down his invitation to join him in the jungle behind the schoolyard for a closer study of biology. He was the first boy she ever kissed, but she had been warned about the type of lessons he liked to give from two of her talkative older girlfriends. She didn’t let him get any further than her lips, but she wondered what might have happened if her mother had not taken her off the island that year.
“Nasir is my right-hand man at the school now,” Peter said as he helped load their luggage into the back of the vehicle. “I talked him into staying at least long enough to finish replacing the roof on the school before the rain starts. Soon, I have to find someone else to help me keep this beat-up Land Rover running.”
“Nobody can keep this old thing going much longer, Professor. I’d like to help you but I've been on this island too long,” said Nasir. “Since the roof is finished, I’ve decided to leave after the ceremony tomorrow night. A few years off the island will be good for me.”
“Where will you go?” Juliana asked.
“I’ll start with work on the mainland and then just see where the wind takes me.”
Juliana wondered why she should care where Nasir would go next, or what he would do. She reminded herself she and Anthony would only be on the island for a few days, and it was silly to wonder if she would ever see Nasir again.
As eager as he was to get off the island for a while, Juliana’s arrival made Nasir content to wait another day or two. He watched the young couple slide into the back seat, paying particular attention to the faint outline of Juliana’s breasts beneath the light fabric of her dress.
Peter’s teaching had made him restless and dissatisfied with the traditional views of the village elders. Despite having descended from generations of village leaders, he looked forward to leaving for the mainland to seek his fortune in a wider world. Along with an intense yearning to learn more of the world first hand, he also thought traveling and working with strangers would better prepare him for his future responsibilities as island chief than staying on the island as most young people chose to do.
Nasir’s eyes returned over and over to linger on Juliana, but she seemed oblivious to the scrutiny. He noticed Anthony staring silently and smiled at him before sliding into the driver’s seat and starting the engine.
“Anthony, Juliana tells me you’re planning to write a feature story about the village and the ceremony of renewal,” said Peter. He buckled his seat belt, and they began a bumpy ride over the rutted dirt road leading from the dock into the jungle.
“Yes, that's right. I’m hoping to interview a few natives and learn more about the history of the local ceremony.”
Anthony had to speak loudly to be heard above the noise of tires on the rough road.
“I’m writing a series on pagan superstitions persisting despite years of western missionary work. My editor loves the idea and told me it would be great if I could actually observe a ceremony like the one performed here and give a first-person account.”
“Outsiders are almost never invited to observe rituals the islanders consider sacred,” said Peter. “This ceremony is the one case in which they sometimes select outsiders to participate, but I don’t know if they would be willing to let a reporter observe. Either way, you shouldn't have much trouble getting all the information you want. I've invited the village priestess for dinner tonight.”
“Really, Shafira is coming for dinner?” asked Juliana. “I was hoping I'd get to see her on this trip. She was always so nice—never too busy to talk with us or to help us with the hard homework you always gave us.” She looked at her father and laughed.
“I wasn't that hard on you.”
“Papa, everybody knows you were a tough teacher. You’re probably still making kids study harder than they do on the mainland! I’m so glad I’ll get to see Shafira. How’s she doing?
“Same as ever,” answered Peter. “I've never known how old she is. She doesn’t change—looks old but has the energy of a twenty-year old.”
“I'll look forward to meeting her,” said Anthony. “It'll be interesting for me to meet someone who really believes all the strange things taught by the local religion. Even in the modern world, people believe some weird things, but I hope articles like mine can help to debunk the more ridiculous superstitions. I’d like to capture a sense of the type of people who still practice these primitive rituals.”
“There are a lot of good things about the way people live on this island,” said Peter. “I hope your article will be respectful.”
“I believe it’s important to distinguish between truth and fantasy.”
“Truth! And who judges what is true?” asked Nasir. “The beliefs of my people aren't as outlandish as the stories your mainland missionaries tell. Do they tell the truth?”
“What do you mean outlandish?” asked Anthony sharply, matching Nasir’s, tone of voice.
