Vignette Summary: Mia and her dad spend a nice day together, about six months before he leaves.

Tags: Angst

Word Count: 3,718

Date: Sunday, December 13th, 1998

Time: 6:11 pm

Location: Branch Manor, Kurain Village

Mia always liked hanging out with her dad. Her mom was kind and nurturing, but she wasn't the type of person who anyone would describe as fun. Time spent with her mom usually revolved around her spiritual training, schoolwork, and chores around the house. Misty might be there with a warm hug and a kiss on the forehead or a cute drawing in Mia's lunchbox, but she wasn't one to surprise Mia with a trip for ice cream on a random Tuesday afternoon after school.

Today was a perfect distillation of that difference. Mia woke up this morning with her dad by her bedside, asking if she wanted to go for a drive into the city. She enthusiastically agreed and they were out the door and on the road 15 minutes later, Mia watching the world go by through the passenger side window. That was one more thing her dad let her do: sit in the front seat like a grown up and pick the music on the radio.

They went to the park and to the mall. They had lunch at a sit-down restaurant and Mia got a cheeseburger, fries, and unlimited refills of lemon iced tea. They saw a matinee at the movie theatre and shared a large popcorn together.

On the drive home, she talked eagerly about the day they just had and her favorite parts of the movie. Her dad mostly listened and laughed, remarking that maybe he shouldn't have let her drink all that iced tea, and for Mia not to tell her mom.

When they walked through the door of the Branch Manor that evening, Misty rushed over to Mia and held her tight. "Thank goodness you're okay!" Misty exclaimed. "I was worried sick all day." She released Mia and looked sternly at her husband. "You didn't tell me where you were going. You didn't call."

"Dad and I went to the park and the mall!" Mia responded cheerfully. "We went to eat and then we saw a movie."

"You did all that?" Misty replied. "I suppose I didn't need to make supper for us, then."

Sean exhaled. "Hon, I told you we were leaving this morning."

"Really?"

He nodded. "Do you not remember? You must have been half asleep."

Misty reached for the magatama around her neck, palming it. She considered using it for a moment, only dropping her hand once she noticed Sean eyeing her movements. It wasn't worth the fight. "Yes, you're probably right."

"What did you make for supper, Mom?" Mia asked. "I'm a little hungry."

"Sweetie, you had a lot of junk food today. How about you have some tomorrow?"

"Misty," Sean warned.

"She's in training. The more weight, the harder it is to-"

He cut her off. "She's nine for God sakes."

Mia could sense the tension but didn't understand why it was happening. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Not at all, dear," Misty reassured her. "Why don't you have an apple and, if you're still hungry after, you can have a bowl? I made curry and red rice."

Mia smiled and nodded before running to the kitchen.

"Grab one for your mother too," Sean called out. "She's eating for two."

He placed a hand on her stomach and Misty looked down at it before gingerly placing her hand on top of his. She smiled feebly at him, and he looked back at her and did the same. They pulled away as Mia returned.

"Here you go," Mia said, handing her an apple. Mia placed her free hand and her right ear to Misty's stomach. "Is she kicking?"

"Thanks, Mia. No, not right now. I'll let you know when she does."

"Could be a he too, you know," Sean corrected.

Mia giggled. "That's true. Just aren't many boys around other than you, Dad." Mia looked up at Misty. "Mom, did you know that you can do a test to find out before the baby is born? Someone told me at school."

"Yes. Do you remember when I went into the city a few weeks ago?" Misty asked. Mia nodded. "They did that test then."

"So, what are you having?"

"Well, your father and I thought it would be nice to keep it a surprise."

"What do you want it to be, kiddo?" Sean asked.

Mia thought for a moment. "Both!"

"There's only one bun in the oven, but your mom and I will get on that," Sean joked.

Mia blushed and Misty turned her head down shyly. Mia had the birds and the bees talk at school two months earlier and she wasn't sure if she wanted a second sibling now that she knew what it entailed. She had taken her concerns to Misty, who felt ill-equipped to discuss the matter and didn't like the reminder that her daughter was now in on the secret.

Misty looked at the clock. "Are the twins coming here or are you going next door?"

"What's that now?" Sean asked.

"I have a town council meeting tonight."

"Sh-shoot. That's tonight?"

"Yes. 7pm on the second and fourth Sunday of every month."

