SIX BROWN EYED GIRL Then the sound of a horn announces the return of the little schooner from the mainland. All things that come in and all things going out depend on the routine trip each week. It doesn't take long before a crowd gathers down at the dock. The weekly event brings news from government and church. Gifts from relatives on the mainland are always welcome. The captain, a small man with a large smile, knows the names of everyone on the island. The men who sail with him place all the incoming items on the dock. A hat box contains a gift, and there is a bolt of cloth for the women. Barrels of fruit, sacks of onions and strings of garlic bring excitement. There are spices and pasta for Sunday meals, and stacks of letters from family members. The girls wonder what the letters say, but would never ask, because family matters are personal. Only the men go forward as their names are called. The women stand back and wait while their men take care of family business. Soon the ship is being loaded with salted fish in large crocks to be sold on the mainland. Each man carefully places his catch on board to insure its safe delivery. They go forward to receive last week's pay. In return, they give a portion back to the Captain to pay for fare. Soon the little ship is untied from the dock and it sails to the end of the island to catch the strong currents that will carry it to the mainland. The waters that flow between the little islands are swift and dangerous. In the winter months there's always a chance the ship won't return. Another week is about to begin and the village people go in all directions, leading back to their lonely existence. The fortunate ones who have families on the mainland always go home with some news or a package to enjoy. Starting back to the house, the girls' aprons are flopping in the wind. The dark gray of their dresses show where the aprons cover, keeping that part from the sun. Their light jackets are thin and give them reason to rush home. "Come on, it's freezing out here!" Lisa conducts the march back home. They rush to get to the top of the mountain in time for supper. Thoughts of food hurry them along. And there is always talk of the men they would marry one day, and how to raise the children. "Someday I will live in a big house on the mainland and have a handsome husband and lots of babies!" Lena is the youngest, with lots of dreams. "You'll have what Papa says you can have! Lena, you know Papa will have to say when we marry." Lisa is the oldest and knows the choice will not be theirs. At the supper table the girls notice something about Papa is different, as it has been for the last few days. His brow seems morewrinkled then usual, and his hands shake. His spoon rattles upon his plate, and they notice he misses his mouth often. Papa was going to say what was on his mind, and it would be profound. He lifts his face, glances at the opposite wall across the table and says, "Mama, this week you must pack satchels for the girls. Next week, I will take them to America." He lowers his eyes and continues eating. There is dead silence. Papa had finally said what was on his mind. There was no doubt he meant what he had just announced. 'Because, Papa was God!' copyright, Dec.1992nichols/2020/nichols sbravearteatel.net Return To Main Page
SIX BROWN EYED GIRL
Then the sound of a horn announces the return of the little schooner from the mainland. All things that come in and all things going out depend on the routine trip each week. It doesn't take long before a crowd gathers down at the dock. The weekly event brings news from government and church. Gifts from relatives on the mainland are always welcome. The captain, a small man with a large smile, knows the names of everyone on the island. The men who sail with him place all the incoming items on the dock. A hat box contains a gift, and there is a bolt of cloth for the women. Barrels of fruit, sacks of onions and strings of garlic bring excitement. There are spices and pasta for Sunday meals, and stacks of letters from family members. The girls wonder what the letters say, but would never ask, because family matters are personal. Only the men go forward as their names are called. The women stand back and wait while their men take care of family business.
Soon the ship is being loaded with salted fish in large crocks to be sold on the mainland. Each man carefully places his catch on board to insure its safe delivery. They go forward to receive last week's pay. In return, they give a portion back to the Captain to pay for fare.
Soon the little ship is untied from the dock and it sails to the end of the island to catch the strong currents that will carry it to the mainland. The waters that flow between the little islands are swift and dangerous. In the winter months there's always a chance the ship won't return. Another week is about to begin and the village people go in all directions, leading back to their lonely existence. The fortunate ones who have families on the mainland always go home with some news or a package to enjoy.
Starting back to the house, the girls' aprons are flopping in the wind. The dark gray of their dresses show where the aprons cover, keeping that part from the sun. Their light jackets are thin and give them reason to rush home. "Come on, it's freezing out here!" Lisa conducts the march back home. They rush to get to the top of the mountain in time for supper. Thoughts of food hurry them along. And there is always talk of the men they would marry one day, and how to raise the children.
"Someday I will live in a big house on the mainland and have a handsome husband and lots of babies!" Lena is the youngest, with lots of dreams. "You'll have what Papa says you can have! Lena, you know Papa will have to say when we marry." Lisa is the oldest and knows the choice will not be theirs.
At the supper table the girls notice something about Papa is different, as it has been for the last few days. His brow seems morewrinkled then usual, and his hands shake. His spoon rattles upon his plate, and they notice he misses his mouth often. Papa was going to say what was on his mind, and it would be profound. He lifts his face, glances at the opposite wall across the table and says, "Mama, this week you must pack satchels for the girls. Next week, I will take them to America." He lowers his eyes and continues eating. There is dead silence. Papa had finally said what was on his mind. There was no doubt he meant what he had just announced. 'Because, Papa was God!'
copyright, Dec.1992nichols/2020/nichols
sbravearteatel.net
Return To Main Page