His Second Chance Mate

Chapter 4

I’d nearly dozed off when my mom spoke again.

“I nearly forgot that I was going to tell you this. The reason.”

I tilted my head upwards so I could look at my mom questioningly. “The reason? For what?” 

“For being crazily overprotective. Of course, my upbringing was a large part of it. My parents were always pretty strict and a bit distant with me. Though I hated the feeling of distance that's I'd always felt between me and my parents, being strict was something that- I felt- only helped me in the long run. So, there’s that.”

I didn’t want to agree, but it was true enough that I had to acknowledge, even if only to myself. Of course, I felt jealous when I heard how much fun my classmates had had at sleepovers and then, when we were a bit older, at parties. I’d never touched alcohol and I’d never been kissed. I’d never even really had a memorable crush- on a real person. And other than Katie, I didn’t talk to many other people either.

Still, I’d gotten into several medical colleges and had been offered several academic scholarships too. I probably wouldn't have gotten those if I'd grown up any other way. I'd worked for them non-stop. Having the freedom I'd been so desperate for probably would have changed me for the worse.

And truly, I liked the person I was- whether it be my interests, values, morals or my priorities. If my parents hadn’t been as strict with me as they’d always been, I might be a completely different person today- something I didn’t really want.

My mom took a deep sigh before continuing as if steeling herself for something. I didn’t say anything, figuring I’d let her collect her thoughts, until I heard her sniffling. Immediately, I sat up in worry.

“Mom? Mom? What happened? Why are you crying?” My voice went up in an embarrassing squeak.

I didn’t know what else to do so I simply put my arms around her and rubbed circles onto her back, trying to make some comforting noises. I soooo wasn’t made for this.

This would probably go down as one of the most surreal afternoons in my life. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been on a roller coaster of emotions this extreme. Also, I’d probably hugged my mom longer today than I had in the last year, maybe even in the last few years. This realization made me feel kind of bad- though I put it aside.

I continued to hold her tight, not even complaining about the vice like grip she had on my waist. It was rare to see my mother crying, and my dad was usually the one to calm her down. I had no real idea of what to do so I continued hugging her, hunched over her body. Finally, I felt my mom squeeze me once more, before releasing my body. I settled upright on the other end of the sofa, trying to inconspicuously stretch out the cramps that had popped up.

“I’m sorry about that.” Her voice sounded watery and kind of unstable.

Honestly, I was terrified of her breaking into tears again. I was full of trepidation, as if asking her would remind her that she’d cried and set her off again, I spoke softly. “Are you okay? What happened?”

She gave me a weird combination of nodding and shaking her head at me which I unconsciously imitated. She cracked a small smile at that.

“The other reason was....well, nightmares.”

I looked at my mom in shock. I never knew she’d had nightmares. Though, today, I’d learnt a lot about my mom that I never knew before. Still, for it to have such an effect on her, they clearly hadn’t been sporadic or a one-time thing. She must have been having them regularly.

“They were horrible. The nightmares, I mean. They were usually of you dying, or dead. You were always so young in all of them. I was always terrified of letting you step out of the house, but I wanted to let you have a normal a childhood as possible, if a little stifled.”

I didn’t know what to say so I simply squeezed my mom’s hand. I’d never known any of this. All of a sudden, I felt bad for all the times I’d gotten mad at my parents so many times over the years for not letting me go to some silly sleepover or party, when this had been happening.

“I wouldn’t have put so much stock in them originally, but about a year after I met your dad, I had a dream. It was him in a fire. I couldn’t see him, but I could feel the heat of a fire and I could hear screams- I think they were supposed to be your father’s. Anyway, he’d come to visit me at my college and was staying at a friend's place nearby. He was supposed to leave in two days, but I made such a big fuss that day that he had to stay back. The train he was supposed to take caught fire. A lot of people burned to death. That’s when I started to believe in them, I think.” She swallowed.

“For some reason, the dreams about you were a lot different. I didn’t have many, but they always fell on full moon nights. I think the dream about your dad was a full moon night too. I can’t be sure, of course, but I feel it might have been. I remember waking up and not being able to get back to sleep. I’d sneak into your room and just watch you breathe. You used to be so tiny!” She gave a watery chuckle and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Did you know? You have the most beautiful view of the full moon from your window.” She fell silent.

“Of course, I used to be terrified at first. Anyone would be, in my place. I could hardly sleep on full moon nights for the longest time. Once, though, I had a nightmare of you going missing. Five days later, you disappeared from your kindergarten.”

“Really? I don’t remember that.”

I sat up straighter, trying to bring back memories, but I must have been way too young.

“Of course you don’t. You were only 4 at the time. You’d managed to get away from the teachers and just wandered away. We found you soon enough, just wandering around, but it was the worst four hours of my life.”

She took a shaky breath.

“But after that, I understood. They weren’t just nightmares- they were more like warnings. I don’t really know. But I decided to take them like that.”

I stayed silent, unsure of what to say. I mean, what was I supposed to say after all this?

