SALAZĀ'S JOURNAL
I was the first she took in. I don't think she really wanted a kid. But there I was, walking around aimlessly in some faraway land without a mother.
Or anyone, really.
She happened to walk by, realizing my fate if she left me alone.
But she warned me and said, "I'm not one to stay in a place too long; I have too many places to go. Therefore, I never settle. It is up to you to leave me when you've found a family that feels like home, so you can settle."
We set off and explored all the lands of Khī that we could find. While we were welcomed into many homes, and I met many beautiful people…I never left her.
She never asked me to either.
It was only when we arrived in a land we didn't know existed that she did what she claimed she never would. She settled.
We had done many jobs in many lands, but here she had become the local dressmaker. I'd help her, but I also found my coin by selling stories.
I'd narrate, sing, and make spectacles to share. I'd even chant words and have them chant replies.
At first, I'd tell stories at the Amari campfires, held once a week. This had the people rolling in laughter and crying in excitement.
They'd beg me to share more. And I did.
When Mother's clients would come through to mend a dress or pants, they'd sit and wait.
Mother liked the silence when mending, yet the client would shift impatiently. I'd sing or tell stories, and they'd suddenly calm, eager for more.
I'd say, "My mother has heard my stories all too many times. Would you be as kind as to offer her some coin so that I could make the story come to life?"
I'd say this each time, even to returning clients, and they were always delighted to donate as much as they felt. Mother would cheer me on and always thank me for keeping them smiling.
"Did I make you smile?"
She put her hands on my shoulder and said, "You always make me smile."
She flashed a wide grin, and I grinned back. Then she nodded as she did each night, and I knew that it was time for her to rest.
"Oh, here," I said as she reached her room, scrambling out my coins. "For you."
"You don't have to give me coin."
"When you think about it," I said quickly. "They're the ones giving you coin. For letting me share stories under your roof."
She smiled again and sighed as I pushed the coin forward.
With it, she took one piece and closed my hand with the rest.
"I'll take one per day, but you'll need those," she said. "If you are to have your own home one day."
I smiled, but my heart sank. She lifted the curves of my lips back into a smile and said she was proud of me. I kept the smile and wondered what I should do with the coin.
Very quickly, I learnt I should make more of it.
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