Chapter 12 Rebirth 245

THE DRIVE HOME TO Puerto was magical. I am sure I was still in shock for at least the first fifteen minutes, but Emily had settled into a more peaceful place after the excitement of the surprise and the emotional response she hadn’t expected to have. As we drove out of the airport and headed south on the highway toward Puerto, I told Emily all about the people I had met, the magic of the land and the Mayans, and of course, my excitement about the dolphins and Javier. As I shared, Emily asked questions, and before I knew it, we were turning onto the cobblestone entrance road that would lead us to Mariposa. We both wanted to share more deeply, but we agreed it wasn’t the right time, and, after all, we would have ten days to talk and heal.

Emily was starving, and I was anxious to show her the marina before wowing her with Rhonda’s villa. I suggested we have a bite to eat at Gringo Dave’s, watch the dolphins and stroll around the marina so she could begin to get her bearings. With the exuberance that accompanies youth, she wasn’t at all tired from the early morning flight and the excitement of her surprise arrival, so we found a place to park in back of Rosa’s building and headed through the alley under the ever-beautiful bougainvillea. Just as I had responded upon first arriving in Puerto, Emily was awed.