One of Cora’s brows shot up and a knowing smile spread across her lips.
“You eat yourself a good breakfast. Then we’ll talk.” She ordered moving purposefully around the kitchen as she poured a cup of coffee and readied the skillet for eggs.
I sipped my coffee and unraveled a pecan roll as Cora fried eggs and sausages in the skillet. By the time she set the hot plate before me, I’d found my tongue.
“I couldn’t help her. She… she pushed me into the water and I left her behind. How’d she get here?” I asked incredulous.
Cora lowered her heavy frame into the chair opposite me and smiled broadly.
“S’what I heard from Ren but as it turns out, Nia’s not so far gone after all.” She said, followed by a relieved chuckle.
My eyes widened. “So, it was her? My mother pushed me through the vortex? How in the world did she escape?” I asked in amazement.
Cora shook her head in equal disbelief.
“Child, don’t know if we’ll ever find out. What I know is that somewhere deep down, Nia knew she had to help you. Not sure if she realized that saving you meant saving herself too.”
I was suddenly reminded of the message Benjamin had given me at the end of my primer lesson. One may follow through the gate but one’s own will must be strong to escape. My mother and I may have had to find the will within ourselves to escape but it was together that we found the strength.
Cora appraised my shocked expression and laid a warm hand over one of mine.
“Sometimes you just got to be grateful for what is and not worry about how it came to pass.” She said gently.
I leaned back in my chair as a wave of tension flowed out of me. I closed my eyes letting relief sink into my bones. My mother was home and she was safe.
A few moments later Ren stumbled into the kitchen, likely drawn out of slumber by the irresistible aromas wafting from it. He rubbed a hand over his unruly bed head and smiled when he saw me.
“Surprised to see you up so early.” He said.
“I should say the same about you.” I joked back, eyeing his mused hair and rumpled clothing.
“Sit yourself down, now, and I’ll get you some breakfast.” Cora ordered.
Ren plunked into the seat next to me. His expression turned serious. “Not mad at me are you?” He asked softly.
I heard the strain in his tone and remembered that he thought he lost me… maybe forever.
I shot him a lopsided grin.
“Of course not. It wasn’t your fault that you came back without me, you know that right?” I asked, absently rubbing the arm where Eudora’s talons had scratched my Shadow.
He furrowed his brow and nodded slowly, unconvinced.
I reached out and laid a hand on his forearm.
“What I meant to say is, thank you. We wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t come after us.” I said my gaze fastened steadily on his.
My hand slid over the top of his and I pressed my fingertips into his palm.
Ren flushed dropping his gaze to our joined hands.
A thump from the hall drew all of our attention toward the doorway of the kitchen. I stared anxiously, waiting to catch my first glimpse of my mother awake. With my attention trained on the door, I barely noticed Ren’s hand slide from my grip, followed by a nervous cough.
My mother approached the kitchen tentatively, like a rabbit venturing into an open meadow.
“Good mornin’ Nia. Why don’t you join us for breakfast?” Cora coaxed sweetly.
I startled at Cora’s tone, so gentle and simple, as if she was talking to a child.
My mother’s wide eyes drifted across each of our faces, her own face showing no outward sign of recognition. My heart fell like a stone into the pit of my stomach. It wasn’t just in Merepen Hallow my mother didn’t remember me! Panic vibrated in my chest. What were we going to do? My mother didn’t remember us. I hadn’t bargained for her condition to carry over to our world.
As if she anticipated my reaction, Cora calmly stepped in to soothe the situation. She crossed the room to where mother stood looking frightened and lost and tenderly linked hands with her.
“Come on now, Nia. It’s breakfast time. Made you your favorite pecan rolls. Don’t they smell good?” She asked brightly and smiled cheerfully at my mother despite the lack of response mother gave her.
I glanced toward Ren to find him nervously watching my face. His lips drew together in a grim line as he shifted his gaze toward my mother. It occurred to me that while my mother’s condition came as a shock to me, it didn’t seem to be one for Cora and Ren.
