Chapter 55
Back in Washington, summer went on. When Embry Jr. returned, it was business as usual. Nathan was enjoying having a room to himself, yet Roxanne still slept at the foot of his bed, regardless of her size. She'd gotten huge since winter when they found her and she was very close to being full grown. Her coat grew in to be a fluffy grey and she was a slender framed wolf with only her fur giving her any size. She still followed Nathan around everywhere and even if she ever wandered into the woods, she was always back within a few hours with a rabbit in her mouth proud of her kill. On more than one occasion, Roxanne had brought Nathan a dead bird or some sort of animal she'd hunted and would give it to him as a present. He always praised her for her kill and would later bury the animal. Roxanne didn't seem offended.
The twins and triplets were as close as ever and played together every day. With Roxanne, they enjoyed playing with her and would always have her tuckered out by the end of the day. Sometimes, they would be tasked with looking after the younger siblings since Aidie preferred to spend time with her friends. Thanks to visiting the General Store from time to time, Aidie wound up being introduced to a young woman around her age named Bernadette Townsend. Her mother was a frequent buyer of cooking twine and she'd brought Bernadette with her one day when Aidie was there with her friends. The two hit it off and would frequently meet and talk. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Townsend always insisted any quality time the girls spent with one another be strictly within Forks and not at the reservation. Of course, just because her parents said she was not allowed did not necessarily mean she didn't go. That was kept private of course.
One day, Jae came to the store as he frequently did for German lessons, which at this point was just having conversations with Hailey in German, and checking his height to see if he was tall enough to work yet. He wasn't yet, of course, but it didn't hurt to check. Hailey had even made a notch on the doorframe near the back of the kitchen for Jae to compare, just for fun. Leah had come up with the idea and Hailey and Jae had both referred to the idea as 'silly'. They wouldn't admit they'd actually followed through with the idea, though. Leah would never let them live it down. That day that Jae had come to visit, he had something in particular that he wanted to talk about. Normally, he would happily address the matter with either his father or older brother. Maybe even Nathan, but at the moment, what Jae wanted to talk about he didn't want going around right now. He was still really embarrassed.
"Onkel Hailey?" Jae asked while Hailey was in the kitchen eating his lunch.
"Was?" (What) he asked, taking a bite of his sandwich.
"Kann ich mit dir über etwas reden?" (Can I talk to you about something).
"Ich nehme an," (I suppose) Hailey said. "Sie sind nicht in Schwierigkeiten sind Sie?" (You're not in trouble are you)
"Nicht dass ich wüsste," (Not that I'm aware of ) Jae joked and Hailey chuckled.
"Was haben Sie auf dem Herzen?" (So what's on your mind)
"Ich wollte dir etwas zugeben. Vielleicht sogar ein paar Ratschläge zu bekommen." (I wanted to admit something to you. Maybe get some advice even.)
"Zugeben, was?" (Admit something?) Hailey raised an eyebrow. "Es wird nicht mehr übernatürliche Scheiße los ist da?" (There isn't more supernatural shit going on is there?)
"Nichts, was wir Ihnen nicht bereits erklärt haben," (Nothing we haven't already explained to you ) Jae smiled. He started to blush a little as he forced himself to bring up the topic. "Ich mag Natalie wirklich." (I really like Natalie)
"Nun, zum Teufel, ich wusste, dass," (Well, hell, I knew that) Hailey said chuckled. "Ich denke, jeder weiß." (I think everyone knows.)
"Unabhängig von euch bereits wissen," (Regardless of you already knowing) Jae continued, blushing even harder, "was soll ich machen? Wie kann ich wissen, ob sie mich mag zurück?" (What should I do? How do I know if she likes me back?)
"Haben Sie versucht, sie zu fragen?" (Have you tried asking her?) Hailey teased.
"Ich bin zu ängstlich zu," (I'm too scared to) Jae admitted. "Was, wenn sie gefällt mir nicht?" (What if she doesn't like me).
"Sei nicht albern," (Don't be absurd) Hailey said. "Auch wenn sie dich nicht mag, sie ist ein süßes Mädchen. Sie würde zumindest ablehnen Sie vorsichtig." (Even if she doesn't like you, she's a sweet girl. She'd at least reject you gently.)
"Ich möchte, dass sie mich überhaupt nicht zu verwerfen," (I don't want her to reject me at all) Jae said. "Deshalb bitte ich Sie, mir zu sagen, was zu tun ist. Wie lasse ich sie kenne Ich mag sie, ohne dass sie mich Umklappen?" (That's why I'm asking you to tell me what to do. How do I let her know I like her without her turning me down?)
"Jae, es gibt einfach keine garantierten Weg ein Mädchen, um sicherzustellen, kurz Ihre Neigungen sie zahlen oder berauschend sie akzeptieren. Ich empfehle Ihnen auch nicht." (Jae, there's just no guaranteed way to make sure a girl will accept your affections short of paying her or intoxicating her. I highly recommend you do neither.)
"Ich würde das nicht tun," (I wouldn't do that) Jae said defensively.
"Entspannen Sie sich, ich weiß, Sie würden nicht. Immerhin, eine junge Frau entweder mag man oder tut sie nicht. Vielleicht haben einige Männer ein Talent eine Frau, um sicherzustellen, sie liebt, egal was, aber ich fürchte, ich bin nicht einer von ihnen. Sie sprechen mit einem Mann, der eine Frau geheiratet, die einen Baseball auf seinen Kopf bei zwei verschiedenen Gelegenheiten warf, trat seine Schatulle in den Ozean, und drohte ihr Cousin zu bekommen, um ihn gewaltsam aus entfernen auf der Klippe zu fischen. Ich bin nicht einmal sicher, wie ich Leah Zuneigung gewonnen. Ich bin froh, dass ich tat, aber ich weiß nicht, wie ich es tat. Zugegeben, ich bin sicher, dass Natalie weit mehr angenehm sein wird." (Relax, I know you wouldn't. All the same, a young woman either likes you or she doesn't. Perhaps some men have a talent for ensuring a woman loves them no matter what, but I'm afraid I'm not one of them. You're talking to a man who married a woman that threw a baseball at his head on two separate occasions, kicked his strongbox into the ocean, and threatened to get her cousin to forcibly remove him from fishing on the bluff. I'm not even sure how I won Leah's affections. I'm happy I did, but I don't know how I did it. Granted, I'm sure Natalie will be far more agreeable.)
"Also gibt es nichts, was ich tun kann?" (So there's nothing I can do?) Jae asked, discouraged.
"Oh, entspannen, es gibt viel Sie tun können. Es gibt keine Möglichkeit zu garantieren, dass sie Ihre Neigungen zurückkehren werde, aber man kann die Dinge zumindest tun, um sich zu stützen. Kompliment ihr, geben Sie ihr Geschenke, wenig tun, Dinge für sie, solche Dinge." (Oh, relax, there's plenty you can do. There's no way to guarantee that she'll return your affections, but you can at least do things to prop yourself up. Compliment her, give her gifts, do little things for her, things like that.)
"Ich mache schon," (I already do that) Jae said.
"Dann würde ich sagen, dass Sie auf dem richtigen Weg sind." (Then I'd say you're on the right path.)
"Also einfach das tun, was ich tue?" (So just keep doing what I'm doing?)
"Genau," (Exactly) Hailey said. "Sie sind beide noch jung, so dass Sie Zeit haben, aber nicht zu lange warten. Wenn Sie das tun, werden winden sie von jemand unter Ihnen direkt aus werden geschnappt, dass "für die Tötung ging in 'sozusagen. Das ist wirklich alles, was Sie tun können. Seien Sie nicht so viel, Jae kümmern. Wenn Sie an ihrem Herzen Saiten halten zerren, beginnen Sie Musik schließlich zu machen." (You're both still young, so you have time, but don't wait too long. If you do, she'll wind up being snatched right out from under you by someone that 'went in for the kill' so to speak. That's really all you can do. Don't worry so much, Jae. If you keep tugging at her heart strings, you'll start making music eventually.)
"Das ist ein viel romantischer Euphemismus als 'going in for the kill'," (That's a far more romantic euphemism than 'going in for the kill') Jae chuckled.
"Halten Sie einfach nett zu ihr zu sein, aber versuchen, mehr zu tun, wie Sie gehen." (Just keep being kind to her, but try to do more as you go along.)
"So what are you two talking about?" Embry asked as he stepped into the kitchen.
"Just the weather," Hailey answered and winked at Jae.
Jae did as Hailey said and just did what he'd already been doing. He and his sisters spent nearly every day with Natalie and Nathan, so he continued to be very nice to her, tried to find more excuses to compliment Natalie and would do little things for her here and there. He wasn't sure if it was working, but he kept it up in the hopes that Natalie was starting to feel the same way. Of course, little did Jae know that Natalie had started to have a little crush on Jae too and all the nice things he was doing were just making her like him more. So, really, it was serving its purpose.
The boat ride to Le Havre was nothing like Kevin remembered. Last he'd been on a boat, it was a military vessel and comfort was really low on the list of priorities to see to. The ship he took this time was much more spacious with nice rooms and activities available for patrons that wished to join. He kept mostly to himself, though, either staying in his room to read books he'd acquired for the next semester and wanted to catch up on, reading Amber's latest letter, or going on deck to look out onto the Atlantic. At one point, he even saw whales way out in the distance. He could hear them singing to one another, but it was hard to hear even for him since they were so far away. The boat reached Le Havre in 3 days and the landed around one in the afternoon. The train going to Berlin wasn't due to leave for another two days, so Kevin found cheap lodging nearby. It had crossed his mind to just run to Munich himself, but he was still giddy and wanted the extra time to calm the excitement. It would be the first time he'd seen Amber in two years. He already knew from pictures that she'd changed so much, but he'd not had a picture in months. She'd have certainly grown since then. The fear came to mind that she might not recognize him. He didn't notice much of a difference in his appearance, but then he say himself every day.
Two days later when the train to Berlin finally arrived, Kevin got all his things on the train only smiling at anyone that stared at him while he carried all his luggage, which he was sure looked extremely heavy to most onlookers, and forced his luggage into compartments at his seat. The train ride from Le Havre to Berlin would be an overnight trip. Then he'd be waiting another 2 days before a train would be ready to take him from Berlin to Munich. So long as nothing went wrong with either train ride, he would be in Munich by June 22. He thought to go to their home to announce he was there, but immediately refuted the idea. That would be rude. The Bat Mitzvah he'd been invited to so it wouldn't be strange for him to be there. Ultimately, he decided to use the three days prior to the Bat Mitzvah to find a nice place to stay and relax. He had a suit tucked away, but he knew he'd need to get that cleaned. Upon arriving in Berlin, he took a long look around. Most of the people he saw were dressed as one might expect for every day. However, he saw a handful of people that, quite literally, wore their political stance on their sleeves. He saw a group of men talking amongst one another wearing bright red bands on their arms. There was nothing on them, only the color red. As he walked the streets to find a place to stay, he noticed a small handful of posters of Lenin. He'd only heard of the man, knowing he'd been a prisoner of war at one point, had either been released or escaped, and then helped lead a revolution against the Russian crown. It dawned on him that the men wearing the red armbands were communists. Though it seemed for every pro-communist poster, there was a group of soldiers ready to tear it down. He even saw a fight break out between some communists and soldiers. He did what everyone else did and just ignored it.
