Chapter 8
In the yellow color sunroom Reid sat on the white wicker chair as he watched Thea contently reading a book. He glanced back at the book he was 'reading' on the side table, then back at Thea, which he had mostly been watching. She seemed so petite and yet, looking closer, you could see the muscular tone from swimming and training. Her feet were so small that they seemed to belong to an elf. Same with her hands, though softer. She had nice skin. And when her hair shined in the sun, it gave her dark auburn hair a more red shade to it.
He asked, "Why didn't you dye your hair back?"
Thea glanced up and asked, "Hmm…. Sorry, what did you say? I kind of got sucked into my book."
Reid repeated his question and Thea shrugged her shoulders. "I think I may like it. Maybe? Plus, your mom wouldn't let me through the front doors unless I was Amelia."
Reid shook his head, "What my," he stressed on the word, "mother, thinks is irrelevant. If you want to be blonde be blonde. If you like this auburn color keep it."
Thea inclined, "And it doesn't matter to you what color I dye my hair?"
Reid said nonchalant, "No. It's your hair and whatever you like should be the only thing that matters."
Thea laughed, "When did you become so wise?"
Reid smiled, "Oh, I've always been wise. I just didn't want to show up Caleb too much."
Thea glanced down at her book, "But seriously do you prefer me as a blonde or as an auburn better?"
Reid placed his hand to his face as he tried to seriously think. Right off the bat he thought, blonde. Because that's the type he would be most lucky with. Blondes always have more fun. Though red heads are known for being sexu….Oh, stop. Thea isn't like that. She's smart , easy going, fun and innocent. She somehow has this certain glow about her. Happiness. And when I think of the color of happy, I think….
He looked over to Thea, "Blonde." Thea nodded her head and settled back down on her stomach to read more.
She asked, "Why aren't you reading?"
Reid replied, "Not that interesting." Thea still staring at her book tried to hide a smile.
She asked, "Oh. Are the books under your bed better?"
Reid for once in his life was beyond flustered, "What? How do you?"
A giggle escaped her mouth and she replied, "Real original spot, Reid." She reached back and pulled her shirt further down. Reid intensely stared at her back remembering the bandages that kept her burn hidden. When he finds Lydia, she was going to have hell to pay.
Thea quickly glanced over and asked, "Are you okay?"
Reid smirked, "Yea, I am." He scratched his head and asked, "Thea, I…can I, umm…." He didn't want to come off rude, but finding the words was hard. Damn, he sounded like he was forming a stutter. "Can I see it? If it's cool with you?"
Thea turned her head to face him, "You want to see my mark?" Reid shook his head and she sat up and shrugged her shoulders, "Okay. But only if you want too. No freaking out."
Reid rolled his eyes, "I don't freak out." She lifted her shirt showing a three inch circle. Inside the circle it had a hollow star trek symbol with a line going across it horizontally, making an A? Embedded in the star trek symbol were these funny lines that made a stick figure man.
Thea let the material fall back down and she said, "There are three symbols you need to know to understand this mark. The A symbolizes Anarchy, which is the absence of all laws and disobedience of any existing laws."
Reid said, "Oh. I thought it was like the star trek symbol."
Thea smiled, "Okay in the bottom of the star trek symbol is the Blair Witch sign. It symbolizes magic or charms among medieval alchemists and wizards."
Reid asked, "That's the one that looks like a man, right?"
Thea nodded her head, "Yep. And finally, going down the center of the star trek badge is an arrow, which also connects to the Blair witch sign. This symbol stands for the god Tac, which in Anglo-Saxon traditions meant a rune of death. Arrow also can mean readiness for battle and affliction." She stood up and sat in a chair, "Now if you put all these symbols together you get the message of the witch hunters. They will break any laws and do whatever it takes to kill witches. Even if it means taking their own life."
Reid sat up and asked, "Why did she go after you then?"
She sighed, "In my pervious life, when I guarded your father's generation, she wasn't interested in us, just the convent. But you see our job is to protect you, so…."
Reid cut her off, "You were getting in the way of her mission."