"Yeah, yeah. So, I suppose that means Reg is out right now?" Sean asked derisively.

"He had business to attend to in the city."

"Of course he does."

One of his supposed male allies, Reginald Fey, né Hawthorne, was on a longer leash than Sean. As the future first man of Kurain Village, he wasn't relegated to performing the Village's menial labor. The town council had cast some of their traditional values aside and allowed Reginald to work outside the city for his wealthy family's jewelry empire, so long as he lived in the Village and shared his proceeds.

Sean was "thrilled" to know that money's corrupting influence was alive and well in the Village. He doubted that exception would be made for him if Misty became the Master. Without Reg, the only helpers offered to Sean were the few young sons of the Village who weren't old enough yet to leave and forge their own path.

"You said you would do it," Misty argued.

"I know. I just have to milk the cows again. I did it before I left this morning. Mia can help me, and we'll get the twins after."

"Oh. Okay," Misty agreed hesitantly.

"You don't want her doing man's labor?" he asked.

"I didn't say that."

"Your face did. Look, I can do it myself, you can take the girls, and I'll meet everyone after. It'll be a whole family affair."

She pursed her lips. Men weren't allowed at these meetings. She knew he knew that, but he clearly wanted to see if she would say it out loud. She didn't fall for it. "The girls have to be at least ten to attend."

He scoffed. "Old enough to channel the dead but not old enough to talk about it, right?"

She sighed. She ignored the elephant in the room, but there was no winning. She pushed back. "If you hadn't left all day, we wouldn't have this dilemma right now."

Mia, who had silently listened, eating her apple, spoke up. Once again, she could feel the tension, but she didn't know how to stop it. "I can help milk the cows! I'm really good at it."

Misty smiled flatly. "Thanks, sweetie. Why don't you two go right away? You know how scared your cousin is of cows."

"Let's go, Dad."

"Okay, squirt," he replied, tousling her hair. "We wouldn't want Dollie to come within five feet of a cow."

Misty called out to them before they walked out the door. "Make sure you're back by ten to seven! Mystic Morgan and I have to leave by then."

"Yes, sir, Mystic Misty!" Sean called back in faux deference before shutting the door just a little too hard.

As Sean alluded to, Mia wasn't supposed to be doing this kind of work. Despite only being nine years old and a member of the branch family, Mia already had higher duties and commitments.

Mia wanted to though. It was lower pressure than school or training. Her dad didn't lecture her if she squeezed an udder wrong. Besides, she just loved animals. She enjoyed collecting eggs from the chickens and feeding the pigs. She liked brushing the cows and petting the barn cats that kept the rodents away. She didn't find cleaning up after them pleasant but the one thing she liked more than seeing the animals was being helpful.

"Six cows in 30 minutes. Do you think we can do it?" Sean asked. Mia nodded and they got to work.

"I don't mind helping you more if you need it, Dad," Mia said a few minutes later, moving on to her second cow.

"Thanks, Mia, but that's okay. You're already busy enough. Besides, a little over a month from now and you'll be going to those town council meetings too."

He wanted to tell her that he felt like he was drowning and that he'd love the help. However, rules are rules, and she already had so much on her plate. He also wanted to tell her that he was deeply depressed and that she was the only thing keeping him moored to the Village anymore but, luckily, he had the sense not to say it.

She smiled. "I'll be ten soon! Double digits."

He laughed. "Very exciting. Do you know what you want for your birthday yet?"

"I don't know. I don't need anything." Mia didn't want to be a bother. She felt like she had to walk on eggshells a lot lately. She wanted to minimize that, if it was possible.

"Don't be silly. You think on it."

"Okay," she agreed.

"Yeah, double digits. It's crazy. Soon you'll be all grown up."

Mia giggled. "That's so long from now. Eight years."

"You'll be surprised at how fast the time goes. Ever think about what you'd like to do when you grow up?"

"I don't know. Dollie is going to be the Master after Aunt Morgan, so I guess I'd make pottery or help with the tours. Or maybe I could help you!"

"Oh, Mia, you don't want to do that."

"I like being with the animals."

"I know, kiddo. It's just... well, there's a lot more to it than that. All the garbage pickup, food deliveries, yard work, harvesting, maintenance, chopping firewood. If you like animals, why don't you become a veterinarian instead? Use that big brain of yours."

