The Gift
Stephanie's Storyline, Chapter 9.2
copyright comidacomida 2019
I couldn't say why, but at that moment, I could only think of one thing. "Thank you for being here, Medved." A moment later, my lips met his muzzle.
He stood in surprise, actually carrying me with him since I'd managed to wrap my arms most of the way around his neck. To keep me from dangling, Medved quickly wrapped his arms around me and a split second later he returned the kiss. There was pure and unadulterated emotion to it but it was proper and meaningful without any gratuitous lust or carnality, but there was also a longing there, burning as hot as his eyes gleamed Gold. In that moment, I realized that he desired me in so many ways that it was almost overwhelming; I also realized that the feelings weren't just his alone.
He let me break the kiss, quite obviously content to let it last as long as I wished it to. Still in his arms, I leaned forward and gave him another soft kiss on the muzzle. "I love you, my Bear... let's finish up here so we can get back home."
Medved smiled and as I slowly drew my arms back he set me down. "You lead the way and I shall keep you safe, Lapushka."
I had no doubt that he would. Paw-in-hand, I made my way out into the house's entryway with Medved in tow. My mom and dad were already up and seated in their respective chairs; my mom was reading on her tablet and my dad was looking at his old fashioned physical newspaper. My other three Spirits were interspersed throughout the living room with Tom reading over my dad's shoulder, Anapa sitting on the floor next to the coffee table, and Kyle flopped out on the sofa with a wing over his face.
The Jackal was the first to notice me. Ears raising, he offered a tentative "Naneah atoouwi, Hemet'netjer."
Although I knew the meaning of the words from being exposed to them, I couldn't understand him in the same way I had the prior night. He must have sensed what I was thinking as his eyes slowly drifted back down away from me, his ears drooping ever-so-slightly. I didn't have time to dwell on it because my mom noticed me a moment later. "Well good morning, sleepy head. I thought I heard you coming in last night."
My dad was much more straight-to-the-point. "Bob called from the tow yard."
I winced inwardly, realizing what was to come. My parents spent the next hour and a half quizzing me about the accident, expressing concern for me, and anger at the fact I hadn't called them or even spoken to them when I got home. Between a combination of apology and explaining that I was too embarrassed to tell them their van got demolished while I was borrowing it, my half-truth and evasions managed to get me through the worst of it without discussing the fact that I was pursuing evidence of a nefarious Spirit stealing Billy's Spirit Essence after he died-- the car accident was more than enough for their focus.
As the discussion winded down to a close with the usual "Well, we're just glad that you're not hurt." I had thought I was going to get out of there without too much of an issue... right until my mom added "Honey, I know you have a lot on your plate, but maybe you'd better just hang around the house today."
Dad was quick to add "Exactly. You can relax around here today so we can keep an eye on you... just in case."
With only a day and a half left to address what I needed to get done in town losing a whole day wasn't really an option. "No, it's okay-- I'M okay... and I really need too--"
Dad interjected immediately. "You still have that thing you're working on for the publisher... right? You can sit down in your room with your laptop and do that. We'll give you some space and you can get that done without any disruption. Whadda ya say, Sweetheart?"
Despite how much I wanted to say no, looking at my parents (and Tom scowling at me from behind my dad) it was hard to keep pushing, especially since their van was wrecked and I had avoided them all night and hadn't bothered so much as calling to let them know. "Alright... I guess I can work from here for a little bit...."
Although my plan had been to spend all day trying to follow up on leads I realized that it wasn't going to do any good racing right back out with my parents worried about me and, judging from Tom's disproval at the situation being as bad (or maybe worse) than my parents', I really needed to give in... even if it wasn't going to be as long as any of them would have liked. "... but maybe just til early afternoon. I REALLY should--"
Apparently neither of my parents were interested in objections. Mom put her tablet down immediately stating "Oh! There's still some breakfast ready for you-- French toast... your favorite!"
True, my mom's french toast was one of my favorite breakfasts but, when I heard that, a chill ran up my spine; she usually only went out of her way to make them if specifically asked, when she was apologizing for something, or when she was particularly worried. Considering how I'd been acting since I first arrived I guess my folks did have a reason to be worried. That sense of concern only got worse when my dad added "We got a call this morning from Allen at the coroner's office... he said you stopped by yesterday..."
Letting out a sigh, I made my way to the kitchen. "Yeah, I did..."
They followed in silently and stopped right as I did; in addition to the French toast waiting on the table there was also a folder. My mom said calmly "We wanted to talk to you but we weren't sure how to bring it up. When we got the call from the coroner saying you came to ask him some questions we realized that we'd been too wrapped up in our own grief and too hands-off. We should have been more focused on you... more direct. and given you the chance to ask questions... so, we're sorry, Stephanie."
It wasn't the kind of talk I'd expected and, for a moment, I felt horrible about putting my parents into such a position. Realizing that getting to see the papers was exactly what I needed though so I set the introspection and regret aside. My parents sat down with me, waiting silently for me to go through the folder which, unfortunately, didn't tell me anything new. It confirmed what the coroner had said about the name of the paramedic that had filled everything out and the timelines involved.
It was Kyle that noticed a discrepancy on the timeline. "It doesn't take an hour to get from the river to the hospital."
I spoke my response aloud. "Billy was missing for an hour?"
The statement caught both of my parents by surprise and both leaned in to look at what I had to point out. They were both quick to dismiss the discovery and my dad said "Stephanie... there were police there, and the paramedics didn't arrive immediately. I'm sure an hour between when the accident happened and when he arrived at the hospital is perfectly normal."
Kyle objected. "Except the ambulance was there in, like, minutes."
Something else caught my eye. "And here it says there was only one paramedic. Doesn't an ambulance need at LEAST two? You know... one to drive, and one to deal with whomever is being transported?"
My mom reached across the table and took my hands in hers. "Stef, honey... what's this all about? What are you hoping to find? Your brother is gone and no amount of combing over the details is going to change that... we just... find a way to move on."
I pulled my hands out of hers and sat up straight in my chair. It's difficult to figure out how to respond when you know nothing you can say is going to make sense no matter how you phrase it... especially when you have secrets to keep. Did I have to keep the secrets? Did I even have to answer? I--
2) -- realized that no, I didn't owe them any answers. "Everyone has ways to deal with things and this is mine. I just want closure, okay?"
3) -- had spent so much time pushing them away that it was obvious they were worried, and I had to do something to reassure them. "I'm not obsessing... but I need to know. If you want to help, then help me find answers... please?"
4) -- took a deep breath; no, I shouldn't have to keep secrets from my parents. Looking around to my Spirit companions I returned my gaze to my parents. "Listen... I need to tell you guys something... a little crazy..."
I think 4 is the answer. They should know of old family stories and so the news would not be that strange to them. Admittedly they might have trouble believing at first but Stef can handle that and it would help to have them all on the same page.
While (4) would be wonderful, I believe it would get her a one-way ticket to a 72-hour observation ... Some people, some family you can share this sort of thing with, but in Stef's case, I don't think her parents would be open to it, and to then be presented with the loss of their sun due to murder would open old wounds and send them down a dark path, without the aid of Spirits to help them.
So it's (3) for me please! :)
3 Please.
3 for me!
-TGU.