Kevin finally found a little inn near the train station. He went to a bank that converted half of the remaining money into Marks. When they gave him the money, he was slightly overwhelmed. What's he'd provided was converted to nearly 8 times the number. With local cash in hand, Kevin went to the inn near the station and bought himself two nights. Since he was stuck in Berlin, he went ahead and explored the city. It really was a strange thing to see. Some appeared as though they were doing fine while the number of people that were homeless surprised him. Perhaps Connecticut had spoiled him in his sense of how people were living. Ever since the end of the Great War, America had boomed almost overnight. He'd known things weren't great for many Germans, he'd just not realized quite how bad it was, or how bad it appeared at least. He decided to go to the Reichstag and was surprised how…'Roman' it looked. It reminded him of buildings he'd seen in history books when he was young. But then, the United States' buildings were just as Roman in style, so really it just felt like being back home visiting Washington D.C. He walked around some more looking at shops and stopping at a restaurant for coffee and beagles. When he was tired, he returned to the inn, went straight to bed, and spent the following day just reading and studying. He took the night to go to a beer hall, but there wasn't much going on there. He had a beer and a pretzel and returned home to sleep. The next morning, he woke up bright and early, checked out of the inn, and went straight to the train station and waited roughly four hours for the train to Munich to arrive.
The train ride from Berlin to Munich was not nearly so tiring as the ride from Le Havre to Berlin. He was in Munich by nightfall that day and the first thing he did was find an inn and go straight to bed. Besides traveling from home to the training base to New York to Le Havre to Paris to Chateau Thierry, it was the longest trip he'd ever endured. His only solace was the fact he was a 'guest' and not a soldier. Guests were treated better, especially if they had money to throw around. The next morning, Kevin checked out of the inn near the train station and looked around town for a fancier hotel. He planned to stay at least two weeks, so he wanted a nice place to stay. Grandpa Edward had certainly given him enough money to do so. When he found a nice hotel, Kevin went inside, checked in, and got all his things up to his room where he took a desperately needed shower and relaxed a while. As he'd hoped, he arrived in Munich on the 22nd, three days before Amber's Bat Mitzvah. So he had plenty of time to find the Synagogue, find a gift for Amber, and also find a gift for her parents. Based on her letters and pictures she'd sent, Kevin could tell the Dymeks were being wonderful to her. They'd been wonderful parents to Amber and he wanted to find a way to thank them. He allowed himself the take the day to relax and study more. The following day, he went around town and found a store that sold a multitude of trinkets from children's toys to adult friendly items. From what Kevin understood of Bat Mitzvahs, it was an initiation into adulthood, so a toy seemed like a silly present.
As he looked around, Kevin fiddled absent-mindedly with the Star of David Amber had given him years ago. It had become his habit. But as he played with it, he saw another Star of David necklace. This one was made of gold, but was otherwise very simple and tasteful. Just to be sure it was appropriate, Kevin walked over to the person manning the desk.
"How can I help you today, sir?" the man asked in German. Kevin smiled and kept in mind all the 'corrections' Hailey had instilled in his head and responded.
"I don't suppose you would know a good gift to give a young woman having a Bat Mitzvah would you?"
"That really depends," the man said. "I'm afraid I'm not terribly familiar with Jews and their ways, but I do sell their symbols. I find it's more profitable to cater to different people." The man chuckled a moment, then cleared his throat. "Anyway, I saw you eying the stars. Might I recommend this beauty?" The man pointed to, easily, the most expensive piece with diamonds and so on. It was too cluttered.
"I actually had my eye on the gold one right here," Kevin said and pointed to the star he'd been looking at. "Might I see that one?"
"Of course," the man said, taking out the gold one Kevin pointed at. It was a very small star compared to the one Amber had given him. Yet it was very dainty and seemed appropriate.
"I'll take this one," Kevin confirmed. He glanced behind the man and saw a modest little Faberge egg that was accented with gold but mostly blue. "And I wanted to get a gift for her parents. Might I take that Faberge egg?"
"Oh yes, of course," the man said and grabbed the egg.
He proceeded to wrap everything up nicely and even tied them with bows. Kevin paid the man, took the items and returned to the hotel to drop the items off. Then he took his suit to a cleaners he'd seen and they promised it would be ready by the following Monday. Kevin explained he needed it for the following morning and paid extra to have it done and they promised to finish by that afternoon. While he waited for his suit, Kevin finally went looking for the Synagogue. He remembered the address from the invitation and asked around for directions until he finally happened upon it. It was quite a walk from the hotel, but that was just fine. The building itself was very nice. It was made from stone and seemed to fit in with all the other churches in town save for the sign in Hebrew and the star at the very top. While Kevin stared, he was suddenly surprised when some called to him.
"Sergent?" the voice uttered in French. Kevin turned suddenly and saw none other than Mr. Dymek, looking just as surprised to see him.
"Evening, sir," Kevin responded in German. "I'm just admiring the Synagogue. This is where Amber's Bat Mitzvah will be right?"
"Yes," Mr. Dymek answered a little awkwardly. "I didn't realize you spoke German."
"I do now," Kevin smiled. "Mostly anyway. I'm told I still have an Austrian accent."
"Yes, I can tell," Mr. Dymek finally smiled.
"Well, you can blame my tutor for that. He was of Austrian aristocracy and he'd been attending Yale already when the war ended and his family's title became all but meaningless. They live in upstate New York now."
"Yes, I've heard a number of aristocrats are doing that," Mr. Dymek nodded. "Well, I didn't realize you would be coming."
"I hadn't thought I'd be able to, but my grandpa and brother surprised me with enough money to do so. I hope you don't mind my attending."
"Not at all," Mr. Dymek answered. "In fact, I'm honored you were able to make it. Amber will be thrilled when she finds out."
"I don't suppose we could keep this between us for now? I wanted to surprise her."
"She certainly will be," Mr. Dymek chuckled. "You'll be joining us for the reception afterwards I hope."
"I would be happy to," Kevin answered.
"So where are you staying?"
"The hotel just a few blocks from here. It's the really fancy one."
"Ah," Mr. Dymek smiled. "That place is dreadfully expensive I hear. When Anna finds out you've come, she'll insist you stay with us, especially when she finds out you're staying at that expensive hotel."
"It's alright, Mr. Dymek, you don't have to house me. I don't want to inconvenience you."
"No, no, you're welcome to stay with us. How long did you plan to stay?"
"I was hoping I could stay two weeks before I have to go back home."
"Then you'll have to stay with us," Mr. Dymek said. "That place is far too expensive. I'll leave it be for now, but you'll not win the argument against Anna."
"Whatever you say, sir," Kevin smiled.
"I was on my way home from work, but if you would like, I can take you to a local beer hall. You can tell me all about your studies. Amber tells us you're attending Yale to study law?"
"Yes, sir," Kevin answered.
"A good stable profession," Mr. Dymek praised. "My cousin had studied law. He was a genius in the court but not so much the battle field. He's lucky he survived with just losing his leg."
"Better to lose his leg than his life I suppose," Kevin agreed. "Perhaps another night you can take me. Amber has a big day tomorrow, so we should both get back and sleep."
"Ah, yes, you're right. We have plenty of time. I'll not say a word about seeing you. We'll let Amber be surprised. Remember, tomorrow, 11:30."
"I'll be there, sir," Kevin smiled and they said their goodbyes. Kevin returned to the cleaners and got his suit just before they closed for the day and returned to the hotel.
The following morning, Kevin woke up bright and early just as the sun was coming up. He realized he'd not shifted to a wolf since he'd left, so he took a moment to change, remaining quiet in his room, and thankfully the pack had just started patrol about an hour or so prior and he was able to let them know he'd arrived safely. They wished Kevin a good time, told him to bring back souvenirs, and they got a laugh before Kevin changed back. Kevin took a shower and dressed casually so he could go to a little bakery just down the road to get coffee and a pastry for breakfast. He read through one of his textbooks while he ate as had been his habit since starting the trip. The way he was going, he'd be able to teach the class by the time the semester started up. After finishing breakfast, Kevin returned to the hotel and dressed for the occasion. He had on a suit he'd gotten himself when he started the internship with Professor Ralph. He'd gotten a small handful more since then, but this suit had always been his favorite, in part because it wasn't overly flashy. It was a black suit with matching pants. Both of which had very thin white strips going down vertically. He had on a white dress shirt underneath and black shoes. The first time he'd gotten it, Alphonse had told him he looked, 'downright civilized'. They'd had a good laugh about it.
Kevin looked at himself in the mirror and adjusted the suit so it would look just right. He realized he was extremely nervous. He wanted to surprise her, but he didn't want to ruin her day by her seeing him and maybe stopping what she was doing. He determined that was silly and she'd not do that anyway. All the same, he decided he would ensure he was at the back of the Synagogue so she could focus on her ceremony and then they could reunite after she'd had her day to shine. By the time he was ready, he had several hours before it was time for her Bat Mitzvah. A few miles away, Mrs. Dymek woke Amber from bed with the smell of eggs thick in the air. She detested that smell, but her parents loved them so she never said a word. However, she also smelled warm blood in the air: cow's blood specifically from the butcher they patronized. Amber grumbled a little and stayed in bed as her mother continued to nudge her with gentle utterances.
"Amber, today's your big day," Anna said. "It's time to get out of bed." Amber glanced at the clock in her room, saw that it was 8, and determined it was too early.
"Ten more minutes," Amber finally mumbled tiredly.
"You said that ten minutes ago, honey. Now you get up. We've got to get you ready."
"Five more minutes," Amber persisted. This time, Anna giggled.
"Fine, five more minutes, but you'll not receive a minute more." Anna walked out of the room and Amber was asleep again in just a few seconds. It did not last however. "Amber, it's been five minutes: time to get up."
This time, Amber sighed, "I'm up." Amber lifted herself out of bed and was about to scratch her head, but she was obstructed by the curlers in her hair. "Can we take these out please?"
"After you've had your breakfast and you're dressed. In that order," Anna smiled. "I warmed it on the stove for you."
"I smelled it," Amber said. Amber went downstairs with Anna, still in her pajama dress, and went to the kitchen where her blood was still warm on the stove. Anna poured it into a very tall glass and handed it to Amber. She drank it down in near one gulp.
"That should have you set for the month," Anna said. "If you want more, we'll go back to Berry's."
"Thanks mom," Amber said. She glanced at Levi who was enjoying his coffee and eggs. "Morning daddy."
"Morning, pumpkin," Levi said and put down his paper. "Are you excited?"
"Yeah," Amber said. "I'm a little nervous."
"Oh, don't be, Amber," Anna said. "You've been practicing for years. You'll do just fine."
"Don't worry so much. I promise, there's a surprise waiting for you after your ceremony," Levi smiled knowingly.
"What is it?" Amber asked.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?" Levi chuckled.
The remainder of the morning, Anna got Amber dressed in a little blue and white dress that Anna had made her. The base dress was a bright spring blue that was fitted to her small frame and over it was white lace. The dress went down to her mid-calf with her back fully covered and a scoop neck that only showed her collarbone. The white lace was looser but was roughly the same cut as her dress. Aside from her hair being curled, they'd not done much to her hair. She'd gotten it cut recently, so in its curled state her hair was shoulder length. When Amber looked at herself in the mirror, she didn't really feel like a woman. She still felt like a little kid. She certainly looked like one. She looked like one would imagine a 12 or 13 year old would look like. Anna gave Amber a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"You look so grown up," Anna said. Even if she didn't agree, Amber smiled and hugged Anna back.
