put a few pieces aside. I get out my tiny pot and pour water from the cantina and then add the lemon, ginger, and teabag. "My grandparents lived with us. They were migrant workers and eventually got a job at the production plant in town, but like your family, they grew up hunting to survive. My grandfather taught my brothers and me how to hunt when we were young. My grandmother taught us how to use whatever we had to create different flavors. If you killed it, you had to skin it and cook it. That was the rule."
She smiles. "That sounds like a nice family tradition."
"Never saw it that way, but I guess you're right."
"Do you see your family a lot?"
My heart sinks. "My grandparents died a few years ago."
"I'm sorry. That must have been painful."
"They were in their eighties, but I didn't get to see a lot of them after I left for the military. I see my brothers and father a few times a year."
"That's nice."
I pull the boiling liquid off the fire, pour it in a cup, and then add honey to it. I hand it to Zoe. "Careful, it's hot."
She takes it and pauses. Her eyes glisten, and I can't read the expression on her face. "Thanks."
I wink. "No problem, my Little Diva."
A smile plays on her lips. She takes a small sip.
Just ask her.
"Do you see your family ever?"
She closes her eyes and leans her head against the tree. "I've not seen them since I was fourteen."
Pain crosses her face.
I place my hand on her thigh. She opens her eyes and glances at me. "Can I ask why?"
"I ran away, so I didn't have to pick berries my entire life. My parents kept telling me that I needed to accept my place in life. When I started making a decent wage, I sent them money every month. I wrote them letters and asked them to write or call me if they had a phone. We didn't have one when I grew up."
"They never contacted you?"
"No," she chokes out. "I kept sending them money. And bigger checks too. Once I switched management firms, I sent them huge checks. They always are cashed, but there's never a letter."
"You deserve better than that."
She shakes her head. "No. I don't."
"Zoe—"
"Can you just focus on your snake and stop asking me questions? You hyped this up, so it better be good."
"It will be," I insist.
"Then get to work and let me drink my tea in peace."
"You’re so bossy."
"Someone needs to keep you in line."
You can keep me in line any day.
Taking the piece of lemon I saved, I squirt it on the snake and set it aside. Then I find another spice pack in my bag, throw some in a little bowl, add honey, and hot sauce. "You like it spicy, right, my Little Diva?"
"Bring it."
I chuckle, add some more hot sauce, then cut the snake in tiny pieces. I roll them in it. "Open," I tell Zoe and hold a bite near her mouth.
She cringes.
"Come on. You haven't even tried it."
"How do I know there aren't bones?"
"I don't think there are, but just be careful. You aren't a kid anymore."
She takes a deep breath and exhales. "Fine." She opens her mouth, and I pop it in.
I sit on pins and needles, holding my breath, watching her chew. "Well?"
She swallows and licks her lips. "Not bad."
"That's it?"
Her lips twitch. "I might have another bite."
I bring another piece to her lips. "I'm going to consider this a big success."
"It's better than your rat this morning."
"Hey, my rat was delicious."
"Mmm...not sure I would say delicious. Edible is more appropriate."
I put a piece in my mouth.
"Do you even miss normal food?"
I snort. "My grandmother made tamale's all the time. They were delicious. I've been in Europe for a long time and haven't had any tamales for years."
"I make good tamales."
"Yeah?"
"Mm-hmm. Well, I used to. It's been a while." She takes a sip of tea.
I put another piece in her mouth. "Bet you still got it."
She shrugs and chews.
"You want more tea?"
"No. This will be enough. Thanks. It...it was sweet of you to make it and get me all these things."
"You're welcome. It's not a big deal."
"It is to me."
Silence.
A monkey howls and another one grunts. Zoe jumps closer.
"They aren't nearby."
"How do you know? And don't give me your sexy wink. Give me some proof."
"Sexy, huh? Like this?" I wink.
She groans, puts her mug down, then places her hands over her face.