“Mona?” a voice I recognize calls out. I shove my necklace back into my pocket.
My head lifts to see Claudia coming toward the house. A wave of joy lights within me. I run toward her, falling into her waiting embrace.
“Hey,” she sings, squeezing me against her. “Happy Birthday.”
Claudia is the only female who gets to leave the island. Her father is in charge of bringing outside goods, food, and medicine to the island. She works for him and is a dear friend to me. She took over Clara’s tales of the outside world after Clara’s death. Claudia isn’t married yet, which, at twenty-three, is frowned upon. My father will no doubt arrange her a suitor if she doesn’t hurry up and pick one herself. The thing is, Claudia’s preference is of the female variety. She plans to escape this place when the time is right. She’s told me so. She would be banished anyway if they knew her affection for the same sex.
“You want to go for a walk?” she asks, patting her pocket with a wink.
“Yes.” I beam, swiping my tears, observant of the fact she has treats.
Once out of sight, we walk along the shore. I slip out of my shoes to feel the sand between my toes.
“I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate our friendship.” She looks out across the ocean. “When Clara…died, I feared I’d never have another friend.” She swipes a tear falling from her eye. “I didn’t think I’d ever have a friend like her again, but you have been such a good friend to me. So understanding when all you have ever known is what your father preaches.”
“I read.” I shrug, grinning. They are books she sneaks to me from the outside world.
“I’m leaving,” she states, matter of fact.
My heart skips a beat and my stomach twists. I knew it was coming, but today of all days?
She slows to a stop and grips my hands in hers. “I’ll take you with me if you want that.”
Da-dum. Da-dum. Da-dum.
Do I want that? Yes.
Mother’s words collide with my own desires to flee this place, to seek out the good Clara was searching for. To feel closer to her, live for her, for us both.
“Promise me you’ll never leave me.” Those words have stuck with me all this time, holding me captive.
“I understand this is a lot and I shouldn’t be dumping it on you, but my father is pushing for me to marry, to produce children.” She shudders. “I’ve met someone.”
My eyes widen, my stomach flip-flopping like I’ve eaten a fish plucked straight from the water. “How…who?” I breathe.
Her cheeks blossom into a pink glow, a dreamy look in her pretty eyes. “She’s one of our suppliers. I want to be with her.”
“You’re really leaving us.” I sigh.
“If I don’t, I’ll be living a lie. That’s not fair to me or whoever they force me to marry. I can’t pretend anymore.”
She’s a breath of fresh air. She brings hope to my heart that I, too, can find a place beyond here.
“I’m proud of you.” I take her in my arms, so happy for her, but so sad because I’ll miss her. She’s the only person who understands my compulsion to see for myself what’s out there.
“My girl is going to help me get a place to stay, a job. I see you hate being tied to this place, just like Clara, so if you want to come with me, meet me tonight at the dock at midnight. If you’re not there by five past, I’ll leave and you’ll never get the chance again.”
“What if I’m there and you’re not?” I ask, raising a brow.
“Then you get on the boat and leave this place. Don’t wait for me.” There’s no humor in her tone. A silent promise passes between us to live the life we deserve.
My heart thunders in my chest, a swirling in my stomach, leaving me unsettled.
“Here.” She pulls candy from her pocket, filling up my palms. “Happy Birthday, Mona.”
“Oh my gosh!” I squeal.
“Midnight, remember.”
“Midnight.” I nod.
I’m halfway through the candy by the time I get home, hiding the rest inside my jacket and swiping at my lips to remove any trace of the sweet sugary forbidden treats.
My eyes collide with a neatly wrapped package on the porch steps leading up to the house.
A gift? It’s small with a ribbon tied neatly in a bow.
The red ribbon falls away in my hand when I retrieve it. There’s no card or tag to say who it’s from. I look around to see if anyone’s lurking, but I’m alone. Biting my lip, I surmise it must be for me.
A flutter of anticipation stirs inside me. I tear at the paper, scattering the torn pieces to the ground until I’m left with a matchbox. I stare at the box, confused why someone would gift these…or wrap them.