Kevin waited in his hotel room and studied more while he waited for it to be close to 11. He could walk to the Synagogue from the hotel in roughly 25 minutes or so. When it was finally time to go, Kevin left the hotel and started walking to the Synagogue. By the time he'd arrived, it appeared that most of the guests were already stepping inside. He waited a moment for the crowd to get inside before he crossed the street and followed into the Synagogue behind the other guests. Once inside, Amber was the first one that Kevin saw. She looked adorable, but she looked really nervous. He needed to resist the urge to push reassuring thoughts into her head so he wouldn't ruin the surprise. Kevin took a seat in the back and watched as the Rabi spoke with Amber and the Dymeks while waiting for the guests to take their seats. All the men were wearing tiny hats right on the center of their heads and Mr. Dymek was that as well as a white and blue shawl. Eventually, everyone did and the ceremony started with the Rabi welcoming the guests and then turning to Amber and congratulating her for reaching this milestone in her life.
After the Rabi congratulated Amber, he told Mr. and Mrs. Dymek to come to the podium where they provided Amber with their own words of encouragement and congratulated her for reaching such an important time in her life. Kevin saw Amber start blushing as Mr. Dymek praised her and told her how proud of her he was and Kevin smiled. Once the Dymeks offered their congratulations, it was time for her parents to wrap her in a shawl very similar to the one Mr. Dymek was wearing. Once it was on, Amber went to the podium to deliver a speech.
"I want to thank everyone for coming and sharing this day with me," Amber started. She still sounded so nervous, but she continued. She spoke about her Mitzvah project and what her goals were. She read a few passages from the Torah and Kevin noticed the Rabi chuckle just a little. When he did, Amber giggled and continued. "I'm honored to share this day with you all. And I want to thank my mother and father for all they've done; for taking me in and loving me as their own, even if I am a little different." Amber glanced at Mr. and Mrs. Dymek, who were tearing up a little. The crowd chuckled a little when Amber mentioned 'different'. Yet, only he, Amber, and the Dymeks really understood what she really meant. "But above all," Amber said and she was finally started to really tear up. "There's someone I want to thank for everything he's done. Sergeant Black found and saved me that day in Chateau Thierry. If it weren't for him, I might never have lived to see this day. I may never have found my mother and father, whom I love very much. And even though he could not be here today, I want to extend my deepest appreciation for him, because he's the reason I'm standing here today. He's the reason I'm able to share this day with you all and have a loving home. There is no way to adequately repay that debt except to thank him."
Amber took a moment to rub her eyes while the crowd smiled as they watched. Finally, once she finished, Amber smiled and released a slightly awkward, breathy laugh to ease the room and finished her speech by expressing her excitement and joy at beginning this new portion of her life. After the speech, the Rabi handed Amber a very large Torah for her to hold while Mr. and Mrs. Dymek stood behind her while a man that had been waiting in the corner took several minutes to take a picture. With that was the end of the ceremony. The Rabi thanked everyone, once again, for coming and announced that the reception for Amber was being held outside in the park.
As everyone rose from their seats, they all swarmed Amber to congratulate her and praise her speech. Kevin remained in the back for the moment and waited while Amber basked in her praise. She was finally less nervous and looked as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders at last. He overheard Amber tell Mr. Dymek to make sure to tell the photographer to make a few copies of the picture he just took so one could be sent to Kevin. The thought made him smile, all the more so with how adamant she was about it: so much so that she went to the photographer and told him herself. Everyone began suggesting they go outside to enjoy some food together, so Amber and Mr. Dymek removed their shawls and handed them back to the Rabi, who promised he'd meet everyone outside momentarily. Kevin got nervous again as the crowd turned in his direction and he knew Amber would see him soon. Amber stayed beside her mother and father while everyone walked. Mr. Dymek noticed Kevin first and smiled before looking at Amber.
"Looks to me like you wished hard enough, Amber," he said. Amber looked at him quizzically, then followed where his eyes had gone and finally saw Kevin. She stopped walking as if shocked from surprise, but it didn't last long.
"Kevin!" she yelled and started running towards him. Kevin kneeled down like he'd done when she was little, but she wasn't so little anymore. She'd gotten so tall that when they embraced and Kevin stood up to hug her, her toes reached just above his knees.
"Long time no see, Amber," Kevin said and Amber pulled her head away to look at him.
"When did you learn German?" she asked.
"Since I started at Yale," Kevin smiled.
Amber giggled, "You have a funny accent," she teased.
"Yes, I keep being told that," Kevin said, furrowing his brow but still smiling, "and, frankly, it's starting to hurt my feelings."
"I'm sorry, don't be mad," Amber giggled and hugged Kevin around his neck again. Then she started to sniffle a little. "I didn't think you'd come."
"I wouldn't miss this for the world," Kevin said and hugged her just a little tighter. "Congratulations, Amber."
"Thank you," she said. "Did you hear my speech?"
"Yes, I did," Kevin smiled. "I'm honored for the mention."
"Sergent," Mrs. Dymek said, starting in French.
"It's alright, Anna. The boy learned German."
"I see you knew he was here," Anna smiled. "How long have you known and how dare you not tell me?"
"I found out yesterday, Anna. He said he wanted this to be a surprise."
"Well, it's certainly that," Anna said. Then she walked over to Kevin and hugged him while he continued to hold Amber. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Sergeant."
"Please, just Kevin. The war's over. No need to call me by a title."
"Well, Kevin, this certainly is a surprise," Anna said. "When did you arrive?"
"Just a few days ago."
"Oh, dear. Where have you been staying?"
"That hotel a few miles in town. The really fancy one," Levi answered.
"Oh, well, that won't do," Anna said. "After we've all calmed down for the day, you and Levi can run to the hotel to fetch your things and check out so you can stay with us."
"Really, Mrs. Dymek, that's very kind, but I don't want to be any trouble."
"It's no trouble at all, dear. You stay as long as you are able. And you'll not hear the end of me until you agree."
Kevin laughed and finally nodded. "In that case, I would love to. Thank you for being so hospitable."
"For you, Sergeant, anything," Anna said, but then caught herself, "excuse me. I mean, Kevin." As they spoke, the crowd came closer to see who Amber was hugging.
"Anna, who's this gentleman?" one woman asked.
"Oh, this is Sergeant Black," Anna answered. With the announcement, everyone in the room instantly knew who he was.
"So you're the American," one man said.
"We've heard so much about you," another woman said. "We hear you're quite the hero. We hear you saved Amber during the attack on Chateau and even won yourself a medal for saving the lives of two commanding officers."
"I did," Kevin smiled.
"Very courageous," one man praised. Just then, the Rabi came forward.
"So you're the American Amber tells me so much about," the Rabi said.
"Unless she's telling you about Embry," Kevin joked.
"He's the one called 'Tatter'," Amber clarified and Kevin burst out laughing.
"Poor Embry. He'll never live that down," Kevin laughed.
"How did he get such a name?" Anna asked. "Amber said she doesn't know." Kevin took a moment to tell everyone the story of how Embry had kept eating his potato after end of breakfast call, got caught eating it by Sergeant Stanley, than given the nickname Tatter and then forced to run for five miles around the base after daring to say, 'I don't like that name, sir'.
"Oh dear," a few people laughed.
"That's quite a story," the Rabi said. "I'm Rabi Faust by the way."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Rabi," Kevin said.
"It's alright, young man. Once we're outside, you can just call me Fredrick."
"Yes, sir," Kevin said. Rather than correct him, Rabi Faust chuckled and started walking outside. The group began to lead Kevin outside towards the park where the reception was being held and where food was already out and covered just waiting for everyone to dig in.
"Kevin," Amber said while Kevin walked. She reached just under the collar of her little dress and pulled on the chain until she pulled out Kevin's dog tags. "Mom said I shouldn't wear these today since they weren't very fancy, but I hid it."
"You wore my dog tags?"
"I usually do," Amber giggled.
"That's funny, because I'm always wearing your star." Kevin reached under his collar and showed Amber her mother's star. "Actually, I have a present for you."
"Really?" Amber asked.
"Yeah," Kevin said and put Amber down to reach into his pocket to pull out the box with her necklace. He also pulled out the box with the egg. "This one's for you. This other one's for Mr. and Mrs. Dymek." Kevin handed Amber the smaller box which she accepted and opened it to see the teeny tiny Star of David on a gold chain. "I really hope it's appropriate."
"It's beautiful," Amber smiled and hugged Kevin with her head resting on his stomach.
"You got so big, do you know that? You grew up on me," Kevin joked.
"Mom said I grew up too fast," Amber smiled. She stepped back so she could remove the necklace and clasped it around her neck. It rested right below her clavicle. "Thank you," she said again and hugged Kevin again. "What did you get mom and dad?"
"Just a little decorative egg," Kevin said.
"Oh, mom's always wanted one of those," Amber smiled. "Let's give it to them."
Amber pulled Kevin with her to where her parents were talking to a few of the guests and had Kevin offer the gift he'd gotten them. Anna opened the gift and was delighted with it, affirming Amber's statement that she'd always wanted a decorative egg. A few people that had attended the Bat Mitzvah went to some instruments and began to play some music for everyone to dance to. Amber danced the first dance with her father, but her second dance was with Kevin. Amber started playing with a few friends of hers, some still very young while others were closer to the Mitzvah age, and they all danced together too. Kevin watched the whole night but spent a great deal of time speaking with Levi and Anna and all the other guests. Once it was known he was the infamous Sergeant Black, everyone wanted to meet and speak with him. The reception went well into the afternoon hour until it was late enough that the guests, though they were loath to do so, began going home for the day. Everyone wished Amber additional congratulations before leaving until it was just Amber, the Dymeks, Kevin, and a handful of people that stayed behind to help clean up whatever food wasn't taken back home with the guests.
"Once we've cleaned all this up, Levi, why don't you and Kevin go to the hotel to fetch his things? I'll get us home and prepare a room for him."
"It's alright, Mrs. Dymek. I don't mind sleeping on the couch."
"Don't be absurd," Anna smiled. "We have a guest bedroom you can use. I'll not have you on the couch when we have a perfectly good bed for you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Dymek," Kevin smiled.
"I'm dead tired right now, but soon, you and I will go out for a drink. I hear alcohol is illegal in America now."
"Not if you know the password," Kevin joked.
"What is the password?"
"I don't remember," Kevin said, and they all laughed.
Afterwards, they said goodbye to one another confirming they'd see each other at the house. Kevin and Levi walked the long walk to the Hotel so Kevin could gather his things and check out. Mr. Dymek helped carry a few items, but Kevin insisted on doing most of the heavy lifting. As they walked back, Mr. Dymek used the opportunity to talk with Kevin a little more.
"So how did you enjoy the ceremony?"
"It was lovely," Kevin said.
"I can't recall if you said you were Catholic. You are, correct? How did you communion go?"
"I didn't have a communion. I had already run off to join the war by then. I don't think any of my siblings have had communions either. We were all baptized, but that aside, we're not the most devout Catholics. We were far more so raised in the belief of spirits and tricksters."
"Tricksters? That's a strange thing to call a god."
"They're not really 'gods' per se. They're more along the lines of spirits with greater powers than most. A trickster called Q'waeti created the Quileute people by granting a wolf his wish to be human. But then, we also have a trickster called Bayak who is said to be very troublesome and mischievous. My friend Embry has a little brother named Bayaq. He lives up to the name," Kevin chuckled.
