Blood ties, p.10
Blood Ties, page 10
"Even when I'm stomping about being moody and complaining?" she asked, smiling, looking so pretty.
"Even then."
As Jen left, I called after her, "I will always be proud of you," and she turned and grinned at me.
"And I'll always be proud of you. You're the best."
I truly was a blessed man.
For several minutes I merely sat in silence, soaking up the atmosphere, then my stomach rumbled and I knew it was time for breakfast. A bloody big one.
MIND READER
"You read my mind," I told Phage, grinning at the sight before me.
"Figured you'd be ravenous about now," she said as she turned from the hob, beaming.
"Too right. Jen, you hungry?"
"Not as hungry as you by the look in your eyes. And can you tell your stomach to quiet down?"
"I'll have a word."
"Sit yourself down," Phage ordered.
"You don't need to tell me twice." I washed my hands, then sat at the table as Phage placed my breakfast in front of me. "Wow, this is one serious fry-up," I whistled, eyeing the eggs, beans, sausage, homemade hash brown, bacon, and toast greedily.
"You need building back up. But this is it, so go slow and actually chew," she said, then put Jen's more modest serving down, and finally her own.
"You're the best," I told her, then tucked straight in.
"Slow down," said Phage, looking at me with concern. "You'll make yourself ill. One mouthful at a time. Then chew."
"He's like a greedy pig," laughed Jen. "Where are your manners?"
I swallowed hurriedly, stabbed a sausage with my fork, then said, "Sorry," before I bit the end off. I tried to ease my pace, but I could literally feel the food being converted straight to energy. How had I held out until now? I was beyond famished. Like I could never eat enough. With two sets of accusing eyes on me, I did my best to take my time, but I still finished before they were halfway through theirs.
"That was amazing. Best ever. Thank you."
"My pleasure. Now go make yourself useful and start the washing up." Phage winked at me. She knew this was what I needed. What we all did. Normality. Regular life.
I washed the dishes happily, whistling as I cleaned.
When my beautiful girls finished, I cleaned the rest of the dishes and even dried up, much to their astonishment and jibes. Then we chatted, generally milled about, and before I knew it, I was fast asleep in my chair and enjoying every single second of it.
We ate lunch, some more than others, rested in the shade, chatted about this and that, and so the day progressed. We all knew it was weird, that we were forcing things a little, trying to get straight back into the swing of things, but what else could you do? What needed to be said had been said. Tears that needed shedding had fallen. Apologies had been made, thanks given. All that remained was life as we knew how to live it.
So we got on with it.
Late afternoon, with the garden gasping under an azure sky, I finally reached into my pocket, pulled out my note, got my glasses and phone, and opened it.
"Fuck!" was all I said once the app had loaded and I'd got the location. It wasn't like this was a surprise. It was fucking typical, but I'd hoped my Necro masters would have let me off lightly. I should have known better. This was just about perfect for everyone concerned, apart from me and the name on my note.
If the elves were watching, they'd be laughing. If any other races, or people, were privy to this, they'd be roaring with fucking laughter too. Me, I just grunted, removed my glasses, locked my phone, pocketed the note, and went about the rest of my day.
Which mostly involved staying put and enjoying the peace. For once, nothing unusual happened. No unwanted visitors, no dramas, nothing eventful at all. Just me sitting in the shade in my garden, enjoying the vibrant blooms, the heavily scented air, and the company of my family.
Woofer dozed at my feet, Mr. Wonderful wandered slowly around the garden claiming everything in his path, and the chickens at the end of the garden pecked happily in the grass.
Life didn't get much better than this.
"You ready for action tomorrow?" I asked Bone Slicer, resting my hand on the warm wood of the hilt.
He thrummed in my hand. He was ready. But was I?
I put the thought aside and wandered inside to see what everyone was up to. I'd been out here alone for a while, and although I appreciated them giving me space to get my head right, it was almost as though they were avoiding me.
