Chapter 38: The sea.
"Aunth Thella!" Mandy chanted excitedly. Still feeling a tad bit awkward, Stella looked at the little girl. She felt as though this was her punishment but Mandy did not deserve this, she did not deserve to be born this way... she was so innocent. Mandy did not have much of a big vocabulary but she did know Stella and she adored Stella even though, she did not visit often. Stella would always be thankful to her forty-eight year old sister who took care of Mandy all those years and cared for her like her own. Her sister was a widow at the time and she did not mind some company. Even after finding out Mandy's rare condition at the time, Evelyn still took the little girl in and cared for her.
Her flattened face especially the bridge of her nose. Her almond shaped eyes that slant up... the tiny rare grey in them reminded her of someone special, someone dear to her. The tiny white spots on the iris of her eyes. Her short neck that made it hard to turn from time to time, small ears... that gave her difficulty in hearing. Mandy's tongue that always stuck out of her mouth. Small hands and feet that made her look younger than fifteen.
The only thing Stella Ward saw was a failed abortion.
Arriving home, she greeted her husband with a kiss on the cheek; their usual routine. "How's your sister's little girl? I'm presume not much has changed?" He asked.
Stella sighed taking a seat next to him on their lavish sofa. With a somber look on her face, she sighed. "They said she will never be better Henry. I'm surprised she even reached this age, even her doctor her not expected it."
"I now know why people say congratulations when a child is born..." Henry replied.
"Why?" Stella questioned.
"So much could happen in the process of childbearing. They might be born with missing toes or no sight or so many other complications such as Mandy. Such a precious girl, it's sad to see."
"..."
A feeling of guilt sat comfortably on her chest knowing, Mandy had turned out the way she had because of her many attempts to abort during the pregnancy. It wouldn't come off...it just wouldn't, Mandy was a fighter. It made Stella so emotional whenever she visited her. Once in three months sometimes hardly. It was hard to even look at her, Stella saw a horror movie, her past being Mandy being a constant reminder.
"I'm happy our lovely two boys were born well and healthy. Even though it took us time, I'm happy it finally happened. Everything is always God's timing darlin. I never once thought you were barren. I believed in the lord and that he would see us through."
Stella nodded, tears below her eye bags tempted to fall. She had so many regrets. Looking at Mandy, looking at her two boys... it crushed her within. Seeing Henry happy that she had finally with child was something she would never forget. He was so happy, the happiest she had ever seen him. Stella was tired of him worrying and overthinking about their lack of children, she had to find an alternative... someone penniless and desperate for a quick buck.
As the happiness died out after their second child. She had promised to only do it this once unfortunately they were fighting and everything was going down hill. She remembered how the birth of their first child had brought so much happiness and kept their marriage locked as they overcame all there was to overcome. She gave into the temptations, she did it again... made his wish come true and gave him another son. So many regrets but her biggest would always be letting Austin go and the pain she caused him. The lies she said and broke a family when she cried wolf for rape.
—
"I've had fare share of travels all exhausting but I have to say... those so called Americans from the west are the most egotistical people I've ever come across.." Austin said thoughtfully as Merri held her fleece close to her body while cuddled up to him. The carriage was so closed off nothing could be seen from the outside. Owning the Landau carriage proved to be a privilege and showed great wealth. Two men kept everything steady out front as Merri and Austin kept warm and comfort inside.
"They have a odd way of saying words as well.." Merri replied, oblivious to the many cultural differences that existed out there. Having brought up in one place with no source of information or glimpse of the outside world was such a disadvantage. She assumed everyone spoke the accent they had in their small town. She remembered a friend of the Cunningham's who had paid a visit. She was twelve and so fascinated with the way he pronounced his vocabulary. It was different and she thought it was beyond unique. She would find herself reciting the words he had thrown on the dinner table...
'...a cup of worraaa...'
Being used to the usual.
'...a cup of wotaaa...'
"That accent is horrid." Austin being the prideful prick he is.
"I like it." Merri replied cooly.
"I suppose I've met some horrible Americans who simply ruined the whole experience for me."
"I suppose.." Merri replied, almost falling asleep on his chest, that heaved up and down steadily. It was comforting.
"What would you say is your favorite place then?" She questioned.
"Uh... Jamaica or rather Haiti, I'm conflicted. Both have stunning beaches, unlike the shriveled coastlines of the England." Austin said thoughtfully. "Jamaica is a British colony, it helps with my travels. The feeling of belonging and meeting other lads from home in a foreign land but I suppose then again, it isn't our place. As always we have appropriated and...taken...what's not ours."
"How do you get to so many places?"
"The ships have stops... there are tiny stops to America. I quite enjoy them, I'm not one for the sea."
"I wish I could see the sea." Merri said softly.
"It's very appealing and scary. It keeps your thoughts awake as to what's far beyond the beclouding mists of endless water and what deep under." Austin paused. "We should go to the beach, I know a secluded place that a friend owns... that would be nice? Might take more than a week..."
"Merri?"
"Would you—"
She was asleep, she looked so peaceful. He hugged her closer and laid a peck on her forehead. He hadn't felt this way in a long time.