How Much for Her?

Babies' brains are not well-developed to have complex dreams. However, I had my first dream. I was in the darkness. The same one from the two other times, one before I was born, and the one from the choking event. This time, I could feel my own body and breathe normally, as if I was not being a part of the vast space anymore. In addition, It was not completely dark. I could see a tiny light source. I tried to crawl to the light, but it was too far away, and then I sat down to rest. After a moment, I heard a voice coming from the light. Not sure what it was saying, but I was certain it was calling me as if it were asking me to come closer and meet it. I went back crawling in the direction, but it was still too far to reach. I got tired and cried for Mom or Dad. Then I felt my body uplifting in the air, and then, I woke up.

"It looks like you were having a bad dream", said Mom, placing me in her arms.

I woke up crying and had a low fever. Mom calmed me down by placing my head on her shoulder and gently patted my back

"He might be low in Mana again…", added Dad.

"He will have to adjust sooner than we thought… I'll ask Mrs. Hubson for some goat milk. My body is giving out signs that it will stop making milk…"

"You had to use your Mana yesterday…"

"I'm glad I did that, or you wouldn't be here…". Mom paused, as if she had remembered how dad was so close to losing his life the night before. She continued. "It will take some time to regenerate my Mana, maybe a month or so… Anyway, we are leaving. I'll stop by Mrs. Hubson's house today. She also might have some news for us".

Dad asked if he could hold for a moment. Mom seated me in his belly and helped Dad move his arms around me. I think He remembered the choking event. Maybe he thought I had choked again, but this time it was just a nightmare. He looked at me to check if I was doing fine and cuddled me. After that, Mom and he exchanged goodbyes. Mom called over Alice and Jonathan and gave them an oral list of things to do. Once the lecture was over, we left.

Mom carried me on her back thanks to the sling. She covered my head from the sun and we walked down the path to the village. One of her hands was carrying a leather bag and the other with a basket with her usual lunch and my baby stuff. I napped a few times with the swing of Mom's steps, but I remember that we greeted Mrs. Hubson and Mom promised her that she would stop by after work.

Arriving in the village, it was quieter than yesterday. Fewer horses and people were walking, but they seemed busy as always. Mom headed to the workshop, and we met with Ophelia.

"Oh my goodness, what happened, Clarice? I had thought something had happened to you!", said Ophelia with a worried tone. Mom arrived later than she was used to because she had to prepare lunch beforehand.

"My apologies. Richard and the kids are staying home today, and I had to cook their lunch"

"Is everything alright?"

"Richard is not feeling well. He fell ill. I think it's still because of what happened to him last winter. Anyway, I'll need to work for both of us now", said, sitting on the weaving machine.

Mom and Ophelia didn't notice, but Gigelda was watching us with knitted eyebrows like an animal waiting for its prey.

"The money from this order will definitely help for winter preparations. I'm glad we have you. If you need anything, please let me know! Don't forget, you can always let Henry with the babysitters in the daycare", said, pointing to the room Alice showed me the other day.

Mom nodded in response and Ophelia left. Soon she was gone, Gigelda stepped in with a furious face. She greeted mom, who seemed surprised to see Gigelda.

"Where is our little princess Alice?"

"Thank you for your concern. She is helping at home. I'm afraid she won't be able to come this week. What kind of business do you have with her?". Mom didn't look at Ophelia. She was focused on the weaving machine.

"She has talent! She must not stay home. It's a waste of talent!"

"I know, but…". She stopped working and placed her hands on her lap.

"How much do you want for her?"

"Excuse me?", asked Mom, perplexed. Mom's heart started racing.

"Richard is sick and won't be able to work anytime soon. I overheard your conversation with Ophelia, and I know the situation of your family. I intend to buy Alice from you"

"What do you mean…?". I could see her face since I was still on her back, but her tone was getting angry.

"Don't be a fool, Clarice. You know what I mean. I could feel she was special since the day I put my eyes on her. I intend to adopt Alice and take her as my own daughter"

"She is indeed a lovely and talented girl, but, by the gods, why would I give my own daughter or even worse, sell her?!". Mom was in disbelief. Gigelda wanted to buy Alice from Mom.

"You have three children. You had suffered enough last winter with only two, imagining having a third. My children are all gone. Only George stayed in the village. You know, we own the grocery shop. Money is not a problem for us. I'll raise her to be the finest woman around here". She looked at me with a disgusting face.

"She is not on sale. My children will stay with me until they come of age of adulthood". Her voice came a bit too loud. The other workers looked at us. Mom clenched her hands in her lap. She was furious.

"Being so adamant like that will take your whole family down. I'll let you think. You can save at least one of your children and give her a good future". She turned her back to Mom and walked away.

Mom's blood was boiling in anger. If Gigelda hadn't left, she would slap her on the face. Mom was holding herself. Ophelia came to ask what happened, and Mom explained that Gigelda wanted to buy Alice from her.

"That woman went nuts? That wig might have cooked her brain! I'm sorry for you to hear that, Clarice. She had good intentions, but she shouldn't have said that to you. Please — keep working and leave that conversation behind". Ophelia tried to calm Mom down.

The rest of the day was fine. I slept a few times and Mom changed my diapers and breastfed me. I noticed she often muttered some curse words towards Gigelda for saying such stupidity. Mom could finish half of the fabric roll and left for the day.

"If I see her… I'll make her eat her wig!", she muttered to herself. She was mad at Gigelda.

Unfortunately, the only grocery shop around belonged to Gigelda's son, George, and Mom had to buy more nutritious and perhaps enriched Mana food to help Dad get better.

"Good day, George. I brought some dried meat, and I wanted to buy some groceries", said Mom, showing her leather bag to the Grocery owner.

"Good day, Clarice. Your goods sold out really fast last time. I'm glad you brought more. Let me take it and you can have a look at the store while I process your goods", told him, handing the bag to an attendant.

Once he finished talking, he looked at my hair and then gave me a half-smile since Mom was looking at him. I could feel he didn't like me for any good reason. He looked at me as if I were a filthy animal in his store. Also, George looked like a male version of Gigelda, but he was taller and bald. I noticed he had a growing mustache. He was not much older than Mom, either.

Mom walked around the store, which was big, at least bigger than our house. She placed some strange vegetables and fruits in her basket. George gave her some coins in different colors and shapes. Mom nodded in agreement and used some of them to pay for the things she got. Gladly, we didn't stay much longer in the store, and we left.

I could feel George's and the other attendants' eyes on us. It felt like they were glad for us leaving too. They wiped their shoulders with their hands as if they were removing something like dust. I didn't understand what they were doing, but I guessed it was something to do with me being there.