CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Sutton and the other children were allowed a field trip on their first week of school. Of course, the field trip was to the animal sanctuary and they were escorted by Luke, Ghost, Gaspar, Ian, Nine, Lucy, Sniff, and Mama Irene.
Immediately, it was as if the animals knew the children were special. They walked slowly toward them, gently nuzzling their legs or heads. The elephants lay in front of them on their sides and the children laid their bodies on top of them, feeling their deep breaths and low rumbles.
Their excited faces showed how they were absorbing the music of the animals. Gaspar asked Twiggy to give a trumpet and she excitedly replied with one of her best.
When Caraway and Poppy, the jaguars, came closer, their purring and rumbling excited Jagger so much he could hardly contain himself.
But it was Semu who stole the show. Using her own experience with sign language, she was able to communicate to the children, explaining the miracle and magic of the island.
She hugged the children, easily lifting them to a tree and showing them her home in the sky. Carefully, she lowered each one and then Bella, the boa slithered up.
Even the children were nervous at first, all except Pip. Pip sat down and allowed her to encircle him, giving a light, gentle squeeze. He touched her head, then ran his hand over her long, slithery body.
“Is that okay?” asked Sutton a little concerned.
“It’s okay,” smiled Gaspar. “She likes him. In a good way, not the snack kind of way.”
“I think she hears him,” said Sutton staring at them. “I mean, I think Bella understands him in some weird way. Is that possible?”
“Honey, I think anything is possible on this island,” said Gaspar. “I learned a long time ago not to question what these animals are capable of. Look over there. Melvin is riding Alvin’s back and looks as though he’s have a great time.”
Sutton laughed, nodding as the little boy held on while the huge alligator walked around in a circle. Oscar, Mabel, Penelope and Hank offered rides to the other children. The Komoda dragons were larger than even Alvin and the kids saw them just as strange looking dogs.
But it was Jagger that seemed to need to touch every animal, feel their breathing and their strange sounds. After each touch, each ride, each time his head lay on an animal, he ran to his notebook and scratched out musical notes that it seemed only his little brain understood.
Occasionally, the island would get animal visitors. Egrets, cranes, swans, hawks, and even an eagle on occasion. Today, they were all present as if they’d been called to attend Sunday services.
Charlie sat on the bench as the flock of strange birds landed on and around him. As if sensing his desire, each one sat on his shoulder or even on top of his head, careful not leave any unwanted waste. The boy would hold the bird, feeling it’s chest as it let out a loud cry or screech.
He would giggle in his own way, a smile spreading across his face and then would attempt to make the same sound with his magical voice.
“That’s fucking unbelievable,” said Nine. “I’ve known men that could make bird calls, ducks, that sort of thing but he’s actually mimicking everything those damn birds do, to the note. Maybe we should rename him Tarzan.”
“Brother, I hate to break this to you but I’m not sure any of these kids have ever even seen the animated version of Tarzan, let alone the movies we grew up on,” laughed Ghost.
“That’s true,” he nodded. “Still, I can’t help but feel as though we’re witnessing one of those miracles that are so rare, so strange, no one would believe us afterwards.”
“They are miraculous, aren’t they,” smiled Mama Irene.
“Are we talking the animals or the children?” smirked Gaspar.
“Both, smart ass.”
“Mama! You’re cussing an awful lot these days. Isn’t that against ghostly rules or something?”
“Don’t get fresh with me, Gaspar. I can haunt your dreams for the next fifty years if you’re not careful. I’m just admirin’ these beautiful babies and how they’ve connected with all the animals. It’s truly somethin’ special.”
“Mama Irene?” asked Sutton. “Do the animals understand me, even though I can talk and hear? Is it only all of them that they connect with?”
“No, baby. It’s amazing what animals feel, no matter what kind. They all have the capacity for love and protection and they can all communicate with you in their own ways.”
“I can talk to Semu,” she smiled. “She’s very funny and thinks Mister Gaspar and Mister Luke are too… too… What was the word Semu?”
The big gorilla signed something to Sutton and she laughed.
“We are not tense!” said Luke and Gaspar in unison.
“I believe that proves her point,” smiled Mama Irene. Jagger walked toward them all and excitedly began signing. Elizabeth and Jessica laughed, nodding at him.
“He’s written a symphony of the animal sounds. He’s going to need some help with percussion instruments and a few others. Do you think you can get him the list of instruments he’s requesting?” asked Jessica. She handed the list to Luke and he frowned.
“What the fuck is a hurdy-gurdy?” he said looking at Jagger. The boy rolled his eyes, as if saying he should know what that is. “Never mind. I’ll figure it out. I don’t need anyone under twenty-five making me feel stupid.”
“You’re not stupid. Just not smart about music,” smiled the boy. He ran off toward the others as they walked further into the island with the animals.
“Should we follow them?” asked Ian.
“I don’t know,” said Luke. “I feel like maybe we should allow them this freedom. They’re very comfortable here and with the animals.”
“Jessica and I have planned an entire curriculum around learning about the animals,” said Elizabeth. “The children obviously are getting musical inspiration from them but we want them to understand where they come from, why they’re here and more importantly, why it’s important to save them.”
“I love that,” nodded Ghost. “I wish I’d known more about the animals we’ve encountered over the years. I probably killed things out of fear when I didn’t need to. Some of the spiders in the desert were fucking terrifying. I had no idea if they were dangerous or not.”
“Maybe you should come and sit in on the class,” smiled Elizabeth. “Tuesdays and Thursdays at ten a.m.”
“You’re funny,” he frowned. “I’ve done my time in schools of varying degrees of difficulty. I don’t really want to be made a fool in front of a bunch of fourth and fifth graders.”
“Actually,” said Ian rubbing his jaw, “it might be fun and we’d be able to connect more with the kids, learn about their gifts. I damn sure don’t have a lot going on.”
“You know, Ghost, he might be right. What if we all hung out more at the school, sat with the kids, like a foster-grandparent program or something?”
“That’s true,” he nodded. “What do y’all think?”
“We would love it,” smiled Jessica. “Your experiences could help these kids see the world through a different perspective, not just what’s written in a text book.”
“Alright,” nodded Ghost. “I’m in on that. But if we get in your way, just kick us out.”
“You won’t get in our way,” smiled Elizabeth. “In truth, we love having you around. It makes all the teachers feel better when you’re wandering the halls. Not that we feel unsafe, it’s not that. It’s just having the familiar booming bass voices.”
The four men laughed, nodding at her.
“Alright,” said Ian. “We’re in. Tuesdays and Thursdays for sure, maybe more.”
“Good,” said Elizabeth excitedly. “How are you guys on woodworking?”
“Better than average,” said Nine proudly. “Why? Do you want us to start teaching the kids a shop class?”
“No,” she grinned slowly walking away, “we want you to teach them how to make their own instruments. Thank you!” She waved as she ran to catch up to the children.
“Hey! Wait a minute!” said Nine. “Damnit, that girl is sneaky as hell. I don’t know how to make a guitar or anything.” Ghost just laughed, slapping his friends back.
“Then I guess we better learn. Come on Pepe, keep the tail down but let’s catch up to the others.”