by Sharon Coady
“The boy there” he pointed to the one picture that sat alone on a small table— “that’s our son Samuel. He passed away when he was ten. It about killed us both.” Moving on, he picked up the picture on the end table. “This is our youngest, Jody. She’s a free spirit.” He smiled and nodded. “She’s living in a commune in Nevada. She’s the happier of the two. She comes often to see me. I see so much of her mother in her.” George stared fondly at the pictures, his mind apparently taking him back to more pleasant times as he silently regarded the smiling faces before him.
“My mother had an affair. I’m the result. The man who raised me, hates me. I don’t even know why he kept me around. My two brothers treat me like dirt because of him. I’m the bastard they kicked around for years, and to top it off, I have no idea who my real father is.” Easton gave a rueful smile. George looked slightly surprised with the sudden revealing.
“Didn’t she ever step in and tell him and your brothers to lay off of you?”
“She died when I was eight. He wasn’t good to her by any means. When I was little, I didn’t understand, but when I got old enough, my father gladly told me what a whore my mother was and that I was nothing but a bastard.” He dropped his head, the weight of all those years heavy on his shoulders. His whole life, he felt he’d only really known hate and neglect at the hands of the people who should have loved him.
“Being a father, I would be devastated if I found out one of my kids wasn’t mine. But I loved my wife, I would hope I had it in me to forgive her and love the innocent child. But I can’t tell you that for sure because I’ve never walked in your father’s shoes. He must have loved her deep down. If he didn’t, why would he have stayed with her?”
“Yeah. I like to think he did love her, just not enough to forgive her. I think that’s what drove her to her death.”
“What do you mean?” George sat up straighter.
“She pulled the trigger. But as far as I’m concerned, he put the gun in her hand.” He turned his head as his tears spilled over. He’d never shared this thought with anyone, never trusted anyone enough. First maybe falling in love, now talking with a stranger about Mom. I’m turning into a ninny.
“It must be horrible knowing she took her own life.”
“It is. I didn’t want to think about it, ever. But my brothers and that man reminded me every day. My brothers actually told me she did it because of me. Who does that to a kid?”
“Bullies. I’m so sorry you went through that. It wasn’t your fault. I’m sure those feel like hollow words coming from someone you don’t know.” George looked away, giving Easton a chance to regain control of his emotions. It felt so good to be able to put words to his thoughts. The very thoughts that had haunted him for years.
“Hey, you hungry? It’s almost six.” George stood and stretched.
“Actually, I am. How about you show me the kitchen and what you have, and I’ll whip us up some dinner.” He stood and followed George. He noticed even the hallway held family pictures. This had been a loving family.
Easton found enough ingredients in the fridge to make them a rather decent diner. He made quick work of cutting up onions, peppers, and carrots, sliding them into the heated pan. While those started cooking, he sliced two chicken breasts into strips and seasoned them. He started a pot of sticky rice as George fixed a salad.
“This smells so good. I can’t wait to dig in.” George leaned over the pan. “My mouth is watering. I’m going to set the table.”
“We can just grab a couple of plates.” Easton glanced over his shoulders as he stirred the vegetables and added the chicken.
“Nah. I eat every night by myself. I’d like to set the table and eat like I used to when I had a family in the house, if you don’t mind.”
“That’s fine, I’d enjoy that too. It won’t be much longer.”
***
“I haven’t had a meal this tasty since Alice died. You’re a good cook, son.”
Easton smiled shyly, not used to the compliment. “Thanks for listening. I think it was good for me to get it off my chest.”
George nodded. “Sometimes talking is the best medicine for a full mind and a broken heart. Let’s get this cleaned up, head out onto the porch, and have a drink. I like this time of the evening.”
“I’ll help you clean up, but I think I’m going to head home. I have a lot to think about, and I guess Tegan and I have a lot to talk about.” Easton grabbed both plates before heading to the sink to wash them.
“Well, I appreciate you spending your evening with me. To tell you the truth, I haven’t had company for the last few months. It seems after Alice’s death, people didn’t know what to say to me so they slowly stopped coming around. It’s been pretty lonely around here.”
“It’s been nice having someone really listen to me, well besides Tegan. This was different somehow, more like talking to a grandfather that actually wanted me around.”
George’s eyes widened as a chuckle escaped him. “Another grandkid, great.” He chuckled some more before turning back to Easton. “What do you do for a living?” he asked as he dried the last of the dishes and put them away.
“I’m a bartender. I worked at an upscale pub in a college town out West. I thought I would be making good tips, you know, like the movies show you. However, that didn’t turn out to be the case.” He shrugged his shoulders. “So I lived in a shitty one bedroom apartment near work and picked up as many shifts as I could. I’m good at my job. I can make any mixed drink you can name and some you’ve probably never heard of. But that didn’t matter when you work in a bar that doesn’t get a lot of clientele.”
“Did you always want to be a bartender? I thought it was something college kids did to earn extra money.”
