Chapter 8

Emzara pinched another piece of dough and arranged it with the others on the thin clay dish. Fussing over the placement, she ensured the proper spacing, then she turned to stoke the coals at the base of the stonework oven, readying the temperature so that it would be just right when she placed the tray inside.

She replaced the cover on her starter for the next time she made bread and wound the leather cord tightly on the lip. As she raised it to the shelf, she bumped it against the edge and her other hand rushed to protect and steady the clay pot. With her second attempt, she succeeded in carefully replacing it on top of the dark-stained wooden ledge.

After grabbing the broom, she glanced at the corner where a bowl sat upon a crate. Not yet. Shaking her head, she tried to focus on her methodical sweeping, which sent dirt and bits of food swirling around her bare feet.

The small house Noah and Aterre built had started out relatively plain, but Emzara’s touches soon made it a home. After the wedding, Aterre moved in with Ara, and Noah expanded the kitchen and dining areas. It was more rustic than her childhood home, but it was theirs. And it takes less time to sweep.

She flicked the broom twice more before losing resolve. I need to know. Dropping the handle, she rushed over to the bowl. She barely flinched when the broom hit the ground behind her. Picking up the container, she stared at the contents. There was no mistaking it. Cradling the little hollowed-out bowl of sprouting grain pods, she danced around the room. She moved into the bedroom and placed the bowl next to their bed before pirouetting back through the doorway and into the well-lit main room.

Moments later, the smell of fresh bread brought her whirling thoughts back down to earth. Alright, Em. You’ve had your reward. Now it’s time to get back to work. She grinned, and placed the fresh bread rounds into a square cloth. She tucked the edges of the fabric in and tied up the four corners, then set the packet on the table as she scooted her feet into her sandals and bound the straps around her ankles. Taking up the warm bundle and balancing it on her head, she left the house and joined the familiar path to her father’s place. Looking to her right, she tried to spot Noah and Garun where she had left them earlier on the scenic overlook, but they were gone.

It still felt foreign to knock at her old home, but Emzara forced herself to rap on the front door before she stepped in. “Baba.” Her eyes quickly adjusted to the darker space, and she realized he must have heard her approaching because he already hovered near the door.

“Emz! So good to see you.” Ara pulled her in for one of his embraces.

She soaked in the comfort of her strong father and her soul warmed, knowing he was always there for her.

“I don’t often see you away from the shipyard anymore.” He winked. “Now that there’s another man in your life.”

A sympathetic smile tweaked the corners of her lips as the two of them walked into the house. “Baba, I know you weren’t feeling well this morning, so I brought some bread rounds for you. And it gives me an excuse to stop by and give you some care as well.”

“Ah, how you spoil me. I’m doing much better. I could’ve even worked today, but . . .”

“But someone who is very wise and who loves you very much gave you orders to take it easy.”

“Well, we’ve always called you ‘Boss’ for a reason.” His eyes crinkled up at her as he eased his body back into a pile of soft cushions near a low table in the main room.

Emzara set her bundle down in front of him and reached for an empty cup. “Here, you try one of these while I get you more water.”

She made her way to the kitchen. It’s still so hard to believe. I just want to burst with this secret. Beaming, she placed the dipper into the drawn bucket of water and refilled the mug. After forcing herself to pause and allow her facial expression to return to what felt normal, she hurried back to her father.

“Here’s your —” Before she knew what was happening, she bumped into a low table and lost her footing. Awkwardly trying to right herself, she flailed for a moment and tumbled into a heap next to her father. The contents of the cup shot forward in an arc, as if at a slowed pace, and deep spots formed on the cushions and on the front of her father’s tunic. “Oh, how clumsy of me!” Losing all control of her emotions, Emzara burst into tears.

Ara snorted. “It’s completely fine, Emz.” He laid a hand on her shoulder, causing her to sob harder. “With the balmy afternoons we’ve been having, this will dry in no time.” He waved the worst part of his damp garment before her, emphasizing his words of comfort.

She wiped her filmy eyes. “I — I’m sorry!”

“What’s wrong? You’re not usually like this.”

“I know.” Emzara sniffed, trying to regain control of her emotions. What is wrong with me?

Rubbing her back in little circles, he tried to peer into her face. “This isn’t about spilled water, is it? Tell me what’s going on.”

