Page 75 of Wishing for La Luna
I nod. “How do you feel about getting away tonight?”
“Where do you want to go?”
I smile. “Home.”
She smiles back like she understands. “Okay.”
* * *
The world sings with me
And I’m back in my own skin
Standing, though still missing a limb
In the moment when I felt alone
In the glare, watched by vultures in the sunlight
I felt your gaze like a warm light shining on me
How does that happen?
How does the light in the dark become balmy on my face?
How do I hold it in place so I can keep basking in it?
Your warm hand anchored me in moments of doubt.
Tus besos strengthened me for the battle.
Tu lengua me tiene prendido.
I want to ride your body hasta caer rendido.
I want to give you so many Os
Hacerte que te vengas
As much as your body can take
I want tears of pleasure running down your cheeks
I want you to fade screaming my name.
I put my pen down, stare at my words, and then close the notebook and tie it up. Next to me, Luna sleeps with her hand on my thigh. We’ll be landing soon, but there’s a burn in my chest, a roaring I can’t explain. It was there last time I came home. It didn’t go away until I found my center, but to get to that place, I have to face my demons and giants.
18
Luna
From the moment I woke to the flight attendant coming around to tell us we were descending into El Catey Airport, everything felt different. The smell of humidity was in the air, and it wasn’t cold anymore, even with the jet’s air conditioning still blasting. The warmth clung to my skin, and excitement, pride, and emotion flooded my body.
I’m here. I’m home.
Sel and I clap as the wheels hit the tarmac, as is tradition. Rio and Tito laugh, but do the same.
After-party, we boarded the flight at 3:00 a.m. We are all tired, but now, everyone is wide awake, taking photos as we ride to Rio’s hometown, Las Galeras. The bright sun rises on the horizon, and I take pictures of everything because I don’t want to miss a single detail.