Thea replied, "Exactly. But…."
Reid inquired, "What?"
She glanced down, "Witch hunters are mortal. I don't think Lydia is human anymore." He sat up more in his chair and tried to lighten the tension, "Are you saying the zombie apocalypse is coming?"
Thea laughed, "Sort off, I guess. I do think she's been raised from the dead. Why else would she be working with Gabriel again after he betrayed her?"
He shrugged his shoulders, "Why did she team up with him in the first place? He's a witch too."
Thea explained, "What Abby understood was that she saw five witches that were a coven, a bigger threat. So she planned to use Gabriel to destroy the covenant, and then kill Gabriel after.
Reid snorted, "I guess he beat her to the punch then." Thea nodded her head and glanced down at her watch to see it was 12:13.
Reid asked as he looked around, "Are their more of them?"
Thea nodded her head, "Yes. But it's hard for them to pin point where witches are located. Especially if any of the descendants of the council are around. Their job is to keep witches tracks hidden and help protect you."
Reid face held perplex, "You don't know if they're around?"
Shaking her head, Thea said, "No. I don't have a clue whom your councilor could be, if there is one. Hmm…." Thea went into deep thought before saying, "Though with all your using and attention you get from Gabriel and us, you probably have one. Or else I doubt only Lydia would be trying to kill you right now."
Reid eyes light up with excitement, "Do you have any clue who it could be?"
She was about to respond when Miss Wendell, one of the house maids, said, "Your mother would like to speak with you Mr. Garwin." Reid's eyes quickly went to Thea and Miss Wendell said, "Oh, Miss Darcy can join too."
As Miss Wendell was about to turn around and leave Reid slouched in his chair and said sarcastically, "This should be good."
Thea said, "Reid, not in front of others."
Miss Wendell was gone now as Reid replied, "Oh, come on she and you had a smile."
Thea laughed, "Yes, but I know I can keep stuff to myself. Trust me, nothing is worse when a maid knows a secret. They gossip."
Reid followed Thea to the living room, "Why does this sound like it's coming from an experience?"
Thea looked back and whispered, "Because I was a maid in a previous life."
As he opened the door to the living room, the imaged of what Thea would look like in a maid outfit formed in his mind. He wondered if she held a feathery duster and the skirt was short enough….Why was Thea this cruel? Teasing him…wait was she flirting?
He glanced away from Thea trying to focus on something else and that's when he noticed in the corner by the fireplace someone was sitting in uncomfortable red chair. Only an arm with a maroon sleeve showed. It looked like the silk robe his mother kept in her closet. Moving closer Thea shifted in front of Reid, which in retaliation he was pushing her back. The mysterious man's hand grabbed the glass of brandy off the side table.
"Nice to finally see you again Reid." He stood up and turned around saying, "Oh, we still have Miss Darcy with us."
Both of them froze in the moment seeing Scott standing before them. Thea asked hotly, "Why are you here?"
Scott rested his one arm on the mantel piece and replied, "I was invited of course."
She looked over to Reid confused and whispered, "Invited?"
Reid pushed his whole body in front of Thea and he said in a deadly tone, "Get out of my house."
Scott took a sip of his brandy and replied, "I will soon, but I want to say good bye to Meredith before I leave."
Reid hands where starting to shake as he said forcefully, "Where is she?"
Scott smiled, "In the bathroom. She'll be joining us in a couple minutes to tell you the good news."
Reid gave a chuckle, "The only good news would be never seeing your ugly face and possibly seeing you back behind bars again."
Scott matched Reid's mocking laugh, "Good one." He was still smiling like he knew something that would turn the tables. "But I won't be going back with my good behavior. I'm a changed man; I don't do dope and well, at least, excessive amounts of drinking. I thought you would be on top of these things."
Reid said sarcastically, "Sorry, I have more important things than checking up scum bags like you, Scot…."
Scott cut him off by saying, "Dad."
Reid stopped and asked confused, "What?" Reid thought to himself, how many did he have to call him dad?
Scott replied, "Call me dad. Step-son."