Understandable. This was a lot for us to get used to. I knew my girls well enough to know that they were staying away as they didn't want me to see them getting upset any more.
But I needed them, and they needed me. We could all be upset together.
IDIOTS
"You want a cuppa?" I asked Phage, who was standing, trance like, in the kitchen with a cloth in her hand.
"Hmm? Oh, sorry, I was miles away. I don't even know why I'm holding this." She stared at the rag suspiciously, then placed it beside the sink and just grabbed me.
"Hey, it's alright."
"No, it's not, and we've been trying to give you some peace and not upset you, but it's not okay. Sorry, I don't know what to do. Nether does Jen. Do we leave you alone, or watch you like a hawk? She's afraid you'll disappear again. We both are."
"I won't. I'll—"
Someone was knocking at the door so, without thinking, I said, "Just wait here, I'll be back," and went to answer it, not considering maybe it wasn't the best idea in my current state.
I wished I hadn't bothered.
"Hi." Francis smiled widely while his eyes darted left to right. He squared his shoulders, grinned, then laughed nervously, all whilst trying to look bigger and more intimidating than he actually was. Which was not at all.
"Hi to you too," I said.
"Um, not seen you around for a while. Everything okay here? You look, er…"
"I've been unwell. Keeping a low profile, if you know what I mean?" I told him.
"Oh, yes, right. You've slimmed down," he said, relaxing as he realized I wasn't the man I used to be. Or so he thought.
"Like I said, been unwell. Upset stomach kind of thing. Haven't been eating very well because of it. All better now, though. So, what can I do for you?"
"Oh yes, of course," he chuckled. "The reason I'm here. We're having a little barbecue next week, and wondered if you all wanted to come. We haven't seen you much since I made a fool of myself a few years back, and well, I just wanted to say sorry again about that. Too much to drink, you know?"
"I know. Forget about it. And can I let you know? I'll check with Phage, but I think we have guests then. Maybe next time if we can't make it?" What I really wanted to say was I'd rather stab my own eyes out with an assortment of sharp implements than spend time with this dickhead, but apparently you gotta be nice to the parents of the kids your child goes to school with.
"Sure, sure. Yes, of course." Francis peered over my shoulder and smiled and waved. "Hi Phage. Long time no see. How are things?"
I kept a straight face even though I heard her sigh behind me as she got dragged into having a friendly chat with this dimwit.
"Hello Francis. How are you? Family all okay?"
"Yes, fine. I was just telling Soph about our barbecue next week."
"But I told him we probably have guests, right?"
"Oh, we do," said Phage hurriedly. "What a pity. Maybe next time?"
"That's what Soph said. You two have been quiet the last few years. Hardly seen you at all. Actually, I don't know if I have seen you. And Soph doesn't seem himself."
"I just explained to Francis that my stomach has been playing up lately, so I lost weight. But I'm on the mend now."
"He's feeling much better," agreed Phage.
"Another time then? You know what," he said, frowning, "I don't think you look a day older than when I first met you. That was when the kids were tiny, still babies. How do you do it? It's like you don't age."
"I certainly feel older," I mumbled.
"Guess we just look after ourselves. And you look good too. You been working out more?" asked Phage.
Francis puffed out his chest and grinned. "You noticed?"
"Sure," said Phage.
"Looking good," I agreed.
"Thanks. But I know I don't look like you two. You really don't change."
"We'll take that as a compliment," I told him. "See you soon then. Say hi to everyone from us."
"Will do." Francis frowned again, then turned, so I wasted no time shutting the door before he found another excuse to chat for longer.
"Damn, I hate that guy," I whispered as we headed into the kitchen.
"He's always been a nosy bugger, and an idiot, too. Glad you made an excuse."
"Me too. But he's right about us looking the same, and people are starting to get weird about it."
