Pride

For years, every Market Day felt just like the last. I would wake early, load the covered wagon, and head into the village to sell my wares. One would assume that selling magical items such as Forever Packs and Invisibility Cloaks would be adventurous enough, but it all lost its luster when our daughter left home. The day she announced she would join a nearby monastery and train with the mysterious order of monks, my world lost a little bit of color, turning it bleak and gray. I lost what filled every void in my life.

Now, as I sit and wait for customers to arrive, I pull out a chessboard and play against myself. I had done this maybe a thousand times since my darling blossom left home, never finding myself able to ask another person to take her spot at the table. I soon lost myself in thought, making one move after another, and didn't realize that a shadow had fallen over me until a familiar voice spoke. "That's a terrible move, Papa." My head shot up and I knocked over the board, every piece flying this way and that. It didn't matter as I pulled my daughter into my arms and gave her a tight hug before finally letting go. She was dressed in the traditional robes of her order, a heavy wooden staff slung across her back.

"Sit, sit," I said, pulling an empty crate from the back of the wagon and setting it down across from me. She picked up the chess pieces and set the board right before taking her seat. "How have you been, Papa? How is Mama?" She moved a pawn forward, starting our match as she listened to me prattle on and on about life here at home. "But how have you been?" She smiled softly and watched as the trees danced in the breeze. "I am happy, Papa. I do miss Mama's cooking and of course," she gestured to the chessboard. We continued to play, sharing stories about the life we had before. Until the game was over and she stood from the table to leave.

"You're leaving so soon? What about your mother? Will we see you again?"

Once again, she smiled softly, embracing tranquility as she gazed up at the sky. "I'll be back soon." I held her tight to me before whispering in her ear. "I am so proud of you. You are my love, my light, my life." And then she left, taking the sunshine with her.

For many years to come, I would ride into the village for Market Day and wait. Some weeks, she never came and my heart leadened with worry. But the weeks she did, I would set our table up and we'd play chess while she told me of the adventures that pulled her away from our tiny corner of the world. And on those days, my world grew brighter and the void she left in my soul filled once again.