Post by lunaria on Apr 14, 2006 10:00:32 GMT -5
The Unbidden Past
by Lila May Guptill (Lunaria)
Chapter One: A Polynesian Island
It was a day like any other day. The sky was filled with puffy white clouds. A gentle breeze was blowing off the water misting Gaia's face as she sat at the water's edge. The sun shone down between the clouds making golden highlights in Gaia's copper colored hair. Her bronze eyes were closed. Her tanned face turned up toward the sun. Her long tanned legs in lotus position. Her long fingers in mudra position. She was in meditation. Silver chains hung from her neck. Silver rings adorned her slender fingers. Gaia’s concentration begins to wander. She thinks about her life in the village that is set in a remote part of the jungle. She thinks about her mother still beautiful after having nine children. She, Gaia, was the first. Eighteen years ago it was. Sailors came. Their ship had hit something and they came in lifeboats to the island. It was a miracle that they found the village because it was well hidden. They stayed of coarse. Their ship had sunk. There was no way to get home. It was learned that they were in the king’s army. King George would send ships out looking for the lost vessel. Of course they would find nothing. It was assumed that the crew was lost at sea and the families would mourn their loss. Meanwhile the sailors had found a life among the Polynesian people. If any of them had families they were quickly forgotten, as cruel as that seems. The sailors knew they would never get home again and they wanted to heal their broken hearts as soon as possible. Here there were beautiful young women and a life of peace and plenty. Gaia's father was a tall handsome man with hair the color of the sun and eyes the color of the sky. He took right away to Gaia's mother. She was the chief’s daughter so he had to ask the chief for her hand. Gaia's mother, Rena, was very willing to marry him. The native men were not happy to have the sailors take their women. And at first there was trouble. The king settled the uprising in a hurry. No one was brave enough to go against the king. And so the sailors took for themselves brides from among the native women. Many improvements were made in the village. The sailors taught the natives everything they knew. Drake, as he was called, and Rena were very happy. It wasn't too long before a child was on the way. She was born one sunny afternoon in June. They named her Gaia after the earth. She had very unusual coloring. The blond, blue eyed, white skin of her father and the black hair, dark eyes and skin of her mother melded into the beautiful copper colored hair and bronze eyes that made Gaia so unique. Her skin was an in-between color of her mother and father. And the sun gave it a golden hue. She was beautiful. And as she grew to her teens there were many young males vying for her hand. One especially, a strong buck he was. But Gaia was not interested in pairing up with anyone. She was past the marrying age but she just wanted to be free for a while longer. To roam through the jungle. To run through the lush green that was everywhere. To taste the succulent fruit that grew in abundance. To be alone in the paradise that was her home. This she desired above all else. But the young men were always vying for her attention. This is why she spent long hours alone in the jungle. She had found places that were known only to her. She wondered why she didn't want to marry. It was a question she asked herself more and more these days. She remembers one sunny afternoon she went deep into the jungle, deeper than she ever went before. The foliage became thicker and thicker the farther she traveled until she could hardly go a step more. She recalls how she searched for a way out of the tangled greenery only to realize she was lost. And then in her struggles with the tangled vines, she bumped into something hard under the foliage. Tearing at the greenery revealed stone. Grey stone. She removed more of the tangled vines uncovering what looked like, not a wall as she imagined, but a building. She felt her way around three sides. It was an enormous building. On the four the side she stumbled on some stairs covered up with growth. Climbing to the top revealed a heavy wooden door carved with a thick cross. The latch was rusted and broken so the door swung open. It was heavy but she was strong. She remembers the musty smell as she entered the building. The windows were covered with thick cobwebs and dust, which made it almost impossible to see. Let alone being in the middle of a dense jungle that let little sunlight in. Small creatures had taken over the premises and made it their home. This was once a church, she reasoned. She remembers how familiar it felt to be in this large building. It wasn't a good familiar feeling though. It was very disturbing and she wanted to run. But she also wanted to explore every inch of this cold, gray stone structure. Why did she feel she knew this place? Deciding against exploration at this time Gaia moved toward the large, heavy door with the cross on it that would take her outside into the fresh air. She remembers breathing deeply of the humid jungle air, trying to clear her lungs of the musty smell that she remembered from a very long time ago. But she didn't know where or when. She remembers how she came charging out of the jungle and fell right into the arms of the handsome Polynesian boy that wanted her hand in marriage. He had been coming to look for her, knowing that she spent long hours alone in the jungle. It made him very curious as to why she went into the dense jungle everyday. He walked her home to her hut, bid her goodnight and went home to his own hut as night fell upon the Polynesian village. Gaia awakened from her reverie. It was far into the day and meditation was again spoiled by her musings about her life in her village. Ever since she found that old stone church has she been unable to meditate without letting her thoughts lead her back to the day the found it. Gaia got up from the ground brushing the sand from her legs and went back to the village. "Gaia, wait up". It was Tom. The boy who followed her around. The one who is always underfoot. He is named Tom after his English father. He, like Gaia, is the product of Polynesian and white parents. Only he is darker than she because his father is dark not blond like Gaia's father.” Hello Tom" "I wish you would stop following me. Everywhere I turn there you are. Can’t I have any privacy at all?" "Well, Tom whined, you’re always going into the jungle alone. You never even let anyone talk to you." "Sorry Tom, I need to be alone right now. When I am ready to be sociable I’ll let you know". Gaia went into her hut and as soon as Tom was out of sight she ran into the jungle. Deeper and deeper she went till she found the enormous gray, stone church. Pushing aside the heavy wooden door, Gaia entered the musty, dark building. Creatures went scurrying in all directions. Making her way upstairs as far as she could go, Gaia entered a small cubicle. This must be where the sisters slept, she thought. There was a cot and a stand, otherwise it was bare. The mattress on the cot was rotting and smelly. She removed it, replacing it with a grass mat she conveniently brought along, for she intended to meditate in this place and needed a clean place in which to do so. She was here to get the answer to the question that haunted her ever since she found this place. And that question was, what is it about this building that is upsetting my life in paradise and why don't I want to get married? Gaia lay upon the grass mat and closed her eyes. It was dark and quiet and she went deep into meditation easily. She was drifting, drifting, back, back. She is no longer Gaia.
