Remembrance of Eve *NANOWRIMO13*

Chapter 13

Each day Adam was stronger. In only three days we had finished mudding the house, all but between the top three tree logs. Adam said we needed to leave a vent for the smoke to get out. We had needed one on our stove, of course we would need one in our house. Adam had even used the strong cord to tie together some thinner branches of the tree logs, cutting them just the right size with his adz, to make a door. All we needed was a way to connect it to the house.

We needed to prepare again for the Sabbath the next day, so we walked to the bathing pool for a well needed bath. On the way, we passed the pool we had put the bullock calf’s hide. We had forgotten it, with Adam’s illness, and our work on the house. It was still there, held down by the heavy rocks. Together we pulled it from the water.

“Perfect. I can cut pieces off this to hold the door onto the house,” Adam exclaimed.

“I can make new foot covers for us, as well. But this hide is big. We do not need all of it now. How can we keep it for when we do?”

“We can stretch it,” he replied after thinking a bit. “Let it dry straight. Then we can use it for other things. Yes, that will work.”

“Can we do it before dark? Tomorrow is the Sabbath.”

“I believe we can. We must hurry, but still be safe. Our bath must wait while we gather some branches. Would you get my adz while I find trees or branches?”

I nodded. I could do that.

“Be careful, please. We have no time for more accidents.” It was more than just a joke. There was no time just now for more accidents!

I moved quickly and confidently to get the adz. It was heavy, but I could carry it. It took longer to return. I was very careful with the sharp tool. Adam had found two smaller, thin aspens growing just farther apart than the length of the hide. Carefully, he cut two more taller trees. He chopped the branches off close to the trees, making them nearly smooth. I found some strong vines and removed their leaves while Adam punched holes along the edges of the hide. We wove the vines through the holes and around the trees, near the ends of the branches. The little nubs of branches held the vines from sliding.

Adam had been wise, choosing trees that had two limbs that spread close together, forming a V. With great difficulty, the top long tree was set in each V. I had to stand on a rock to tie the vines around the tops of the two standing trees while Adam held it steady. There was no V to set the lower tree. I tied the tree holding the bottom part of the hide while Adam held the weight of the tree and the hide. I could see his muscles bulge, and perspiration drip down his face and off his chin. Nothing could be done. We had no time to discern another means and this was working. I laced the vine through one end of hide and around the tree, while Adam did the same on the other end.

We were finished as the sun fell just to the tops of the trees. Our baths were well deserved, and not nearly as relaxing as we had hoped. I was glad that I had prepared a meal to be eaten when we returned.

Though we had hoped to move our bed into the house, there was no time for that now. It would wait another two days.

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 The Sabbath was over, we had worshiped our Gods in prayer and song. We had spent time together, discussing our future plans, what was still to be done. What to do next, what could wait. We had lain together, watching the stars and feeling the movements of our little one.

The first thing we did after washing and eating, was to check on the hide. It was drying well; straight, with no wrinkles in it. It was beautiful. The extra time in the water had helped to soften it.

“It will make nice hinges for our door,” Adam said.

“It will. How will you connect it to the house?”