Story 18 - Part 1 - It’s Been Years

“Oh,” Mrs. Thompson cried out as she hugged Vire. “It’s been so long.”

“Mom,” Jordan laughed. “You saw us two weeks ago at the wedding.”

“I miss you so,” her mother-in-law said as Vire watched her practically smother Jordan.

“Where’s your brother?” Mr. Thompson asked Vire.

“I’m not sure,” Vire admitted as she looked around.

“Oh, well I wanted to thank him for getting us to the wedding in time,” the old man said.

“It was certainly a surprise,” Vire grinned. “I have no idea how he pulled it off, but I’m glad he did.”

It had taken a few days for the entire road trip party to make it through the jungle and to the Kenti village. Vire had to admit that Carmine seemed to be quite happy while he was tramping around. From the very start of the trip, Carmine’s connections had allowed them to see things most people only dreamed of. She had never realized how much Carmine actually travelled until she had seen him in action. Her brother-in-law was at home with traveling.

The trip was a great extension of the honeymoon, but Vire really liked how happy Carmine seemed. He was normally a happy person, but Vire could tell the subtle differences between polite smiles and general enjoyment. The only time she had ever seen Carmine look happier was when he had been with his wife. Since the years past her sister’s death, Vire hardly saw such genuine enjoyment on her brother-in-law’s face.

“This place is awesome,” Don called out as he and Tech came running over. “At least half the people can understand our language, so all that leaves is translating for Tech.”

--Even then,-- Tech signed, --I can mostly just wave my arms and they seem to get the general idea. Is this where Uncle Car is from?--

“Why do you ask that?” Vire asked, curious.

--They all seem to know him and are thrilled to see him,-- Tech explained. --Not to mention he looks like some of them.--

“His mother is from here, I believe,” Vire explained.

“Yes,” an older woman said as she walked up to the group. “It’s always a joy to have her son come and visit us. And it’s very nice to finally meet more of the family he married into.”

“He talks about us?” Vire asked, surprised. “He doesn’t talk much about his family.”

“Very much like his parents,” the woman said. “He does not need to talk much for us to understand him.”

“Very much like him,” Vire laughed.

These people really were very much related to Carmine in some manner. They all had that same, observing look that seemed to read more into your expression than you had meant to give. At the same time, they all had an open and accepting attitude. The nearly week long stay in the village was probably going to be the best part of the road trip vacation.

“I’m sorry,” Vire said suddenly to the older woman. “I forgot introductions. I’m Vire Morgan Thompson. This is my husband, Jordan, and my son, Tech. That is Tech’s friend, Don Renoe.”

“It is lovely to meet you all,” the woman said. “I am Melina Gicardo. I am young Donatello’s great-aunt, I think that is the correct familial term.”

Carmine said something as he walked up to the crew, and after a few moments Vire was able to pick up that he was trying to get Melina to call him Carmine. It seemed that they had this discussion many times before, because there seemed to be more teasing than actual determination to make things change. Carmine was being called by his first name by everyone in the village, so Vire realized that she was going to have to get use to it.

“Vi,” Carmine grinned. “You can keep calling me Carmine. They’ve known me as Donny since I was a kid. I hope no one is confused by this.”

“I’m probably going to spend the entire time thinking that people are calling for me,” Don sighed.