Page 33 of The Voice of Wild Places
Watt lifted a shoulder, closing his book in order to hide the blush plaguing his cheeks.“Me, I suppose.”
“How true,” Cornelius said.
Watt glanced up.Cornelius was smiling.That earnest smile made Watt’s stomach lurch, which made no sense.He’d seen Cornelius smile plenty of times now.There was nothing new or different about it.But then Watt remembered he hadn’t eaten yet today.That was the likely suspect.
He was hungry, that was all.
Before they left the beach, Watt slipped off his shoes and socks.He rolled his pant legs up and stepped into the water.It was cold, but not drastically so.He got far enough that the water licked at his calves, and stood there.Maggie joined his side, and she did not leave it.Together, they enjoyed the water.
After dropping Maggie off at the hotel and excavating sand from their clothes, they called for a share taxi and rode past the two and a half mile stretch encompassing Copacabana Bay.The sand was filled with more people and parasols than the beach they’d visited before, bodies of all colors bared to the sun.They passed the magnificent and relatively new Copacabana Hotel, a glorious and decadent piece of architecture.Cornelius was glad they weren’t staying there, it was far too ritzy and unfamiliar, but he was also wistful.
Like many buildings in Rio, there was a distinct French influence to it.It made him think of Dimitri and Gabriel, and his heart ached.He’d given everyone the address of the hotel in São Paulo, and he planned to send his letters then.The thought of Jimmy's sure to be scathing letter waiting for him was nerve wracking.He hadn't the courage to tell Jimmy on the phone that he was taking a surprise trip to South America with Watt Johnson.As they rode and Cornelius stared out the window, he imagined Jimmy's disbelief, and the resulting conversation.
'Yes Jimmy, I'm going to South America to search for a dead man with the same Watt whose father dislocated my shoulder and destroyed Papa's livelihood.No, I don't think he'll fuck me over.Why not?Well I gave him permission to leave me behind.I probably won't make it back home, love you!'
Mama had been unsurprised when he'd called to let them know, considering she had been the one to direct Watt to Cornelius, and even less so that Cornelius had decided to go.Mama had spoken to Watt in February, he'd called on Cornelius' birthday of all days, Watt had asked for his old name and seemed to not know about Cornelius.She had left the 'conversation' and truth up to Cornelius himself, which is why she hadn't corrected Watt.
From the safety of his apartment, Cornelius had asked her, “Why did you tell him where I live?”
“I didn't tell him where you lived, I told him where he could find you.”
“Did it not cross your mind he might've wanted to hurt me, Ma?Or that his family wanted to ruin our lives some more?”
“Honestly, dear.It's like you don't even know the boy.And you decided to go, didn't you?”
Papa had been … quiet.He'd said, “Be careful, Cornelius.You still have your cane?Do you need another?”
“No, I'm good Papa.I'll be fine, thank you.”
“Are you sure you need to go?”
Cornelius had breathed, and stared at the ceiling of Giovanni's living room.He'd said, “I feel like it's important.”
Papa clicked his tongue.“Best get to it then, son.”
“I will.Love you, Papa.”
“We love you too.Be careful.”
Cornelius sniffed.Maybe he’d send a batch before leaving Rio, write them up tonight.To Esther, Giovanni, Dimitri and Gabriel and so on.For as much as he struggled with people, he enjoyed being around them.Well, the genuine and authentic sort of people, at the very least.Cornelius glanced over at his companions beside him in the taxi.He thought Watt was asking Severino about architecture, but hadn't been paying attention to the details.It really didn't matter, get him talking about anything he liked and the man opened up like a morning glory, bashfulness aside.Cornelius felt Severino could be that sort of authentic person, and maybe Watt still was too.Hesitant optimism bloomed in Cornelius’ gut, and he thought he just might let it grow.Perhaps this journey wouldn’t be so bad after all.
They arrived at the foot of Corcovado Mountain.Cornelius' knee and calf cramped viciously when they departed the motorcar, and he fought the pain with gritted teeth.Together, they explored the Botanical Garden.Severino gave a quiet but informative tour as they walked, first down Barbosa Rodrigues Alley, an avenue flanked by over a hundred trees that had all sprouted from one ancestor.They were enormous and overwhelming, their mid-day shadows inescapable.Cornelius shivered when passing beneath the flitting columns of darkness.
Severino said, “The Gardens were first opened to the public in the early 1800s, it was originally designed by the royalty to acclimate and grow plants from overseas.But over time its purpose changed, and now we have this park full of Brazil’s own wonderful flora and fauna, for all sorts of people to access.”
Eventually they reached an intersection of sorts which beheld a beautiful, and enormous, cast iron fountain.It was more of a sculpture though, depicting the Greek muses of poetry, music, science, and art.There were multiple levels to it, and stone carved to look like rocks formed the base.Watt seemed to have an eye for all things art, but especially sculptures. Cornelius stood beside him and rested his hands on the railing, which surrounded the fountain.
“This is the Fountain of Muses, yes?”Watt asked.
“Chafariz das Musas,yes.”Severino nodded, his smile approving."Are you familiar with it?”
“A bit.It was brought to the Gardens in 95', crafted in England I believe.”
“Impressive,” Severino said, and went on despite the blush in Watt's cheeks.Perhaps he was oblivious, but Cornelius wasn't sure how he could be.“It was sculpted by Herbert W.Hogg, very beautiful work, but it lived in the gardens of a villa before coming here.”
Watt nodded, but Cornelius strongly suspected that Watt had already known that.
After a little bit more admiration they began walking again, and Cornelius sidled up to Watt.“How did you know that?About the fountain?”
