A/N: Gonna do my best to update this on a biweekly basis. Here's chapter two!
Chapter 2: Trophy Fathers
Summer's raging temperatures had finally decreased; the season was almost over, and Carrissa was thankful for the light, cool breeze fall promised to deliver. After she finished tending her crops and disposing of the ones that would not produce the next season, she made one last trip to her coop. She rushed around as she fed her chickens, Selice and Marley, making sure to pet each of them before collecting the large eggs and gathering the mayonnaise from her maker.
"Sorry guys, I promise I'll spend more time with you tomorrow!"
When she left the farm building and exited her surrounding fence, she saw Maru near her farm exit. A smile spread across her features as she ran to meet her best friend. "Maru, hey! Did you get the soil samples your dad wanted?"
The carpenter's daughter held up a few labeled bags of soil. "Yeah, now that we've gotten some from your farm, we can help you decide where to plant your fall crops. I'm going to bring these to the lab. Meet you at my place after you're done with your errands?"
"Yeah, see you there, Maru!"
Maru adjusted her glasses and waved, leaving the farm towards her mountain home.
Carrissa entered her house, showered, and changed before grouping up her offerings to the junimos for the summer season. It had been a few months since Lewis had opened up the community center for her. She tried cleaning up most of the mess, but a lot of the furnishings were run down and beyond her repair. She wanted to do something about it, and in exchange for her gifts, the Junimos seemed fine with helping her.
Maru frequently asked her why she visited the run down building and lectured her on how it probably wasn't safe. How would she ever explain the sprites to her? "Hey, I know we are, like, super logical adults an stuff, but did you know about the little magical guys running around the abandoned community center?" Yeah, that would go well.
"By the way Maru, um, that burn you helped me with wasn't just an accident! I kind of torched my crops!" Yeah, perfect. Perfect if I'm trying to lose my best friend and get Harvey to commit me.
When Carri arrived on the beach around noon, Sam and Vincent were the only two there. The farmer walked over to Sam and took a seat beside him in the sand as she watched Vincent play. The sound of waves crashing against the shore created such a soothing ambience that it could have put her to sleep. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. The beach is the best for unwinding after tending my crops and animals for sure. So peaceful and quiet. Sam's voice interrupted her train of thought. "Ya know, I take Vincent here a lot during the summer. Our dad used to take us here when it was sunny out."
Carrissa turned to face the blonde. Today was the first day he had brought his dad up in conversation, and she didn't want to interrupt. This was a touchy topic, that was evident by the way Sam looked off into the horizon somewhere far across the ocean's rippling waves and past the sun's rays reflecting on the water surface and his fists clenched at his sides. After hearing the mention of their father, Vincent dropped his toys and came over to the two. "Sam? Is dad ever gonna come home?"
Sam forced a smile for his brother's sake. "Of course, Vince! Dad is gonna come back as soon as he can."
"But, I heard some grown ups talking about how people were getting shot to pieces." The young child frowned as tears threatened to fall.
"Don't you listen to any of that!" There was an angry tick in his voice. Who would talk like that in front of a child whose dad is at war? "Do you remember how strong dad is?" He flexed his muscles and let a grin grace his face. "He'd never let the pathetic Gotoro grunts get him like that! And always remember that mom and I are here to play with you if you ever get lonely. Okay, bud?" He patted his younger brother's head reassuringly as Vincent went back to playing in the sand.
When his brother was out of earshot, he continued, "Honestly, I have no idea if my old man will come back...We've all read the reports. Our soldiers are falling by the thousands, but what am I supposed to tell Vincent?"
Carri thought hard on her next words. It was hard seeing Sam seem so vulnerable. Out of her circle of friends she made in the valley, he was her sun, as corny as it sounded. He was literally the ray of positivity in their group and she'd be damned if she let him feel down and out. "Hey, you did the right thing. Kids should have hope, and so should you, Sammy. I'm sure you will see your dad again." She patted her friend's back. "Ya know, I still hope to meet my dad again."
