Bonaire Bliss
"Flamingo sanctuary manager Selena shows wildlife photographer Erik the hidden lagoons where pink birds dance, and where they discover their own natural mating dance under Caribbean stars."
The flamingos trusted Selena. Erik watched her move among them, thick and graceful, pink feathers brushing her brown skin.
"They accept yuh if yuh patient," she explained. "If yuh still."
He was very still. Watching her.
"Yuh photographing the birds or mi?"
"Mostly you."
She showed him lagoons tourists never saw. Nesting grounds, feeding areas, the secret places where flamingos danced their mating rituals.
"Is beautiful," he breathed.
"Natural selection." She watched him. "Yuh ever wonder how humans got so complicated?"
"I'm starting to remember simplicity."
"Good." She took his hand. "Let mi show yuh more."
More was her cottage overlooking the sanctuary. Sunset painting the water pink. Her body more beautiful than any flamingo.
"In nature, the male performs to attract," she said. "In here? Yuh just have to be yuhself."
"What if myself wants you?"
"Then nature takes its course."
Nature's course led them to her bed, to sounds that made the flamingos seem quiet.
"Yes! Erik! Right there!"
That thick body pink in the sunset light, her mating dance infinitely more captivating than anything he'd photographed.
"Don't stop! This is natural!"
His photos won awards. The sanctuary gained funding. Selena gained a permanent assistant.
"Yuh staying?" she asked.
"The flamingos need me."
"Just the flamingos?"
He kissed her answer. No words needed.
Bonaire's sanctuary thrives. So do Erik and Selena.
Some migrations go one direction.
Some destinations become home.
Pink paradise.
Bliss found.