“The superstitions of my people are no more irrational than the superstitions of the tourists the ferry brings over from your part of the world every week. You can afford to be a tourist for a few days and write for a glossy magazine, but that doesn’t make your religion better than any other fairy tale.”
“That's not fair,” responded Juliana, “I’m not a tourist! And, for your information our faith has withstood centuries of challenge. It’s a lot more than just a collection of stories.”
“Worship of the goddess has been practiced for centuries, too,” said Nasir. “Many of the teachings may be just a bunch of old stories not so different from the ones your religion teaches, but at least we don’t have any pregnant virgins. Not only that, but the religion of my people isn’t forced on other cultures by missionaries backed by soldiers.”
“Nasir, we can have faith without believing every detail of the official church teachings,” said Anthony. “Our church does a lot of good for many people, especially people who are poor or disadvantaged.”
“Like me, you mean? Maybe your churches don’t use as much force as in the last century, but you still manage to make plenty of money off the poor people of the world.” Nasir glanced at Juliana in the rear view mirror. “And, I'd say the pregnant virgin thing is not just a detail. Isn't that the difference between Mary being a saint and being a slut?”
“No—what you’re saying is disrespectful and wrong,” said Juliana. “There’s important truth at the heart of our faith, and it has nothing to do with power—and certainly not with superstition.”
Nasir snickered. “OK, so can I ask you a question about what you call faith?”
“Ask whatever you want. I’m not ashamed of what I believe,” said Juliana.
“Have you ever experienced anything remotely difficult in your pampered life?”
“I’m not pampered. And listen, I haven’t been gone so long I’ve forgotten how you always try to twist arguments around to win. I know what I believe, and that’s enough.”
Nasir enjoyed engaging in verbal battle with this smart, attractive woman. There was clearly more to her than an exceptional body, and just like when they were kids, he didn’t intend to treat her gently just because she was female. In addition, for a reason he didn’t fully understand, he wanted to persuade Juliana his view was reasonable.
“Ah, evading the question,” he said. Maybe we should wait for you to grow up a little more and then we’ll see what you believe.”
He glanced in the rear view mirror and smiled. His eyes held an unspoken taunt.
“You’re just as arrogant as you were as a teenager, aren’t you?
Juliana tried to frown, but grinned instead. She stared out the dusty window at lush green foliage and deep shadows.
“I know you’re just trying to irritate me and distract me from focusing on the essence of the argument,” she said. “I’m not about to let you get away with that tactic.”
“Juliana, don’t let him egg you on,” Anthony said. “He obviously knows nothing—.”
“It's not a matter of theology,” Juliana interrupted. “It's about faith.”
She leaned forward as though to emphasize her point.
“Faith is the basis of—.“
Nasir cut her off.
“Faith, hah! It’s so easy for rich people from the mainland to talk about faith. I’ll bet if you were ever put to a test, your faith in your god wouldn’t last any longer than mine.”
“We’re not rich, so don’t try to distract this discussion into something irrelevant. And you’re being hypocritical, coming from a family that might as well own this whole island”
Juliana’s eyes flashed, and Nasir could tell she enjoyed the debate.
“What makes you think you know so much about life anyway?” she asked.
“You and your husband have sex, right? Shouldn’t you be pregnant by now, or is using birth control allowed by the teachings of your religion?”
“None of your damn business,” answered Juliana.
Juliana’s face flushed and she glared at Nasir in the mirror. She didn’t want to admit she and Anthony had argued about birth control on their wedding night, or that her first argument with her new husband had been over her right to delay having children, no matter what their church had to say on the matter.
“Let’s talk about something else,” Anthony said, more loudly than necessary. “You're not going to win an argument like this with someone who's never even been off this island.”
“Of course I can win—am winning. Not being off the island doesn’t change the fact that he’s wrong.”
Juliana didn’t want Anthony’s help, and she resented his attempt to shut down the debate.
“I’ll tell you what, Anthony and Julie—”
“My name is Juliana,” she said sharply at Nasir’s use of her childhood name.
“Whatever you say, Miss.”
Nasir laughed and then winked at Juliana in the rear view mirror.
“I hope you’ll enjoy your visit to our humble, superstitious island. If you get bored while your husband is working, you can join me in a game of chess.”
