10 Minutes

"How is Sanem?"

(Sanem dream state)
The boat moved across the waters languidly now. After months of travel she had gotten used to the movement and her sea legs were steady. She looked up at evening sky just as the sun began its descent. In another hours the stars would illuminate the heavens and another day would come to a close. Another day with the man who had made her a woman. The man who had swept her up like a tornado. The man who had also broken her and then miraculously brought her back to life. She could not live this life without him. It had been clear as day when they met. The sparks flew and she fell hard. Now as he stood against the backdrop of the setting sun she dropped her head to the side and studied the muscles of his back as the rippled. He was dropping the sail and securing the boat for the night. She loved to watch him when he went about doing the things he loved...taking care of his boat, shooting the most beautiful images in the world, and cooking. For such a big man he was so adept in the kitchen. His hands that could drive her crazy could also prepare the most wonderful meals with simple ingredients. As he turned around toward her he stopped and smiled. He finished his task and walked to her. Just his walk along turned her on. He was a walking dream. Her dream. He reached out for her and she happily raised her hands to him letting herself be pulled up on her feet. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her lowering his face to hers and taking her lips in a kiss that held a promise of so much more. Suddenly voices as sweet as angels drifted up from the cabin below. She turned in his arms toward the sound as he hugged her to himself, kissing her neck and squeezing her tight. His mouth lifted to her ear and in his low and husky voice spoke "they seem to have a penchant for knowing just when to derail my plans". He wasn't entirely serious but he was right. They did seem to know when to be inopportune. Their schedule had been changing over the last year and now they seemed to be able to manage an entire day without a rest. They had used that time to connect and be alone without inquisitive ears watching their every move but now they would have to become more creative. The first to pop his head up was Deniz. It seemed he would be the leader of the group. The next was Ates who hadn't stopped talking as she made her way up and onto the deck. The last was Yildiz. She carried her notebook with her and stood dutifully next to her sister. The three of them stared up at their parents but it was Deniz who spoke first. "Anne, Baba... we tried to sleep but it was useless. We read our books like you asked us to and then we came up to find you. We knew you would want us to be all together. Right baba?" Can leaned over my shoulder and ran his hands through his son's hair ruffling it and smiling at him. "You are absolutely right. Your Anne and I have been missing you while you rested or tried to rest. Now tell us what shall we do tonight". He looked at his three childrens whose eyes never left his face. Just like me, their father was their sun and moon and In wouldn't have it any other way. He walked around me but grabbed my hand and laced his fingers through mine as he led us all to our spot where they all sat on cushions already laid down for them. "Anne- tell us about the time when baba saved you from the shark" said Yildiz, then Ates said "Baba tell us about the time when you found Anne after missing her for a long time" but it was Deniz that said "Baba tell us about the day you and Anne got married. The day that you were the happiest man on earth". Her children beamed at their father while his eyes glistened with his love for them, for her. He turned to her and said with a smile that warmed her heart like nothing else could "it was a beautiful day. It was a Friday if In remember correctly but the children soon stopped him and corrected him. "No baba, that's not right" said Yildiz "it was a Saturday and it was raining heavily...remember?" Can tapped his forehead as if remembering the obvious and continued. He had told the story dozens of times but each time he began a little different but the children would let him deviate from the path. She leaned against him while Yildiz climbed up in her lap. Ates laid her head down on the pillows and cuddled her trusted bear while Deniz sat at attention never taking his eyes of his baba. It was a magical moment that played out in front of her. She wanted nothing more in this world than to remain with her babies in this idiotic place with the man who gave them to her. She listened as he narrated the story of the wedding day and smiled at the intonation of his voice. She was the one with a photographic memory but he told the tale as if he had written it himself. Nothing would ever be as sweet as this time with their babies and once day when they were all gone she would remember and smile and thank Allah for his mercies. The wind picked up and while Can finished the tale with a flourish the boat lifted lightly on an incoming swell. Her heart thudded in her chest because it was unusual and when another swell rocked the boat he knew something was coming. Can stood and looked across the waters and then clapped his hands and issued instructions quickly with a voice that would brook no resistance. "Now my loves, I want you to take you Anne downstairs and help her prepare the cabin. You know what to do . I'm counting on my mates to follow order-is that clear. They each soluted him and ushered her across the deck and toward the stairs. She turned and looked back at him as he stood watching them and she smiled and spoke quickly as the wind picked up again- I love you Can. So much. We all do". His smile was radiant and glowing and she just wanted to look upon his face forever. Then a swell rocked the boat so hard that she was pushed down onto to her knees while she heard her children cry with fear from down below but she ...she was staring at where Can had just stood a moment before but he was gone now. Water flowed across the deck from the last swell but when the boat rocked back she looked around her but Can wasn't there. She heard herself scream "CAN!!!!" But no answer came. The boat rocked again and she called for him but again there was only the sound of the sea coming to life in a terrible way and the crying of her children. She looked down toward the cabin and then across the deck once more. Hoping against hope that he would be there. "CAN" she cried CAAAAN".