The Spirit Of Verona - Page 22

THE SPIRIT OF VERONA
Author: E. Verna Turner
Page 22

The next day the Keeping family announced to the whole clan that they want the wedding sooner than later. Josephine beaming with pride wants the best wedding gown for her daughter Jenna. That she opened her old trunk filled with Victorian lace and fabric made of the finest Italian silk. It was sealed in a plastic and seemed not affected by water when they were shipwrecked. She had in the old trunk with packages of assorted thread, needles and pins. To their surprise, she never thought she'll bring her old sewing machine...but she did. Jenna was overjoyed. She couldn't believe that her mother is not only very creative but also very resourceful and only think about what is best for her family. She --Josephine can see the future. She can visualize what will happen to them. She is always prepared of the many consequences being away from Italy. She seemed to have a plan nestled on her mind. Jenna couldn't help herself, kissed her mother on the forehead and embraced her with much affection.

"Even if we are stranded in this unknown island I want to make sure that you and your sister will have a grand wedding." Josephine told the sisters. "And it's your turn first, Jenna. "Maybe next time it's Rosalee, " Josephine smiled.

"What about me Mother?" asked Eric.

Josephine looked at Eric and laughed, " Eric maybe we wont be here at the island when that happened. You are still too young to get married.

Scenes of happiness filled the family, the whole clan and  later on they were all busy with the preparation for the wedding of Jenna and Loren. The Torres family keep on finding the best gift they can give to Jenna and family. They need a dowry. They searched inside their house, their old trunk. Atlas! They found something of equal importance to them and to the Keeping's family. But they have to follow another tradition, they have to give an offering of live animals. The Torres family have to hunt whatever animals they can find at the jungle. Elmo can go with Loren to hunt these animals. It doesn't matter if the animals can fly, crawl or how many legs they've got as long as the family of Jenna will approve such offering.

Elmo and Loren are ready prepared with their hunting gear and  about to embark on looking for the best offering that they could find through the vast jungle when Mila and Tamara asked if they can go with them together with Joselito, Jolina, Cade and Joseph. At first Loren was reluctant but knowing the girls are good hunters and they knew how to use ax, hatchet and crossbow and arrows they could be of great help. Elmo just shook his head in defiance but Loren is his son and it's up to him. The decision is up to his  one and only son. Loren knew what his father is thinking but he whispered, "they are my cousins, father." You'd better know that.

"I know they are!" whispered Elmo. Relentless pursuit of what to offer made them so choosy about what to get in the first place. They have seen so many birds flying around the island.  Too many species of birds on top of the trees, birds on the branches of berry trees. Parrots, macaws in different size and colors. Bright colors that are so tantalizing to their eyes.

"How about those beautiful macaws father? Would that be good?!?" Loren asked Elmo.

Elmo pretend to be deaf. His mind is somewhere else. Then Loren heard a reply from Tamara, " I like those macaws." "I like them as pet."

"How many arrows in your possession Tamara?" asked Loren.

"I have only thirty arrows!" answered Tamara but I can make more arrows using bamboo stick if need be. "Why? How many animals you need to hunt?" asked Tamara who is more than curious why his cousin asked.

Loren didn't answer. It was Mila who explained that maybe he wants to hunt some animals for food. One for the offering and meat for food ... for the wedding reception. That is a clear explanation, reason  which Loren didn't tell them but now they know. They continued their wide search until they reached the center of the island. It was hot and humid. They were perspiring, their brows, their arms, their whole body sweating from the long walk. Elmo told them to sit on the grass while they wait for the next plan of action. Good that they brought water to drink. While they were seated they heard some commotion at the east side of the jungle. Mila stand up and she yelled at what she had seen ten feet away from their place.

"Holy Jesus!" Mila exclaimed.

She hollored to them, "come quick and be careful don't make any noise." The group followed her almost on tiptoes then they looked at what she is pointing to them.

"Oh my goodness! Goats!!! Lots of goatssssss!!!!!!!!!" Tamara started to giggle.

There are lots of goats. Herds of them beside some peculiar shrubs. The goats were nibbling on something. Since they were busy eating grass and those fruits from the many bushes close to the birch trees, they were also busy trying to capture these herds of goats. They issued a plan for everyone of what to do. They opened spread  their big net the one they are using for hauling fish from the ocean. They want to try if it works with goats. They surrounded the herd of goats and drop the big net all at once in abrupt action. Twenty three goats were captured all at once. Instantly! With the remaining rope enough to tie them together. It was that easy. They are getting better with hunting. Cade who is more than curious with what they are nibbling, opened one of the goat's mouth and finds out.

"Uhm, looks like berries!" These goats like berries?" he laughed at his find.

Elmo and Loren looked at the goats mouth, opened it wide  and exclaimed, " Coffee beans!!!!!!!!!!!!" They are eating fresh berries from coffee plant. They all laughed so hard and end up picking so many berries from the bushes and shrubs almost like a bean plantation in that region.

"No wonder these goats are so hyper." "They keep jumping up and down." Mila told the group.



"So many berries, so little time! Picking up berries and having so much fun!" Joseph muttered happily. They left the area after filling up their pockets, their handwoven baskets with fresh berries they have to share with the whole clan.