Mountain Life

CHAPTER 1D - Losing a Sister

She turned her head and coughed. Her chest hurt, or more precisely, her lungs hurt. She was drowning inside her own body on dry land, and the herbs used to remove the affliction were not powerful enough. The doctors of their town are learning about natural medicines.

Brigit nearly started crying. She already missed her friend, and they were sitting in the same room. “Brigit, you will be heading into town next week. Pack light, and bring two sets of clothing. Comfortable and travel clothes only. Once you arrive at your destination, appropriate clothing will be available. Since you and I wear the same sizes, I can tell you that the clothes are stylish and comfortable.”

“Destination?” Brigit asked.

“You have not been lied to your entire life, but you have also not been told everything. So let me start at the beginning.” She shifted slightly to get into a more comfortable position on the sofa, a partial recline. Still, it relaxed her as she stretched her upper torso out. “We are an anomaly. Not you and I, but our way of life in the hills. This community. It is not like the town you are about to visit.” She thought momentarily, “Imagine a place so different. It almost makes you feel like you are visiting another planet.” Then, she smiled as Brigit stared at her, “Because this is exactly what you will experience. In doing so, you join a tiny group who also learned and accepted this fact. Instant communications regardless of distance, energy weapons that can take down the largest bear with a single shot, food being produced simply by asking for it, and most importantly, instant access to medicine and staff who can cure your more horrendous conditions.”

Brigit opened her mouth a moment, then shut it.

“Before you ask, I asked the medical staff of the town on my last trip to review my condition. But, unfortunately, they could do nothing for me short of a heart replacement. It is not an option for many reasons. I would need to remain there for the rest of my life. I would simply disappear and never return to the community. That is not an option. We, members of the council, must consider the community and the mindset of those who live here over a single life.”

“But if there is something in the town that can help or save you, why are we not running to it? Your life will end, and your blood will be on those sitting on the council, including me.”

“No. Put that out of your mind. But, there are things about the town that you need to understand. I have weeks…. Or just a few days. I dreamt of my wake and my family and my friends. It is worth it. I would need to be there in town for months, maybe a year, for their medicines to affect a partial cure. Also, the trip there may kill me. It is not the easiest of buggy rides, and the walking and resting are not easy or restful.”

“But Serena. Your family?”

“I know. It hurts me to know I will not be there for my baby, and my husband will be alone.” She grinned like the cat that got into the milking cabinet, “I spoke to Mark. I told him I would also speak to you. The two of you will be alone, together. My final wish is that you at least explore the possibility of life together. You are already close friends. It will take time, but I have dreamt about you becoming a couple and my daughter with a new mother. A woman I respect, love dearly, and someone I know has the best interest of others before her own.”

Brigit was speachless.

They sat and talked for another hour. Then, finally, Brigit left and went to her home, bringing the soup and bread back for dinner, a dinner where she could not mention anything she knew or ask questions as they appeared in her mind.

It was getting dark, but she heard a young woman speaking and turned. It was Serena’s daughter, and she was talking to her Dad. They were returning home, but Brigit knew she was in the shadows, and they did not see her walking away from their house.

“Dad, I saw where Mom will be.”

“Will be?” Her Dad asked.

“Next week, I think. We found a nice place on the hill. She likes it there, under that big tree, in the shade.”

“Too dark to see it now, kiddo. But she can keep an eye on us from there, and when we leave the house, we can always wave to her.”

They were talking about her grave. Ramona has the gift, also.

“I also know that eventually, you will end up with another mate. I have not yet seen her face, but I know it is a good thing.”

“I had the dream also. I do not know who it will be, either. Perhaps it is not yet set in the fates.”

As she entered her home several minutes later, she wrapped the stock pot in towels and put the bread into a bag she slung across her body. Finally, there had to be something she could do for Serena.

As she returned to Serena’s home, Mark split wood for the front yard stove.

“The door is open. I’ll be in shortly.”

“OK,” she replied as she walked up the stairs to the porch. She did not mention the overheard conversation a short time ago.

She entered the house and went directly to the kitchen, where the stove was already hot. So she put three of the four loaves of bread in the oven to warm and sliced the fourth for the toasted cheese sandwiches.

Mark came in and put the wood he carried next to the stove and the fireplace. He looked at Brigit, “Serena told me you visited today. She loves you like a sister.”

“I know. I love her also.” Brigit had a tear in her eye. She knew the news, as did Mark, was grim.

Dinner went well. The conversation was light and fun. They discussed the cows – Serena’s other sisters. Mark asked about the collection and told her to keep her feet firmly planted while she was away. It’s an odd statement, but it’s a saying to consider what you need to accomplish.

Serena sat with them at the table and ate a few spoons of soup and cheese bread bites. Then, finally, she excused herself and went to bed.

Brigit brought the empty soup pot home. Mark cleaned it for her. As she put the pot on her table, she wept. More so than when her husband died.

She sat in her living room, and for the first time in years, all the pain she held inside was released.