Did You Miss Me?

"Now, who can tell me what the name of this flower is and its medicinal uses?" Neffi asks, holding up a Coneflower. A plant native to her homeland of North America but one foreign to Kemet. She brought various varieties of seeds with her five years ago when she came to this land as a newlywed. Now many of those species are thriving and being used medicinally in this country.

Immediately the whole class of 20 students enthusiastically raised their little hands, with a chorus of "Nebet (Mistress, Lady), I do" and "Please Nebet, pick me."

Laughing at her young students' enthusiasm, Neffi picked the quite shy, pretty little girl who was very smart but was always a little reluctant to participate. "Sherit (Little one) Panya, please, can you tell us in your own words what this flower is and its medicinal uses?" Neffi asks with a soft smile at the little girl, who was by far the youngest in the class and not as vocal as the other children.

Having been raised by her elderly grandmother, Panya was used to a slow, quiet existence, and she acted more like a wizened old woman than a little girl of almost 5 summers, but she was an inquisitive child. About a year ago, tiny little Panay followed a distracted Neffi on her walk to the school one early morning. Noticing the child way too late to return her and not knowing where to return the child too. Neffi took her to school with her. Once there, she contacted the palace Guild, asking them to search out the child's family, if any could be found. Luckily, someone was found. By the end of the day, her grandmother was found frantically searching the streets for Panya herself.

Meanwhile, Panay got to spend an enjoyable day being spoiled by the older children and the staff, eating countless treats until she was full to burst. As the youngest of 8 children, with nieces and nephews numbering in the double digits and a school teacher. Neffi knew how much work such a young child could be. So the next day, Neffi spoke to her grandmother, asking permission to bring the little girl to work with her daily. First to stop Panya from wandering off and also to give her a break during the day. Even as quiet as Panya was, she was still a small child and had many needs throughout the day, which her elderly grandmother could no longer meet. So she heartily agreed to the arrangement, honored that one such as Neffi would be willing to do such a thing.

A year later, Panya was thriving. She's talking more, could recognize most of the symbols, cipher up to 100, and knew the properties of over 20 plants. Neffi was very proud of the progress she was making. If only she would interact with the other children more, especially when Neffi wasn't around. Neffi had even become her godmother a moon ago. Panya's grandmother had never heard of the custom until Panya herself repeated a story Neffi told the little girl about her own godmother one day on their walk home from school. Panya so wanted Neffi to be a godmother to her that she begged her to ask Neffi. So as any loving grandmother would, Panya's grandmother, also named Panya, went to the Great Nebet Neffi and asked if she would be Panya's godmother. Neffi was not only touched but thrilled. She had grown quite close to the little girl over the last year that she immediately said yes. Later that evening, they had a little ceremony of their own. Neffi had given Panya a matching amethyst necklace of Ma'At. Same as the one she wore daily, then all three sat down to a lovely meal. Which is how they have spent every night since.

"Yes, ma, I mean Nebet," Panya softly says as she stands up and slowly walks to the front of the group as the other children giggle. At home, Panya started to call her mama Neffi after Neffi started telling her bedtime stories of her godmother back home, but she instructed the little girl that she was only to use that name at home or when they were alone. In school, she was to address Neffi as Nebet just like the other students. But every once in a while, the little girl would slip up, which Neffi didn't mind. She loved being called mama Neffi.

Today Neffi decided to conduct class amongst the flowers and not in the classroom, with only dried flowers for reference. They were all sitting on a field of the wildflowers Neffi had grown when she first came, those few short years ago. The field, which many in the area used during the day for meetings, relaxation, or family dinners, sat along the western bank of the Nile river and butted up to the back of the new school, where she was the botany teacher. Along with Panya, she taught all the local children from ages 6 to 14 about the beautiful world of medicinal plants. They were her last class for the day, and this was her final question of the day. So she didn't mind if the little girl took a little bit longer to make her way through the gaggle of children scattered about the field.

Once Panya reached her, Neffi invited the little girl to sit down next to her as she handed the shy child the flower to examine. "Isn't it beautiful?" She asks the little girl, who nodded her head enthusiastically while admiring the magenta and copper-colored flower. Neffi realized early that unlike some other children in the class, Panya always felt more comfortable participating if she could answer questions more intimately and not front and center.

Giving the little girl a few moments to admire the flower, she addressed her class, "While we give Sherit Panya a few moments to admire this flower and think of her answer. Over the next rest month, I want each of you to think of something you can make with the Coneflower and how it would benefit our community. It can be medicinal, edible, or a way you can use it to make structural items. Now, I understand the younger children may have a little trouble with this assignment, so I have instructed your assigned older buddy to help guide you in any way you need. However, they are only to be there for advice. They will not do the assignment for you. If they are not available, you can also ask older siblings or family members to help, but the work must be yours. Repeat after me, "The work must be mine." She says, echoed by a chorus of little voices. "THE WORK MUST BE MINE."

