Love for a Mother - Part 4

We waited until most of the foot traffic was gone, and I began mentally preparing for the ceremony. For the first time in a long while, I dreaded giving away my memories. Usually, I could justify it in my head by doing good. But I wasn’t one hundred percent sure that healing Evara was a good thing. I felt selfish for these thoughts. It was my only duty in life, and here I was trying to get out of it. Mother would have so many words for me if she ever knew. Who was I to even judge another? Even if they were criminals, it was my duty. I wasn’t a knight or lawmaker. I shouldn’t give judgments out like I had the right to.

Taking a deep breath, I reached for my key. Ira gently pulled Asha back, and the two of them watched me in silence. I stretched the key to the sky and twisted, tearing a rip in the air. I heard Asha gasp behind me, and a small smile stretched on my face. Colored light enveloped me, causing my eyes to squint.

“O’ Great Moon, I beg of thee to shine thy light for me once more. I ask you to purify this mother who needs the ability to care for her daughter. I will give you what you require in return.” I recited the words slowly and with a lack of tone. Power flows into my from my finger tips to my toes, and with it, a memory is taken. I hated that feeling after I was done. Like I was forgetting something incredibly important, and this time I felt this to be the case.

I removed the key from its place and let the light shine even further around me. Evara was coated in moonlight, and you could see her skin change from the dull grey to her pale complexion. Knowing her curse was broken, I jammed the key back in its hole and closed the rift. When I looked back towards Evara, I saw her drop to the floor. Her entire body was shaking, and she began to hyperventilate. Ira immediately ran over and dropped to her height to place a hand on her back, moving it in slow circles.

“There, there”, she soothed, “It’s okay now. You’re safe.” After a few minutes of calming her down, Evara eventually composed herself enough to be able to stand.

“Thank you for removing that curse”, she said, “Whoever did it is a real piece of work. What kind of human thinks it's ever okay to turn someone to stone? What did I do to deserve that? Nothing! I’m just trying to live my life, and some random person thinks they can do that to me? I swear if I ever see them I’ll-”. Evara abruptly stopped as she realized what she was about to say.

“I was just as mad when I was cured”, Ira sympathizes, “You can let out the anger here. It's much easier to yell and just get it out.”

“No, I don’t want to bother my saviors. I really don’t get angry so often, it's just right, then I really felt it. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine! But could I bother you guys with a small favor? Could you please spare me some change to get some food? After being trapped in stone for so long, my body needs sustenance, and I haven’t been able to work in a few weeks.” She placed her hands together and pleaded.

“We can spare some funds for you, but for the sake of your child, you’ll need to find work soon. We fed her today and played with her, but it looked like she hadn’t been getting much to eat.” I said.

“Don’t tell me how to parent my child”, Evara snapped, “She can’t hold a job or make any money. Asha should be happy that I even feed her. Without me, she wouldn’t have anything.”

“But you’re not making any money right now either”, I argued, “Don’t you think that’s somewhat of a double standard?” Evara’s face morphed into one of anger. Her beautiful features, twisted into those of a monster.

“Mommy!” Asha shouted from behind me, “Nia and Ira helped you, remember?”

“Yes, I know that Asha”, Evara spat, “I just don’t like getting told what to do. I’m sorry if I offended you both. As you know, I had been living like that for quite a while. I’m a little on edge, and that is my bad.” She held out her hand, and at first I thought she wanted a handshake. But I quickly realized what she wanted. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a few coins, placing it in her hand. Evara grinned and quickly pocketed it.

“Thank you once again, but I think we should get going. It’s late and I need to get this little one to bed.” Evara grinned. I see. Leaving as soon as you get what you want. I haven’t met someone this selfish in a long, long time.

“Alright”, Ira said, “We’ll still be around in the morning, so if you need us-”.

“Mommy, how would you feel if I left the house and went off with someone else?” Asha questioned, cutting off Ira. Oh Asha. It's not that I didn’t understand her. A young girl who is finally shown kindness. If I were in her position, I’d also try to leave.

“Are you crazy?” Evara said, barely restricting her anger, “Who would do the housework? When I get home from work, I’m exhausted. I don’t have time to clean or cook. We’ve been other this. Also, it's rude to talk about in front of strangers. We can talk about this when we get home. Come on.” Wasn’t this when you should tell your child that you love them? That you want them around solely because you’re their mother, not because of how many chores they can accomplish for you.

Hesitantly, I let her mother grab hold of her hand. Asha’s head turned back towards me as she began to get dragged away. A pleading look in her eyes made me instantly regret my decision. But who was I to interfere? It was her mother, after all. Could I take Asha from her? Was it even the right thing to do? As I stood frozen, Asha’s hand reached out to me, tears beginning to fall from her eyes. Oh, to Hell with it. I hesitated no longer, as I grabbed hold of Asha’s outstretched hand towards me. I wouldn’t let her mother touch it again.

Thankfully, Ira took off running without hesitation after us. I ran as fast as I could, with Asha being able to keep up. It wasn’t long until Evara began to shriek and run after us.

“Child kidnapper!” she screamed, “Someone stop them! A thief! Stealer! Liar! Asha, get back here right now or so help me God!”

Great Moon, what am I doing? I had spent so much time rationalizing leaving this child with her mother, so please tell me. What am I doing? I was sweating from the exercise, but more so from the panic that was setting in. We passed by a few villagers, who didn’t try to stop us as we raced through the street. I was smacked in the back by a thrown object, and if I had to guess, I’d say it was probably one of Evara’s shoes. Quickly after, another object hit me in the back of my head. Why was her aim so accurate?

Adrenaline pumped through my veins, and I found myself running faster. Surprisingly, Asha was able to keep up with me. We ran, and frankly, I didn’t even know where I was going. We just needed to lose Evara, and we’d figure the rest out. Even if we had to walk.

Out of the corner of my eye, a flash of white hair passed by in the distance. I did a double-take, but if there was someone with white hair, they either disappeared behind a building or I was just simply mistaken. I had only known one person with white hair, and I’m not sure that I was comforted by the idea of him being here. I must really be going crazy.