"You have no idea. It's worse for me. The other mums are always complaining about how I never look any different and what's my secret, but it's getting too much. They used to laugh and joke about it, but now I'm starting to get funny looks and there's an edge to it all."
"How'd you mean?"
"I mean it's beginning to get nasty. Especially from people we've known since we moved here. From before we had Jen. It's unnerving."
"We have talked about this, Phage. I told you it would happen. Once it gets to a certain point, there's not a lot you can do unless you begin to let yourself age or use whispers."
"I can't do that! If I do either, then there's no going back, is there?"
"Nope."
"Don't sound so smug about it!"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to. But this is the way it goes. It's why I try not to see anyone. But things like Francis coming to find juicy gossip are bound to happen, and we can't just stay hidden away for ever. We discussed it, and there's no escaping this."
"I wish we could. So what will we do?"
"That's your call, but we'll have to make a decision at some point. Do something."
"I know. I don't want to change though, or move, so what's the solution?"
"Never see anyone. Never answer the door or go out? That sounds perfect to me."
"I'm not doing that. Soph, seriously, what are our options?"
"I'm sorry, but there is only one answer. We both knew this was on the radar, so there will come a point when we'll have to move. We've had a great life here, but soon it will be time to move on."
"But this is our home. Where we've always lived. Where Jen has grown up. We can't just leave."
"Who's leaving?" asked Jen as she wandered in, head down, reading a book.
"Oh, nothing. Just having a chat. You okay?"
Jen ignored me, Phage rolled her eyes, as clearly this was a new development, and then she turned around and wandered out of the room without looking up.
"She doing that a lot?" I asked.
"All the time. She'll start talking to me, then not answer and I find her reading and she's totally oblivious to what's going on."
"It's good that she's reading, though."
"Yes, but not in the middle of a conversation. So, what were we saying?"
"That we'll have to talk about this again when I get back. Can we just enjoy the rest of our time before I leave? I can't face any more complications at the moment."
Phage smiled. "Of course. What shall we do?"
"Let's just sit out and enjoy the evening."
"You're leaving tomorrow, aren't you?" asked Phage, knowing the answer.
"I am. But I'll be back. I promise. No need to worry." I put my arm around the woman I planned on living with my entire life, and smiled comfortingly. It wasn't enough to make her feel better, but she knew I'd do my damnedest to get back.
"How bad is your note?"
"Do you need to ask? You think I'd get an easy ride because of what I've been through? Think they'd be gentle on me?"
"No. Just the opposite. So it's going to be tough?"
"Always is, and the bastards haven't got to me yet. Don't worry. It's just a couple of days, I promise, then we can settle back into family life properly."
"That sounds amazing. What can I do?"
"Break the news to Bernard? I'll have to use him or I'll never make it. These skinny legs aren't good enough for cycling far."
Phage giggled, the twinkle returning to her eyes. "I can do that. And I'll stock up the cart with plenty of food to keep you going."
"Now that's the kind of plan I can get behind. Right, enough about the future. Let's enjoy the present for a while. I'll go find Jen?"
"She's probably in your chair. She's got into reading there this past year. I think it's been a comfort for her."
"That bloody Malka's got a lot to answer for." I went to find Jen to see if she'd like to come outside with us for a while. I worried that she was avoiding me as this was too much for her. Hopefully, once I returned we really could settle into our old life again.
Seeing her curled up in my chair, lost inside the world of her book, was a sight to make any parent proud.
"Fancy coming outside for a while to hang out?" I asked. No answer. "Jen, hello?"
She looked up from her book, blinked several times, then smiled. "Sorry, what?"
"Do you want to come outside and hang out? I'd like you to."
"Sure."
"You don't have to hide away, you know," I told her, trying to get my tone just right, unsure if I had.
"I know. Just don't want to stress you out or make you too tired or anything."
I moved over to her and bent down then told her, "Just act normal. Do whatever you'd normally do. You won't upset me, or tire me out, or do anything wrong. I'm back, and I know it's weird, but the faster we return to normal family life the better. Yes?"
