By the Letter – 4 –
The next day started out good with only a few clouds around, and the northeast wind, still a bit chilly, had calmed the sea quite a bit since yesterday. Everything sounded different now with the wind gently sweeping up and over the cliff. At quarter past twelve Deirdre was out at Jerbourg again for her fourth day of walking. It’s boring to do the same thing over and over again, one would think. But Deirdre didn’t think that way, not now that there were so many new things to discover, and after each trip she found the book reviews to be joyful reading.
Deirdre didn’t count each path turn to tell the time or her progress out walking. Time seemed so different out here, and she wasn’t in a hurry. The first bit of the path was partially open to the sea, and she felt closer to the cliff here. The height and steep slopes didn’t bother her because she felt safe against the cliff, like it was someone to hold on to and rely on.
A bit farther on the path the slope changed character to a less-steep shelf, and there was this side path she previously had passed by. The side path didn’t cross the main path at ninety degrees; instead the main path split, with the left side leading to town and the other to a view point and then farther down to some rough cliffs, covered by the tide twice during early mornings and late evenings, which changed throughout the month, depending on the moon.
It was sunny, and somehow the left path leading to town was dark and hidden in the shadows, while the right path was lit, leading straight on. Deirdre took some steps up the main left path, but when she looked aside, that illuminated side path told her otherwise. So she went back and stood there, looking for a while, trying to sense her direction. The right side path almost commanded her, so that way it had to be.
The sun warmed her back and the high pine trees up the slope blocked the wind. It was not far to the viewpoint, where there was a green bench with a small lawn beneath. Here there was no wind at all. Beyond the view spot was a very steep staircase-looking trail leading down to the sharp rocks and cliffs meeting the sea, but there was also this beautiful marble-like bay opening up at the bottom of those stairs.
Deirdre went down the stairs a bit, but she was soon up again to take a seat at the bench and enjoy the views. It was so peaceful there that she stayed for quite a while, before she returned to her path back to town again.
The main path took a steep turn down and inland and then up the cliff again to get around the marble bay ravine—it could be viewed from the path from almost all directions.
When she returned to her now most-familiar restaurant, the staff welcomed her back. She ordered a large cappuccino to have outside this time. Still on her diet, having lost four pounds since arriving at the island, she didn’t want to destroy her achievement.
While sitting down with her cappuccino, she got that feeling of company entering her body again, like someone was saying “Hello” and asking if she would like some company. Deirdre felt pleased, like she had been hoping for her new friend to show up again, and with a smile she invited her to share the moment. As she did, she felt that those people sitting near her and passing by were becoming more distant.
Deirdre so much enjoyed the moment and her trip being by herself that she almost felt ashamed not missing her children and husband back home.
“But you have them here with you,” she felt her friend beside her say.
“Do you think so?” she asked, to confirm a feeling.
“Oh yes; they’re a part of you enjoying your trip, too.”
Deirdre felt a kind of mutual harmony, like joy, reaching through that wall of work and musts that had to be taken care of all the time. Instead of letting stress take over, blocking the way, the path to her family and home here felt like it was getting wider.
As Deirdre continued her walk accompanied by her friend, they stopped to look out over the sea. The harmony between the nearby blooming bushes, the far-away
Just like yesterday, Deirdre and her friend parted at the same place where the small flowers grew on the rock wall, like it was a balcony providing them with a view. She felt content to share her inner thoughts and relived by her new insight of family that grew with every step back to town.
While following the last coastal road in to town, she went by the fishmongers’ and bought herself a whiting filet for dinner. The final one hundred and fifty Constitution steps from
Her dinner this evening was boiled, sliced carrots covering the bottom of a frying pan with a third of the fish filet placed on top. With just a little bit of water, just enough to cover the bottom of the pan, and a lid, Deirdre let the fish filet steam for a couple of minutes. With that and a glass of water her dinner was served.
Just as before, the book was wonderful afterward, providing her joyful memories from the walk to cherish. Deirdre thought about that for a while. “Should I keep the book or not? Why didn’t the others?”
As night came closer and Deirdre prepared for bed, she realized, yes, she could feel it before falling asleep—she hadn’t left her family behind.
