Skimming Pebbles Part Two

She joined the line of churchgoers resplendent in their Sunday finery. The men wore suits and ties, though some of the older ones wore the traditional wrap around skirt. All looked splendid, as did the women in their sober dresses and white straw hats, some with a trim, though nothing over frivolous. It was an aspect of Pacific life, which entranced and shamed Mary at the same time. The serious business of Sunday worship, long abandoned by many in the west, still exerted a strong pull on the islanders of the Pacific, though Mary suspected that maybe its days were numbered. As the soaring harmonies filled the church; filtered out of the open windows and spread across the lagoon, she felt out of place and uncomfortable. Not only was she the only white face but she felt underdressed as well and not for the first time, she sensed she was in the wrong place, at the wrong time of her life. She tried to find enough moments of calm in which to question what had happened but only succeeded in catching Tetuanui’s eye, who beamed at her and further glances from others who did not. She tried unsuccessfully, to spot Solomana and his father in the crowd, further adding to her doubts and worries. It was with some relief that she left the church after the service and breathed deeply in the open air.
“So, how are you liking your new life here?” The Minister shook her hand vigorously at the churchyard gate.
“Oh, it will be fine I think, Minister. Thank you for a fine service by the way.”
He smiled and continued, still gripping her hand. “You know, very few foreigners come to the church and there are enough, scattered around the islands. The New Zealanders especially. I am disappointed in the New Zealanders. I have to say, I am overjoyed that we have a library at last. Tetuanui says that you have many fine books. Perhaps I shall make use of its services, as you do of mine.”
“You will be very welcome Minister. Perhaps you can spread a few words about the library, while you’re spreading the word of God.” Mary delicately extracted her hand. He laughed, his whole body rippling with mirth.
“Oh I can see we shall get along fine. I couldn’t help noticing how troubled you looked in church, maybe I can help if you have a problem?”
The smile had gone and his eyes searched her soul. What else had Tetuanui been telling him? Suddenly, she needed to get away and she searched for appropriate words.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just tired after the move I expect. I’ll feel better in a few days.”
“I understand my dear. You do not yet feel the rhythm of the island I think. When you do, your worries will disappear I’m sure.”
His eyes were still piercing and she could feel them in her back as she hurried off down the road.
She could feel those always-familiar feelings of panic sweeping through her. Her chest tightened
and she feared that from that moment it was ruined. The whole adventure was quickly losing its appeal. What she’d thought of as paradise had too many serpents and despite the heat of the morning, she felt chilled and tearful.
She reached the house and rushed in, closing shutters and locking doors behind her, until she felt secure enough to sit down and think. What sort of a person had she become, who couldn’t cope with the slightest problem, whose first instinct was to run? She needed to get a grip! Sort it all out and get it into perspective! After all, what had happened? Not a great deal. Certainly nothing to get so steamed up about. Maybe this fear came from the past and not the present? Maybe it was unwanted luggage from lives left behind.
In the light that streamed through the slats of the shutters, Mary devoted herself to some serious thought. Perhaps her instinct was wrong. After all, it had proved to be singularly inconsistent in the past. Perhaps Solomana was just a little liar who had turned her life inside out by means of an attention-seeking joke. Tetuanui had certainly seemed morally outraged by the boy and there was no reason at all to doubt her judgement. She came to the conclusion that nothing would be gained by over-reacting. She would doubtless see Solomana again and if she took it gently, could find out more of what lay behind his story, true or not. Meanwhile, she had a job to do and after opening the house up to the sunlight again, she put all her efforts into cataloguing books and writing signs. Nothing, however, would silence the nagging fears at the bottom of her consciousness.
The next week was so busy; she barely had time to dwell on Solomana and his tales. The library proved to be popular and she realised that she would need to plead for more books from New Zealand to meet the growing demand. It was while she was composing a letter to the chief librarian in Auckland, that she met Solomana again.
