Tribute

“Welcome home!”

A cluster of party goers next to the sparkling swimming pool shouted and cheered when Daniel Hughes stepped through the sliding glass door onto the patio of his parent’s Hilton Head mansion. Other clusters of people scattered around the sunny plush lawn joined in with shouts and cheers. Besides the “Welcome home,” some shouted, “The great adventurer returns!” and “Hail to the conquering hero!”

Their adoration filled Daniel with pride. His smile was so intense his face hurt. All the misfortunes he’d suffered were worth this lusted for triumphal celebration. Watching their heads turn whispering to each other as they applauded his grand entrance fueled his sense of entitlement.

The garden party this beautiful evening was in full swing. The servants threaded red, white and green trays of finger foods and umbrella drinks through the guests like fish through a coral reef.

Most of the guests were family, business executives of his father’s company, and neighbors. They knew how to dress for a garden party in colorful, cool apparel for the hot evening. The men competed with the women’s summer dress colors by wearing floral Hawaiian shirts and white slacks.

“Shall we greet your fans?” asked Cory Preston in a soft voice from behind Daniel. Daniel was pleased Cory knew his place. This was his family and friends, not Cory’s. This was his moment of glory. He cocked his head over his shoulder. Cory looked as thin and haggard as Daniel knew he himself looked. Both had endured the obstacles of Daniel’s Amazon expedition and barely survived.

This welcome home party wasn’t his first. His ego craved praise. Since working for his father gained him none, he earned it by climbing exotic mountains or traversing challenging environments.

Strolling among his guests, he and Cory occasionally rested by sitting with some in the shade. This hidden strategy allowed them to appear more vigorous than they really were.

Over by an open-sided white pavilion, his father beckoned to them. It stood halfway between the pool area and their beach.

“Here, both of you sit in the shade,” offered Daniel’s father, and handed them cocktails. In minutes, genteel people drifted towards Daniel and Cory.

A pretty, sun-tanned maiden in a group of coeds started a question session. “I heard you climbed a mountain in Brazil. But Brazil doesn’t have mountains.”

“Actually, they do. And yes, I did.”

Cory said, “It is called Pico da Neblina, and it is in the isolated northwestern part of Brazil. Few people live or visit there.”

Daniel frowned at Cory who’s dazzling smile dropped instantly from his faceand looked puzzled.

Daniel took over. “They said it was safe to climb Pico de Neblina. Yeah, right. It was the most dangerous trip I’ve ever been on.”

More groups gathered under the pavilion. Daniel’s father handed him a microphone and pointed to the string quartet musicians. “They’ll want it back when you’re done with it.”

Nearby, a standing middle-aged neighbor looked up from his smart phone. “This travel website says there are no roads to that mountain. Closest town is an 87-mile hike away through the jungle. How’d you guys get there?”

Daniel said, “It wasn’t easy.”

“Actually,” said Cory, “getting there was the easiest part.”

Daniel glared at Cory hoping he’d stop interrupting. This was his story to tell not Cory’s. Since Cory didn’t notice, Daniel interrupted." We almost missed the weekly plane to São Gabriel da Cachoeira. That’s the town you mentioned."

Cory barked a laugh. “Yeah. I had to pretend I was having a heart attack until Daniel got back from his Montezuma’s Revenge trip to the bathroom. When I saw Daniel’s angelic face leaning over me, my recovery was a sudden miracle.”

The audience laughed while Daniel smoldered. How dare Cory humiliate him?

Daniel took over. “The hike to the mountain was dangerous. At one point we waded through a swamp filled with caimans. I killed one by stabbing it in the eye.”

The audience gasped. Some in horror and some in disbelief.

“Oh, come on. What really happened? You stab a lizard?” said a male voice.

He couldn’t see the rude guy. Being seated, those standing around him obstructed Daniel’s view.

More people chuckled than before.

Cory spoke up, “No, really. Daniel killed one to save me. We were wading through thigh deep swamp water. The mud made it tough going. I saw the caiman swimming in front of me towards Daniel’s backside and yelled a warning. He turned around and saw the monster. He jumped backwards, fell, and disappeared under the brown surface. The gator was all I could see. It was stupid, but there was no time to think. I jumped onto its back.”

Several people gasped or said, “Oh, no!”

“If Daniel hadn’t stabbed it in the eye, it would have likely killed me.”

If Daniel still had his knife, he’d likely stab Cory in the eye right now. Was Cory clueless? His rendition made Daniel a coward. He should have simply said Daniel attacked the caiman, leaving out the part about him falling backwards in terror.

Cory showed confusion at Daniel’s pursed lips and frown. He mouthed, what? Daniel shook his head gently a few times.

“Did you ever climb the mountain?” came an old man’s voice from the side of the crowd.

“Yes, we did,” said Daniel. “It was quite a view from the top. I will post a picture on Facebook.”

“Daniel, the gold miner made you throw your phone in the creek, remember?” In a louder voice, Cory said, “Not to worry. I have several summit photos. I can post them on my Facebook. My names Cory Preston.”

“Oh, honey,” said an unseen woman in a seductive voice, “I’ll definitely be sending you a friend request.”

