The Festival of Josette was the city’s biggest festival and lasted for six days, beginning on the twenty-fifth day in the seventh month of Yul. It celebrated the founding of the city by Walter Leonardo Fuente, nearly 170 years ago.
The Festival of Josette celebrated Walter’s journey from Terrance to Walter’s Grove and the beliefs that honored his change in musical style, the importance of dancing, and the right of a person to love anyone they wanted. The festival always opened with the reading of the Wall of Walter’s Declaration and played his most controversial song, What You See In the Light Is Not What You Think. That song revealed his marriage to two wives, Roxanne Pierponte and Penelope Mentz, and exposed the Konzill members (Terrance’s City Council) that were planning to marry multiple wives. The musician affirmed his marriage in that song, despite the Monogamy Act passed into law by the Regnator of Terrance, Syonne.
Syonne wanted Walter Fuente to annul his marriage to one of those women in order to keep his status as the greatest musician in the city of Terrance. Fuente refused and was forced to leave his birth city for good. The Festival of Josette used Walter’s Declaration and that song as a springboard to celebrate Walter’s Grove as a city different than rigid, uptight Terrance. I had always looked forward to the festival and getting to perform in it for the last two years had been one of the highlights of my life. Now, it was being taken away.
Latisha and I had arrived at Delia’s house the next morning after our practice, trying to get some answers on why we were removed from The Festival of Josette.
Delia lived in West Walter’s Grove District, which had the most luxurious homes in the city. Most of the homes were made in the Bremen style where the top formed into a triangle and had decorative columns, while the bottom half of the home was nondescript. The top half of the Bremen style homes in the district was where each homeowner showed their creativity and ostentatiousness. Each year there was a contest in the district to see which Bremen style home had the most creative top half of their house. The winner would be talked about in the district for that year.
Delia’s home was in a plain Bremen style and her top half looked exactly like the bottom half. She always told me that the interior of her home mattered more than the exterior. Delia had become well known to the people of the district because of her late husband, Manrique Villanueva. Together, they threw lavish parties for the people of the district and their signature liquor, Manrique, was the drink of choice. That liquor connected them to the wealthy and government officials of the city and turned Delia into a socialite.
“Good to see you both again.” Delia said, after we were brought into the living room by her butler, Hernando.
Delia Villanueva was an elegant, petite woman who always dressed impeccably every time I saw her. If Percy Braxton was the best-dressed man I had ever seen, then Delia matched him as the best-dressed woman. She had shoulder-length black hair with grey streaks. Most women of that district would have gotten rid of the grey streaks in their hair. Not Delia. She was proud of her grey hair and it did not take away from her elegance.
“Why are we getting removed from The Festival of Josette?” I said, as we sat on a large red velvet couch. I handed her the letter I got from Ralph Johnson.
Delia read the letter quickly and closed it. “The letter is stating that all three Level One Nightclub owners have agreed with Raphael Reynolds that Guanamamma music and dancing should not be played at their nightclubs anymore because this music was stolen from Nerdann tribe, the original people of this city. The Level One Nightclub owners support Raphael Reynolds’ petition to the Civita for the removal of all aspects of Walter Fuente’s creation of Guanamamma music and those who are closely aligned with it from The Festival of Josette. If we are going to celebrate the city’s musical and dancing heritage, then Piccanta music and dancing should be the only music featured at the festival.”
“Unbelievable! He’s gone to the Civita to carry out this falsehood.”
“Raphael believes deeply about Piccanta music, as you do about Guanamamma music,” Latisha said.
Delia nodded at her comment.
“That letter is lying. Walter Fuente founded this city and Guanamamma music upon his arrival from Terrance. He did not steal this music from the Nerdann tribe. Raphael Reynolds has gone too far with his propaganda against our music. How can you have the biggest festival in this city and remove the music Walter Fuente created?” I replied.
“Raphael Reynolds is determined to get Guanamamma music and dancing removed from this city,” Delia said. “He has lost all perspective on this city’s history.”
