Chapter 13
Tate walked into the house to the sound of laughter and the smell of something good as he headed for the kitchen. His parents and Micah were still sitting around the table when he walked in.
Lilith saw the stricken look in his eyes and got up and hugged him. “Do you feel like eating?”
The room was suddenly silent, and Micah felt a wave of empathy for Tate, knowing from the experiences of what he’d witnessed from his elders how using the gift affected them physically—like being drained of all energy.
“Something sweet, right?” Micah said. “That’s what Granddad always goes for after a hard episode.”
“Something sweet,” Tate echoed, and sat down at the table. A couple of minutes later, Abel had a glass of sweet tea for Tate, and Lilith had cut a big slice of white coconut cake.
Tate picked up the fork and took a bite, then slowly ate it all as the rest of his family went back to their conversation. It wasn’t until after he’d finished that he leaned back and allowed himself to face them.
“The driver was part of a human trafficking ring. The feds had a warrant out for his arrest. The little boy had been missing for four days. He was scared out of his mind when they pulled him out of the wreck. The moment I touched him on the stretcher, I saw it all. He was being groomed into being sold off in human trafficking. Pretty sure he witnessed someone being killed. He’s nine.
That’s about how old I was when I saw the tornado that took out our school.
I remember how afraid I was without my mom and dad.
And I remember being afraid I was going to be in trouble for telling what I saw.
Kids can’t decipher the why of things. But what they endure stays with them like a scar you can’t see. ”
Lilith was in tears, but it was Micah who spoke up.
“The elders were right to send me. You all have to come home so they can meet Tate. There are things only they can tell him. Ethan Bandy is your great-grandfather, and he’s old.
His time on earth is definitely short. Your grandfather, Wesley, and your uncle, Joseph, also want to meet you.
They need to see your face. You are the future.
Their blood is in you. They want to know that you are honoring your gift.
I could tell them. But they will know if they can just see you. ”
Tate glanced at his parents.
Abel nodded. “Your mom and I will gladly take you home. If you can part from Briar for five days…”
“I’m about to part from her for years, once we graduate,” Tate said. “We knew this going in. I won’t lose her, but I have to be sure that who I am doesn’t hurt her the way it hurt Mom. So, before I let the public know that she exists in my world, we’re being careful. I’ll go. What’s the plan?”
“We leave day after tomorrow,” Abel said. “We’ll be there and back before school starts.”
Tate looked down at his hands, then spread them on the table in front of him and looked up.
“Mr. Stennett had posted a reward all over social media and the news outlets for information leading to his son’s safe return.
He followed me out of the boy’s room into the hall and insisted I take it.
I refused him, but then I could tell he’s one of those men who need to honor a promise to feel right about themselves, so I finally gave in.
I need to put the check in the bank in the morning. ”
“What kind of reward?” Abel asked.
“Ten thousand dollars. I guess I have just accepted my first paycheck for the job that’s going to be my life’s work.”
Abel gasped. “Good lord.”
Micah nodded. “The elders say it’s a sin to waste a God-given gift.”
Tate almost grimaced. “So, Dad fixes cars and I rescue the perishing. Night, everybody. I’m going to call Briar about our trip. Thanks for the cake, Mom. Rest well, Micah. I’m just across the hall if you need me.”
Abel watched Tate leave, then leaned back in his chair. “There’s way more to that story than he’ll ever tell. I’m proud as I can be of him, but I fear he has a long, lonely road to walk before he feels safe and centered.”
* * *
Briar was restless. She knew Tate wasn’t in danger, but he was dealing with a messy situation, and when he hurt, she cried. It was a rule.
But, as of sunset today, they had a brand-new roof on their house.
All of the damaged flooring had been replaced.
The painters were done until touch-ups after the french doors were installed, and they were still four days out on delivery, and three days out on getting their new kitchen stove installed.
The primary bedroom was finished, as was the plumbing.
The toilet was the last thing to be installed, and that got finished today too.
Day after tomorrow, the bedroom furniture and new mattress for Roger’s bedroom was being delivered.
He would finally be sleeping in his own bed again, not on the living room couch.
