An Ancient Greek in Fenway Park

Synopsis:  While traveling to see the Oracle at Delphi, Elissa finds herself inexplicably transported to 202X Boston, USA at Fenway Park.   Luckily, she bumps into an ancient language professor named Theo and the two fall in love, but Theo does an ancestry test just to make certain that he isn’t related to the blindingly gorgeous and blazingly intellectual Elissa.  

Chapter 1—Come, Ask the Oracle 

Elissa Papidopolis adored coming to see the Oracle.   Ever since she had been a young Melissae, she had come to hear the Oracle praise the Papidopolis family on their raising, tending, and harvesting of honey.   Elissa was the most skilled when it came to them.   She understood the little workers and even the queen took a special liking to her.   They never stung her, and they were mesmerized by her songs.   Even if someone came to threaten her family, Elissa could telepathically communicate with the colony and they would defend her, her family, and her property.   No one messed with the Papopolis’, especially not with Princess Elissa’s incredible gift.    

Leonidis, Barbara, and Elissa came to hear their fortunes as they typically did.   They were preparing Elissa for customary courtship practices and making it known that she was of marrying age.   She was exceptionally popular, but only one man held her attention.   His name was Oleander and he went by ‘Lee’.   He happened to be a highly successful farmer that was a hopeful candidate for the senate.   Many things would change under his direction and he had bold ideas that many people stood behind.   

‘We couldn’t be prouder for you.   Oleander’s family likes you immensely.   It might have seemed a little countercultural to allow you to choose, but we chose for love and it has lead us to nothing but happiness.’, Barbara stated blissfully.     

Cybil was sensationally sweet and loving.   She adored hugging everyone she read fortunes for, even if they were bitter and harsh.   She served her famous baklava to those getting their futures told and often warned she was merely the mouthpiece of the Fates, and she couldn’t control the messages she received from the lauded Trio.    

‘Ah, Elissa.   I knew you would come to see me again.   Let me hold your hands, darling.’, the gentle, elderly woman said.   Although she had gray hairs, she was youthful, spry, and mischievous.   Being a soothsayer had kept her young and she shared the wealth of her youth and vitality to all who visited her.    

‘This is quite the enigmatic vision I’m receiving.   You will travel afar and partake in grand adventures.   It will come as quite the culture shock, but your strength, faith, humor and pride will guide you.   Whenever you feel your vision clouding, take my tailasman and everything will be clear.’, Cybil stated, giving her a pendant of the Three Graces carved in sardonyx.    Cybil had no children and she had considered Elissa a daughter, so it was only natural that she got the necklace as a premarital gift.     Elissa’s eyes dimmed with tears and she hugged her surrogate grandmother, kissing her and weeping into her chest. 

‘It’s nothing to cry over.   You too, young Melissae, have the gift.  It will bloom.  When it does, you will be ready.’, Cybil said, kissing her granddaughter’s forehead.    

Barbara and Leonidis asked about the vision that Cybil had foretold for Elissa.  

‘It didn’t make any sense.  She said something about adventures afar.   I’ve never been out of Greece.   Traveling, even with our income, is expensive.’, Elissa said, rationalizing aloud.  

‘That is rather odd.’, Barbara countered, tapping her index finger to her chin, puzzling over what Cybil could’ve meant by the eerily cryptic fortune.    

‘I suppose it is nothing to fret over.    Before long, I will be courted by Oleander and soon, we will be wed.’, Elissa said, euphorically.   She could see Lee gazing at her across the way.   He waved at her confidently and smiled so brightly she thought she might go blind.   He was indeed, a vision to provide all artists with sculptures and paintings until no further media could be used to create.   

Cybil was paid her usual reasonable fee and the Papidopolis family said their farewells to their old friend.   Contemplatively, Elissa toyed with the cameo necklace, feeling the cool silver in her fingers.   She could sense the maternal, protective energy that came from deep within and resonated without.   With those pleasantries lingering, the family returned to their houses in Santorini by chariot.   

That night, Elissa gazed at the stars through her window and melted into her pillows thinking of Oleander.    ‘Soon, my love.   We’ll be together, soon.’, she mused, as she drifted into reverie.   

Chapter 2—Not in Santorini Anymore 

By the time she had awoken, Elissa was wandering around a huge arena.    There were seats here and she assumed that it was where community forums took place.    Nothing was written in Attic Greek, but fortunately, she had been trained in many languages, and this one was relatively simple to eke out.    

‘Fenway Park.’, she read to herself.    She didn’t have any idea where she was.   No one seemed to be around except for a wandering groundskeeper and a very handsome man in a suit.    She thought perhaps the language she read was one that the people around her spoke.  It was obvious she wasn’t home.    She had no idea what had happened to her, but she remained calm and rational, just like she had been taught as a young girl growing into a gentlelady.    

‘Are you lost ?  If you’re looking for a convention, it’s up the way.   Lovely Xandra costume by the way.’, the Professor said.    His name was Theodore Costa.    He was highly sharp, had a laugh that reminded her of honey straight from the honeycomb and auburn eyes that blazed in the sun.     

‘I’m not from here.   What’s a convention ?’, Elissa said.     Theo couldn’t believe his luck.  He had wanted to prove that time travel wasn’t only a probability but a possibility as well.   He explained everything to Elissa, who was having the worst culture shock of her life.   

‘Cybil’s vision !’, she said, in a moment of realization.   

‘You mean, the actual Oracle of Delphi ?’, Theo questioned, starry eyed and incredibly fascinated.    