"Interesting," Levi said. "So your people claim to be descendants of wolves?"
"We do," Kevin smiled. "Q'waeti was righting the errors of the forest, created a new tribe by spitting in his hand and throwing his dead skin into the pond and he granted a wolf and his mate their wish to be human. When they became human, they shed their skin and traveled along the beach with their children. We still have their skins as…I guess crowns you could say. They're worn only when a chief or chief's son gets married and when a new chief is initiated. They're sacred to us. They're kept with my parents until I get married."
"Well, there's time for that," Levi said. "Anna and I got married right out of senior school. I remember becoming an apprentice at a bank and Anna started decorating a little room in our tiny house we had at the time to prepare for a baby."
"Do you and Mrs. Dymek know why you weren't having children?"
"It's not certain," Levi sighed. "Our doctor told us it really could be a wide variety of reasons, but to keep trying. But then months turned into years of us being unsuccessful until we'd been married ten years and still didn't have children. It was very disheartening for us. When we'd heard about Amber, it seemed like our prayers were finally answered."
"I'm happy she has the two of you," Kevin said. "I owe you and Mrs. Dymek an apology for my behavior and a great debt of gratitude."
"The gratitude is from our part," Levi said. "If you'd not saved her, we'd still be without a child. Even if Amber grows as fast as she does, we're happy to have her."
"I'm happy the two of you have been so good to her. I know she loves you both."
"We love her too," Mr. Dymek said.
Kevin and Levi continued down the road with his things and finally arrived back at the house much later in the night. The house was in a sweet neighborhood in the city and had a nice cottage feel despite its urban location. Many of the homes had that style. There was a door on the ground floor dead center with two windows on each side of the door as well as two windows just about those. When Kevin glanced up, he chuckled a little when he saw Amber with her head rested on her window sill, the doors of the window wide open, waiting for him and Levi to get home.
"We'd best get her tucked in properly," Levi said when he noticed Amber. "She'll catch a cold sleeping like that."
Kevin agreed and the two of them walked into the house after Levi opened the door and allowed Kevin to step inside. The house inside was downright precious. It was an odd word, but it was what came to mind. All the furniture was a deep dark wood with the floors being much the same color wood. Each wall was a creamy, barely noticeably peach color. To his right was the living room with two couches, a radio, a tiny hearth and a coo coo clock beside the door. To his left was a small dining table right before the window looking outside and there was a counter beside the window that he noticed had dried candle wax, but there were no candles. There was a wall near the dining table that had a big cabinet with glass doors and shelves. In fact, each shelf was a little mirror. Kevin noticed the little egg he'd given Mr. and Mrs. Dymek was now on the top shelf of that cabinet besides a little figurine of two children falling down a hill. He assumed it must be in reference to Jack and Jill. There were additional figures on each of the shelves of assorted children's nursery rhyme depictions as well as several pictures, most of which he'd been sent a copy of. There was a space made available at the top of the cabinet that would undoubtedly house Amber's imminent bat Mitzvah pictures. There was a staircase across from the dining room within the living room and between it all was an archway leading into the kitchen. It was made mostly of stone, the only room in the house, it appeared, that wasn't made with hardwood. The color scheme remained the same though, except the stone was an assortment of grays. Mrs. Dymek was making coffee when they entered and she stopped what she was doing when the door opened and smiled.
"There you two are," Anna said. "I was wondering when you would come back. I assume Amber must be asleep, otherwise she would have run down here to great you."
"She was sleeping on the window sill," Levi said. "I'll go get her tucked in. You're making coffee."
"Yes, dear. Two sugars and cream?"
"No, just black tonight," Levi said as he walked upstairs.
"And you dear?" Anna asked Kevin.
"Just black for me too," Kevin smiled. "I feel bad. Poor thing probably fell asleep waiting for us to get home."
"Oh, no need to feel bad. She's had a long day and she needed to get her butt to bed anyway. I told her she needed to get some sleep, but she was adamant she wanted to wait for you. You'll still be here in the morning, so there's no need to rush."
"Thanks again for letting me stay with you two. I hope I'm not any trouble."
"Not at all, honey," Anna said, pouring the coffee into three mugs, only adding sugar and cream to one. She brought over the cups and motioned for the living room. "How about we sit for a while before we worry about getting your things upstairs? You must be dead tired."
"I'm alright, Mrs. Dymek, but I wouldn't mind sitting down I'll admit," Kevin chuckled as he followed Anna to the living room and sat on one of the couches. She sat in the rocking chair beside a big comfy looking single chair. Kevin accepted the coffee and Anna placed Levi's cup on the coffee table.
"So how has University been treating you?"
"Very well," Kevin said. "I was able to obtain an internship with one of the professors. It's a very coveted spot."
"I imagine so. Well, congratulations to you. By the sound of your letters, you've certainly worked for it."
"I hate saying it this way, but you've no idea how true that is," Kevin smiled. "My previous professor, Professor Donohue, absolutely despised me. I was placed with Professor Ralph and he gave me the chance at that internship I wanted."
"Yes, I recall Amber mentioning something to that effect. Simply absurd."
"Thankfully, the Dean and a number of my instructors agreed. I'd been intent on making the man like me, but frankly I've grown tired of putting forward the effort."
"As would I," Anna smiled. "Amber absolutely adores that little dog figure and picture of you with a dog that you'd sent her. She has both on her dresser right next to one another. Such an odd looking dog, though."
"He's a bulldog," Kevin said. "They're odd to look at, but we still think he's handsome."
Anna giggled, "If you say so."
"Well," Levi's voice came from atop the stairs as he descended to the first floor. "Amber is put to bed. Kevin, let's get your things upstairs and we can come back down for our coffee."
"Yes, sir," Kevin answered and stood to reach his bags and help.
"Don't be so formal, Kevin. I know it's a habit the military instills, but here you can relax. Just call me Levi and my wife Anna."
"Yes, Levi," Kevin answered with a smile.
Levi helped Kevin take his things up the stairs to the second floor. There were four doors, three that were bedrooms and one that was a bathroom. The bathroom door was wide open and across from a room with a door that was slightly ajar. From what little he could see, he could tell it was Amber's room because he spied the teddy bear that he'd sent to hear months prior. Right across from the stairs was the master bedroom with the door wide open and easy to peer into. Once they were on the landing, he turned to his right and the guest bedroom was down that bath with the door open. There was a tiny twin bed and the decor compared to the other rooms, that he could see right into, was very simple. The walls were a very pale blue, hardwood floors like the rest of the house and there was a small dresser and mirror in the corner. Kevin followed Levi to the room and they placed all his things down on the floor. Kevin took another look around once they were inside. There was one painting in the room, but he did not recognize it. It was a small painting of three rabbits nibbling on cabbage in a garden.
"Amber painted that," Levi said when he noticed Kevin looking at it.
"Really?" Kevin said, surprised. "I didn't realize she painted."
"Oh, she and Anna do just about everything. Anna's taught her to carve candles, taught her how to paint, how to sew. Amber even started carving and painting soaps," Levi chuckled.
"Soaps?" Kevin asked.
"Yes," Levi nodded. "She's very good at it too. Anna's started selling them along with the candles. Her favorite thing to carve is roses, but she'll do lilies, lilacs, any flower people ask. She'll even carve bunnies, she's carved bears and pigs and chickens. A friend of ours had a baby a few months ago and the theme for his room was nautical. So Amber carved our friend an assortment of white, pink and light blue soaps into seashells. The biggest one was a conch shell. She was very proud of that one. To this day, our friend keeps all the soaps in a transparent little box with sand in it."
"Wow," Kevin said. "Amber's certainly gifted isn't she?"
"Just like her mother," Levi smiled. "Perhaps Amber and show you while you're here. I'm sure she'd be thrilled to show off."
"I'd be thrilled to watch," Kevin said. "Only watch, though. I admit I don't have a creative bone in my body."
"Neither do I," Levi chuckled. "I'm a numbers man, always have been. When Anna and I first met and she was telling me about the artsy things she likes to do, I attempted to draw a stick figure and it was a laughable failure."
Kevin chuckled, "Even I can draw a stick figure," he teased. The two shared a laugh and finally decided to return downstairs to rejoin Anna who was already pouring herself another cup of coffee.
"Anna, if you drink another cup, you'll be up all night," Levi said.
"Well, the two of you decided to talk without me upstairs and I finished my first. Don't worry, Levi, I'll sleep eventually." They all returned to their seats and continued their coffee and conversation. "I overheard Levi telling you all about Amber's creative spark," Anna said proudly.
"Yes, he did," Kevin smiled. "I knew she'd been learning to carve candles, but she didn't tell me she was carving soap and painting too."
"Oh, yes, she is. Why, we had a terrible scare one day when she'd stepped away from her studies with the Rabi and we were just panicking about where she was. We finally found her in the bathroom carving a piece of soap with her fingernail. Silly thing."
"She's definitely a great addition when the Synagogue has fundraisers. She'll carve little soaps for people and they'll buy them for a few thousand Marks and they always get a free muffin with their purchase."
Kevin chuckled, "That's a hard deal to beat."
"Please, Kevin, tell us more about Yale," Anna stepped in. "Will it be much longer before you've graduated?"
"Another two years and I will," Kevin said. "My little brother, on the other hand, will have a great deal more time spent in school from what I'm told."
"Oh, yes, medicine is no small task," Anna agreed. "That is what you've told Amber Kyle will be learning right?"
"Yes, medicine," Kevin nodded. "My mother took over as the tribe's Medicine Man and Kyle's her apprentice, but Yale will be able to give him a greater understanding of modern medicine. Though, how 'modern' that medicine is, I'm not so sure I can believe. I recall there's a doctor on campus in which he lectures of the dangers of masturbation and how it gives a man syphilis."
"I beg pardon?" Anna asked, a little stunned.
"Syphilis. It's a disease that's contracted through sex. In fact, if I recall my history correctly, it used to be called Spanish Fever because the Spanish had contracted it from the South American tribes they've pillaged. Nothing to do with masturbation, though. I'm afraid there's been a bit of a nonsensical movement going on in the states that believes circumcising new born babies will prevent them from masturbating later in life." Levi released a rather audible and condescending laugh while Anna appeared mortified by the turn in conversation. Kevin realized Anna looked less than pleased and hurried to apologize. "I'm sorry, Anna, I didn't mean to speak of something so vulgar."
"We can just move from the subject," Anna blushed.
"Just for reference though, Kevin, it doesn't," Levi said.
"Levi," Anna scolded. "Please, a different topic."
"Sorry, darling," Levi smiled. "How is your family doing? Beside your little brother obtaining a spot at Yale of course."
"Everyone's alright," Kevin said. "My little brother Nathan rescued a little wolf during Christmas. He named her Roxanne."
"Well, it's good for a young man to have a pet. It teaches them responsibility," Anna praised.
"That wolf sticks to him like glue," Kevin chuckled. "She's fine with everyone for the most part, but she absolutely favors Nathan. She'll sleep at the foot of his bed, she always comes back to tribal grounds after she's done hunting, and from what I hear Nathan's even teaching her basic commands."
"You have three siblings, do you not?" Levi asked.
"Yes, two brothers and a little sister. Natalie is Nathan's twin and they're the youngest. Kyle is the middle child."
"I envy people with siblings," Anna said. "Are you all close friends?"
