XIII
Solace
The snow had not let up for days, blanketing the world and making the roads impassable. It wasn't until three days after Christmas that it stopped snowing enough for a snowplow to come through and clean up the streets. Mom and Dad had been packed and ready to leave since the previous day, but Uncle Andy and Aunt Olivia refused to let them out of the house until it was safe. I had agreed, worried that the car would end up in a ditch somewhere, along with Lucas's car. Not that that had been the weather's fault.
"Callie, dear, help me carry this would you?" Mom wheeled a suitcase from the house, but it was too heavy to carry down the stairs. We each took a side, heaving it down, and into the car trunk.
"Shouldn't Dad be doing the heavy lifting?" I wiped the sweat from my forehead before it froze in the cold.
"He's having a moment with your uncle. I didn't want to disturb them."
"Having a moment, you say?" Dad and Uncle Andy came down the stairs with the remainder of the bags, Aunt Olivia trailing behind them. "We would never."
Dad closed the trunk, the sound swallowed up by the snow that had yet to be clear from the front yard. Uncle Andy had spent the morning clearing the driveway with a shovel enough for the car to get out.
"It's going to be quiet without you here," Aunt Olivia said, pulling Mom into a tight embrace.
Mom smiled, hugging her back. "It's good you'll have Callie here to keep you company."
After talking with Viktor, I decided that I would like to stay here to try to find some sense of purpose, where I belonged, and find myself. I brought it up at dinner the following day and without hesitation, Aunt Olivia and Uncle Andy had insisted I stay there for as long as I liked. The house was big enough that I wouldn't be in their way, and close enough to town and to Viktor to be exactly what I needed.
Aunt Olivia chimed in, "And Lucas and Viktor are here enough to fill any silence Callie doesn't fill."
"It also means we'll have to visit more often," Dad grinned, tussling my hair. "The long hours in the car won't keep us away."
"We'd like that." Aunt Olivia leaned her head against Uncle Andy's shoulder. "There will always be room here for you."
After drawn-out goodbyes and promises that they would see each other soon, Uncle Andy tugged Aunt Olivia inside, leaving me alone with my parents. It was bittersweet, considering I had always been around the corner. They were always there when I needed them, coming when I called. And now I would be hours away, unable to see them whenever I needed their love or guidance.
"I'm going to miss you," I cried, burying my face in my father's shirt.
"Nonsense," Dad rubbed my back. "You'll see us soon. And remember we're always a phone call away."
Mom joined the embrace, her hold tight. "It's time for you to live your life, Callie," she sniffled. "To be happy."
"I love you both so much." I pulled back, wiping my damp cheeks.
Dad used the sleeve of his jacket to wipe his own eyes. "We love you too, darling."
In moments they were in the car, the engine rumbling to life, steam puffing from the exhaust. Dad wound down his window, Mom leaning across him to wave, as he reversed from the driveway. Unexpected heat warmed my side as if I was standing beside a fire. I turned to find Viktor, his large form unnaturally quiet as he appeared at my side. He pulled me against him, his arm slung over my shoulders in silent comfort.
We stood side by side on the front porch, watching Mom and Dad's car until it disappeared on the horizon.
"Now let's see if you can truly handle me, little kitten."
The End