4 Sisters of the Apocalypse

41- Beth

Beth

The thought of getting on the Staten Island Ferry on such a blustery February morning filled me with dread. I remembered my new Sherpa coat and matching beret and warmed up to the idea. I could hide it in the closet so no one would ask where I got it. I looked too chic to be sporting my Hello Kitty backpack. I wondered if I had time to draw one of the bags from Free People. I didn't want to be too greedy or too obvious. Amy would spot it a mile away. I grabbed an old oversized leather shoulder bag and threw a few overnight things in it.

As I boarded the ferry it looked quite empty. Not too many people left the Island on Sunday morning. I could probably read one of mom's journals in peace. I grabbed a notebook and crayons--just in case.

As the ferry blared it's horn a group of foreigners boarded.  I assumed they were from Japan or Korea as they all wore face masks. It's not a bad idea really. Masks protect from pollution as well as illness. Honestly I would love to wear one. It would afford me the anonymity I desperately crave. I'd love to be invisible at will. Oh to have the power to be truly invisible!

I always carry two objects with me now. Before it was only one. A week after Mom died we got a package in the mail addressed to: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March. Dad made us wait until we could all open it together. He had no idea what the package held, only his wife had ordered it before she died. It took weeks to get here.

"I'll get the scissors!" Amy had shouted.

Jo gnawed at the package. "Who needs scissors when we have teeth?"

Meg objected, "Jo you'll loosen your caps." (Jo had broken off her two front teeth in a skateboarded incident at 13 years young.)

I snatched the package from all of them and unzipped it. "That's what this tab is for!"

Inside were four small leather bibles with our names inscribed on each one.  A green one for me, a pink one for Beth, blue for Jo and yellow for Meg.

The note said:

My darling daughters,

This gift holds all the words of my heart. May it be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. It is called; "The Sword of Truth" for a reason. It is my deepest delight that you 4 sisters battle wisely and battle well. Remember however it's equally important to stand still so that, "The Lord will fight for you." May you discern which is necessary. If a cord of three strands is not easily broken a cord of four strands must be even better. Stick together!

I love you forever and always,

Momma

Jo became angry as she tossed her bible onto the coffee table.  "What I need and want is my mother! Not some stupid book!"

Meg grabbed her bible and ran up to her room crying.

Amy loved the color. "It's so small. It'll fit into most of my purses."

I held the note close to my heart and whispered, "Thank you mom. I love it," then carefully folded it and placed it into the folder in the back of the bible.

Now I carry one of  mom's journals and this small inscribed bible wherever I go. Lately I don't always read the bible as I should but it's a comfort knowing I have it with me. And as far as I know all four of us still wear the bracelets with the coordinates to the cabin which happen to be mom's birthday. It's like having a piece of mom and dad with us always.

Silently I prayed, "Which book should I read?" Then I remembered something my mother taught me. "When you don't know where to begin, begin at the beginning."

I opened my little yellow book.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Anthe the earth was without order, and empty;
And darkness was upon the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light,
And there was light.

Why was I crying? Maybe because I've prayed for order and light? And I too happened to be moving upon the waters.

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