He tipped an imaginary hat and bowed slightly toward the steering wheel without taking his eyes off Juliana’s reflected in the bouncing mirror.
She knew Nasir’s sweetly spoken good wishes were sarcastic and insincere, but Juliana smiled despite herself at his rapid change of tone and style. She wanted to press her advantage in the debate, but she could tell Anthony was agitated by her argument with Nasir.
Peter was attentive, but didn’t contribute his own views. Juliana remained silent, and Nasir made no further comments. Soon, all four seemed caught up in their own thoughts as the road grew narrower and the jungle became denser.
“Anthony, if you’re interested, tomorrow I'll take you to see the ancient altar used in ceremonies before the modern era, back when they made actual blood sacrifices,” Peter said. “It's about a three hour drive from the village, on the opposite side of the town where your boat docked.”
“Great,” answered Anthony. “That’ll be a good place to take some photographs to go with my article.”
After another hour of bumpy riding, mostly in silence or in brief conversations about family and friends between father and daughter, they pulled up at a modest wooden building that served as a school, clinic and home to Peter. Next to the school was a small cottage for guests. Nasir drove toward it to unload their luggage. When he glanced in the rear view mirror, Juliana quickly looked out the window, not wanting him to notice she had been watching him.
Chapter 3
The Land Rover rolled to a stop, and Juliana smiled when she saw the huge tree in the clearing close to the guest cabin. She remembered climbing high into its welcoming branches as a little girl. Now, looking into its emerald canopy triggered a flood of pleasant memories of village life.
“I'm going to go see if Anna and Kamariah are home,” said Juliana. “I've missed them so much, and I want to see their babies.”
“They aren't really babies anymore,” said Peter. “I think they’re each three or four years old.”
“They were born after the last ceremony of renewal,” said Nasir with a smirk, stepping down from the Land Rover and offering his hand to help Juliana step down. She ignored him and stepped down without assistance, as though accepting his help would be conceding something in a competitive challenge.
“Shafira's sister, Daessa, is helping me with dinner,” Peter said to Juliana, as Anthony and Nasir began carrying the bags into the small guest cottage. “I'm afraid her memory isn't what it used to be. I'll go check on things and make sure she hasn't forgotten what we agreed on for dinner.”
“I remember Daessa. She’s very nice, too,” said Juliana. “But then everyone here’s so nice. Or at least almost everyone,” she said with a glance in Nasir's direction. “I wish I could stay here longer. I really miss this place and the nice people, even though I guess to them we are still outsiders.”
“Maybe we’re still outsiders to them, answered Peter, “but I know everyone here loves you, and they’re all glad you’ve come to visit. Don't be surprised if Anna and Kamariah try to talk you into staying.”
“Oh Papa, I'd love to be able to do that, but you know it wouldn't work for Anthony. I got tired of living in Italy, and I was glad when he said we should move to England. He has such an important job with the magazine, and—well, it just wouldn’t work for us to live in a place like this.” Juliana gazed toward the jungle and sighed audibly.
“Juliana, are you happy with Anthony, really happy?”
She paused a moment too long and said, “Of course, I’m happy.”
“Your mother introduced you to him, didn’t she?”
“Yes, Anthony is the son of one of her best friends, and she always thought I should marry someone like her—you know, someone who goes to church.”
“Oh, is that all she wants? I thought she’d be more interested in someone with money who comes from the right family background.” Peter sneered as he mimicked his ex-wife’s voice. He made Juliana smile when he tipped his nose up into the air.
“But he’s a decent guy, Papa. Mom and I don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things, but I’m sure she wants the best for me, just like you do.”
“Maybe so, but what do you want for yourself? I wonder if Anthony will really make you happy.”
“Anthony’s a good man, Papa. It’s just he works so much. But, once he achieves some success, we’ll be able to do a lot more together.”
“The most important thing is to have someone in your life you love and who loves you just as much. If Anthony is that man, he has my blessing.”
I’ll be happy, and if I’m not, I may show up on your doorstep looking for a job.”