“He knows that Walter Fuente came from the city of Terrance and connected first with the Nerdann tribe upon his arrival. He had tribe members in his band. Those tribe elders would not let him have those members in the band, if he had stolen their music,” Latisha added. “Raphael Reynolds has to know that history. It is chronicled at the Civita. The Civita members can show him the letters Walter Fuente wrote when he first arrived. How can people believe Guanamamma music was stolen?”
“Exactly, my love. The Civita has all of those letters and anyone in the city can request to see them. Is Raphael Reynolds refuting those letters?”
“What proof would he have to refute those letters?” Delia countered. “I will talk to my contact in the Civita to make sure you both are allowed to perform at The Festival of Josette. Don’t worry, Ciscoe. I know what this means to you. You are just like Gustavoe when it comes to Guanamamma.”
“I’m just like my father?”
Delia smiled. “Of course, Ciscoe. You take after him when it comes to Guanamamma. You believe exactly like him when it comes to the dancing.”
My wife chuckled and stated, “Communication and connection are the essence of dancing Guanamamma. How you move your feet and lead your partner is what the dance is about.”
“Well, that’s true,” I replied.
“We know, Ciscoe,” Delia interjected. “Gustavoe was the same way. He taught you well.”
Latisha nodded at that comment. “He sure did, my love.”
My father emphasized that communication and connection were essential to Guanamamma dancing. I would get corrected immediately if he saw that I was leading my partner incorrectly during a dance. My posture had to be correct. My hands had to be in the correct position. I always learned to reach the three points of the dance without music with every teaching session taught by him. My father did not want me to get lost in the music or swayed by the lyrics. Guanamamma dancing needed to represent the music as its equal not just something created to have sex with as many women as possible. I had to admit that strident belief from my father was at odds with the city’s culture. I wanted to learn how to Guanamamma dance as a young adult to get with as many women as I could. The Wall of Walter’s Declaration did state that his city would be founded with a spirit of love. However, I began to see my father’s beliefs as my own as I got older. And being married and monogamous to Latisha for so many years had augmented my own beliefs about this dancing.
“My father was correct and Guanamamma dancing is about communication and connection,” I said. “Did you see how Harrell and Brittany danced with each other at the Mango? That is not dancing. They might as well have sex on the dance floor!”
Delia blushed. “I did not want to get you started. The tone of your voice even sounds like Gustavoe. The apple does not fall far from the tree.”
Both women laughed. I did sound like my father. He was the most important person in my life before I met Latisha. His love for Guanamamma music and dancing was genuine and I planned to do everything I could to keep it alive in the city.
I caressed my wife’s hand and sighed. “We had a young Viddhana couple come to our teaching session yesterday. I was surprised they would come to our district. The young woman of the couple shared that traditional Viddhana dance was similar to Guanamamma dancing. And by the way they were dancing, I believed her. If the Viddhana people have a dance similar to Guanamamma dancing, then it can show how it was meant for everyone in Walter’s Grove. And if Walter Fuente had stolen this music from the Nerdann tribe, then it would not have connected to another group of people in the city.”
Delia gave a small smile. “I know the young Viddhana people want to be a part of this city. They refuse to believe they would lose their culture if they interacted more with everyone else.“
“If we can show the Civita that the Viddhana people have embraced Guanamamma music and dancing, then we can make the claim it truly does represent the city. Stolen music cannot do that.” I stated.
“Correct, Ciscoe,” Delia added. “You both will dance at The Festival of Josette. I promised your father that I would uphold that position for you. And he has my word on that.”
***
If a man wants to marry more than one wife, it will be allowed in this city. I will never create or allow anyone else to create a law prohibiting anyone from loving as many people as he or she wants. This will be a city built from a spirit of music, dance, and love. Nothing else. I declare it on this day, the eighth of Nayur, the first month in the Year 94 A.O.A.