There were many things that Reid could handle, for instance Caleb's constant lectures, his mother's craziness, the addiction, but thinking his mom + Scott =? It just didn't compute in his mind, before it clicked. Guest. Robe. His mother not here often to nag him. Quickly rage took over Reid and he shoved Scott into the stone wall of the fireplace while holding him by his night shirt. Thea was about to reacted when the doors open and Mrs. Garwin entered the room. She asked confused and concern at their stances, "What's going on?"
Scott gripped onto Reid hands prying them from his shirt. He replied, "I almost fell back if Reid didn't catch me." Mrs. Garwin still held disbelief in her eyes as Scott and Reid separated from each other.
Reid marched over, "I was about to ask you the same question." He pointed to Scott, "Why are you with him?"
Mrs. Garwin ran her hand through her hair seeming disheveled, "You told him?"
Scott nodded his head, "Sorry, Meredith, I thought he take it better."
Reid said aggravated, "What's wrong with you. You're still married."
Mrs. Garwin's eyes turned cold as Scott looked over shocked, "You're married?"
She said bitterly, "Was married. My husband is somewhere. Probably dead."
Scott was becoming nervous at this new information and said, "You're not sure?"
Meredith said indifferent, "After no one's seen him for seven years he's been pronounced," she choked a little on her last word, "dead." She turned to her son, "And don't you ever say things like that to me. I'm not allowed to have someone else. Only you're allowed to date as many people as you want, but I'm old so I have to be bitter and alone?"
Reid was shocked by his mother's words. She continued to say, "You're just like him so selfish, worthless, and a coward. Doesn't care about anyone but his damn self." As she ranted it was becoming clearer she was referring more about her husband than Reid. "I don't care that he's gone. If he wanted to be here so damn bad he would be."
A knock on the door interrupted Mrs. Garwin, "Um…I'm sorry Mrs. Garwin. I didn't mean to intrude, but you have a guest at the door." Mrs. Garwin not really caring about the person at the door said "They can wait." She grabbed the brandy off of Scott and in one shot gulped it down.
Without hesitation she said to Scott, "Well, fill it up." After a fourth shot she stared at Reid with sad eyes, "Why did you have to look like him?"
"Why, what's wrong with the way I look?" The glass from Mrs. Garwin's hand slipped at hearing the stranger's voice. Everyone turned around quickly to see a man holding a bag by his side. Reid didn't need to think twice at assuming this was his father. Reid was the spitting image of his father; he had his facial structures, ice blue eyes and light blonde hair, only his father's hair was cut shorter.
As everyone stared in shock, Reid didn't know how to feel. This was the man that had abandoned them and had messed up everything. He was the selfish, addicted moron his mother complained about his whole life. But closely looking at him, he didn't seem like some worthless bum. No, he was dress in clean comfy jean pants, a t-shirt and sneaks. Hmm…he was built, tall and had a six a clock shadow.
Breaking away from his staring, Reid noticed his mother got one word out before passing out. "Sam."
Shifting his bag over his shoulder Sam said, "Always the drama queen, that one." He walked over to Scott and said, "Samuel Garwin." He emphasized on his last name. "Mr. Garwin. But you can call me Sam. What's your name, kid?"
Scott was beyond white as he squeaked, "Um. Scott Warner."
Giving a tight squeeze on Scott's shoulder, Sam said, "Well I think your time over here is done. Don't you think? Unless, you're going to hit on a married woman again."
Scott shook his head and maneuvered around the red chair. "Ah, no. Sir. I mean Sam. I'll be just getting my stuff."
As Scott was inching toward the doors of the living room Sam said sarcastically, "Oh, will you put my pajamas in the hamper. I hate dirty clothes." Scott nodded his head and took off quickly. Sam let out a sigh as he turned around the room. He spotted Reid and knew by his looks it was his son. He wanted to say something but the words wouldn't come instead he swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Can you get some water for your mother?" Sam said this as he raised her off the floor and onto the couch.
….
