Olives, Saltwater, and Honey

8

The next day I managed to slip out of the house before Permenides saw me. The trip down to the marketplace was just as nerve wracking as the day before, if not more so. I wrung my hands as I walked to distract myself from their shaking.

He was waiting for me at the fish cart. He smiled a big and somewhat goofy smile when he saw me.

“Hi.” I said almost breathlessly.

He took my hand and kissed it.

“I forgot to thank the Gods for the opportunity to see such a beautiful woman today.” He greeted me.

I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks and bit my lip. He was still holding my hand.

“Come, I have something to show you.” He said while leading me out of the crowded marketplace.

We walked in a comfortable silence up a hill that was far away from my house. He was still holding my hand.

“My uncle Xanthos used to take me up here when I was young so we could watch the sunset.” He said when we reached the top of the hill.

There was a perfect view of our whole village, and an even more perfect view of the ocean.

“It’s beautiful.” I said in awe.

“Sit.” He said, and I complied.

He was still holding my hand.

“So, Eos, tell me about you.” He urged rubbing his thumb across my hand.

I explained to him my early childhood with my loving parents, and then when my mother died everything changed. I told him about how my father couldn’t stand to look at me, how he casted me out. I was going to finish with that, but looking into his big blue eyes I knew I had to tell the whole truth.

“And then one day he sent me off to be married.” I finished, biting my lip.

He was silent, pensive for a while.

“You’re married.” He looked at me.

“Yes.” I nodded.

He nodded slowly and then let go of my hand.

“So why are you here with me?” He asked, anger staining his voice.

I took a deep breath.

“I’m asking myself the same question.” I smiled weakly.

“Are you unhappy?” His voice cracked.

I could feel a knot grow in my throat. I looked away so he could not see the tears welling in my eyes.

“I am unbelievably unhappy. Permenides is a cruel man. He had been an old friend of my fathers, but even as a young girl I hated him. He had snaky eyes that would always run over my entire body. I am expected to treat him like a king while I am treated like his slave. He does not know what my favorite color is, or my favorite food. He forced me to lay with him the second night after our marriage. If I make even a minor mistake he explodes on me. He has hit me, degraded me, and has never shown me an ounce of love.” My voice shook.

I had never told anyone about my unhappy marriage.

Theas was silent. I felt him tug at my shoulders, and he pulled me into him. The sheer kindness of the act sent me over the edge, and I burst into tears. He rubbed my hair and rocked us both back and forth.

“I’m so sorry.” He whispered.

Although Theas was a complete stranger he gave me more love than my husband of almost five years had.

I pushed away from his chest and wiped my eyes.

“I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable, it’s just… I can feel your heartache.” He said placing his hand over his heart.

“No, thank you. I’ve never told this to anyone before.” I watched the waves crash into the shore.

We were silent for a while.

“What is your favorite color?” He asked lightly.

I peeked over at him. He wore a shy grin on his face. We both burst into laughter, breaking the awful silence that had cocooned us.

“That’s a difficult question… perhaps the shade of pink that fills the sky just before the sun rises, or maybe the blue that you see when the sunlight hits the water just right.” I decided.

“Very poetic, I like it.” He smiled.

“And yours?” I inquired.

“Green.” He smirked.

“Just green?”

“Just green.”

At that we began laughing again. Theas and I sat on that hill for a very long time talking about ourselves. I found out he was nearing his twenty-first year, that he had been raised by his uncle, loved the ocean and fishing, and that he was a terrible singer but still loved to sing. We watched the sunset together, watched as the moon replaced her scalding brother. We laid down and looked at the stars, made figures and characters, and created stories for them. And then I remembered.

“I have to leave right now.” I stammered as I scrambled up.

“What’s wrong?” Theas asked, his eyes wide.

“Permenides!” I belted as I began to run down the hill.

“Wait!” Theas called out.

He ran over to me and grabbed my face, “When will I see you again?”

“I’m not sure, but I will come to the market place again.” I assured him.

He held my face for a moment, studying it. The cool night air rustled around us making me shiver.

“Be safe.” He urged, letting me go.

“Goodbye.” I said before turning to run towards my house.