Friday, March 7, 2014

Out of the Garden - Part 6

Read the story from the beginning here.

Part 6 by Megan Sayer


Peta’s words winded me like a blow to the chest. I breathed deeply, holding the summer air in my lungs until my heart regained its rhythm, then breathed out slowly in a low, guttural sigh.
A hundred thoughts fought like dogs within me—Tea leaves on the floor. The dustpan. Pantry. Focus. Breathe.
Surely the fragile creature in a shoebox needed me more than ancient history needed reviving, but what to do? The clock ticked its wordless seconds, and through the window came the hum of idle chatter from the garden. I felt my shoulders relax; the guests were settled. I found the broom, swept the spill.
Breathed.
Margaret doesn’t eat sugar. How could I forget?
I hunted through my china cabinet for a saucer that once belonged to my—our—grandmother and twizzled some honey into it for the tray.
Breathe.
Margaret had been on a sugar-free diet for two months, and raved about weight loss and health benefits, about the natural healing properties in good organic…
Neachtar.
Honey is made from nectar. Could it help the Her? I rummaged quickly and rescued an old jar lid from the back of the pantry, just the size to cradle a teaspoon of honey. Surely just enough time…
Gentle laughter sounded outside, overlaid by the sharp, biting laugh of Peta. Her parting words pricked my soul again, an aftershock of memory.
Just don’t forget what you are.
“I know exactly what I am!”
A cough sounded behind me. I hadn’t heard the screen door open.
“Mom sent me to check you were okay.” My granddaughter’s bored expression had been replaced by curiosity. Her eyes flicked to the honey in my hand.
“So what are you then, Gran?”

Megan Sayer is a long-time friend of Novel Matters. Given that she lives in Tasmania, Australia, it's surprising that 5 out of 6 of us have met her in person and have fallen in love with her. She says she's addicted to fiction, which doesn't surprise us one bit, especially now that we've seen her writing. She's also a wife and mum (speaking Australian!) of 3 beautiful children. You can read more from Megan on her blog at MeganSayer.com and get to know her on FaceBook. She's finished one novel and is working on a second.

Thank you, Megan!


13 comments:

V. Gingerich said...

I'd wondered about the neachtar/nectar connection, and I love that you took us to honey in a jar lid.

Seems to me, this story is being built around strong, visual-forming verbs, just like we read about on this blog a while ago.

Delicious!

Karen @ a house full of sunshine said...

Great job, Megan! Very clever word association - I hadn't even thought of nectar. I like how you passed the ball to the next person with your last line. ;) Deftly done!

So curious to see what the next person will make of all this! And glad it's not me... ha! ;)

I'm also wondering - who is the one unlucky person who hasn't met Megan??

Patti Hill said...

Thanks for stopping by V. and Karen. We're loving what our readers are doing with the story. Be sure to tell your friends.

Cherry Odelberg said...

Perfect way to move the story along and build suspense, Megan. I like it-so much empathy for this wounded person.

Patti Hill said...

Karen: Our Novel Matters member who lives farthest to the north, Bonnie, has yet to meet Megan who lives with the penguins and Tasmanian devils so far to the south.

Josey Bozzo said...

Oh, hurry hurry with the next part!

Henrietta Frankensee said...

My first thought this morning: Story time! I am not disappointed. Megan, this is so logical and the timing is immaculate.

Sharon K. Souza said...

Karen, I'd love to add your name to our list of contributors. We have an opening in June. Please say yes!

Great job, Megan!

Karen @ a house full of sunshine said...

Oh Sharon.... you're so kind to ask, but honestly, I'm a little scared to. My writing cogs have rusted out and I'm too self-conscious. I've been really enjoying reading other people's entries in anonymity... ;)

Sharon K. Souza said...

I think we're all a little scared, Karen. But if you change your mind, email us through the blog. I'd love to schedule you!

Patti Hill said...

Thanks to all who have stopped by today. It's fun to hear from you. We love our little community. Mwah!

Megan Sayer said...

Thanks everyone for all your kind comments, it's been so much fun to be a part of this!
Karen it IS a bit scary, but honestly, go for it!! I'm just pleased that I got to do my little part and handball it on...hehe...I'm looking forward to reading what the next person makes of it too.

Henrietta Frankensee said...

Karen! By June I expect the Her will be ready for a visit from her Aussie cousin! Aren't fairies from Down Under just a little bit different...? Or is the Her actually Australian and you can be the true revealer?