Briar had updated him after the last workers left today, but as elated as Roger was about the progress, he still had to deal with his past. Tomorrow, he and Mariah had their first mediation meeting with their lawyers at the county courthouse at ten a.m. It was a long drive to the county seat, and Roger was in a mood about it.
Leaving the office for the day was one thing, but making that long drive and still having to deal with Mariah wasn’t going to be pretty.
The only positive thing about the trip was that he was riding with his lawyer, Rocky Morris. They had plenty to talk about before their arrival. Now he had to break it to Briar that, once again, he was going to be AWOL tomorrow.
When he entered the house that evening, the house actually smelled clean. The mess was absent, and so was dust, and he smelled lemon oil.
He called out, “Briar! I’m home!” Then he heard the upstairs shower running, dumped his briefcase in the hall by the door, and went to get a cold beer from the refrigerator.
Briar was changing into clean clothes when she heard the downstairs TV.
Dad was home. She slipped into a pair of sneakers, gave her hair a quick brush, then left her room.
Downstairs, she found Roger staring out into space rather than watching the show on TV.
She could tell by the look on his face that he wasn’t happy.
“Hey, Dad. Long day?” she said, and plopped down in a chair beside him.
“Typical day. Did you hear all those sirens? A wreck, but no one we knew,” he said.
She nodded, but didn’t bother informing him of the details. He didn’t like knowing Tate’s claim to fame was real. “I heard the café downtown is open again. Do you want to go get some real food, or are you okay with microwave stuff instead?” she asked.
“The house looks so nice. It smells clean and it’s uncluttered. I’ll settle for another microwave dinner rather than leave again, if that’s okay with you?”
“Sure. Either way is fine with me,” she said.
“I have to be gone most of the day tomorrow. Rita is stuck with the office. The first day of the divorce mediation is at the county courthouse. I’m riding with my lawyer. He’s picking me up at eight a.m., so I’m going to leave the car here for you, just in case you need it.”
“I’m sorry. I know you’re dreading it,” she said.
“All the threats, and the whining, and the demands…they will be endless. Even with a mediator present, it’s not going to be pretty.” Then he remembered who he was talking to. “Sorry. I shouldn’t be degrading your mother to you in any way.”
Briar shrugged. “She does that all by herself. Quit worrying about me, Dad. Her absence in this house has been my blessing. Anyway, back to supper. What’ll it be? Salisbury steak, potatoes, and green beans, or lasagna?”
He laughed. “What a menu. I can hardly decide. How about I treat you tonight? You pick the one you want, and I’ll eat the other.”
“Then you’re getting steak and taters,” she drawled.
He threw back his head and laughed. “Done. I’m going to finish my beer, so you eat when you’re ready. I’ll be up to shower later.”
“Oh! Surprise…your bathroom is completely finished. There isn’t any furniture in that room yet, but you have one heck of a new toilet and shower.
I shared some of my towels and washcloths with you.
No more climbing the stairs for you, but you need to replenish the stuff you lost. And, since your closet is finished too, you need to get some new clothes.
Nearly everything you had was thrown out due to mold and glass. ”
“Seriously? Oh my God. That’s the best news ever,” he said, and got up to investigate.
Briar felt sorry for him, but grateful she was finally of age.
There would be no arguments as to who got custody of her, and there was no child support to fuss about.
No choices for the legal system to intrude upon her life.
And the knowledge that she would be home alone tomorrow was something Tate might want to know.
She didn’t know what was going on with Micah Bandy’s unexpected presence, but Tate would tell her if it mattered.
She glanced out the front window. Long shadows were spreading upon the yards, looming like monsters waiting for night to fall.
It would be dark in an hour or so. She turned away from the flight of fancy, reminding herself Mariah had been their monster, and she, the sacrificial lamb.
It was Tate that broke the spell when he saved her, and now the monster in this house was finally gone.
She went to heat up her lasagna and ate standing up at the center island. She was tired but clean, and now fed, and she’d had enough of this day, and she left a note on the counter by the microwave.
I’m in my room watching TV. If I fall asleep…sleep well. Tomorrow is just another day, and you’ll be fine.
Love me.