Alofa (A Telesa Story)

Alofa #1 (A Telesa Story)

Copyright ©2013 Lani Wendt Young

It always started the same way. He was standing in his grandmother's garden with the sun catching on jewelled tones of green, red and gold. This was his haven, a place of discovery and adventure. This was where, as a little boy, he investigated ant nests and watched the tuli bird build her nest. His grandparents didn't like him to go out the front to the road by himself, especially not to the beckoning ocean but they trusted him to play in the back garden. He would help Mama do the weeding and gather the leaves and roots she needed to make her medicines. Sometimes Papa would take him to the workshop which was a world of difference from the lush living beauty of Mama's garden. The workshop was steel, sparks and heat but it too had a life all its own. It resonated with energy and Daniel never tired of seeing his grandfather meld earth's ore and elements into workable, usable things of power and strength. In both places, Daniel felt loved. In both places Daniel felt safe.

But not today. Because as he stood there the scene changed and in an instant the garden had become brown and lifeless and the stench of rotting vegetation filled the air. He was afraid. Where was Mama? He called her name and to his relief, she answered.

"Here son."

He saw her then, sitting on a bench with her back to him. He walked to her, happiness lightening his steps. "Mama, I've missed you."

She turned and horror stopped him in his tracks. Her face was grey and lifeless and there were hollow sockets where her eyes should be. She smiled and held out her arms to him. It was a grisly thing to see. "Come to me, let me hug you."

"No," he backed away, "What happened to you?"

Another voice spoke from the shadows, "How can you ask such a question? You did this to her."

Daniel turned. It was his grandfather. Angry and accusing. "I told you to look after your grandmother. You were supposed to take care of her. Not get her killed."

"No, I tried, really I did. I never meant for this to happen," Daniel protested.

Another joined his grandfather. Leila. She put a soothing hand on Grandfather Tahi's arm. "He's right. It wasn't his fault. It was mine. I brought this on your family."

"This is the girl you have chosen to love? This bringer of fire and death?" said Grandfather as he shook loose from Leila's grasp. Daniel had never seen him so angry before.

"Papa, it's not like that. She's not like that. Leila fought for us; she risked her life for me, for everyone."

Leila nodded. "I love your son, more than life itself. He's everything to me."

Daniel went and took her hand, grateful for the warm reassurance of her. She leaned into him, raised her lips to his and her kiss was sweet and soft. He surrendered to it, wishing, hoping for the scene to change, for her love to transport them away from a garden of deadness.

But it never did. Instead her touch turned cold and she bit viciously at his lip before pulling away and erupting into peals of laughter. Daniel felt for the blood that gushed from his mouth. Confusion. "What did you do that for?"

It wasn't Leila anymore. It was that young girl, the one called Ofa who had mocked him with his grandmother's lifeless body. She stood there in the wasteland and jeered at him. "What's the matter Daniel? You don't like it rough?"

"You!" said Daniel. He turned to his grandfather. "This is the girl who killed Mama. She strangled her and then laughed like it was nothing."

Grandfather shook his head at him with disappointment. "You are so easily distracted by a girl, that's why you left your grandmother unprotected. That's why you failed to honor your responsibility as the man of the family. You are no son of mine. You have brought nothing but shame and sadness to us. I wish the ocean had never brought you to us."