“You would be very welcome. Life is shorter than it seems when you’re young.” Peter put his arm around his daughter’s shoulder. “Don’t stay with your friends too long. I've invited Nasir to join us for dinner along with Shafira and Daessa.”
“What?” Juliana hoped her father didn’t notice the blush she felt in her face at his mention of Nasir. “Papa, that's the difference between you and Mom—and one of the things I love about you. She wouldn’t invite an argumentative islander to have dinner with the family.”
“I’m not as elitist as she’s always been. Nasir's a good kid, just a little rough around the edges. His grandfather has been the village leader for many years and is a wise and a good man. I see many of his qualities in Nasir. And, if I’m not mistaken, you were enjoying the debate with him in the car—at least most of it.”
"Oh, I don’t know. I just got caught up in the topic. He’s not as smart as he thinks he is.”
“He might not be highly educated yet, but he’s a lot smarter than many professors I’ve known, and he’s practical, too. You’ve got to admit, he can hold his own in an argument, even against you.”
Juliana tried to look skeptical. She glanced at her father and then toward the jungle.
“He really is a good chess player—beats me every time, now. Since he’s leaving soon, I want to show my thanks for all his help by inviting him to join us for dinner.” Then he laughed. “Maybe I like him because I know your mother wouldn’t.”
Juliana laughed. “I’m willing to debate him—and win, I might add—but don't count on me being too nice just because he’s your guest.”
With a parting smile at her father, she walked toward the row of small cottages across the clearing to look for her friends. She didn’t notice both Anthony and Nasir watching her hips sway as she walked.
“So, Nasir,” Anthony asked in a professional reporter’s tone as Peter joined them on the porch, “Why’re you staying for the religious ceremony? You seem skeptical of the teachings of your village’s religion.”
“Those are old superstitions. Some of the principles they teach are fine, but a lot of it is just fiction.”
“So why participate in it?
“You obviously don’t know much about the ceremony of renewal! This is the one night every three years when it's ok to screw another man's wife! I’ll bet that's one benefit your religion doesn't provide.” He smiled broadly. “No, I don't believe everything the priestess says any more than I believe any other religious tales—but I'm happy to oblige if they need me to be a stud.”
“Nasir, that isn't very respectful,” Peter said reproachfully. “You should speak more positively to a visitor about the beliefs of your own people.”
“Professor, you taught me to believe in facts and the evidence of my own eyes. I haven't had any gods or goddesses come out of the sea or down from the clouds and tell me I'm wrong. As for the sex, I'm just a healthy young man with natural urges, just like Anthony here, right Anthony?”
Nasir laughed and slapped Anthony on the back just a little too hard.
“I wouldn’t say—,” Anthony said.
“Don't get me wrong.” Nasir’s sarcastic grin didn’t fade, but his voice was serious. “Old Shafira means well, but I think it's time for us to enter the modern world. And, I can tell you, I sure don't want my little sister to participate in that ceremony when she’s old enough.”
“But Nasir, didn't you say you plan to participate? Isn’t that a bit hypocritical?” asked Anthony.
“That's different,” Nasir said with a hearty laugh. “If some believer wants to turn his wife over to be screwed by his neighbor, then I'm your man! But, I don’t want my sister involved.”
“You're incorrigible—remember the word 'incorrigible'? That was on your vocabulary test during your last year in school.”
Peter chuckled as the three men walked down the cottage steps and toward the old school building. Anthony was not laughing.
“Incorrigible and well-laid, that's me,” said Nasir.
“Asshole,” Anthony muttered under his breath as Nasir walked away laughing.
Chapter 4
Dull dinner conversation evolved quickly into lively debate on many topics, and Juliana became increasingly animated in her verbal sparring with Nasir. Anthony’s views were gradually pushed to the sidelines, and he eventually withdrew into sullen silence. Juliana was vaguely aware that Nasir spent more time looking at her breasts than at her face, but she ignored it and focused on the fun of arguing with a skilled opponent.
“Wonderful meal, Daessa. Thank you very much,” said Peter as Daessa placed a cup of tea in front of him. “I don't know what I would’ve done without you. I'm a terrible cook and I wouldn’t have made a very good impression on my daughter and new son-in-law.”
