After the mini reunion, we wiped our eyes, dried our tears, and made our way into my dad's log cabin.
I took it all in, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I found this place almost... familiar...
With it being dark outside, I quickly dismissed the familiar feeling and decided I'd ask dad about it later.
Inside, my dad made coffee for himself and Mr. McCarter. Dad offered me some, and I wrinkled my nose while waving my hand in disdain, saying that coffee tastes like dirt. After pretending to be offended, he made me some hot cocoa with marshmallows, muttering that I'd learn to appreciate coffee's existence someday.
I rolled my eyes hard and told him when that day would be — then, I realized something was wrong with me.
He chuckled with amusement and took a long, loud slurp of his coffee. "Sweetie, when you start adulting, your priorities will make you want coffee."
"Nah, I'll never drink that stuff!" I said as I took a seat on the plush burgundy sofa and began sipping my cocoa, while Mr. McCarter drank his fresh brewed coffee appreciatively. Don't get me wrong, coffee smells amazing; it's the taste that gets me.
"You two must've traveled quite a ways to get here. Interested in calling it a night and sleeping here? We can pick up tomorrow morning and get down to business," my Dad drawled with a southern accent, sipping his coffee, his eyes almost fluttering shut with each inhale.
Now that he mentioned it, I was pretty exhausted from the day. Even though we'd been on the road all day in a comfy car, something about it still drained me deep down, enough to put me in a 12-hour coma.
I finished my cocoa, hastily covering my mouth with my forearm as I yawned.
I mumbled an agreement to sleep, and Mr. McCarter followed suit.
"Sleep sounds like a dream," I said in awe, making them both chuckle.
Dad took Mr. McCarter to a guest room on the south side of the house and gave him some blankets for the night.
I let out a weary sigh, realizing I was now alone with my dad and I felt awkward.
Not sure what to say, I nervously grinned at him, and he seemed to understand.
He cleared his throat, covering his mouth with his fist, and I realized he was nervous too.
His eyes briefly darted away from me. I expected him to say something—anything really—but he just turned his back and walked down a hallway.
Feeling vulnerable, tears almost spilled over at his actions, but I told myself it was okay.
I hastily wiped my eyes and quickly followed him down the hallway. We stopped at the door at the very end.
I took a deep breath, and he turned around. Almost too gently, he spoke with a hint of nervousness.
"This'll be your room; I hope it's up to your liking." His fingers fidgeted with the doorknob for a moment before swinging the door open. I tiptoed and peered around him with wide, anxious eyes.
He chuckled and moved aside for me to get a better look. As soon as he turned on the light, I gasped.
"It's not much, but I've been working on this for the past week since Mr. McCarter called me."
The room was simple—painted a sunny yellow. The bed was a queen-sized with a simple wooden frame. The bedspread was light purple, and a rainbow fuzzy body pillow sat on it, which I could already imagine cuddling the heck outta that thing when I lay down. There was a large wardrobe in the corner, built by hand and stained dark brown, with small colorful flowers painted on the doors, giving it life, and I smiled.
It was simple, but for the first time, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude.
"It's beautiful," I said, voice thick with emotion.
I took a tentative step toward him, and as tears welled up, I threw myself at him.
"Thank you," I sobbed, feeling grateful as he hugged me back.
"Don't mention it, kiddo. Just lay down and get some rest." He gruffly responded, ruffling my hair.
I nodded sleepily, he turned off the light, and closed the door behind me as I climbed into bed.
I grabbed the body pillow and cuddled into it as sleep took over.
---
---
---
"Mommy, mommy! Look! I made you a pie!" I said, beaming at her with pride as I presented my best creation yet: a mud pie filled with worms.
She exclaimed in joy and laughter while examining my creation.
"Hmm, what flavor is it, sweetie?" she asked, curious, inhaling close to it.
"Apple!" I exclaimed excitedly, giggling when she pretended to take a bite.
"Oh, it's so yummy!" she smiled, pretending to chew.
I giggled uncontrollably and toddled off feeling satisfied.
"Crystal, baby, can you come here for a moment?" my dad called to my mom while I busily made another.
"Hey!" My head snapped up, and I saw a little boy with black hair peeking around a nearby tree with a mischievous grin, and I smiled back.
"Hi!" I said.
"Can I play too?" he asked.
"Yea! You can be the baker!" I replied.
"Sweet!" he said.
The boy with black hair toddled over and stood in front of me. We played in the mud, occasionally shouting when we found a worm or a rollie-pollie.
"What's your name?" I asked him while we played.
"Christopher," he said.
"I'm Helang!" I replied.
---
I woke the next morning with bleary eyes, rubbing them with the palm of my hand.
What a strange dream...
I blinked and tried to adjust to my surroundings; that's when I remembered I had traveled here yesterday. I looked around my room and smiled as sunlight streamed through the sheer light purple curtains.
"This, this is my room," I whispered in awe.
Excitement bubbled up inside me, and I felt ecstatic.
My dad had done all this for me. He must've been so tired when he finished. I sniffled, overwhelmed with emotion, tears beginning to fall.
I slowly got out of bed and looked around with a sharper gaze. My throat tightened, and I had to swallow past the lump as I made my way to the wardrobe. It was packed with more clothes than I'd ever owned.
Inside, I saw shirts, dresses, overalls, blouses, pants, shorts, skirts, and shoes of all kinds-the list went on.
I ran my hand over the first piece that caught my attention: a pale yellow sundress with a white flower pattern on every corner of the fabric. The sleeves were puffy, and the neckline squared off. I couldn't remember the last time I'd worn a dress—maybe as a toddler? I didn't know. I hesitated before grabbing it and slowly walking back to the bed. I laid it gently down as if it was the most precious thing in the world, smiling softly. A pair of white flats would go perfectly with this dress...
I turned around and found a pair of white flats in the wardrobe. As I reached for them, I spotted a jewelry box sitting on one of the shelves built into the wardrobe, and I immediately felt giddy.
I'd never had jewelry before! Like a raven, I opened the box and gasped at the variety of jewelry inside. None looked expensive—more like costume jewelry, but it was cute. Rings, necklaces, bracelets—stuff I loved, and I adored it.
---
It's been a whole day. She was so excited, and she didn't think twice before she just ditched me!" I dramatically complained to Nadia, who sighed exasperatedly.
"Really, Steven? You're totally hopeless and stupid! How the hell was she supposed to act when you treat her like shit or ignore her? I'd leave too if I were her," she snapped with her thick Irish accent.
"Gee, thanks," I sarcastically retorted, causing her to tsk.
"If you wanted your ass kissed, you should've gone to one of the guys."
I stood up and dusted grass off myself.
"I wish I had my wolf already!" I whined.
"Don't we all? Look, most of us don't get our wolf until we're eighteen. Those who get them earlier have a lot of trouble controlling them," she explained.
"But you don't have trouble!" I pouted.
She sighed with defeat.
"That's because I've been heavily trained and disciplined by my parents," she explained matter-of-factly.
"I know, but I don't even hear mine like most claim here. Others can have full conversations and form bonds for years, and I just get silence," I complained, feeling utterly frustrated and useless.
"It's just not your time yet, Steven. Don't force what's not meant to be, my friend," she said wisely.
I sighed and nodded as I walked away.