Life Without You

Chapter 2 - Eva

“What’s wrong sweetheart?” My father asks me later that day, when we are back at home. Unusually, it is just the two of us now, in our quaint, rented house on a quiet, secluded beach. It’s not too far away from the main tourist beach, where the rental unit we looked at earlier is located, but it’s far enough away that it almost feels like a different world.

“Nothing. What made you think something was wrong?” I answer my dad’s question with one of my own.

“You’ve been very quiet all afternoon.” He says softly.

“Have I?” I reply distractedly.

“Yes. Does it have anything to do with what I said about renting the surf school for you and Sunny?” He asks in a hurt tone that has me feeling a bit guilty for being so distant since the viewing.

“No. I didn’t mean to be quiet. Everything is fine.” I reply, trying to allay his worries without actually explaining what is really on my mind.

“I thought things were going great between you two?” My father continues his interrogation, not content with my explanation.

“They are. I’m sorry Dad. It’s very kind of you and I really appreciate the offer, we both do.” I assure him standing up from the bar stool and wrapping my arms around him to give him a quick hug and a kiss on his cheek.

“But?” He says pulling away slightly to fix me with his stern gaze.

“But nothing.” I unconvincingly respond whilst shrugging my shoulders in exasperation.

“Eva, I know you too well to fall for that one. If you don’t want to tell me that’s fine, just tell me you don’t want to tell me, but don’t lie to me. Don’t tell me everything is fine when it’s clearly not.” He repeats the same words that I heard hundreds of time growing up, when I wasn’t exactly being honest with him.

“Nya smelt a wolf in the surf shop this afternoon.” I confess quietly.

“Ok. We will keep looking for somewhere else. You need to tell me these things poppet, it’s more important that you are safe and comfortable than any shop. Although it is a lovely place it’s not the right place for us if you’re not happy with it.” My dad reassures me.

“I think I am happy with it though. Nya thinks that the wolf is nice. She can’t explain it, other than she’s intrigued by them, and feels like she is at home here. I know that probably makes no sense at all, but I think I’d like to stay here for a little while at least, if that’s ok with you?”

“Sweetheart, whatever makes you happy is more than ok with me. Let’s sleep on it before we make any final decisions, and see how you and Nya feel in the morning. Thank you for telling me. Not all werewolves are scary. There are some nice werewolves out there. Your mother was the most amazing person I have ever met. She was kind and thoughtful and she brightened up every room that she was in, just like you do. She was always so scared of seeing another werewolf though, but that is a part of you. You are a werewolf just like she was, and I’ve always known that one day you might want to be around other werewolves. I never want to keep you from that part of yourself, if that’s what you want.” My father says and a strange longing possesses his eyes when he talks about my mother, which really pisses me off. Despite all the prefect things he said, I can’t help focusing on what he said about my mother and how he said it.

“She abandoned us. She wasn’t a good person.” I snarl at my father.

“It wasn’t that simple sweetheart. She wanted to be with us, she never wanted to leave. But she knew we weren’t safe whilst she was with us.” His eyes moisten as he talks and I can’t bear to see him shed another tear for the woman who broke his heart and abandoned both of us without a second thought.

“Bullshit.” I scream at the top of my voice as I storm out of the house, slamming the door so hard behind me that I think I hear the doorframe splinter. I love my father so much, but I hate that he still thinks so highly of my mother after what she did. I know he won’t follow me, but I run as fast as I can away from the house anyway. The cold, damp sand feels comforting on my bare feet as I sprint towards the sea. As I run my eyes scan the waves expectantly for Sunny. I could really do with one of his warm cuddles right now. As he has done several times before, he will say all the right things to calm me down. I feel Nya trying to direct me away from the sea and towards the trees behind us instead, but I can’t let her win. Sunny said he was going to catch a few waves before bed, and I want to be with Sunny. As my eyes continue to roam over the horizon I can’t make out anything that looks like a surfer. The closer I get to the sea the more certain I am that he isn’t surfing here. Regardless, I run into the waves fully clothed and dive down deep under the surface. The cool water works wonders to extinguish my fiery temper.