kind of rocky avalanche in this pasture. Nymphs are buzzing about, frenetic. Two fly at the two largest boulders, trying to roll them aside, only to bounce back and into the purple bushes.
―This is our garden,‖ Creusa says. ―Without these berries we can‘t live.‖ I shake my head sadly. I know what she is asking. And I also know that I can‘t do it.
―I‘m sorry, Creusa. Even though I‘m bigger than you, I‘m still not strong enough to lift those boulders.‖
―Of course you can‘t lift them. I can tell by your breathing that you don‘t challenge yourself physically often enough.‖
―Uh gee, thanks.‖
―But you do have the power to move the boulders. You saved me earlier.
Now use your goddess powers, please, to save my kin.‖ I can see all of the nymphs‘ wide, watery eyes fixed hopefully on me.
But I‘m not a goddess. I wish I had the power to just will the boulders off their crops and I hate that I will disappoint them. I don‘t want to seal their fate. It‘s a shame, really, that part of the pasture is unmanageable, rocky and barren. What a waste. The nymphs have worked wonders with the area that was fertile, only to now have it cramped by boulders. Mind you, the entire ―field‖ is no larger than the common room at Greeley. Why did the boulders have to crush the only useful area of this field? Imagine being that small and vulnerable and you build this whole world and nature just drops a boulder on it. Where will they go now?
―Yes!‖
Before I can figure out why everyone is squealing, a bevy of nymphs is buzzing about me, like non-stinging bees, giddily swirling and touching me. Loyal Creusa grabs my hand and swats the nymphs off. ―She doesn‘t want all of you all over her! Just say thank you and keep your distance.‖ As it happens, nymphs follow directions much better than humans.
They comply immediately, and Creusa yanks my hand and leads me away.
―I don‘t get it. Why is everyone celebrating? The boulders are still there.‖ I shake my head.
―I told you I‘m not a goddess.‖ She stops and says, ―Did you not see?‖
I follow her gaze to the mini-pasture. Sure enough, the boulders are still there. But there is something different about this picture.
The ragged rocky soil is gone, replaced by fertile dirt. Already, the nymphs are transplanting their seeds.
My lower lip starts to shake. Did I just do that?
Creusa squeezes my hand. ―You must go to Mount Olympus, Zoe.
Where the gods live.‖
―And do what?‖
―Visit the Oracle. She waits at the foot of Olympus. She will reveal your fate to you.‖
―I don‘t care about my fate ,‖ I say. Watching the nymphs work the Candy Land crops together reminds me of my aunt and uncle, of the dig where Darren and the others are probably in line right now at the catering truck. ―I just want to know how to get home.‖ Creusa must sense my homesickness, because she doesn‘t bite my head off or start in again about my being a goddess.
She speaks very plainly, like a friend who stays calm when you‘re losing your ground: ―Then find the Oracle, Zoe. She holds the answers to all of our questions.‖
I nod without speaking, watching as live nymphs with beating hearts plant seeds in the earth—earth that I just magically transformed from rocky ground into lush soil.
A few minutes ago I wondered if I did that. But now my doubts have popped like balloons.
I can only compare this feeling to one I had the day of the bee sting. I am different now. It‘s as if a focus deep within me that existed all along, sleeping but real, has awakened. I‘m not afraid anymore; I‘m determined.
I look down into Creusa‘s wide bright eyes. ―Okay,‖ I tell her, ―I‘ll find the Oracle.‖
She smiles.
―But is there somewhere I could, um, pee before I leave for Mount Olympus?‖
Part Two
The First And Last Time I Go Skinny-Dipping
Chapter 12
Creusa and I have gotten so far from the nymph-tree that we
―This is our garden,‖ Creusa says. ―Without these berries we can‘t live.‖ I shake my head sadly. I know what she is asking. And I also know that I can‘t do it.
―I‘m sorry, Creusa. Even though I‘m bigger than you, I‘m still not strong enough to lift those boulders.‖
―Of course you can‘t lift them. I can tell by your breathing that you don‘t challenge yourself physically often enough.‖
―Uh gee, thanks.‖
―But you do have the power to move the boulders. You saved me earlier.
Now use your goddess powers, please, to save my kin.‖ I can see all of the nymphs‘ wide, watery eyes fixed hopefully on me.
But I‘m not a goddess. I wish I had the power to just will the boulders off their crops and I hate that I will disappoint them. I don‘t want to seal their fate. It‘s a shame, really, that part of the pasture is unmanageable, rocky and barren. What a waste. The nymphs have worked wonders with the area that was fertile, only to now have it cramped by boulders. Mind you, the entire ―field‖ is no larger than the common room at Greeley. Why did the boulders have to crush the only useful area of this field? Imagine being that small and vulnerable and you build this whole world and nature just drops a boulder on it. Where will they go now?
―Yes!‖
Before I can figure out why everyone is squealing, a bevy of nymphs is buzzing about me, like non-stinging bees, giddily swirling and touching me. Loyal Creusa grabs my hand and swats the nymphs off. ―She doesn‘t want all of you all over her! Just say thank you and keep your distance.‖ As it happens, nymphs follow directions much better than humans.
They comply immediately, and Creusa yanks my hand and leads me away.
―I don‘t get it. Why is everyone celebrating? The boulders are still there.‖ I shake my head.
―I told you I‘m not a goddess.‖ She stops and says, ―Did you not see?‖
I follow her gaze to the mini-pasture. Sure enough, the boulders are still there. But there is something different about this picture.
The ragged rocky soil is gone, replaced by fertile dirt. Already, the nymphs are transplanting their seeds.
My lower lip starts to shake. Did I just do that?
Creusa squeezes my hand. ―You must go to Mount Olympus, Zoe.
Where the gods live.‖
―And do what?‖
―Visit the Oracle. She waits at the foot of Olympus. She will reveal your fate to you.‖
―I don‘t care about my fate ,‖ I say. Watching the nymphs work the Candy Land crops together reminds me of my aunt and uncle, of the dig where Darren and the others are probably in line right now at the catering truck. ―I just want to know how to get home.‖ Creusa must sense my homesickness, because she doesn‘t bite my head off or start in again about my being a goddess.
She speaks very plainly, like a friend who stays calm when you‘re losing your ground: ―Then find the Oracle, Zoe. She holds the answers to all of our questions.‖
I nod without speaking, watching as live nymphs with beating hearts plant seeds in the earth—earth that I just magically transformed from rocky ground into lush soil.
A few minutes ago I wondered if I did that. But now my doubts have popped like balloons.
I can only compare this feeling to one I had the day of the bee sting. I am different now. It‘s as if a focus deep within me that existed all along, sleeping but real, has awakened. I‘m not afraid anymore; I‘m determined.
I look down into Creusa‘s wide bright eyes. ―Okay,‖ I tell her, ―I‘ll find the Oracle.‖
She smiles.
―But is there somewhere I could, um, pee before I leave for Mount Olympus?‖
Part Two
The First And Last Time I Go Skinny-Dipping
Chapter 12
Creusa and I have gotten so far from the nymph-tree that we
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