The Hybrid Daughter

Chapter10

I walked back inside the house. I noticed that mum set up dinner before they went upstairs. The table is set with the cutlery and flatware wrapped in the napkins arranged on the table. Next to it is a bowl for soup that is cooling, a small plate for the bread she as laid out and a large plate for the chicken in the serving dish on the table next to the serving bowls of beats, corn, carrots, and steamed spinach.

I sit down and begin to serve myself. I go to the fridge; I find some of the goats milk in the glass pitcher. I find a glass cup in the cupboard and pour myself something to drink. I sit down again, and as I am finishing cutting up the chicken breast, I hear the sound of walking around upstairs. I hear hushed whispers which I am beginning to listen to more clearly.

“Promise me you’ll never tell Molly about this” mother says.

“Lucinda, I would never do that, I enjoy every succulent morsel you are willing to feed me sometimes when I visit. I mean you do not have to, and I would never mention it to Molly.”

“I love you, and I want to. I try to accept what you are; I wish I were one of you!”

“No, you don’t”

“Yes, Hunter, I do, you have no idea what my life is like, the monster I keep at bay within my own mind. Sometimes I feel like I am fighting a losing battle.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I can’t tell you, and I pray the day never comes where you’ll find out.”

“If someone is threatening you Lucinda, I can help” Hunter told her.

“No, you can’t help with this, except to either change me or kill me.”

My mother sounded deeply troubled. What was going on with her? I know at times she acts a bit peculiar but, I never would have thought anything else. She sounds so scared. The way she is talking is like there is a darkness in her she cannot escape from.

I wait at the table to see if either of them are coming down. As I am about to stand, I see them descending the stairs. I rush to Hunter and give him a hug. He pulls me into a tight squeeze. I laugh as he ruffles my hair like I am still a little kid.

“How is my favorite daughter?” he asks.

“I’m you’re only daughter” I laugh and poke him while I look at him.

“Well, there is a good reason for that because, you’re so special” he says teasing. I roll my eyes as I clear my place at the table.

“Have you eaten dinner?”

“Yes mother, it was incredibly good. Thank you for cooking” I say to her with a smile. She blushes, and I see Hunter whisper in her ear.

“Yes, my sweet, thank you for dinner and dessert” he says lowly. I make a gagging sound. They both looked at me stunned that I heard what Hunter said.

“You know, I love you being together but, I do not want to know if you both shagged!” I groan as I walk out the door into the backyard.

I shake my head and push the thoughts of them two being intimate from my mind. I stand up and walk towards the woods of the yard. I have always felt drawn to nature for some reason. As I stare into the beauty of the woods. Just as I am entering the nature pathway behind my house. I hear a car start in the driveway. I walk towards the entrance of the house, and I see Hunter pulling the car out. I realize that he is leaving to go home. I wave him farewell. I will miss him until he returns. I watch him drive down the street. After he has turned the corner on to the main road, I walk about inside. I find my mother sitting in the parlor with a book in her hand. There is an interesting emblem on the cover.

“Hey there, what are you reading?”

“Oh Molly, this is an ancient book of enchantments and recipes. I have been thinking about letting you read it so, you can learn the practice.”

“What practice?” I asked her curiously.

“The secrets of the world, and the power in your blood that goes back generations through our family.”

“Are you a witch or am I in a movie?” I begin to laugh but she does not find it funny.

“How about you show it to me later? I had a long day, and I am tired.”

“Okay, if I get the chance to.” I nod my head at her cryptic remark and walk upstairs to my room. After a while of being in my room listening to the Beatles. I hear her bedroom door open and close. I presume she has gone into her room for the evening.