We finished our breakfast in relative silence only exchanging a few pleasantries about the weather, with Cora remarking how unseasonably warm it was. My mother furtively ate her meal and after she’d cleaned her plate twice, Cora gently wound her hand around mother’s arm urging her to stand.
“You had a long night Nia, why don’t you go lay down for a bit and rest? I’ll walk you back to your room and tuck you in.” She said softly ushering her out of the room.
As soon as they were out of earshot I turned on Ren in a panic.
“What happened last night?!” I asked. “All I remember is moving toward the light. The next thing I knew I was waking up in bed and then I saw my mother and I thought she must be ok but obviously she’s not!” I babbled alarmed.
Ren shifted in his chair to face me and held his hands up.
“Calm down, it’s going to be alright... at least, I think it will.” He answered his forehead wrinkling.
I gave him an exasperated look.
“Look, all I remember is that I was in the circle of candles, lying next to you when I woke up but you were still there… looking dead.” He said, taking a deep breath before continuing. “I was upset but Cora told me that I shouldn’t worry because you were on your way home. A few minutes later you woke up but you were disoriented. Then Cora ran off the porch into the backyard. She was gone awhile and when she came back, she had your mum. I don’t know how your mum crossed over, she was terribly confused.” He explained.
My face fell into my hands as I tried to hold back tears.
“Eliza, don’t cry. Your mum’s alright, she’s safe now.” Ren stammered.
I shook my head, raking my fingertips across my face.
“Ren, she is so not alright and you know it.” I said bitterly.
His face fell. “Well, that is, I’m sure Cora can help her. She’ll recover soon.” He said encouragingly.
Cora’s heavy footsteps plodded down the hall. She burst back into the kitchen cheerfully but her smile wilted when she saw my doleful expression.
Tears filled the corners of my eyes as I stared at her. She crossed the room and tenuously sank into a chair across from me. Followed by a long look, reading the pain in my eyes before speaking.
“Eliza, you can’t s’pect to have all your mama back so soon, child, not after where she’s been. It doesn’t work that way. Nia’s goin’ need time and even then she may never be the person she was before she left, though I plan to do my best to bring her back.” She said with determination.
I wiped the tears from my eyes.
“Will she ever remember me?” I asked weakly.
Cora’s head fell to one side and the corners of her mouth drew down sympathetically.
“Now Eliza, what kind a question is that? Of course your mama’s goin’ t’ remember you. There’s a part of her that already does, we know that now, don’t we? Healing takes time, be patient, child.” She said kindly.
I took a deep breath and reminded myself that just a couple of days ago, I wasn’t sure I’d ever even find my mother. I was lucky to have her in my life at all.
Cora patted my hand lightly and cleared her throat.
“Now, there’s something else, child. I want to thank you. You know that Nia and I’d had a fallin’ out some years ago and until yesterday, I never thought I’d lay eyes on her again. I can’t help but believe this is goin’ a give us another chance.”
Tears gathered in the corners of Cora’s eyes and she sniffed, a grateful smile stretched from her mouth to her eyes.
“Nia’s my baby, you know, and I love her. Don’t you worry, I’ll take good care of her.” She said assuredly.
I nodded and smiled shyly. It was still strange to think of Cora as my grandmother. As much as I cared about her, I didn’t feel love for her the way I should for a grandparent, at least, not yet.
“I know you will.” I responded.
Then I remembered the question I’d been meaning to ask Cora since my entrapment at Merepen Hallow. I shifted in my seat feeling awkward about changing the topic.
“Cora, Ren said you told him that Eudora was lying. How’d you know all of that?” I asked suspiciously.
Cora pursed her lips and sank back in her seat.
“If you must know, I was Shadow droppin’ on you, child. You didn’t think I was goin’ let you go off all by yourself now did you? I couldn’t send all my Shadow with you because then Eudora might trap us both down there but I could send my eyes and my ears. That’s how I could tell Eudora was lyin’ t’ya child.” Cora scowled at the memory of Eudora’s wickedness. Her eyes shifted toward Ren.