“I stopped having them for a long time. Though the most memorable one was the one I got one you were 12. You were lying in a pool of blood. Of course, that freaked me out. I hadn’t gotten any nightmares for a long time and obviously, pools of blood are a lot different from missing children. I thought we were back to the time when I’d get continuous dreams of you dying again. None of those dreams resulted in much, so I calmed myself down. I went downstairs and got myself a glass of water and then decided to check on you, just in case.”

She laughed suddenly, confusing me.

“You were lying in blood. Not much, but you’d gotten your first period. I was so relieved!” She continued laughing.

My mouth dropped open in shock. Who even got dreams like that? Whoever sent those dreams to my mom was seriously messed up.

“Wow.” I couldn’t find anything else to say.

“Yeah, wow.” We both laughed.

“So, you haven’t had any new dreams recently?”

“No, I don’t think so. I’ve started having flashes again. Only recently. Since you turned 18, I think.”

I sat up straighter, curious.

“I can’t really remember anything the next morning, so I can’t really tell you anything. But I’m almost 100% sure it has something to do with the temple.”

“Something bad?” I asked cautiously.

She thought for a few seconds before giving me an answer. “You know, I don’t think so. I just feel like the trip is going to be important.”

Life-changing? I felt that way too. I guess I’d know for sure in about a week anyway.

I rubbed the tears from my eyes, standing up and stretching. I washed away the salt that had dried on my face and brought back two glasses of water from the kitchen, handing one to my mom and sipping from the other. I settled in her arms again, feeling weirdly peaceful.

My mom took my glass and hers at set it down on the side table, before sinking deeper into the sofa.

“It felt good to get that all of my chest.”

“I liked hearing it,” I replied honestly.

“I’m glad, baby.”

Neither of us said anything after that.

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The next thing I knew, my mom was shaking me awake, telling me it was time for dinner. I sat up in surprise. Hadn’t it been lunch just an hour ago? I looked out the window, surprised to see how dark it was.

I stretched gingerly. Even if I hadn’t slept for very long, I’d slept deeply. My mom was watching me carefully.

I felt like I should say anything but I didn’t really know what.

“How are you feeling?” We both asked at the same time- breaking off into laughter at the sudden synchronicity.

“I don’t have to go, if you don’t want me to. I’ll tell Katie I don’t want to. It’s okay.”

The words slipped out of my mouth, before I realized what I said. I couldn’t have said who was more surprised by what I had said. But once I said them, I realized how truthful they were. It was surprising how easy it was to let go of the desperation I'd felt for years, but nothing was more important than my parents. If my mom was uncomfortable, I could wait until she wasn't anymore.

I felt really bad about everything I’d put my parents through, though none of it hadn’t been on purpose.

From running away at 4 to refusing to talk to them because I wasn’t allowed to go to a silly party when all my friends had been going. I had probably upset them a lot more than I could make up for.

My mom shook her head, her eyes glassy with tears again.

“Thanks for saying that, sweetie, but no. You should go. I know how much you want to and need to go. Just... just promise me you’ll be careful. Stay safe and stay in a group. Don't get lost and get out of the temple with loads of time to spare. I want you out of there an hour before sunrise. Okay? I don't want you to be one of those people who have disappeared inside. Especially with your track record.” She shook her head in exasperation. "Just promise me, okay?"

I nodded like I’d been turned into a bobble head. I gave my mom a tight hug, just thankful for everything. I was never one to talk much, but I really couldn’t put everything I was feeling into words.

My excitement began to was bubble up again.

My mom smiled and tucked a lock of her behind my ear.

“I want to tell you not to bring a guy home, but I have a feeling you will anyway.”

I shrugged noncommittally. You couldn't break a promise if you didn't make any.

“Just don’t lose your virginity as soon as you meet him please. No matter how much he feels like your soul mate. And if you must, use protection please. I do not want to become a grandmother already.”

I rolled my eyes.

“For your information, thanks to you guys, I’ve never even held hands with a guy. I hardly think I’ll be dropping my pants in the middle of the woods, while I'm surrounded by hundreds of teenagers who take pictures of everything.”

My mom grinned sheepishly.

“Well, your dad would be happy to hear that, I guess.” She grinned, before looking at me seriously. “Just be careful and have fun. Okay?”

“Okay. I will. I promise.” I wrapped my arms around my mom, smiling into her shoulder and she returned it with twice the force. She really shouldn’t be this strong for a woman who never stepped foot in a gym, though maybe she did? I narrowed my eyes at her consideringly. Honestly, I didn’t even know anymore.

“Thank you,” I whispered softly. “I love you.”

My mom’s hands tightened around me to dangerous levels. The last time I said that out loud had probably been years ago. Something I regretted now. I silently promised myself I’d say it a lot more often to my parents.

“I love you more, baby.” Slowly, she released her death grip on me, giving me a bright smile. “Well, I’m pooped. Takeout tonight?”

I nodded, happily. “Do you want anything specific?”

“Anything’s okay for me.”

She nodded. “Okay then, go on. Wash up, do whatever else you need to do. Be back down in 20 minutes. Your dad will be home by then.”

I needed to call Katie. I felt slightly guilty about going on the trip so soon after everything my mom had told me, but my earlier desperation and happiness bubbled up inside me.

Finally, I was going where I needed to go.

I didn’t know what was waiting for me there, but I knew it was waiting for me too.