Myop Hill (NCS No We Can)

Part 2- Inside

Ma's grocery shopping was as sensible as Ma herself; at least 2 bags full, and of course Inanna's tiny basket with one trinket snuggled neatly between its braided wicker.

As per our usual Saturday routine, I helped her to unload into our tiny kitchen, stuffing the tins in the pixie-sized cupboard below the sink, and then chopping and peeling the veg next to the look, crooked window which ran along the small block of countertop. Allowing the sun to kiss and soak me entirely, I took my time, enjoying the fragrance of the fresh herbs drifting throughout the tiny space. During this time, I decided that today was the day that I would reveal my brilliant plan.

Halfway through the meal, I decided that I could withhold my excellent plan no longer; clearing my throat with confidence known to only the likes of Napoleon himself, I began my proposition with excitement.

"Oliver, I think it is high time you ventured into your beloved nature. You should go outside."

The silence was positively electric; the mealtimes we shared together were heavily contrived, so as not to make Oliver feel "inspected", as Ma put it, and here I was, doing the so-called "inspecting".

Clearing my throat yet again, I continued carefully, my very skin blistering at the glare Ma was shooting me. I didn't dare look up at Oliver. To think that his reaction might have been anything other than completely enraptured by the idea, would have been heartbreaking.

"I think we should go to Myop Hill. I can take him, it isn't far-"

"Are you totally out of your senses, girl?" Ma's palm slamming down onto the tiny table was enough to have Inanna wailing instantly. Her aching sobs were completely ignored by Ma, who was enraged.

"Take Oliver- our Oliver- to Myop Hill?! Why, it might as well be Everest, in his condition!"
I shrunk back into my neatly crafted wooden chair. Her words stung, smacks to my dignity, as she spoke each word with incredulous indignation.

"What 'condition' is that, Ma?" Oliver's voice was cool and stony, and his expression taut and he turned his head in the direction of Ma's voice.

"Oliver, don't do this. You can't possibly be serious. Persephone can barely look after herself, and she wishes to drag you to the top of Myop! Are you quite sure you're not going deaf, as well as blind?"

The jibe was a cruel, undeniable snipe-Ma hated to let Oliver anywhere, and treated him as a complete child. My chest seized in defeat as Inanna's wails tumbled from her mouth into my now mournful soul.

Oliver stood abruptly. "Why don't you think I can do it, Ma? I'm not completely blind, and I am most certainly not an idiot." His cold accusation cut right through the crooked window, and into the outdoors. Everything seemed to darken, and Ma cradled her face in her hands.

"Because, Oliver. You can't. You cannot see. And your sister is too young and foolish to be your eyes. Maybe when she is much older. Not now. Not for a long time."

With that, Oliver made his way out of the kitchen; wordless as ever, I felt his dampened spirit. I followed him, not waiting to bear the brunt of my mother's cruel remarks.

——

Oliver's room was, ironically, the brightest room in the bungalow; crowded with posters and pages torn from National Geographic, his walls were totally covered. From his ceiling, hung long cuts of thick yarn, each threaded with a tiny piece of a mirror.

He was perched upon his bed, clutching something. I neared him, placing my hand on his shoulder to make my presence known.

"Percy,"

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry, I shouldn't have made that suggestion. Ma is evil. You don't want to go. I-" My shrill worry was abridged by a glacial laugh from my brother; a deep, musical rumble repulsing from his chest.

"You know, when they told me I was going blind, I refused to believe it. I still do, some days. I just think- Open your eyes! Open them, and see as you once did!- but Percy, that isn't how it works."

He motioned for me to sit beside him, and I obliged him willingly, sitting next to him and threading my fingers together.

"Ma is right, I can't see. You are young. Myop is steep and dusty as it is, and what if we get stranded? "

My countenance dropped. Of course he shared the same measured, sensible opinion as Ma.

"Everyone knows that Myop is where you get the best wildlife. It's where all the birds go, it's rife with the symphony of nature, rich with the heat of The City- perfect. Absolutely perfect."

He spoke about the Hill as if he were in deep love with it; and yet, his mannerisms remained dejected as tied his hands together across his stomach.

"That's why we're going. Next Saturday. You'll have to help me get everything together, of course,"

A grin overtook my countenance. Of course he wasn't of the same opinion as Ma. Of course, all these months he had wanted to get outside again, but under circumstances had he had the opportunity, what with Ma protecting him like a fragile bird.

"Everything?"

"All of my journals, of course; you'll have to tell me exactly what kind of wildlife we encounter while we're up there." His profile took on a youthful excitement; rosy and almost buoyant.
"Percy? What colour is your hair?"

I chuckled. "Dark green, at the moment, like your favourite moss, that grows out front."

Oliver smiled.

"Ceratodon."