Caleb's eyes opened as he stared at the ceiling of his bedroom. Today was the day. He knew he had to get his butt out of bed, but instead he lay there for a few minutes more. Glancing over his clock he saw it was 1:14. As he got up he thought to himself, I guess I over slept a bit. There was a quiet knock and Gorman asked, "May I come in, sir?" Caleb shook his head at Gorman's resistance to call him by his first name.
He cleared his throat and said, "You can Gorman." Gorman opened the door and he held a basket of his clothes.
"Your clothes are done, sir. And on top I have your suit ready for today."
Caleb gave a half smile and said, "Thank you. Is my mother up?"
Gorman was putting his other clothes away said, "Yes, Mr. Danvers. She's in the dining hall eating lunch. Yours is ready too, if you would care to join her?"
Caleb nodded his head and replied, "I will. But I'm going to get changed first."
Gorman stepped away from the basket and said, "Yes sir. I'll inform Mrs. Danvers then."
When Gorman left, Caleb released a heavy sigh. He needed to make sure he had himself together before going down to his mother. He slipped into his grey dress pants and button up his white shirt. He glanced over at his mirror on the dresser that held four pictures on the bottom. The first was a picture of his brothers and himself together in a boat when they were nine.
The next was everyone at Penn's cook out. Reid, who was red in areas after doing his belly flop, was caring Thea on his back. Kylie had pulled Abby and Tyler in a head lock. Serenity and Chase sat on the ground trying to focus their children's attention on the camera. But failed, Chastity began to make her pooh-pooh face (cheeks blown out and face red) while Austin just stared at his father. Penn was in the back of all us kids, with his arms wrapped around Holly. And over to the right was Rae, with only her butt, arms and legs showing, as Caleb picked her up in a fire fighter man's hold. He was covered head to toe in dirt. And Pogue was holding hands with Kate.
There was Rae's school picture from junior year, which blocked Kate out of the second picture. And finally one good picture he had of his family. They were all together in the parlor on Christmas Day. He was only five at the time. But his father lay on his stomach on the floor showing Caleb the lever on the toy bulldozer would move up and down. His mother, young and smiling was sitting close by collecting the shreds of paper. Caleb glanced up to the mirror to fix his blue tie and then back at the picture. Weird, he did look a lot like him. Giving one more look at the picture; this was the image he would remember his father; forever happy and youthful. Not the miserable, lonely, decrepit man he died as. He grabbed his jacket off his bed and headed down stairs.
Entering the dining room, he saw a plateful of pancakes sitting on a dish by his mother's seat. His mother dabbed the tears away quickly, and she gave a smile as she patted the seat next to her, "Caleb, a growing boy needs to eat." It was a contradiction that she was telling him to eat when she barely touched her eggs.
As Caleb made his first swallow he asked, "How are you?"
His mother looked away from her eggs toward him, "I'm okay. You alright?" Caleb nodded his head, but knew he wasn't. He could barely eat after his five bites of food.
Gorman entered the room and said, "The car is set whenever you are ready to go." Mrs. Danvers stood up and grabbed her over stuffed purse, which had tissues sticking out from the zipper.
She said, "Thank you Gorman." She turned to Caleb, "I'll be in the car waiting. You finish your breakfast." She left the room and Caleb stared at the food. He just didn't have it in him to take another bite.
"Sir, I'll dispose of it if you feel you can't finish."
Gorman must have been watching him try to force a mouthful in. Caleb nodded his head, "Thanks." As Caleb stood up, "Did my mother take the flowers?"
Gorman was opening the front door, "Yes, Mr. Danvers. Everything is set for you to visit the cemetery." Caleb nodded his head and walked to the car hoping this visit would be more pleasant than his last.
….
Standing in the kitchen Reid stood still as Thea grabbed for a glass cup. She turned around and faced him, "Reid. Are you okay?"
Reid glanced up from his staring at the counter and said, "I don't know. Right now I can't feel anything toward him." He kept questioning himself. Shouldn't he feel happy his long lost father wasn't dead? Or possibly anger that he left him. Never once did he make contact until now.
Thea filled the cup up with water, "You're probably in shock."
