Page 59 of Beautifully Wild

I don’t have time to respond before Samuel is guiding the canoe to the sand and throwing his sack aboard.

“Eden. Samuel.” Asoo raises his hands in the air. “I happy to see you.”

Samuel nods, jumps aboard with more grace than I ever could, and takes a seat in the middle of the boat. He points to the seat in front for me to sit. I do so after taking some water from the bag Asoo has packed for us.

“Keep your eyes peeled on the river. Asoo needs assistance to steer, and you can point out small boulders further along he may miss.”

“Sure.” I nod, remembering how the guides helped navigate the canoe through the rapids. And let’s pretend nothing about this is weird at all.

“I appreciate you making the extra journey,” Samuel says to Asoo. “I can pay you when we reach Canaima.”

So, he has money even though it’s useless to him in the village.

I turn around so Asoo can hear me. “I haven’t booked a room.”

“It fine,” Asoo says over the rattle of the motor. “Samuel has room. Rooms for everyone.”

Keeping my eyes trained ahead, I smile to myself, knowing Asoo might have a case of loose lips.

Samuel has his own room. I mull over his words a while.

“Your English is a little better,” I tell Asoo.

“I practice,” he tells me. “Victor has book and CD.” He gives me a proud smile.

“Left,” I call out. Both my hands clasp the wood under my rear as I hang on to stop myself from being thrown forward or back. Samuel stands to push us away from the huge boulders, several feet tall, while Asoo navigates us through a narrow path to dodge the smooth rocks protruding out of the water.

I barely speak to the men. Samuel communicates to Asoo in Spanish or Pemón, whatever it is, and it gets on my nerves. I understand communication between them is easier this way, yet I can’t help the paranoia creeping in and questioning my sanity. Like a pendulum swinging back and forth, my thoughts alter fromI’m brave and did the right thing coming heretowhat the hell was I thinking?

Fearless bordering on stupidity.

What did I achieve by having a couple more days with Samuel? Do I hope to find out a little more about him? Am I waiting for him to promise he’ll come find me when his contract is finished? All I know is something inside my heart led me here, and it’s like the instinct to find him overpowered every other logical thought. Every day with him has to be viewed as part of my intended journey. Otherwise, I could possibly be going mad.

Not every experience is enjoyable.

Yasmine has told me this many times.

It’s not a reason not to do it. It’s all about opportunities and trying different things. Some we love, some we don’t. The important thing is to do it. Try everything and give your inner courage a chance to bloom.

I smile, thinking about her words. Thank you, my friend.

I grab my bag to find my phone and wait for it to power on. Twenty percent battery life is sufficient to take photos. I click away, taking snaps of the tepuis in the distance and the jungle overhanging the river’s edge. It truly is an experience I’ll never forget. I turn, and Samuel frowns when I point the camera at him and Asoo. I turn back and sneak in another with myself at the front of the curiara in the group selfie. I check the image and smile seeing my friends in the background. Hell, I look like shit. I pop the phone back in the plastic before we pass through the rapids.

By the time we reach the other side of the plains not far from Canaima, my thoughts are in a better place.

I’ll have Samuel to myself.

Except he never clarified whether he intends to return immediately or stay the night.

32

Eden

Wakü Holiday Resort

Canaima, Bolivar, Venezuela

Thewaterspraydancesover my face like tiny fingers massaging my forehead, temples, and cheeks. After the last two days, a warm shower hands down equals that of a luxury spa treatment. I’m going to make an appointment as soon as I get home, and right now, I don’t give two fucks of the cost.

---