1.3 Primal Scene

Slim Novel 1 - http://adventuresofkimi.blogspot.com - See Homepage

3: Strange Union

Strapped to Mama’s back, Kimi’s early impressions are salt air in nostrils and Mama’s milk in mouth. Treated sweetly by parents, Kimi is a happy, healthy child. By age 4 she follows Mama about, helping with fishnets and crab cages, cleaning and cooking, and bringing Papa his breakfast as he guides the boat to sea. By age 9 she can almost replace Mama.

One morning after work they sit on deck eating vinegar-sprinkled crab meat while a warm sun shines down and the boat rocks gently on ocean waves. Then, Kimi sleeps against mama’s front with Papa lying on Mama’s other side.

  Movement awakens Kimi and sound makes her alert – deep sigh and short gasp. She looks up at mama’s face and sees tightly closed eyes, flushed skin and slightly opened lips. Rhythmic movement of Mama’s body suggests action from rear.

  Kimi feels curiosity rather than alarm. Body movement peaks and then Mama lets out a long sigh and there is an “ahh” sound from Papa’s side. This is Kimi’s first awareness of the strange union. In the months after this, Mama’s front swells. Then a long labor and a boy infant is born. When Kimi is taken in, she sees Mama lying pale and silent, and Papa kneeling, head bent while a tall, gray-haired woman in kimono who Kimi calls "Grandma" stands by. “Your mother is gone,” she says. “Now you must take her place."
                     For next, click 1.4 Incest .