The calling

2. I'm a WHAT!?

And as I stand there, frozen to the ground, he starts walking toward me. He reaches me before I can even make a move. He smiles at me as he looks at me. I want to say something, but my mind is just blank. “I have so much to tell you” he says as his face gets serious. “There is so much your mom hid from you, but now that you’re eighteen you’re old enough to know the truth.” He looks me straight in the eye and whispers to me: “You are special, I know you must feel that. There is a reason why you have a certain feel for nature. It’s in your blood.” I’ve lost my words. That’s when I notice that my mouth is wide open in disbelieve. I quickly close it and take a deep breath. And that’s when I hear Matt calling for me. I turn around and see him walking toward me. Good I think to myself.

I turn back to say something to my dad, but his expression has grown serious. “I’m not suppose to be here” he says. He hands me a note. “This will explain everything. Come see me when you’re ready.” He than runs off back into the woods. I’m still lost for words when Matt reaches me. “Who was that man you were talking to?” he asks. It takes a moment for me to speak again. “I don’t know exactly” I say. “But I think I just met my dad.” I look at the note in my hand and quickly stuff it into my jacket pocket not knowing what to do with it. “Your dad? Are you sure?” Matt asks. “He died right?” There are a million things going around in my head but one thing’s for sure. That man was definitely my dad. “I know it doesn’t make sense, but that’s the man in the picture my mom has.” That’s when I notice that my hands started to shake. Matt notices to and says: “Come on, I’ll bring you home.” I don’t really want to go home. I don’t want to see my mother, who’s been lying to me for all those years. Does she even know though? Matt sees my expression and puts a hand on my shoulder. “You know what, get in the car and we’ll just drive a bit. Give you time to think about this.” We both get into the car and take off.

It takes me ten minutes before a notice where he’s taking me. To our favorite hangout spot. A nice open area somewhere near his house. It’s a meadow with a small lake and some rocks, which are perfect to sit one and look at over the field full of flowers. All the flowers are in bloom at this time of year and it is breathtakingly beautiful. The whole meadow is covered in a variety of colors. I take a deep breath and smell the different flowers. Each flower has a different smell. I close my eyes and take it al in. that’s when I remember the note in my pocket. I slowly take it out of my pocket and look at it. “What’s that?” Matt asks. I look at him and say: “It’s a note from my dad. He gave it to me just before he ran off.” We both look at it for a moment and Matt places his arm around me. “Whatever it is, I’m here for you.” He sees me turning it in my hands and quickly adds: “If you want to read it alone, that’s fine by me. Just tell me and I’ll wait by the car. “No!” I quickly answer. “I want you to be here. But I’m just not sure if I even want to know what it says.” “Just take your time. I’m here for you.” Matt says. I take a deep breath, open the note and start to read. 

Dear Abby,

This might be strange but yes, I am your father. Your mom doesn’t know that I’m alive and I want to keep it that way. There’s a reason why everyone thinks I’m dead but that’s something I want to tell you in person. 

It was never supposed to go this way but now that your old enough you need to know. You are special in ways that are hard to explain. It might be easier to tell you all this in person but right now you must be in shock. Please read this carefully, for what you’re about to read will change your life. 

You inherited something of mine. I saw it in you when you were just a baby. I know it’s something you must know deep inside but are too afraid to let through. You are a Witch. Just like me. This means you have a special connection with nature and everything living.  We are one with nature and can create beautiful things.

I want to teach you so much about your heritage. I can explain everything to you. I’ll be staying in lodge 3 over at the Millers Park. Please don’t tell anyone I’m here and don’t tell people about your gift. People aren’t as understanding.

 I hope you do the right thing and visit me. I can help you grow into your powers. Just give me a chance.

Love,

Mark (your dad) 

Matt stays for dinner but he must leave eventually. Night comes and I go to bed, still clinging to that piece of paper in my pocket. I read it over and over again to let it make more sense, but it never does. I can’t sleep that night. I keep thinking about what my father said. Even the fact that he’s alive after all those years. I can’t tell my mom. The note specifically told me not to. I want to know more. I must go see my father. With that in mind I get out of bed. I start to dress myself whilst also thinking that this might be a bad idea. “no” I say much louder that I intended to. “I have to know. He’s the only one who can tell me.”