“Let’s go home,” Sa says finally, hand unwinding the shawl. Face out for all to see.
I heave Heart into her sling. She’s getting so big now. My own heart is sore and teeters on an edge. I see the destruction in the City. Everything gone. My life. Gone
How am I going to heal my broken heart?
“Let’s go home.”
I tug at Kechil’s reins.
Perhaps it’s time.
~*~
We crested the hill overlooking the bay. Kechil snorted and stamped his hooves.
This time, my heart teetered, lost its balance and fell. I could go on and on looking at the green-blue water as far as I could see. I could watch the cooking fires soar up in individual columns. I could admire the silverfish gleaming under the setting sun, turning gold and bright.
I wasn’t sure if I could do this. I could just walk back as if I had just left the day before.
No. I didn’t. That was a lifetime ago.
I wasn’t sure if Mother would accept me.
Heart tugged at my hair. The smell of my daughter filled my nostrils, joining the smell of the sea. I was lost for words.
There was no need for words. This longing. This filling-of-my-heart sensation. My mouth was already filled with flavors. Flavors of home, of who I was, of the little family I had with Sa and Heart.
I urged Kechil forward and we began our climb down.
Inside me the fire burned low and would remain so for a long time.
