Opening Thread
It began on a Tuesday. I was home to do afternoon chores and one of them was to help pick the vegetables. It was beans and tomatoes day. I was doing my thing, lost in my own little world, on auto-pilot picking beans when Grampa James pulled me out of my reverie and called me over to inform me that we had company.
Company? What was I to think? Company never comes calling when they know I'm there--people don't seem to take to me very well--I think it's the eyes. Company never comes calling unless they have to. On top of that, since when am I supposed to be included when anyone comes over? Usually, I take this as a cue to make myself scarce--not to be told to clean up to meet and greet.
This time around, Grampa James seemed to have a kind of uncertainty plaguing him and that uncertainty didn't go away as I made sure my ears and tail were properly hidden and I did as he asked and washed up at the front pump to make myself a bit more presentable. I have no doubt that the question of it all was all over my face. (Granny Dan says she can read me like a book.)
Seeing that I had cleaned up sufficiently, he nodded approval and gave me what I now read as a reassuring smile. Maybe it was just nerves then--over what? My mind was racing, but I did not dare to even think it--was Okara's vision coming to pass? No, I didn't even dare to hope. Grampa James had his hand on the door and silently indicated that I go in ahead of him.
It only took a moment for my eyes to adjust. As I made my way in, I put on my best smile and acknowledged our visitor with a murmured "Hello."
She looked exquisite. I had never seen a woman so beautiful--beautiful enough to rival an elf maiden. Her blond hair, her jewel-blue eyes and then there were the clothes she was wearing that fit her perfectly. She gave me a once-over glance before returning my smile. Her gaze, I noticed, had not wavered from mine once.
"Hello," she extended her hand toward me. "Tabitha?"
"Tabby, this is your Aunt Evelynn," Granny Dan introduced. I felt a rush. Family. I took a casual breath to steady myself, taking note of her perfume.
"Pleased to meet you," I replied and took her hand in a firm grip, noticing a tingle seeming to come from her as I did, but she wasn't mentioning it. I was trying very hard not to stare. The questions were beginning to flood my head in a torrent. I so desperately wanted to ask my questions of this woman, but having Grampa James and Granny Dan in the room, I felt it best to refrain from making a scene.
I was making sure that I wasn't looking Aunt Evelynn in the eye too much since most folks get uncomfortable when they look me in the eye for too long. However, I found myself holding my breath in anticipation, waiting to hear what Aunt Evelynn had to say.
As they were all resuming their seats, I did notice that Granny Dan was waving me into a seat with something of a forced smile. It was only for a brief instant I felt a kind of misgiving, but I retrained my attention on Aunt Evelynn.
"So Tabitha. How old are you now, seventeen?" her voice chimed. It sounded melodic.
"Yes ma'am," I replied almost automatically. I desperately wished she would cut to the chase.
"Well, good. You've grown into a beautiful young woman," Evelynn replied. "Tell me, Tabitha. Do you remember meeting me?"
Now that she mentioned it, there was a feeling of familiarity to her. I searched my mind, trying to make a connection, but none was forthcoming. A feeling dancing along the edge of memory. That's all I could get. I looked her over again with a little more scrutiny, trying to get something to click.
"No, not really. I've the feeling we've met, but that's all," I replied truthfully.
Evelynn nodded. "You were just an infant when I saw you last. It was the day I swore to your father that I would make sure that you were well cared for. I knew I had made the right choice." She looked over at Granny Dan and Grampa James and gave them a dazzling smile.
"So Tabitha," she continued, her demeanor suddenly straight faced and serious. "How would you feel about meeting your father?"
I sat there for a moment with my mouth falling open. My Father. So he was alive, at least. I was a bundle of nerves. I wanted to scream. I wanted to laugh. I wanted to cry. Which way was was up?
"Yes!" came my practically breathless reply. I was having a hard time finding my voice again. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to sit still for much longer. If I had my tail showing, I'm sure it would have been wagging me I was so excited!
"Good," Evelynn replied with a satisfied smile. "Do you need to collect any of your things before you go?"
"Just a few things," Tabby replied. "I'll go and get them." I instantly shot out of my seat as if it were on fire . I reached over and pulled Granny Dan out of hers and led her away to my room.
I was trying to think about what to say to Gran as I paced the room, picked up my sword that was sitting in a corner and simply sat down on the bed, giving Gran the Puppy Eyes.
"It's finally here. I knew this day would come. I'm so excited! My Father! I get to meet my father! But then that means I have to leave here. I'm finally going to find out where I came from! But I had no idea it would be this hard to up and leave. Will you two be able to manage okay without me? I don't know when I'll be back. Gran, I can't begin to thank you for all you and Grampa have done for me! Just how the heck am I supposed to explain this?"--I revealed the tail and ears--"Do you think he'll be okay with that? Does Aunt Evelynn know?" I was speaking very fast. "Wow, this is so much to take in! I feel like howling!--but I won't." I was pacing the room again, gathering my few things together. I made a tidy bundle and paused again.
"Feel free to jump in anytime here, Gran," I snuffled.
"Oh, come here, you silly girl!" Granny Dan pulled me into a warm embrace. "Now see here, none of this sobbin' and whimperin'. This is a happy day! Oh sure me and Grampa will be short handed, but we managed before you showed up didn't we?" She pushed me back to look me in the eye.
"You don't worry about this." she said as she gave my tail a small tug. "Just keep it to yourself 'til you know you can trust some one. Now go on." She gave me a little push toward my bundle.
"You go with your Aunt Evelynn and meet your dad. You'll have a grand old time and I'm sure you'll be back to visit soon enough." Granny Dan gave me a very warm and reassuring motherly smile, but I could just tell she was hurting. I was too, in that sense. I couldn't wait to leave, yet I was terrified to do it all at the same time.
I hid the ears and tail again and gathered my things. I gave Granny one more hug with an "I love you" attached to it before heading back out to join Aunt Evelynn and Grampa James.
"I'm ready," I quietly announced and looked over at Grampa James, who stood up, his expression somewhat guarded. Aunt Evelynn also stood and I noticed her eyebrow do that arch-thing again for an instant. I could only guess about what.
"Good. Now let's be moving on," Evelynn headed for the door.
Granny Dan opened the door. There stood a fine coach that I could swear was not there a few moments ago. I couldn't help but give it a "Wow!" for a moment.
I turned to Grampa James next, giving him a hug and saying my goodbyes before heading for the coach. The coachman stepped forward and took my bundle. I paused to see what Aunt Evelynn was still talking to them about, but all I caught was Aunt Evelynn thanking Granny Dan and Grampa James again. She finally made her way to the coach, taking a seat across from me and we were on our way.