(aka Bike) Part 1405 by Angharad Copyright © 2011 Angharad
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As we were going to bed the phone rang, I was about to ignore it then thought it could be Stephanie, although she should have been home at least an hour or more ago.
“Hello?” I said just as Simon hissed me not to answer it.
“Cathy, it’s Steph–sorry it’s so late.”
“That’s okay, problems?”
“I got a pregnancy tester on the way home–you were right.”
“Congratulations.”
“I don’t know if I want to be pregnant, Cathy.”
“Please don’t do anything for a few weeks, until you’ve really thought about it–get some advice from someone you trust.”
“Cathy–you patient, me doctor–remember?”
“No, I’m not very patient at all–and you’re not the doctor in this case.”
“I feel totally shocked–I feel like getting totally pissed out of my head–but I guess that might hurt the little darling, so just in case I keep it–I’d better not.”
“I don’t think it would be a good idea.”
“I feel so alone, Cathy.”
“I’ve been there, not a nice place–what about the father?”
“He’s not with me anymore, we split up last week.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m not, he was a total arsehole–now I’m stuck with his fucking child.”
“No, he or she is your child, he or she didn’t do anything to you, so don’t bear a grudge against him or her.”
“Is it a boy or a girl?”
“Wait and see.”
“Do you know?”
“How would I know?”
“Your blue light thingy.”
“It doesn’t tell me everything.”
“You know you bitch, don’t you?”
“I’m going to bed, Stephanie, perhaps you should go to yours.”
“I think I want rid of it.”
“Don’t rush into anything, you might regret it.”
“I haven’t got time to be a mother.”
“How d’you know until you try it?”
“I need to talk to someone.”
“I’ll be here tomorrow, Steph, try and get some sleep.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know–I’m sleeping for two now.”
“Goodnight, Steph.” I put the phone down and lay down next to Simon who was already in bed.
“Stephanie is pregnant?”
“Yes, I told her tonight and she’s done a test to confirm it–it’s a little girl.”
“I get the impression she’s not over the moon.”
“No, right now she’d love a visit from Mrs Moon.”
“Eh?”
“A period.”
“I thought you could be pregnant and still have periods?”
“Darling, you are well informed.”
“All those Cosmos Stella used to buy.”
“You read Cosmopolitan?”
“Only in the bog.”
“Why do men read in the toilet?”
“Why don’t women? At least you’re on your own.”
“True–unless you have little kids with you or pets–they don’t like you to do anything without them.”
“What even taking a crap?”
“Yes, haven’t you had a dog or cat follow you into the loo?”
“Dogging me?”
“Or purr-suing you?”
“Neither, in my house we used to shut the door–I mean, how can you take a shit with a dog looking up at you?”
“I don’t know, didn’t have one; we had a cat.”
“Don’t tell me, it wanted to do the crossword in the paper you had with you?”
“I won’t, like I said women don’t usually read in the toilet.”
“So what did the cat want?”
“She used to follow me everywhere.”
“A bit like me?”
“No, she was beautiful.” Oops, what did I just say?
“Thanks, I needed cheering up.”
“I’m sorry, darling, I didn’t mean it like that–cats have a beauty which is unique–so do dormice–and so do people. Your beauty is physical, but it’s deeper than that, you have this inner beauty...”
“Never mind the platitudes, Cathy–get ‘em orff.”
“Yeah, okay.”
My heart wasn’t in it tonight though I don’t think Simon noticed. I was thinking more of Stephanie and her problem and also my jealousy. Am I telling her to keep it because I find it ironic that women who can have babies seemed to value their fertility to little–taking it for granted–whereas women like me who would do almost anything to have my own baby–grieve for their loss. I know it went with the territory, but I still feel sad about it.
I made a short trip to the bathroom, weed, washed and slipped back into bed–Simon was asleep, hopefully with a smile on his face. I tossed and turned before falling into a restless slumber.
”So you managed to save the nun?”
“No, madam, it was you who did that, I merely drew your attention to it.”
“We suppose the same with the child called Jemima, and your snobbish Aunt?”
“Yes, madam, I’m aware that I have no powers save that of ordinary women.”
“You don’t even have those–do you?”
“If you mean the ability to create and bear life, no, ma’am.”
“You gave up your right to be fertile in order to play at being a woman?”
“If that’s how you see it, ma’am, I’m not going to argue.”
“That’s exactly how we see it. You failed as a man so now you think being a woman would be easier.”
“If you say so ma’am.”
“There is dissent in your heart, Catherine or should we call you Charlie?”
“I’d prefer Catherine if it’s agreeable to you, ma’am.”
“So you’re hiding your irritation from us–don’t tell me you’re exercising self-control?”
“I’m trying to be respectful, ma’am.”
“Oh how precious–shall we write this in our diary, Catherine Cameron showed a goddess some respect?”
“If it pleases you, ma’am.”
“What would please you, Catherine?”
“To be allowed to raise my children until they’re self-sufficient, and to spend some time with my husband and adoptive father.”
