Sorry that I haven't updated in a little while. Things are picking up at work and it's distracted me completely. During a break and trying to break away from stress, I wrote this chapter. I hope you enjoy it, so let me know what you think!
Coming Together Chapter 12
Poseidon immediately lets go of Hermes after straightening and turning him to face Mom.
"Sally," Dad greets as he slips an arm around my shoulders and grins nervously. Yep, he is definitely embarrassed.
Mom doesn't reply. Instead, she continues to hold her hands on her hips and glare at him. "I'm waiting, Poseidon." When she starts tapping her foot, I notice that Dad runs his fingers through his jet black hair and I'm surprised. He's nervous, too!
I look back at Mom and see a mountain of strength rolling off of her in waves. It would have to in order to intimidate not one but two gods and one demigod.
"Mom," I begin to try to ease the tension in the room.
Mom's eyes move to mine only temporarily. "I wasn't talking to you, Percy," she says shortly. "I want to hear this from your father."
Poseidon glances at the other god beside me before saying, "Hermes is lying to Percy, Sally. He's trying to drive a wedge between us and I won't stand for it." Dad steps forward and holds both arms out to his sides rigidly. "He's trying to win Percy's favor and I…" He trails off.
I notice my mom's expression softens momentarily, but then she shakes her head and questions, "And, your grand solution is to come here and act like an ass?"
It seems like I'm not the only one who's never heard Mom use such language. Not only do I widen my eyes, so does Dad and Hermes.
Mom is on a roll, though, and keeps going. "In the past when I read some of the Greek Mythology, I actually questioned whether all of it was true. I mean, some of the situations the Gods concerned themselves with were downright petty and foolish! I was so sure there had to be more to it than what those books told, but looking at this situation tells me that maybe it is true! Apparently, you Gods are just as dimwitted as the myths say you are!"
"Mom!" I cry, trying to stop her. I don't think Dad or Hermes will attack Mom for her words, but maybe Zeus is listening and I wouldn't put it past him! I run to her side and ask softly, "Do you really think you should be saying that right now?"
Sally looks back at Poseidon and sighs. "Why can't the Gods ever talk instead of threatening war and destroying everything in sight when they have a problem? Percy told me about this business with the pin. Really, Poseidon?"
Poseidon looks thoroughly chastised, which surprises me more than I can say. He turns to Hermes and asks, "Can you leave? I want to talk to them about this alone."
For a moment, I think Hermes is going to refuse, but then Mom interrupts. "I think that's a great idea."
Whatever he was going to say dies on his lips and he nods before saying, "If that's what you want." He looks at me and winks. "See you around, Percy."
I don't say anything back. I just turn my head away as he disappears in a bright light.
When I'm alone with my parents, we just stand there for several seconds before Mom questions, "What did you want to say? We're alone now."
Dad looks at me briefly before meeting Mom's intense gaze. I am curious to hear what he has to say, too, and I don't have to wait very long. "I don't want to lose Percy," he begins softly. "He's just gotten to know me. He accepts me as his father and I know…" His voice breaks and he quickly clears his throat to continue, "I know he's noticing that Hermes is being much more of a father to him than I've ever been and I can't bear it."
My eyes widen. While a part of me knew this was probably the case (and I remember I almost did think that to myself at one point), I'm shocked to hear my father confirm it aloud.
Poseidon meets my eyes and says, "I know I'm not the father you always wanted and I know we don't get to spend as much time together as we both wish we could, but I'm selfish. I don't want you to replace me." He then squeezes his eyes shut for a moment and then insists, "But that's not all this is! Hermes really is lying! I know it!"
"How can you be so sure?" Sally questions gently. "Zeus believed wholeheartedly that Percy stole his lightning bolt and look how wrong he was. This is where the gods go wrong constantly. All of you react immediately instead of waiting to discover the truth. Hermes may be trying to develop a stronger relationship with Percy, but he doesn't get to see his kids either. Maybe this is his way of coping. Have you tried to talk to him about it instead of yelling at him?"
Dad turns around and shakes his head. He brings a hand to his face and I hear him say weakly, "That won't change how I feel. Percy is my only demigod son. Hermes has many. And, he has so many others who are not his children in his cabin that he can see if he wants. Why choose my son to grow close to? There's more to this, Sally, and I don't want Percy to get hurt emotionally or physically." He turns around and I can see a redness in his eyes that wasn't there before.
I want to run and hug him, but I'm nervous about actually doing it. We've only hugged once in my dreams. And, yes, he threw an arm over me when he stayed the night with me at our apartment in New York, but that doesn't really count. We were alone and our actions were hidden behind the veil of my supposedly being asleep. I don't know how he would feel about hugging now while we're both awake and really here, so instead, I try to reassure him verbally. "Hermes will never replace you. You're my dad. And, I seriously don't believe Hermes would hurt me in any way. I think he's telling the truth about the pin."
Dad immediately shakes his head and flaps his hands wildly at his side. It's almost like he's saying to Mom, "See!"
Refusing to doubt myself, I step closer to him and announce firmly, "I think someone is trying to set both you and Hermes up, Dad, and I think it's time we found out who."
Dad stares at me for several seconds before he finally smiles. He opens his mouth to say something when suddenly a loud crash of thunder booms outside the cabin. I'm fearful that this storm is from Zeus instead of my father and my worries are confirmed when Dad looks up and then sighs.
"I have to go to Olympus," he mumbles. He places a hand on my shoulder and gives it a firm squeeze before looking at my mom once more. He nods at her and says her name again.
When he disappears, I can't help but sit down on the couch and replay everything that just occurred. I don't know how long I'm consumed by my thoughts, but when I finally snap out of it, I turn towards the kitchen and announce, "Mom, I need to call Annabeth. Can I use your cell phone?" We both know it's not a good idea for demigods to use cellphones—it's like sending up a flare to announce to every monster in a hundred miles that I'm here—but I need to take this risk. There's something I just have to ask her…
=)=)=)
Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