“Then this boy showed up just in time. Lord, he couldn’a picked a better time to come unannounced.” Cora exclaimed patting Ren tenderly on the arm.
“She told me how to slip past the keepers and where I might find you once I got inside.” Ren added.
Then he dropped his face to his hands in his lap.
“I didn’t think about how we’d get your mum out of there but I should have, that is, before throwing fireballs all over the place.” He said, embarrassed.
“You did what you could, that’s all any of us can ever do.” Cora said soothingly. “You know, child, when I shrouded Eliza, I made sure the veil could not be pierced by anyone but one who would be loyal and true to her. I believe you’ve done quite a good job of that now, don’t you think?” She said.
Ren blushed deeply and smiled shyly in return.
I took a deep breath and slumped back in my chair, relaxing a bit.
“I guess none of that really matters now. I’m here and mother’s home and I didn’t have to give up my powers to Eudora.” I said conclusively.
Cora squinted at a simple black and white clock hanging on the kitchen wall.
“Lord, look at the time! Take yourselves on outta my kitchen, I’ve got a supper to prepare.” She said hastily and laboriously pulled herself up out her chair.
“Dinner? Cora it’s only eleven o’clock.” I said confused.
Cora threw her hands up in exasperation.
“Don’t tell me all your time up North’s made you forget your roots Eliza Gowan.” She scolded.
I glanced helplessly toward Ren, feeling like I was missing a clue. He just laughed.
“Well, it is New Year’s Eve.” He said with a twinkle in his eye and a shrug of his shoulders.
“Ahhh, of course.” I responded and without further prompting tramped out of the kitchen and onto the back porch.
* * *
My mother sat to the left of Cora and watched her timidly as she spooned a portion from each serving dish onto her plate. I soaked up the scent of the food remembering years of the very same meal growing up. I hadn’t eaten a traditional Southern New Year’s Day supper since moving to Port Rune and the spread made my stomach rumble. I watched Ren’s face as he politely inspected each dish clearly unable to identify some of the food he was about to be served.
“Dig in, now. Don’t be shy.” Cora urged as she scooped a slice of skillet corn bread onto mother’s plate.
“Guests first.” I quipped playfully at Ren, gesturing toward the serving dishes lining the middle of the table.
He nodded and cleared his throat. “Mmm, smells delicious.” He said, smiling toward Cora.
“Would you like us to review the menu, sir?” I asked giggling.
“That would be much appreciated.” Ren said gratefully.
A deep chuckle bubbled up from Cora’s chest.
“I’ll let Eliza provide the history lesson.” She deferred.
“Here in the South we eat this meal on New Year’s for a reason. Each food is like an edible good luck charm for the year ahead.” I began.
“Well, it’s a good thing I’m here this year. I’ve never eaten a good luck meal on New Year’s before and I could certainly use one!” He remarked.
“Don’t have to say that twice.” Cora responded shaking her head.
“This dish here is black-eyed peas.” I said pointing toward a bowl containing a soupy gray mixture. “Supposedly, after Savannah was taken during the Civil War the only food the Union soldiers left behind was a bunch of black-eyed peas. Up North, they only used them to feed animals but since the soldiers had eaten or taken all the animals, they figured no one would have any use for the peas. Black-eyed peas are said to be the food that kept the people from starving to death.” I explained.
Ren made a confused face. “So you eat animal food to remember that you could starve? How is that supposed to be good luck?” He asked perplexed.
I wagged my head at him and rolled my eyes.
“We eat black-eyed peas because they’re good for you and it was our good luck that the Northern soldiers didn’t know how tasty they could be, especially when you serve them over rice.” I said.
“These,” I said pointing to a bowl of stewed greens, “Are collard greens. Besides tasting good, they’re green and symbolize money or prosperity.”
“And, this I’m sure you recognize,” I said pointing to the meat tray, “ is a ham. Pigs are the only farm animal that walks forward while eating, so ham is a symbol of progress.” I explained.
