Chapter Nine

The base camp was like many other scientific sites. Any outbuilding used for research was specially equipped and state of the art for the jungle. The housing for the scientists and other participants might appear primitive to the casual observer, but was remarkably comfortable.

The team had been welcomed and shown to their new residences and workplaces. After settling in, Eric went in search of his long time friends, Eden and David Martin.

“She’s coming here, Eric?”

Eden Martin was astounded but ecstatic at the same time. Over the years, they’d practically given up hope of ever meeting Harriet Aristides.

“Oh yes, and I think you’ll be surprised.”

“I don’t think so, Eric. We’ve had reports, remember.”

“Ah yes, I forgot. That would be from… me.” Eric grinned as he watched his two old friends. How he had missed them! They had many memories that bound them together, more so than blood ever could. Somehow, the feeling of coming home was never more acute than now in their presence.

“I thought I was the absent minded one, Eric.” David Martin tapped his hand on the larger man’s shoulder in a friendly gesture as he looked around for his pipe.

“My friend, I believe it’s called selective memory loss.”

“Oh, Eric, really. David remembers nothing but his botanical finds. How he remembers to come home each evening, I’ll never know,” Eden remarked as she looked over at her husband of thirty-five years. In her eyes, he hadn’t changed at all. He might not be the best looking man around and he certainly never recalled a birthday or anniversary, but he was hers. She had fallen for him the very first day she’d met him in college. Fortunately, he’d been smitten as well.

“Precisely my point…selective.”

Eric recognized that Eden and David Martin were far from the classic match. Most would say they were mismatched in many ways. Eden was attractive, outgoing, bubbly, and planned things studiously. David, on the other hand, was plain in looks, shy, and extremely absentminded. Opposites apparently did attract, and they did so in a very loving way.

“What do you make of the others in the party, Eric?”

“Jenson is a good guy, a little slow on the uptake but capable. Lawrence could be difficult in the wrong conditions, hopefully we won’t have those.” The Martins both gave him a quizzical glance.

“Hmm, how should I put it better? Well, why not wait for the others and then you can make up your own minds.”

“Okay, who else is there, my friend?” David asked, perplexed by the evasion.

“Tremayne is young, but knows his stuff and is willing to learn. St. Clare is finding his feet but enthusiastic.”

“I see you have Roja as your guide. Who chose him?” Eden asked suspiciously.

Eric heard the slight bitterness in Eden’s tone, but he refrained from asking what caused it. If she wanted him to know, she would tell him. “From what I gathered, he came highly recommended and so far he’s done what we needed.”

“Yes, to a certain extent he would do so but I’d watch out for him. He’ll sell you out to the highest bidder.”

Eden walked over to the cabinet and retrieved the pipe her husband was looking for. He never managed to find it on his own. God blessed her with a loving child in adult’s clothing. Her husband needed her and she would always be there for him.

Eric looked around the comfortable room and was once again amazed at how adept the Martins were at making something so temporary into a home, in every sense of the word. It had crossed his mind more than once that they were born to be nomads with the understanding of what was needed to make that work. His eyes then shifted to the photographs that stood proudly on the bureau. A lifetime in photographs in more ways than one. He looked at the last one taken of Abby when she was nineteen.

In that long ago time, life had been so different for them all, so simple. Happiness had flourished in those days as the sun shone brightly and love was everywhere. Laughter had been replaced with a sorrow for those departed and those lost. Eric wondered if life could ever be that simple again.