"Yes, we are," Kevin smiled. "My friend Embry is the oldest of eleven children and they're as much like my siblings as Kyle, Nathan and Natalie."
"Goodness, eleven?" Levi said. "Do they run a farm?"
"No," Kevin chuckled, "but they certainly have the staff to if they wanted."
"Indeed," Levi said.
Kevin remained downstairs with the Dymeks talking until it was nearly eleven and Levi realized he had to work the next day and needed to get to bed. They wished Kevin a goodnight and they all went to their respective beds. Once in the guest bedroom, Kevin took a moment to find a spot of his suitcases and opened them so he'd have ready access. He took a moment to place his toiletries in the guest bathroom ensuring they were out of the way of any of Amber's things and returned to the bedroom. He undressed for bed, placed his clothes on one section of his suitcase where he'd been keeping his dirty close and finally fell into bed. When his head landed on the pillow, he finally realized how tired he was and he went right to sleep and slept all through the night until he heard a cheerful knock at the door that woke him.
"Kevin? Are you awake?" he heard Amber's voice on the other side.
"I am now," Kevin grumbled, but he was smiling. Amber requested permission to enter and Kevin agreed to which Amber practically threw open the door, ran in and bounced onto the twin bed.
"Mom is making breakfast," Amber smiled once the bed was still. "You'd best get down there while it's still hot."
"Then you'd best let me get dressed," Kevin said right back, chuckling as Amber did. "I'll meet you all downstairs in a minute."
"Okay," Amber said and ran out of the room closing the door behind her. Kevin hurried to get dressed in fresh clothes and went downstairs seeing Anna finishing a pot of coffee and toasting bagels on a griddle with jam on the dining table. Levi was at the table reading the paper as Kevin walked downstairs and looked up when he heard the footsteps.
"Ah, morning, Kevin," Levi said. "I hope Amber's rude awakening didn't startle you too much."
"Not at all," Kevin smiled. "So what's for breakfast?"
"Bagels and jam," Anna called from the kitchen. "I'm getting some coffee ready now." Amber ran out of the kitchen and met Kevin at the bottom of the stairs.
"When did you and daddy get in last night?"
"Late," Kevin said. "You were already sound asleep when we got back."
"Why didn't you wake me?" Amber pouted.
"Because you'd had a long day and you needed sleep," Kevin said. "Don't worry, we have the whole day to do whatever you want."
"No," Amber said. "You're our guest, so we will do whatever you want."
"Well, that's awfully kind of you," Kevin smiled and patted Amber on the head. He joined Amber at the table as Anna brought out the toasted bagels with plates and handed everyone a butter knife to spread their jam. She handed everyone but Amber a cup of coffee and had cream and sugar cubes on the table. "You work at a bank, right, Levi?"
"Yes," Levi nodded. "I'm an accountant there. I fear, though, that since the end of the war I seem to have fewer clients. Unfortunately, a number of people can barely afford food anymore much less a financial planner."
"Please, Levi, let us not discuss such things this early in the morning," Anna said.
"You both seem to be doing alright at least," Kevin said.
"We're fortunate to be doing better than most," Levi agreed. "The fundraising our Synagogue does helps a bit, but the person that runs the fundraiser insists on not divulging that we had raised the money in the first place."
"Why's that?" Kevin asked.
"Anti-Semitism," Levi answered bluntly. "I'm afraid with the fall of the German monarchy came a swarm of different political factions and most of them are none too pleased with the Jews that live in this nation. Never mind that we fought and lost the war just the same as the rest of them."
"Yes," Kevin said awkwardly. "I'm afraid the states aren't much keener on Jews either. Of course, some of our most successful citizens are Jewish."
"I imagine that's the problem," Levi said. "It's absurd, what they claim. They act as though there aren't Jews that are homeless or struggling financially. Believe me, I'm friends with those that are." Anna placed her hand on Levi's arm suddenly and gently, clearly extremely uncomfortable with the turn of conversation. "I apologize, I speak too freely of such matters," Levi said. "When I finally take you out to the beer hall, we can talk our fill of politics." Kevin smiled polity and then looked at Anna.
"Sorry to speak of such a sour topic," Kevin apologized in turn.
"I just don't want your time here to be spent seeing the worst of Germany. There's a lot of good and Amber and I will see to it that you enjoy all of it," Anna smiled.
"Speaking of which, what's on the agenda for today?" Kevin asked.
"Well, I do have some errands to run today, but you're welcome to join me and Amber."
"When we get back, maybe you could show me how to make a candle?" Kevin asked Amber.
"I'd be happy to," Amber said proudly. "Oh, mom, we're taking the candles to the shop to sell too right?"
"Yes, dear, and to collect from what's been sold."
"You don't sell the candles yourself?" Kevin asked.
"Sadly, no," Anna said. "I would love to open my own business one day, but right now it's not feasible financially. One day, though."
"Don't worry, Anna. We'll make it happen," Levi encouraged and took the last bit of bagel into his mouth and downing the last of his coffee. "I'd best leave for work. You three enjoy your day. I'll be home by 5:30." Levi went to the door and Anna followed him as he grabbed a few things from the table near the door, kissed one another goodbye and Levi left. Anna returned to the table and took the seat she'd had before and glanced across the table at Kevin.
"How are you enjoying breakfast, Kevin?" Anna asked.
"Very much so, Anna, thank you," Kevin smiled. "You said you wanted to attend to errands today?"
"Yes, just groceries," Anna said. "Amber, do we need to stop by the butcher?"
"No, I'm alright," Amber assured, then looked at Kevin. "Your mom's like me right?" Kevin nodded. "Do you ever drink blood like her?"
"I can't say I have," Kevin said. "Food tastes just fine to me. I've told you my people can become wolves right?" Anna went wide eyed, but Amber nodded.
"Of course I remember. You showed me once," Amber smiled.
"Ah, yeah, that's right, I did. Well, when I was younger and before I became a wolf for the first time, I learned how to change into a vampire."
"Really?" Amber asked.
Kevin nodded and, without warning, he closed his eyes and suddenly his skin paled and when he finally opened his eyes again, they were scarlet red. Startled, Anna jumped from her chair and yelped, catching Kevin's attention. He changed back right away.
"I'm sorry, Anna, I didn't mean to startle you," he hurried to say.
"Oh, no," Anna said, trying to catch her breath. "I just wasn't expecting that. Amber never mentioned you can turn into a wolf or vampire."
"I'd told her it was a secret," Kevin said. "I really shouldn't have said anything in front of you. Dad will have a few choice words for me when he finds out," Kevin chuckled a little. "Would you mind if we kept all this strictly between us?"
"Of course," Anna said, continuing to catch her breath. "Honestly, I doubt Levi would even believe me if I brought it up," she managed to laugh.
"I appreciate it, Anna," Kevin said.
"Kevin, can you do that again?" Amber asked excitedly. "Why are your eyes red? I thought your eyes would've been gold like your aunt and uncle."
"Their eyes are only like that because they drink blood from animals. Vampires usually have red eyes. Mine are just red because I'm changing from one to the other. My Uncle Carlisle assumes it's because I have blood in my body when I change, but we're not really sure. He's never dissected me to find out," Kevin joked and Anna laughed awkwardly.
"I would certainly hope not," she joked. "Your uncle's a doctor as well I assume?"
"Yes," Kevin nodded as they all sat back down at the table to relax. "Has been since he was changed. I think he may have been a pastor when he was human."
"When was he human?" Anna asked.
"I can't remember off the top of my head, but I do know it was 17th century England. My grandpa was around that same age, although I think Carlisle's older. They're cousins. I know Carlisle lived in London. Grandpa Edward grew up in a little village south of there. I don't even think they'd properly met until after Carlisle was changed and he happened upon Grandpa when he was near death."
"That's quite old," Anna mumbled without thinking, then looked shocked. "Oh, goodness, never mind me. That was rude of me. I'm terribly sorry."
"No need, Anna," Kevin chuckled. "They're old and they know it. Hell, my mother was born….." Kevin had to think to remember. "1863? No. 1860? She was forty when she met my dad and that was in 1902. So 1962? Or maybe 1961? It was shortly before the Civil War, I know that."
"Gracious that would mean your mother is 59 or 60."
"She's about that age," Kevin smiled. "Dad was born around 1884 I think it was. So my dad's 37."
"Forgive me, but how old are you again?" Anna asked.
"I turn 18 in October," Kevin answered.
"Goodness," Anna sighed. "I tend to forget you're so young. You appear in your twenties at least."
"I get that a lot," Kevin smiled. "Everyone at the Synagogue doesn't know about Amber and why she ages so quickly, right?"
"They think she suffers a very rare degenerative disease that causes rapid aging. Most people at the Synagogue assume Amber won't possibly live past the age of twenty." Anna looked up at Kevin hopefully. "Seeing as you've just told me your mother's 60, I hope that assumption is false?"
"It is," Kevin said. "My mother may be sixty in years, but she looks the same age as me."
"She does?" Anna answered, a little stunned.
"She and my dad both do. As long as my father remains a wolf, he'll not age a day. The same goes for me and my siblings that are wolves. As for my mother, she's half vampire and, at least as far as anyone that knows any amount of information about half breeds, she'll remain the same as she did when she turned 7. That's supposedly when most half breeds stop aging."
"So Amber's not as unusual as we thought?"
"No, she's still very unusual. As far as what mom has told me, the only other half breed that anyone in our family is aware of is a man named Nahuel. He apparently spoke up on my family's behalf when the matter was brought into question." Kevin decided to leave that portion of the discussion at that. Knowing of the Volturi, when he barely knew a thing about them himself, was pointless. "He apparently has three sisters that are like him as well. Given Amber's circumstances, I can't imagine there aren't more out there, but they're rare."
"I assume people like you and your brothers and sisters are even rarer?" Anna smiled.
"I'd dare to say we're the only ones of our kind," Kevin smiled. "My friend, Embry? He and is siblings are another rarity. As story has it, many years ago, there was a man within our tribe that attempted to murder the chief and was put to death when he was caught. His immediate family was banished," Kevin continued, oversimplifying the story. "According to his mother, Caevia, the banished family traveled south until they reached a blazing desert where they nearly died. But then, as the story goes, a falcon landed on the top of a cactus a few meters away from them. When the falcon flew away, a flower bloomed from the head of the cactus and an oasis sprang from it. That tribe is called the Thunderbirds, or Tistihlal, and until Caevia came to be with the Quileutes, the tribes remained separate. They were able to obtain the gift of turning into birds. Embry is able to turn into a wolf and a bird."
"My goodness," Anna said. "Can all his siblings do that?"
"I'm sure they could if they tried. Embry's just the only one who bothered. Out of all the kids, he's the only one that's become a wolf. The rest of them haven't changed. They might later, but they haven't as of yet."
"So can all your tribesman do that?"
"No. Only descendants of Chief Taha Aki are able to become wolves. He was the chief whose life was set upon by the traitor Utlapa. Taha Aki had taken over the body of a wolf after Utlapa killed Taha Aki's physical body and he was born anew."
"That is quite a story," Anna said.
"Again, let's keep this between us. I'm not technically allowed to tell you all this."
"My lips are sealed," Anna agreed.
"Mine too," Amber nodded.
