The New World: A Step Backward (22 page)

June 29, 2077
~
4:30 pm

More than 20 months had passed since Mercivil and Intellulka departed for Texas.  After Thoruk sent a rider to find and inform Mercivil about her mom's dementia and deteriorating condition, she and her fiancé, Drew, took turns driving on their long trek back to Ukkiville.  Midnight and Angelina towed Intellulka's weathered wagon.

Drowning in a sea of "what-ifs," Mercivil sat quietly next to her clean-shaven, traveling companion, whose short, auburn hair was cut just above the ears. 
I miss Mom and Fluf so much, I can't wait to get back home.
  Throughout the trip a dull pain tortured her heart.

As she neared her property, she spotted Fluf sprawled at the foot of the porch steps.  Whiskers romped along the shoreline.  Matted and covered in burs, the bear's dirty, gray fur reflected weeks of neglect.

Suddenly, her faithful protector leapt to her hind paws and roared so loud the reverberation terrified Whiskers, who scurried, tumbled, then froze in place.  Appearing refreshed, Fluf raced toward her like a lost kitten to her mother.

Mercivil handed the reins to Drew, jumped from the buckboard, and sprinted toward her long-lost playmate.  Meeting halfway, they tackled each other, wrestling as if they were kids.

After the frolic subsided, she grabbed Fluf around the neck and shook the fur ball's snout.  "I missed you so much.  You're way too skinny.  I need to fatten you up.  Whoa."  She pushed her back.  "A bath is in order too.  You smell pretty ripe."

The bear cocked her head and drooled.

Tears streamed down Mercivil's face as she turned to her fiancé who looked amused from his perch on the wagon.  She motioned him to come.  "Drew, this is my wonderful Fluf."

He hopped off the buckboard but when his feet hit the ground, the wary creature growled.

Whirling, Mercivil glared at her over-protective bear and communicated with her thoughts. 
He's my friend.  Stop it!  Be nice.

The ruffled guardian relaxed and slouched on her haunches.

The cautious professor, who normally worked behind a desk back home at Baylor University, approached, gingerly extending his hand toward her nose.

She snarled again, baring her fangs.  Mercivil scowled.  "Fluf!  Cut it out!"  She took her fiancé's hand and guided it behind her pet's ear, gently rubbing it.

Still unsure, the bear's stare traced his hand's movement, but she remained silent.  Drew's eyes were the size of plums.

Rising, Mercivil spun toward the front porch to look for any sign of her mom.  Her stomach churned. 
Is Mom still home or is she staying somewhere else?  I hope she's okay.
  She grasped the horse's harness, guiding the wagon toward the cabin.

When she reached the steps, she glanced at Drew.  "Stay here while I check it out."

She quietly opened the door.  "Mom, it's Mercy.  I'm home."  The silence pricked her heart, and she quickly scampered from one room to another. 
Someone's cleaned the place — everything seems okay.

Mercivil hurried outside.  "She's not here; she's probably at Storm's.  Let's go."

Fifteen Minutes Later

When they arrived at Stormulka's home, Mercivil knocked.  The handle turned and the door slowly swung open, creaking.  Suddenly, it flew wide, crashing into the wall.

"It's Mercy!"  Stormulka lunged and lifted her off the ground, swinging her around the porch.  He set her down and noticed the man next to her.  Brow raised, he stood back.  "Who is this?  Where's Intellulka?"

Emerging from the shadow inside the cabin, Thoruk warily stepped onto the porch; his glance darted from Mercivil, then to her thin, but lightly-muscled, fellow traveler.

She cleared her throat, choking on a lump the size of a hardboiled egg as her eyes flooded.  "I hate to have to tell you, but five weeks ago our dear professor passed away.  The trip to Texas was too much, and his health just got worse over time.  He didn't want you guys worrying and made me promise not to send word back home."

Thoruk stared straight ahead, motionless.  Stormulka blinked uncontrollably as tears moistened his eyes.

Mercivil hugged him. 
I can't ever remember Storm crying.
   "I know, it hurts a lot."  She rocked him a bit, and after awhile, through the sniffles, glanced up.  "Is Mom here?"

Gingerly shuffling to the entrance, Blessivil and Charilulka supported her mother between them.

She's so thin — she looks so old.
  Tears gushed down Mercivil's cheeks.  "Mom — I'm so sorry."  Sobbing, she held her mother's trembling hand.