“You're very welcome. After all you’ve done for our village, the least I can do is prepare a small meal in honor of your beautiful daughter and her husband,” she answered, smiling as she turned to walk back toward the kitchen. “I'll bring you some nice cookies.”
“Papa, I think my tea has twice the normal sugar. It's way too sweet,” Juliana whispered to Peter as Daessa walked back into the small kitchen to bring a plate of cookies for Peter's guests.
“Daessa gets a little confused and makes more mistakes these days,” Peter said softly. “Just leave it on the table and I'll bring you another cup. I don't think she’ll notice.”
“She's getting old. Her memory is beginning to fail her,” said Nasir. He stood and gathered some of the dirty dishes. “Professor, if you and Anthony are going to drive to the old altar tomorrow, you should get an early start. As bad as the roads are, it’ll take you at least three hours each direction. I’d offer to drive you, but I need to finish up a few things around here before I leave for the mainland. If you get back in time, maybe we can play one last game of chess before the ceremony starts. Or, maybe Anthony would like to take the challenge.”
“I won’t have time for that. I’ll be working on my notes,” Anthony said, speaking for the first time in nearly a half hour.
“Oh, it wouldn’t be a long game. I like to take my opponent’s queen quickly.”
Nasir paused with several dishes balanced in his hand and on his arm, waiting for a response to his challenge, but Anthony said nothing.
“Professor, you relax with your guests, and I'll help Daessa clean things up before I go. I've heard the stories Shafira will be telling you many times, and I doubt they want to hear more of my opinions.” Nasir nodded toward Anthony and grinned at Juliana. “Enjoy your tea.”
“The problem isn’t your opinions. It’s the quality of your thinking that needs improving,” Juliana said.
The big smile on her face earned a scowl from Anthony. The lively dinner discussion was refreshing for Juliana, and made her acutely aware of how generally dull her conversations with her husband had become. She wondered sometimes if they really had anything in common, other than being raised in the same religion.
In her less optimistic moments, she thought Anthony may have married her because he didn’t believe in sex outside of marriage and needed a wife to satisfy his physical urges. But she wasn’t going to dwell on that line of thought tonight, not the first night she had seen her father in seven years, and not after having so much fun matching wits with a man whose mind and body were both so attractive.
“Can I get a cell signal somewhere near here?” Anthony asked. “I need to check for messages.”
“We don’t have any cell towers on the island,” said Peter. “The island chief refuses to allow real estate developers, mining companies, or telecommunications companies to get a toe-hold here. There are a few old landlines available for emergencies—one in Shafira’s cabin, for example—but most people here don’t want to invite in the outside world.”
“That’s rather quaint,” said Anthony.
Juliana frowned at his sarcastic tone.
“I like it,” she said. “There are a lot of bad things about the outside world.”
“That’s why I live here, and why I’ll die here,” said Peter. “Let’s go sit in the den for a while.”
Nasir walked to the kitchen and turned at the door to watch Peter and his guests move from the table to relax in the small adjoining den, paying particular attention to Juliana. Her slender figure and firm breasts made wearing a bra optional, and Nasir appreciated her choice to forgo one tonight. Anthony glared at him, but he calmly continued watching Juliana while she arranged her skirt around her legs and sat down next to Shafira. He grinned at Anthony, clearly unconcerned with his animosity.
Juliana’s sometimes serious and sometimes humorous arguments over roast lamb and sautéed vegetables had captured Nasir’s intellectual interest as much as her physical beauty stirred his cock. Her apparent obliviousness to his subtle flirting heightened his interest even further.
“Juliana, do you plan to follow the example of your father and teach the children?” asked Shafira.
Nasir leaned against the door, curious to hear her response. Shafira watched Juliana intently, as though the answer to this question were of paramount importance.
“I studied education, and before we got married, I thought I would teach,” answered Juliana. “Now, I suppose being a good wife is my most important job, along with being a good mother once we have kids.” She glanced at her husband as he settled onto the small sofa next to her.
