THE JOURNEY HOME

CHAPTER 12: ACCEPTANCE

When the new week begun, Pearl acted on her decision that it was not right for her to have left the library unattended for so long. She picked up the letter of appointment Amber had given her all those weeks ago and made up her mind to show up to the library first thing after classes that day.

The day passed without event and Pearl decided to visit Mrs. Rose who still held her temporary position in the school as the substitute biology lecturer before going to the library. On getting to the office, Mrs. Rose seemed a bit excited.

'I'm resuming work in the library today' she announced, immediately proclaiming the purpose of her visit.

'Are you?' Mrs. Rose asked, suppressing a smile.

'What's so funny?' Pearl still distrusted this lady, just a bit.

'What makes you think old Ann would need your help? You're leaving in no time'

'I know that, but still before I go, I have a responsibility to show up for the job I applied to.' At this, Pearl raised up the letter she had gotten from Amber and showed Mrs. Rose. The statuesque lady took the outstretched letter and read it with a smile that widened as she progressed.

'Have you read this letter?' she asked chuckling.

'No, why? I assumed-' As she spoke, her voice died away as curiousity and embarrassment prompted her to swipe her letter back. As she read, Mrs. Rose got the pleasure of seeing bewilderment blossom on Pearl's face when she discovered that she had not qualified for the job afterall. 'What!' she exclaimed when she came to the section that contained Mrs. Harry's condolences.

'You didn't qualify' Mrs Rose quipped, with a large smile still plastered on her face. 'Can you blame her? You'll be leaving in a few weeks so there's no point hiring you'

'Still, she could have told me that in person.' Pearl's face fell as she considered the fact that she had failed to qualify for a voluntary job.

'Is that all?' Mrs Rose asked, glancing at the time on her watch.

I'm unwanted here too, Pearl thought. Suddenly, her schedule had cleared up and she had nothing to do with herself, even Ophelia was busy today.

'No, I wanted to ask you about my mother.' The door opened and Ophelia walked in. Pearl immediately stopped talking.

'Pearl, we'll talk later' Mrs. Rose ended the conversation on that note.

'Of course ma. Good day.' Pearl replied, trying to act more formal in the presence of Ophelia. She turned to leave, but as she faced the door and Ophelia, she noticed Ophelia's excitement on seeing Mrs. Rose. Pearl felt mixed feelings at Ophelia's ease in moving on without her companionship. Maybe it was a good thing that Ophelia was so quick at adapting, it would make the short period of time between when Pearl left and when Ophelia joined her tolerable for Ophelia.

Pearl worked diligently on her book. Her training sessions with Mrs. Rose got fewer and fewer. The time she had bargained for herself was quickly coming to an end and she was less frequent in the library. Mrs. Rose had started making preparations for Pearl to join her in the ancient city but there was only one problem. Pearl did not want to go. She absolutely hated the idea of leaving her home, where she had grown up and all she knew. She was baffled by the tales of those who had left before, how they were begged to stay but chose to go. If she had a choice she would never leave, she would forget all about these strange tales and ancient cities. This city was enough for her, she would stay right where she was. She would pursue her ambitious dreams of building a business and owning half the town. She would write novels, draw, paint, anything! But she would never leave.

These thoughts filled her mind. Her every waking moment was consumed with strategies and plans, all to one end, staying. Her eyes became vacant, her mood, even more distant as she could see the dark day looming, when she would have to bid farewell to all she knew and loved. Her family noticed the change and tried to get her out of her dim moods but they could not. How could they? They didn't understand.

Pearl's strategies came to a head one day in the library. That fateful day, she was in charge of the front desk in Benjamin's stead. Although she didn't have a job at the library, she was still welcome and from time to time assumed some responsibility. She was not obligated to show up but her fondness of the place, and her attempt to escape the loneliness of home without Ophelia left her with no where else to go.

A package had come for the librarian. It was an envelope. Purple, with beautiful flowery embroidery and sealed with no way of opening it. Pearl called out as much to Benjamin. Benjamin, in his experience, knew the only thing to do with that periodic package was to present it to its rightful recipient, Mrs. Harry, but Pearl had other ideas. She took the letter to the librarian and gained entrance into the elder's room.

Her plan was to withhold it from old Ann, until she could pass her point across. Plead for a chance to choose not to leave. That was all Pearl wanted, her right to choose.

'Place the letter on the bed' Mrs. Harry called from beside the bed, where she sat engrossed in a scroll.

'May I have a word with you?' Pearl asked. Mrs. Harry put down the scroll and hid a vial which hung on her neck underneath her clothes. She then got up and walked with stately gait to where Pearl stood.

'Yes, you may. Sit' She gestured elegantly at the bed. Pearl sat feeling a bit queasy, she was unsure she would be able to follow through with her plan.

'Mrs. Harry, what is the primary purpose of the council of portal lords?'

The question was an unusual one but the elder answered with poise, 'Protection of mortals from the interference of higher beings'

'And the preservation of free will?' Pearl inquired.

'Yes. The preservation of the will' Mrs. Harry answered suspiciously

'Then why wasn't mine taken into account' Pearl began the onslaught.

'Pearl'

'No. Please, listen. I don't want to leave. That is my choice. My will. You can take my choice into consideration or the council or whoever ordered that I have to leave. I don't want to go. I like it here. Please' Pearl was nearing her breaking point. Her articulate points left her, in the face of an overwhelming reality, all she could do was beg. She was aware of the selfishness of her decision but she still had to try, maybe there was a way to stay and protect her family, maybe she could have the best of both worlds.

'You realize the implications of this decision'

'I'll never use my ability, I don't even have an ability.' Pearl quickly defended her position, pledging to follow the rules of the portal lords to those who decide to stay behind in the mortal realm.

'I meant on your family' Mrs. Harry clarified. Pearl was silent for a moment and Mrs. Harry used the opportunity to grab the letter from her. She retrieved the vial on her neck and opened it, smelling the content, she touched the letter and it budded like a flower. All this happened before Pearl was even aware that she had lost the letter. Mrs. Harry then turned to Pearl and declared its contents, namely confirmation that she was indeed the one they were looking for.

'And if we know, they know too. You'll endanger yourself and everyone around you.' Mrs. Harry continued. 'Are you willing to do that?'

Hearing it spelt out for her disarmed Pearl of her arguments. The truth was that she wasn't ready for the repercussions of her actions. She left the room defeated, got home and cried into her pillow until she fell asleep.