Flutterbug Island

“AHHHHH!” Jeremy’s voice screamed. “YOU SAID NO MORE FLYING.” His voice was muffled as they started falling tremendously fast the moment they stepped through the door.

“I'M SURE WE’LL BE OK T-T-TRY TO CALM DOWN.”

“YOU’RE YELLING IN ALL CAPS HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO CALM DOWN.”

Everything was a blur as they sped rapidly downward.

SPLASH!

The pair were doused in water and their vision went dark. Yet they continued to plummet.

“DEZ DAG PHIZ-YCS DNT MAK INY SENSE,” Jeremy tried to speak underwater. Grace, on the other hand, was not as frightened. Having recently handled the mechanics of flying, she knew whatever this new world could throw at her would likely not kill her.

Slowly, lights began to appear around them, forming long rows into the depths of the sea ahead. At last, they began to lose momentum as the dense water thickened. They floated down lightly to a clearing on the ocean floor.

They looked at each other, stunned.

A warped, gurgling sound came out of Jeremy’s mouth. Grace shook her head and signed We can breathe, but don’t talk underwater! It was true. They were far below the surface, though somehow able to breathe unobstructed or unaided. Surprisingly, they could even walk around, albeit heavier and slower than on dry land.

They made their way back to each other and grabbed hands to avoid drifting apart. Hundreds of vibrant coral surrounded them in the clear water. Must be somewhere in the Caribbean, she thought. Stepping over a clump of seashells, they saw a path separating two huge fields of seagrass.

Looks like this is the way, she signed, trusting that the path of least resistance was generally the right decision in these foreign worlds.

Can you see anything? Jeremy signed back.

Not really.

They moved slowly, taking in the view around them, however impeded their vision might be. They saw a school of clownfish making their way merrily across the clearing ahead; a large dark shadow formed in the distance, startling them, only to find it was a giant sea turtle who swam on, unfazed.

After a short while, they saw a tunnel cut into a massive boulder at the end of the path. They hopped up to the opening and swam on. A faint vibration could be heard as they waded deeper. Grace thought it sounded an awful lot like music as the consistent THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD echoed in the chamber around them.

At the far end of the chamber stood another door. Not a heavy, metal door one might see in a submarine, but rather a gothic-shaped wooden door. They drew closer and Jeremy turned the handle. What felt like a wave, pushed the two inside forcefully. The door shut behind them, of its own accord, sucking all the water with it.

The two stood inside, completely dry.

“Well that was a fever dream if I ever had one,” said Jeremy.

“No kidding.”

Turning, they saw a sign above that read: FLUTTERBUG ISLAND: LAND OF MUSIC AND MERRIMENT.

“Welcome!” Said a voice. A tall, brunette woman appeared seemingly out of nowhere. She wore a deep v-neck white shirt with a burgundy orange skirt. “We’re so glad you could join us. What’s your name?”

“Oh, of course!” Grace said, playing along as if this was exactly the person she expected to be meeting. “I’m Grace and this is my husband, Jeremy.”

“Such incredible energies. From the both of you!”

They smiled, unsure how to respond. “My name is Alexandria and I’ll be showing you around.” She led the couple up a steep flight of stairs to an elevator. Of course there’s an elevator underwater, Grace thought.

“How deep are we exactly?” Grace asked.

“I’m sorry?” Alexandria said.

“How far underwater are we? It felt like we were falling forever.”

“Oh! The attendee’s fall is as long as they require.” She said this as though it provided all the context in the world. Jeremy glanced at Grace with a this-chick-is-crazy look in his eyes. Alexandria directed them out of the elevator and into a lobby. This room was far larger than the others.

Above them, hung a dazzling chandelier with hundreds of strands of glass beads cut to different lengths. Each individual bead shone a different color as the multicolor light of the room’s ambient lightning reflected in every direction. Hundreds of people huddled in groups of all sizes, taking selfies, making a drink, or lounging in one of the many hammocks and tents set out.

Ha! Grace thought. It’s a music festival!

“This is the camp center,” Alexandria explained. “You’ll find refreshments, supplies, and bathrooms here. Everything else is provided in your tent.”

“Tent?” Jeremy asked.

“Of course! What other accommodations did you expect?”

“Well, we’re not exactly planning on staying. We’re in a bit of a hurry”

Alexandria frowned. “I believe you came here for a reason.” I’m sure she believes a lot of things, Jeremy thought. “And your time here will only be as fruitful as your intentions.”

This struck Jeremy and Grace. Clearly, this is where the clock tower had meant to send them. So, embracing the continuous spirit of their midnight adventure, they followed Alexandria to their tent.

Stepping out of the lobby, they saw dozens of gravel paths branching in every direction. “There are 9 stages in total. You will find the schedule pinned on the announcement board here.” She gestured to a large poster board packed with maps, flyers, and guides. “Here are your armbands. Full access to anywhere on the grounds. If you need anything, you can usually find me in the lobby. Enjoy!”

She left Jeremy and Grace in front of their tent, holding their armbands, speechless.

“What are we supposed to do now?” Jeremy asked.