Chapter Two: The Nun
The year is 1925. She is Sister Mary Catherine. She is standing on the grounds of The church of St Frances in Versalles, France. Her white habit is stained with mud. Her square headdress is sitting lopsided on her head. She had been running through the brush a half a mile from the church grounds. Now she hides behind one of the stone statues that stand all over the church grounds. "Dam that woman. Wait till I get my hands on her. She'll be sorry. How dare she refuse me." Father Gregory is out of breath. Wiping the sweat from his brow as he walks toward the rectory. Father Gregory is the senior priest at St. Frances Catholic Church. He is a big man with a red face and large belly. The parishioners like him more than the other priests. He walks into the rectory now and Mrs. Murphey, his housekeeper says, "Oh, Father, what happened to you?" He didn't realize how rumpled he was. "Oh, nothing, Mrs. Murphey. I took a spill down by the boat house, that's all." "Well as long as you’re not hurt, Father. Dinner is ready after you get cleaned up. Remember, Father, You're speaking tonight to all the novices." "That's right, I am. Thank you Mrs. Murphey, for reminding me. What would I do without you?" " Sister Mary Catherine, whatever have you been doing?" Mother Superior was standing in the hall as sister Mary came in. She wanted to get to her cell before anyone saw her to change her habit, but wasn't so lucky. "Oh, Mother Superior, I fell down in the mud. I am clumsy. I am sorry Mother." She wanted to tell her the truth that Father Gregory was trying to rape her. But she was new at St. Frances and she didn't want to make waves. "Well, child, go and change. It is time for prayers." Sister Mary Catherine threw herself on her cot sobbing uncontrollably. Sister Margaret, her secret friend and confidant heard her and came in without knocking. This was against the rules but they didn't care about rules between the two of them. "Why Mary, what is wrong?" "Oh, Maggie, Father Gregory tried to rape me again. I don't know how long I'm going to be able to avoid him." "Why that fat pig," Maggie hissed. "What am I going to do, Maggie?" "We'll think of something, Mary. Try to stay out of his way, and don't be alone with him till we figure something out". Sister Mary changed her habit and joined the other sisters for prayers. After prayers Mary headed for the showers. The warm water felt good on her nude body. "I wish I was ugly like some of the sisters here. The Father Gregory would leave me alone." She was dark. Dark hair and eyes. And a body that should be shown to the world, not covered by a nuns habit. She hated being a nun. But she was hiding from her family, for reasons she didn't want to talk about, or even think about. As soon as she could she would lose this nuns habit like a dirty shirt. She fooled the sisters and Mother Superior, but keeping up the act of being a nun was getting old. She even fooled Maggie, her friend. Her shower completed, she donned a robe and went to her room. Normally she would put on a nightgown and get into bed. All the other sisters had been asleep hours ago. But not Mary. Oh no, she had some place to go. "Got to get out of this nunnery before I go mad" Mary went to the back of her wardrobe and took out a bundle wrapped in brown paper. She untied the string and removed a pair of men's pants and shirt. "Where are those scissors I confiscated from the sewing room?" "Oh, here they are. You have to hide everything in this place. Not suppose to have anything. Vows of poverty, you know." Mary was mumbling to herself angrily by now as she cut off the bottom of the men’s pants and cut off the bottom of the shirt as well. These will be fine. I'm glad I snuck them in. She put on the pants and shirt. The pants were now shorts and hung far down on her hips. And the shirt barely covered her breasts. "Now that’s more like it". Mary crawled way back in the wardrobe. The wardrobe was set flush against the back wall. It was a very small wardrobe made only for a nun's two habits. The back of the wardrobe was torn away. Being made of cardboard made it easy to tear. But the amazing thing was that the thing was set, not flush against the back wall, but against a door. Mary discovered it shortly after she arrived. The door was not the kind with a knob. It was a sliding door, which looked like the wall except for a small indentation. Just large enough for two fingers. It slid open quietly, as if someone had oiled it very well, to steps leading down. On a shelf there was a fat candle and some matches. Tonight Mary was going to find out where these steps lead to. I'm glad they gave me this cell instead of one of the others. I doubt very much if the other cells have this special getaway. "Now let's just see where these steps take me. "Mary lit the fat candle, closed the door and started down the steps. "Since my cell is on the third floor, I guess I have a long decent" Down, down she went