It was just after she had closed the library for the day and sat down at her typewriter, that she heard an almost imperceptible tapping at the window looking out at the back of the building. There was only undergrowth there and at first she thought it was a branch or an inquisitive Mynah bird. Nevertheless, she got up to look and found Solomana crouching beneath the shutter.
“Hello, what are you doing there? Why didn’t you come to the door?”
He looked up at her and his little face crumpled as he dissolved into tears.
“Can I come in lady? Through this window, now?”
Once inside, she hugged him until the tears subsided and waited patiently until he was ready to talk.
“Oh lady, I shouldn’t be here. I’ll just get you into trouble too.”
His eyes darted around the room as if he was ready to run.
“You don’t have to worry about me Solomana. I won’t be in trouble. Now you came here to see me. Why? What has happened to you? Why are you so upset?” She put her hand on his shoulder but he flinched and yelped.
“Let me see Solomana. Why does that hurt?”
With that, the boy slowly lifted his vest.
“My god! Who did that to you? You poor child.”
His skin was covered in weals and bruises, both back and front. Mary stood back, unable to move; unable to think what to do next.
“Ok, the first thing we must do is get you to the doctor.”
“No!” he screamed and ran for the door. “No, no doctor! I don’t need no doctor. I’ll be fine. I just need to stay away a while!”
The words came rushing out as he panicked. She rushed to get between him and the door and held her hands out, palms open, to show that she offered no threat of restraint.
“That’s fine Solomana; that’s just fine. You stay here. I’ll get you a drink. You’ll be safe here.”
He seemed to accept what she said and slumped down in a chair, head in hands and moaned softly to himself. Mary made sure her voice was going to be calm and reassuring before she spoke again.
“Whatever we do my friend, you are going to have to tell me what happened, or I won’t be able to help you.” She sat down beside him but didn’t attempt to touch him, although she longed to gather him in her arms and make everything alright.
“Now can you tell me who did this to you and why they did it? What have you done to deserve such a beating?”
He lifted his head and looked directly into her eyes. She could only see the young boy’s face but sensed that there was a lifetime of experience behind his gaze.
“My father says that Mr. Erik comes back again next week. I told him that I didn’t feel like staying with Mr. Erik this time. It is the last week of school and I want to be at school. I’ll never learn things properly unless I’m at school.”
“What did your father say then?” Mary could see clearly what his father’s reaction had been but wanted Solomana to explain for himself. She wanted to have no doubts this time.
“He told me I was ungrateful and selfish. He said that Mr. Erik gave the village so much and asked only for some help in the house in return. He said that I had no right to refuse and I must do as I am told.” Tears welled up in his eyes again and he gripped his fists as he went on.
“I shouted at him. I shouted at my father. I wanted him to know what Mr. Erik does to me but I think he knows already. Then he lost his temper and hit me. I’m a bad boy. I don’t think it’s so bad with Mr. Erik. I am selfish, he’s right. I deserved my beating!”
Mary could barely hold back the tears as she drew him towards her again. He needed protection at that moment but she feared that he wasn’t the only one.
A dog started barking outside and voices approached; footsteps across the lanai. She braced herself for the inevitable intrusion.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
It was only two days later when the post arrived. The letter was brief and unapologetic. The island council felt that the library needed a local librarian and Tetuanui was to take over Mary’s duties with immediate effect. She was not shocked or even terribly disappointed, as this particular paradise had proved to be yet another illusion. It was almost as if the surreal tragedy of it all fitted her life seamlessly. Had she caused it all by her arrival? No of course not. She knew that but felt certain that wherever she was, she became a magnet for unhappiness. She didn’t desire it; she just sought peace of mind but no matter how many times she ran, she could never achieve it.
What to do about Solomana? She knew he would be raised by his own, in ways she would never understand. She sensed he would survive but more in hope than certainty. When she got back to Auckland, she’d raise such a stink.
What she did know was that she had no courage left and few reserves to draw on.
“Bugger it,”
She packed her bags.