"Maybe. Would I have to leave the Village?" she asked timidly.

"Yes, you would."

"Dad, I can't leave the Village," Mia countered.

"No, of course. You have the choice though." Sean hoped she'd have a different answer. If she just said the word, that she wanted to be an astronaut or a doctor or anything other than a medium, he could pull her out of the Village. They could leave together.

It wouldn't be the first time that happened in Kurain Village, and he had thought about leaving for the last three years. He just couldn't pull the trigger. Once you left, you were banished. You couldn't come back. Those who were jilted just accepted this law of the land and never fought for custody either. However, he'd be taking Mia from her only home.

Complicating matters was the new baby on the way. He was excited at first. Maybe they'd have a baby boy. Someone who would understand what it's like to be a man in this Village. To be given a pittance of an allowance, no say in the Village's politics and operations, and to be derided every time you made a mistake. To never get a break. The cows never took a day off, so neither could he. Someone who wouldn't grow up to look down on him.

Sean had four unruly older brothers and always got along better with his sisters. He never thought he'd wish for a son, but he felt so isolated here. He had Mia, for now, but what about when she grew up? Misty didn't treat him badly when they first met, but she became more dismissive as time went on. Why wouldn't Mia do the same?

It would probably be a girl though. He just knew it. He wasn't able to attend the ultrasound with Misty, but he wondered if she found out and just hadn't told him. They never discussed it, but they both knew where his preferences lay. It was better for her and for their marriage to keep the hope alive.

Further complicating matters were the murmurings in the Village. While their relationship was strained, Misty had confided in him what Morgan had not confided to her husband. Neither Dahlia nor Iris were taking to spirit channeling. They weren't even five yet, but powers usually showed by that age, or so he was told. Mia's did by then and she was said to be a great prodigy.

The more Morgan worried and fretted over this, the less consistent her abilities became too. Misty was overtaking her. Soon, this could all be Misty's domain and then Mia's. If he took her away, he'd be denying Mia her birthright.

"One more each!" Mia exclaimed.

"We're doing really well. A new record even. I think we'll even have five minutes to spare."

"Teamwork makes the dream work!"

He laughed. "Where did you hear that expression?"

"In the movie today. Remember?"

"Oh, yes, now that you mention it." Sean had let Mia pick the movie, but he hadn't liked it that much. It was some cheesy Christmas movie. Mia had fun though, so that was all that mattered. "You really liked that movie, huh?"

"Yup! I love Christmas movies."

"Why's that?"

"All the lights and the music and the decorations and Santa. It's very cozy."

"I like that stuff too. I tried to decorate one year, but I was overruled. Technically, it's a religious holiday although I just wanted some string lights and a tree."

Mia sighed. "That's too bad."

"Yeah. But maybe next year we could go to my family's house for Christmas."

"Really? In Boston?" Mia was surprised to hear him mention this. Sean didn't talk about his family much because it made him too sad. He told her that he talked on the phone with his mom and his siblings sometimes, but he hadn't seen them in years. Not since he got trapped in Japanifornia nearly 19 years earlier.

"Yeah, exactly. Good memory. The US started letting Japanifornians travel there a couple years ago. You could have your own Christmas movie. You could meet all your other cousins too."

Mia beamed. "Okay! How many cousins do I have?"

"Ready for this? 26."

"Really?" Mia exclaimed, wide-eyed.

"Uh-huh. I have a big family, remember? Three sisters and four brothers."

"That's a lot."

"I know. They'd all like to meet you though."

"I want to meet them too. And to fly on an airplane. I've only ever been in a car."

He smirked. "Yeah, supposedly they're finally finishing that railway too. Only took them ten years. I'll start saving my allowance and we can take the new train to the airport. How does that sound?"

"Great!"

"Then, it's a plan."

They finished their milking shortly after and went back home to pick up Mia's cousins.

Mia reveled in the memory of that day and their plans for next year until the day her world first fell apart. Maya was born in March, and all seemed better at first. She had a new baby sister, and her parents seemed happier after this development. Maya was so smiley and adorable; she lit up any room she was in.

Sean was delighted at first. He was disappointed that it wasn't a boy, but he fell in love with her from the first moment she cooed at him and her big blue-grey eyes met his.