all the way to the basement. At the basement level there was another door. She opened it carefully. It didn’t make any noise. More steps. Down, down, now underground. The tunnel was braced with wood so the dirt wouldn't fall in. I don't know where the air is coming from but I can breath and the candle is burning just fine. The tunnel went along for quite a way until it started an upward incline. Mary continued on finally reaching the end of the tunnel. Someone had taken great care to make sure this tunnel was safe. There was another sliding door. She opened it and stepped out into a thick forest. "Oh my" Mary breathed deeply. It was dark and the only sound was the night creatures of the forest. I was most soothing to her soul." This would be a wonderful place to come and hide. No one could find me here. Especially that fat pig Father Gregory. A little exploring wouldn't hurt. Then I’d better hurry back for it will be morning soon." She walked far enough to come upon a large body of water. "I should come here during the day so I can really look around. I better get back now. I need to sleep at least a few hours". Mary started back. She found the door in the ground with no trouble. Lighting the candle again she went down in the tunnel and started back. She came out of the wardrobe into her room. The next day was bright and sunny. Mary was excited. She couldn't stop thinking about the secret place she found last night. " I want to go there again during the day to check it out. Maybe I can sneak out during afternoon prayers". That's exactly what she did. She put on her shirt and pant cutoffs again and away she went into the tunnel locking the sliding door behind her. No one would ever know it was a door. And even if they could figure it out they wouldn't be able to open it because it was now locked from the other side. Mary quickly went through the tunnel and came out in the forest. " Oh, this is so cool" Mary found her way back to the water where she was last night. The sun was shining and the sand was warm. Mary sat down in the sand by the water's edge. A combination of the sounds of sea gull and other nature sounds was so relaxing that she fell asleep in the warm sand. Hours later she was awakened by a young woman about her own age standing and staring at her. "Oh, I didn't know there were people here", Mary said sleepily. "Yes, my people have lived here for a long time", the beautiful young stranger said. "You are dressed very strangely", she continued. "What is your name?" "My name is Mary" "where do you live Mary"? "Oh, I am a nun at the church of St. Francis. " What is a nun and what is the church of St. Francis". "Well, Mary said I guess I have a lot to explain" "You see, I found a secret way here, where ever here is, and I think it is so beautiful and peaceful and I want to stay". "I don't want to go back there to the church". Mary continued to explain everything, including how Father Gregory was always trying to rape her and how she hated being a nun and that she was using the church for a hideout. When she was finished with her story the beautiful young Polynesian woman decided that Mary should stay with them. Mary thought it would be a good idea too. Mary asked what the young natives name was. "My name is Tanya" "Oh, that is a pretty name". "So Tanya, I am so glad that there are people here. I was going to try to stay here and try to live by myself." "Mary, you can live with me in my hut. I am old enough to have my own hut and there's room for both of us. My people will accept you. Your skin is about the same color as mine. Your eyes are brown and your hair is very dark just like mine. We could be sisters. You look as Polynesian as I do." "Yes, Mary said, it can work". Tanya took Mary to her village. "We'll have to find some different clothes for you". "We don't want to draw anymore attention to you than we have to". "I think you'll blend right in with us". "I always wanted a sister,” Tanya said. Mary couldn't have been more pleased with how things turned out. Mary and Tanya buried the shirt and pant cutoffs and Mary put on one of Tanya's sarongs. She looked Polynesian all right. No one would find her. Meanwhile back at St Francis Mary was being missed. Maggie went to Mother Superior. Mother, Maggie said," I can't find Mary anywhere." "You know now that you mention it, I didn't see her at afternoon prayers", Mother Superior said. "Let's go see if she's in her room." "Maybe she isn't feeling well." The two of them went to Mary's room and found it empty but for her habit thrown carelessly on the bed. "Well, this does not make any sense. Where can she be?" "Both her habits are here. What could she be wearing and where could she be without clothes?" Mary's disappearance went all through all of St. Francis. When it reached Father Gregory’s ears he kicked himself for not pursuing her more vigorously." Now I'll never have her. She's gone" It was a mystery that never was solved at St. Francis.
