#AniyaKane

[k-e-monroe]

I JUST LIKE LISTENING TO YOU TALK

Prompt Requested By Uri Kane (SoulCry)

“It is said, when one person saves the life of another, that person becomes responsible for the life that has been saved.  It is also said that a deep and strong bond is often formed between those involved in such near-death experiences and more often than not said bond is both life-changing and lasting.”  --Excerpt From A Reply Written By Kimber To Uri

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

There is much to be said for the light in which a child shines, pure and radiant, and as natural as the sun tacked to a clear blue sky.  It’s both invigorating and refreshing to be around a child, especially one full with an ardor for life. It’s a shame how the world can be so callous and cruel thus forcing the harsh realities of life upon those chaste and innocent.  The corruption, whether slow or swift, a vile and wretched offense. No doubt, it’s an atrocity when one thinks on it. For Kimber, due to the circumstances of her birth and subsequent abandonment by her mother, having been thrown into the foster care system right from the start surely made for a rough and tough beginning in which she was forced to grow up fast.  Even after being adopted by her parents, a couple no less than loving and righteous, the damage had been done and there was no turning back for her.

The maturity acquired at such an early age didn’t hinder her as much as the fears and insecurities she garnered so early on, and even with this having an impact on her overall childhood, she honestly couldn’t complain about her life in the slightest.  Kimber had it better than most. Despite the impediments and lack of relatability to others her age whilst growing up, she managed to adjust and fit in well enough, but always felt like an outcast simply skirting the edge. It wasn’t until she got older and started babysitting for her neighbors that she realized she had a special affinity for children in general and the older she got, the stronger the affinity.  The energy and purity in which they radiate fed into the little bit of virtue she has managed to hold onto all her life--no matter hardship or tragedy. It also tapped into a side of her she was surprised to discover existed, the side gifted by God or whatever other higher power simply for being born a woman--her maternal instinct.

Truth? Kimber was just 21 when she realized one day she would love to be a mother, but with that self-awareness came a great deal of fear and trepidation.  How could she be a mother when her own biological mother was so quick to abandon her at birth? In her mind, for a woman to do that, she surely had to be damaged right down to her core.  What if she passed that onto Kimber? With all the other factors working against, one’s revolving around her origin and WHAT she is exactly, Kimber resolved herself to the opinion and thought that it would be for the best she not ever have children of her own.  Needless to say, this decision settled heavy upon her heart providing a constant pang and fear of a life unfulfilled. By the time she received her doctorate and started working at Horizon’s clinic and freelancing as a Psychologist, she had done well to bury these feelings deep and move on with her life with her career as her primary focus.

It’s odd just how things can change for a person.  How one thing can lead to another then another and another.  It’s like a domino effect. Unfortunate circumstance would lead her to this very point in time in her life--on a private beach in Honolulu in the presence of a little girl named Aniya Kane.  It’s in the presence of this child in particular that her heartstrings are plucked and the remnants of her buried maternal feelings and inclinations resurface. Who knew? Upon arrival Kimber was quick to settle in and take in the island city, basking in all it had to offer.  Life, it was improving for her during this much-needed vacation. However, after nearly a week spent Honolulu, things would certainly take a dramatic turn when a fun and relaxing day at the beach would give way to a near tragedy. As Kimber waded in the warm, frothy ocean, she caught sight of a little girl having been swept up by the current flailing to keep her head above the surface.  Quick to act, Kimber swam to help the child, but by the time she reached her, the ocean had swallowed her whole.

Kimber managed to get her out of the water and with instinct taking over, once on the beach gave the little girl CPR thus saving her life.  After her father Uri arrived, though the girl was then safe, sound and most importantly breathing, Kimber couldn’t bear to leave her side--at least not until a pediatrician checked her out, specifically for any remaining water left in her lungs.  All Kimber could think of was her welfare and the possibility of Secondary Drowning. Who knew it would lead to something so much more? Who knew it would be the one thing she needed in her life at this point in time? WHO KNEW? As Kimber walks along the sandy beach, the sun setting off in the horizon with glowing rays breaking across the cyan surface of the ocean and white-capped waves, she fondly watches as Aniya skips ahead, searching eagerly for seashells for Kimber to take back on her return to New York.  An inevitable outcome and end to this unexpected and eventful trip, and certainly one she isn’t quite ready to accept.

“KIMBER! KIMBER!” The five-year-old Aniya calls out whilst bouncing on the balls of her bare feet.  “LOOK AT WHAT I FOUND!!!” From a small distance, Kimber can see that in her tiny, frail hand she is holding up a large starfish and the smile curling along her pout widens as she picks up her pace, heading straight for her little friend.  