“And were we to grant this, what would you do for us, Catherine?”
“To try and understand and perform whatever the task is that you have for me.”
“It could be more than one?”
“Then, the same would go for those.”
“Why are you suddenly cooperative, Catherine?”
“Because I realise that that’s what I have to do.”
“Say that again, if you please–it’s music to our ears.”
“I’m trying to understand and perform whatever the tasks are that you wish me to perform.”
“Now we are getting somewhere–why humans are so stupid mystifies even us.”
I remained silent, though I suppose she could read my mind anyway, though she wasn’t showing any reaction to what was rushing through it.
“Don’t you crave your own child, fathered by that simpleton you married?”
“He may be a simpleton in your eyes, ma’am, but I happen to love him.”
“How d’you know we didn’t make that happen?”
“I don’t, but if you did, I’m very grateful.”
“But you don’t crave his child?”
“I do, ma’am, but that is secondary to making sure the ones I already have responsibility for, grow up and reach as much of their potential as they can.”
“You are being restrained tonight, Catherine, but then we did give you a baby that was only weeks old.”
“You gave me a baby?”
“Of course, who else?”
“You killed a whole family?”
“Yes–yes, we suppose we did–naughty us.”
“Why?”
“So you could have a baby to rear–we enabled you to breast feed–so why are you complaining, it was what you wanted, wasn’t it–a baby?”
“Yes, but not at the expense of her whole family–that is...”
“A real tragedy, but someone usually profits from another’s misfortune.”
“Look, bring them back, let them live and raise baby Catherine, how could you kill a child, Daisy was only six?”
“Easily, would you like us to demonstrate on one of your children?”
“No, ma’am, if someone has to die, then take me.”
“Why should we do that? How would you learn a lesson if you were dead?”
“Please, ma’am, don’t harm my children–take me instead, let them live.” I was sobbing my heart out when Simon shook me awake the put his arm round me.
“Hey, what’s the matter?”
“She wanted to take my children,” I sobbed on his shoulder.
“Who did?”
“The Shekinah.”
“It was dream, Cathy–just a bad dream.”
“I tried to be good, but she really annoyed me, then she told me she killed all of Catherine’s family so I could have a baby of my own.”
“C’mon, babes, it was just a dream–it’s all stuff and nonsense–no one’s gonna hurt you or any of our kids while I’m about.”
There was no point in arguing with him, he wouldn’t understand–this was a female thing–even if in her eyes I wasn’t one–I supposed I must have been enough of one for her to even come to me–not that that is such a good idea. Oh boy–she really put the wind up me.
Comments
Wow! You certainly have ...
... a low opinion of the Creator's female aspect. Apparently, the Shekinah is a heartless, uncaring bitch, without empathy, without love. She enjoys torturing Cathy, and loves killing others for pleasure and convenience. She seems more a demon than an aspect of a loving God. If that's what you think the feminine aspect of God is really like, I don't want to know how you see the women who supposedly were made in the image of that God. If i behaved like that, I'd expect my husband to put me down like a rabid pitbull. Heck, I'd demand it!
Cathy's restraint is truly amazing -- but I guess not being able to kill the bitch in question, what else can she do but grind her teeth?
Randa
Apparently beng the operative word.
There are many ways to interpret facts. I;ve met people who argue the way she (Shekinah) does.
Shekinah
I personally think that the Shekinah is the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) in the New Testament since the description fits the Shekinah. Why is she being so harsh on Cathy? I think she is trying to teach her a lesson(s) and is being harsh (tough love) to get her point across to Cathy. It does get her attention whether she believes in the Shekinah or not, at least she is now respectful after the Sister's warning.
Shekinah
Evil? The goddess certainly doesn't equate with what we'd understand as "Good". However, the blue light healing has saved the lives of dozens of people, including most of Cathy's household - I think Livvie and Kiki are the only members that haven't had a dose yet: Henry was shot at and the BLH removed the bullet, Tom had a massive heart attack and BLH speeded up his recovery, Julie's used and received it on several occasions (two kidnappings, the encounter with murderous thugs, an attempted suicide - as well as helping Maureen's recovery), Danny had a psychotherapy blue light as well as bruise reduction courtesy of Trish, Billie may have had a dose (as well as witnessing it in action), Trish had some after she was knifed by Stella, and Mima had some after drowning in the Southsea hotel's swimming pool.
So I'd peg Shekinah as a chaotic neutral - doing whatever she regards is necessary to further her cause. She's also playing up to the stereotype of interactive deities in that she regards humans as little more than amusements, to use / abuse as she sees fit with little or no regard to the consequences.
There are 10 kinds of people in the world - those who understand binary and those who don't...
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
female aspect
ok the female aspect of god would know that the one thing you never do is threaten a mothers children. do that to a bear and you're a dead person. I don't know many mothers that would let you get away unscathed if you said you were gonna kill thier kid.
Don't know what she was thinkin' to threaten cathy's kids.