Her frail mother smiled.  "Dear girl, don't be sad.  I have lots of friends."  She nodded at Blessivil and Charilulka.  "You're so familiar.  Are you my friend too?"

The question was a dagger to the heart; Mercivil slumped in agony.  Bawling, she slowly shook her head.

Her mother bent forward and kissed her hair.  "Please don't cry."  She gently clutched Mercivil under the arm, trying to lift her.  "Come inside and tell me about yourself."

Thoruk and Drew stooped to each side of Mercivil, sneaking glimpses at one another while they helped her up.  The traveling companion broke the ice with his telltale Texas accent.  "Hi, I'm Mercy's fiancé, Drew."

Her lifelong friend grinned.  "I'm Thoruk, the brother."

Mercivil peered into Thoruk's eyes but neither spoke.  She didn't know what to say. 
He's lost some weight.

With her friends, she retreated into the cabin and sat in the living room, sharing stories of the past months.  Out of nowhere, her mother leaned toward her and gawked.  "Mercy!  When did you get here?"

The sudden recognition surprised Mercivil as she looked at the others who shrugged.  "I arrived a little while ago.  I'm so glad to be home — with you."  She leaned over and hugged her mom, then tenderly coaxed her to rise.  "Mom, I want you to meet my fiancé, Drew.  I know you'll grow to love him too."  Miss Gracivil reached for Drew and hugged him.  "It's nice to meet you.  You're such a handsome, young man."

He smiled.  "I'm so glad to meet you; Mercy's told me so much about you.  Now I know where your daughter got her beauty.  But I know you two need to catch up, since she's been away for awhile."  He winked at Mercivil.

She and her mother went out to the porch and enjoyed the evening, relating their experiences over the last couple of years.  Her mother grabbed her arm.  "Mercy, I'm so sorry for not telling you about your father earlier."

Mercivil patted her hand.  "Shhh, that's over.  We don't need to discuss that again.  I just want you to know that I love you more than ever, and I'll never leave you."  She smiled and carefully hugged her mom, gently rocking back and forth.

Blessivil walked onto the deck and placed two plates, heaped with thick chicken and dumplings, on a small table sitting beside them.

"Thank you."  Mercivil drew a deep breath.  "Mmm, doesn't that smell wonderful?"

"It sure does."  While nibbling a bite here and there, her mother shared bits and pieces of the story behind her chance meeting with Odinuk and the one and only miraculous night spent between them.  Her eyes sparkled more with each passing word.

A calming peace settled Mercivil's soul as the muscles throughout her body relaxed. 
Never have we shared a closer moment than this.

Drew appeared near the front door.  "It's getting very late."

Mercivil winked.  "Dear, why don't you go to bed?  I want to chat with Mom a bit longer, then I'll sleep with her tonight."

Miss Gracivil smiled.  "I'd love that.  We haven't slept together since you were a child."

Another hour passed before she and her mother finally went to bed.  Laying on her back, Mercivil stared into the dark. 
Lord, thank you for helping me patch things up with Mom.  Please help us be happy once again — that goes for Thoruk and Stormy as well. 
She rolled over and hugged her mother, who inched nearer and returned a squeeze as sleep took hold.

The Next Morning
~
7:05 am

Seeping through the lime and pale blue drapes, the dawn's light awoke Mercivil.  She squinted and peeked at her mom.  She jerked up. 
Something's wrong!

Her mother's arm remained wrapped around Mercivil's waist and while a smile still filled her mom's face, her complexion was ashen.  Gasping, Mercivil bent over and reached for her mother's hand.  It was cold — stiff.

Pain shot through her body, then numbness.  Struggling for air, a whir of confusion ransacked her emotions.  She bit her lip and shuddered. 
I love you so much.
  She cradled her mom and tenderly kissed her forehead. 
Lord, why now?

September, 2077
~
8:47 am

The trees surrounding Ukkiville trumpeted autumn's early pallet of brilliant colors.  Sprawled across a bed of leaves under his favorite rendezvous oak, Thoruk stretched as he waited for his lifelong friends. 
It feels great to be running again.  In a way, I'm glad our future spouses don't like to jog.  The three of us can catch up on old times.

Enjoying the cool air, he continued to stretch as he twisted around to look for his buddies. 
I hope they didn't forget.
  Just when that thought crossed his mind, he heard voices in the distance.  While Mercivil, Stormulka, and Fluf approached, Thoruk sat up.  "Well, good afternoon.  Did you have trouble waking up this morning?"

