Tanner

by Kathi S. Barton

  “That’s all?” Chris nodded and wiped again at her tears. “You tell that husband of yours, and them brothers of his, they’d better be good to you. You’re something special too.” “Micah is good to me, and so are the others. I couldn’t have been mated to anyone kinder and more supportive than him. And to have a family like I do—well, as you know, it doesn’t get any better than this.” They rocked back and forth when she left them there, sitting on the front porch just swinging back and forth. They would remember something that would pop into their heads, talk about it for a bit, then watch the sun going down behind the mountain. “It sure has been a good life, my love.” She told him for her as well. “This is the best way to leave this earth. Sitting with someone you love, just rocking away the final minutes. Yes, if I could have picked a better ending, I’m not sure what it would have been. You and me, we sure had some adventures.” “Yes, and I’m betting that we’ll have us a few more, wherever we end up.” He nodded. “It’s time, my love.” “Yes, it’s time.” He turned to her then, kissing her while watching her eyes. And when the sun showed its final colors of the day, they both closed their eyes, much as they had done all their lives, when they were just too tired to go on. ~~~ Trent knew the final moment of his grandparent’s death. His heart skipped a couple of beats as he watched the same sun going down over the same mountain as they were. And it broke his heart in two knowing that he’d never speak to them or hug them again. Chris had told him through their link that she was going to set them up a faerie garden that would be blessed by the queen of the earth, as well as the queen of faeries. He loved that idea, and his family did as well. They had gathered together, his brothers and their wives, his parents and close friends, to sit together, remembering the couple who had been there forever. And when the time came for them to be no more, no one said a word or uttered a single sound for several long moments. The faeries came to get them an hour later. The garden was finished. Gathering what they’d already decided to take to the garden, all of them went to the place that he’d picked out for them. His mom started to sob, and Dad held her while he too fought with the tears. Trent didn’t care. He cried like his heart had been broken, because to him, it had. “It has been an honor to do such a thing for you, Lord Trent. They were our favorite people in all the world, we think.” Trent thanked the little blue faerie. “The White Witch said that you had things that you wished to lay with them. If you would do so now, we’ll make sure that they are safe from harm forever as well.” Trent put his first dollar on the garden. “From my first sale that you talked me into. We made very little money that time, but it got me hooked in helping other businesses.” The next person to lay something in the circle was Elijah. He put upon the place of interment a shell and a fishing hook. “The first time we went fishing, not at all good at it by the way, all I caught was this shell and several times my skin. I’ll miss you, old man.” Next was Scott. He put a small whip and they all laughed. “To my grandma. The only person that seemed to understand me more than most, and could embarrass me the best. I will miss you both so much.” Sterling set a small picture on the marker. It was a picture of the two of them that he had painted for this day. “My memories of the two of you are too great to have picked just one. So, I’ll use this to remind you both of how much we’re going to miss you.” “Randal? Your turn.” He nodded and laid a book on the grave. Trent laughed hard, as did the rest of them. The tattered copy of Moby Dick was what they had read together each night until it was finished when he was a child. “You are the reason that I teach. And the reason that I’m still doing it.” He blew them a kiss. “For all the nights I begged you for just one more chapter.” Tanner was last, and he seemed to hesitate longer than Randal. But when he walked to the grave and put the small booties on the marker, he didn’t need to say a word. The booties were for the son that he and Giyanna had lost when there had been a car accident several decades ago. The grandparents had stayed up with Tanner and Giyanna all night when they were heartbroken. No one else could comfort them as they had. Next was Mom and Dad. Mom just laid her hand upon the marker, her tears staining the bronze stone. Then from her pocket she pulled out the handkerchief that Grandma had been using since they’d been kids. It had been forever tucked into her sleeve to use when she needed it. Dad went to the circle alone. He didn’t say anything, but they knew that he was heartbroken by the loss. He cleared his throat and then started to sing. His voice, even after all these years, was as clear and beautiful as it had ever been. And “Amazing Grace” had never sounded as good to him before. Walking back to the house, he turned once and looked at the circle. The faeries were busy taking care that the items that they left were well preserved with their magic. Trent turned back to his family and walked the rest of the way in silence. “He’d kick our collective bottoms if he was here.” Trent asked his dad what he wanted them to do. “We go on living like we did before. Have fun with the children. Let’s have a nice dinner and celebrate what we think of. Just anything.” “All right. I’ll run into town and get some steaks. If you guys will have someone start on sides, I’ll be back soon.” Trent was warming to the idea. “I’ll even see if I can find us a pie or three or four too.” By the time he returned they not only had the fire going and several side dishes, but the ice cream maker was going as well. There had been several pies at the store—not as good as homemade, but it was spur of the moment and they were good. Peach, apple, pineapple, as well as cherry. Grandda’s favorite. Then he had picked up banana cream for Grandma. The night wore on, and they ate better than he thought they had for a while now. The pies were eaten with gusto, and even the ice cream seemed to hit the spot. They were a family that had just lost two loved ones, and Dad was right; Grandda would have kicked their butts had he seen the way that they were mourning their deaths. When Myra showed up a little after seven that night, he welcomed her with open arms, as did the rest of the family. “I’ve come to tell you that the Bentleys would like to open a scholarship fund in your grandparents’ name. It will go to underprivileged shifters so that they might go to college a little easier. It’ll be called the Trent James and Jasmine Calhoun Foundation.” Trent and the others thanked her. Joe asked if they might put to it as well. “Yes, she said that she would welcome you to help the others.” “Will you stay and have some pie with us? We’re having a sort of celebration.” She declined, and that was when he noticed what she was wearing. Trent got a good laugh out of that. “Balloons, huh? I don’t suppose there is a story that goes with that, is there?” “As a matter of fact, there is. Your grandfather was a sneaky man. One day when I was around, he told me that he could use a glass of tea. I told him, since I was standing, that I’d make him some. But he insisted that I use what was in the ice box, as he called it. When I opened the door, two hundred or so balloons came out—scared ten decades off my life. And then you know what the old poop did? He and Jas sang me Happy Birthday. First time in more years than I could count that anyone had done that for me. I have never forgotten it.” They all laughed again, and he realized that they were much better now. Even Mom and Dad seemed to be in better spirits. He was glad now that Dad had suggested this. It was the perfect ending to the day.

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  Kathi Barton, winner of the Pinnacle Book Achievement award as well as a best-selling author on Amazon and All Romance books, lives in Nashport, Ohio with her husband Paul. When not creating new worlds and romance, Kathi and her husband enjoy camping and going to auctions. She can also be seen at county fairs with her husband who is an artist and potter.