Reid shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Maybe." Or maybe he just didn't care what his dad did anymore; he was just a stranger now.
Smash. They both looked at the door hearing another cracking noise coming from the living room. Reid said, "I guess mother is awake." He was about to open the door when Thea grabbed him.
She said, "Maybe I should go first so your mother doesn't mistake you for Sam." Reid nodded his head in agreement.
"I thought you were dead! Eight years you've been gone. Eight. And now you show up?"
Mr. Garwin hid behind a statue, "To be fair Meredith, I wasn't in the right mind at the time. But I'm better now."
She replied, "What you've decided to stop using, you addicted moron. To actually pay attention to other people's needs and desires. I told you to stop." She threw a vase at him, but it shattered to the wall next to him.
Sam said, "I know, but I was sick…."
Meredith exclaimed, "Why are you back?"
Sam moved toward her quick knowing objects were out of her grasp and said, "I wanted to visit Will."
She pushed her hair out of her face, "Well you're too late. William died last year from his over abuse."
Sam rolled his eyes, "I know Meredith. I came to visit his grave. And if possible, too see my son."
Meredith laughed, "You're really something. Thinking you could waltz back into our lives like nothing happened." She poked his chest, "Well do I got some news for you, buddy. It's not happening. You left and that's the end."
Sam's temper began to flare, "Now wait a second, Mere."
Her eyes opened wide, "Don't you dare call me that."
Sam continued to say, "This is coming from the woman who abandoned me after a month of marriage. Left no note. Didn't tell me where she was going or why?"
Meredith moved closer to him, "It was two months. And you damn well know why I left."
Sam grimaced, "Yes. I'm sorry Meredith, but I thought I could just keep them hidden…."
Meredith said snidely, "And what? Wait until a month before you accidently run out in front of a car going 65 m.p.h and live."
Sam moved to put his hands on her shoulder, but she stepped back, "I just wanted to seem normal. Have a normal life."
Meredith shook her head, "That's one thing you never got Sam. You're never going to be normal. And you not telling before was wrong. I would have accepted you."
Sam looked up in disbelieve, "Really, Mere?"
She straightened herself, "Maybe at first I would have been frazzled, but I eventually would get over it and moved on." She said emphasizing each word, "I'm your wife. You shouldn't keep any secrets from me."
He snorted, "Pot calling the kettle black. Who was the one that hid the fact she was pregnant? Or that I was soon to be a father?"
She gasped, "That was different."
He started to make circles around her, "How so Meredith?"
She said, "I was terrified. I was only fifteen and pregnant. Your family hated me and my family could care less what happened to me."
Sam shook his head remembering how her father signed the paper without a care, like he was happy to get rid of her. Drunken bastard. Meredith continued on, "You pulled that magic trick on me. I felt so alone. So scared."
He yelled aggravated, "I was there for you Meredith. Always have. Always will." Sam grabbed her hand, "When I took that oath I meant it."
She pulled her hand away, "I highly doubt that."
He said in disbelief, "I spent eight years trying to find you. Eight."
Meredith turned around and said bitterly, "And we saw how that turned out. Do you know how bad it hurt to see her husband slowly throw his life away?"
Sam intently looked in her eyes asking for forgiveness, "Mere. I'm sorry that I became an addict and that I neglected you and Reid. But I can't change what I did or how I was feeling when I began to lose my best friend. All I can do is keep moving forward and hope I can make it up to you two in the time I'm given now."
She stepped toward the stairs, "Sometimes, time can't heal all wounds Sam." Meredith said as she looked up the stairs, "But if Reid wants to see you, he can. I highly doubt he will. And you're not staying here."
She turned her face around to see Sam, "As you wish, Mere." Her eyes for a moment held emotions Reid hadn't seen in his mother ever. Sadness. Vulnerability. And Relief. Meredith turned up the stairs without another glance at her husband.
In the door way both Reid and Thea had watch the scene unfold. Sam placed his hand over his face and mumbled to himself, "I should have planned this out better. Where the heck am I going to stay?"
