Ursa and Gritty helped move Buddi's
bed frame into his room. They'd finished it finally. Ursa had said to make it
big because she knew how Buddi liked to turn around. He still slept as he had
as a little child. He would kick, roll and scrunch up all night. One time, when
he was eleven right after they'd moved to Ursalia, she'd come in to wake him up
and found him sprawled out, one leg vertical against the wall, the other hanging
off the bed and his arms flung over his face.
She could still wake him and put him
to sleep the same way she had when he was a baby. By either rubbing his belly
or his back, either one worked. She still did it when she wanted him to sleep.
"Ursa? Gritty?"
The two adults turned as the voice
came in. Standing in the doorway was Buddi.
"Hey, kiddo," Gritty greeted him. He
gestured to Ursa. She had been meaning to talk to him and Gritty thought this
was as good a time as any. Gritty plopped down on the bed, followed by Ursa.
"Hey, Buddi," Ursa patted the area
between her and Gritty. Buddi sat down, heart pounding. He'd wanted to ask Ursa
something lately. Ever since he realized he loved Sunni, was becoming a
teenager, he needed an answer more.
"What's wrong?"
Ursa smiled. "Nothing. We just want
to talk to you."
Buddi took a breath. "I wanted to
ask you something too."
Ursa nodded. "All right."
Gritty put a hand on the cub's
shoulder. "We're all ears."
Buddi shook his head, "What did you
wanna talk about?"
"You and Sunni, Buddi," was his
answer. The cub spoke,
"And I wanted to ask you about my
mother."
That made Ursa and Gritty whirl
around to stare at him. The cub felt his cheeks turn bright red. Ursa spoke
out,
"What about your mother?"
Buddi sighed, "Ursa, you've been a
great mom. But, I don't even know her name!"
Gritty spoke out, "Your mother's
name was Ola, and your father's name was Bilo."
Buddi sighed, "You know I want more
than their names."
Ursa sighed. Even with all the
excitement lately, Buddi remained her little one. She knew that he would ask
eventually. She gestured for Gritty and whispered something in his ear. The
Barbic nodded and left. Ursa patted her lap and Buddi, feeling a little
embarrassed, climbed into her arms.
"All right Buddi, I guess you should
know. I'll tell you."
Buddi looked at her expectantly. She
took a breath and said, "What do you want to know?"
He answered without delay, "What was
my father like?"
Ursa smiled. "He was tall, about my
height. He had a patch over one of his eyes, like you but had dark brown fur.
His hair was lighter than yours and he wore it pulled back, in a low ponytail.
He had long hair. He was actually a lot like Gritty, strong, warrior-like, and
stubborn. You got his stubbornness."
Buddi smiled and said, "What about
my mother?"
Ursa closed her eyes and thought
backward before answering.
"She was short, I think that's why
you're short. She had light tan fur and your shade and texture of hair. She
wore it down, so it fell about my length. She wore a red dress, like mine, only
longer, to her knees. She never wore shoes."
Buddi looked up at his 'mother.'
"What was she like?"
Ursa smiled, "she was a bit more
tomboyish, more into training than you are. She loved music and that's where I
think you got your talent. But she was less forgiving than you are. I think
your forgiveness and innocence are all yours."
Buddi smiled and got down from her
arms.
"Thanks. I didn't mean that you're a
bad guardian…"
Ursa interrupted him. "Buddi, you don't
have to apologize. I know you were curious. I expected you to ask eventually."
Buddi nodded. "Thanks. I think
that'll do for now anyway."
Ursa winked at him as she stood.
"You can ask me any time, Buddi."
The cub nodded. "Thanks."
Ursa concurred and then gestured him
out, "Go play."
Buddi nodded and then ran outside.
Gritty came back in. He handed something to Ursa, an envelope.
"Do you think he's old enough?"
Ursa shrugged, "I'm not sure, what
do you think?"
Gritty answered, "I'd wait a year or
so."
Ursa nodded and stuck the letter
into her knapsack. Then, she went after Buddi. She still had to talk to him.
She'd been easy about him and Sunni. Now she was ready to crack down.