Heir of the Jungle

She smiled at the Don when she entered. She kissed his hand and handed him the customary gift. He had been trying for months to arrange her visit. She had some excuse. Something about her being family. It would be appropriate for what she thought he wanted to occur. It was what he wanted, so he wasn't going to say it wasn't, and close off the opportunity. He opened the box. It was a man's ivory comb. He gasped at it's beauty. Although it was not customary to give the guest a gift. He had bought her one. He had even purchased it himself. His staff had been surprised. He handed her a medium sized box. She tried not to laugh when she saw it. A two piece. She smiled " I quess we are going swimming." He chuckled "Do you like it? Did I get the size right?" "It's perfect." she replied.

The evening was filled with drinks and music. The music in his house was always in spanish. He had inherited a spanish household. It was only right to keep it one.

In his mind, she was not as loyal to her heritage. If she had been the chosen heir, Americans might be littering the grounds. Americans did just that-they littered. They showed no respect for other cultures ways. Tonight neither of them discussed New York.

The Don had long brown hair. One of his better qualities. She smiled and offered to comb it. He feeling as if he was making progress, moved closer to her. She combed his hair. She used a sensual oil to moisten the hair. They both were silent. The musicians wondered if they should leave, but they stayed.

Suddenly she changed the mood. She walked to her bag, and got a mirror. She held it up for him. He smiled, realizing that he had missed the opportunity. He called his servant to show her to her room.

She slept soundly that night. She had bathed as soon as she got to her room. She did not really like the Spanish scent. The beds were feather, How could she not sleep?

When she awoke , the house was in chaos. They seemed to have forgotten her. She asked for the Don. The staff member broke into tears, She tried to comfort the crying woman, but the servant quickly backed away.

There was noone to fix breakfast and so she went to try on her swimsuit. It fit. She knew it would. This man would never get a woman's size wrong. She spent the morning ignored, in the pool.

At lunch time , she packed her bags. and left. When she reached the village she heard people talking about a rumor. The wealthy Don Garcia, who lived in the jungle, had died. She ate lunch and the returned to New York.

Days later she got the letter she was expecting. She had been declared the Don's heir. They would send the forms to her lawyer. Then the property and money would be hers. She smiled. She planned to move to the jungle. Most of the money she would give to the town, She was a grown woman. She had a business. She could manage to live on what she earned. She smiled,"Most women can". She called to her daughter. "Come on Maria, you and your mama are going home."