Tesi
Short Story, Literature Fiction
Part ONE
  The white haired middle-aged woman bent over her rose bushes ablaze against the bright white of the modest house. "Mom, where are you?" Mame's oldest daughter clutched her dress to her chest in dismay. "Tesi, don't worry little frog."
Mame gently held the dress up to the sunlight. A large stain showed on the top front. "Get me the laundry soap, Tesi." The lanky teenager ran back into the house, the screen door shutting loudly. In minutes, Tesi emerged with a yellow bar of soap. Quickly, Mame's nimble fingers worked the soda stain until it disappeared.Â
  "Look at the sea. Isn't it beautiful? Your dress will be ready for the dance." Mame held her hand with her clean hand. In a soft voice, Mame leaned her head towards her pouting child. "The sea is a mirror to our heart."Â
A dark figure appeared along the cliffline against the western sunlight. "It is Jessa. Can I go? Please? Please? Please?" Tesi asked in annoyance.
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 "Yes, little frog, but be back to dine some before leaving. Your uncle is arriving early for and to escort you…after sunset you will be ready to leave. Remember to return in time."
Tesi ran towards the water, meeting her friend to swim before preparing for her evening. She needed to catch up on the school gossip before the dance. Tesi was a good swimmer. She could outswim most of her peers. Despite their ages, Jessa and Tesi pretended they were dolphins diving in and out of the water.
 Jessa could see their small adobe on the cliff up above. Off to the right a panorama of local beach goers bobbed in the surf. Beyond at a distance, the main island port and promenade walk. Tesi loved her home. She turned towards the darker flat water. All the girls her age had started thinking about future husbands. Tesi wanted something unknown, a city guy.Â
  "We better head back. My mom is setting my hair in curls tonight." Jessa tugged gently on Tesi's arm as she stared off in the distance. "Let's go, Jessa. We can only arrive 'fashionably late' for the dance!"
The sun was strong in the sky, but the temperature was cooling, as late afternoon. Mame leaned over her bowl of chowder eating gingerly. "She has always been stubborn."
Her brother put his arm on her forearm. She is still young, Sisa."Â
  "When will she learn to listen? She is not a child for long."Â
  "Tesi has grown-up without a father. Soon she will be working. You will miss these days, Sisa."
Mame's brother Juanito ate heartily, murmuring in contentment. "This is delicious. I should send my wife to you for a cooking lesson."
Mame laughed. "Better you keep her warm and close then send her somewhere. You might learn the lesson instead."
Juanito laughed loudly as Tesi entered the kitchen in her salvaged dress. "Talking about me, I guess. Huh."
  "So lovely, Tesi. Be off you two…before I cry, please."
Tesi gave her big hearted mother a hug. "Thank you for saving my dress."
  "Maybe you will meet someone special, little frog."
  "I hope someone special is rich then!"
The three laughed again merrily as Tesi waved goodbye.
*
Both Tesi and Jessa were asked to dance, soon after arriving. They stood at the punch bowl, cautiously sipping, from dainty glass cups and laughing.Â
  "Would you dance with me Tesi?"  Tesi's mouthed dropped. Carl was the handsomest boy in her class. She was sure he would be dancing with his sweetheart Christa.
What luck! I am dancing with Carl. Jessa smiled and winked as her dancing partner twirled her near her friend.
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 "Tesi, your dress is pretty and fits."
  "Carl, you look fine also." Tesi blushed at the compliment.
  The evening ended early as planned. Most young islanders arrived by foot and were expected home before midnight. Tesi found Jessa happily discussing her plans for a career with the same dance partner.Â
  "Tesi, you know Mark already. He graduates at the end of this year and is off to the main island to study.
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 "Wonderful. Think of me if you meet anyone nice. Jessa, your brother and my uncle have arrived. Nice to meet you Mark."The two girls left and Jessa looked back over her shoulder at Mark.
 Outside, Jessa was joyous. "Wasn't it perfect? And still one more dance before the year ends. Tesi, we are sure to be betrothed with husbands before the year is over."
 "Jessa, I am going to find someone from off the island."
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"But, Tesi - why? Carl was impressed by you and there is no one handsomer in our class. You should give them a chance. Don't you want to know his family before dating?"
  "Is that important, Jessa? Before I date him, don't worry; I will find out if he can swim! The two girls giggled and hugged before parting ways.
Part TWO
Mame held Tesi's hand firmly as they strolled the Spring Promenade Market. The smell of cinnamon sprinkled puffed bread, mixed with salty fresh seafood, and tobacco wafted from the booths. The rainy wind, the day before had canceled the outdoor market, many not returning until assured the weather had softened.Â
For many of the Islanders, the yearly spring market offered items available only with a trip to the mainland. A sense of excitement pervaded the event due to the number of non-locals attending and selling. Tesi had wiggled her hand away.
She was now ahead talking to a handsome vendor selling bracelets made out of cloth. Tesi held up a multi-colored bracelet. "Isn't it super?"
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 "Try it on." Mame asked the price quietly and nodded.
The bracelet was a perfect fit on Tesi's slender wrist. Tesi jumped with joy. She was sure to attract a handsome suitor with her new bracelet.
  "Tell me about the dance. Did you find anyone attractive?"
  "O, Mamee. I can't tell you everything."
After a pause Tesi continued. "All the boys are the same as my classmates. I still picture them in their diapers waddling in the water looking for seashells."Â
Mame held Tesi by the shoulder firmly. "Do not fret. You will meet him. Now, I need to mention your uncle and I have been discussing your future.
  "Close your eyes." Mother and daughter had made there way past the market to the shabby port.
  "Look Tesi, Look!" Tesi was standing in front of a dockside shack that had once sold fruit. Mame was beaming.
  "Juanito has bought it for you! Your uncle will help you fix the structure and dock on weekends. By the time your studies are finished you will be the owner of the first market here on Arrisza Island!"
  "What will I do with an old wood hut?" Tesi puzzled.
*
  "Did you and Juanito finish with fixing the dock?" Mame pulled hot cheese biscuits from the oven and set them to cool.
  "Yup. Juanito's friend's son is a carpenter and he asked to visit here someday and meet you, but he is too much like my schoolmates." Tesi peeled apples for a pie Mame would make later to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
  "You reject them. How can you not understand Tesi?"
  "I'm picky. You married a non-islander Mamee. I will too! Mamee, I have already decided on my daughter's name. I will know the perfect husband. He will love the name.
Mame sat down at the table and started peeling apples too. She was content. Tesi had started to dream of her future and family. "Tesi. What will you call her? Little frogette?"
  "Tila will be her name." Tesi said with a smile.
 
Tesi by Navsky, Ocean Glass Mystery Series Copyright 2023 Navsky All Rights Reserved.
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The Color of the Ocean
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