Conversation

"Speech, the most specifically human sound, and the most significant kind of sound, is never just scenery, it's always event." -  "Telling Is Listening": Ursula K. Le Guin on the Magic of Conversation and Why Human Communication is Like Amoebas Having Sex

For what seemed a very long time the only human speech came from beyond the magically cloaked walls. Larkin burrowed deeper into the malleable bean bag, pulled her legs and feet into her chest and began to rock herself into the soft folds of brown velveteen. The echo of story bounced from her whole self as a tuning fork would feel the entrainment, the vibe, the more than words that storytellers have always counted on as their Magic. "What are my gifts Caitlin? What gift can I bring to this newly transforming place. I mean aren't I supposed to get on a plane and start a proper career teaching English! That's what I have in the works."

"Twenty-two year olds aren't supposed to know what they want to do." Caitlin was curled into the high-backed old brocade chair with both arms filled with a family of bears and a well-loved lion. Nuzzling the toy animals she held them up to her face and continued her proclamation. "Did you ever know a twenty-two year old who knew exactly what she was to do with her life ... for the whole rest of her life?" The lion was the first to respond. Caitlin found her lioness voice to offer this, "My dear Miss," the Lion began. "There are many things human twenty-two year olds could do and that is the trick you see. If you could do something means you are free to do the thing; or on the other hand bound to do it if guilt or obligation is the motive." One of the family of bears yawned. It was winter after all and everyone knows bears sleep during winter. "Is it that you don't know what your Gift is now that frazzles you; or is it that you are afraid choosing one expression will mute all your other gifts?"

Larkin reached for the no-longer-sleeping bear. Caitlin pretended to question her friend's intent. And protectedly withdrew the lot of stuffed animals. "Don't be afraid, really. I'm without malice ... promise!" Caitlin loosened her grip, Larkin held out both her arms. "You are not new to this place. May has not just bought you from a thrift shop?" The Bear who was a warm golden brown fleece with stitches on all four paws had one button eye. Larkin stroked the animal's head and whispered something into his ear. The Bear pushed at the headband and molded outer ear on Larkin's left side. Together the Bear and the twenty-two year old human girl removed the silver attachments. The Bear whispered something into the well-tended ear slits that led to the finely tuned canal and bell works of Larkin's inner ear.

Again the dressing room was silent of human voices. The voices of the many animals are stilled as well. After a time Larkin began to hum a hum of no discernible melody simply a random and enchanting bit of nonsense that was the perfect fuel for Imagination. "Did you know Calypso was a name my grandmother chose for herself?"

"Really?" There are many things that go through life without full disclosure. "I always assumed your gram decided to leave her family name a sort of secret and so Calypso as in the goddess was her given name. But obviously I just made that up!"

"Gram chose the name Calypso because she was in love with the ship. Jacques Costeau's floating legend and exploress of Earth's Oceans. You know gram was a water woman, her water connections are truly old, old school. Sailing canoes and navigating the waters by using the stars old school. But when Gram was a girl just out of high school her hero was a French sailor. Her wish after graduation from high school was to legally change her name to Calypso, Calypso period."

"When was that exactly Larkin? What year?"

"1968. Gram was an explorer and adventurer ahead of her time. To ask her parents for permission to change her name was a very big deal."

"I gotta admit something," Caitlin wasn't shy about what she did not know. Curiosity was her middle name. But she was sheepish when she said this. "Who is Jacques Costeau?"

"Do you have your cellphone on you?" Larkin asked.

"Yeah."

"Google him."

Caitlin reached into her pack. "How do you spell Jacques Costeau?"
Larkin rolled her eyes and spelled the name. Caitlin added + Calypso.

"From one legend to another (Dear Reader, click on the red letters to read more about Calypso)

Calypso was, according to Greek myth, the nymph who held Ulysses captive on the island of Gozo for ten years. Today, the name is linked to another legend, that of the Cousteau ship. This floating legend is known throughout the world and sailed the ocean planet for nearly half a century to reveal its beauty and fragility. She is the symbol of human hopes to understand Nature, the better to protect it...

There was a lot to know about Jacques Costeau and his Calypso the symbol of human hopes to understand Nature. When she had finished reading Caitlin looked from the tiny screen. "I'm signing on, Larkin. There's room for me to bring Baba down, park her in the alley. Driver won't leave the carriage here after he and May fly off to London. I get what this Calypso is destined for. I can catch lightning here as well as anywhere. And, if it's the magic of youth that May needs. I've got that."

"Maybe there's a little space up those stairs for a one-eared girl who can teach a little English."

"Only one way to find out," Caitlin was on her feet.

"First things first Lightning Woman." With both woman on their feet they looked at each other. Larkin began: I remember you fondly, and take you not for granted.

Then both continued:

Dancers, dancers of Pine.

Move with the wind.

Sing with the tales that wind through the trees' tops.

Remember me to the people who have gone before me.

Praise their memories.

Dance Pine Needle Dancers.

Dance