Page 69 of The Voice of Wild Places
“Jaguars?”Watt asked, his skin prickling.
“Oh yes, there’s a prowl of them to the north.But don’t worry, they don’t come into camp.”Nair waved a dismissive hand, missing the glance shared between Watt and Cornelius.
Good to know they’d be entering jaguar country, but then again they’d been passing in and out of jaguar territory for months and hadn’t encountered one yet.
“Did you encounter any jaguars on your way in?Or any other creatures?”Rowland asked.
And so Cornelius began to tell the story of where they’d been.Only then did Watt realize the man had smoothly avoided the earlier question regarding their future.He listened as Cornelius spoke of the wondrous French architecture of Rio, the industrious São Paulo, the venomous Butantan Institute, and the growing Cuiabá.He did not mention their encounter with Senhor Galvão, and Cornelius was subdued but informative when telling them about their stay with the Bacairy.By the time it was all said and done, the group was fully enamored with him.
All except Andrea, of course.“And tell me dear Cornelius, were you able to broaden your horizons during your journey?Adopt a love for something new besides … oh, what was it you read all the time back at Ur?Oh yes, thatchildren’snovel, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
“Oh, I love that story!”Terezinna exclaimed, which brought a hesitant smile to Cornelius’ lips.
Nair looked between him and Terezinna.“I’m afraid I haven’t.But a … wizard?That sounds interesting.”
Cornelius lazily inclined his head.“I find there’s nothing wrong with old favorites, and adults can find much to learn from children’s stories.Someof us may have missed the lessons the first time.”
Andrea grinned.He shifted his attention to Watt, which pricked every one of his nerves.“Are you a friend of Dorothy, too?”Andrea asked, eyes tracking up and down Watt's frame.“I never pinned you for one, but …” His eyes drifted to Cornelius, then back again.Cornelius’ face reddened, and he opened his mouth.Heat flushed over Watt's body not dissimilar to the uncomfortable way he'd felt back in Maxine's.
Anderson grumbled and said, “All right, that’s enough.”
Francesca shook her head, hiding what could’ve been a smile.Cornelius shot her a look, then pinned Andrea with a seconds-long glare.He stood, movements jerky and stiff, his hands balled into fists.“I think I’ll turn in for the night.”He nodded to the others, saving Watt for last.He said, “Good evening,” and fled like a man with a demon on his heels.Watt glanced between his retreating back and Andrea, unsure what just happened.He’d never seen Cornelius turn away from conflict before.
Anderson stared at the fire, his mouth set in a firm, disapproving line.Without looking at Andrea he said, “I thought you would have developed some tact by now Andrea, and respect for others.Clearly, I was wrong.”He glanced at Watt once, his gaze slightly curious.He looked close to asking a question, and Watt’s stomach dropped.Without Cornelius by his side, he felt out of his depth surrounded by these people.
Instead, Anderson only stretched his arms overhead, then stood and said farewell for the evening.Rowland did the same, offering Watt a downcast smile before leaving.Watt followed suit, not wanting any further part in Andrea’s games.He’d never minded Francesca when they worked together, but something in the way she’d smiled after Andrea’s question had made him uneasy.Watt watched the older men as they walked ahead of him, their steps in sync and arms brushing.He was startled when Anderson glanced back at him, offering a quick smile before disappearing into the tent he evidently shared with Rowland.Made sense, they were of the same age and same easy going demeanor.
When Watt returned with Maggie to their tent, Cornelius was laid out on his cot, eyes closed and hands tucked behind his head.If it weren’t for the rapid rise and fall of his chest, Watt would’ve thought him asleep.He cracked an eye at Watt, then closed it and asked, “Everything alright?”
Watt just about collapsed onto his own cot, landing face first onto the pillow.He groaned.It wasn’t a mattress, or even halfway comfortable, but right then it felt like the best thing in the world.Anything but the ground.Maggie laid down on the pallet beside his cot with a groan.Muffled, Watt said, “I feel like I should be asking you that.”
Cornelius scoffed.“He just gets under my skin.”
“I couldn’t tell.”
“Asshole.”
Watt laughed into his pillow, then turned his face towards Cornelius.He’d rolled onto his side and was staring back at Watt with a tender expression.There was about four feet between their cots, but it felt like nothing due to the way Cornelius was smiling at him.It was soft, but so real.
That smile faded, and Cornelius said, “They didn’t … say anything to you?”
Watt tried to shake his head, but the pillow caught most of the movement and his hair ended up doing most of the shaking.He felt so heavy, like a great weight was pushing down upon him.Or maybe it was coming off, now that they’d finally settled in after such a long day, a long journey.God, he was tired.
Cornelius made a soft noise of assent.
“Cornelius … what’d he mean?What was he asking me?”
Cornelius didn’t answer.
Watt opened his eyes.Ah, that was difficult.When had they closed?With great effort, he mumbled, “Cornelius.”
Cornelius sighed.In a whisper, he said, “It’s a … euphemism.For people of our sort.Oz is a queer sort of place, you know.”
“Men who like men?”Watt asked, surprise coloring his groggy voice.
Cornelius coughed.“Hells, you are terrible at this.Yes, but not only.Women and … you know.Other women.”
“Andrea likes—”