“No, but I’m good at it and my boss gave me the hours I wanted. I didn’t have the money to go to college, but I’ve been taking courses online in my free time. I had planned one day to open my own business.”
“That’s great. You keep that dream alive, young man.” George glanced at his wrist. “Look at the time. I should let you get going.” He hefted himself up. “I’m going to get ready for bed. Thanks again for fixing dinner.”
“Thanks again for everything. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime.” He shook George’s hand and walked down the steps to his Jeep. “Take care of yourself.” Climbing inside, he stopped with his hand on the key. “Hey George.”
“Yeah?”
“You should ask Connie out. I think it would be good for both of you.”
George laughed. “I don’t know.”
“Take if from a bartender, she likes you, don’t throw that away.” He turned the ignition, put the Jeep in gear, and backed out of the drive.
Glancing to the porch, he waved back at George before taking off toward the interstate. He hoped Tegan was still up when he got home.
Chapter Six
The wind blew through Easton’s hair as Tegan’s image popped into his mind. He was feeling better now, and he knew they had a lot to talk about. He felt like he owed it to himself to see where this was going. He just prayed she didn’t turn up pregnant. That would be a complication they didn’t need. Not at least until they had this whole relationship figured out.
As he pulled up in front of the mansion, Easton felt excited about seeing her again. It felt like it had been forever since he’d said goodbye to her. He pulled the Jeep to a stop, jumped down, ran up the steps, and unlocked the door. “Tegan! Where are you? I’m back.” He ran to the kitchen to find it empty. Running back to the foyer, he took the steps two at a time, flew down the hallway to her room, and knocked on the door.
She opened the door, her eyes meeting his. “You did come back.”
He took her hand and gave her a gentle tug. “I missed you.” He pulled her into his arms, savoring the feel of her warm body in his arms. Pulling back, he started back down the hallway, leading her downstairs to the living room. Plopping down onto the couch, he pulled her down with hi
m. “Come here, sit with me. I owe you an apology for leaving like I did.”
“You said you needed to think. I understand. I did a lot of thinking while you were gone too. I kind of think it was something we both needed. And I have decided I am a little worried about how fast everything is moving with us.”
“Me too. I never wanted to be in a relationship. But meeting you, it has made me question that.”
“It has?” She smiled and reached for his hand.
Easton looked at Tegan and pulled her against his chest. He heard her take a deep breath and knew she was breathing in the scent of his cologne. “I think we owe it to each other to be honest and to talk things through.”
She glanced up and placed a kiss on his chin. “I know so little about you, though.”
Easton looked her in the eyes. “What would you like to know?”
She sighed and folded her hands in her lap. “I want to know everything about you so I can try to understand what has made you who you are.”
“I think I can do that, if you can.” He hugged her tighter. “I want to make this work with you. The thought of not being with you is overwhelming.” Easton sat back and tucked her against his side.
Rubbing his hand up and down her arm, he began his story. An hour later, he stopped talking and placed his chin on the top of her head. “So that’s the story of my life. It sucked.”
“Not all of it sucked. When you talk about your mom, you sound happy.” Placing her hand on his knee, she gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Mostly it was until things went downhill. The one thing I don’t get is how she could leave me like she did. She had to know how that man would treat me.”
“I don’t know how she could leave her child, but we do not know what she was enduring with him.”
He sighed. “You want to get something to drink? I’m rather thirsty.”
“I can fix us something. I am hungry as well.”
“Why don’t you let me fix us something? You haven’t let me do that yet.” He moved his arm from around her, stood, and helped pull her to her feet.
“All right. Can you get started while I excuse myself for a few moments?”
“Of course. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”
Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed his mouth softly. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
Easton watched her head to the foyer before he walked to the kitchen to fix dinner. He felt relieved at how easily Tegan had accepted his story, never interrupting him or questioning any of his memories. He was deep in thought making the meal when he heard footsteps in the hallway. He turned just in time to see her walk into the room with a frown on her beautiful mouth and her forehead furrowed.
“What’s wrong?”
“I have to show you something that I do not think can wait. There is someone that you will need to meet. I meant for you to meet her later, but apparently, circumstances have changed and waiting much longer may not be an option.”
“Can it wait until after we’ve eaten?”
“Unfortunately, no. She’s insistent on me showing you as soon as humanly possible.”
Easton looked around the kitchen, at all the food he’d just started. Sighing loudly, he started cleaning up, already regretting not getting to eat the meal he was preparing. Not that he should be hungry after the meal he had with George.
Tegan grabbed his arm, stopping his progress. “We need to go now. I need you to see and read something now. It will help you understand what she will be telling you a little more easily. I will clean up after a bit.”
Easton looked at her, feeling more than a bit perplexed. What in the world is going on?
Chapter Seven
Tegan took his hand and led him back to the library. She pulled a thick leather-bound book off the shelf in what Easton thought of his uncle’s paranormal section.
“I need you to look through this, please.” She handed it to him before she made her way to the sofa and sat watching him intently.
“What is this?” he asked, placing the book on the desk as he pulled out the chair. Sitting down, he opened the book to see his uncle’s name and a written inscription to him.