“Being a good mother is very important,” said the priestess with a gentle smile, lightly touching Juliana's arm. “You will be a blessing to your children. As a teacher, you could be a blessing to many children.”
“Shafira, Peter told me you might be willing to tell us about the tradition of the ceremony of renewal,” said Anthony. “Would you be willing to discuss it for a magazine article I’d like to write?”
Shafira smiled at Peter and then said, “Yes. I will talk to you of these things—because you are the husband of our dear professor's daughter. The people of the village are friendly to outsiders when they visit us, but we do not often speak to them of the sacred.”
Shafira’s dark, penetrating eyes were unwavering and held Anthony's attention. Nasir wondered if Anthony felt insecure in Shafira’s presence and uncomfortable under her scrutiny. He had not listened to a writer interview a subject before, but Anthony seemed to be a relatively inexperienced journalist.
“I appreciate it. I won't write about anything you don't want the outside world to know,” Anthony said.
He opened a slim notebook and regarded Shafira expectantly.
“No one is hurt by the truth,” said Shafira. “I will tell you what is true and you may decide what is interesting.”
“Would it be possible for me to observe the ceremony?” Anthony asked respectfully.
Shafira sipped her tea and gazed thoughtfully at Juliana and then at Anthony.
“We do not invite outsiders to observe,” she said at last. “But I invite you and our beautiful Juliana to join in the ceremony and honor the goddess. We will welcome the participation of our friend, the daughter of the man whom the goddess sent to teach our children, and her new husband who has traveled so far to be with us.”
“I…I don't know,” stammered Juliana.
Nasir could see she was surprised by the invitation, and he wondered if she were embarrassed by its implications. She looked down at her hands and glanced at Anthony.
“You must not decide against it quickly, my dear. If you join us, the goddess will smile upon you and the people. You and your handsome husband should talk together tonight. Let the goddess guide you.”
“Shafira, I love you and the people of the village, but my religion is not the same as yours. Wouldn’t it be disrespectful for a non-believer to participate in such an important ceremony?” Juliana asked.
“Child, the wisdom of the goddess is vast, and we have only limited understanding, but we know the goddess is pleased when good people accept her blessings. Our people are healthy and strong today because of the ceremony—a sacred gift from the goddess.”
Shafira spoke with an intensity that commanded attention to not only her words but to her belief. Juliana squeezed Anthony's hand, and he took a small tape recorder out of his pocket.
“Shafira, do you mind if I record what you tell us?” Anthony asked. He didn’t comment on her suggestion to Juliana.
Shafira looked from Juliana to Anthony with a hint of smile softening her stern look.
“You may use your machine, son. You may record the truth I tell you.”
Shafira slowly sipped her tea, glanced again at Juliana, and then spoke directly to Anthony.
“In the time before the goddess, there was the ceremony of sacrifice. In those ancient days, the old gods required the sacrifice of an innocent child in order to bless the people with continued health, a bountiful harvest from the jungle and the sea, and new children. Then, long before our memory began, there was a battle in the heavens and in the seas, and the goddess vanquished the old gods to another world.
After her victory, she told the people the old ways were wrong. Instead of the evil sacrifice of an innocent child, we were commanded to love every child as our own. Our new sacred duty was to help all our children become stronger and to protect them from harm. She created the ceremony of renewal to replace the ceremony of sacrifice. We practice the ceremony of renewal every three years to show the goddess that we honor her and are worthy to receive her blessings.”
Shafira carefully placed her teacup on the small coffee table and glanced again at Juliana, who regarded her with rapt attention. She closed her eyes for a moment while her audience waited patiently.
Nasir watched Juliana run her hands through her long, shining hair and lift it up and away from her neck. Her breasts pressed against the thin silk blouse she wore tucked neatly into a modest black skirt. She held her thick hair away from her bare neck for a moment and then shook it back down over her shoulders. His gaze drifted down from her hair, slowly past her thin waist to her slim but shapely legs. He imagined kissing and caressing her until she begged him to relieve her longing.
