Nae's Nest

The silence was like fingernails screeching down the blackboard.  The grinding of teeth.  The exultation of the people was Sheer and true happiness.  Too bad it was over.  No one knows when the next one will be. These shows are rare, but man!! They sure are worth the wait,

Getting out of bed in the morning.  The children excited asking over and over  ”Is it time to go yet.  Is it time to go?” Calm down little ones.  It won’t be long.  Let me pack some bread and cheese.

Let’s see,  all that’s left is  feeding and changing the baby.  Oh, I better check on Amu first.  Make certain I have his clothes out and ready.  And I need to wake him in about a half hour.

I know he was out catting around again.  But, that’s the way men are.  If only I were pretty and young again.  3 children so far, not bad for 25.  If only I hadn’t of lost the twins when Amu helped me down the stairs  I am so slow at getting pregnant.  Poor Amu gets so angry.  I swear, I think he believes he can literally shake a baby out of me.

Well, little one. Off the breast you come.  All fed and dressed and ready to go.  Time to wake up you father.  No, no…shhhh shhhh.  Now don’t you cry.  I will leave you in here if your cry.  Your father says a baby’s cry hurts his sensitive ears.  He can’t help it little one.  His father was  the same way.  That’s a good baby.  Mama will take you to see Papa now.

Quietly and slowly she walks into the room.  Being extra careful not to spill or drop anything.  Damn, who let the cat in, she wondered, as she watched her jump into the window sill her favorite spot.

Amu hates her.  He says one more mess and she’s dinner.  I tell him she’s a good mouser.  So, he says “then why do we have mice”….I keep thinking we’d be crawling in mice without her, but I do not dare say it to him.  So, I just nod in agreement and pray.

Ok.  Baby you lay next to your father and coo real sweet.  Be a his “little cherub”.

Now I must get the oil and rub into my hands, and rub his back.  His favorite and only way he wants to wake  in the mornings. He starts to moan in lust.  He opens his eyes and sees the baby.  Marta!  The baby AGAIN!  Why must you bring him in here everytime you wake me?  You know I do not like having him in here when I collect my marital rites.

You know I dislike this.  You stupid, stupid girl.  See what kind of mother you have?  He picks up the baby and faces him toward Marta.  With his other hand he roughly grips her by the hair to pull her down into the baby’s face.  This is what you have for a mother, my poor one and only son.  She can’t birth sons.  She lost twin boys!  She shames me, she shames you.

Holding back her tears, Marta gently reminds Amu of the showing in town.  She lets him know happily through watery eyes that everything is all packed and ready, even the children.  He only needs to put on the clothes she laid out for him.

With a growl, he lets her go.  She finishes his back rub.  She then washes his face, combs his long glorious hair.  She washes his feet.  He looks at her hatefully.  Still holding a grudge.   At moments like this, he has been known to kick her in the head.  Well, she sighs, when he is upset with me at least it means usually, he is not upset with the girls.  Oh, if only she would have all boys….

Woman! he bellows.  Your small mind is wondering.  Watch what you do.  You are getting water all over the floor.  For what?  You wish that I slip and fall?  Is this why? Before she can answer, he gets up and pushes her aside.  OH if only you were showing today.  I could use the sparse bits you would bring in when the bets are on.  That is the best part.  To bet how long it will take.  Smiling broadly, he heads for the kitchen muttering something better be ready for him to eat.

Meanwhile she cleaned the mess in the bedroom and told the girls it was time to go, as if they couldn’t hear their father yelling at Marta to get her girls outside now or else be left behind.

They walk the short way to town.  The girls quietly trail behind their father, knowing better than to walk in front of him.    During the walk, Marta’s thoughts were on Tampa, her friend who would be on show today.  She has 7 babies to care for.  Marta knew Tampa was innocent, but the courts do not care.  They love the power it bestows upon them.  Her dear sweet friend.  Going to show on charges her husband made up.  All because he loves someone else.  The show was the best, most enjoyable way to rid himself of her, not to mention the gambling.

They arrive. Marta and the children find a nice spot atop a large rock.  Amu helps get the girls on the rock and instructs them to stay there and watch.  They were about to learn a valuable lesson about what happens if you are a bad wife and mother.  After helping Marta up on the rock, he hands her the baby.  Without a word, he goes up front where the men gather to gamble and to get in on the action, which was the best part.  They bet on how big  a bounce they get when their rock hits Tamba’s head.

The silence was like fingernails screeching down the blackboard.  The grinding of teeth.  The exultation of the people.  Sheer and true happiness.  Too bad it was over.

No one knows when the next one will be.  Marta wonders if it will be as she? Looking around, she sees her reflection in the drinking water.    A curse!  Seeing your reflection right after a death.  Oh Dear God!  Quickly she lowered her eyes and walked away.

Tamba was falsely accused of cheating on her husband, it was he that was fooling around.  Everyone knew.  For it was no secret.  In fact, there is all ready a date set for the wedding.  The men enjoy the show too much.  The women fear it too much.  Life is wonderful when everything goes smoothly.

The fingernails quietly screeching down the blackboard.  A woman’s screams go unheard.

Sheer and true happiness.