Chapter 7 Family Gathering
2275 Words
PHOENIX
This was the best visit I’d had in way too long. I missed my friends and family.
Staff made themselves scarce and left us to it. There were no less than three conversations going on at once.
“Zack told mom it wasn’t his first rodeo and while Daniel was still on the floor, Conrad yelled out, ‘Yeehaw, cowboy!’” Phoebe and my mother were laughing so hard, even dad, who would normally be annoyed, was laughing.
“And then after Natalie rushed over to check on this dude she’s never met before, Dan’s going on about ‘punkin’ pie.’ Poor Natalie was so confused!” Kelli added. “But thank the Goddess for Chance. What a charming young man.”
“Hear, hear,” mom agreed and raised her glass.
“You ladies will be the drunks, today,” Dan muttered.
“Pffft,” Kelli laughed. “We don’t get drunk. We get awesome!”
“Conrad!! Your wife just Pfffft’d me!”
“You deserved it,” dad laughed.
“Where did Natalie go?” Mom asked.
“She didn’t want to intrude,” Dan replied. “I tried to tell her she was family now, but I think I’ve overwhelmed her,” he pouted.
“You should take her out on a date,” mom suggested. “And do something about your living arrangements. I don’t see her wanting to live at the Armory.”
“Yeah, I’ve thought about that already.”
“Here, for now,” I told Dan. I hoped he understood my choppy speech.
“You want me to stay in the packhouse for now?”
“Yes. Quake.” That was a difficult word.
“That’s probably a good idea,” Phoebe agreed. “Chase was telling me just this morning that the Silver Moon Council voted not to break ground yet. They’re preparing to assist with packing and transporting.”
“That’s true, we are. He and his father and I have been pretty busy.” Dan looked crestfallen all of a sudden. “It just now dawned on me that I’ll be traveling a lot.”
All I could do was pat his hand. My speech was still too choppy to explain to him that we would probably be reducing staff now. Natalie could probably travel with him. “Remind me.”
“Remind you later you have something to tell me?”
“Yes.”
“Will do, buddy.”
A yawn suddenly escaped me. I knew everyone would start bailing on me. It was probably for the best. At least for today, anyway. I’d be up and ‘at ‘em’ very soon.
“Come. Back. Soon. Cowboys.”
As I drifted off to sleep for a nap, I imagined I heard a whisper.
The Anchor holds, Captain.
{~>*•**•*Don’t get a crush. Don’t get a crush.
{~>*•*Oh geez!
“Don’t jinx me yet. I still have to win her heart.”
“I have no doubt you will. Here to pick up Chance?”
“Since I brought him, I figured I’d better see if he needed a ride.”
Chance removed his helmet. “I already picked my truck up. I’d figured you be, uh, busy.”
“Ok, catch you later, then.”
I was going to have to face Carl alone.
{~>*•*THE KING.
I had the strongest urge to make her something and I couldn’t shake it. Perhaps I couldn’t leave soon enough.
{~>*•*Dr. Lockwood,
I would be honored to meet with such a renowned Keeper of Knowledge as yourself, on Friday for lunch to be exact, if you are available. I have been closely monitoring the King’s progress reports and want to bring you in on the Knowledge I have collected.
I have included two copies of rare books with some historical information plus one I recently received from Morianne Byrne, of the Tuatha de Danaan. You are welcome to view the originals at The Royal Library. Hopefully, that allows you to at least skim the books.
Anne Simons
An RSVP card was included. I promptly completed it and left it in the dropbox.
Something similar to anticipation tickled my senses and I realized I was smiling. I was somehow connected to them.
- Writer