They continued to talk while Kevin finished his bagel. Once he'd eaten, they all went out about town to run errands. Kevin carried the box of finished candles that were delicately wrapped to avoid damage and Kevin made a point to mind them. The gift shop several blocks away was their first stop to drop off all the candles and request a price for them. Amber also offered up a huge bag of carved soaps that she'd been working on. Most of them were flowers since that's what the shop keep preferred and what seemed to sell. They didn't get very much, but it was at least enough for Anna to buy more wax from the shop keep. Kevin insisted on carrying all the wax for her. Kevin also insisted on buying Amber a myriad of soap bars for her to carve into. They stopped by another store to buy canvas for painting and then finally went about grocery shopping. They'd been out for hours, but when they returned, Kevin helped put everything away. As he was putting things away in the kitchen, he noticed a door in there that he'd not seen before.
"Kevin," Anna said before Kevin could ask. "Our art and candle room is just beyond that door. Would you mind terribly helping Amber get all the new wax organized by color? I fear I need to sit or I'll faint of exhaustion."
"Absolutely. Did you want some coffee?"
"Oh no, Kevin I'm alright. I just need a moment to relax."
"Kevin," Amber said. "While we're back there, I can show you how I make candles! It'll give mom some time to nap."
"I was going to ask when we could do that," Kevin smiled.
Kevin and Amber went into the back room which was much larger than he'd imagined. In one corner, there was a collection of wax in separate containers that were all divided by color with a big pot of water to the side. There was wax dripped everywhere. In the middle, there was what looked like a well that was also filled with water and a hook above the water. A flat iron surface atop what could only be described as a camp fire and on the other side to the right of the melted wax was a huge shelf with wax sticks everyone organized by color in order of the rainbow no less. There was another table filled with paints, both acrylic and water color, and brushes in cups bristle side up. There was even an easel to the far right of the room nearly behind the door. There was a canvas already on it with a painting that appeared to be the beginnings of a piglet in a basket wearing a bow. Strange, Kevin thought. Amber turned on the burners below the vats of wax so they would start heating up and directed Kevin where each wax needed to go.
"Do you ever light the candle I made you?" Amber asked.
"God no," Kevin said. "I don't want it to melt."
"It won't so long as you're careful," Amber giggled. She went over to one finished candle and pointed at the hallowed out portion in the middle. "This helps make sure the wax doesn't go down the sides and ruin the design." She placed it on one of the tables, grabbed some matches and lit the candle. Once lit, she closed the curtains so it was dark, making the candle illuminate its designs on the wall. "When you light it, all the designs show through."
"It's beautiful," Kevin smiled.
"What kind of colors does your mother like?" Amber asked.
"Red," Kevin answered bluntly.
"Okay," Amber said. "I take it she likes roses?"
"Loves them," Kevin smiled.
"I like orchids," Amber said. "That's my favorite flower to carve." Amber rummaged through the bars of soap Kevin and bought her and pulled out a white one. She went to the kitchen to fill a glass of water and brought it back. Then she grabbed one of the carving tools. "While we're waiting for the wax," Amber said
With the tiny knife in her right hand and the bar of soap in her left, Amber started from the middle and carved the stamen of the flower, delicately carving the tiny bulbs and deepening the knife into the soap to hollow it out. After those were completed, she began her work on the petals, carving their shape and creating lines of indentation that would typically be present on the petal. After the petals were carved, she started carving away part of the soap beneath the flower so it was more prominent and easy to see. She grabbed a tiny box, put glue in it, then gently pressed the flower into the box so it was secure. Then she got her brush ready and dipped it into purple water color paint. She started painting the outside of the petal, making the purple deepest towards to tip of the petal and fading to white as it came in. She did this for all the petals. Then she painted the stems of the stamen yellow and finished the buds with a delicate mix of brown and red. Once she was done painting, she started blowing on the flower to help the paint dry and placed it on the table.
"I've done that one so many times, I could do it in my sleep," Amber joked as she put the brush in some water to clean. Kevin picked up the little box, careful to avoid the paint, and looked at it rather flabbergasted. It really looked as though it could be the real thing.
"I can tell," Kevin finally said. "It's beautiful."
"That one's for you," Amber said.
"How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing," Amber said. "It's a gift."
"Really, Amber, let me give you something."
"Say thank you and we'll be even," Amber smiled and so did Kevin.
"Thank you, Amber. It really is beautiful."
"You're welcome," Amber said proudly and blushed. Then she grabbed another white bar of soap and started a new design.
Amber started from the middle again as she had with the orchid. It was a different flower, though. She made a small teardrop shape with a circle that, if Kevin didn't know any better, he would swear was a clitoris. However, Amber continued cutting into the soap from that starting point until she'd carved out a big rose. She reduced the soap below the flower as she did with the orchid, glued it into a box, and very simply painted the rose red with deeper tones of red painted into the edges of the petals to give it more depth. The finished product was of the same quality as the orchid.
"This one's for your mother," Amber said, placing it on the table for Kevin to inspect. "Each of those boxes have tops, so we'll put those on once the soap dries."
"You have to at least let me compensate you for the rose," Kevin insisted.
"I'll accept another thank you," Amber smiled.
"At least let me give you $2000 marks," Kevin said as he pulled out some money.
"Really, Kevin for you, it's a gift. I can even put some rose oil on it once it dries if you want."
"Sure," Kevin smiled. "I think mom would love that."
"Good. Once it's dry, we'll put some rose oil on it."
"Do you always make the soaps scented?"
"Most of the time," Amber said. "The animal carvings aren't scented, but the flowers are. We usually just use Lavender though unless we have the oil associated with the flower. We're limited to rose, lavender, peppermint, clove, cinnamon…and vanilla," Amber remembered the last one. "Oh! We also have Frankincense and Mur. We don't usually use those, though."
"That sounds like a worthwhile collection," Kevin smiled.
"Sometimes I'll put a few drops of peppermint oil in the bathwater so it tingles," Amber smiled. "When I was really small, mom used to rub Lavender oil on my pillows to help me relax."
"Mom used to just sing to us when we were fussy," Kevin said.
"What are your mom and dad like?" Amber asked as she went to the vats of wax to check on them. They were still relatively solid, but they were melting. She stirred them to help temper the wax.
"Well," Kevin thought, trying to decide how to describe them. "Mom is gentle as can be so long as you don't get her mad. I can count the number of times mom's been really mad at me on one hand and I prefer to keep it that way," Kevin chuckled. "Dad is more of the disciplinarian than mom is, but she'd give us a firm slap or spanking if we were misbehaving. They didn't usually have to, though."
"I don't think mom's so much as slapped my hand before," Amber said. "She has yelled at me and placed me in timeout."
"Timeout," Kevin chuckled almost condescendingly. "Not in our households. My friend Embry's father, Embry Sr.? What he would do if the kids started misbehaving is he'd grab them, throw them over his shoulder and spank them once really hard and tell them to stop acting up. That usually works. Hell, he's got an infant and even some toddlers, so he'll still do that. He's gotten soft on them, though." Kevin started chuckling. "The more kids they have, the softer they get. Hell, when I was a boy, Embry Jr. and I snuck out of the house and we got scolded for hours for it. If one of the triplets is out and about after dark when they're not supposed to? Not so much as being sent to their rooms with no dinner."
"I guess they'd better take advantage of it, then," Amber laughed. "What does everyone look like?" Amber asked. Kevin thought of everyone and listed them off by name and face, starting with his parents and working his way down his siblings, even including Nathan's wolf. Then he turned to his grandparents on both sides of his family. Then he thought of Sokajili. Then he turned to Embry Sr., Caevia, and listed the children one by one in order of their age. "That's such a big family."
"It really is," Kevin smiled. "We were never lonely, that's for certain. Even if we wanted to be, we were never alone."
"You look a lot like your mom," Amber said.
"I've been told that," Kevin smiled. "You actually look just like your mother too. Your birth mother, I mean. I had seen her once when she was alive."
"You did?" Amber asked eagerly. "What was she like?"
"I only saw her from afar while Embry and I were walking down the road, so I didn't get to speak to her. I do remember she had blonde hair just like you. You have her eyes too. You even have her smile actually."
"Do I really?" Amber asked, a little teary eyed.
"Yeah," Kevin smiled and nodded. "I don't know who your father was, but I can tell you have nothing of him." Kevin looked at Amber a little more closely. "Well, perhaps his ears. But they suit you."
"Do you suppose if my birth father had known about me, he would have taken me in?"
"I can't say," Kevin answered honestly. "I like to think he would have. It doesn't matter now, though. Anna and Levi have been good to you right?"
"They have," Amber nodded. "Did it upset you when I decided to go with them instead of your aunt and uncle?"
Kevin looked at her a moment and finally took a deep breath before deciding he was better off answering honestly. "I wasn't upset so much as I was…I don't really know how to explain it. I guess my feelings were hurt. I wasn't at any point mad at you, though. If I was ever mad at anyone, it was Mrs. Lavoie for giving you to the Dymeks when I'd already told her my aunt and uncle would be taking you. She was right, though. Anna and Levi are what's best for you. I just wish you'd never seen me the way I reacted. I should never have been yelling in front of you no matter how angry at Mrs. Lavoie I was. Do Levi and Anna still keep in touch with them?"
"Not that I'm aware of," Amber said. She glanced at the wax again, stirred it again, and smiled. "The wax is done melting." Amber ran off to one corner where there were a number of plain white taper candles that were all shaped like long stars that got thicker as it went down. "We always start with this base white taper and add color later." Amber took a moment to start a fire until the iron pan before starting.
Kevin walked over to watch Amber work, but making sure to stay out of her way. She began dipping the candle dominantly in pinks, reds and two layers of purple that were covered by red. Between each coat, she dipped the candle in the water and explained it was to help keep the candle cool enough to handle. Once she was satisfied, there was a long trail of hanging wax on the bottom of the candle. Amber put the threaded string of the candle on a hook so it would hang and started by cutting off the bottom collection of melted wax. The swirls of color were so pretty to look at. Amber selected a few pieces and placed them aside before bunching the remaining wax until it was shaped like little mushroom. She threaded a wick through the candle and tossed it in the water. Then she grabbed a knife and started carving. Kevin watched the whole time, intrigued by the process. She cut along the sides in such a way that there were folds of wax draping the candle like petals. When complete, she dipped the bottom half in water to cool the wax so it wouldn't sag. Then she worked on the pieces she'd placed to the side until one was shaped as a rose. She picked one section to slightly hollow out, heated the bottom of the flower on the iron pan, and rushed to gently press it into the candle. She carved out thin bits of wax on the hollow portions of what used to be the inside of the star and twirled the wax so it looked like a really colorful barber pole. Once she was happy with it, Amber dipped the candle in the water again and took it to the iron pan to flatten out the bottom. She ran over to another tub, dipped the candle in a clear solution, then hung it up for it to dry.
"Mom has some good boxes for these so we'll make sure your mom gets this unharmed."
"She'll love that," Kevin smiled. He kneeled down to get a better look at it. The little rose Amber had made was precious with pinks and reds and purples making it seem as though petals went on forever. "By chance, it that little pig with a hat yours?" he asked, pointing at the painting.
"Actually, that one's mom's," Amber smiled. "I can make you a painting if you want, though."
"No, Amber, you've already outdone yourself," Kevin chuckled. "The candle and soaps are beautiful."
"Well, I'm glad you like them," Amber smiled proudly.