“Well . . .” Unwanted tears pricked at the back of her eyes again and made their way to the corners. She blinked. “I’ve thought it may be possible for a while, but as of today, I’m pretty sure I’m carrying your grandchild.” She looked sheepishly into his face.

Now tears formed in his eyes and he hugged her tightly, muttering barely discernable prayers of blessing and thankfulness under his breath.

It’s more real telling someone else. She shook her head in renewed wonder, awe, and disbelief at the joy that flooded her heart.

“Tell me more.” Ara pulled back, looking ready for one of the heart talks they had so often shared when she was a girl.

“Well, a while ago Kmani and Nmir told me early signs to be looking for.” She flushed a little and bypassed the specifics. “I noticed some and wondered, but felt so unsure. I — I didn’t want to be wrong.” Emzara shrugged before continuing. “So I tried wetting kernels of certain grains that Nmir showed me with — well, you don’t want those details. Anyway, if they sprout, then that’s a good indication. I waited as long as I could before checking today, and here we are.”

Ara’s wide grin matched her own. “So there will be a new little one here in several whole moons. Does Noah know?”

She shook her head. “I haven’t had a chance to tell him yet.”

“Finding out that you’ll be receiving a gift of life from the Creator is a unique joy. I remember when your mother first told me her news about you. I jumped up and shouted. She laughed that bubbling laugh of hers, like bangles making music together. We were so happy. Although,” he touched her cheek and smiled, using his thumb to wipe away a tear that lingered there, “it definitely made her cry more quickly as well.”

“What happened next?” Emzara pulled her knees to her chest, cherishing every detail about her mother.

He closed his eyes and spoke slowly, as if savoring every word of the precious memories. “In the whole moons to come, we talked and planned as if your coming was the first and only of its kind on this earth. She worked to prepare linens for you, delighting over each. We’d guess what you might be like and talked often about you — even until just before daybreak. I was almost 200 and she was just a little younger, but we felt as giddy as 20-year-olds, yet as endowed with all the responsibility and respectability of people who are 900.” Ara paused.

“What else about Amma?”

“We had this game together. I’d made a little wooden bed for you — so tiny. She’d hide it each day, and I had to find it when I came home from work. Some days it’d be in the kitchen. Another day, I found it on a branch in one of the trees outside. She was very creative. Sometimes it was with the animals, or even tied to the coastline as a little boat. Each day I’d bring it back and as I cleaned it, she’d tell me a story about you. With the kitchen, it was about how you’d be a great cook. When it was on the water, the tale was all about the many adventures you’d have. The last place she hid it was on our pallet. She whispered to me that you’d come into both of our hearts and lives to stay.”

Emzara felt full, hearing how much her mother had delighted in her while she was still in the womb.

“You know, she left us too soon,” Ara said. “Nmir was there to help with the birth, but once you came, your mother struggled to recover. We placed you on her chest and she glowed. I’ll never forget the tenderness and love shining from her whole being. But that couldn’t defeat whatever was at work inside her body.”

He bowed his head in his hands and Emzara wept with him. “I miss her so.” Ara cleared his throat and smiled deeply. “You have her hair, her gift for seeing the world for what it can be, and her strength of character. With all she and I discussed about how you’d look and behave, you’ve surpassed our every dream.”

Emzara held his hand. “I wish I’d known her.”

“Everything alright? Why all the tears?” Noah’s voice filtered into her world, expanding it from the one her father had just shared. She rose to her feet, glided to Noah, and kissed his cheek.

“Yes.” She tilted her head up while reaching for one of his hands and placing it on her still-flat middle. “I’m a little emotional right now because, as I just told Baba, someone might soon be calling you Baba.”

“What?” His mouth agape and eyes wide, Noah held her at arm’s length.

Emzara beamed, nodding.

Ara stood and Noah looked askance at him. “She’s — I mean — we’re — baby?”

Both father and daughter laughed. Although Noah’s words were far from eloquent, his face spoke volumes. He held on to her tightly.

“So you’re happy?” She spoke softly into the folds of cloth draped over his shoulder.

“I couldn’t be happier.” He raised her chin, and she saw a glimmer in his eye that spoke of mischief. “So does this mean I’m going to have to put up with more of this kind of behavior for a while now?” He wiped her eyes and cheeks gently.

Emzara worked to form her lips into a small pout, which wobbled as she struggled to hold back the grin that wanted to burst forth like the morning sun. “And if you are?”