He isn't the only one who doesn't like to speak of his parents. She released a breath that she hadn't realized she had been holding. She looked over to Sam and it was as if his eyes were asking for her to continue. "My dad left when I was five. I remember him and my mother fighting. Ya know, it was my fault now that I think about it." She leaned back propping herself up on her elbows in the sand.
"I didn't really understand why he was so mad or why he left." She looked over to him, and saw worry in the crease of his brow. Aw, come on, Carri! You are supposed to be cheering him up! Not bringing him down. "A-anyway, I think kids need hope. We all do. Life would just suck without it. They need something to dream of, something to look forward to."
Sam smiled at Carri. The farmer looked so peaceful, leaning back, propped up in the sand. "You're right. Thanks, dude!"
Getting up from her spot, she dusted the sand off her clothing, legs and arms. "See ya around, Sammy. I've gotta meet up with Maru and check some stuff out! See ya around!" Offering a wave as goodbye, she headed north of the beach and through the town, making her way to the mountain home in which her best friend resided.
"Thanks for helping us set the table, Carri." Robin grinned as she and Maru carried serving dishes full of steaming hot spaghetti and garlic rolls to the table. It was becoming a norm for the family to have Carrissa over for lunch and in exchange for their hosting she always brought crops or fish to contribute. "I have one last favor to ask of you before we eat."
Before the carpenter voiced her thought, Carri knew good and well what she wanted. "I'll go get him." She gently knocked on the basement door. "I'm coming in, Sebastian." The basement was enveloped in darkness minus the light coming from the computer screen; the scent of menthol filled the room. Rapidly tapping at his keyboard, Sebastian sat in the faint glow of his monitor. "Food's ready and Robin wanted me to get you."
"I'm busy working. Can't you tell?" Short and to the point, just like Sebastian. Carri sighed, not willing to accept his answer.
"Seb, you're always working unless you're smoking, sleeping or hanging with Sam and Abby. Would it kill you to spend just a little time with your family? Your mom wants to eat as a family for once, and after how hard she has worked putting together a meal, you should at least give her that."
Sebastian stood with such force that his office chair flung back and loudly struck the wall. Being told what to do was not something he found enjoyable. "The only family I have here is mom. Why should I have to sit through dinner with him and his perfect daughter? Or you for that matter? You seem to be taking my place in this family anyway." The look on his face was a mix of pain and anger.
Carri released a frustrated growl. "Would you stop being so damn selfish?! Look, just because you don't like Demetrius, doesn't mean you should hurt your mom and sister. What did Maru ever do to you?"
"Everything she does is just perfect, she's so smart!- Did you know she's on the successful track in life?" A heavy weight hung in the air between the two. "As soon as I have the money, I'm out of here." Pulling his chair back to his desk, Sebastian took his seat once more. "No one ever bothers mom when she is working or Maru when she's at the clinic. Do you guys just think I'm playing computer games? I'm a programmer. I do have a job. I do make my own money. Now if you would, leave me to it."
Carrissa fought back angry tears, taking steps two at a time as she climbed to the exit of the basement. Is that really what he thinks? Demetrius cares about both of them. He may be more tough on Sebastian, but it's because he hides away all day. He just wants what's best for both his kids… And Maru shouldn't be held accountable for their father's actions toward him. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself before opening the door.
Carri took her spot at the table and spun her fork in the noodles before her. Robin's spaghetti was amazing, but her appetite was nonexistent after her quarrel with Sebastian. Before she knew it, everyone had finished eating and conversation ensued. "I'm gonna go a bit early today. I have a lot of chores to do, and I wanted to check out the mines and see if I can gather some copper ore for Clint. Thank you again, Robin! See you guys later!"
Lifting her bag from the couch near the entrance, Carri tossed it over her shoulder and headed for the mines. Yoba, I need to hit something.
Again, thank you for reading! If you wanna talk, add my tumblr! ShriaLaharra