Leaving the soaps and candle to dry, Kevin and Amber left the back room into the kitchen where Amber started making some lunch. Anna was still napping, so they left her alone until lunch was ready. Amber was just barely tall enough to use the stove, but any and all items that needed to be retrieved from higher cabinets were tasked to Kevin to retrieve. Though before long, Amber decided she'd rather just reheat some soup her mother had made the other day. The soup was heated up within a few minutes and when it was done, she went to wake Anna so they could all eat. Amber showed Anna the two soaps she'd carved for Kevin and his mother and the candle she'd made for his mother. She was surprised to see the little rose Amber had put on the candle and was intrigued by how Amber had done it. She made a mental note that she would have to ask Amber to show her how she'd done that. While Amber and Anna were reviewing the candle and soaps, Kevin ran upstairs to grab a few things and returned downstairs as they were leaving the little art room.
"I know it's not Hanukkah, but I do remember you saying you'd teach me how to play," Kevin said, presenting the little dreidel Amber had sent him. Then he held up some Mark coins. "I figured we could use this instead of gilt. That's what it's called, right?"
"You remembered," Amber smiled and went to Kevin to take the dreidel. "Mom, did you want to play?"
"Oh, no, honey, dreidel's only for Hanukkah. Since he's just learning, we can make an exception this once. I think you'll prove a good teacher."
Amber took Kevin by the hand and brought him over to the table so they could play. Anna went across the room to her little chair and read while the two played. Kevin split the money evenly between the two of them and ran upstairs to grab one more coin when he realized he had an odd number. Amber reviewed with Kevin what each character was and what they meant. Kevin had read the little booklet that came with the toy and Alphonse had helped him learn to read German using that booklet, so for the most part, Kevin knew the rules. He just didn't know how to say the characters. They'd just been placed on the page with an explanation but no instruction on pronunciation. Aside from that, it was really just gambling with candy, only Kevin had brought real money into the game.
"Are you ready to play?" Amber asked after she'd explained the rules and characters.
"I'm ready," Kevin answered. They put half of each of their pots in the middle saving half for each of them to use through the game and Amber made the first spin. The dreidel landed, the sign called shin showing. "That's pronounced shin, right?"
"Yup and that means I add one to the pot." Amber put one coin into the pot and then handed Kevin the dreidel. "Your turn." Kevin took the dreidel and spun it as Amber had and it landed on Nun.
"Nun, right? That means do nothing?"
"Yup," Amber answered and took the dreidel and took her turn. This time, she got Nun as well.
Kevin then took his turn and got Shin, so he added a coin to the pot. They both got that character about three more times before Kevin spun the dreidel and it landed on Nun.
Amber spun and her luck changed when the dreidel landed on Hey and she smiled.
"Looks like a take half the pot," Amber announced proudly as she eyeballed an approximate halving of the pot and brought it to her pile. Kevin chuckled.
"Don't get too cocky, Amber. Your luck might change again."
"When my luck gets good, it usually stays that way," Amber replied confidently and handed over the dreidel. Kevin accepted the dreidel, spun it and it landed on Gimmel.
"Well, looks like my luck's changing too," Kevin teased and took the whole pot that remained, effectively giving him the other half.
"Beginner's luck," Amber taunted with a smile and made her spin.
She received Shin and threw in a coin. So did Kevin come his turn and he threw in a coin too.
They both ended up getting either Shin or Nun for several rounds, filling the pot back up again, until Amber broke the monotony with her spin landing on Gimmel.
"Finally!" Amber cheered and took the whole pot. Kevin was currently left with a mere fifteen coins to work with while Amber carried considerably more. "I told you, Kevin: once my luck gets good, it usually stays that way."
"Only after five rounds of getting Nun of course," Kevin teased and Amber kicked his shin under the table but was laughing.
"Says the man who's gotten mostly Shin," Amber bit back.
"The game's not over yet, Amber. I might still win the day."
"We'll see about that," Amber said, getting even more competitive as Kevin took his spin. He got Gimmel as well, but seeing as there was no longer anything in the pot, it didn't do him much good. "Here's one coin just for trying," Amber teased as she placed the coin in Kevin's pile.
"How very generous of you," Kevin replied back sarcasm heavy in his tone, but he smiled all the same.
They played a few more rounds intermittently getting Shin, Nun, Hey and Gimmel in rather regular intervals between the two of them. They were playing the game for hours until Amber finally won with one final Gimmel after too many rounds of Shin, forcing Kevin to relinquish all his coins to the pot.
"I win!" Amber cheered taking the pot for herself. "That's easily the longest game of dreidel I've ever played."
"So they don't usually take that long?"
"No," Amber said. "Before this, the longest game I ever played lasted maybe 40 minutes. This is the first time I've played and it lasted for 3 ½ hours."
"I assume this is a longer game if you play in a group though, right?"
"Sometimes," Amber said. "It depends on the group. You're usually not supposed to play with more than three people. At least, that's the rule at the Synagogue. Every year, our Rabi throws a little tournament for all the kids and the parents will all pitch in some money to buy chocolate gilt for us to play with."
"You played in the tournament?"
"Yes I did," Amber said proudly again. "The first one I got to play in, I made it to 3rd place. Last year, I won the whole thing."
"I'm shocked you didn't brag about this in your letter," Kevin teased.
"I admit I forgot to," Amber blushed. "As it is, the prize it winner gets to take home all the candy. I pretended I don't like chocolate and just let everyone take the candy for themselves. We just divided it back up the way we'd had it from the beginning and mom and dad ate my portion."
"Perhaps you should ask Rabi Fredrick if this year the prize could be something really worth fighting over besides candy. Maybe a little trophy?"
"Now, Kevin, don't go giving Amber ideas," Anna giggled from her chair. "She's viciously competitive enough as it is."
"I've gathered that," Kevin laughed. "I'm scared to imagine what a sore loser you must be."
"I assure you, I take loss with dignity and class," Amber protested, crossing her arms and sticking her chin up arrogantly with a slight pout. It made Kevin laugh.
"Is that true, Anna?"
"Sometimes," Anna answered bluntly.
"Mom!" Amber protested and Kevin and Anna both broke into another laugh. Anna stopped reading and went to the kitchen to start dinner so it would be ready by the time Levi got home.
"We're having cabbage soup and bread, Kevin. Is that alright?"
"That sound great, Anna," Kevin said. "Do you want me and Amber to help?"
"Yes, Amber, you can come help. Kevin, I'm sure you're exhausted from the game, so you can relax while we work."
"Really, Anna, I'm happy to help."
"It's alright, Kevin, Amber can help me," Anna insisted, so Kevin looked at Amber before she left the table.
"How about I get these coins up to your room?"
"It's okay, you can take them back," Amber said.
"No, Amber, it was a fair fight and I lost. The money's yours."
"Well, if you insist," Amber grinned and went to the kitchen to help Anna.
Kevin gathered all the coins and went upstairs to Amber's room. Unsure where to put them, as most every surface was covered with something, Kevin placed the coins on Amber's bed. The room was the palest sea foam green and her blankets were a cute purple color that appeared as though it was made for her. In fact, upon further inspection of the quilt, Kevin realized her name was embroidered on the corner saying, 'To my Beautiful Daughter, Amber. With Love, Momma.' Kevin had to smile when he saw it, realizing Anna had made the quilt herself. Amber's room was also the only room in the house, or so it appeared from what he'd seen, to have differing colored wood items. Her bed frame, dresser with a vanity mirror, tiny shelf and toy box were all white. The dresser with a vanity had a little tray with some jewelry and beside that he saw the picture of him with Handsome Dan that he'd sent her as well as the tiny statue of Handsome Dan. There was also a shelf with the teddy bear he'd given her as well as a few other toys. There was also a big purple box on that shelf. Figuring he'd stared at her room enough, Kevin finally went back downstairs to rejoin Amber and Anna.
Anna and Amber had dinner ready within another half hour and it was on the table just as Levi got home. They all sat down at the table together and Levi asked Kevin about his day with the girls. Kevin asked Levi about his day at the bank as well and following dinner they all sat in the living room together to talk. Unfortunately, when Kevin and Levi really got talking, it turned rather boring, at least in Amber's opinion. She adored her father, really she did, but when he went on about his job and numbers, she found she could barely stay awake to listen to him talk. Anna's propensity for listening to Levi drone on about the bank was far better than Amber's, though she would be lying if she claimed it wasn't without a great deal of effort. Unfortunately for Amber and Anna, Kevin's profession (or future profession more appropriately) was just as boring as he frequently used legal terms that even Levi barely recognized. Anna insisted on making coffee and had Amber come with her to help clean the dishes since Kevin and Levi had begun talking about work.
"Are all jobs so boring?" Amber asked when they were cleaning the plates.
"I imagine some jobs are interesting with never a dull moment, but I fear when your life is numbers, your job is doomed to be horrendously boring." Anna giggled a moment. "Have I told you about when your father and I had our first date and he near put me and my father to sleep talking about how interest payments work?"
"Yes," Amber sighed. "Just listening to you describe it is boring."
"Try being on that date," Anna joked. "But then, when your father's not talking about his job, he's a pleasure to talk to."
"I know," Amber smiled. "I imagined being a lawyer would be more interesting, but it sounds just as boring."
"To be fair, dear, he's still just a student. Aside from that internship he mentioned, he's not actually seen any real court time or cases. I'm sure once he's in the saddle as it were he'll have more stories than you'll be able to stomach even if over letters."
"At least in letters I can skip it," Amber said. Anna started laughing, dropping a glass in the water and splashing them both.
"Is everything alright, Anna?" Levi called from the living room.
"Yes, Levi," Anna said through her laughter. "Amber and I were just having a talk." Anna recovered and dipped her hands in the water to get the cup. Amber was about to ask Anna to not tell Kevin she said that, but somehow she knew he'd heard her anyway.
"Thank you, honey. I think I needed that," Anna said. When they finished cleaning, their cuckoo clock rang stating the time was nine in the evening. "You should get to bed, honey."
"I'd really rather not," Amber said.
"You still should, Amber," Anna said, ushering her out of the kitchen to go upstairs.
"Going to bed already?" Kevin asked when he saw them go up the stairs.
"Yes, it's getting late," Anna said.
"How about I tell you a story before you go to bed?" Kevin offered.
"I'm not a kid," Amber pouted.
"You're right, I'm sorry," Kevin smiled. "It's too bad. It's a good story."
"What kind of story?" Amber asked.
"I was thinking maybe The Wife of Bathe's Tale," Kevin suggested.
"I can't say I've heard that one," Levi said.
"I wouldn't think so. It's a story from a collection called the Canterbury Tales. It was written centuries ago, long before even my grandpa and uncle were alive. It was back when 'Husband' in English was spelled H-O-U-S-E-B-A-N-D." Kevin took a moment to laugh. "I can't even say that's incorrect. They didn't have much of a standard for written language at the time. When Uncle Carlisle would read it to us, he'd always inadvertently read with this bizarre cockney accent that always made us laugh."
"What's cockney?" Amber asked.
"It's a variation of the English accent that usually is spoken by poor people or uneducated people, or so I'm told. I promise, I'd be surmising the story, so I'll talk normally."
"What's it about?" Amber asked.
"It's about a knight that's trying to redeem himself after a crime he committed. Technically, the Wife of Bathe starts her story by talking about all the men she'd married, but I wasn't crazy about that part of the story."
"Well," Amber thought, "Okay, I'd like to hear it."
"In that case," Anna said before kissing Anna's head, "I'll leave you to hear the story. I'd actually like to go to bed myself. Levi, are you coming?"