Was that his sister’s voice?

More chuckles from the audience threw Daniel into despair. Cory was destroying him. He had to stop him and repair his own reputation.

“For our descent, it was Cory’s idea to take a different route. It was a terrifying, steep climb down. We were relieved when the path leveled onto a small plateau. I led the way as usual. Pushing through a half mile of overgrown bushes, we suddenly stepped into an illegal mining operation."

Seeing some puzzled expressions, Daniel explained, "Gold mining is illegal in the Pico da Neblina National Park. Cory was so scared, he jerked me back into the jungle. It was clear from the burning campfire that the miner must be nearby. We hid for a while, but the crook never showed himself. I could tell there was only one guy, and we were two. To punish the scoundrel, I convinced Cory, we should help ourselves to a can of beans and a couple of beers. Then we got out of there.”

Daniel looked directly into Cory’s eyes and gave a tiny shake of his head with exaggerated pursed lips. You getting my message, buddy? Keep your mouth shut! No one could learn they’d helped themselves to bags of illegal gold dust. And what Cory had done to the miner must remain a secret. Cory had worried about it all the way back to the US. He’d never tell, but it might be fun to scare him some. Payback time.

Daniel said, “Our later run-in with the thief sent him fleeing into the jungle.”

Cory’s head jerked in panic toward Daniel. His expression pleading. Daniel gave Cory a broad smile.

A pretty young teen near the front of his admiring listeners asked, “Tell us how he made you throw your phone into the water. That must have been so scary.”

“It was nothing,” said Daniel. “We are here, so you know we got away.”

A few people chuckled.

Excellent, Daniel thought. I’m getting them back on my side.

“After we left the camp, the miner tried to ambush us. He was so noisy trying to jump into our path that we were ready for him when he appeared waving his machete around. He looked ridiculous. I took a photo of him for the police. That’s when the bully shouted some angry words in some barbaric language, and gestured for me to throw my phone into the stream next to our trail. I said, no.”

A male voice in the middle of the crowd said, “That was just plain foolhardy. He could have stabbed you.”

Cory continued the tale. “It got pretty confusing.”

Daniel mentally begged Cory, ‘Don’t you dare ruin this version of my story?’

But he did. “I don't get it, Daniel. Don't you remember throwing your phone into the creek? When you took his picture, he went for you with his machete. You ran tossing your phone to keep him from cutting you.”

“So how come,” asked Daniel, “he didn’t make you throw your phone in the water, too?” He felt vindicated when Cory blanched.

How do you like that? Cory had more to hide than Daniel did. In college, Cory’d pitched for the university’s baseball team. In Brazil, to save Daniel, he’d grabbed a rock and thrown a fastball into the center of the villain’s face. It broke teeth, and maybe the guy’s nose. Both were bleeding. The man was out cold but still breathing when they fled. They didn’t hang around to see whether he woke up or died.

Cory focused hard on Daniel and said, “I don’t know why he let me keep my phone, but he did.”

Daniel’s father took the microphone from Daniel. “Folks, I’m sorry to end their story, but the cater is ready to server dinner. Please find a table in here and we’ll begin.”

Daniel wove his way through the throng toward the front table. Some people made comments as he passed. “Daniel, you two were so lucky.” Another said, “Your friend Cory is quite a guy.”

Daniel felt his anger kindle again. Why were people complimenting Cory or including him in praise with terms like ‘both’? Looking around, he saw Cory heading out toward the swimming pool area. Most of the young women and men, including his cousins, followed him like a fan club.

A homicidal rage energized Daniel to march toward Cory across the lawn. His younger brother, Ben, stepped in front of him. “What are you not telling us?”

“Nothing.”

“Liar! I know you too well to buy such nonsense.”

“Get out of my way,” Daniel growled, pushing his brother hard. Ben shoved back, and both started swinging punches. Neighbor men pulled them apart as their father hurried up. Pointing to the head table, he said to Daniel, “Go sit down.” To Ben he said, “You too. I’ll deal with you later.”

“But he started it.”

Daniel stomped off to his place at the table on the elevated podium. As the dinner progressed, he could see Cory clearly over the heads of people seated at tables on the grass. Cory sat in the back among a group of Daniel's fickle friends. Shrieks of gaiety erupted every little bit. He was just the star of the show, wasn’t his little traveling buddy?

What was Cory telling them? Things to humiliate Daniel? There were other disasters during their return trip. Their adventure was a colossal failure. Daniel couldn’t allow more to come out. He couldn’t bear it.

More laughter from the rear of the pavilion exploded. Daniel’s hatred boiled. You honor stealing thief! I’ll ruin you. And what was with that fawning behavior going on around Cory? Had a woman licked his ear!

Cory looked at the head table, smiled and waved.

Daniel didn’t wave back. Instead, he brought his glass of red wine to his lips. It was then the disgraceful woman turned around and waved. He jerked, spilling the merlot onto his Hawaiian shirt. That waving tart was his sister.

Cory, you snake. You better blush. And you better watch your back. You’ve stolen this party from me, but no way you will ever become family.

WC: 1991