Juliana looked up and saw Nasir staring at her. She was startled, aware for the first time that he had noticed her body. She returned his steady gaze, as though to break eye contact would be some type of acknowledgment. He smiled slightly and nodded his head, and she looked away with a twinge of guilt and a touch of restlessness. He disappeared into the kitchen, and Juliana turned her attention back to Shafira.
“The goddess gave us the design for the masks to be worn during the ceremony of renewal. I have brought one for each of you.”
Shafira reached into the large wicker bag she had placed near her chair and withdrew two beautifully carved wooden masks. The larger one, with three horns above the abstract face of a creature like none known to journalists or scientists, she gave to Anthony. It had two openings for his eyes and was long enough to cover his nose but not his mouth. The smaller one, with the same abstract face, but without horns, had a similar design covering the eyes and nose. She handed this one to Juliana.
“What is the reason for the masks?” Anthony asked.
“The goddess does not often tell us her reasons, but I have faith in her wisdom. My own belief is that the masks free us from our individual identities and purge the pride, fear and possessiveness that are part of our nature. By joining together as one people, we become something greater than ourselves.”
She paused and her eyes twinkled as she regarded them with a look of kindness and acceptance.
“Others might tell you that the masks simply make the ceremony more interesting or pleasurable. I believe the goddess looks favorably on her people enjoying themselves as they honor her will for them.”
Juliana giggled as she held up her mask and peered through the eye slots at Anthony who intently studied the workmanship of his mask before putting it up to his face and growling good-naturedly at his wife. Shafira smiled at their playfulness and continued her story.
“In the ceremony, as the old ones beat the drums, the women who are married and who desire children leave the sacred women's circle in the jungle and approach the fire built near the sacred altar. All wear masks and the sacred garments given to them by the priestess. The goddess inspires them, and they dance on the ocean side of the fire, as the spirit of the goddess teaches them. At the same time, the men leave the sacred men's circle in the jungle, wearing their ceremonial masks and sacred garments. They, too, are inspired by the goddess and dance, but on the mountain side of the fire.”
“Pardon me, do you mean only married women participate in the ceremony, but that all men are welcome, married or not?” asked Anthony.
“Yes. That is the will of the goddess, and obeying her will keeps our people strong,” answered Shafira. “All village men and some invited outsiders may participate in the dance, but only certain men are chosen by the women for the sacred rite at the altar.”
“How is that?” asked Anthony.
“After the women and the men become one with the goddess through the dance, each woman crosses to the mountain side of the fire and chooses the man with whom she will join on the sacred altar. The men are prohibited from approaching the altar unless they are chosen by a woman. If they are not chosen, they must dance alone or join the drummers and help communicate the spirit of the goddess to the couples who join together on the altar. All who are not chosen chant with the drumming, and their voices, along with the beat of the drums, helps spirits sent by the goddess to bring new life to the people.”
“It’s very interesting that women control the process,” said Anthony.
“That is the will of the goddess. No man or woman who chooses to participate in the ceremony may withdraw before it has ended. Each woman must choose a man, and each man chosen must join with the woman who selected him on the altar. If this is not done, the goddess will not bless the village and misfortune will follow.”
“But how do the women know who they are choosing?” asked Juliana.
“They do not want or need to know,” answered Shafira, “The goddess determines our fate, and it is she who assures the best choice is made for each woman and for the people.”
“Do women from outside the village usually participate?” asked Juliana.
“No. Only outside men are invited. Never before has the goddess guided me to invite a woman who is not of the village, but I am certain she desires and welcomes your participation. Perhaps in some way you are of the village even though your home is far away.”
“How does the ceremony end?” asked Anthony.
“After the rite at the altar, the women return to their circle and the men to theirs. The goddess has instructed that the ceremonial masks are not to be removed until the women and the men have returned to their separate circles. The priestess blesses first the women and then the men. After the blessings, all the people gather for the village feast, where the gifts of the goddess are celebrated.”
“I remember the feast,” said Juliana. “I think I was fifteen when I went to the feast with my friends, not long before I left the island with my mother. Of course, we weren’t invited to attend the ceremony, but I remember Anna and Kamariah telling me they hoped to be married and participate some day. And, of course, there were stories among the girls about what happens there. I mainly remember how wonderful the food and music were at the feast.”
