Rejection, Refuge, Revere

Chapter16

Everett and I are left alone for the next 4 days to explore. In those days Everett has said more and more. It took a while to train him to use the toilet, but he’s got it. Even washing his hands afterward. And once he got over the burn of toothpaste, he scrubs his teeth almost violently. We are still working on adding more food to his diet due to never really having anything other than wild game and fruit//herbs.

Gamma Carson has stopped by each day and even showed us around to the other areas of town. Not that there are many, but he still tried.

In total there are 4 apartment buildings, a detainment station, and the other places he has mentioned. There are maybe 100 people in T-town all together.

I am in the middle tying Everett’s shoes when a knock sounds. From the scent and aura I can tell it is Gamma Carson.

“One moment, Gamma.” I call and finish tying the shoes, getting up and tripping over my shoe that I haven’t put on yet, and tumbling. Hitting my arm on the side table on the way down.

“Shit.”

“Everything okay in there?” Gamma Carson’s voice sounds from the other side of the door, slightly panicked.

“Yup!” I shout as Everett runs to the door and swings it open. I am halfway up when I see a hand for me to grab. I look up and see Gamma Carson’s amused gaze.

It’s a testament to how at ease this man can make a person since I didn’t flinch when I see his hand. See? Progress.

I grab his hand as he pulls me up, while he chuckles as he stares down as the devil shoe that tried to trip me.

“How can trip over nothing?” He asks and I glare at the shoe.

“It’s not nothing, Gamma. It was a shoe.” I slightly argue and he laughs.

“Sure, Amona. You keep making excuses for why you are clumsy.” He jokes. I grumpily put my shoes on.

He makes it sound like I consistently fall, which I don’t. It was only two other times. Once at the park when a duck came flying too fast and I ducked and proceeded to fall when I thought it was going to attack me. And the other time I just over extended my leg, causing it to buckle and I crumpled to the ground.

Granted two times in the span of four days is quite a lot. Well now, I guess, it’s been 3 times in 5 days. I’m not unusually clumsy. I think it’s the new environment.

Yeah. We’ll go with that. Leo snarks and I huff. She’s gotten a bit more vocal too.

“Come on. I’ll take you to the the flower shop. Try not to fall again will ya? Don’t want to be messy for your interview.” Gamma Carson says, walking towards the door and ruffling Everett’s hair, causing him to giggle.

I follow them, grabbing my small bag filled with toys donated to Everett.

Everett and Gamma Carson are arguing about the movie Cars and which one they think are the best. Granted Everett just keeps saying No. Lighting. While Carson talks about the others.

As we reach the gate towards the pack, my nerves get the best of me and I try to work on my breathing exercises.

“What’s wrong?” He asks and I smile weakly at him.

“What if I don’t get the job?” I ask shakily and he smiles, coming over to gently and slowly pat my shoulder.

“That won’t happen. Adria and Cameron have already adopted you into the family without meeting you. You’ll get the job.” He tries to reassure me, but that makes me panic even more. Adria and Cameron and Ella and Elie’s parents. They own the flower shop and need the help there since they have lost a few employees due to a rogue attack a month ago.

“I don’t want them to give me the job because they think of me as family. I want them to hire me because I am qualified.”

“They would hire Everett if they could, they are so short staffed. Trust me, you’ll get a job, they will decide which one after the interview. They have a few positions open.” He explains, which helps my nerves a bit.

“Okay. Thank you, Gamma.” I say and he nods, with a slight frown.

“I know we're not there yet, but soon you’ll be calling me Carson. Just you wait and see.” He smiles and steps away from me, leading me into S section, where there are rows and rows of small shops.

Everett stays close to my side as we make our way through people. Eventually at the end of one of the streets I see a faded purple and pink sign ‘The Flower Shop’.

I snort to myself.

“What?” Gamma Carson asks and I shake my head.

“You can’t just snort and not say anything. What’s so funny?”

“I thought you were just calling in the flower shop, not that it was actually named the flower shop.” I explain. He feigns a hurt expression.

“Did you think I was so dumb I couldn’t remember the name of one of our stores?” He asks and my eyes bug out.

“NO! That’s not it Gamma. I didn’t mean…” I start, but he cuts me off.

“Relax Amona. I was teasing you.” I swear tear well up in my eyes, but I suck those stupid things back.

“Let me know when you are ready and we will go in.” He says, noticing my state. Him and Everett stand patiently as I gather myself. I can’t be a mess for this interview.

I nod, letting him know that i am ready.

Soon enough we open the door and the small *ding* sounds as we enter.

It’s a cute shop. Two small round tables with two chairs next to the window, three rows of potted plants and some trinkets placed around. There are wind chimes and crystals hanging from the ceiling. Then a counter to the right sectioning off the back of the store where Ella is working on an floral arrangement.

Her smile is as bright as the sun when she sees me and come rushing over, leaving the flower arrangement to tumble.

“Amona!” She screeches as she squeezes me into a tight hug.

NO. No. Too much. Get the banshee off! Leo yells at me.

I gently remove myself from her grip and smile.

“It’s nice to see you again, Ella.” I say.

No it is not. Don't lie. Leo scolds.

“You too! And you brought Everett. How are you buddy?” She asks, whils crouching down to look at Everett. He just stares at her with scrunched eyebrows.

Why couldn’t we do that. Maybe should wouldn’t have bugged us. I sigh as Leo’s comment. She has a hard time around people. Well mean people and people who are too happy. With mellower people she is fine, like Gamma Carson.

I see movement from the door in the back and an older red headed woman and blonde man appear with smiles.

“Oh, dear. You must be Amona.” The woman says as they approach. When they get closer she sees Everett still shrewdly looking at Ella and the woman’s smile widens.

“And THIS must be Everett. You’re such a handsome young man. Isn’t he handsome, Cameron?” She asks the man behind her. So this must be Adria and Cameron, Ella and Elise’s parents.

“Yes, it’s nice to meet you ma’am.” I say bowing slightly. They are Delta’s, higher rank than me, so it is proper.

When I stand back up the woman tuts at me, then leans in to give me a quick hug.

“We only bow to the official ranked members and most of the time, not even Carson here gets one since he is basically a son to me. Also, please call me Adria. We’re excited to get to know you and Everett here. It’s been so long since we had kids in the house. I told Elise to get to it, but she isn’t going to take my advise.” Adria says and I laugh, thinking about Thad’s face.

“Oh please tell me my brother was there or a part of that conversation.”

“He most certainly was. It takes two to tango, you know.” She says, waggling her eyebrows.

“I wish I could have seen his face.”

“It was quite the sight.” Cameron says with a smile. Then clears his throat.

“Before we talk about anything else, why don’t we get this interview out of the way? Ella, dear, why don’t you and Carson take Everett to get some ice cream across the street?” Cameron says and smiles at me.

“As long as you’re okay with it of course.”

“Uh. Yea. Yes. That is okay.” I look down at Everett. “Remember the cold sweet stuff you had?” I ask him and he nods his head as his eyes light up. “Well Ella and Gamma Carson are going to take you to get some okay? Be good for them, please.” I say and bend down to give him a quick hug.

He will never go without those. He will feel all the love, even if it is just me.

He nods eagerly and runs towards the door, while Ella and Gamma Carson follow.

“Let’s take a seat, shall we?” Adria says, pointing to the tables near the window.