PONY
“There is no distance too great…there is no transgression too severe…there is no end to my love for you, son…you must always find your way home to Sea La Vie, for it is life…”
Tiercy’s words kept running through my head. Fighting for my soul. Her strength and power still trying to protect me. Can my mother’s love carry me through…once again? Tiercy, my mother, had been the strongest most powerful influence in my life. Even while our family history dictated we must follow the teachings of my great grandfather, Erik, and honor his commitment and debt to Roya and her league, my mother tried to protect me from what I now believe must be my final fate.
I’ve made it to Ossabaw Island. Though it is dark and only softy lit by a half moon, it is my familiar. For what I must do now I cannot bring shame to Sea La Vie. This is as close as I dare bring this dishonor I am about to commit. My beloved Tybee Island. My precious Sea La Vie. I will spare you my burden. For all my mother’s love I cannot overcome this destiny that seems to have been placed upon me from the beginning. It is my lot.
- photo by Julie Cioni Corbin
My mother did everything she could and I know it even more now. At birth I was to have been named Lucian, but for reasons only once explained to me my grandmother burst into the room and declared, “Tiercy, you will not give that boy that name. I will not have my husband look at that boy and hear that name for the rest of his life.” My mother had not discovered her strength as of yet, so it was to be as my grandmother declared.
I understand the reasoning. I just wish my mother had found another way to give me a name that would instill power and confidence and bring honor to what she had in her heart. My name was changed that day. I have bore this life so far as William Pontifer Scout. Everyone called me Pony. I have lived up to it as best I could, but here I am standing on this mound of rocks overlooking what must be my fate. The bare limbs of this bunya bunya tree swaying in the breeze above my head are much like the shedding antlers of our island bucks after ther rutting season. Even the tide seems to be retreating from my disgrace as it rapidly recedes. It’s rushing out to sea so as not to bear withness to my decision.
Pony. Pony Scout. No more.
SSSSSHHHHOOOOMMMMMMM…….SFIDST….
To be continued…
Is it truth or fiction? You must come see for your self. Sea La Vie, a Tybee Island novella…
