Meridia

1

I sat on the floor next to the glowing fire. I noticed a small crack in a stone, like other stones, set in mortar in natural patterns. I run my hands over the warm rocks and breathe in my surroundings. I am in a small cottage made of clay, wood and rocks. My  grandmother and grandfather built this house many years ago to raise their family in. Every groove in the wood, the old rugs on the clay floor, and every one of their few belongings screamed out a story. Of kids running, of hard labor, and of a long life.

My grandmother sits sentient on a hard wooden chair with various pieces of clothing on her lap waiting to be mended. As she works the needle and thread in and out with her bony fingers, I look at her weathered face. I see so many years  drawn into every wrincle and mark on her skin. I imagine every wrinkle contains a memory from her life. Whether happy or painful, her skin keeps a record and it makes her who she is.

Grandmother glances at me and then back to the garment in her hands, "What is it Sidra"

"Nothing. I was just thinking." I answer.

"About what?" she asks with the slightest hint of irritation.

"About life."

"What about it girl?"

"What my life will be like. What things I will see and do."

"Ah. Best stop thinking and start doing, while you're young. Thinking around will only make you get old like me. What kind of thing are you after girl? That young blacksmith's apprentice I see making eyes at you at the market?"

"You know he wasn't looking at me, grandmother, he was looking at Jocelyn. And, to answer your question, I really don't know what I'm after."

Grand mother looks up at me, "Ah the trouble of a youth. So much energy but no place to put it. Her take a shirt, you can help me mend this evening."

I move from my seat next to the warm fire, and join my grandmother. We sit there in silence as we move our needles in and out.

"Shall I tell you a story to pass the time Sidra?" I nod.

"It starts as every good story starts: once upon a time."

Once upon a time there was a girl. This girl, Meridia, was the daughter of a merchant. The merchant did everything within his power to keep money coming to support his wife and two children. But on a stormy night, the ship with the trade goods waiting to be sold, capsised in a huge storm. This monstrous storm barked lightning and thunder. The masts were ripped off, waves crashed over the deck and sunk the ship, many men, and all of the goods. All condemned to the bottom of the unforgiving sea.

Some of the crew survived the storm, but that was a meager 7 out of a total crew of 50 souls. Octavia's father was not among those survivors. He did all he could but he got tangled in some line and canvas and was dragged with the ship to the ocean floor.

Back at their family home, Meridia prepared a surprise for her father to celebrate his return. She prepared all of his favorite foods, cleaned up the house, and wrapped a gift. This gift was a new compass on a chain to keep it around his neck. The compass was engraved with the words, "Your love will guide you home. " Octavia set out candles on the table and started a fire to keep the chill off. But all of her efforts would be in vain. Someone pounded on the door. She ran to the door to open it up, expecting to see her father's unshaven, smiling face and finding joy and comfort in his strong arms. But, insead, she found an official looking stranger with a glum expression on his face.