Thea walked over to Sam enjoying the fact he hadn't changed. Take action, think later. Thea said, "Mr. Garwin, your welcome to stay in the spare bed room at my house. Though fair warning a lot of people live there." Sam held genuine smile at her generosity, but he had to decline. It'd be too uncomfortable to be staying at Reid's girlfriend's house; it felt like it would be a bad first impression on his son. He replied, "Thank you for the offer a…what's your name?"
She chirped in, "Thea Hastings."Reid walked behind Thea and wrapped his arms around her torso.
Sam nodded his head, "Thea. But I feel better if I stop by Evelyn's or stay with James. He's still around?" They began to move toward the door to go outside.
Reid spoke up, "Sometimes. They usually travel a lot with work." When they reached Reid's crap bucket, the car he bought with his own money, (he didn't want Meredith to have any power to take away his mode of transportation for it was his) Thea stepped into the passenger seat of the car. Sam said while by Reid's car, "If it means anything, she's a keeper, Reid."
Reid glanced over, "Well just giving you a heads up. My mo…I mean, Mom doesn't know her real name."
Sam seemed in deep thought before looking curious over at Reid, "What's her undercover name?"
Reid answered, "Amelia Darcy."
Sam winked at Reid before opening his door, "Thanks for the heads up." Reid looked at him cautiously for he wasn't sure he could trust him. A test was about to present himself. Reid said, "You won't tell?"
Sam delayed getting into his side, he smirked. He nodded his head as he whispered, "We wouldn't want to give your mom a stroke, now would we." He gave him a mischievous smile before he climbed into the car.
Thea cranked down her window and said to Reid, "Hurry up we don't want to be late for the celebration."
Reid shook his head as he got in, "Don't worry we'll get there in plenty time. It's not like your driving." He glanced up in the rear view mirror to see Thea sticking her tongue out at him.
She said, "Just drive."
…
Staring out his car window, he watched how the blur of houses slowly dissipated and was replaced by more and more trees. It wasn't until the car passed the small white church called St. Agatha that they would turn right and go up the hill past many grave stones. As the gravestones became more scattered and less, Caleb heard a sniffle close by him. He didn't turn to face his mother for he knew she would rather be ignored when crying. Finally the car stopped on the dusty road kicking up dirt.
Gorman's voice broke the silence, "Are you ready to go, Mrs. Danvers?" She put her used tissue in her purse and grabbed Caleb's hand, "Let's go." Gorman got out and opened his mother's door, while Caleb got out of the car stepping on the crunchy brown grass. Walking forward past the trees, he spotted his father's tomb by the big willow tree. Mrs. Danvers's said to Gorman, "Isn't this better. I'm so happy I bought off all the other plots around him. No one's crowding him." She swallowed and said softly, "He always hated crowds."
The initial shock of seeing his father's tombstone wasn't bad for he accepted his death. What surprised him when he entered the property was the completely green and nicely cut grass. Not even weeds were around the grave. Did his mother pay for this to be done during a drought?
His mother stood by his grave and said, "Oh, look other people came to visit him." Caleb turned to face the stone and saw it had many flowers or cards by it. His mother began to tear up as they stood still in front of it. She placed the red roses by the grave and she kissed her hand and placed it on the stone. Getting up her eyes were red and puffy and she said, "Take me to the car, Gorman." She placed her hand on Caleb's shoulder, "Take your time darling. Don't rush."
Caleb watched them leave and turned back to the grave. Kneeling down he said, "I'm sorry, Dad. For blaming you and thinking you'd rather be out with your friends instead of me. Rae told me." He took a deep breath. "You spent so much time with them because you were trying to get better. Forcing yourself not to use and you wanted your friends to help support and stop your actions. But…it didn't work."
He glanced down to see Rae's favorite flower. White Orchids with the red center. "I promise to be the best man I can be. I'm going to make you proud." His eyes began to tear up. "I know now you love me. I just hate that I had to realize this by your sacrifice."
