Page 87 of Bridesmaid for Hire
“You have completely lost it,” I say as we follow the group around a bend and to an isolated lagoon with a wooden bridge that leads out to a hut. That must be the palapa.
We’re guided down the bridge, across the crystal-blue water, and into the hut, which is big enough for all of us. A red and cream rug is spread across the entirety of the wooden floor and there are kneeling pillows lined up on the ground for us. Two women sit at the front, holding wooden sticks and smiling as we enter.
We’re directed to take a seat across from our partner and then we’re all handed a set of wooden sticks, two per person.
Liko explains the tradition of the titi sticks, which are supposed to help couples with their communication, a practice that requires teamwork. I’m immediately on edge because communication and teamwork really aren’t Brody’s and my thing. The last few days have proven that.
Not sure Brody can take another blow to the ego today, so I lean forward and ask, “Is your leg okay to be in that position? We can sit this out if you want to.”
He shakes his head. “I’m good.”
Okay, going for utter annihilation in the humiliation department today. Got it.
Liko demonstrates with Nakoa what we’re supposed to do—start with one titi, tapping it against the ground before tossing it to your partner. Your partner does the same thing.
Tap.
Tap.
Toss.
Lord, help us.
We straighten our shoulders and Brody nods at me that he’s ready, so I tap the titi twice and then toss it. Brody catches it. He taps twice and tosses it back to me. I catch it and do the same. Together as a group, all of us fall into line, tapping our titis and tossing them.
I’m actually really impressed. We’re all synched, creating a rhythm that sounds pretty cool.
“Now, we add two,” Liko says.
So, I pick up my other titi and do the same thing.
Tap.
Tap.
Toss.
Brody catches the titis with ease, taps them and tosses them directly into my hands so I don’t even have to move. I smile back at him and do the same.
From the corner of my eye, I catch the twins stumble as well as Reginald and Regina, which of course gives me some slight satisfaction.
After a few more minutes, Liko stops us, and we all pick up our titis. Now we’re supposed to tap, tap, and toss all four at the same time. Someone takes the outside toss, and the other person takes the inside toss.
This is where it gets tricky. Brody nods that he’ll take the inside and so as we tap in unison, we lift, tap, and toss at the same time, both catching our titis.
And we’re the only ones.
Everyone else dropped them or knocked them together.
But Brody and I…we continue.
We tap together, we toss together.
Tap together.
Toss together.
We’re so in unison, such a well-oiled machine that we don’t stop—we keep going, creating a soothing rhythm that impresses even Liko and Nakoa. The other couples stop and watch us. And the whole time, as I concentrate on Brody’s toss and staying in time with him, I can’t decide if I should be impressed with us or absolutely terrified.
