Sasha

Sasha

By Doug Salway on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 1:53am

 

Sasha watched the waves crash into the shore one last time before heading home. Every evening she would make her way down the cliffs to watch the sunset. It had been many a year since she had found her way to this beach.  It had been a small seclude place, with steep cliffs jutting up to the sky. There were only two ways to get to this strand. One way was a small covered maze through the rocks to the bluffs above, or you could just walk out of the ocean. It had been here forty-five years ago where she had happened upon Kieran, he was a young handsome man then. She could remember everything about that moment, how could she not. It was the first time she would lay eyes upon the man she would love for the rest of her life. They met every day that first summer, just after dawn. They lay in the sand, she remembered, it would be their last sunset. He was to ship out in the morning; he was the boatswain for the Sesothis. She would be setting sail, carrying people and cargo to the Americas. Kieran had signed up for three runs, meaning he would be at sea for almost 2 years. “Wait for me” Kieran asked, “Yes” Sasha whispered, “I will stay for you” and she stayed, never returning to the beach. The first six months passed quickly, they declared their love over the few days he would be docked refitting the ship. Kieran had no family to speak of, and she had given up everything for him, so the wedding was handled quickly by the Captain. They spent his finally night in married bliss, and he was off again at first light. She had already moved into a small waterside apartment. It was close enough to the water to smell the salt air, but far enough away to keep her at peace. The next six months came to a close and Kieran was glad for it. One more time across and he’d have enough money to make a life. Sash met him on the docks as before, only now she was different. Her belly swelled with the gift their short honeymoon had bestowed on them. She cherished the few moments she would have with him, but was saddened to think that he would miss the birth of their child. He would most likely be just beginning his last voyage home when hopefully their son was being born. Though she prayed to give him a son, she bore him a fine, strong girl. Every bit her mother in a tiny form, she named her Tighe. Upon returning, Kieran took the position of the lighthouse keeper. Sasha was happy to be out of the apartment and closer still to the ocean. They lived through the years as a family should; they lived and loved for one another. Shortly after Tighe’s seventeenth birthday, she told her parents she needed to leave. That she longed be at sea. Her father smiled warmly, “you’ve got your father’s salt in your bones, you have a yearning for the sailor’s life.” “No” Sasha thought that wasn’t it. “Does the night breeze call your name daughter?”; “Do you still feel dry after having water?” Puzzled, Tighe answered yes. “Tonight then, we three shall go to the beach and your questions will be answered. The walk down to the water was slow and quiet. Sasha could tell Kieran would be in need of answers as well. She only hoped he would listen to them. Kieran built a fire to warm and light them, while Sasha unrolled a bundle she had carried under her arm. “What is this?” Kieran asked, “It looks like a seal’s skin.” “It is mine” she said quietly. “I had just taken it off all those years ago when we first met on the beach”, “I loved you from the moment I saw you and when you asked me to wait for you, I never again needed to wear it.” Kieran was still confused. “Why would you need to wear it and how does this concern our daughter?” Sasha sighed, tears in her eyes, “because she’s only half Selkie. Being part human, she doesn’t have the ability to shift, not without this.” Sasha smoothed her hands over the soft pelt that she hadn’t touched in what seemed like a life time. “Mother, what does this all mean?” Tighe asked. “Here, it will be easier if I showed you.” Sasha whirled the skin over child’s shoulders. There in the moon light, against the glow of the fire with a faint shimmer, her daughter was no more. There before them sitting in the sand was a small black seal. Kieran gasped, hardly believing what he had just seen. Sasha grab the back of the seal and will a gentle pull, slid back the skin from Tighe. “This is your birthright, my past, my legacy. Now I give it to you, so you may make your own choice like I did.” Sasha took her husband by the hand stepped back away from the fire. Tighe, holding the skin, stepped into the surf and disappeared. “Do not worry, my love.” Sasha reassured her husband, “She will be back.” Tighe returned from time to time, letting her parents know she was healthy and happy. Sasha took over the lighthouse after Kieran fell ill. He would have done better in a dryer climate, but would not leave the sea, not for her. Not for us. Sasha watched the waves crash into the shore one last time before heading home. The salt misted on her cheeks, hiding her tears.