Social Norms

Discovering truths

Thomas circled me as a preditor it would do for its prey. I had never felt so frightened I thought I might actually do something that was only common amoung young children.

It is not like I have never accidentally trapped myself in our webbed nets before, but I now know where they are all placed. This particular net was not meant to be here.

"May I ask you a question, Thomas? Before I accept my undeserved punishment?" I asked this not expecting an answer.

Thomas laughed and tilted his head to look into my eyes as my face was plastered to the side of the net.

"Undeserved? Well isn't that rich. Trust me you deserve this and more," He continued to pace and sighed," Very well ask me you question."

"Why is this net here? I know all the routes now, it is not plausible." I asked this out of pure curiosity, not taking in the fact that there may be consquences. Not realizing until the question has already left my lips.

I waited for a punch in my side but instead he merely replied, " Didn't you here? I am now old enough to participate in the manufacturing and placement of these marvelous nets. I am actually exploring the options our elders have placed before me as I have become an adult."

I knew well the fact that he was now at the age of adulthood. I was at his celebration and I watched as he was annointed with the traditional badge of adulthood. The only thing I didn't know was the male customs amoung our town. I was told to only focus upon the women's requirements to society. Things that consisted of following the paths of teacher, mother, home keeper and other undeniably horrid options. Usually the daughters followed in their mothers footsteps, there was never a true choice.

"So this is the male custom? To explore ones options?" I asked letting curiosity get the best of me.

He chuckled," Why yes it is. I will be practicing to be protector next week."

That was one profession I knew well. My father had been a protector when he was alive. I always admired the way he always carried himself with strength and was always sure of himself and his actions. He protected us from outside forces that threated our small village. He would always come home and tell me stories that I was not supposed to hear. 

Thinking about all of this made me wonder about how lucky I would to be able to choose my path, to be able to do anything I wished to do with my life. I had always wanted to be a protector ever since the day I pulled Thomas out of that well. It was my dad that Maraliza retreived that day and he was proud. If only the village hadn't chastized me for my good deed.

"I wish I had the option to be who I wanted to be..." I thought this outloud which caused Thomas to stop in his tracks.

He was about a foot in front of me and I could see him clearly as he turned around and stared at me, " You can't?"

I almost forgot the boys were not supposed to pay attention the the activities of the womens part to our community.

"No. I am going to have to end up like my mother. That is the path they have set for me. It is said that we could choose but there is really no choice." I mumbled the last with dismay.

Thomas came closer so he was only a few inches away, "If you could choose, what would it be?"

I looked at him and replied honestly, "A protector." I knew is was not socially acceptable for me even to admit it but I could not lie to him when he had been so open with me about the male activities.

I expected him to laugh but he did not utter a single sound.

"Why? Why a protector?" He asked in place of the impending laughter I had expected.

I looked into his eyes," Because I would like to help others. I know that is what they do. My father told me. I know he was not meant to but he used to tell me stories. I used to look at it like a chance to be of some use to the greater purpose of our little village."

"How did you know? That you wanted to be a protector though?" I thought I had already mentioned how I knew but after a few moments I hadn't been all that specific.

"I knew when I pulled you out of the well," I paused, "when I helped you I felt..Euphoric? I believe that is a good way to describe it."

His eyes seemed to turn to stone. Then he pulled out a knife from his waist and raised it high above his head. I closed my eyes waiting for the end when I heard the ripping of the roped netting above my head.

I fell to the grassy ground and stared up at Thomas and watched as he put his knife away.

"Did you really help me that day?" He asked quietly

"Yes..." I aswered caustiously.

"Then why did you push me down in the first place?" He asked obtaining a slightly louder volume in his voice.

I became confused, "What do you mean? I did not push you down that well. I was trying to help Maraliza."

"Helping Maraliza? That is your excuse? You and I both know Maraliza was not in any danger." His anger seemed to elevate with every passing second.

"What do you mean? You had your arms around her waist and she was half in the well!" I nearly shouted at him. He had to be lying or playing a sick joke on me.

"She asked me to hold her while she retrieved the pale." Thomas replied in a slightly softer tone.

I paused letting this information sink in.

"Is that why you are so upset with me? Because you think I purposely pushed you into the well?" I asked as this epiphany hit me.

He sighed an aggravated sigh,"That is exactly the reason," He paused and looked at me on the grassy floor," I guess I have to get over it now since we have established that you meant no intentional harm..."

I stood immediately,"Really? No more tricks them?"

A smile spread across his face, " Oh I don't know, they are actually quite fun."

"Please Thomas don't torture me." I groaned.

"Why? It is so much fun." He chuckled again.

"For you maybe. I don't see you with netted lines on your forhead." I waved my hand as if trying to exagerate my point.

"No I suppose you are right." He said as he rubbed his chin.

I sighed in relief, "It is settled then." I smiled at Thomas.

His face suddenly froze in a shocked position before he regained his arragant stare.

"We haven't settled anything yet, Brownie." He laughed and walked away, leaving me astonished watching him saunter down an unmarked path.