Despite this, Maya's birth brought some thoughts to the forefront of his mind. He'd never be free. Misty and Mia's new titles had become an inevitability, and he'd have to wait at least 18 years to see his baby girl grow up. Maybe he could suck it up for that long and then leave, when both his kids were grown, and he could arrange to meet them outside the Village. However, by then he'd be almost 56, broke, and starting over from scratch.

His family back home was itching at him too. He did the math one day and, if he wanted to take Mia and Maya with him for a visit, he'd only be able to go once every few years.

He loved his daughters, and he loved being a dad. He loved Misty too or he did at one point. He had to. Misty had questioned him under the influence of the magatama one day, after a big fight, and she was calmed to know he wasn't lying when he said it.

But it just wasn't enough anymore. He was grappling with the idea of forever. Leave Kurain Village and be banished forever. Stay and be miserable forever.

One evening in late-June, he read Mia a bedtime story, rocked Maya to sleep, and kissed Misty good night. The next morning, he awoke at dawn. He milked the cows, left Misty a note, and walked to the new train station. One train ride and a flight later, he was back in Boston, six months too early and one passenger short.

Before he left, he hovered by Mia's bedroom door, debating over taking her with him, before ultimately deciding against it. He couldn't make that choice for her. He couldn't take her away from her sister. He wanted to say goodbye or to leave her a note, but he was too scared. If she woke up and he had to face her, he'd either fold or uproot her.

Misty read his note when she woke up and tore it to shreds in anger and sadness. Later that day, when a distraught Mia asked her if he had said anything, Misty said no. Technically, she wasn't lying. He hadn't uttered a word.

For the first week, Mia told herself that he would be back any day. He got lost somewhere. He had a family emergency back home and there was no time to explain. Just something. Not what many fathers and sons before him had done.

Once a month had passed, she couldn't lie to herself about it anymore. The further time went on, and her memories of him became hazier, the more she grew to dislike him. As far as she knew, he never reached out.

That wasn't true, but a more valiant effort could have been made. About a year after he left, Misty was served divorce papers. Sean assumed she'd try to contact him and offer some sort of rebuttal, but she was too proud. After he hurt her so much, the last thing she wanted to do was look pathetic. Like she was begging for him back. Fey women don't beg. She signed and mailed the papers that day and the divorce was finalized in record time.

There were phone calls too. The first one made its way to Misty and all the others reached Morgan. After several acrimonious calls, none of which were communicated to the girls, he took a break from trying. He realized he'd have to wait until Mia turned 18 and could leave the Village freely to have a chance.

When that day finally came, nothing effectively changed. He had a new life, a new job, and a new family. After years away, he made up for lost time and visited his own family frequently. He also didn't know how to contact her. He assumed she was still at the Village and Morgan would still intercept his calls, so he left it.

When he had no more excuses, Mia becoming active on social media and him joining a couple years later, he was too paralyzed by the idea. It had been too long and what could he say? Would she even listen? Did she hate him? She must have known where he went, but she didn't try to reach him either. As long as he didn't message her, he wouldn't know the answers to those questions, good or bad.

He checked social media periodically, looking for the updates he could see through Mia's privacy settings. He conducted internet searches and read articles. He mentally patted himself on the back for still caring enough to check. He told himself that he'd have the nerve to connect one day, until those days ran out.

One night, after his wife and kids had gone to bed, he conducted another check-in and was met with article after article reporting the harrowing news. Mia Fey, dead at 27, murdered in the office of her law firm. He finally saw what his other daughter really looked like from those same reports, distraught photos of her after she found Mia's body. Her eyes - his eyes, really – were welled with tears.

He wept in his office, realizing that he'd never see his daughter again. He'd never make her laugh so hard she snorted milkshake out her nose or hear her soft whisper during a movie, making a comment or asking for clarification about a plot detail. He knew she had grown up and, even if she had forgiven him, it would never be like that again, but he still cherished those memories.

Sean was never a religious man and knew he would never be one if that remained a fact after over a decade in Kurain Village. The one thing he did believe in was an afterlife but only because he had seen proof of it with his own eyes. He prayed that he would see her again, that Mia and he would end up in the same realm, and that she would understand.

He also vowed to never make the same mistake again, a vow which apparently only extended to his two sons. His other sweet and beautiful daughter, more an idea to him than a person, remained uncontacted. Ironically, she was one of the few people in the world who was lovable and forgiving enough to give him that chance.