“Listen to some music!” Grace beamed. She hurried into her tent, which was far larger than most, to find a full wardrobe of appropriate and less-than-appropriate outfits suitable for a music festival. Delighted, she grabbed a set of clothes and began changing.

“This one is throwing me for a loop,” Jeremy said. “I know this is your journey, but I’m not seeing how this helps us.”

“Trust me. A little music never hurt anyone. And if I’m wrong, we can pop right back into reality without wasting any time.”

“We don’t know for certain if time works the same way here.” Grace finished changing and Jeremy caught his breath. “On second thought, I don’t mind the view.” She smiled, grabbed his hand, and led him toward the destination signs.

“Where to first? There’s ‘Rhythmic Reef,’ ‘Melody Meadow,’ ‘Lively Lagoon.’

“Rhythmic Reef!” Jeremy cheered.

They made their way down the pathway, passing rows of solar panels behind a large CHARGE HERE sign on their right. Dozens of waste and recycling bins were clearly marked – this made Grace feel at ease. Directly across from these, stood a few small huts in a horseshoe formation around a wide pavilion, inviting festival goers to bring, create, or sell their crafts. Groups were lounging on the floor, piecing together long strings of beads, some flicking through racks of clothes, and others simply watching like it was the most relaxing thing to them in the world.

“Definitely coming back here,” Grace announced.

Jeremy smiled. “I’ll make you a bright pink B-F-F bracelet.”

The path to Rhythmic Reef wound through the grounds treating them to various other activities: Sunrise Serenity promised “a peaceful way to start your day,” Eco Groves sought to be “the one-stop shop where sustainability and environmental awareness is promoted,” and Harmony Haven was an intimate fireside gathering encourage sharing and connection.

Eventually, the noise died down and they came to a small wooded section. Hundreds of miniature lanterns were strung high amongst the forest boughs, enchanting the greenery and now-dirt path in a warm orange hue.

“This place is like a resort,” said Jeremy in amazement.

“Now you see what I see,” Grace responded, tenderly. They continued through the woods and were treated to a spectacular view. They had walked to the edge of the island to the shoreline where the view was packed. There was so much going on, that Grace didn’t know where to look first.

Not one but three small stages had been constructed on the beach. They were spread far apart, each attracting a small crowd, and could fit no more than two or three musicians. Frisbees were soaring through the air, some were juggling, others were playing volleyball. Everywhere the couple looked was something new happening as far as they could see in each direction.

They wandered over to another small hut about twenty yards away. A bartender, around their age, glanced up as they approached. “What can I get you?” He said.

“Any recommendations?” Jeremy asked, glancing at the vibrant coral-themed menu.

“Samba Sunrise Spritz is pretty popular, or the Ocean Breeze Bliss.”

“Samba Sunrise Spritz sounds good!”

“What about you?” The bartender said politely, looking at Grace.”

“What’s in the Mermaid's Serenade?”

“Coconut rum, blue curaçao liqueur, pineapple juice, and coconut cream. It’s another favorite here.”

“You had me at coconut rum. I’ll take one.”

“You got it!” He said, grabbing a few bottles from under the counter. “Y’all have a great vibe by the way.”

“Oh thanks!” she responded. “Grace. And this is Jeremy.”

“Anthony.” The bartender exchanged.

“How long you been working here?” Jeremy asked.

“Can’t really remember, to be honest, but a while. It’s one of my favorite places to be, nothing beats the atmosphere.”

“Never seen anything like it.” Jeremy agreed.

“Any recommendations?” Grace asked. “We’re about to check out the jam stages.”

“Those are great!” Anthony said, flipping a towel over his shoulder and turning the cocktail shaker. “If you don’t mind getting up a bit earlier – or going to bed real late – the sunrise shows are bonkers. Very serene sitting out here on the beach listening to music.”

“Sounds serene. We’ll try to make it.” Grace said hopefully, forgetting already they wouldn’t likely have that long.

Anthony set their drinks on the counter. “Here you go,” he said. Jeremy’s seemed to glow a beautiful turquoise blue in a tall twisted glass while Grace’s was clear at the top and blended into a vibrant red. It was almost as if all the color was being drained from the top down.

“Thanks!”

“Great to meet you, Anthony!”

Jeremy did not typically do well in large crowds. While there wasn’t anything particularly threatening about this environment, he felt obligated to track and keep up with everything. Grace looked over and took his hand, “it’s ok. You don’t have to soak it all in at once. Just focus on me and the music.” He nodded, clenching his drink.

They arrived at Stage 3 on the far western side of the beach. Two women were playing a folksy song – one on piano, another on guitar. It was a slow, nostalgic harmony that calmed Jeremy down. Grace saw his shoulders relax and his fingers loosened in her hand. Music always calmed him down.

“Thank you! Thank you!” The female duo chorused as they concluded their set. A group of 3 entered the stage. One of them, a girl wearing a black bikini, tights, and converses, picked up the microphone.

“Hey everyone! How are we doing tonight?” The crowd cheered. “We’re Lunar Echoes Acapella. My name is Elise, thanks for listening!”

