The jumbee by Pamela Keyes

Author:Pamela Keyes [Pamela Keyes]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Jeunesse
ISBN: 9780803733138
Published: 2010-11-15T06:40:04+00:00

Act Two. Scene Seven.

“It’s so loud, I can hear it from here.”

“Wear earplugs, then,” Rafe countered Aurora’s complaint. “I guarantee it’s gonna be too much for your tender Continental ears. Some of the bands have been going nonstop since they got here last weekend.”

“I know,” Aurora said. “I haven’t slept in two days. You’d think the rain would slow them down.”

From the safety of her bedroom, Esti made herself smile. Carnival held no appeal for her today, not after the tangled logic that now amounted to her own private jumbee hunt. Esti could not make herself believe that any type of silly dancing might have some effect on Alan’s existence, but she knew that the disturbing gestures on the street might be the tip of a more threatening iceberg. If she watched the moko jumbees today, maybe the locals would think she was cured.

Looking one last time in the mirror, she smoothed the purple sundress against her skin, then walked into the living room.

“Ooh, baby!”

She laughed as Rafe leaped from the couch. He’d been very funny and sweet since Christmas night, making sure that everyone on the island knew that Rafe Solomon had finally been caught. Esti didn’t have to pretend she enjoyed herself with him, and she instantly melted whenever Rafe kissed her at The Boardwalk or on the beach, or in the deep water of Manchicay Bay.

But yesterday evening her mom had asked if she knew whether Mr. Niles was doing Shakespeare again next semester. Esti had jolted upright in the middle of the night, Alan’s voice filling her with longing before she came fully awake. Desperately, hopelessly in love . . .

Fiercely shoving the memory down, Esti flung her arms around Rafe’s neck. She pressed herself against him as his warm lips touched hers, but he immediately pulled away to smile at Aurora.

“I’m glad to see your manners,” Aurora said. “I’ve been a little worried by the gossip, but Esti assures me that you’re good for her.”

“The safest guy on Cariba,” Esti said firmly, ignoring Rafe’s smirk.

“Her father always liked you, Rafe.” Aurora chuckled. “Your dads both joked about the two of you getting together someday, although Jayna said it wouldn’t be easy. The course of true love never did run smooth.”

Esti’s eyes widened. She hadn’t heard a Shakespeare quote from her mom since the diagnosis.

“For true,” Rafe said. “Esti isn’t easy.”

“But Rafe sure is smooth,” Esti countered automatically.

When Rafe winked, Aurora burst into laughter. “Sweetie, do you happen to have any earplugs?”

Esti was happily surprised by her mom’s lighthearted mood. Aurora seemed more relaxed today than she’d been in months. Maybe it had something to do with Rafe’s charm, or the fact that he was an old friend. Or maybe, Esti thought guiltily, it was because this was the first time she had really invited Aurora to come with her on a social outing.

By the time they walked downtown, Esti wondered if she should have brought something for her own ears. Dozens of semi trucks had arrived on the island, pulling huge flatbed trailers piled with giant speakers and live bands.

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