Chapter Three: A New Identity
It was a wonderful sunshiny day at the Polynesian village. Tanya took Mary for a tour. Mary was very happy and it wasn't long before she fit right in. After a while she met a boy. Tanya told her to leave him alone for he was to marry the chief's daughter. But they were quite taken with each other. They began disappearing together deep into the forest. Tanya took Mary aside one day. "Mary, Tanya said, you must stop seeing Carl. The chief's daughter is very suspicious and so are other people. I brought you here and your actions reflect on me." Mary listened attentively and then replied, "Tanya, I can't stop seeing him. We are in love. He doesn't love the chief's daughter" "Mary, that doesn't matter. He is to marry her. It is our custom. "Tanya, I can't let him go. I am going to have a baby" "Well, now you've done it Mary. We've got to get you married to the first available man", "No Tanya, I won't marry anyone else". "You have to Mary" Mary finally agreed that it was the only solution. They began planning whom Mary should marry, but before they even selected a mate for her, the chief's daughter was drowned in a freak accident on the water. It was like providence was stepping in to make things right for Mary. The village mourned for the acceptable amount of time. Carl waited too for the right amount of time before he openly courted Mary. But they couldn't wait too long. They wanted to be married soon and say the baby was born early and be believed. And so it was that the marriage between Carl and Mary took place. It was a beautiful ceremony. Mary and Carl slipped away deep into the woods to a small hut that Carl made for their honeymoon. It was a hidden place where they could be alone for as long as they wanted. It was the Polynesian custom. Tanya missed her new friend more than she thought she would. They had become very close. And they were close because Mary and Tanya had many secrets together that even Carl didn't know. Mary's pregnancy was an easy one and soon it was time for the baby to be born. It was a fall afternoon when he made his appearance. The birth was as easy as the pregnancy. It was plain to see that Mary was meant to be a mother and to have many children. And that is just what she did. She lived many years with the Polynesian people and had ten children in all. She was thankful for her life in the village. Mary at last had a happy life pretending to be one of them. And no one could prove she wasn't. Living in the sun had made her skin very dark, and her hair was dark anyway as were her eyes. This village and this life was a wonderful place to hide and she was very happy to boot. Tanya had married and had many children too. Mary and Tanya were still very close, and did everything together. Their children were also close friends. And their husbands were buddies. It was a wonderful life. No one could say otherwise. But every once in a while Mary thought of Maggie, her other best friend. Sister Margaret, whom she hadn't seen for over forty years. One afternoon when everyone was busy, Mary went deep into the woods where the door to the tunnel was. No one had found it all these years. Mary moved the brush away till she could see the door. Pulling up on the ring the door opened. There was the candle and matches just where Mary had left them. Oh, I don't even want to think of that awful church after all these years, let alone go back there" Mary slammed the door back into the ground and covered it up again. Walking back to the village she vowed never to go there again. More years went by. Mary's children were grown and had children of their own. Mary was an old woman now. She'd had a full and happy life. Mary was laid to rest in the Polynesian cemetery.
Chapter Four: Back To The Present
Gaia woke up in the dusty, dark, musty smelling church. At first she didn't know where she was or even who she was. Slowly her mind cleared. She sat up on the grass mat she had brought with her from the village. " So that's why I don't want to marry anyone. I was Mary, the nun, and Tom is Father Gregory. A nun doesn't marry and I hated Father Gregory. Tom and Father Gregory are one and the same." Gaia left the old church structure for the last time and walked through the forest and back to the village. "I wonder if I could find that door that leads to the old church, in the forest floor?" She thought about that for a while and decided to forget about it. "I think I’ve had enough of the whole thing", she spoke out loud. "I need to cleanse myself now. I feel very dirty." Gaia went to her favorite place by the water's edge, where she meditates. Stripping off her clothes she walked into the blue, crystal clear water up to her head. She slipped under the water and swam for a long time. When she finally surfaced it was realized she was a long way from the shore. "I better swim back now," Gaia thought. Reaching the shore and feeling clean again, she lay down upon the warm, white sand and fell asleep. She had the most wonderful dream. She dreamed an enormous, shiny, silver, saucer shaped starship hovered over her. It was so high up that it was invisible to everyone but her. Down from the starship came a shuttlecraft and landed on the sand beside her. It was large enough to hold four beings, but only two got out. They were beautiful beings and there was a glow all about them. When they spoke it was most melodious. But they didn't use their voices. It was more like telepathy. Mind to mind. Gaia understood them perfectly. "Hello Gaia", they telepathed to her. She spoke back in her mind. "Hello, it's so good to see you again. It's been so long". "It just seems long, my child" "Is it time to go home now?’ Gaia asked them. " Yes, my child, your work is finished here." Gaia told them that she loved this last life. It was short and the Polynesian Island reminded her of home. "Yes, child, remember that is why we chose it, to give you a rest from all your other lives before you came home." "Two million years in physicality has taken a toll. I am thankful for this last life". "So, child, let's go now before anyone sees us." "Yes, alright, I am anxious to be home. Has anything changed while I’ve been gone?" They were in the shuttlecraft now and lifting off the earth. "Oh, yes, there have been a few changes. Two million years is a long time for things to stay the same… But you will remember your home world. And everyone there will remember you. There will be a great celebration in your honor............. And Gaia was gone from earth. Her presence was no longer felt.
The End.
