Part 8

They were coming to pick him up today. School was starting in a week, and Chris wanted Vin home in time to buy the supplies he would need for the coming year. Tanner waved to his friend in the distance. He had ridden ahead on Cubby, the horse he had used all summer. He gave the mare a pat. It had been a great summer. He hadn't forgotten what had happened in juvenile hall, but now it seemed like it had happened to someone else, not him. Kojay had told him in a way that was true, since he had been re-born on his vision quest.

He wanted to be alone when he first arrived on the reservation. He thought that Chanu and his family would understand, but Kojay drew him out, taught him about the tribe – Vin wanted so much to belong and be a part of something. He was now an honorary member of the Seminoles. The medicine bag lay against his chest in reassurance.

The question was- did he want to be an honorary member of Chris's family? Just last night he had asked Kojay about staying at the reservation. The old man had chuckled, "Most people want to get off of the reservation." He hadn't said yes, but he hadn't said no either. But, Vin noticed that Kojay was always noncommittal on his answers.

Chanu reached his friend, easily bringing his horse to a stop in front of Vin. "Your family's here."

Tanner nodded. He looked around one last time at the scenery. This was all a part of him. Vin lifted his face to the sun. There was another part of him that was missing. It was time to go home. "Wanna race?"

--

Chris kept glancing out into the distance. Kojay had sent Chanu to find his friend. Larabee was growing impatient with Kojay's mysterious answers. The man seemed incapable of answering a question with a simple 'yes' or 'no.' He wanted to see his son.

"Here they come!" JD yelled out, jumping up and down and waving his arms.

Larabee could tell that Chanu and Vin were racing, with Vin in the lead. His hair had streaked with blonde, and Chris noticed the short haircut was gone replaced with longer silky hair, whipping in the wind. Larabee continued to study his son as he came closer. His nose was red from time in the sun. In a few weeks it would peel, and Chris felt a twinge of fear that he might not see that happen.

But, what drew Chris was the smile-effortless with a happiness that shined into the teen's eyes. Tanner crossed the imaginary finish line and put his hands in the air. Kojay yelled out to them in what Chris assumed to be a Native American language. Vin slid off the horse easily, and handed the reins to Chanu.

JD reached the teen first, enveloping him in a hug. Chris took a few steps closer to son, but Buck grasped his arm, signaling him to wait. Vin hugged and thoughtfully patted JD's hair. "Wanna see the new colt?" Buck nodded at Chris and then walked up to the two boys.

"Hey, Junior, good to see you again." Wilmington picked up the teen easily. Vin didn't resist the affection. He placed Tanner back on his feet and hugged him again. "Mind if I go and see the new colt too?"

Kojay gestured that they should follow him. And Chris and Vin remained behind watching each other for a moment. Vin moved forward in slow measured steps, then more quickly. He stopped when he reached his father.

Chris wanted to reach out to his child, but stopped. He didn't want to spook the teen either. "Hi, Vin," Larabee said with a smile, again appraising his son and noticing that he had grown at least two inches.

"Hi, Dad," Vin said with an equally enormous grin. Then the teen laughed, and Chris began to laugh in agreement.

"I missed you," They said at the same time, filled with a meaning only the two of them could understand. Chris put his hand out, they grasped forearms and then Larabee pulled his son in for a hug. "Welcome home."

--

The end