2
The silver letter
Percy's anger had subsided after around a week of isolation within his room, doing nothing but playing video games. Besides eating and sleeping, of course. Even though his anger had ended, it took Percy another week to finally communicate with his father. Instead of the odd grunt or nod here and there. He had hoped to question his dad about why he lied. However, he could not find the time to ask as his dad had been working overtime at the packaging factory for the past few weeks.
The little time he saw him was when they were eating dinner, or if Percy got up early enough to see him before he left. The only day his father had off was Sunday, but that was a day he would usually spend sleeping to recoup for the following week.
When Percy asked how much longer he planned on doing this, John promised only one more week. Well, that was two weeks ago. Summer was almost over, as it was the first week of August, and Percy's spare time was running out.
While eating the rest of his leftover steak while watching a documentary on the moon, Percy heard the front door open.
"Dad?"
"Yeah, it's me."
Stabbing the last bit of his meat and quickly shoving it into his mouth, Percy wiped his face on his sleeve before getting up off the sofa. Making his way over to his father, who was taking off his shoes, Percy noticed that his father looked awfully exhausted; another long day, he assumed. Wanting to help, Percy grabbed his lunch bag from the ground.
"Thanks," John said with a smile, throwing his coat on the hook and his shoes on the white rack.
"You're back early," Percy commented as he walked towards the kitchen. His father never usually got off until seven in the evening, and it was only five.
"I was sent home," John explained, "boss said for me to start my vacation early."
To this, Percy stopped in his tracks, "vacation?"
Grinning, John said, "you didn't think I was working all those extra hours because I loved to, did you?"
Rolling his eyes, Percy asked, "well, I assumed we were behind on bills, but anyways, where are we going?
"Guess," John said, making his way towards his couch as Percy placed his bag on the kitchen table.
"Long Island?"
"Nope," John said as he sat down on his couch, letting out a sigh of relief as he did so.
"D.C?"
"Guess again."
What could it be, Percy thought to himself. There were not many places they went, and most of them were in those two locations.
"Could I have a hint?" he asked, defeated.
Lying back with his eyes closed, John said, "I have been there twice and you once."
Thinking this over, only one place popped into Percy's mind; "that camp in Canada?"
"Bingo," John said, smiling.
"When?" he asked, rushing over to the couch opposite his father, barely able to contain his excitement due to the fact that they hadn't gone anywhere in a long time.
"Sunday," John answered, still laying down.
"Aww... that is two days away." Percy groaned; he knew these two days would not go by fast enough.
"We don't all get to sleep all day," John mentioned, as he let out a small yawn, a small grin present on his face.
He was right, but regardless, Percy still rolled his eyes, "yeah, yeah. I will have you know, though, that I do not sleep all day. Only until ten, sometimes noon if I am up late."
Percy expected some sort of sarcastic jab after his comment, but all he got in return was a loud snore. Exhaustion is a killer.
That was fast.
Percy thought it was best to let his dad rest. He laid a blanket on him before cleaning up his dishes and turning the television off. Knowing full well that his father would most likely not wake up until tomorrow, Percy locked the front door. Satisfied with what he had done, he made his way towards his bedroom, determined to finally finish that one Dark Souls level he had almost broken his controller over.
"Morning," Percy yawned as he trudged past his dad, who was currently eating a bowl of dry Honey Nut Cheerios.
"Morning," John responded, in between mouthfuls of cereal, "sleep well?"
"Mmm," Percy grunted in response. Although he slept for a good eight hours, he still felt tired. Unlike his father, who was wide awake.
Chuckling at his son's response, John took a spoonful of his cereal as he watched Percy slowly get a bowl from the cupboard. "Oh, we have no milk by the way, " he mentioned, just as Percy grabbed the Honey Nut Cheerios box.
Sighing, Percy placed the box on the counter before going to the fridge. He yawned as he took out a strawberry-flavored yogurt, deciding it was preferable to dry cereal. He returned to his bowl, took a spoon, and began emptying the yoghurt cup into it. Once it was all out, he threw the cup in the sink and grabbed the cereal box. Percy filled his bowl up to the top, closed the box and placed it back into the cupboard before joining his father.
"I was thinking, I kind of owe you an explanation for... well, everything," John began, "so this trip is kind of an apology and a time to explain things more clearly."