“Worth it.” Noah peeked at his father-in-law. “Well I certainly didn’t expect to come over tonight and get this news. I was just going to tell you about goings on at the shipyard.”

“That can wait.” Ara placed his hands on the couple, creating a loose circle. “I’ve been thinking about this event for some time now. And I want you to have this place. We’ll trade. A small house like yours is perfect for an old widower, but with the 40 or so children you’ll be having, this will be a much better home for you and all my grandchildren.”

“Only 40?” Noah tipped his head to the side and winked at Emzara.

“One at a time. We both come from unusually small families.” She reached out to her father. “I can’t take your home from you.”

“You’re not taking it. I’m giving it. Trust me, I’ve thought about this for a while, long before meeting this fellow.”

Noah turned serious. “It’s an amazing gift. I — ‘thank you’ doesn’t seem like enough.”

“Your care for my daughter is more than enough.” Ara paused before adding playfully. “Think about it. If you didn’t take her off my hands, this place would belong to her someday anyway.”

“Hey!” Emzara placed her hands on her hips.

Noah suddenly reached toward her midsection. “We can’t wait to meet you, little one. You’re a wonderful gift from our Creator.”

Placing one hand over Noah’s, Emzara used her other one to grab Ara’s hand and situate it near hers and Noah’s. “Amen.”

“What’s this? It’s too small to be a community dance.” Aterre’s sudden entrance broke the close circle, or rather expanded it.

“Aterre!” Emzara extended her arm.

Aterre picked up one of the fresh bread rounds that sat forgotten on the low table. He waved it in the air as he strode over to the group. “Why do you all look as guilty as if you’ve been caught taking one of these when you’re not supposed to?”

The group stared silently until Noah cleared his throat. “Well, maybe it’s because I just learned that I’m a father.”

Aterre looked quickly back and forth between the couple for confirmation. “You’re serious?”

“Yes.” Emzara looked down, feeling her cheeks heat up. But then both she and Noah were smashed into a big hug from their friend and everyone was laughing.

“That’s wonderful!” He released them. “When?”

“Well,” she smoothed the front of her wrapped dress, “it could be anywhere from six to eight whole moons.”

Aterre shook his head before clasping his hand firmly on Noah’s shoulder. When he didn’t speak, Emzara wondered if he was holding back tears. “Well, when he comes,” he said at last, the mischief in his voice belying her suspicions, “I’ll have plenty of stories to tell him about his father.”

“Or she.” Ara said as he wrapped an arm around his daughter.

“Oh, I’ll be sure she knows too.” Aterre took a large bite of the bread.

“We’ll have to see that you’re far away from here by the time our child is old enough to listen to the yarns you’ll spin about me. You’d probably claim to be a faster swimmer.”

Emzara grinned as she recalled that special evening.

“But I am,” Aterre mumbled with a mouth full of food.

“Or that I ran terrified from a grendec on our journey.”

“You tried, but the pace you call running doesn’t really qualify. As I recall, you shivered behind Taht for protection.”

Emzara laughed, delighted by the banter.

“See? Your stories are so far from reality. My little boy” — Noah glanced at Ara and emphasized his next words — “or girl, needs to know the truth about how strong and handsome and brave I really am. We can’t have Uncle Aterre around too much.”

Aterre’s demeanor suddenly calmed, puzzling Emzara. “Well, you may get your wish. Because it looks like I’ll be moving to Cada’s farm after the harvest.”

All three turned in unison as he scratched his head. “I asked Jitzel to be my wife tonight, and she agreed. I’ve purchased a plot of land from her father, and we’ll be married once the harvest is in.”

Emzara squealed, clapping her hands together in excitement. “This is such great news!”

“You finally got up the nerve to ask her?” Noah asked.

“At least I didn’t need your help to do it like you did with Zara. That’s another story I’ll get to tell your child.”

“Well there will be plenty of versions to each story with you, me, Baba, and Noah retelling them.”

“At least there will be three of us telling the truth about me.” Noah sank back into a cushion.

“Hmm, I don’t know about that.” Emzara flashed him a playful glance as she joined him. “I might have to come up with a version of my own.”

Aterre threw his head back, and his infectious laughter compelled the rest of them to join in. Emzara nestled into Noah’s side, enjoying the camaraderie and joy that the fellowship of this group brought. She peeked at her father.

Ara, beaming with joy, caught her look. He winked and mouthed the words “I love you.”