"I'll try. I'm just not sure what to do. What we would be like if this hadn't happened. Does that make sense? This missing year has made me forget how we are normally."
"I get it. I feel the same. So does your mother. So let's just hang out and then maybe you'll remember how awesome I am and you can just keep telling me. That's what we used to do, right?" I ruffled her hair, as I was certain that would still annoy her.
"Dad! Don't go getting any ideas," she laughed, then closed her book and gave me a nice hug.
"I'll be good, promise." I eased back up, trying not to show that it hurt, then held out my hand. "Come on. You're not too big to hold your Dad's hand, are you?"
"No," she laughed. "Not in private, anyway. And Dad?"
"Yes?"
"You don't have to pretend. I know you're in pain so don't try to hide it, okay?"
"Okay. Sorry."
"And don't apologize."
"I won't. Sorry." I did my best cheesy grin and Jen sighed. Things were slowly getting better.
BOPPA!
The evening out in the garden was lovely. The heat was manageable, and I was certain it was cooler than it had been in decades. And yes, I told my daughter we really should have bought a thermometer years ago.
Birds celebrated being alive and having full tummies before bed, as who doesn't? Insects buzzed, dogs dozed, cats prowled and muttered, chickens pecked, and a plethora of animals we cared for snored, grunted, whinnied, honked, hissed, or munched.
The grass was green, the flowers glorious, their perfume better than anything ever concocted in a laboratory, and although I hurt, I accepted it and celebrated the fact I was still alive and in any position to acknowledge how wonderful it was to feel anything at all.
We sat on chairs under the shade cast by several mature apple trees down in the orchard, and I smiled at my wife and daughter. My grin widened and I laughed a little.
"What?" asked Phage, smiling because she felt as happy as me.
"What's so funny, Dad?"
"Wait for it," I told them.
"Wait for what?" asked Phage.
"This is lovely, isn't it?"
"Sure is," replied my daughter, her voice dreamy and happy.
"Then you know what that means, right?"
"Soph, don't even say it," warned Phage, with a scowl then a sweet chuckle.
"What are you guys talking about? We're just chilling. It's nice. Wait for what?" Jen stretched out her tan legs then hopped off her chair and lay spreadeagled on the floor. "Oh, it's actually cool down here. So nice."
"What your father is saying is that whenever things are calm, quiet, and nice, then something happens. Even though he's always the one who's surprised when things get a bit mad around here."
"I guess I'm finally learning," I laughed.
"It's the evening. What could happen?" Phage and I both just stared at her. "What?"
"Anything at all could happen. Absolutely anything. Angry dwarves, wild witches, hungry goats, Pete from the zoo out for trouble. A wandering dragon, a posse of elves. Who knows?" I told her.
"Way to go, Dad. Now you're just ruining the vibe."
"Just saying." I winked at Phage; she smiled back.
I sighed as I laced my fingers behind my head, then closed my eyes and soaked up the joy. Topping up my system with good emotions, fond memories, the thrill of simply being.
I didn't even bother to open them when I felt the air change.
"Told you," I said with maybe a hint of smugness, as I sensed the familiar sensation of a vacuum in a person-sized area somewhere off to the side.
A split-second later, it was filled with a soft whoosh as someone filled the space, successfully completing their morph.
I kept my eyes closed and the smile on my face when I sensed the presence of our uninvited guest.
"Boppa!" shouted Jen.
"Oh, hello granddaughter. Sorry about the intrusion, but I felt the change and simply had to come. You should have called me."
"And you couldn't call to say you were coming?" I joked, finally opening my eyes.
"Ah, yes, well, you know me and technology."
"Same as me. It hates you."
"I think it's the magic. Plays havoc with my phone, camera, internet thingy."
"Hi Dad, but you didn't have to rush here. Soph's fine. We're all fine."
