CHAPTER 6

 

 

 

DAKOTA WAS WORRIED. When they arrived home after the performance, Yemaya took a quick shower and went straight to bed without saying anything. Sliding under the sheets next to her, Dakota found her lover had already fallen asleep. She closed her eyes, hoping her ancestral spirit grandmother would sense her anxiety and visit her. Within minutes, she, too, drifted into a restless slumber.

"I be right here, chil'," the familiar voice of Granny spoke. "What be troublin' yah?"

Opening her eyes, Dakota saw both her great-great-grandmother and Mari, Yemaya's ancestor, sitting beside her. Relieved, she gave both of them warm hugs.

"Oh, Granny, I don't know, but I think something went wrong during Yemaya's performance tonight. She's acting strangely."

"How so?" Mari asked.

"She seems preoccupied. I asked her about it. She said she was just tired, but I know better. I can sense it. And tonight she went to bed without even saying goodnight. That's not like her."

"Maybe she be just that. Yah knowed the two of you don't get the rest yah needs, between all that travelin', and her performin' and such... and I ain't even goin' into yer beddin' activ'ties."

"That's not it. And I sure wouldn't be criticizing us about our sex lives, considering you two never stop, from what I hear."

Rolling her eyes, Mari intervened. "Dakota, I think you're overreacting to what Maopa said. You know she wasn't criticizing you."

Dakota's green eyes suddenly filled with tears. "I know. Sorry, Granny."

"No need to be apologizin', chil'. I knowed yer worried. Maybe Mari can call her here ta see what's up."

Moments later, a very tired looking Yemaya appeared next to them. She looked slightly confused and didn't say anything for a few seconds.

"Grandma Dakota, Mari, is something wrong?" she asked, regaining some of her composure.

"That be what we be wond'rin', deary. This here grandchil' of mine be worried yer ailin'."

Yemaya shifted her gaze to her lover but failed to make eye contact, an action the two spirits quickly noticed. Before the Illusionist could answer, Mari placed her right hand on Yemaya's left cheek, catching her by surprise.

"What bothers you, daughter?"

"I have no idea. Just a feeling. I think I've been overdoing things and need a real vacation."

"Maybe. What kind of feeling?"

"That's just it. I have no clue. Tonight's show went well, at least what I remember of it, but there were some moments during my routine that are missing."

"Tell us about it. Perhaps between the four of us we can figure out what happened."

Yemaya described each step of the routine. When she got to the part where the lid was lowered onto the sarcophagus, she hesitated before continuing.

"All I remember is lying in the darkness and then feeling short of breath, like I couldn't breathe. I thought I was suffocating, and then, nothing. The next thing I knew, I was standing onstage in my apparition costume staring at the rest of my crew. How I got there, I have no idea."

"Maybe you suffered from a slight oxygen deprivation. That would explain the difficulty in breathing and consequent blacking out," Mari said.

"True, but not how I escaped and managed to change costumes so quickly. Surely I would remember that. And then there was my crew's reaction. They were confused. Their relief when I appeared was almost palpable."

"I think Yemaya may be right. You two definitely need a real vacation."

"That be true, chil'."

*  *  *

Dakota, who had been sitting quietly, listening to the conversation, said, "Listen, sweetie. Your tour's over with. When we wake up, let's just pack our bags, get in my car, and go wherever the wind takes us. I can call Sonny for you and tell him we'll be incommunicado for a few weeks. Your brother and Reymone will handle everything back home until we return."

"I wish it were that easy." Yemaya rubbed her eyes as though still tired. "Somehow, whenever we go on a trip, trouble always manages to follow us."

"That's because you don't go to the right places," Mari said with a grin.

"And that would be where?"

"Here."

"Here? In the dreamworld?" Yemaya laughed. "You surely don't expect us to stay asleep for the next few weeks while we romp around in this place."

"Of course not. Don't be such a pessimist. While you and Dakota are here, Maopa and I will take care of your physical bodies."

Yemaya and Dakota looked at each other in confusion.

"And just how are you going to do that?" Dakota asked.

"It's really quite simple, if you agree. While you two get to play here, Maopa and I get to play there. It'll be fun. I've never been a human before, and your grandmother can show me what it's like."

"And exactly what will you two be doing with our bodies?" Yemaya crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows in a questioning manner.

"Nothing you wouldn't do," Mari said, her pale blue eyes glinting with mischief.

"That's what I thought. I'm not sure I like this idea."

Dakota, however, felt differently. "I do. Two or three weeks here in our favorite spot? No worries about our lives or bodies in the real world? What's not to like?"

"Dakota. Think about it. As much as we love and trust these two, do you really want them in control of our bodies and our minds? And do you think people aren't going to notice a difference?"

"Just your bodies, dear," Mari said. "Your minds will be here, and what do you care what we do with the rest of you as long as you're here enjoying yourselves? As for what others think, since when did you care about that? Besides, think of it as your gift to us for the wonderful time you'll be having here."

Yemaya obviously was outnumbered. "As long as you make sure you don't get us arrested or in any trouble."

"Now, that ain't very nice," Maopa teased. "I'm thinkin' about a big, juicy steak with mashed potatoes and gravy and showin' Mari 'bout bein' human."

"So how do we go about doing this?" Yemaya asked.

"Consider it done," Mari said.

In a blink, the Earth Mother and her spirit partner disappeared, leaving the two women alone to again experience the unlimited pleasures of Mari's world. After the spirits' departure, Yemaya glanced at her lover and laughed. Dakota gave her a questioning look.

"Mari should have stayed around a bit longer. This isn't the best time of the month to be babysitting my body."

It only took seconds for Dakota to understand her meaning. "Oh boy." She rolled her eyes dramatically.