SUNGLASSES AND ROCKETS Part 1 : New Moon

MOSES MASTERTON'S TEAM

My friend walked towards the ballroom. I could do nothing else but follow him, trembling. Marimba music, mixed with a happy murmur, came out from the enormous wooden doors of the ballroom. It seemed like quite a lively gathering.

We got ready to go in, but the porters stopped us in the act. They did not hesitate to deny us entry; I felt a certain sense of relief.

"This is going to be difficult," I announced. "Look at the way we're dressed, it would be better to wait outside..."

"I don't think so..."

Felix appeared among the crowd. He spoke with the ushers. From their gestures, I knew they were making an excuse for us. Darnn!

We had barely entered when the doctor called for us by name from a corner. Instantly, several people turned to look at us. I felt uncomfortable and hot. We walked among the elegant guests towards the group of people that were conversing beside the doctor. I was red with shame.

"Psst," Darwin called. "Look who's next to the doctor."

I lifted my gaze. Vanessa was in the group.

"Oh God!" I exclaimed. "Oh God!"

Keep your arms by your sides, I told myself, do not perspire. Do not perspire. Just breathe.

The doctor made a motion to toast with his glass, and he walked forwards to meet us. He took a swallow of his drink.

"I didn't expect this to be the reception," he admitted, lowering his voice.

He was glowing.

"Did all of these people come to welcome you?" Darwin interrogated, amazed.

"To welcome us" the doctor corrected with a smile. "Come with me."

There were at least 200 people there. That did not amuse me too much. After all, I would be the one who would make a fool of himself in front of such an exclusive gathering—I had to give a speech.

"Erasmus Darwin and Gordon Goddard," the scientist said reverently as we approached his group of friends, "My two young and promising assistants."

I saw surprise in the expression of the pretty face of the Venezuelan girl, or perhaps it was emotion. I felt a profound satisfaction. We immediately shook hands with all of the guests around the circle. I was careful not to separate my arms from my body. It was my turn to say hello.

"Gordo!" she exclaimed with genuine delight. "I didn't know that you worked for my uncle!"

How lovely she looked with her eyes wide open like that. Suddenly I felt a feeling of peace come over me.

"Your uncle?" I asked incredulously.

"Moses Masterton is my uncle!"

I could not continue the conversation: the doctor started to make comments, in the way of introductions. I went back to my place in the circle. It looked like all those present spoke English, but I realized that I was not paying any attention to their words. My feelings had already submitted to Vanessa's charms. The only thing I noticed was the expression of fascination with which those elegant people contemplated us. I felt like a rare species.

The brunette girl approached discreetly.

"Uncle," she said, elbowing the doctor, "You never told me that you had assistants."

"Oh! It all happened so fast...Gordo, Darwin, I'd like to introduce you to my niece, Vanessa."

"I already know them!" she reproached.

The doctor looked at her uncomprehendingly.

"Uncle, I went to the Anderson School in Washington, D.C. I came back to Guatemala yesterday!"

The doctor lifted a hand to his forehead.

"Oh! How could I forget!"

Vanessa let out a cute little sigh.

"He's hopeless," she whispered.

"You live in Guatemala?" I asked under my breath.

"Of course, I'm Guatemalan."

"You never told me you were from Guatemala. I thought you were Venezuelan."

She smiled in surprise.

"Venezuelan?"

It looked like Darwin had heard the admission. I came up to him.

"Did you hear that?" I said in his ear. "She's Guatemalan. She's not Venezuelan."

"Guatemala, Venezuela, Panama..." he enumerated. "It's almost the same thing, right?"

I went back to lovely girl.

"Well, I'm half Guatemalan," she clarified, "and half American. My father is Guatemalan and my mother is American."

"So, how many relatives do you having in Washington D. C.?"

"Really just my aunt Cindy Jo. Uncle Moses lives all over the world; last year he was living in Africa."

Uncle Moses, I thought. How strange it sounded.

I don't know at what point we had separated from the group. Before I noticed it, we had left the room. Destiny guided us towards the edge of a lovely swimming pool...