Kay's Story pt 14 - A New Friend

            The next day held Elianna up on a whirlwind of interesting and new enjoyments.  The Middletons introduced her to the trunk of books they had brought along.  Elianna was encouraged to take any volume she liked as a gift.  Then Jasna told her that she had beautiful hair, and could she braid it?  Elianna could not help but acquiesce to the excited girlish look that danced in Jasna’s face.  Before long they were chattering along like old blue jays, sharing the mosaics of their lives in random pieces.  Jasna wanted to be a baker, secretly, and lamented the misfortune of coming from a family of money, for whom such pursuits would be out of the question and improper for a lady of her station.  She also found Ferdinand to be tiresome during long journeys.  He had strong bouts of seasickness, which took his mood into shadows often. 

            Jasna loved the ocean, and so did Elianna.  As her hands moved deftly through Elianna’s hair, weaving a spell of maiden splendour, she marveled over the sunlit water before them.  They were perched far away from the din of other passengers, letting the breeze and blue sky with its ruffled, little happy clouds all wash over them.  The salt air was clean and bright in their lungs, and they signed together, smiled, and enjoyed a few moments of silence, watching some curious gulls circle the steamer.  The soul-freeing expanse of the sea surrounded them on every side.  Not a speck of land was to be seen; only the sapphire ripples, nourishing the eyes with their rich colours. 

            Jasna was full of questions for Elianna.  Elianna liked a person who knew how to ask good questions.  “What do you wish people would ask you, but never do?”  And “What do you never tell people about yourself because it may seem vain?  What makes you come alive?”  Such questions!  Then she wanted to know about books.  What had Elianna read; what did she love?  What would she want to do if she were a man?  Had she ever longed to have a twin?  Jasna had.  Where would she travel first if she were rich?  Did she find Ferdinand handsome?  Why was such a pretty little thing like her not yet married?

            Elianna marveled over how easy it was to talk to this lively, sincere, thoughtful girl.  She had certainly misjudged her at their first encounters.  Before long she was pouring out her dreams and sentiments as though this girl were her very own mother.  Jasna listened as though she really heard—the way lonely people the world over only wish faintly and hope to be listened to one day. 

            Elianna even shared about the vexation of Sylvia and her confounded journal.  Jasna grew more serious and subdued as Elianna earnestly expressed her frustration, recounting the story of Sylvia’s hatred toward God and raging hypocrisy.  She finished ranting with a sigh, and Jasna held out a looking glass for her to see her hair.  Elianna couldn’t help but admire the fine work.  Jasna was pleased—so pleased she called it “dazzling.”  The ocean sun made a gold sheen on the tight, beautiful French braid.  She had left a few light wisps in all the right places about the face.  Elianna could feel tears welling up. This girl’s way was so tender and true.  She was so beautiful, making the horizon seem like a faded backdrop for a brilliant pearl.  She was in no hurry to scurry off to lunch.  She lingered.  Peace swirled softly around the two of them, because gratitude was there.

            “Thank you,” Elianna said.

            “Thank you.  All the pleasure has been mine.  And I mean that.”

            Elianna nearly contradicted her, but instead she turned and smothered the delicate frame beside her with a strong embrace.      

            She had found a friend.