“Those were the first words I read when I arrived in Walter’s Grove,” Morrim Airto Goinz said in the sanctuary at Kahall Azur. Kahall Azur was built two years prior in the East Walter’s Grove District. Latisha and I had been attending Book of Kammbi teachings at least once a week since Morrim Goinz and several diakonos came to Walter’s Grove three years before. They came ninety days after Diondray Azur left Walter’s Grove. Diakono Malcolm Copperwith returned to Walter’s Grove after Diondray left Terrance for his birth city, Charlesville. He laid the groundwork for Morrim Goinz and the other diakonos to come to Walter’s Grove. Latisha and I had been the only parishioners for the past two years. We allowed Morrim Goinz to share the teachings from The Book of Kammbi from our home until Kahall Azur was built.
It was the first time any of them had ever been to any city south of the Great Forest. Their presence in the city had not been a smooth transition. Most citizens fundamentally rejected their teachings and wanted them to leave Walter’s Grove. The Book of Kammbi and its teachings stood in opposition to the Wall of Walter’s Declaration. However, Kahall Azur had gained more people to hear Morrim Goinz teach from that sacred book. More people from that district than any of the others in the city were becoming believers and followers of Kammbi. I always knew there would be a longing by people in this city for something more than Walter’s Declaration. If Latisha and I connected with the teachings from The Book of Kammbi, then others could as well. I didn’t agree with everything written in The Book of Kammbi, but attending the teachings with Morrim Goinz had opened my mind up to something bigger than myself and had strengthened my connection to Latisha. The fact that I received the book from Darcie had made me believe that it was meant to be here in Walter’s Grove.
“It is an interesting declaration,” the morrim continued. “A declaration that built this city. And how can an outsider like myself and the others that have come from Issabella, a city north of the Great Forest, object to it?”
Morrim Goinz held up the Book of Kammbi that lay on the podium in front of him in his thin, brittle-looking hands. The morrim had short, gray hair and wide eyes that took in everything around him as he taught. “These words in here tell me so. But I don’t come just to tell you that every word in this book is in total disagreement with the Wall of Walter’s Declaration. I love music. I love dance. I danced at parties back in Issabella all the time before I became a morrim. Movement is good physically but we need to do it by the spirit, in our case, the Eternal Comforter. Not for lust or desire out of its proper context. Everyone wants to love and be loved. But without a connection to something bigger than ourselves and a guide to navigate, the affairs of the heart can lead you astray. Our connection to Kammbi is what keeps us whole. Keeps us on balance and away from committing acts of passha. Keeps us in line with the one who gives life. The Life Giver wants all people from both regions of this land to be connected to him. And we have seen two men: one from the past and one from the present try to connect both regions for the glory of Kammbi. That’s why we are here. And thanks to Brother Ciscoe Maldonado, we know the seeds have been planted.”
The morrim smiled at me after his teaching. I nodded and replied, “People of the city believe in loving freely. Walter Fuente made that clear from his declaration, and everything in his life since he left the city of Terrance augmented that belief.”
“Very good, Brother Ciscoe,” Morrim Goinz said. “I have learned a lot from you since I arrived in this city. You speak of free love and I wonder… is love really free? For example, you have been married to Mrs. Maldonado for sixteen years, correct?”
I nodded.
“Alright, if love is free, as you say, would you mind if Sister Latisha gave it to another man as much as she has given it to you?”
I looked over at my wife and she frowned. I shook my head in disagreement.
“There you go, Brother Ciscoe. You don’t want your wife to give her love to another man. Why is that?”
“She has been the one person I feel the most connected too. Her love for me has been genuine and I don’t want to share it with another man.”
Latisha smiled and caressed my right hand.
Morrim Goinz grinned and continued. “So then we have a flaw in Walter Fuente’s declaration. I know his marital arrangement worked for him. But let me ask this question. If he believes in free love like he has declared, why stop with two wives? Why not three? Four? Or ten or twenty?”
I had to acknowledge Morrim Goinz’s point. Love was never truly free. Conditions were always attached to love. I had learned that lesson from my wife in our marriage.
