Chapter Eleven
Half Moon
My family visited about six months after I left home. I had finally learned to live with my condition and realized it didn’t have to be the end of the world
I made dinner for them: roast chicken, potatoes, and green beans. I worked hard on the meal, trying to show my parents that I could make it on my own. I knew they worried about me and I wanted to take some of the burden off of them.
While the food was cooking my father sat down at the table and said that he had something he wanted to speak to me about. He told me that Mr. Matthews was moving, and wanted my father to buy the Baycrest General Store.
“I was hoping you would run it, Son. You know how to do it just as well as I do. And it will give you something to occupy your time.”
I agreed immediately. I was so bored I could barely stand my own thoughts.
My mother stepped into the kitchen, filling the air with the scent of roses, taking the seat across from her husband. She was beautiful, her long blue flowered dress filled out in the center, almost ready to give birth. "Did I hear correctly? Did he agree?" she asked him.
He nodded. "Yes."
She turned to me, her face beaming. "I'm so glad."
Since dinner was ready I called my sisters to the table. They had been outside, exploring my new grounds.
We all took our seats, the girls sat quietly. Rose avoided my eyes. I was worried she would think differently of me. My parents had told her about my new condition before they traveled here. And apparently she didn't take it well.
"I'm surprised, Nathaniel. I didn't realize you could cook," my mother said, after she tasted the chicken. She smiled warmly at me, relief shining on her face.
"I used to watch you and Jane cook, remember?"
"Of course, but I didn't think that you actually paid attention."
I laughed softly. "Neither did I." My parents joined in my laughter. A clanging sound erupted from across the table.
We all turned to face Rose; she had thrown her fork onto her full plate.
She was frowning at us, her eyes narrowed. "How can you all laugh like everything is normal?" Her voice was shrill and slightly raised. To speak out this way was uncommon for my sister. She was a well behaved twelve year old, never giving my parents much trouble.
My mother reached over to touch her hand. "Rose, calm down. Everything will be fine."
Rose closed her eyes with her head pointed to her lap. "No it won't, he's not even human." Her words caused me pain. But by now I was used to the ache in my chest.
"Rose!" My father's voice was harsh, and full of reprimand.
Rose looked up at us, her eyes wide and red. "It's true isn't it?" She pushed her chair away from the table, making a loud squawk, and stormed outside.
The room was silent after she left, my parents glancing down at their plates, Mary staring wide eyed with a confused expression on her face.
I pushed my chair back and stood up from the table.
"Nathaniel, let me," my mother said reaching up to touch my hand.
"No Mother, I'll handle it."
My father nodded at me, lifting up his glass to take a drink of wine.
I found her sitting on the porch. I had just finished building it yesterday. All that was here when I had arrived were two rickety steps. She was huddled on the swing which I had also made. “Rose, I know you are nervous around me, but I want you to know that I am learning to deal with this, and I would never hurt you.” My voice was gentle, just above a whisper. I didn't want to scare her.
“I know,” her voice broke as she turned her head away, looking at the horses grazing in the pasture. “I hate that woman." It was obvious she was referring to Charlotte. "But Mama said it is wrong to hate,” she whispered with her head still turned away from me.
I took her in my arms, and rubbed her back while she sobbed on my shoulder. I breathed in her scent, brown sugar and pine nuts. “I know, and she’s right. It’s hard to understand, but it happened, and we just have to live with it.”
“Why can’t you come home? If you are better now, why stay here?”
I sighed heavily. “I still don’t trust myself to be around you all the time. A visit is fine, but I’ve only been this way for seven months. I won’t put you and Mary at risk." I paused as she looked up at me. Her bright blue eyes were full of sadness. "Besides, I will no longer age. How would we explain that? If they found out what I am, they would try to kill me.”
She was suddenly frightened; she clung to me as if an angry mob were standing in front of the house watching us right now.
“You must always keep my secret, or I won’t be able to stay in contact with the family. Do you promise?”
She nodded, her head bobbed against my shoulder. “I promise. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Her voice was muffled as she spoke into the fabric of my coat.
I pulled away and took something out of my pocket. “Here, when you miss me, touch this and know that I am thinking of you. And if you ever need me, I’ll be there.” I opened my hand and dropped a necklace that I found in a catalogue into her open palm. On the chain was a half moon pendant. She looked up at me and smiled. “Thank you,” she said, pulling it over her head.
I pulled out a matching one from of the same pocket. "Come on, let's give Mary hers."
She smiled and followed me inside.
A few hours later they left for home. The loneliness their absence left, wrapped tightly around me, smothering me.
I tore off into the woods, changing quickly. As a wolf I didn’t miss them as much. I flew through the forest enjoying the wind whipping through my fur. I caught a scent to my left, it was a deer. Excited by the thrill of the hunt, I turned toward the smell, and adrenaline coursed through my limbs.
Riley's Curse, A Moon's Glow Prequel Page 11