Meru and Deva

     One beautiful spring day, on a quiet neighborhood street, lived the Hope family. Ben was the head of the household at age 55. He was about 6 feet in height and slightly overweight but was proud that he still had all his hair on his head. His wife was Meru. Meru was a housewife and enjoyed running the house and looking after the couples 4 boys, whose ages ranged from 8 to 16. All four boys looked like their mother, Meru, who was about 5 feet 4 inches tall and fit. She always wore her brown slightly wavy hair shoulder length with bangs cut just above her big, brown eyes.

One day while the boys were out playing in the neighborhood, Meru found Ben in the family room playing pool on the computer. Meru loved making lists and planning so she was hardly ever seen without a pen and notepad.

“Babe,” said Meru, “I’m updating our new year’s resolution list with a few things. Do you have a moment?”

Ben broke his focus on the computer and turned in his office chair to face Meru as she sat on the nearby couch. “Sure, what-cha got, Mare?”

“We need to replace the vacuum this year…”

Ben nodded in compliance, “For sure. We’ve had that vacuum for almost 20 years.”

Meru continued, “Logan and Kade need to learn how to swim this summer…”

“Yep, it’s time.” Added Ben. “The boys are 10 and 8. What about painting the house this summer?”

“Oh, yeah! Good one. Let’s paint the outside of the house. Same color okay?”

“The same color will make it easier. I’ll get the boys to help,” said Ben.

“Good. I also want the carpets cleaned before the Fall.” Meru thought for a moment tapping her lips with the pen then asked, “Do you want a new car?”

“No, I like my car,” said Ben

“Do you want anything this year?” Asked Meru.

“I want another baby,” responded Ben trying not to laugh.

“You’re funny, Ben. I’ll be 47 this year and I have no desire to revisit breast-feeding or childbirth; besides, you got a vasectomy after Kade was born AND you’re almost 60. You should rethink wanting another baby.”

“You’re right, Mare. I don’t want another baby. I want two.”

Meru burst out laughing, “HAHAHAHA. No.”

“I know you’ve always wanted a daughter.”

“Oh my god, Babe! We’ve discussed this a million times already. Kade was our Hail Mary for a girl.”

“But you have such a close relationship with your mother.”

“So what. That’s probably because I’m adopted,” responded Meru.

“You are not adopted, Meru. You look just like your mother.”

“I know there is a resemblance but there are no pictures of her pregnant with me and no stories about my delivery. I’ve seen all the pictures of her carrying my brothers but none of me. It’s like I just showed up one day. There is just something missing.”

“You’re paranoid, Mare. Do you hear yourself?”

“I know how I sound but it’s the way I feel. I just feel detached from my brothers. I don’t know if it’s the age difference between us that plays in that. I just don’t know.”

“You should have a talk with Deva. Haven’t you brought this up to her?” Said Ben.

“Yeah, sort of, but she just laughs and tells me that she loves me then changes the subject. I’ve spent a lot of time with Mom over the years. She will be 94 years old tomorrow. I should be so lucky to live that long. I’m excited to take her out for dinner.”

“I’m looking forward to the dinner too. So, no baby?”

“No, Ben. No baby.”

“Ookay, you can’t say I didn’t offer.”

“Whatever. I know it’s just the senility talking, “ said Meru refocusing on her list.

“Oh, add lots of hot sex and new cell phones to the list.” Said Ben refocusing back to his game on the computer.

“Cool, new cell phones!” Says Meru as she writes on her notepad.

     On Deva’s birthday, her family took her out for a celebratory dinner at her favorite restaurant. Deva was very happy to see her family all together and made a point to speak to everyone individually telling them how proud she was of them and how she loved them dearly. When the time came to part ways, Deva wanted only Meru to drive her home. After dropping off Ben and the kids, Meru drove Deva in her SUV to her house alone.

Deva began, “I had a very nice time tonight. Thank you so much, Meru.”

Meru replied, “You know I’d do anything for you, Mom. You’ve been very good to me and I appreciate everything you’ve done.”

Deva thought for a moment then said, “You’ve very sweet, Dear. I need you to stay with me for a bit. I have something I need to share with you.”

Meru replied a little worried, “Of course, Mom. Is everything okay?”

Deva reassured her, “Everything is as it should be and as it always is.”

Meru did not take to heart what Deva had just said to focus on driving the dark streets to Deva’s house that sat back from the quiet street with large pine trees between the house and the street. Once there, Meru pulled into the driveway then helped Deva from her car and into the house. Deva turned on the living rooms lights then told Meru to sit on the couch and wait. Deva was an antiques collector. She had acquired many artifacts in her lifetime but most of the artifacts were pasted down to her from family. The antiques were displayed in two rooms of her home and divided into little sections each representing a different part of the world at different times.

Meru complied as Deva left through a hallway toward the bedrooms. Deva was still strong for a 94-year-old woman. She was a tiny bit shorter than Meru now with her gray hair swept back into a braided bun. She had the same big brown eyes, which were bright. Meru sat on the couch and began to look at the covers of the magazines that lain atop the old chest Deva used as a coffee table.

The chest was very old and made of dark wood. The outward appearance was plain with a metal latch that fastened the top. On the sides and front of the chest were carvings that were too worn to decipher except for the likeness of a tree being struck by lightening.

Deva returned dressed in her robe holding a large binder thick with papers and a very large scrapbook. She sat on the couch next to Meru and placed the items on the chest.

“Mom,” said Meru stroking the edge of the chest, “this chest is so old. What do you want me to do with it when you go?”

“You are to keep that chest, Meru. I mean it. It’s been in our family for many years.”

“Oh, wow!” Said Meru surprised, “I had no idea. You’ve never really talked about our family history.”

“I know and it was hard for me not to but for the best.” Said Deva.

“Well that’s sad,” replied Meru. “What, are we descendants of murders and thieves?”

“No, we are not,” said Deva then changed the subject. “Tell me something Meru. Have you ever thought about time travel?”

“Not really. I mean, we are traveling through time – forward through time even though we exist only in the present. Is that what you’re talking about?”

Deva added, “If you could start your life over again, would you?”

“I don’t know. Why would I?”

“Exactly, Meru! Why would you unless you had a specific purpose?”

“Yeah, I guess.” There was silence then Meru said, “Mom, can I ask you something?”

“Any thing, Dear.” Deva gave her full attention to Meru.

“Why don’t you have any pictures of yourself pregnant with me?” Then Meru added half jokingly, “Am I adopted or something?”

“Not exactly…”

Meru was shocked and exclaimed, “I knew it!”

“Hold on, Meru. Let me explain. I have a lot of information for you and I’m not sure how to start.”

Meru stared at the chest to avoid eye contact with Deva then answered, “Just start from the beginning.”

The rest of the story can be found in Life Happens: The Short Story Collection available on Amazon.com and Kindle.