Merci Of The Gods

Chapter 8

Merci's young mine was swimming in a sea of uncertainty, she had heard the conversation between her friends about her mother, ''is Mama sick and why didn't she tell me?'' she asked herself out loud. Realizing that she probably didn't say anything because of my condition and she didn't want to worry me. I need to be able to take care of her she thought to herself. As she finished her thought she got up from the table trying to make her way to her mother's room the nurse tried to help her but merci said ''thanks but I don't need your help'' then she tripped over the carpet because her foot got caught. Her nurse politely left her right where she fell and walked away. The time had come for Merci to find her way around the house, the house she had grown up in, she knew every inch of every room, so she crept along until she found the wall then she let the wall guide her finding the kitchen, all the while her nurse was close by, just in case she needed a hand, watching as she navigated her way through each room. Merci was determined not to be a burden to anyone, besides she had to be able to care for her mother.

Eventually, merci found her way to her mother's bed and as her head hit the pillow her mother's perfume surrounded her and she slowly fell asleep. Her dreams didn't seem to belong to her anymore they had become more like nightmares, she found herself falling from a very high cliff always waking up before she hit the bottom.

As she woke she heard Estelle's keys in the door. When her mother entered the house Merci could tell she was not alone, she was talking to someone at first Merci thought it was one of the girls probably Fatima because Fatima always made it a point to check on Merci every day after school, but this wasn't Tima it was a man's voice. Merci wasn't sure who it was, then her mother called her name ''Merci'' you have company ''who is it?'' asked Merci ''it's that young man from school'' replied her mother ''it's me Adonis'' said the voice '' mother I'm in your room'' have a seat Adonis'' said Estelle as she walked towards her room ''hey baby'' she said kissing Merci's forehead ''hey Mama'' Estelle found something for Merci to put on and while helping her get dressed she asked ''how are your lessons coming along'' Merci lowered her head and played with her fingers before she answered ''it's hard to remember but I'll get it'' she said. The truth was she really wasn't trying to get it, she didn't want to have to learn Braille, she wanted to go back to school and be with her friends, but her mother had insisted that she learned Braille and how to use her white support cane before she would allow her out into the world. Estelle was afraid for her because she knew the world and how cruel and ugly it could be.

After pulling Merci's hair back out of her face Estelle pointed her in Adonis direction who was patiently waiting in the living room, as Merci entered the room Adonis tried to help her but she made it plain to him that she wanted to do it herself, so using her cane she found her way to the couch and sat down beside him ''Hey Adonis what's up'' she asked ''oh nothing just missed you in school and wanted to see you'' he said Merci laughed out loud and it was the first time her mother had heard laughter from her daughter and a very long time, this brought a smile to Estelle's face. ''Why did you want to see me'' Merci asked ''because I like you Merci''  since when asked Merci since fifth-grade ''said Adonis ''oh really'' she said because she was truly shocked by his answer, Merci remembered him a little bit from when they were younger, but for some reason, she just couldn't picture him in her mind. Her new teacher had told her that she would have to learn how to use her other senses to help her navigate through her new reality, her hearing, her sense of smell and touch. So Merci asked  Adonis if she could touch his face to get an idea of what he looks like, he then gently took her hand and placed it on his face allowing her to explore his features, slowly she moved her hand over his face feeling that his eyes were deep, and his hair was full of curls the frame of his features were strong and sharp, she could now picture him and she remembered him. Before she could remove her hand Adonis took it into his and kissed it gently. Merci was feeling something in her belly that told her that she liked him too.

From that day on every day after school Adonis came by spending the remainder of his day with Merci, she even looked forward to his visits, he would take her for walks in the park. They often played the counting game, counting every step with her, reacquainting her with the landscape of the neighborhood, and the community. They would sit and talk for hours Merci learned so much about him and herself. Estelle liked him because not only was he gentle with Merci but Estelle saw how happy his presence made her daughter. Merci was beginning to come out of her shell she wasn't as angry as she had been before. Returning from their walk one evening  Fatima, Skye and Soraya were sitting on the front steps of their building ''Hey D'' said Fatima ''hi'' he said ''what's up Merci ''said Skye ''how are you?'' I'm good'' said Merci ''that's what's up'' said her friend ''it's nice to see you out, ''we miss you in school'' Skye continued, we've been bringing your schoolwork to your mom, seems like you're doing well'' did you know you're on the honor roll? ''yes'' said Merci ''I know Adonis told me, but I couldn't have done it without him'' she said as Fatima rolled her eyes and walked away. Skye followed her as she entered the building ''what's up with you girl?'' she asked ''oh nothing'' replied Fatima as she went up the steps, but in her mind, she was wondering what Adonis saw in a blind girl when he could have her. she had liked him ever since the fifth grade, but he had never paid her any attention ''Now this'' she thought out loud.