"I'm so glad that you've decided to give our relationship a second chance," my mother gushes as I sit before her in the dimly lit living room. I've decided to make good on my promise with Kwamé, despite the high level of discomfort that I feel when in a room alone with this woman. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW75El71wC
"I don't want to hate you anymore, and I'm trying to be a good example to Kwamé." When her eyebrows come together in confusion, I further explain the situation.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbU2UWLmoM
"I want him to forgive himself."661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4RGmgNmmj
"I wouldn't put much faith into that," she replies warily, as if it is not possible. This concerns me, seeing that she knows him much better than I do. So why would he promise... 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKrT6aermF
"Why?" I ask her, eager to understand. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliWhuz274f
"Because I've been trying to get him to do that for years," she informs me in a grave voice. "He's as stubborn as an ass. Nothing will get him to let that go."661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqutNuVsBaW
"Well, we made a pact." She looks at me as if the notion of a pact to change his mind is utterly idiotic. "Anyway," I say, changing the subject before I get upset with him, "I'm here now. So how about you elaborate on that tale you were telling me?"661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxiKALwsle
Her face shuts down as she desperately tries to hide her emotions. Always hiding something from me. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv5m5NsT75
"I told you a lot. Honestly, what else could you want to know? And aren't you curious about unlocking your powers?"661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiK11QqprF
No, I'm actually much more concerned with the truth. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75KIcdGFBf
"Stop trying to change the subject," I demand. "I want to know more about this person who wanted me when I was a baby." I almost laugh out loud, remembering the ridiculous, pathetic excuse of an origin story that she fed me the last time we spoke. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAfCbnrXDO
"She's evil and she's in the past." 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rghTdbu2x
Past my ass. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O4tnz48M1
I stomp my foot on the ground and then throw myself further back into the couch, like a small child. Something caused by me not getting what I want, because I'm so used to getting what I want. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxlBw09LL6
"Why are you still afraid of her?" I demand. "What is she gonna do? Come and kill you?"661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG1koMvx7O
"She might," my mother responds under her breath. I don't think that I was meant to hear that.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIQmmX6iEQ
"So she's not in the past, then?" I challenge. I refuse to let this go. I have every right to know the truth. And the way she's contradicting herself means that she's obviously lying about something. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kxzqrm15T
"Yes, she is. I just don't think—"661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf8FeI4Sk5
"That I'm ready for it?" I ask. I swear, this us getting very old, very quickly. "Because I assure you, I am. I don't think that there's anything that you could tell me—"661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkGyPySgNG
"She was a River Mumma," my mother rushed out, only to look as if she regrets it right after. Regrets telling me the truth. On the inside, I'm shaking my head. I am surprised (I thought that she would be human), but I'm not freaking out like last time. I'm not surprised that River Mummas exist. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtYLPd82UX
River Mummas are mythical — well, apparently not so mythical after all — creatures that live in Jamaica's rivers. If I were to compare them to another creature, I'd go with the siren. They often sit on rocks and comb their hair with a golden comb. They say that if you see one, you'll fall into a magical trance and that she'll drag you into the river. Some say that she'll force you to live with her for eternity.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnOZIEGwax
There is also the legend of a golden table that they can use to lure the greedy.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCR5QOFu0s
"The golden table—"661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkGlZRWs7u
"Isn't a myth. It's real. Is that really the first thought that comes to your mind? I tell you that you were almost abducted by a River Mumma and you ask about a Golden Table?" She's not trying to goad me into asking questions — I know that she doesn't want to talk about this — but I think she's just incapable of keeping her surprise to herself. I'd be surprised, too. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK8GUvYeih
I sit and think of a better question to ask her, but one that she won't refuse to answer. If she does that again I might jump her. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76WRZbWAy5
"Um... if I'm human, how would she have gotten me?" What did she plan on doing? 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiYM5UUz7R
"Turn you into one." I'm beginning to realise that the answers to a lot of my questions are far simpler than I originally thought. I still have to ask, though. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ6Agl2QFI
"And our rivers aren't exactly wide or long," I continue. "They aren't all interconnected either. How come there aren't any news reports of sightings?"661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ586Ce7nv58
"We have underground rivers. Remember that Black River especially is deep. And they know how to not be seen." That's a good point. "Additionally, they're water spirits. They are connected to the rivers of Jamaica. They can teleport." Still, in such a tiny country, I would have expected someone to have seen one in recent history. I've heard lots of stories about Rolling Calves, but no one has ever told me that they, or someone they know has seen a River Mumma.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoepfSIqLO
I sit and think of anything else that I would like to know about in this situation.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmYy8OuJcj
"What deal did you have with her?" This is important. This, I have to know., but I also know that there's a possibility of her clamping up. Therefore, it's no surprise that as soon as the words leave my mouth, her face screws up.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyAsQ7brzF
"Uh..."661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xrnnqaqJV
"You have to tell me that. It's important." My voice sounds demanding, and I can see that she registers it on her face. She looks at me uncomfortably with the expression of someone who badly wants to shit. I would laugh if I weren't so on edge. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o59fcIBlM
"It's complicated," she responds lamely. I have to fight myself to not roll my eyes at her. They do move, though, just a tad. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEhQZBRi7O
"That's the worst excuse in the history of life. You're starting to sound like Kwamé." When her face stays the same, I decide to let it go. "It's complicated" should probably be the new slogan for my life. Surprisingly, I don't feel like jumping her. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUtW1rHSGa
"So about my abilities," I begin, "what exactly can I do?" I guess it's only fair that we switch to something that she's more comfortable with. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29Yv0BS4Rm
"A lot," she answers, becoming animated, glad to be speaking of something other than her dealings with some water creature. "You must have already figured out that you can manipulate situations."661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjKqoVERME
"Yes." Except for my getting sick the last time we met. "I've noticed that since I was a small child. It's worked to my advantage since."661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKp6MjLYaa
"Well, you can manipulate more than that. You can make prophecies, and change them. The future is never set in stone."661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84iYijUIJ3
Shit. That's a lot of power... the kind of power that I don't know that I want. I don't know if that's good for me — for anyone. That only makes me more interested.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAXPUasfTq
"Kwamé said... that you can move things with your mind."661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHvz78EuWI
"Did he now?"661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq0qKzo9CB
"It was implied." He didn't actually tell me that, after all. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkT79ZA2mY
She looks off to the side pensively as if trying to decide how to phrase her thoughts.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3AxQZn1OJ
"I'm completely at one with the universe," she begins, sounding more like a monk than anything else. "When that happens, you can feel everything around you — living and non-living. Then, with time, you can learn to... influence things. Without spells."661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfxg02HbHC
"So in order for me to do that—"661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAHkbNe4m4
"You must first be at one with the universe," she answers. What the hell is this now? Avatar the Last Airbender? It sounds like something she just made up, pulled out of her ass, and knowing her, she probably did. On top of that, that sounds like a lot of work and effort. In other words, it sounds like something that I probably won't do.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng5vpG0yob
"I understand if you're reluctant," she tells me, guessing my thoughts correctly, "but it's best if you at least get to understand some of your basic powers better, don't you think?"661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IgClddYqN
I don't know. I honestly don't know how to feel about this. I mean, I'm now interested in learning, but I'm still unsure. It feels partly real, and partly like a scam. Let's say I do this: what if I can't handle the power? Too much power is never a good thing. Or what if I get sucked into some crazy war that's going on among the supernatural? Somehow, I get the feeling that this river mumma isn't done with us yet.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZScJx3C5Y
Isn't done with me yet.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVjU99Y5O9
In other words, I need to learn how to defend myself.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7RLwm9IUm
But if that is the case... then I'm going to need Akatua.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxN1coQOY7
I feel so conflicted, a feeling that I am no stranger to, a feeling that I've been drowning in recently. It's probably because decisions and such usually come to me with an unnatural ease, but now I'm struggling to figure my life out.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq9A6CJ6My
But shouldn't this, of all things, come naturally? 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzArn0lwuM
Damnit.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHju9AdJh7
"Listen. Don't hurt your head about this right now. Just come back when you are ready to learn."661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhlntWkmPT
When she says this, I don't feel as conflicted anymore. I start to relax, and all thoughts of this river mumma fly out of my head. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0vtNIZXs4
"Yes. I will," I tell her, feeling myself relax already. See? I tell myself. No need to worry.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxKRyH7SdV
I lean back into the couch and let my mind wonder — not about magic, but about the possibility of finally having a mother — someone who cares for me. Strangely, the thought makes me smile to myself for the first time, resentment taking a back seat. I've always heard the other children at school talk about the wonders of having parents, and the idea never appealed to me. Now, though, it seems rather... intriguing. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu14epCYbl
"Nya," she calls, pulling me back to reality. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby1TOtFpl0
"Yes?" I ask, looking her in the eye. I see my own brown eyes looking back at me, smiling. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMwq2insEn
Her face smiles warmly at me. "Thank you for coming."661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYBM858e3F
It is in this moment that I realise how much this means to her, how unfair, how selfish I was being for letting my feelings get in the way of making the only person on this earth who possibly loves me happy. It's not even as if it's something hard. She just wanted me to give her a chance, and it is in that moment that I feel a guilt like no other bind up in my chest, making me feel sick. Additionally, everything that she's done — that I've hated her for has been in the name of protecting me. Still, I turned her away. I feel tears sting my eyes as I fight to keep them at bay.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhETHdycHJ
And Kwamé thinks that he is the selfish one.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzpMeJD6Dl
"You're welcome," I tell her, my voice filled with newfound friendliness, and wobbling slightly because of my guilt. Its not just my voice that has changed; my entire mindset is now different. I will not be selfish anymore. I will give this woman a chance, even if she tells lies of omission in a misguided attempt to protect me.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3VzQcOkwS
"Awe, Nya," she murmurs, "don't cry, hun." She wraps her arms around me and I return the gesture, tears still threatening.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctXR4oElmH
"It's just, you know," I begin,"I'm sorry," I rasp.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mx7d7saBp
"Your feelings are completely understandable, dear," she reassures me, rubbing my back.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OMKfO0JGL
This is another thing that I'm not used to: affection. I've been hugged by people before, but it always felt so... unnatural. Akatua's warm embrace, however, is different. Hugging her feels natural. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtX51xdosF
At least something feels natural around her.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI4hLyMhH5
When it's over, I pull back and look at her. I have one request, one thing I need to ask of her.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUt6WZMPx0
"Akatua?"661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbojX84UJR
"Hmm?"661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjqp7Kx3Sz
I chew my bottom lip for a second as my eyes dry, trying to find the best way to word my thoughts.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd5Ffa3fDa
"When it comes to telling me things," I begin,"if it's absolutely necessary, for example, if this woman — river mumma — is coming back... stuff like that," I clarify as she nods her head, but still, I have to say it out loud.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNRvZEQo00
"Please tell me," I ask as she continues to nod her head solemnly. I'm not even asking her to tell me everything, just the important bits.661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3aqcf1O2D
"That's fair," she agrees. "I will try my best to be honest with you about things like that from hear on out."661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2ZOKwhq3Y
"Thank you, Akatua," I say genuinely. 661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepxc4pQapu
"You're welcome, Nya," she replies. It is while looking into this woman's face that I think to myself:661Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPxCXMEenK
Hey, I guess family can be fun after all.
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