Short Stories

In Debt To The Sea

It's been 5 years since my husband went out to sea. Every month he used to send me letters in a special bottle wrapped in twine. However, what made this bottle special was the way he would always tie a "Celtic heart knot" around the bottle, and sometimes two. Plus, the letters he would write to me always had my name in big letters on the back to ensure I received them from him. Occasionally, he would send me small, dried pieces of the new species of fish he and his crew discovered along his adventures. Of course, I thought it was pretty strange at first. However, as time went on, it made me feel like I was right there with him on the open sea.

Until one month, I had not received a message in a bottle. I presumed he was busy. I knew living by the ocean's tides would have its ups and downs. However, three more months went by and I received nothing. I became worried. I wondered if anything had happened to him and his crew. I could not fathom the mere thought of becoming a widow. Especially, to make a grave without being able to at least bury my husband's body would be tormenting.

As days went by, I became restless. I could not sleep. I could not eat. The mere thought of the love of my life being lost at sea forever tore me apart. My friends tried to cheer me up, but nothing was filling this gaping hole in my chest. Unable to take anymore, I had to do something. I began to take up classes as a navigator, learning the impressive things they can do. Following in their footsteps, every day I went out to the shore to study what I could. I didn't know how to start but I did what I could to apply my knowledge.

First, I would start with a prayer to keep heighten my spirits. Then, I would study the waves of the ocean, the patterns of the sky, and the animals of our lands. Truthfully, it is quite remarkable what nature can tell us. As more months went by, I acquired a unique sense of telling the weather. However, I still received no messages from my husband.

My friends and family began to suggest that I move on and find a new husband, but the universe knows my determination, and my loyalty does not falter and change so easily. Upon being asked why I was being so "stubborn", my only response was a strong, intuitive feeling that kept my hopes alive like an enigmatic yet positive force was on my side. However, this energy was not enough to maintain my studies.

I fell weak, ill, and depressed. For weeks, I had lost all the courage to continue my studies as a navigator. Not to mention, how my friends and family continued to insist that I find someone new to help me to continue to run my family's business and provide for my family. That was until one day, something called me to the ocean.

I lacked the usual pep in my step as I trudged to the salty shores. Though, I had not expected to be greeted by such an overwhelming sensation as a gust of wind blew through me. Surely, a storm was approaching, but I could not seem to turn around and walk back home. Something told me to wait by the shore and be patient.

Looking out towards the horizon, I could practically see the darkened storm clouds rolling towards me with a wall of rain, pouring down to join the ocean's tides once again. The wind gusting and blowing as if I going to be caught in the ravaging winds of a monsoon. Each wave that rushed upon shore caused the cold, wet sand to pull from beneath me, dragging me down into its depths. I could not tell if the earth was trying to swallow me whole to stop me or to protect me.

However, I remained vigilant. Lost deep in thought, I failed to notice something washing up, rocking against the bottom of my dress. A bottle, stuffed and sealed with various ropes and materials with a message in it. At first thought, I thought this was the universe's sick, twisted idea of a joke. That was until I noticed a familiar knot tied around the murky bottle in thin twine, barely hanging on by a few strands. The paper inside appeared faintly damaged by the water that seeped inside, but the words were eligible enough to notice my name through the obscure glass.