As soon as their set began, Grace was stunned. All three of their voices blended beautifully together.

“They’re giving me literal chills,” said Jeremy.

“Same. I wish I could sing like that.”

“You can!”

“I don’t know.”

They listened on, amazed with every song, their attention fully fixed on the stage. Until they stopped singing, they had completely tuned out everything around them.

A man in his early thirties jumped onto the platform, holding a microphone. “That was incredible, thank you Elise, Jessie, and Leah. Ok folks, we’re going to take a quick break. We’ll be back soon.”

To Grace’s amazement, Lunar Echoes came and sat down next to them. She wasn’t one to get starstruck, but between the music, sitting on the beach – and perhaps partially – the drink, her heart was racing. “Mind if we sit?” Elise asked.

“Not at all!” Grace said, smiling. “That was amazing. You all sound stunning.”

“Aw thanks, babe.” One of the other girls, Jessica, said. “Helps when you’re related.”

“Don’t remind me.” The third girl chimed in. “Also, I’m Leah.”

Jeremy introduced themselves. Then asked, “Are you playing again anywhere?”

“Nah that was our only set. Haven’t quite made it to ‘more than twenty minutes’ level.” Said Elise, making air quotes.

“Well if I was running this thing,” Grace said. “You’d be the headliner. All the other artists can sit on the floor and worship you.”

They all laughed. Jeremy got up to collect new drinks for everyone as the sun began to set. They sat there with their new friends listening to artist after artist. They were all very talented, but nothing quite compared to the angelic sensation she had whilst listening to Lunar Echoes. Their name makes sense I guess, she thought.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the beach, Jeremy returned with a fresh round of drinks, and they continued to enjoy the music with their newfound friends. The night air was filled with melodies, and the harmonious tunes of the artists painted a vivid tapestry of sound. Among the musicians, they met a diverse array of people, each with their unique stories and backgrounds.

Sitting together under the starry canopy, they shared their life experiences, opinions on the food, and exchanged friendly banter. Grace marveled at how effortlessly connections had formed in this magical place. It was as if the very essence of Flutterbug Island encouraged unity and understanding, bringing together people from all walks of life.

After a few hours, the host returned to the stage. “Elias Menghelm everyone! Up next we have a husband and wife duo, Grace and Jeremy Harper!”

Grace spun around. “We’re playing?!” She said fervently. Jeremy looked at her calmly.

“Well yeah, why not?”

“We’ll be back in five,” said the host.

Grace looked alarmed. “What are we even gonna play?”

“Our song, of course.”

“But I haven’t sung in front of a group in years. Heck, I barely sing in the shower.”

“When in Rome?”

She glanced at him and then at their group of friends, a wisp of confidence forming. “One song.”

“That’s my girl!” He patted her on the back.

“Yeah, Grace! C’mon, Jeremy!” Their friends yelled.

The crowd started clapping as they made their way on stage. There was an array of instruments from ukuleles to guitars to djembes. Anything they could think of was right there.

“You can’t sound worse than that,” Jeremy said, pointing at a vuvuzela. Then grabbing her arm gently, said, “Hey I got you, one song and I’ll be here the whole time.” Grace nodded.

Jeremy grabbed an acoustic guitar and began strumming. Grace’s heart was pounding, doubt flooding her system. What if I forget the lyrics, what key are we even in?! Then, Jeremy’s voice…

Beneath the moon, under a velvet sky,

Where stars like diamonds, they multiply.

Grace tensed. Her part was coming soon.

Our hearts connect, in a dance so sweet,

In this world, our love's complete.

Jeremy looked over and nodded encouragingly. She took a deep breath and joined in:

Under the canopy of nature's grace,

With every smile on your face,

This is where we'll stay,

In love's embrace, come what may.

The audience was completely silent. At first, Grace worried it was due to her performance. Then they all raised their phones, turning their flashlights on. Emboldened, she carried on.

With every rustling leaf, every gentle breeze,

Our love's a forest, beneath the trees.

In the whispering wind and the river's song,

Our love's eternal, forever strong.

Under the canopy of nature's grace,

With every smile on your face,

This is where we'll stay,

In love's embrace, come what may.

So let's dance through life, through every phase,

With nature's beauty in our gaze.

In this world, our love will bloom,

Underneath the stars, in nature's room.

And then it was over. The crowd hesitated politely, waiting for the very last note to ring out. Then erupted in cheers. Jeremy pulled Grace into his arms, squeezing her tightly. “That was unbelievable! I’m so proud of you.”

They left the stage and found a quiet spot beneath a tree, watching the rest of the performances as Grace rested her head on her husband’s shoulders. She felt completely at peace.

"You know," she said, turning to Jeremy, "I was so nervous before we got up there, but now, I feel like I can take on anything."

He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Your voice is a treasure," he whispered, his voice filled with tenderness. "It's something only you possess, and it's meant to be shared with the world. You found your voice here, but it has always been a part of the incredible person you are."

This time, the wind lifted them so gently, Grace hardly noticed. It was like drifting to sleep after a day well spent.