165
THE BLUE FEATHER
“Come with me, Tital, and let’s walk on the beach and talk a
while. I want to get my feet wet,” said Bardala, taking off her
boots, and whistling for Brilloso to follow.
“Okay,” Tital said, unlacing his Columbia boots, and then
saying to Zotz and Mahucutah. “Please organize the camp, and
have the other Spirits assist you.” The couple walked away
together, and Tital held out his hand, which she took as she
pulled him down to the water’s edge.
“I wonder what kind of fish are in this ocean?” she queried.
“When we get back to camp we can summon Chac Uayab
Xoc, since he takes care of all the fish, he will know. I would like
to catch a fish that tastes like a Marlin back on Earth. That’s the
best tasting fish I ever ate. My mother...” Tital was saying, and
then just stopped.
“What about your mother?” Bardala asked cautiously.
Tital wasn’t thinking about his mother, but his father. He was
going to add his father to what he told Bardala, but the memories
were deeply painful. He tried remembering good things about
his father, but his father was gone. Just not there. Those
memories were old, and vague. He finally said, “My mother used
to go to the huge fish market in Cancún. The different fish would
be displayed chilled on ice. She would always get wonderful
fresh fish for us to eat. I liked the Marlin best of all.”
“You sound a little sad. Look at that setting Sun. Doesn’t all
the beauty around, cheer you up?” she asked.
“I’m sorry. I was just thinking about back home,” Tital said,
trying to fake a smile. “Mom probably misses me.”
“We can have Huracán send an e-mail for us. That wouldn’t
be impossible for a Spirit, would it?” she said. “No, that’s a good