He wiped the tears away and sat down on the grass. Picking up the orchid, he wished only for one person to be there. Not his mother, not Pogue, not even Gorman, who was always there throughout his childhood. Molly didn't even enter his mind. He wanted Rae. She always made a situation seem less depressing and gave that positive feeling that everything was going to be alright.
Caleb curiously looked at the cards and wondered who else had visited. Picking up a card he saw:
Will,
You had been there throughout my whole childhood. Never in a million years did I think this cursed disease would catch you. You seemed invincible. But I guess that's what all teens think. I miss you. And I thank you for everything you've done for me. Especially, when I lost my world. Monica. Thank you, brother. Forever will you be in my memories.
Penn
Dear William,
I am glad to have known you. I realize that we had lost a special person. You are in our thoughts and prayers always.
James and Diana Simms
To William Mr. Danvers Caleb's Dad,
I'm not very good with words, so my apologies. But I do miss you and I'm sorry you had to leave. You were my role model when I was younger and a second chance at having someone close to a father. I admired your wit and view on life. Yea, that's about it.
Reid
Caleb glanced around to see if Rae left a note, but after moving everyone's stuff around he found none. "You won't find one." Caleb whipped his head around to see Rae in a simple orange sun dress. She said, "Well from me at least. I already said what I wanted earlier." She sat down next to Caleb and propped her flowers back up. Caleb looked around and Rae asked, "Did I interrupt? I can come back later."
Caleb shook his head, "No. I finished a while ago." Rae played with a blade of green grass between her lips trying to make it whistle.
"What is it like to die? Is it painful? "
Rae almost swallowed the blade of grass and coughed out, "What?"
He shifted closer to Rae, "You died before in old age. Was it bad?" Rae could feel her stomach tighten up at this sore subject. This wasn't the greatest time to tell him they were killed, right?
She replied, "Umm…it's quick and painless." Well after Gabriel had his fun torturing us before death. "But I never made it to the other side. When we die it's like we end up in this realm where time stops and we just wait until the next life. It's dark and lonely actually." Caleb seemed surprised, "Oh. I always thought you be in your own heaven with people you like."
Rae smirked, "What did you think my heaven would be like? Up in the clouds with fat, naked angles?"
Caleb laughed, "Definitely not. I thought it be somewhere you find familiar and relaxing. A place that feels like home."
Rae asked intrigued, "What did you imagine?"
Caleb shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. Maybe it would be a big, open bedroom that would have a window seat for you to lie on. There the sun would light up the room and a light breeze would come in." Rae had her eyes closed imaging the place Caleb was describing and it seemed really nice. "And everything has to be white; after all it is heaven."
Rae opened her eyes and said, "It sounds really nice, Caleb. I approve this message. But you mentioned people. Who were the people I would have there? And would we all fit?"
He said, "Everyone could fit in there. It's a big room and besides we probably be just visiting. Unless…."
Rae moved in closer, "Yes."
Caleb shrugged his shoulders, "Unless you wanted some to stay with you permanently." Rae gave a laugh as she rearranged the bottom of her dress.
"I don't think anyone would want to be with me for eternity." She trailed off in thought with a sadden expression.
In an instant he wanted to hug her to death, but instead he said, "I would." Rae looked up quickly, shocked at Caleb's words.
She smiled and glanced down at the ground, "In case you haven't noticed Caleb I can be a bit difficult."
He said, "You're not difficult you're a...more challenging. Like me."
Rae shoved him a little and picked up her cell to see the time. "It's 3:24."
Caleb jumped up on his knees, "What! I left my mom waiting…."
Rae grabbed his hand and said, "She's gone. I told her I would take you. You ready birthday boy?"
He kept hold of Rae's hand, "Do you think it's wrong to celebrate my birthday when…."
She got up and pulled Caleb up from his hands. "No, I don't. You haven't forgotten your father by visiting him. Now it's time to move on with your life." Caleb glanced at his father's tomb and Rae wrapped her arm around his waist pulling, turning him around to face the path out. She said, "Come on, Caleb. I want cake." Caleb nodded his head and they both went to his house where everyone was coming to celebrate his 19th birthday.