‘Yes.   I was supposed to be trained as the next Oracle.   I was also to be betrothed…’, Elissa responded, with a little despondency in her timbre.    Theo felt terrible for her, but didn’t treat her with pity.   Instead, he gave her the opportunity to enjoy American culture.   

Chapter 3—Big Stick Game 

Elissa thought the invention of the ‘big stick game’ was very straightforward and basic.   It was like the Olympic games she had seen in Athens.   She had participated herself in javelin throwing, recalling that a local artesian had carved her nude likeness in a vase.   She informed Theo of this information and his eyes went wide.   Despite his better nature, his tanned cheeks flushed.    

‘I can only imagine.’, he murmured.    Elissa blushed slightly and laughed.   She knew now that Oleander would be marrying someone else, and even though it broke her heart, she knew somehow, he would be happy.   The two of them would always be bound, but she realized that somehow, someway, she had to heal and claim happiness as her own. 

Fenway was massive.   Much larger than the arenas at home.   The big stick game had become one of her favorites, since she snacked on ‘popped corn and hot sausages’.   She savored the taste, particularly from the ‘sausages’.    Soda was something strange and unusual too.   She never expected a beverage to tickle her esophagus.    She quickly became a fan of the Red Sox and found herself cheering for them.    Theo took her to a lot of games and she discovered that acclimating to Boston wasn’t so much different than Santorini, even though modern ways could be odd and confusing at times.   

Chapter 4—Caught in Real Time on Kiss Cam 

Elissa became used to wearing casual clothes, but every so often, at home, she was caught wearing her toga.   Since today was akin to one of her ‘loaf around home’ days, the arena had encouraged participants to dress in historically accurate garb from their favorite era.   She found this a clever excuse to ‘be more comfortable’ and wear something a bit breezier, accompanied by her laurel wreath, bestowed upon her by one of the dignitaries of Attic.   

‘You look as beautiful as you did when we first met.’, Theo stated, honestly.   He had been relieved that there was no trace of heredity between the two of them, albeit they both had obvious Greek heritage.    Elissa blushed darkly and boldly held Theo’s hand.  The duet had been seeing each other for a year now and Theo wanted to surprise her with an engagement ring.   He figured now was as good of a time as any to ask, but he didn’t expect the proposal to be caught on Kiss Cam.    

In front of hundreds of thousands, Theo pleaded his case but right about the moment he fished the black velveteen box from his pocket, Elissa shouted, ‘Yes !’ and devoured Theo with kisses.   It was enough to make him feel drunk until he gave her a blindingly scorching kiss.   When the two had broken the smooch, the game was over. 

‘I made you miss the game !’, Elissa laughed.   

‘You know you’re more important to me than a silly baseball game, Lissa.’, Theo said, affectionately.    They were giddily filled with anticipation and maybe a shade of dread as the months ahead spelled their wedlock date.    It was new, different, and exciting.   Elissa had already seen what modern life was like and she had adored every second.   Any record of the Oracle or the past was long since gone.   She was now a modern woman with an old soul and an effervescent drive to experience whatever she could, whether good or bad. 

Chapter 5—Hellions  

The wedding happened in a whirlwind and twins came like a strike of lightning.   Elissa gave birth to twins, a boy, and a girl.   She named the boy Costos after Theo’s dad and the girl after her own mother, Helena.   She had never considered herself a ‘mothering type’ until the babies came into her world.    Everything had been turned upon its head, but life became so much better once the babies became acclimated to their surroundings. 

No sooner than Elissa turned around, her babies were walking, talking and making decisions on their own.   When they were old enough to understand, she told them the strange tale of how she arrived at Fenway and how Fenway was a sacred place to her.  

‘So, this is where daddy proposed ?’, Costos asked, curiously. 

‘That’s right, sweetie.   He was so romantic, and still is today.’, Elissa said, swooning over her husband and kissing his cheek.   The twins stuck their tongues out in disgust.  

‘If I ever get gaga over a guy, be sure to ask Zeus to strike me with a thunderbolt.’, Helena stated, pretending to gag herself.    Elissa was certain the two of them would change their tune when they forged into adolescence.   For the moment, they were kids, and both were savoring their lives in Beantown and relishing their environments with gusto.  

                                                                       Epilogue 

Even as a mother, Elissa delighted in continuing her traditional Melissae life.  She was an expert at keeping bees, understanding their moods, and being seen as a second queen to them.   She would often sing while collecting their honey. 

Little bee, please 

I entreat

Grant me something good to eat

So ooey, gooey sticky sweet 

Ambrosial, nature’s treat 

Just some comb and I’ll be on my way 

Only a little, if that’s ok

Savoring your work makes my day 

I’m proud to be a Melissae.  

It wasn’t sure whether Costos or Helena would take the baton once they were old enough.   Costos showed aptitude for tending bees and harvesting honey.   Helena was more intriegued with the creatures of the ocean and vowed that like Jacques Costeau, she would become a marine biologist and learn more about the mysteries the ocean hid.    She too, adored all beings great and small, but the ocean’s team of beasts fascinated her most. 

Honey sales did well for Elissa and her beloved family members.   The bees were a sensational side hustle, and they kept the ecology in the neighborhood healthy too.   Thanking God as well as the pantheon she had grown with, Elissa diverted herself to another Red Sox game with her husband and children.    

‘Life couldn’t get much sweeter.’, she said, affectionately, bringing Theo’s hand to her lips and softly kissing the back of his hand.   Her eyes glowed with adoration.   Theo sighed happily and thanked heaven that this angel was by his side and would be for as long as they both breathed.   Whatever adventures life brought to them, they would meet head on, and they would dance to their beat, moving to their own individual rhythms.  

                                                                        The End