The Crossing Read Online Free

sunset pink. Then, somewhat reluctantly, she stepped into the drying cloth Mother Elizabeth held out for her, and dried herself.
    Mother Elizabeth shook out the long white gown and helped Maryam to slip the fine linen fabric over her head. She showedher how to pack her undergarments with the leaves of the octopus bush, to prevent any leakage of blood. Then she took Maryam's braids and gently released them from their knot, brushing out the wiry curls until they fizzed in a dark sweet-scented halo around her face. “Now, my dear, I think you're ready.”
    They strolled back across the compound to collect Maryam's belongings, joined by others as they passed. By the time Maryam arrived nervously down by the water to await the longboat, the whole of the community stood beside her as one family group. At first a silence settled on them as they watched the longboat cut through the calm early-morning sea and glide up onto the glistening beach. But then all reserve vanished as Maryam was swept from one loving and familiar pair of arms to another, receiving her Sisters’ heartfelt blessings this final time.
    The little ones began to cry, their grief releasing a memory of her own tears when Sarah and Rebekah Crossed two years before. Thirteen then, she'd been devoured by jealousy that their Bloods had come ahead of hers, when they were barely aged eleven and twelve. It marked her out as different, the one whose Call had been delayed. And earlier, like these little ones, she'd cried purely because she sensed the heightened feelings that had rippled through the group like restless seas as others Crossed.
    Now old Zakariya made his way to the front of the crowd and kissed her cheek. “Go well, Sister Maryam. I'll miss your smile.”
    That the old man would say this—a man of so few words and little outward sentiment—caused a swelling in her chest. She bit her lip, scared now that her tears would turn to sobs and shame her. Then it was dearest Ruthie who stood before her, and Maryam's heart felt that it would snap in two.
    â€œRemember me,” Ruth whispered, slipping something smooth and round into Maryam's hot sticky hand. “I'm coming over to you, just as soon as I can call the Bloods.” She threw her strong arms around Maryam's neck and hugged her close. “Goodbye, my Sister. We will race again!”
    This was too much for Maryam, and she stumbled toward the longboat now to hide her ragged emotions from the crowd. Brother James held the boat steady as she raised her gown to board, but then she stopped. Mother Elizabeth! She ran back to her, uncaring now if she did not seem composed and, despite her size, swept Mother Elizabeth off her feet.
    â€œI will look out for you,” she whispered fiercely in the older woman's ear. “Seek me out.”
    Mother Elizabeth nodded, wiping tears away from her streaming eyes. “Of course, my dear. But now it's time.”
    At last Maryam stepped into the longboat and turned to wave. From the beach, the Sisters broke into song. “ When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?… ” Their voices carried across the water as the longboat slipped effortlessly through the sea, the steady rise and dip of its oars keeping time with the Sisters’ parting song.
    Maryam could watch no more, her eyes too flooded with tears to see. She turned toward the island, so Brother James could not observe her pain. Slowly her wits returned, and she felt Ruth's gift clutched tightly in her palm. She opened her hand to reveal a pebble of the clearest blue she'd ever seen. It was like a jewel. Like the sea had been captured and magically frozen there. She pressed the stone against her heart, not shifting now until the longboat reached Onewēre's golden shore.

    A crowd of villagers met the longboat at the beach, obviously expecting her. While some sang an old native song of welcome, others merely stood and gaped as Brother James led her from the