“Speaking of love, there is something I love to do just as much as I love my wife,” I stated. “It is becoming clear that my love of Guanamamma music and dancing is being pushed out for another form of music.”
Morrim Goinz stared off for a moment before he replied. I could feel the stares from the other parishioners in the Kahall. “I see, Brother Ciscoe. Why do you think Guanamamma music and dancing is being pushed out?”
“There is a belief that our music has been stolen from the native tribe of this area. Walter Fuente took the music of the Nerdann tribe and made it his own without giving them proper credit,” Latisha added, before I could respond to his question.
I nodded and added. “That’s a lie, Morrim Goinz. Our history is clear that Walter Fuente acknowledged his new musical style with the Nerdann tribe and had several tribe members in his band during his time. Why do people just ignore those facts and believe something else?”
Morrim Goinz grabbed The Book of Kammbi from the podium and stepped towards the parishioners. “Let’s go to the book to see what Kammbi has to say about it. In Book Seven of the Ryianza section, Chapter Twelve, Kammbi says these words: Truth will always find a way to present itself, even when untruth speaks louder. Untruth that sounds like the truth is deceptive and persuasive. But truth never has to shout or demand itself to be right amongst untruth.”
“I’ve read those words from Chapter Twelve,” I replied. “And that untruth is taking away something I love. I cannot let that happen.”
I felt the stares from the other parishioners as Morrim Goinz returned behind the podium and continued reading. “Never attempt to right a wrong with another wrong. People believe that getting even will right a wrong. However, it will lead down a path to self-destruction. And self-destruction is the quickest way to become disconnected from the ones you love and the one who loves us all. Let the Eternal Comforter guide you before you decide to right a wrong. Because life has a way of showing the proper outcome, even when you cannot see it in the moment. Brother Ciscoe and Sister Latisha, I ask you as believers and followers of Kammbi not to engage in correcting a wrong with someone who wants to take away the thing you love to do. Trust the Eternal Comforter to guide your actions and words and let the wrongdoer be exposed for who they are.”
***
Percy called me on the phone later that day. He wanted to apologize about having Ralph Johnson give me that letter. We had left The Tajara after our performance and Percy said that he should have kept us in his office so he could talk about it in person. He knew we went to Saahib’s and had Ralph bring us the letter. I accepted his apology and explanation. I felt it was sincere and knew he was getting pressured from Darcie Fendlewiesen and Raphael Reynolds. He did not say that we were fired from performing at the nightclub. Percy would have to shelve our performance for the time being. I asked him if he was talking on the phone in his office to Darcie or Raphael after our performance. He went silent on the phone for a moment. I knew I had to confront them.
Latisha went to help Saahib out at the restaurant for the evening. I have always appreciated their relationship. Latisha admired her little brother and how he made something of himself with the restaurant. Saahib loved his big sister and was her biggest supporter, outside of me. I wished I had a sibling relationship like they had. However, I was the only child from my parents and I didn’t remember them ever mentioning they wanted to have another child to go along with me as I grew up. I knew my father did not want to have any more children because it would have gotten in the way of his dancing.
Darcie’s was the third and last Level One Nightclub in the Roxie and Penelope District. Darcie Fendlewiesen had always considered Darcie’s the best Level One Nightclub in the district. We always enjoyed dancing at Darcie’s the handful of times we visited. It was the largest of three Level One Nightclubs and had an elegant atmosphere that I liked. The club was three blocks away from the Mango on the corner of Ave Roxie and Ave Naima. Darcie’s took the entire block and was always packed to capacity.
It took me about ten minutes to get into the nightclub. The entrance line went all the way out to Ave Naima but it moved quickly. I entered and walked down the main hallway that led to the dance floor in the east section of the nightclub. People were dancing to Piccanta music played over the sound system. The music had that same deep, drumbeat and people danced like they were having sex. I shook my head as I walked past the dance floor to the special section behind it.
