HIDING BEHIND THE SHADOWS

Chapter 11 - Dewey

AARON’S POV

The sunlight hits my face the next morning, I picked up my watch on the bedside table to check the time. It’s 8:05.  I sat on the edge of the bed my head hurts but Harry and I only have a few bottles of beer which makes me confuse. I search for my shirt I was wearing last night only to realize it was neatly placed in the chair and that an aspirin and a glass of water was neatly placed on the bedside table.  It must have been Harry.  He must have checked on me before he left.

I made my way to the kitchen to check for breakfast, if Harry was able to left some Aspirin for me I supposed he also did left me some breakfast.  I was greeted by the smell of freshly cooked pancakes… Hmmn… maybe Harry was not able to leave as early as he planned to last night. 

After breakfast I checked on the perimeter fence on the back Harry has told it was maybe damaged by wild animals in the woods or maybe some campers did make a forced entry to the cottage.  I also thought it is best for me to have something to do while am here. I was working with the perimeter fence the whole day.  It was late in the afternoon when I heard Harry’s voice in the middle of nowhere. Nana might have send him back for the night but I just wonder if I hear his voice then he may have some company.  I made my way front to check who’s coming. There were three of them and…

“Arf… arf…” A dog?... the images starts to appear in middle of the bushes.. but it was almost dark I am not sure who they were.  “Arf.. Arf…” the dog continues to bark…

“Dad?... John?” I called as soon as I realized it was Dad and John with his dog Dewey.  “Dewey….” John release his hold on Dewey whose been struggling to get loose as he heard me calling him.  He runs after I sit on my knees to welcome him, while Dewey express so much happiness in seeing me, by licking my nose and his front feet was in my hands…  “Wooo wooo wooh!”  I was so happy to see him….

“Aaron…” my Dad called

“Hey Buddy” said John

“Hey… what brings the two of you here?” I said hugging my Dad and shaking John’s hand.

“Just checking out the place and bringing you company” John said pointing to Dewey

“The place still as good as it was… I guess huh?” said Dad

“Yeah… just need some minor repair on the fences… and some areas inside the cottage” I said “I guess Harry did some good work in taking care of it” I said glancing at Harry.  He was holding two gallons presumed was gas for the generators.

I invited them in so that they can have a rest and it is starting to get cold outside.

“Wow!” said John  “This is amazing…” his eyes scanning the inside of the cottage.  He went to the kitchen and check the stairs to the attic.  “How did you find this place?” he asked his eyes wide in disbelief.  “You practically lived in dwarf’s house?” My Dad let out a small chuckle on the John statement…

“It’s from my grandparents…” Dad answered.  “it was simpler before but it’s beauty come out after Aaron and Jes- “ Dad paused glancing at me. “Aaron renovated the place when he was 17 with a help of a friend”

Dad was right.  When Jessie and I found this place it was old and dusty. We just consider it a shelter and resting place in between our biking in the woods.  But everything changed after what happened during his 16th birthday.  We slept here that night we both run away. We were so scared then, but the cottage gave us comfort.  We slept in the middle of the room using only a piece of blanket Jessie found in the old cabinet.  Her head on my shoulders her back in front of me in a cuddle, I hugged her tight to comfort her from the shadows and we both drifted off into a deep sleep.

It was in the middle of the night, I woke up by sound of the heavy rains outside the cottage.  When I sensed that someone was watching us in the dark room.  I reached for the flashlight to check the inside of the room only to find out we were alone.  I realized the Jessie was still sobbing in her sleep.  I gently stroke her back and hushed her I hugged her tighter and whisper on her ears “Hush no my love…we’ll be fine… I will always be here for you” I promised her in her sleep. Her sobs slowly fade and I soon get back to my sleep.

The next morning when I woke up, I was alone.  “Jessie…” I called but no answer “Jessie..” still no answer.  I stand up check my backpack is still here and Jessie’s also on the other side of the room.  I made my way outside the room and search for Jessie somewhere else in the cottage.  I found her outside picking up pieces of dry woods.

“Hey…” I snaked my hands around her waist and planted a kiss on the base of her neck “You scare me… I thought you left” she holds my hands and turn to peck a kiss on my cheeks. She gestures thank you crossing her both arms and fingers pointing to me.

“What do you think will we do now? They will be worried about us…” she turn her gaze on the woods.. tears starts to build up the corner of her eyes “Hey—Hey” my hands holds her cheeks to let her face me.  “it’s alright… it’s alright” I look straight in her eyes. I hugged her again and told her “we can stay here as long as you like…” afraid she’s going to cry again.

“Hey Buddy…. Are you okay?” asked John slowly tapping my shoulder to bring my thoughts back to the present.

“Are you okay Son?” ask my Dad

“I…Ye-..yeah” I said startled “I… I was just thinking of the things I need to fix in the next few days”

“I will fix the generators tomorrow” said Harry getting busy in the kitchen.

“Thanks Harry” I said “So, how’s mom?” I asked Dad

“Well… you know your mom son...” Dad looks at me “she maybe in rage today but she will cope up in a few days or weeks…” he assures me.

“So, how long will are you going to stay here buddy?” asked John

I looked at him and said “well… maybe up until the moment mom accepts the fact that her son is mature enough to decide on his own” laughing which was later joined by Dad and John

“Dinner’s ready” we were interrupted by Harry by calling out on Us

We then made our way to the small kitchen and make our seats on a small table which were only enough for us. Harry has prepared again his delicious fresh vegetable salad and steak for all of us.

We were chatting during dinner discussing some parts of business which was also one reason why Dad has brought John over to talk about my unfinished business deals in the company.  He also said he asked Harry to fix the generators just in case some business partners will not trust him or John to represent my decision.  Maybe just use the technology for me to be aware of what is happening around my company.

After dinner, I made my way to the balcony and sit on the chair I set up this morning, while John, Dad and Harry still chatting on some little things. Dad asked Harry to do few things to set up satellite phones and connections for me be convenient in my stay.  I say that’s my Dad.  After he almost lost me in my childhood he wants to make sure I will be fine and comfortable in everything that I do.

A few minutes later, Dad followed me and hand me a bottle of beer and sit beside the chair next to me. We sat there in silence looking out in the darkness.  Only the light from torches Harry had set in the perimeters were giving a little light on the pathways.

“You still hope she’s coming back, am I right son?” Dad asked

I did not answer him. I let out a heavy sigh as if something was damage inside of me which made it difficult for me to breath.

“I’m sorry son. If I did not force you to come with me… maybe things might have happen differently.” Dad said.  “but you were both so young that time and I was working hard to build that company for your future… afraid that love will consume you so deep that you will both ruin your future and your mom…”

“And mom doesn’t like her at all…” I said

“No no no no “ said Dad “It’s not what you think son…”

“It’s okay Dad, I managed to live with her even if I am constantly annoyed… but still… she’s my mom” Aaron said full of respect for her mom “and I love her…”