Copyright © 2004 Lila May Guptill
by Lila May Guptill (Lunaria)
Chapter One: A Polynesian Island
It was a day like any other day. The sky was filled with puffy white clouds. A gentle breeze was blowing off the water misting Gaia's face as she sat at the water's edge. The sun shone down between the clouds making golden highlights in Gaia's copper colored hair. Her bronze eyes were closed. Her tanned face turned up toward the sun. Her long tanned legs in lotus position. Her long fingers in mudra position. She was in meditation. Silver chains hung from her neck. Silver rings adorned her slender fingers. Gaia’s concentration begins to wander. She thinks about her life in the village that is set in a remote part of the jungle. She thinks about her mother still beautiful after having nine children. She, Gaia, was the first. Eighteen years ago it was. Sailors came. Their ship had hit something and they came in lifeboats to the island. It was a miracle that they found the village because it was well hidden. They stayed of coarse. Their ship had sunk. There was no way to get home. It was learned that they were in the king’s army. King George would send ships out looking for the lost vessel. Of course they would find nothing. It was assumed that the crew was lost at sea and the families would mourn their loss. Meanwhile the sailors had found a life among the Polynesian people. If any of them had families they were quickly forgotten, as cruel as that seems. The sailors knew they would never get home again and they wanted to heal their broken hearts as soon as possible. Here there were beautiful young women and a life of peace and plenty. Gaia's father was a tall handsome man with hair the color of the sun and eyes the color of the sky. He took right away to Gaia's mother. She was the chief’s daughter so he had to ask the chief for her hand. Gaia's mother, Rena, was very willing to marry him. The native men were not happy to have the sailors take their women. And at first there was trouble. The king settled the uprising in a hurry. No one was brave enough to go against the king. And so the sailors took for themselves brides from among the native women. Many improvements were made in the village. The sailors taught the natives everything they knew. Drake, as he was called, and Rena were very happy. It wasn't too long before a child was on the way. She was born one sunny afternoon in June. They named her Gaia after the earth. She had very unusual coloring. The blond, blue eyed, white skin of her father and the black hair, dark eyes and skin of her mother melded into the beautiful copper colored hair and bronze eyes that made Gaia so unique. Her skin was an in-between color of her mother and father. And the sun gave it a golden hue. She was beautiful. And as she grew to her teens there were many young males vying for her hand. One especially, a strong buck he was. But Gaia was not interested in pairing up with anyone. She was past the marrying age but she just wanted to be free for a while longer. To roam through the jungle. To run through the lush green that was everywhere. To taste the succulent fruit that grew in abundance. To be alone in the paradise that was her home. This she desired above all else. But the young men were always vying for her attention. This is why she spent long hours alone in the jungle. She had found places that were known only to her. She wondered why she didn't want to marry. It was a question she asked herself more and more these days. She remembers one sunny afternoon she went deep into the jungle, deeper than she ever went before. The foliage became thicker and thicker the farther she traveled until she could hardly go a step more. She recalls how she searched for a way out of the tangled greenery only to realize she was lost. And then in her struggles with the tangled vines, she bumped into something hard under the foliage. Tearing at the greenery revealed stone. Grey stone. She removed more of the tangled vines uncovering what looked like, not a wall as she imagined, but a building. She felt her way around three sides. It was an enormous building. On the four the side she stumbled on some stairs covered up with growth. Climbing to the top revealed a heavy wooden door carved with a thick cross. The latch was rusted and broken so the door swung open. It was heavy but she was strong. She remembers the musty smell as she entered the building. The windows were covered with thick cobwebs and dust, which made it almost impossible to see. Let alone being in the middle of a dense jungle that let little sunlight in. Small creatures had taken over the premises and made it their home. This was once a church, she reasoned. She remembers how familiar it felt to be in this large building. It wasn't a good familiar feeling though. It was very disturbing and she wanted to run. But she also wanted to explore every inch of this cold, gray stone structure. Why did she feel she knew this place? Deciding against exploration at this time Gaia moved toward the large, heavy door with the cross on it that would take her outside into the fresh air. She remembers breathing deeply of the humid jungle air, trying to clear her lungs of the musty smell that she remembered from a very long time ago. But she didn't know where or when. She remembers how she came charging out of the jungle and fell right into the arms of the handsome Polynesian boy that wanted her hand in marriage. He had been coming to look for her, knowing that she spent long hours alone in the jungle. It made him very curious as to why she went into the dense jungle everyday. He walked her home to her hut, bid her goodnight and went home to his own hut as night fell upon the Polynesian village. Gaia awakened from her reverie. It was far into the day and meditation was again spoiled by her musings about her life in her village. Ever since she found that old stone church has she been unable to meditate without letting her thoughts lead her back to the day the found it. Gaia got up from the ground brushing the sand from her legs and went back to the village. "Gaia, wait up". It was Tom. The boy who followed her around. The one who is always underfoot. He is named Tom after his English father. He, like Gaia, is the product of Polynesian and white parents. Only he is darker than she because his father is dark not blond like Gaia's father.” Hello Tom" "I wish you would stop following me. Everywhere I turn there you are. Can’t I have any privacy at all?" "Well, Tom whined, you’re always going into the jungle alone. You never even let anyone talk to you." "Sorry Tom, I need to be alone right now. When I am ready to be sociable I’ll let you know". Gaia went into her hut and as soon as Tom was out of sight she ran into the jungle. Deeper and deeper she went till she found the enormous gray, stone church. Pushing aside the heavy wooden door, Gaia entered the musty, dark building. Creatures went scurrying in all directions. Making her way upstairs as far as she could go, Gaia entered a small cubicle. This must be where the sisters slept, she thought. There was a cot and a stand, otherwise it was bare. The mattress on the cot was rotting and smelly. She removed it, replacing it with a grass mat she conveniently brought along, for she intended to meditate in this place and needed a clean place in which to do so. She was here to get the answer to the question that haunted her ever since she found this place. And that question was, what is it about this building that is upsetting my life in paradise and why don't I want to get married? Gaia lay upon the grass mat and closed her eyes. It was dark and quiet and she went deep into meditation easily. She was drifting, drifting, back, back. She is no longer Gaia.
