Grandmother's Teeth

Chapter 7 Mortar and Pestle

Rose watched the pestle carefully as it rolled around in the mortar. Her Grandmother had just added some more herbs to crush but her hand was not moving it. It spun because of the motion of the cart. Once they entered the village and began passing the small homes the rolling stopped and so too did Sadko at Grandmother’s command. The pregnant women waddled out of their homes with great enthusiasm eager to get their hands on the goodies in Grandmother’s basket. Each of them saying something different yet similar.

“Oh how I have been craving your greens Grandmother.”

“My garden will grow nothing like them!”

“Have you any of those beans today?”

“I simply feel ill after eating anything else.”

In the meantime they traded with things of practicality. One woman gave her some sturdy rope. This was a rather pointless gift as Grandmother wove the finest. She had recently just taught Rose how. Grandmother quickly tied it around her middle as a belt. The next gave Grandmother a shovel. Rose marveled at that because it was the third her Grandmother had acquired. The first she had taken home just a few days ago. The second she had given to mother to use in the kitchens as an oven paddle. This was solely to be used in the garden. She did her midwives duty of seeing to all the women’s physical needs asking important questions about their health. Once in a while, she asked Rose to help sweep for them or hang herbs or some oddity on the wall. If Sadko hadn’t been there it all would have been terribly boring. Rose was diligent and listened carefully to everything her Grandmother said.

There was a bit of upset at three different homes. The first was at the home of Hilda and Nina’s mother. Grandmother immediately spoke her mind on their watchful diligence.

“So Natasha your girls have yet to come home to you and fess up that they have lost a child.” Grandmother pulled Rose forward by the hand.

“Lost, the way they tell it this one wanders away all by herself.” Snorted Natasha, she scratched at a huge boil that had started growing on her neck only last week.

“That may be so but it is their duty to keep her away from danger and out of the woods.”

“Hah she is fine! She barely left home!” Natasha glanced at Sadko guessing the events that happened.

“One day when your children are lost in the woods I will tell you not to worry because they barely left home. And then I shall slam the door in your face.” The pestle began spinning once more on its own while Grandmother pointed two ominous fingers. When the pestle stopped Sadko and Natasha blinked with curious blank stares.

Grandmother pulled out some great smelling cookies. “For your girls later to show that I bear no true grudge.”

“I thank you.” Natasha took the plate greedily and slammed the door.

“And may they continue to grow ugly like you.” Grandmother murmured.

The next house was not a bit of surprise, Marousha was a sopping wet face of tears and agony, “Please no thank-you Grandmother.”

She tried to shut the door politely but Grandmother stuck in her foot. “Ah child why are you so sad tell Babushka.”

“I must not. Please go.” Marousha whimpered.

“Is he beating you Marousha? Just let me know.” Sadko said firmly.

“No, no it is not that it is just that…I simply, I simply don’t wish to be pregnant anymore.” Babies began to cry in the hut within, the bundle in her stomach would be her twelve.

“To me, that is a terrible thing to say given my daughter in law’s predicament. Think of how blessed you are.” Grandmother shook her head.

“I know and I am sorry. There is just something about this that is wrong. My mother and grandmother were terrible at giving birth. By all rights I should be dead yet I am not! Oh, sometimes I wish I was!”

“Oh so that is it. You have a survivor’s guilt. And it is very common for women to be emotional after so many changes on their body. Let me in and I shall make you some tea to calm your nerves.”

As soon as Grandmother entered the crying of all the babies stopped instantly. Still Marousha’s face continued to show strain and fear. Sadko told Rose to stay outside with him while they talked. He sighed.

“If only you’re Mother could change fates with Marousha.” Sadko plucked out a soft breezy tune.

Rose saw no sense in that and she said so. “Such wishing just brings reverse sorrow. Better to accept life as it is given to you and learn to toughen up and survive.” In the distance she heard her Father’s horn and filled with pride. Sadko filled with remorse.

The final woman Nula was so heavy she could not move from her bed. Together they all lifted her and changed her sheets and opened the windows for a breeze.

“When do you think the time will come?” Nula asked uncomfortably.

“Well you are already past due in a few days time if you do not contract I shall induce the labor. Do not be frightened dear this has been a common thing in the village this past year. The baby is so happy in the womb it will not wish to come out!”

“I think there may be two of them; the kicking is so fierce.” The woman gasped as they placed more pillows behind her.

“That would be lucky, more than likely he is just big. That’s right it is a boy I can tell, for he sits so low.” After leaving the last house she muttered, “Such trouble today I shall hardly have any time at all in my garden.

“The village is thriving not just because of your hard work in the garden, old mother.” Sadko waved goodbye as he dropped them off. Grandmother only grunted.

“Babushka you should be nicer to Sadko. He is nice to you.” Rose said after he rolled away. “Not while my ears still burn child; Mark my words that wandering fool is a meddler. He meddles in your upbringing too much. I do like that he trains you on his horses. As long as he stays useful I shall keep him around. Go ahead into the garden and wake the other children. There is much to be done before supper.”