Chapter Twenty-Eight - Teagan
Isit alone on the garden bench, eyes closed. The cool breeze brushes my face as my phone rings against my ear.
I needed some time away from the heat in the kitchen.
“Teagan!”
The sound of my Dad’s voice tugs at all the stress tangled in my chest, and in a single pull, untangles it.
“You haven’t come home in a few days. Which is totally fine, of course. You might be my little boy, but you’re an adult.”
I smile.
“I just worry. Especially with all your dangerous activities. Oh! Did you get your skateboard fixed? Please wear the helmet I got you. I know it isn’t ‘cool’, but you have to think of your head. And aren’t the flowers we painted on it fun?”
I pull my legs up and hug them to my chest, all my thoughts quiet while listening to Dad.
“Have you heard from Thomas? He’s in Scotland!
How exciting! I’d love for him to visit, but I didn’t say anything.
I don’t want to pressure him. You boys are growing up too fast. Mum said we should get a dog since we’re too old for another baby.
But maybe you kids will have babies of your own soon. ”
My chest bumps with a silent laugh.
Dad chatters more, the clouds parting just enough for me to watch the big orange sun begin to dip.
“I met someone,” I whisper into the rustling trees.
Dad’s silence reminds me of a rubber ball that’s just been thrown and still vibrating with leftover energy. I picture him waiting, smiling with his whole face, and suddenly I miss him so much that when I hear footsteps and Kai comes into view, I wish my whole family surrounded me.
“Kai doesn’t like him,” I say.
Kai sits beside me, rolling his eyes.
Dad laughs. “I bet you love that.”
“His name is Sen.” I drop my head on Kai’s shoulder. I came out here for quiet, but now all I want is to fill my head with Sen. “He’s tall and handsome.”
Dad laughs again, encouraging me to continue.
“He thinks I’m strong.”
Kai’s shoulder slowly lifts up and down as he breathes.
“I think he’s amazing.”
A beam of golden light catches a muddy puddle.
“Sen told me he never wants to stop me from having fun.”
And that dirty puddle shines like something pure.
“I think he’s in love with me.”
I hug my legs tighter, my cheeks hurting from my smile.
“And I think I love him back.”
It takes a while for Dad to speak again, but when he says, “How nice to find someone who understands you, my lovely boy,” my vision blurs.
“Yeah.”
After we hang up, I snap a picture of the view and send it to Thomas before tucking my phone away.
Kai is silent with me.
And after a pause, I ask, “Do you know the difference between falling in love and soulmates?”
“Not yet,” he replies. “But let me know if you figure it out.”
The sun sets, the air leaving my lungs becoming clouds, unlike Kai’s. Which is strange, but I don’t mind anymore.