Chapter Two: The Nun
The year is 1925. She is Sister Mary Catherine. She is standing on the grounds of The church of St Frances in Versalles, France. Her white habit is stained with mud. Her square headdress is sitting lopsided on her head. She had been running through the brush a half a mile from the church grounds. Now she hides behind one of the stone statues that stand all over the church grounds. "Dam that woman. Wait till I get my hands on her. She'll be sorry. How dare she refuse me." Father Gregory is out of breath. Wiping the sweat from his brow as he walks toward the rectory. Father Gregory is the senior priest at St. Frances Catholic Church. He is a big man with a red face and large belly. The parishioners like him more than the other priests. He walks into the rectory now and Mrs. Murphey, his housekeeper says, "Oh, Father, what happened to you?" He didn't realize how rumpled he was. "Oh, nothing, Mrs. Murphey. I took a spill down by the boat house, that's all." "Well as long as you’re not hurt, Father. Dinner is ready after you get cleaned up. Remember, Father, You're speaking tonight to all the novices." "That's right, I am. Thank you Mrs. Murphey, for reminding me. What would I do without you?" " Sister Mary Catherine, whatever have you been doing?" Mother Superior was standing in the hall as sister Mary came in. She wanted to get to her cell before anyone saw her to change her habit, but wasn't so lucky. "Oh, Mother Superior, I fell down in the mud. I am clumsy. I am sorry Mother." She wanted to tell her the truth that Father Gregory was trying to rape her. But she was new at St. Frances and she didn't want to make waves. "Well, child, go and change. It is time for prayers." Sister Mary Catherine threw herself on her cot sobbing uncontrollably. Sister Margaret, her secret friend and confidant heard her and came in without knocking. This was against the rules but they didn't care about rules between the two of them. "Why Mary, what is wrong?" "Oh, Maggie, Father Gregory tried to rape me again. I don't know how long I'm going to be able to avoid him." "Why that fat pig," Maggie hissed. "What am I going to do, Maggie?" "We'll think of something, Mary. Try to stay out of his way, and don't be alone with him till we figure something out". Sister Mary changed her habit and joined the other sisters for prayers. After prayers Mary headed for the showers. The warm water felt good on her nude body. "I wish I was ugly like some of the sisters here. The Father Gregory would leave me alone." She was dark. Dark hair and eyes. And a body that should be shown to the world, not covered by a nuns habit. She hated being a nun. But she was hiding from her family, for reasons she didn't want to talk about, or even think about. As soon as she could she would lose this nuns habit like a dirty shirt. She fooled the sisters and Mother Superior, but keeping up the act of being a nun was getting old. She even fooled Maggie, her friend. Her shower completed, she donned a robe and went to her room. Normally she would put on a nightgown and get into bed. All the other sisters had been asleep hours ago. But not Mary. Oh no, she had some place to go. "Got to get out of this nunnery before I go mad" Mary went to the back of her wardrobe and took out a bundle wrapped in brown paper. She untied the string and removed a pair of men's pants and shirt. "Where are those scissors I confiscated from the sewing room?" "Oh, here they are. You have to hide everything in this place. Not suppose to have anything. Vows of poverty, you know." Mary was mumbling to herself angrily by now as she cut off the bottom of the men’s pants and cut off the bottom of the shirt as well. These will be fine. I'm glad I snuck them in. She put on the pants and shirt. The pants were now shorts and hung far down on her hips. And the shirt barely covered her breasts. "Now that’s more like it". Mary crawled way back in the wardrobe. The wardrobe was set flush against the back wall. It was a very small wardrobe made only for a nun's two habits. The back of the wardrobe was torn away. Being made of cardboard made it easy to tear. But the amazing thing was that the thing was set, not flush against the back wall, but against a door. Mary discovered it shortly after she arrived. The door was not the kind with a knob. It was a sliding door, which looked like the wall except for a small indentation. Just large enough for two fingers. It slid open quietly, as if someone had oiled it very well, to steps leading down. On a shelf there was a fat candle and some matches. Tonight Mary was going to find out where these steps lead to. I'm glad they gave me this cell instead of one of the others. I doubt very much if the other cells have this special getaway. "Now let's just see where these steps take me. "Mary lit the fat candle, closed the door and started down the steps. "Since my cell is on the third floor, I guess I have a long decent" Down, down she went