This book is a detailed volume of research I have compiled about druids, their magic, and their beliefs. It is the history of the worlds that we cannot see. A belief in what we call the “Otherworld.” He looked up at Tegan to see her watching him with wide eyes as she motioned for him to continue reading. There is much in here that will be hard for you to believe, but Tegan will help guide you. Trust what you hear and see as you go on this journey. I hope it will help you heal. I loved you with my entire heart and soul, and I am sorry I had to leave you with Thomas as long as I did. But I had secrets I had to protect you from until the time was right.
Easton ran his hand through his hair, stood, and started pacing around. “So my uncle thought these druids existed?”
“He spent years researching and studying the history of druids as well as witches.”
“Did he read so much about them that they became real?” He closed the book and turned to her. “Who is coming over?” He walked around the desk and leaned against it. “Tegan please. Help me understand what’s going on here. I feel like I’m in the dark with all the urgency about this unknown person. And then, having me read fairytale books in preparation. And how come I haven’t seen this message from my uncle before?”
“Your uncle did a lot of research about druids and witches because he believed in them. It is why he collected all the books and kept such detailed journals on them. As I said, the person who you are going to meet can help you to understand your uncle’s research and your place in all of this. She will be here shortly, and as confusing as this is now, it will be even worse if you do not at least look over what he studied.”
“I guess I’m missing something here. So my uncle believed in witchcraft. And why is this something I need to know? What possible place could I have in any of this?”
“Can you please look over some of these books? I can show you the ones your uncle was most interested in.” She stood and walked to the wall of books, pulling down a couple of volumes. She handed them to him, still looking perplexed by the whole situation. “I am sorry Easton. I meant to slowly ease you into all of this, but everything got pushed up quite a bit.”
“Are they supposed to be ‘history’ books?” Easton’s mind was swirling in so many different directions; he didn’t even know where to start. For the moment, the easiest route seemed to be going with what Tegan recommended.
He glanced over at Tegan and saw her searching through a large book she had pulled off the shelf. She appeared to be deep in thought as her eyes skimmed over the pages quickly.
Easton chuckled. “Do you honestly take in everything you’re reading when you read that fast?”
“I do. I learned a long time ago that I could do it and practiced until I got very quick at it. Reading like this is not hard for me at all.” She shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
“Lucky you. Maybe you could share your secret with me one day. It would make it much easier for me to read.”
Glancing over at him, she raised a brow. “I think you will be surprised with how easy it is. You like to read?”
“I do. Usually at night before I go to bed.”
Smiling, she went back to reading and stopped. “Here. Read this part.”
Moving beside her, he leaned down to see she was pointing to something about druids and witches. Glancing up, he opened his mouth to say something just as she placed a finger over his lips.
Tegan nodded. “Keep reading.”
Easton read the paragraph. “This says druids were educated professionals in Gaul, Britain, and Ireland.” He continued down the page. “Okay and it also says there has been nothing found to prove they even existed.” Straightening up, he cocked his head and narrowed his eyes at her. “You’re trying to prove to me that druids and witches exist, but you’re showing me a book saying there is no proof they ever did
.”
“Now look at this.” She placed another book in front of him. “Here is information that the ancient megaliths and stone circles are associated with them.”
“So my uncle read all these.” He waved his hand at the many shelves of books. “And decided that they existed. I still don’t know what any of this has to do with me. My head is spinning from all this information.”
Tegan glanced up at the clock sitting on the fireplace mantle. “I am tired too. I can make us some of my special herbal tea if you wish.”
Easton tilted his head from left to right, stood, and stretched. “That sounds good.” He shut the book and left it on the desk. Taking her hand, he placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. They walked down the hall in silence as Easton thought about all the hints she was dropping, wondering what she wasn’t telling him.
Sliding her hand from his, she grabbed the teakettle, filled it, placed it on the stove, and lit the flame. “Will you get the cups down from the cabinet for me?”
“Sure.” Grabbing two cups, he placed them on the counter by the stove and watched her open two different boxes and measure out the herbs before placing them in a metal ball with small holes. She closed the ball by snapping it then took a teapot from the cabinet over the stove. He watched as she placed the ball inside the pot, draped the chain over the outside of the pot, and carefully poured the boiling water inside.
“It will be ready in a few minutes.” She turned and laid her head on his chest as he drew her against him. “I know this is hard for you to take in, and I think you are having trouble believing me, but we promised to always be truthful with each other.”
He tightened her hold on him. “I want to believe you. Can you understand why it’s a bit hard for me to just accept what you’re saying? I honestly do not believe that such things existed or exist.”
“I do, but it’s important that you try all the same. You’ll see why before long.”
Chapter Eight
“It seems the person you will meet is taking longer than I thought to decide when we need to see her. Go freshen up while I reheat some of our dinner you made earlier. You can read more, and I will call you when it is ready.” Tegan winked at Easton before turning to the fridge to figure out what she’d be making. “I’m sorry we are eating so late.”