“Mr. Ciscoe Maldonado has decided to make an appearance at my nightclub. To what do I owe your presence, sir?” Darcie said, as I arrived at her table. She was sitting with Raphael Reynolds and both had several drinks of javann liquor at their table.
Darcie had long, blond hair that went halfway down her back. She had small eyes but high cheekbones that gave an interesting facial structure. Darcie was not beautiful in a classic sense but striking. However, she knew how to attract attention with her penchant for wearing colorful tight skirts that showed off her wide hips. Darcie wore a lot of silver jewelry that dangled from her neck, wrist, and ears. The nightclub owner soaked attention from her patrons like a queen being honored by her subjects.
“Why did you pressure Antonio Henderson to get us fired from the Mango and have Percy Braxton give me a letter that wants us removed from The Festival of Josette?” I said, and sat down across from them.
Raphael Reynolds laughed and said, “The upholder of Guanamamma music and dancing has arrived. This is a special occasion indeed.” He raised his glass of javann liquor at me.
“Where did you hear that from? Is your benefactor giving you bad information?” Darcie said, as a waitress handed me a glass of brownberry juice.
“Delia did not have to tell me what you are doing. The actions of your fellow Level One Nightclub owners have shown me what you are up to.”
“You do catch on quickly,” Raphael interjected, and continued with his drink of javann.
I watched my former lover take a sip of her drink. “I don’t want to argue with the man that I first connected with in this city. You are a smart man, Ciscoe Maldonado. You should know why you and your lovely wife were removed from The Festival of Josette.”
“What does Diondray Azur have to do with it?” I replied. “It has been four years since he was here in Walter’s Grove.”
Darcie frowned. “You showed him that book and confirmed for him that people in this city believed in those backwards teachings. Now we have morrims and diakonos in Walter’s Grove. This city was never meant to hold believers or followers in that awful religion of Kammbi.”
“I showed Diondray because he was questioning his belief about becoming the one to fulfill Oscar’s Prophecy. Seeing The Book of Kammbi just confirmed there has always been a connection between both regions of Kammbia. And that belief in Kammbi existed here in our city. Remember you gave me that book.”
Darcie frowned. “The worst decision I have ever made in my life. I should have burned that book!”
“It was a gift from your father.”
“I did not know that, Darcie,” Raphael said. “I still have a lot to learn about you.”
Darcie went pale and looked away from Raphael. “Don’t bring my past into this. You convinced Diondray that he should fulfill Oscar’s Prophecy and now he is nowhere to be found.”
I finished my glass of brownberry juice. “What are you talking about? I got a themily from him last year saying he had returned to Charlesville. He has been there since that letter.”
Darcie turned back towards me and seemed to regain her composure. “No. His Uncle Xavier forced him to leave the city and no one knows where he is. Furthermore, I blame you for showing him that book. Since you took something from me, I must take something from you.”
“You loved him,” I replied. “I did not know you would be interested in a man almost half your age.”
“You loved Diondray Azur?” Raphael said, and sat up straight in his seat. “How can you love a man who thinks he is the one to unite this entire land?”
“I think it is time for you to leave, Ciscoe,” Darcie said.
“I’m going to dance at The Festival of Josette. You may have pressured the other Level One Nightclub owners into stopping Latisha and I from dancing at their nightclubs. But it will not work. And Guanamamma music and dancing is what this city was built on. That will never change.”
Raphael curled his lips. “Guanamamma music was stolen from the original people of this area. It’s time for the truth come out.”
“Your truth, Raphael. Piccanta music is second rate and has nothing but drums. Real music is more than that!”
“Goodbye, Ciscoe. Thank you for coming tonight. But your time is up. You can always dance at those parties in the West Walter’s Grove District. Those people will always appreciate stolen music,” Darcie said curtly.
“Latisha and I are going to dance at The Festival of Josette whether you like it or not.”
“That is out of your control, Ciscoe. Even Delia will not be able to help you. You took something from me and now it’s time to return the favor.”
I left the nightclub.