Percy, who was staring at the table while slowly eating away at his meal, looked over at his father before nodding his head. Having been zoned out, he did not really catch anything his father said besides sounds, and once the sounds had stopped, he thought it was best to pretend like he was listening. 'I'll ask later.'
"I just thi…"
Ding Dong. The doorbell rang, cutting John off.
"I will get it," Percy said, now fully awake thanks to the loud bell.
Curious as to who it could be, John got up as well, watching his son answer the door.
Upon opening the front door, Percy was met with an unfamiliar looking mail courier. Instead of the usual blond-haired lady in common attire who delivered their letters, this one was a man with salt and pepper hair. Of course, it would not be strange for others to fill in for people from time to time, but this man wore a dark blue uniform with the symbol of the Greek letter Ω.
Not saying a word, the man handed Percy a silver looking envelope before stepping back. 'Damn this is heavy' he thought to himself as he thanked the courier.
John, who was still watching, felt like something was not normal about this man. Deciding to confront him, he began to walk towards the door, but just before he got there, Percy began to close the door behind him, his full attention still on the envelope. Just before the door was closed, the courier locked eyes with John, giving him a smirk and a wink.
Determined to not let the man go without asking a question, John lightly pushed Percy out of the way before going for the doorknob. Just as he touched it, a flash of bright light made him stumble back as he shielded his eyes.
After a few seconds, John uncovered his eyes and was met with the confused face of his son.
"What the heck are you doing?"
"Did you not see that bright flash?" John asked, confused and hoping he was not just going crazy.
"Nah, I was looking at this envelope," Percy answered, raising the silver envelope so his father could see.
"Ok, just go to the kitchen table. I will be right back."
Shrugging his shoulders, Percy did as he was told and made his way towards the kitchen.
John, on the other hand, was determined to find that man. He opened the door, walked outside, and was met with... nothing. Nothing from either side of the sidewalk, or even across the road. The man had somehow disappeared into thin air.
The fuck? He thought to himself. Looking around like he had just lost a dog; John caught the attention of one of his neighbours.
"Everything alright, John?" an elderly neighbour asked, noticing John's confused demeanor.
Running his right hand through his dirty blond hair, John turned around. Facing the old lady with a reassuring smile, he said, "everything is fine, Cathy. I just thought I saw someone I knew. That's all. "
Cathy shook her head at his response before waddling her way back inside. "Stupid alcoholics," she mumbled just as she closed the door.
"What a bitch," John muttered. Letting out a sigh of defeat, he decided it was best to just open the letter and find out that way; for the man was long gone.
Percy, who was still sitting at the kitchen table, continued to fiddle with the envelope as he finished off his cereal. He wanted to open the envelope, but thought it was best to wait for his father.
Less than ten seconds later, his father came walking in, going right for the envelope. Snatching it from the table and nearly dropping it as he misjudged the weight, John quickly examined it, 'Pure silver?'
There was only one person he knew who sent letters in pure silver, and that was the same one who left just over six years ago, Percy's mother.
His heartbeat began to rise at the thought of this. Had she finally decided to come back? Opening the envelope, John was met with a folded silver letter. Taking it out, John placed the envelope back onto the table before unfolding it.
Positioning himself behind his father so he could read the letter as well, Percy was only met with confusion as a single weird looking coin and the words "I am sorry" were the only things present on the letter.
However, unlike his son, John cracked a smile as he let a few tears escape. He turned around and embraced Percy, who had no time to react to the sudden embrace.
As quickly as it happened, John backed off, wiping his eyes and letting out a soft chuckle.
Percy was even more perplexed and annoyed that he was missing something his father clearly knew from such a simple sentence.
"Mind filling me in?" Percy asked, feeling like an idiot as he stood there.
Cracking another smile, John said, "I think there is someone else that would do a better job than I, but we need to wait until dark."
"But why?"
Tossing Percy the coin, John said, "hold on to this, and your questions. They will all be answered tonight, I promise. Now, go off and pack. "
Wanting to ask more, but knowing he would not get much more, Percy followed his dad's orders, however strange they were. Had he forgotten it was only Saturday? Looking over the silvery coin, Percy found nothing interesting about it. Sighing, he placed it in his pocket and made his way towards his bedroom.
"He'd best be right," Percy mumbled under his breath before entering his room and closing the door behind him.
Hope you enjoyed! Oh and thank you for those kind comments! Until next time.
