CHAPTER 9
Saint John had his life, and it was his to live, be he, Le van Hawke, had just as much right to live his own how he saw fit. If his father could run off to war half way around the world at twenty, what was so wrong with disappearing for a few hours, maybe a day or two, to get his point across? Nothing he could think of. Why did it feel so wrong then?
He clamored further up the tree as the sound of voices drew closer, sure he could evade his pursuers, but at the same time not completely sure wanted to. He didn't want to look stupid and just give up, but by the same token, he was tired of running.
Would going back change anything though? he wondered. If Ellie and Saint John weren't going to stay together, why should he stay? Who was to say he wouldn't be the next one to be kicked out?
Even as he carefully crawled backwards and higher into the tree, a small twig broke off when his hand hit it and soundlessly fell to the ground.
Or not so soundlessly.
Both Hawkes below looked upward for the source of the noise as if it had been a thunderous explosion instead of a tiny twig.
"Daddy, I found him," Chance announced, pointing directly at Le.
Trust the little kid to get him into trouble. That's how it always seemed to work.
"I see him," Hawke acknowledged, laying eyes on the boy. "You planning on coming back any time soon?" he asked casually, no hint of anger or irritation evident in his voice. "You know, Ellie and Saint John are pretty worried about you. They had something they wanted to tell you."
"I already know what they have to say and I'm not interested."
"I take it you aren't too fond of the idea."
"I take it you are, that or you just don't care at all."
"Why would you think that?"
"You had to know what's been going on, he tells you everything. You never did anything about it though, never tried to stop it."
"Stop it? I never knew I was supposed to."
"He's happy with her, I know you're noticed that. Why didn't you do something, not let this happen?"
"Come on down," Hawke invited, finally understanding what this was really all about. "I think we need to talk and clear some things up."
Le edged forward a little but refused to leave the tree.
"Ok, I guess that's close enough. What exactly did you hear?"
"What does it matter? I heard enough."
"Please," he requested, "so we're on the same page."
"Josh came in this morning and said he's going home. I snuck out to the living room and listened to part of their conversation."
"How much did you hear?"
"Enough."
"Alright, let me fill you in on the parts you missed then. I understand your being upset, I would in your place too. But remember we all love you and want you to be happy. You're always welcome to stay with Cait and me if you want to, or just to talk too. Before you run off though, listen to the whole conversation. Joshua and Ellie Mae are going home, but not because of an argument or being kicked out by Saint John. The plan was for you all to go. Her house is already paid for, so no more rent payments; plus, it's a lot bigger and you could have your own room. It isn't far away either. If you don't want to move, I suggest you talking to them instead of running away, usually worked a little better for me."
"But they're not breaking up?" Le asked, sliding down from the tree.
"No, quite the opposite. You had better hope one of those kids Cait's carrying around turns out to be a girl though, or we're going to have a problem when the subject of flower girls comes up."
\A/
"They're coming!" Josh proclaimed from his perch at the window, "they found him."
Excitedly the remaining search party had gathered inside and crowded out the door toward the threesome walking up the path.
Caught up in a flurry of hugs from his father, Ellie, and soon to be stepbrother, LE no longer had any doubt String had been telling the truth. It was only a misunderstanding and things would all work out, one way or another, in the end.
