“Forgive me, I am a bit out of breath, having crossed seven seas to get here. I hope you don’t mind talking to me while I am on this swing, enjoying the breeze.”
“Who are you?”
“I am the Sea Goddess.”
“I don’t believe in supernatural creatures.”
“You seemed to be quite a believer when my son visited.”
“Your son?!”
“Oh, yes, I had noticed that your children were hungry, so I sent him on a boat to bring you some food. But the poor man hadn’t been out in a while and he got distracted. Doesn’t he have the most beautiful blue eyes? It’s from living in the sea for so long.”
“David, your son?”
“I know, I know. Where did he get that name? He could have come up with something more romantic when he decided to seduce you.”
Nina just remembered his eyes and how, from the moment she met him, she felt like she had dived into the sea and was swimming far. Like that one time when she swam…
Oh, not again, how many times will she repeat that story? Ah, Nina.
“If names determine who you trust, you can call me whatever you want. This is just a dream anyway.”
“Why would I care what your name is if you are in my dream?”
“I don’t know. You seem to have a problem with deities. Don’t complicate matters. I can show up in your dreams even if you don’t believe in me. I have come to tell you that you will be fine. And to answer any questions that you may have.”
“I seem to have forgotten everything that happened before the black snow. What’s it like, the world? Has it changed?”
“No, my dear. The world hasn’t changed since you started walking to the sea. There is always a war going on in some corner of the planet. There are still children who are frightened and hungry. And there are many people who carry wars within themselves.”
“We may be travelling towards a world where no one is waiting for us. What if we get to the sea and don’t find happiness?”
“What if, what if…. I was hoping that all this walking would teach you something. Why would you want to know who or what’s waiting for you? Wouldn’t you be bored to death if you knew the answer to everything? Just keep on walking.”
“But I am leaving the other life behind.”
“Let me remind you that you have left it already. You left it when you made the decision to leave, one year, two years, three years ago. There is no turning back, you said so yourself. Live with your choice. Some people don’t do that and they walk in a small circle their whole lives. Most of them never realize it. But it’s too late for you to make that choice, because you have stepped outside the circle.”
“What if I cannot remember anything?”
“Don’t worry, you will eventually remember. I brought you this seahorse, which contains some of your memories. Your memories will visit you in conversations with your friends, in dreams. And if they don’t, you can always read other people’s memories and find some that you like. Or you could go back to visit Fer. She will be happy to see you again. I am sure she has archived some memories you might like.
“One last piece of advice and I’ll be on my way. It’s time to set the children free.”
“But it is still dangerous.”
“I know, you haven’t reached your destination yet and you are afraid for them. But if you want a different world, you have to start building it yourself. Bestow freedom upon them and, by doing that, you will bestow your love. And they’ll be safe. Remember, only love can save the world.”
Well, this is too much for me. Where did she read this? In a book from the Titanic library? With these lofty proclamations, the Sea Goddess reminds me of Nina. Perhaps she is Nina.