Shafira stood and lightly stroked Juliana’s arm.
“Accept the invitation of the goddess, my children, to receive her blessings by joining us this year,” she said. “You will honor the people as you will also be honored.”
She placed her empty teacup on the table and picked up her wicker bag. She looked at Anthony, who was now standing.
“If you accept this invitation you will receive far better answers to your questions than this old woman can give you. Remember, you must not see each other after the sun has passed behind the mountains. You must travel by separate paths and wait in the sacred circles until you hear the call of the drums, the women on the ocean side of the fire and the men on the mountain side.”
“Thank you for telling us about this, Shafira,” said Anthony. “We are honored by your invitation, and I appreciate your helping me understand the ceremony for my magazine article. I don’t think we will participate, but we’ll see you at the feast tomorrow.”
“We will see what will be. May the goddess bless you both.”
Before she stepped out onto the porch, Shafira bowed slightly to Anthony and smiled at Juliana.
“I wish you good dreams tonight. And Professor, thank you for a very good meal and for being a good friend to all of us.”
“Well, kids, I think I’ll turn in as well,” said Peter. Sit here as long as you want. I need my sleep so I can get up early for our trip to the old altar.”
He stood and leaned on his cane. Juliana jumped up to give her father a quick hug.
“Good night, Papa.”
Oh, by the way, Anthony,” said Peter. “Be sure to bring lots of film tomorrow. Not only is the site of the altar interesting, but there are some beautiful places between here and there you'll be interested in photographing. Nasir and Daessa will finish in the kitchen soon so don't worry about anything. Just close the front door when you walk over to your cottage. Good night.”
Chapter 5
Anthony turned his mask over in his hands and lightly rubbed the polished wood. He rewound the tape in the small recorder and made notes in his pocket notebook to help with later transcription. Soon, Daessa also bid goodnight to Anthony and Juliana and left for her own cottage.
Nasir remained in the kitchen drying the remaining wet dishes and putting them away. He worked quickly and listened to Anthony and Juliana talking quietly in the sitting room.
“So, they have sex with each other in public. What a hoot.”
Anthony chuckled as he put his notebook away.
“You make it sound crude,” answered Juliana, frowning slightly, “For them, it's an important religious ritual.”
“It sounds a lot like other fertility rites I've read about, but it's hard to understand why anyone still practices it,” said Anthony, “These primitive religions are really something. Can you believe Shafira actually invited us to participate? She seems too intelligent and civilized for such things.”
“She's a very kind person, and I think her offer was a compliment to us. I'm sure she doesn't invite outsiders very often. Maybe we should consider it,” said Juliana
“Right!” Anthony exclaimed dismissively.
“What harm is there? I saw Anna and Kamariah’s kids today. They are so cute! And, you know I really do want a baby now that we’re settled and you have a good job.”
“Juliana, I can’t believe you’re serious. If you are, you’d better plan to confess to Father Francisco when we get back to London.”
“I don’t think it’s ever a sin when a husband and wife make love, even if other people are witness to it. If we join the ritual, our participation would be a gift to Shafira and my friends here. And what a great way for you to get a story no one else will ever be able to write.”
Nasir walked to stand near the doorway so he could hear the conversation more clearly. Anthony and Juliana were so engaged in their discussion that neither noticed him watching them.
“Besides, it might be fun, and what’s so bad about that?”
“Come on, Juliana, be serious. We’ll have a baby without joining this pagan ritual. You don’t really think I would stand for the possibility of you having sex with some stranger on an altar surrounded by men beating drums, do you?”
“No, but…”
“And, just for your information, I'm not interested in having sex with some village girl, either,” huffed Anthony. “I can’t believe you would even consider it!”
“What makes you think any village girl would choose you?” taunted Juliana.
She laughed at the surprised look on Anthony’s face.
“Don’t be silly,” she said, moving closer to him. I don't want to have sex with a stranger. Remember, the women are in control. We could create a sign so I’d know which masked man is you—something like a hand sign, or maybe you could hold a flower, like the little white flowers blooming on the vines in front of the cottages.”