After what seemed like hours of undergoing nearly unbearable rib pain, the outcome of playing the tickling wolf, it was finally time for me and Jake to go our separate ways. I had to get home before dad started to worry, and Jake had pack business to deal with; almighty alpha Jake, that is. I mentally laughed at the goofy title.
The run home was short, and my stomach was singing to me in a low tenor rumble. So I made the wise decision of finding dad, fast. Uncle Jasper had attempted to make pancakes for me once, mistaking the ground pepper for cinnamon; needless to say, I never asked him to cook for me again. Mom on the other hand could cook, but no one could compete with my dad's delicious concoctions.
I began my man-hunt, searching from room to room, until I came upon my parents' bedroom door. It was dead silent, but they could still be in there. Knocking, ever so lightly, I peeled open the door slowly. Thank God; they were sitting on the couch, staring soundlessly into each others eyes. I took one step into the room, and four eyes were automatically glued to my figure.
"Hey, Carlie. What are you doing, sweetie?" mom questioned imploringly, motioning for me to join them on the sofa.
"Nothing of much importance; me and Jake just finished up a game of the Tickling Wolf." I answered, remembering what a wonderful afternoon it had been with Jake.
Dad looked slightly confused at the game I had mentioned; he hadn't witnessed it like mom.
"Sounds like you two had a fun time," mom pointed out the obvious.
"So much," I beamed. "Oh, daddy, can you make me something to eat; I'm starved." I even used my puppy dog look, courtesy of Aunt Alice herself.
"Sure, sweetie. What do you have in mind?"
Works every time, I thought to myself.
"Well I was thinking maybe you could make me some of those scrambled eggs that mom used to love, back before she had me?"
"Okay, darling. Why don't you sit here and talk with your mother while I go fix you some." Dad hinted towards some mother/daughter time, before silently slipping out of the room.
I gradually made my way towards mom, where she sat on the cream/gold colored lounger in the corner of her and dad's room. Minutes seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye, another human trait I had so luckily inherited…not. Boredom was quickly taking its toll on me, so I decided to take dad's advice.
"Mom?" I attempted to capture her attention.
"Yes Carlie?" she questioned in her sweet, melodic tone. After being with Jake for long periods of time, the serene voices of my family were always set in perfect contrast to me.
"Can I tell you something?" I really hoped this wouldn't turn out to be a mistake. If Uncle Emmett found out about my secret place he would no doubt raid it; turning it into one of his "man lairs."
"Of course, Carlie, you can tell me anything." Her gentle, careening voice sounded so reassuring.
I had to make sure though.
"You have to promise me that you won't tell ANYONE though; not even dad."
"I promise not to tell anyone, not even your father. Now what is all the fuss about, sweetie?" she asked imploringly. Her patience was beginning to run thin, I could see it even though she tried to hide the fact; dad had told me that she never had been the patient type.
"Okay, when me and Jake were out playing in the woods, I came across a cave. It was absolutely beautiful inside. The best part about it is the end of the cave; it sparkles even more radiantly than both you and dad combined. Jake and I decided that It could be our secret place, so I can't tell you where it is exactly."
"It sounds wonderful, sweetie. Do you think you could show it to me?" she cooed.
What harm would it do? I raised my right palm toward mom's cold, hard, cheek; lightly coming in contact with her sweetly aroma skin. I was very careful as to not give her any clue as to where this top secret location was. When the memory had played out, she looked absolutely enthralled.
"So, what did you think about it?" I know it was a stupid question to ask, due to the look on her face; but I did it anyways.
"It's……Beautiful," she gushed, after finally finding her voice.
"That was my exact thought upon first seeing it too." I admitted.
"Carlie, your food is ready." Dad's announcement reached our speechless forms.
My stomach was beginning to ache, I was so hungry. Mom didn't look as if she would be joining me downstairs, or speaking for quite a while; this I could tell by the look on her face. So I silently rose off of the couch, and made my way down to the kitchen. The smell that assaulted my senses was absolutely mouthwatering. Dad stood over the kitchen table, scooping spoonfuls of steaming hot eggs onto my plate. I made no attempt at seeming casual, making a mad dash straight for the heaping plate of mighty goodness. Sometimes I wondered why my appetite was nearly as great as Jake's, but I guess it doesn't really matter enough to question.
I began mercilessly scarfing down every morsel of egg, when I happened to notice a little pixie-like Aunt Alice seated right next to me. I guess I'm sort of unobservant when it comes to eating time.
"Hey Aunt Alice. What are you doing down here?" It's not like she eats, well, human food that is.
