Maskelmela

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Chapter 1 - New Horizons

Monday, October 13th, 1890
Journal,

Just before sunset, I saw the strangest lights in the sky. Streams of yellow, red, and orange stretched across the full horizon without beginning or end. Mother said it must have been one of them space rocks the scientists from the university talk about. She says it is an omen-a good one, I hope. I like to think it is a sign that love is on the horizon for me; how I long to meet the one meant for me. I will be thirteen soon. November 13th-less than a month away. Mother says I will be able to be with child soon. My womanhood is approaching. I am a bit scared about becoming a woman. I am eager to feel the touch of a man in wedlock but still afraid to walk away from my mother and father's comfort. They say I should be readying myself for a man. Father wishes for me to marry one who can live on the farm and help with chores. Or he says: to marry into wealth so that I can elevate our bloodline into a less labor-intensive life. But I love the farm; I couldn't imagine living any other way.

I spent the afternoon in the meadow of our plot's west side, reading and enjoying the breeze. A doe and her fawns sauntered past me as I rested in the grass. The mother was so close I could have touched her, but I didn't want to frighten her away. They looked at such peace while grazing. Then the light shot clear across the sky in the blink of an eye, and they scurried off. The strange thing appeared to land far off into the distance, crashing into something. One could hear the impact from far away. I hope to seek it out tomorrow-if possible. I could not make an accurate measure of how far it is from home. I will inspect tomorrow after chores.

Wednesday, October 15th, 1890
Journal,

The weather grows colder each day, with winter on its way. I need to knit some warmer clothes before I make my way to inspect the object and where it landed. Yesterday the weather did not permit for travels. Mother and I spent the better half of the day working cream into fat for butter molds. Father will be pleased. I don't think he loves anything on this green earth more than buttered bread with mother's wild blueberry jam. Father says: the blueberry harvest was the largest he's seen since he was my age. Said he'd be turning purple by spring with all of Mother's jam. I hope she jarred some for pie. I prefer pie to jam.

Thursday, October 16th, 1890
Journal,

I tried to make my way to the object but was unable to find anything. It must have landed somewhere far-far out in the distance. I was so hoping to see something from another world. Pastor Dave says it was likely an angel coming to check in on us, making sure we are treating our friends, family, and neighbors better than we treat ourselves. He is a good man, always worrying about everyone in town and how they are doing. I wonder if he would be a good fit for me. Can he even lay with a woman? I am unsure of the rules of the church. I would hate to learn that he must remain celibate to leave this place without passing on his good-natured ways. I should bring him some of mother's jam. If he likes it as much as father - maybe that would be the sign I am looking for.