Cora nodded approvingly in my direction, pleased that I hadn’t forgotten the Southern tradition.
Ren grinned. “Well, as nice as all that is to know, I’m more interested in finding out if this food tastes as good as it smells.” He announced.
* * *
After dinner, Cora led my mother into the living room to show her old family picture albums with the hope they would jog her memory. Ren and I stepped out into the backyard and sat on a peeling white bench in the garden. The evening air was chilly with the promise of a cold night on the way. I tugged the edges of my light jacket around my chest trapping in the warmth. Ren looked up at the sky and stretched his arms and legs.
“I have to go home tomorrow. After Nan found out about our detour, she insisted I return once you were safe and sound. She’s never grounded me but I think I’m going to find out what that looks like when I get back.” He said, sounding partially amused.
I gazed up at the stars and tried to imagine going home myself. It seemed in a matter of days the course of my whole life had changed. Safe, yes in fact, I was probably safer than I’d been in months but sound? I wasn’t so sure.
“Will you come with me?” He asked his gaze trailing from the sky to the side of my face.
I felt the weight of his eyes on me and the deeper question they held. My mother was home and Cora promised to take care of her. Certainly, there was no expectation for me to stay in Moco but I was her daughter. I’d longed for my mother for six years and felt the pain of her absence. Was I really going to leave her again? Now that my mother was home, where was mine?
Suddenly, I felt a surge of heat pass up my arm as Ren’s hand slid over my hand and up to my shoulders. He stretched his arm around me and pulled me closer to him. I let myself lean into him and laid my head against his chest. His breath was even and soothing but his heart beat fast with anticipation.
His hand fell from my shoulders and smoothed the tension in my back, then slid beneath the seam of my jacket and pressed against my bare skin. I drew in a breath of surprise. Instinctually, my hand drifted up his arm to rest against his neck. My body twisted and pressed into him.
His face fell, hovering above my upturned gaze in the darkness.
“Eliza, I meant what I said the ot
her night about being more than just your pharos… or your friend.” He said softly. “But… what do you want?” He asked.
His other hand fell to rest on top of my leg.
With both of Ren’s hands on me and throbbing energy dashing between our bodies, it was hard for me to think, much less speak. My fingers spread against his neck and climbed up into his thick hair. I pulled him closer to me, needing to be closer to him.
My lips parted and I sucked in a breath saturated with his scent. My heart rattled against my ribcage. I was lost in the sensation of nearness to him.
Our lips found each other. With delicate urgency Ren’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me up off the bench, squeezing me closer to him. Warmth spread from my lips down my neck and quickly coursed through my middle and limbs.
The burst of electricity that followed knocked the breath from my lungs. Sparks of light soared like comets behind my closed eyelids. I felt as light as a leaf in the breeze.
When we finally parted, we sat in silence bathed in darkness. As I stared up into the dark Southern sky, the answer to Ren’s question came to me carried on a tide of certainty. I loved my mother and in time, would grow to love Cora too, of that I was certain but home for me was no longer Moco. Unlike my mother in her current state, Jane would miss me and I would miss her. And besides that, I knew, with a deep longing, I needed Ren.
“What time do we leave?” I asked casting my gaze from the sky to the stars in Ren’s eyes.
27
“We are now ready to board all passengers traveling to Boston on flight 2435.” The airline attendant bellowed over the loud speaker.
Ren and I left before dawn on a bus to Atlanta where we had booked last minute plane tickets home. Following teary goodbyes, Cora had sent us on our way with a paper bag of pimento cheese sandwiches and a container of pickled okra for the journey. I promised to make my way south for a visit during spring break, though, that seemed like an awfully long time away as I sat watching the other passengers line up at the gate. We filed onto the plane and flopped down in our seats. Passengers continued to jostle their way down the aisle as we gazed out the window in silence watching the baggage handlers load suitcases into the belly of the plane. I memorized the view of green trees edging the runway, a sight I wasn’t likely to see for several more months in Port Rune.
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