But...
...another golden rule in tales featuring an 'interactive' deity (i.e. one that can converse with mortals) is you do not p*ss them off. In the eyes of a typical 'interactive' deity, humans are like mere ants - squashing a few here and there doesn't make much difference to humanity as a whole. Besides which, humans can't exactly bite back against an immortal, can they?
However, it would be nice if Shekinah found someone else to play with (preferably from a different period in time, and/or another planet!) and left Cathy and famil / friends / acquaintances alone for one. She is getting very arrogant and annoying.
There are 10 kinds of people in the world - those who understand binary and those who don't...
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
Alternatively,
One could follow Winston's advice. "When someone asks if you are a god, you say YES!" What a classic!
Diana
Some dream
A question of perspective perhaps. The whole omniscient thing does give one a wider view, so cruelty or brutality may in fact not be. Of course Cathy might just be a raving nutter and what we read is a rather biased viewpoint with lots of hand patting and come on Cathy dear, let's have a cup o tea; going on that doesn't get mentioned. The blue light is really the coppers turning up to take her home...again. There there, come on now.... Cough, interesting anyway.
Kris
Easy As Falling Off A Bike pt 1405
Question is: Is Cathy arguing with herself, or with the devil, or with the actual Shekinah Glory?
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
Yeah, but if Cathy is arguing
with herself, that worries me a lot. It's difficult to win or even resolve an argument with your own conscience.
Cathy is an incredibly obstinate person.
She blindly clings to her beliefs in the face of seemingly overwhelming evidence to the contrary. It is nice to see a small crack in her armor but she can't seem to shed that armor for even a moment. I can see where the Shekinah is coming from. Cathy is like a willful child but the discipline does seem a bit extreme. As this story unfolds, I hope we see a coming together, at least on some level.
I don't think it was Shekina at all.
It could have easily been the Shaitun, or his evil Jinn. Maybe not much to worry about though. It seems like my dreams are simply my brain throwing out the trash and tidying up a bit.
Much peace
Gwendolyn
And, while all this
has been going on, we have lost track of Julie and the Brain. What kind of ruckus have they been stirring up while we are pre-occupied. Has The Brain re-authored the encyclopedia? Has Julie colored her hair, shaved half her head, and gotten her tattoo? A lot has happened in the last 4 days I have been offline
same time, same place
Wow, what a week Cathy has had.
Dare I suggest that the goddess is a manifestation of Cathy’s own doubts over her innate femininity? Perhaps it is growing by feeding off the emotion of her self-doubt. The duality in all of us needs to be re balanced for her to move forward.
Then again, Cathy versus the Goddess is a ripping good yarn.
Either way, I shall stay tuned, same time same place, same site.
Love to all
Anne G.
well this past chapter seems to be playing two tunes -
#1 - Kathy's self doubt she's really a woman.
#2 - Kathy's self doubt that other women see her as a woman.
--
Let's face it many natal born females really hate that MtF's are invading in their perspect privledged space, and competeing with them for males. I've noticed in Real time, in chats, and occationally via other means. Worse yet, I've this manifested in lesbians towards MtF transsexuals more than I've seen it in Hetro's. and always made me wonder.
Simple pure jealocy combined with the TS's self doubt does hell on a mind that probally took along time to even make the effort to transition.
.
then we have this greek goodess thing goin on. WHEW !!!!
.
I think i understand on why the goddess took this different tact, when Kathy refused to play the game. But so far we're still off on why the goddess is using Kathy @ all for these manifestations.
.
I'm curious how this is gonna play out. spec. since I now believe ANGHARAD's or the CATS have been snooping around psychology books of recent. because in context most of this whole saga has been - if this scenereo occurred to you - what would you do ? And, using real life experiences to to show said consequences because of an action taken or not taken.
I'd be curious to know if this is case, but then, that's part of the game to keep us coming back for more ... and I love it (smiles)
Seems whatever
approach Cathy takes with The Shekinah it seems to get the goddess annoyed, So its difficult to see just what Cathy can do to protect her family, As always with men, Simon see's it in black and white, You hurt me or my children, then i take revenge .... If only it was that simple, Because when something or someone has the power of life and death over you the best advise is to listen very carefully too what they want you to do, And do it, Which is sad to say a concept Simon finds difficult to understand....
Kirri
Shekinah needs to go away...
permanently! Unless there's something really, really major going on we're not seeing and probably incredibly complex at that (and also extremely unlikely in my view), then this so-called goddess needs to die. She's a menace to everyone and everything.
I guess I'm like Kirk, I don't believe in a no-win situation. There are always options. I'm sure Cathy will find one sooner or later. Probably won't be something as dramatic as killing Shekinah (as much as I'd like her to), but I doubt she's going to meekly follow this psychopath for long (if at all).
This is all assuming she's not just a figment of Cathy's imagination, of course. ;)
Saless
"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America
That was cruel,
and uncaring. I don't think I like this goddess much.