"Do we all understand?" When they all nodded yes, she turned to Panay, surprised to see her already standing. Even though she was basically connected to Neffi's right arm, she was still ready to answer her question. "Ok, Panya, we're listening," Neffi says gently, encouraging her to move a little forward so that the class could hear her.

Standing at Neffi's crossed-legged knee, Panya began with a clear little voice. She began her answer, holding up the flower. "The Coneflower is Native to North America. Another name for it is Eckinna...Echile.."

"Echinacea." Neffi softly corrects

"Echinacea," Panay says slowly, enunciating each syllable. "and it helps with..."

But the little girl was cut off by Neffi's assistant, who was yelling Neffi's name as she ran through the field towards them. Breathing heavily, the beautiful young woman apologizes, "I'm sorry to interrupt your class, Nebet, but the King's ship has been spotted on the horizon, coming south towards the west bank."

"Truly?" an excited Neffi exclaims, jumping up and almost knocking Panya to the ground, swooping the child up into her arms before she could fall.

Making the little girl squeal and giggly with a sudden burst of excitement.

Happily nodding, young Farida says, "Yes, Nebet, truly, and all sails are flying in full color, so it looks to be a happy homecoming." She says with a smile on her face because the man she loved was also on that ship.

Still clutching Panya, Neffi quickly packs up her blanket and supplies into her canvas bag. Turning to her class, she speedily but sweetly excuses them for the next month, finishing by reminding them of their assignment. "Oh, and I will be checking with each of your parents to make sure the work is being done. Now off with you, my sherits, go have fun." Then they all scattered off into the wind: Neffi, Panya, and Farida towards the docks and the students towards their homes or other activities.

"Oh, Farida, can you believe it? They are finally home!" Neffi says happily, skipping down the boardwalk with a giggling Panya bouncing on her side. "Can you believe it, Panya? Aki is home!" she says, throwing the giggling child into the air, then deftly catching her without missing a step.

Laughing at her nebet's enthusiasm, Farida answers, "It has been many moon cycles..."

"3, to be exact." a pouting teary-eyed Neffi says, interrupting Farida.

"Yes, 3," Farida says, smiling at Neffi's quick mood change. She loved Neffi like a sister, she was the best friend she had, but her recent mood swings could test the most devout of Kemetians. "It's crazy to think that I didn't even know your brother last summer, and now, he's the only thing I can think about."

"I don't think it's crazy. I felt the same way about Aki when we first meet. I guess it's only natural to feel that way when you're in love. After 5 summers, I still feel that way. What's crazy is that you're in love with my older brother, yuck." Neffi says with a disgusted face making Panya laugh.

"It's not 'yuck,'" Farida says, repeating the strang North American word Neffi often used when something displeased her. "It's love," she says with her hand to her heart.

"Ok, it's love," Neffi says, laughing at the love-struck woman. "Just make sure my nieces and nephews don't get his feet. Those things are scary." Neffi says, teasing a blushing Farida, who was shy about anything close to intimate talk.

They spent the next few moments walking in silence, enjoying the breeze coming off the river and admiring the vendors they passed along the boardwalk. Neffi was amazed at how much this boardwalk reminded her of the Jersey shore. The language, food, and dress may be different, but the activity was the same. Upon her arrival, she felt right at home, with the people happily welcoming her into their society. It made her transition as Aki's new wife effortless. Noticing Aki's favorite fruit vendor, Neffi stops to purchase him a welcome home pack of assorted fruits.

"Grand salutations, Remmao (great vendor)." Neffi says with a bow, holding the now sleeping Panya's back.

"Grand salutations, Nebet Neffi, how do you fare this evening?"

"I am well, Remmao. I thank you. I've come to get my husband a bag of your delicious fruit." she says, scanning the booth, looking for something sweet for her and Aki to eat tonight after dinner.

"Ah, is the Baka (King) back from his long journey." The fruit vendor asked excitedly as he scurried around the stand, filling a basket with all of the king's favorites.

"Yes, he is. His ship was just spotted on the western bank. We are on our way to meet it now." Neffi says as she smells a pot of honey on display, "Strange that smells like Aki." She thought as she decides to buy it. She's distracted by her purchase and doesn't notice the quiet that comes over everyone until she feels the only arms she's ever felt safe in envelope her and Panya in one giant hug.

Melting into them, Neffi whisper, "Aki."

"Did you miss me, my Queen, my Coneflower?"