"Ha, ha."  Mercivil grinned.  "We're not that late."

Stormulka plopped on the ground nearby.  "It's been awhile so I need to get used to this routine again.  Besides, I figured Your Majesty required additional time to work out the kinks and creaks in your dilapidated bones, since you're much more aged than we are."

Thoruk hopped to his feet.  "I don't need any longer than you.  I'm raring to go."

Rising, Stormulka bent forward and grabbed his toes to stretch his hamstrings.  "Hold on to your britches Eager Beaver.  We'll be ready in a snap.  You better not rush Princess or she'll pull a calf muscle trying to keep up."

As the words escaped his mouth, Fluf lumbered over and goosed him.  He turned toward Mercivil, smiled, and shook his head.  "Just like old times."

Ten Months Later: July 23, 2078
~
1:00 pm

On this special day, the Lake of Dreams glistened with an unusual, deep, steel-blue hue, offering a beautiful backdrop to the ceremony underway on the shore.  Practically all of Ukkiville and many neighbors from the surrounding villages gathered to witness the spectacular event.

Thoruk smiled as he gazed into Charilulka's glistening eyes.  Her face glowed with love.  Gently squeezing her trembling fingers, he heard the pastor's words.  "I now pronounce you man and wife."

Enjoying the tender moment with his new bride, Thoruk maintained his trance.  His muscles relaxed as anxiety melted away.

The holy man lifted his arm high and moved his hand downward, then sideways in the sign of the cross above the newly-married couple.  He turned to Mercivil and Drew, blessing them as well, then repeated the motion over Stormulka and Blessivil.  Spreading his hands out to the three couples, he looked at Thoruk and the other two grooms, one at a time.  "Gentlemen, you may kiss your brides."

Thoruk leaned Charilulka back in his arms, pressing his lips to hers while holding her tight for several seconds.  A loud cheer exploded as the exuberant audience showered the newlyweds with wild flowers.

Listening to the joyous reaction of the crowd, which extended halfway around the lake, Thoruk lifted his eyes to the sky. 
Lord, thank you for this wonderful day — and, Father, I wish you were by my side.  It was your sacrifice for so many years that created such a remarkable home for the people of Ukkiville.

As his thoughts faded, the clouds which had shadowed the area for the latter part of the ceremony parted.  A bright sliver of sunlight cast its shine onto the married couples, then slowly radiated across the entire lake.  Warmth filled his chest.

While he often made light of weddings as he grew up, it struck him. 
This is the happiest moment of my life.  I've got my buddies, we all have our spouses, and we're standing before our friends and family — along with Mercivil's mom and my father in heaven.
  A teardrop rolled down Thoruk's cheek.

Nighttime, Eight Hours Later

As the night's reception along the shoreline wore on, the band changed moods from lively folk music to the softer, more romantic beat of a lovely waltz.  After dancing with his wife for most of the evening, Thoruk strolled to Mercivil and extended his hand.  "May I have this dance?"

She slowly lifted her eyes and gazed at him for a moment.  "By all means."

They whisked across the grassy dance area to an opening and gracefully moved to the enchanting music's rhythm.  While they circled around the other dancers, Thoruk raised his arm and twirled Mercivil three times.  As she spun to complete the third turn, he extended his other arm behind her, and she lightly dropped back into his embrace.

He leaned over and softly kissed her forehead.  "How was that, sis?"  He gently lifted her upright and held her away as he smiled.

Mercivil's eyes sparkled.  "Not bad at all.  You were rather light on your feet for a brother, otherwise clumsy at times."  She smiled and curtsied.

Chuckling, he peered at her.  "In some ways — that evening with your mom — well, it was the best thing for us."

Stormulka walked up from behind, obviously overhearing him.  "Shivers, it's a blessing you're siblings.  I can't even imagine the havoc you two would wreak across the village if you lived under the same roof as husband and wife."

Thoruk laughed.  "I can't argue with that.  By the way, I always wanted a sister to look out for."

Pretending to be annoyed, Mercivil pressed her lips and squinted.  "Who looks after who?"  She grabbed Thoruk by the shoulders, stuck out her foot behind him, and pulled him back, almost bringing him to the ground.

He hopped to his feet and hugged her tight.  "Yea, I love you too, sis.  I know who always has my back!"

Stormulka joined them and the trio held hands as they spun to the music filling the air.

Spotting their spouses chatting on the side, Mercivil waved.  "Come join us.  Let's dance through the night."