"I'll be up in a moment," he said as he started sipping his coffee.
Kevin followed Amber upstairs to her room and when they arrived, Amber gathered all the coins she'd won and brought them over to her big purple box. He got a glance inside and saw all the letters he'd sent her and smiled a little. He was glad he wasn't the only one that kept the letters. Realizing she'd need to change for bed, Kevin left her room and told her to come get him when she was ready. He waited outside her door and said goodnight to Levi as he passed. Finally, Amber told Kevin he could come in and she was in her cotton nightgown and climbing into bed. Kevin pulled over a little chair so he was sitting at Amber's bedside.
"This is weird," Amber said.
"What's so weird about me telling a 2 year old a bedtime story?"
"I'm 2 in number only. I just had my Bat Mitzvah. That means I'm a grown up."
"Well, I never got to tell you stories when you were little. I'll bet Anna got to tell you stories all the time didn't she?"
Amber nodded, "She used to tell me the story of Rapunzel, that was my favorite, Rumpelstiltskin, Snow White, Red Riding Hood, Little Broom Stick. She told me lots of stories."
"Exactly," Kevin teased. "So humor me at least."
"I'm humoring you, Kevin, I'm humoring you," Amber reassured with a smile. "So tell me about this knight."
"Alright, so the Wife of Bathe's Tale. Her actual tale I mean and not her back story about her five husbands."
"How did she get five husbands?" Amber asked, a little bewildered.
"It's heavily implied she killed a few of them, some died of disease and so on and so forth. Supposedly her fifth husband was the love of her life but he also abused her."
"How is that the love of her life?"
"Honestly, Amber, I don't remember. I only remember her story about the knight."
"Well, then tell me about this knight."
"Alright," Kevin smiled. "Once upon a time, there was a knight of the Round Table at Camelot who was very selfish. He had forced himself onto a young maiden one day and news of this reached Queen Gweneviere and the ladies of the court."
"This is a story about a knight that raped a woman?" Amber asked, a little horrified.
"Yes, but stay with me. There's an important moral to the story that, if I'm being honest, is extremely progressive for its time."
"Okay," Amber sighed. "Continue."
"Thank you," Kevin chuckled. "So anyway, he raped this young maiden and the women of the court were calling for his execution. But Queen Gweneviere in all her wisdom decided to give the knight a chance to redeem himself. She told him that he was to go on a quest to discover what it is that every woman wants and return to Camelot with the answer. If his answer was correct, then she would let him live. If he was wrong, he would be executed.
So the knight set out on his quest, asking ladies all over the land what it is that every woman wants. He assumed the task would be insultingly easy. However, with each woman he asked, the less hopeful he became. He kept getting different answers. Some told him all women want money, some claimed fame, some claimed love, others claimed jewelry or clothes and the list went on and on. He was limited in the time he could take to complete his quest before he would have to return and it appeared as though he would be returning empty handed. As he was on his way back to the castle, he happened upon a hideous, haggardly old woman sitting beside a pond.
The knight decided he may as well speak to the woman to get her answer. So he walked over to the woman and asked her what it is that every woman wants. She confirmed that she knew the correct answer and agreed that she would go with him to the court of Camelot to announce it. However, she argued that if she was correct and he was able to live, he would have to marry her. Assuming he was doomed regardless, the knight agreed and brought the woman with him to Camelot to announce the answer.
They returned to Camelot together and she told him the answer before they appeared before the ladies of the court. Queen Gweneviere asked the knight to proclaim his answer and he said, 'What every woman wants is the right to make her own decisions'. The courtroom roared with applause, each lady of the court agreeing it was a good and correct answer. His answer ensured that he could live, however it meant that now he had to marry the haggardly old woman. Arrangements were made and the two were wed shortly thereafter. Upon their wedding night, the haggardly woman attempted to please the knight, but he would not have her.
She asked what was the matter and he explained frankly that she was simply too ugly and he did not want her. So the woman made the knight a deal. He could either have her as she is and she would be a loving and faithful wife or she could turn into a stunning, breath taking young woman like he wanted, but she would be unfaithful. She asked him which he would prefer and he said, 'I want you to decide'. The haggardly woman smiled and turned into a beautiful young woman. She commended the knight for letting her decide and, as a reward, she turned into a beautiful and faithful wife and they lived happily ever after." Amber was quiet a moment, staring at Kevin.
"So he rapes a woman, just has to ask some old lady what the answer to a test question is, marry her, and she becomes beautiful and faithful?"
"I take it you're not amused?" Kevin chuckled.
"The moral of the story is good, but I feel like the knight hasn't learned anything."
"Well, we don't know what happens after happily ever after, so I guess we'll never know. How about I tell you a different story?"
"This one doesn't involve rape does it?"
"No," Kevin answered. "It's a story my tribe tells of a heroic young Quileute girl that saved the village from an evil monster."
"That sounds standard enough," Amber smiled.
"Alright. It's the story of Dask'iya. She was an evil monster that kidnapped naughty children and brought them back to her cave to cook over a big fire. Some Dask'iya was cursed by a trickster for eating her children while our people believe she was an ogres. Dask'iya would kidnap children in the night by throwing them into her big basket and taking them up the mountain to her cave. One night, she kidnapped a little Quileute girl. As she did with all the children, Dask'iya lit the fire and put sap on the children's eyes so they couldn't see. Dask'iya began to sing and dance about the meal she was about to have during which the Quileute girl warned her hands on the fire and used the warmth to rub the sap from her eyes. When she could see, she pushed Dask'iya into the fire and saved the children from certain death."
"See," Amber smiled. "That's heroic."
"Fine, Miss Know-it-all," Kevin smiled back, crossing his arms. "You think you're so damn good at telling stories. Why don't you tell me one? I, for one, don't care that I'm 'too old' for a bedtime story."
"Fine, I will," Amber sat up, playing along with the jest. She took a moment to think about what she would tell him and thought of one that she knew and would also tease Kevin. "Do you know the story of Little Red Riding Hood?"
"As a matter of fact, yes, I do, but you're welcome to tell me again."
"Alright. Once upon a time, there was a little girl that wore a red cape that her grandmother made her. She wore it so much she became known as Little Red Riding Hood. One day, her mother gave her treats in a basket to take to her grandmother's house as grandma was feeling ill and could use the company. Little Red Riding Hood walked the path to grandma's house singing and was overheard by a big bad wolf. The wolf stepped out and asked Little Red Riding Hood where she was going. She told him she was going to her grandma's house and bringing her treats. The wolf convinced her to take the long way so she might pick flowers for her grandma. Little Red Riding Hood agreed and took the long way while the wolf took the shortcut to grandma's house.
When he arrived, he ate up grandma, put on her clothes and laid in bed waiting for Little Red Riding Hood to arrive. Little Red Riding Hood arrived at grandma's house with a bouquet of flowers and the basket of treats. She saw her grandma in bed and went to her side and gave her a hug.
She said, 'Grandma, what big arms you have.'
'All the better to hold you with, my dear,' said the wolf.
'Grandma, what big eyes you have,' said Little Red Riding Hood.
'All the better to see you with, my dear,' the wolf said.
'Grandma, what big teeth you have!' Little Red Riding Hood proclaimed.
And the wolf said, 'All the better to eat you with!' and the wolf swallowed Little Red Riding Hood whole. There was a hunter in the woods that overheard all the commotion and went to investigate. When he arrived, he saw the wolf lying in grandma's bed fat and rubbing his belly. So the hunter attacked the wolf, killing him and cut open his stomach to release Little Red Riding Hood and her grandma. And Little Red Riding Hood learned to never trust strangers."
"You know, European folktales villanized the poor wolf."
"The wolf ate Little Red Riding Hood and her grandma!"
"Wolves don't bug you unless you bug them. Same thing with bears. They certainly can't eat a full grown human whole."
"I think you're over thinking the story," Amber teased. "By that logic, I could say ogres don't exist and therefore your story about Dask'iya isn't real or there's no way a haggardly old lady can transform into a beautiful woman so that story is silly too."
"Okay, young lady, for the record," Kevin scolded, undermined by his smile as it may be, "Dask'iya was an evil monster that terrorized the tribes near the mountain and still would were it not for the bravery of one little Quileute girl. I've even seen the cave where the monster used to live."
"Oh really?" Amber smiled skeptically.
"Yes I did. My father showed it to me when I was a kid. There was fire and sappy trees lying around."
"That doesn't really prove she lived there, Kevin," Amber giggled.
"I'm sure if dad had let me look further, I would have found plenty of bones left over from her victims."
"I would think you would have found her bones first if she fell into the fire."
"She might have crawled further into the cave before she died."
"I'm sure you would have noticed a smell," Amber said.
"This would have happened before the years of Chief Taha Aki, so I'm sure the smell has dissipated by now. I can do this all night, Amber."
"Okay, fine, she was real," Amber giggled. "You win."
"You're damn right I win," Kevin smiled back. "So should we tell one more story to each other or are we calling it a night?"
"I think we'll call it a night."
"Maybe I can get you something to read before bed. Mom always read to us before bed when we were kids and it always helped us sleep. Seeing as you're too old for bedtime stories to be told to you, perhaps reading them yourself will be more to your liking."
"Any recommendations?"
"If your mother's alright with it, we can all go to the bookstore tomorrow and see what they've got. I'll make a recommendation then if they have something I'm familiar with."
"Sounds like an idea," Amber smiled. "Goodnight, Kevin."
"Goodnight, Amber. Get some sleep."
The two hugged before Kevin left her room leaving the door slightly ajar before going to his room, changing for bed and going to sleep. The following day, as promised, Anna, Amber and Kevin walked to a bookstore after they'd all had breakfast with Levi and sent him off to work. Kevin was saddened when he saw the limited options the store had. He didn't recognize most of the titles. He was eventually able to find a collection of Jane Austen novels that were translated to German. So he picked out the ones his mother and sister loved the most: Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, and of course, Pride and Prejudice. To this day, Kevin remembered just how much Natalie and Aidie used to swoon over Mr. Darcy and how wonderful he sounded once they learned he was misrepresented as a terrible person. He also remembered the gushing over Captain Wentworth, Colonel Brandon and Edward Ferrars. Hell, he distinctly remembered his sister refusing to allow anyone to sleep until she finally heard the end of Persuasion wanting to know if Captain Wentworth and Anne finally got together. He'd much preferred Treasure Island, the Greek Epics and Alice in Wonderland, but those weren't at the store. They, of course, found rows and rows of bibles and even some music books, children's stories and cookbooks. Kevin was a little surprised to find War and Peace of all things. He remembered Alphonse speaking of the book briefly when literature came up and he remembered him calling it, "A prime example of the empty shallowness that is the aristocracy with more princes and princesses than should even be possible coupled with long boring stints of nothing happening in battle until something happens briefly, then returns to nothing happening again." With that review fresh in his mind, Kevin opted not to buy the book.
"I would think you'd have more picks for me," Amber teased when Kevin handed over the three Jane Austen novels.
"Believe me, I do, but none of them are here. If they had everything I'd want to give you, the pile would be taller than me. But my mother and sister really love those books, so I'm sure you'll like them."
"Which one should I start with?" Amber asked.
"Sense and Sensibility. That's my favorite," Kevin answered.
"I'll start it tonight, then," Amber smiled back. Kevin bought Amber the books and they all returned back to the house to enjoy the remainder of the day.