all the way to the basement. At the basement level there was another door. She opened it carefully. It didn’t make any noise. More steps. Down, down, now underground. The tunnel was braced with wood so the dirt wouldn't fall in. I don't know where the air is coming from but I can breath and the candle is burning just fine. The tunnel went along for quite a way until it started an upward incline. Mary continued on finally reaching the end of the tunnel. Someone had taken great care to make sure this tunnel was safe. There was another sliding door. She opened it and stepped out into a thick forest. "Oh my" Mary breathed deeply. It was dark and the only sound was the night creatures of the forest. I was most soothing to her soul." This would be a wonderful place to come and hide. No one could find me here. Especially that fat pig Father Gregory. A little exploring wouldn't hurt. Then I’d better hurry back for it will be morning soon." She walked far enough to come upon a large body of water. "I should come here during the day so I can really look around. I better get back now. I need to sleep at least a few hours". Mary started back. She found the door in the ground with no trouble. Lighting the candle again she went down in the tunnel and started back. She came out of the wardrobe into her room. The next day was bright and sunny. Mary was excited. She couldn't stop thinking about the secret place she found last night. " I want to go there again during the day to check it out. Maybe I can sneak out during afternoon prayers". That's exactly what she did. She put on her shirt and pant cutoffs again and away she went into the tunnel locking the sliding door behind her. No one would ever know it was a door. And even if they could figure it out they wouldn't be able to open it because it was now locked from the other side. Mary quickly went through the tunnel and came out in the forest. " Oh, this is so cool" Mary found her way back to the water where she was last night. The sun was shining and the sand was warm. Mary sat down in the sand by the water's edge. A combination of the sounds of sea gull and other nature sounds was so relaxing that she fell asleep in the warm sand. Hours later she was awakened by a young woman about her own age standing and staring at her. "Oh, I didn't know there were people here", Mary said sleepily. "Yes, my people have lived here for a long time", the beautiful young stranger said. "You are dressed very strangely", she continued. "What is your name?" "My name is Mary" "where do you live Mary"? "Oh, I am a nun at the church of St. Francis. " What is a nun and what is the church of St. Francis". "Well, Mary said I guess I have a lot to explain" "You see, I found a secret way here, where ever here is, and I think it is so beautiful and peaceful and I want to stay". "I don't want to go back there to the church". Mary continued to explain everything, including how Father Gregory was always trying to rape her and how she hated being a nun and that she was using the church for a hideout. When she was finished with her story the beautiful young Polynesian woman decided that Mary should stay with them. Mary thought it would be a good idea too. Mary asked what the young natives name was. "My name is Tanya" "Oh, that is a pretty name". "So Tanya, I am so glad that there are people here. I was going to try to stay here and try to live by myself." "Mary, you can live with me in my hut. I am old enough to have my own hut and there's room for both of us. My people will accept you. Your skin is about the same color as mine. Your eyes are brown and your hair is very dark just like mine. We could be sisters. You look as Polynesian as I do." "Yes, Mary said, it can work". Tanya took Mary to her village. "We'll have to find some different clothes for you". "We don't want to draw anymore attention to you than we have to". "I think you'll blend right in with us". "I always wanted a sister,” Tanya said. Mary couldn't have been more pleased with how things turned out. Mary and Tanya buried the shirt and pant cutoffs and Mary put on one of Tanya's sarongs. She looked Polynesian all right. No one would find her. Meanwhile back at St Francis Mary was being missed. Maggie went to Mother Superior. Mother, Maggie said," I can't find Mary anywhere." "You know now that you mention it, I didn't see her at afternoon prayers", Mother Superior said. "Let's go see if she's in her room." "Maybe she isn't feeling well." The two of them went to Mary's room and found it empty but for her habit thrown carelessly on the bed. "Well, this does not make any sense. Where can she be?" "Both her habits are here. What could she be wearing and where could she be without clothes?" Mary's disappearance went all through all of St. Francis. When it reached Father Gregory’s ears he kicked himself for not pursuing her more vigorously." Now I'll never have her. She's gone" It was a mystery that never was solved at St. Francis.
