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“Uh huh. No. To the left!” Antonio shouted up at the swaying palma canopy where bright multi colors rustled about within the giant leaves. “Your other left!” He corrected, cupping his hands over his small lips to emphasize the sound.
“I KNOW YOU’RE A BIRD PICO! YOU HAVE A LEFT WING! YOUR LEFT! YOUR LEFT!”
A chuckle escaped my chest as I watched Toñito flail his short boyish arms through the air at Pico. His toucan sat perched 200 feet above him, head tilted in mock confusion at the instructions he was getting from his pint-sized owner. I suppose being able to speak to animals and being able to communicate are two totally different things. Those two might as well be speaking different languages right now.
“Sí!” Antonio huffed before Pico’s beak began to furiously chip away at the round fibrous fruit hanging in plain sight.
“How many did Julieta say to bring back again?” The deep voice of my cuñado beside me questioned while scratching what little hair covered his chin.
I knew we should have written it down but everyone laughed when I made the suggestion. I felt my eyebrow raise at him, wanting to point out that fact but instead quickly swallowed the thought down.
“As many as we can carry Félix. I’d rather not have to watch this…”, gesturing at the ridiculous show Antonio and Pico were putting on, all to get a few coconuts, “... again.” At least they were determined, I’ll give them that. It was very cute.
“WOOHOO!” The tiny voice hollered proudly, holding up his first coconut in the air like he just won a trophy. You’d think it was his first time ever seeing one up close before, the way his nose wiggled as he sniffed the rough furry surface of it.
“Tío look!” Antonio added with a wild grin while hopping in place. “Can tía really make coconut milk from this?”
My shoulders shrugged unintentionally as I hadn’t a clue how my hermana was planning on making ice cream out of the coconut milk. These aren’t questions to be asking the family weirdo and my mind slowly wandered, picturing the vision I had earlier in the day that started this little mission of ours. Next time I have a spontaneous vision that is food related I’m keeping it to myself cause of course I’d get roped into completing this task.
“If anyone can, it'll be your tía, mijo!” Félix interjected just as another coconut came flying to the ground in front of us.
The sound it made as it hit the bottom and cracked open made me flinch, reminding me of the sound Casita used to make when another crack formed. The memory twisted my stomach and sent a wave of cold shivers across my skin. These flashbacks had been coming on more often and I felt powerless against them as my eyes glossed over, zoning out and into space.
“Ay amigo…”, Félix chuckled, pulling my mind back into the moment. “Whatcha think?” His shirtless body swayed like the palma surrounding us, dancing to the sound of the wind only it could understand.
“There might be more than one use for these things.” The two halved coconuts were being held up to his bare chest, continuing his mock rhythmic dancing.
I knew what he was doing, of course I did. He was trying to distract me from spiraling down a dark hole where my thoughts would take me, back to before, back to behind the walls. And I loved him for it.
“Think it’ll fit you?” Félix nodded my way smiling where I still sat, hidden in the shade of the trees.
The warm breeze picked up again, tossling my hair and giving the palmas a new tune to sing. I closed my eyes and took in the feeling. I can do this, I smiled.
“Only one way to find out.” I smiled back.