Many Stories High

The Lake That Never Weeps

"I'm truly sorry Audun. We've tried everything. It's been 8 years since we began the process." Dr. Covidae hands me a card, "I've written down a support group for you to attend. You'll need people who have been through this." She gives me a solemn look and walks out of the room.

Following the small arrows out of the doctor's office, I make my way to the girl sitting behind the glass window and continue to walk on.

"Miss, Miss..." she calls out. I ignore her.

There's nothing left to say to her or any of the doctors I have visited. I began trying to have children 10 years ago. I've been pregnant 5 times, with no success. This journey has cost me financially and my marriage. Emotionally, I've been drained and mentally, I've repeated my pain. Physically, my body cannot take any more. Even my tears evade me.

The elevator bings and opens. There's a lady standing off to the corner of the small, square space. With a hood concealing her face, she stands still. Her feet seem to be hovering above the ground.

She doesn't acknowledge me when I enter. I look away and push the G button for the ground floor. I look back at her and she has yet to move.

"The Lake That Never Weeps," her voice is a whisper.

"I'm sorry?" I look to her.

"The Lake That Never Weeps."

"Wha-" I'm cut off by the elevator door opening. No one is there. My current elevator companion exits off to the right. "Wait," I look out of the elevator to find her, but the long hallway is empty. Confused, I step back in to the elevator and continue my descend to the ground floor.

During my drive home, The Lake That Never Weeps, her voice replays in a loop.

"What's the news?" Belamy, my best friend asks me as he hands me a glass of wine. We share this apartment.

I hang my keys on the keyholder by the front door and slide my slippers on, "Nothing has worked. Doctor gave me this." I hand him the card.

"A support group? You serious?" He rolls his eyes, rips the card in half, and tosses it in the air as dramatic as he is. "I'm all the support you need. Now sit and drink."

"So, after the appointment, I get on the elevator and there's this lady standing there in the corner looking down..." I sip the wine, "...with her hands behind her back. Her hair was pure white, in a long braid. I asked her what floor and she didn't acknowledge me. Then she says, 'The Lake That Never Weeps' to me, twice."

"Oh, no, no." Belamy goes from laying relaxed against the couch, to sitting straight up, "Nope! We aren't doing that."

I giggle, "My grandma used to tell me stories of that place, but always ended them with, 'But you must be weary. Fairytales only last so long. And things of wishes, always come at a price.'"

"She ain't lying." Belamy sips his wine.

"You ever been?"

"No. You?"

"Not that I can remember." I look to the ceiling for answers. "Why do you think that lady said that to me?"

"Does it matter? You aren't going, so..." He looks to me waiting for me to agree.

I stand up and gulp the last of my wine, "I'm going to take a bath."

I lay in the bath so long I catch myself nodding off, with The Lake That Never Weeps echoing in my mind. The coolness of the bath water forces me to retire to my bed. That night I dream of the lady in the elevator. I feel myself being tugged towards the lake.