Blue by Gold Lise

Author:Gold, Lise
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lise Gold Books
Published: 2021-02-11T00:00:00+00:00

37

“It’s like another world out here,” Celia mumbled as she gazed out of the window. They’d stopped opening them as dust kept blowing inside, and the heat was way more intense inland, without the coastal breeze. The landscape had been barren and rocky for the first half of their journey, and now the hills were getting greener again. The Atlas Mountains were just coming into sight and she gave Erin’s hand a squeeze as she pointed to the snow-covered peaks.

Erin’s heart started beating faster at the familiar sight she hadn’t realized she’d missed until now, and a sense of nostalgia made her feel a little sad, then. They were heading toward her grandmother’s farm in Asni, a small town in the foothills of the High Atlas, about an hour south from Marrakesh. The drive had been bumpy and rough, but Erin was relieved that Celia was enjoying herself. She hadn’t complained about the heat or car sickness, and she’d dressed modestly and even bought a hijab to cover up her hair.

Erin herself had never worn a hijab; she’d blatantly refused when her mother had brought it up when she was eleven, and that had been the start of many fights and rebellious behavior from her side. Growing up in California, she’d had trouble embracing her parents’ culture, and especially being a tomboy, it was simply out of the question. But today, she was wearing one that she’d bought in the souk yesterday. If she was visiting with the intention of rekindling her relationship with her grandmother, she felt she should wear one out of respect for her. There was that, and the fact that she had short hair and was bringing a female companion to a small village where her haircut was out of the question for most Moroccan women. It would only encourage others to draw conclusions.

“I’d forgotten how rural this province was,” she said, staring at a lone farmer walking his goats along the dusty roadside. They passed a gas station of which the building’s side wall had caved in, and a couple of old farmhouses that had seen better days. “They’ve built a new road since last time I was here, but it still feels like we’re a thousand miles away from civilization.”

“But you remember the area?” Celia asked.

“I remember everything.” Erin pointed to a worn-out building with tapestries hanging down from the low roof. They were on display in front of the store too, and two little girls were playing on them. “Even this store. It must have been here for at least forty years.”

The closer they came to the farm, the bigger the knot in Erin’s stomach grew, and she took a couple of deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself. Her grandmother may take one look at her and send her back, and Erin was prepared for that. She had, after all, neglected her. She was deeply ashamed of that, but all she could do was show up, be kind and hope for the best.

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