"Well I wanted to ask you a favor," she stated; impishly.
"What is it?" I questioned through a mouthful of food.
"I was just wondering if you wanted to go to the mall with me tomorrow." She questioned warily.
"Yeah, sounds fun. Is anyone else going to come?"
"Not unless your mom wants to, which is highly unlikely might I add." Mom never was the shopping type.
After a few more mouthfuls of food, my plate was empty. I stood and walked over to the dishwasher, popped in my plate and fork, then turned on my heel and headed back up the stairs. Mom and dad were sitting in the exact same spots as before, doing the exact same thing they had been for who knows how long. Sometimes their actions just became gag worthy.
"Mom; Dad? Do you mind if I go with Aunt Alice to the mall tomorrow?"
"Sounds like Alice got to you," mom stated; all the while giggling at half forgotten human memories.
"Not at all, Carlie. You should spend time with your aunt, she loves you very much," dad answered my question, since it didn't look like I was going to get one out of mom; she was still stuck reminiscing.
I was on my way out the door, when I remembered what else Aunt Alice had said to me at the table. It was worth a shot.
"Oh, by the way mom" I called over my shoulder. "Aunt Alice mentioned something about you coming, if you want."
"Sure, Carlie. Your father will come too." That was a given, mom and dad were inseparable at all times.
"Okay, then I will tell Aunt Alice the next time I see her." With that being said, I took the last step over the door frame.
Standing in the hall, I had no idea what to pass time away with. Somehow though, my mind made up itself, and I found my feet carrying me towards Grandma Esme and Grandpa Carlisle's house. Once I was inside, they found their way to Uncle Jasper and Aunt Alice's room, all on their own accord.
Uncle Jasper was sitting on the floor when I walked in; little plastic Civil War figurines stood at attention around him. Aunt Alice was nowhere to be seen. Most people would find it strange for a nineteen year old boy to be playing with such things as action figurines, but they didn't even know the half of it. If only they could see it through my perspective. It was so much more abnormal when you knew the teen boy was actually centuries old; mule over that one for a while.
"Why do you find it so interesting to play with those, Uncle Jasper?" I questioned, truly curious.
"Because I like to. It's actually rather entertaining when you are into such a thing." He returned to tunnel vision as soon as the last of his words left his mouth. Wow. Can you say awkward?
"Okay then. I'm just going to…go." Uncle Jasper didn't even acknowledge my statement, as I lithely slipped my way back out the door.
Well that was a dud. I really didn't want to go home yet, I was still extremely bored. One name popped into my head as I stood confused. Someone I know for a fact is always entertaining and fun to be around. Uncle Emmett.
I walked impatiently down the hallway, stopping in front of the familiar off white door. Many boredom baring nights had been conquered into fun memories in this room. I opened the door gently and chanced a look in. Uncle Emmett was sitting in one of the two oversized beanbags located in front of his plasma TV. Football was on. Uncle Emmett had made a point of watching more football to make more comfortable chat with Grandpa Charlie during his weekend visits.
"Hey, Carlie," he greeted me after pausing the game. Excitement poured through his words. "What's up?"
"Oh, nothing much," I replied with an exasperated sigh, as I heaved myself into the unoccupied bean bag. "Just unbearably bored. Do you want to play some video games?"
"Sure. Which one do you want to play?" he questioned, bouncing a little in his seat.
It took me no time to decide, I was absolutely positive which game I wanted to play on this bland evening.
"How about need for speed?" I suggested with just as much excitement, if not more.
"Sure," he replied standing up off his chair. "Just let me set it all up."
Mere milliseconds later, there was a lightweight controller placed in my upturned palm.
"Let the games begin. I am so ready to whip your butt." I challenged.
"Ha-ha," Uncle Emmett's booming laughter reverberated off the surrounding walls, giving it an eerie effect. "Think what you want little one, but just remember whose the one wrestling grizzlies for fun."
After endless minutes of trash talk, the game was booted up and it was all game faces. I had the first game in the bag; winning came effortlessly. Uncle Emmett's face had been a perfect puckered imitation of the first time I had dared him to eat a whole bag of gummy bears. So I let him win the next one, not wanting to see that look on his face. After his spontaneous combustion into his own signature happy dance, I decided it was time to head home.
Mom and dad were already in bed as I climbed the wooden staircase for the last time today. I quickly changed into some flannel pants and a muscle shirt, brushed my teeth, and then rushed back to my room. Swiftly, I pulled down my bed sheets and climbed in. Sleep came easily, as it always does.