“I think we should call him… PATRICK!” Kimber states with confidence.

“PATRICK!” Aniya exclaims, face beaming as her attention turns back to the starfish and she promptly addresses it. “YOU are PATRICK.”

Chuckling softly, Kimber slips her arm around Aniya’s shoulders affectionately pulling her close as they make their way further down the beach, toward her home and back to her father Uri.  Along the way, Aniya makes up stories and grand tales of Patrick’s adventures at the bottom of the ocean and just how he found his way to the beach. Amusing and adorable, Kimber could listen to the child speak for hours on end, no matter how over the top her stories and fantastical her loosely woven tales.  It’s certainly better than a day spent with patients hearing their woes or sitting in a lecture on the new advancements in Psychological research. It’s odd though, especially when around Uri and Aniya both. From what little Uri has told Kimber about his daughter, more often than not, she is quiet and timid, embodied by her shy nature--a far cry from how she can be at times when with Kimber.  It’s NOT difficult to believe though in the contra, Kimber is well versed in such and it comes as NO surprise that Aniya has connected with her as much as Kimber has herself to the little the girl. Their recent experience demands it.

“Kiiiiiimber! Kiiiimber!” Aniya calls out whilst tugging at Kimber’s linen sundress.  Kimber, honestly caught up in the melody of Aniya’s voice and exuberance of her mood, didn’t quite catch the last thing she said oddly enough.

“Yes Aniya?”  She asks in a soft tone of voice.  

“Tell me a story about Patrick!” The child demands.  

Laughing she shakes her head.  “Right now, I want to HEAR your stories, luv.  They’re far better than mine.”

“WHYYYYY?” Aniya asks in an exaggerated manner.

“I just like listening to you talk.”  Kimber freely admits and with sincerity.  “YOU, lil’ one, tell the BEST stories.”  

“OOOOKAAAAY!” Aniya says, manner and tone once more exaggerated.  “But you gotta tell me a bedtime story tonight!”

Eyeing her with affectionate delight, Kimber nods. “Fair enough. You get one bedtime story.  Well, maybe two, but we will have to see.”  Reaching over, she playfully pinches Aniya’s button nose. The child squeaks and hands Kimber the starfish before hopping from her side in a mad dash toward her island home as it comes into view.  

Upon approach both Aniya and Kimber catch sight of a seemingly annoyed, possibly frustrated Uri standing at the grill on the deck, cooking whatever meat he has planned for their dinner.  It’s somewhat comical to Kimber that this brute, brooding and moody the majority of the time, is standing over a grill whilst wearing an apron and holding large tongs. His intense gaze peering down at the meat, just willing it to cook faster so he could be done with it.  Whatever the case, he is a sight for sore eyes and not simply because she is famished either. The bond she has formed with Aniya, in some ways bonded Kimber and Uri. She did save his daughter’s life and there is much to be said for that fact. Once near the deck and Uri sees them from his peripheral, Aniya picks up her pace and runs to greet her father, flinging herself against his bulky legs.  

“DADDY DADDY! We found a starfish and named it Patrick and I told Kimber stories and she is gonna tell me a bedtime story…and..” An excited Aniya can’t help ramble about their afternoon and all their adventures big and small.  “I just like listening to you talk.”  Kimber thinks silently to herself the words only spoken moments prior.  Once more, she finds herself laughing and as she climbs the stairs of the deck, she catches a glance from Uri.  The tortured soul within just melts away to one much more elated and hopeful in nature when in the presence of his daughter.  She is undoubtedly the light of his life and it’s one of the most precious things Kimber has witnessed. She can relate in some ways, being with Aniya has given her reason to re-evaluate certain things in her life, and truth be told, Kimber can’t recall a time she felt so content.  For a child to inspire such sentiment, a child not her own that she has only known for a short time, it’s miraculous. As Kimber and Uri exchange a glance, Kimber walks on over to father and daughter with starfish in hand. She holds it out to the man and smirks.

“Uri, meet the infamous and legendary PATRICK,” Kimber says, introducing the two for the first time whilst offering a nod of her dark crown. “Patrick, meet Uri.”  Kimber holds Patrick to her ear, her expression ambiguous as she pretends to hear the starfish speak.  All for Aniya’s benefit. “Uri, Patrick says it is a pleasure to meet ya!” The exchange, small and seemingly unimportant, sends Aniya into a fit of joyous giggles and Kimber can’t help follow in suit.