Chapter Three: A New Identity
It was a wonderful sunshiny day at the Polynesian village. Tanya took Mary for a tour. Mary was very happy and it wasn't long before she fit right in. After a while she met a boy. Tanya told her to leave him alone for he was to marry the chief's daughter. But they were quite taken with each other. They began disappearing together deep into the forest. Tanya took Mary aside one day. "Mary, Tanya said, you must stop seeing Carl. The chief's daughter is very suspicious and so are other people. I brought you here and your actions reflect on me." Mary listened attentively and then replied, "Tanya, I can't stop seeing him. We are in love. He doesn't love the chief's daughter" "Mary, that doesn't matter. He is to marry her. It is our custom. "Tanya, I can't let him go. I am going to have a baby" "Well, now you've done it Mary. We've got to get you married to the first available man", "No Tanya, I won't marry anyone else". "You have to Mary" Mary finally agreed that it was the only solution. They began planning whom Mary should marry, but before they even selected a mate for her, the chief's daughter was drowned in a freak accident on the water. It was like providence was stepping in to make things right for Mary. The village mourned for the acceptable amount of time. Carl waited too for the right amount of time before he openly courted Mary. But they couldn't wait too long. They wanted to be married soon and say the baby was born early and be believed. And so it was that the marriage between Carl and Mary took place. It was a beautiful ceremony. Mary and Carl slipped away deep into the woods to a small hut that Carl made for their honeymoon. It was a hidden place where they could be alone for as long as they wanted. It was the Polynesian custom. Tanya missed her new friend more than she thought she would. They had become very close. And they were close because Mary and Tanya had many secrets together that even Carl didn't know. Mary's pregnancy was an easy one and soon it was time for the baby to be born. It was a fall afternoon when he made his appearance. The birth was as easy as the pregnancy. It was plain to see that Mary was meant to be a mother and to have many children. And that is just what she did. She lived many years with the Polynesian people and had ten children in all. She was thankful for her life in the village. Mary at last had a happy life pretending to be one of them. And no one could prove she wasn't. Living in the sun had made her skin very dark, and her hair was dark anyway as were her eyes. This village and this life was a wonderful place to hide and she was very happy to boot. Tanya had married and had many children too. Mary and Tanya were still very close, and did everything together. Their children were also close friends. And their husbands were buddies. It was a wonderful life. No one could say otherwise. But every once in a while Mary thought of Maggie, her other best friend. Sister Margaret, whom she hadn't seen for over forty years. One afternoon when everyone was busy, Mary went deep into the woods where the door to the tunnel was. No one had found it all these years. Mary moved the brush away till she could see the door. Pulling up on the ring the door opened. There was the candle and matches just where Mary had left them. Oh, I don't even want to think of that awful church after all these years, let alone go back there" Mary slammed the door back into the ground and covered it up again. Walking back to the village she vowed never to go there again. More years went by. Mary's children were grown and had children of their own. Mary was an old woman now. She'd had a full and happy life. Mary was laid to rest in the Polynesian cemetery.
Chapter Four: Back To The Present
Gaia woke up in the dusty, dark, musty smelling church. At first she didn't know where she was or even who she was. Slowly her mind cleared. She sat up on the grass mat she had brought with her from the village. " So that's why I don't want to marry anyone. I was Mary, the nun, and Tom is Father Gregory. A nun doesn't marry and I hated Father Gregory. Tom and Father Gregory are one and the same." Gaia left the old church structure for the last time and walked through the forest and back to the village. "I wonder if I could find that door that leads to the old church, in the forest floor?" She thought about that for a while and decided to forget about it. "I think I’ve had enough of the whole thing", she spoke out loud. "I need to cleanse myself now. I feel very dirty." Gaia went to her favorite place by the water's edge, where she meditates. Stripping off her clothes she walked into the blue, crystal clear water up to her head. She slipped under the water and swam for a long time. When she finally surfaced it was realized she was a long way from the shore. "I better swim back now," Gaia thought. Reaching the shore and feeling clean again, she lay down upon the warm, white sand and fell asleep. She had the most wonderful dream. She dreamed an enormous, shiny, silver, saucer shaped starship hovered over her. It was so high up that it was invisible to everyone but her. Down from the starship came a shuttlecraft and landed on the sand beside her. It was large enough to hold four beings, but only two got out. They were beautiful beings and there was a glow all about them. When they spoke it was most melodious. But they didn't use their voices. It was more like telepathy. Mind to mind. Gaia understood them perfectly. "Hello Gaia", they telepathed to her. She spoke back in her mind. "Hello, it's so good to see you again. It's been so long". "It just seems long, my child" "Is it time to go home now?’ Gaia asked them. " Yes, my child, your work is finished here." Gaia told them that she loved this last life. It was short and the Polynesian Island reminded her of home. "Yes, child, remember that is why we chose it, to give you a rest from all your other lives before you came home." "Two million years in physicality has taken a toll. I am thankful for this last life". "So, child, let's go now before anyone sees us." "Yes, alright, I am anxious to be home. Has anything changed while I’ve been gone?" They were in the shuttlecraft now and lifting off the earth. "Oh, yes, there have been a few changes. Two million years is a long time for things to stay the same… But you will remember your home world. And everyone there will remember you. There will be a great celebration in your honor............. And Gaia was gone from earth. Her presence was no longer felt.
The End.
Copyright © 2004 Lila May Guptill
