Broken

Cuddled together they lay on the bed, with the pleasure over, their minds turned to more important matters as they discussed the journey that had brought them here. It may seem from the outside that their life was idyllic, but beneath the gloss, they were full of apprehension. Deep within Missy, there was a niggling doubt, that haunted her like an unwanted ghost.

What they were about to do required the utmost confidence in their interpretation of the evidence, it had taken countless years to collect.

Here they were, just a short distance from their goal, and for some inexplicable reason, the anxiety would not leave her alone and she wasn't alone they both feared that one mistake could lead to a disastrous end of their life's work.

Sensing their shared tension he spoke softly whilst stroking her perfect face, speaking slow and sure, he said.

"I assure you, my love (renmen mwen) I've turned over every rock and stone and followed every clue. She has got to be our daughter, if not I don't know what else can be done, I'm afraid this may well be our journey's end.

Almost everything is perfect, and with unyielding concentration, your intuitive senses have guided us to this Nexus where all paths converge at this one person.

However, before we commit and attempt a connection, we'd best be sure we get it right, for if we fail, there's the possibility it may break your ability to bond with her, maybe forever.

But, there is one thing we know for sure, she's gifted in fine arts, with the skill of hand that has been passed down through every generation since the first mix of the African Princess and Carib King's blood, nearly two centuries ago."

Looking into his eyes, she replied.

"Barton, renmen mwen (my love) I have never doubted your devotion to finding our child and only a few men who would make the sacrifice you have to bring us this far. But still my intuition tells me there is something askew and for the first time in my life, there's nothing my powers can do to help ease my anxiety, it's like looking through a fog that my sight can't penetrate.

However, I know for sure this is our daughter even though she appears to lack any of my spiritual skills, for she is surrounded by a power equal to mine. This is something I've not sensed since the moment of her birth and it feels so good not to be alone.

Perhaps the gift has been suppressed by some life experience and is buried deep in her soul.

We knew of these risks when as a newborn we passed her into the care of the elders, believing it would protect her from harm.

In retrospect and knowing what she's been through, the decision doesn't seem a wise one and she may well struggle to believe or understand our motive."

"Yes, I guess you're right, having said that we could be misjudging her ability to adapt and remember that she's no child, she's a woman who has demonstrated an amazing strength of character, a determination and a fearless will to survive.

And I can tell you that when I looked into her eyes, it was plain to she has the same fierce drive. Those intensely beautiful Carib eyes, are something she's quite clearly inherited from you.

As for awakening dormant powers, there is no one else better suited than you to help her on what would be an enlightening journey."

"Barton, I agree, but it will only be encouraged if she's willing, there's no will on my part to force it on her, it must be free will.

And this brings us to the tone of her skin, this was the gravest doubt the Elders had when pressing me not to unite with you. They warned me that a Sang Mele's skin could be like that of the father's, although it usually favours the mother.

You remember as a new-born she was pale, but most definitely not white, however, her white heritage stood out a mile, putting her life in danger. The threat of persecution and murder of whites and sang mele's persisted for generations after the revolution."

"Well, Missy, this could suggest we did well to heed the Elders advice, to have her smuggled to safety across the gulf, however bad that decision looks today.

Nevertheless, it fills me with sadness that our plans didn't work out, as the link with our daughter was soon broken, leaving us with no idea of what to do or where to go."

"Barton, let's cease this sadness and recrimination, we should be celebrating his opportunity and looking positively toward the future.

I think it's up to us to bite the bullet as these American Cowboys say,  so let's just do it, let's get close to her, you never know the fog may clear so that I can see her for who she truly is.

I don't sense this is going to be an easy journey, for any of us, especially for her, turning the world she knows, on its head and we may have to repair her broken wings."