SPACE ODDITIES

ThE PaTH

Ziggy was late and almost regretted not having accepted Cain's offer to take her to meet her aunt.

At the crossing stood an older woman. She held out her hand out as if she was grasping something in front of her.

"I'll help you cross," Ziggy said spontaneously.

The older woman smiled at her, and Ziggy took her arm to help her walk at the green light. Once across, the lady sat on the bench.

"Oh, I'm tired. What is taking him so long."

"Are you waiting for someone?" Ziggy asked.

"Yes, the Angel of death, my dog died this summer, and my husband five years ago. My children have grown, and they have their life. It's time I hurried along too."

Ziggy was surprised at the woman's words.

"But madam, you are stillー."

"Oh, I'm old, believe me, I'm not like you. You still have a long way to go; you still have experience's to live your path is long, dear child," the old lady said, staring straight into Ziggy's eyes.

"Are you happy?"

Ziggy pondered a second before replying, "a little."

"Good, a little is better than not at all, you should hurry along you'll be late," the old woman stroking her hair, "blonde and pink suit you, you look like a fairy, now hurry."

Ziggy got up, waved goodbye, and left. She walked two blocks when she started asking herself questions.

How did the woman know she was late?

And the hair she spoke as if she had seen her before they were cut and blonde.

The house Cain indicated was huge, if not to say, a mansion. Kitty was right about the community richness; Ziggy always imagined things linked to church as humble what she saw contradicted her thoughts.

She rang the doorbell, and to her surprise, Cain answered the door.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here because it's my house."

"Oh, I thought I was meeting my aunt."

"You are; she's in the study. Come in."

Ziggy looked around, hesitating.

"Ruth and my parents are here too, and your aunt Kitty already called twice asking if you arrived. Everyone knows you here, so come in."

Ziggy entered and followed Cain.

He wore a white t-shirt stonewashed jeans; he was the total contrast of Bowie, who preferred grey t-shirts and slim pants.

"It's here," Cain said, thrusting the doorknob, and Ziggy walked into the study. It looked exactly like the one you would expect to see in Harry Potter with bookshelves stacked to the ceiling. There was even a ladder with wheels.

The woman faced the window, she turned, and Ziggy gasped, seeing the replica of her mother. The only difference between them was the woman had long grey hair in a braid, and she had more body than Ziggy's mom.

"Oh, gosh, you are pretty. I thought Cain was exaggerating. You've got the same green eyes like your father."

Ziggy's stare darkened; everyone seemed to be fascinated by her eyes, which she still wished to poke out sometimes for the reason her aunt just evoked.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm so sorry about what you lived. I'm Nessa, your mother's elder sister.

The harm was done. Ziggy barricaded herself.

"Sorry, I doubt all this would have happened if the community didn't throw mom out. I wouldn't have happened. You people threw her out, and she became crazy; she needed her family, but you turned away, and now you say you are sorry, and you want to get to know me. But I'm that child born in sin, the child for which you banished mom."

Ziggy boiled; she had to let it out; it was stronger than her, like the unrestrainable desire to vomit.

"Do you hate God, Ziggy?"

The question was unexpected; it stunned Ziggy, who stopped her outburst.

"Wouldn't you if God made you go through what I went through?"

"You know what I think? I believe you are stronger than most of us, and that's the reason why you survived. You are a living testimony, Ziggy."

"So, for you, God made me live through hoops of fire becomes I'm strong because he doesn't burden people with trials they can't overcome?"

"Exactly."

"That's crap."

"I accept your opinion, but you have to tolerate and take mine, which is to think everything that happened to you had a purpose. That the Almighty didn't give you up, and he sent a messenger to help you because that's what he does, God sends his angels. Those who hold our hands and help us see the light or lead us to the path.

Bowie's face appeared instantly in Ziggy's mind. Was he her Angel?

"You have the right to believe God doesn't care, and I have the right to believe he is watching over us, and Paul," she said, looking at her grandson has the right to believe Captain America will save him from every danger."

"But, I an abomination for you?"

"Oh, no, Ziggy, you are a beautiful human being, and I accept you as the child of our merciful Creator. God loves us the way we are with our flaws, and that is how I shall love you."

There was a knock on the door.

"Nessa, my mom, asked if you were ready for tea. She made a few pies she wants us to share."

"Oh, we've finished," Nessa said.

Nessa knew Ziggy still steamed with anger and that all she said was not directed at her; an interlude was necessary.

"Shall we?" Nessa said to Ziggy.

The two women went to the dining room, where it looked like the whole town had gathered there.

They said a prayer, and everyone started to tuck in; at one moment, Ziggy felt a hand grasp hers.

"Ziggy, come with me," Ruth said, leading out of the room where both climbed the stairs.

"Ruthㅡ."

Hi, 

You have an entirely new chapter here.

I wanted to develop Ziggy's relationship with her mother's family and the religious community. Also, I wanted to portray the conflicts people have when faith is involved and that they are struggling.

Oh, and there's Mrs. Crumbles anybody remember her?

Okay, that's it. I hope you liked the chapter.

Thank you for reading