A Lost Boy

Epilogue Part 1

"But I was not to see the boy who would not grow up again." The now adult Juvia said as she finished her story.

"Did you mind very much?" Her daughter asked.

"No. Somehow I was certain that it would be the last time and I accepted it."

"Why can't you fly now, Mother?" Asked her son who had tried not to get interested in her story but found himself getting pulled in anyway.

"Because I am grown up, dearest. When people grow up they forget the way."

"Why do they forget the way?"

"It's difficult to explain."

"Do you still think of him?" Her daughter asked.

"All the time. Especially when I see your brother. He reminds me so much of him."

"I do?" Her son said.

"Yes. In fact the way you struggle to understand what grown ups must go through and how they really feel, like you did with your father today? That's exactly how he was. You're almost identical to that boy in every way."

"Mother is that why you always wear that funny necklace?" Her daughter asked referring to the acorn button on a chain that she wore.

"Yes my darling. It's so I don't forget him like I promised I wouldn't."

"But Auntie." Said her nephew. "Did he ever bring any other children to the island?"

"No. Your father, your uncle Romeo, and I were the last ones he ever brought there. He had learned to understand how sad and truly devastating it was for a child to leave their parents. He also learned that when a parent gets angry at their child it does not always mean they are being cruel and that they have no love for their children. He found himself empathizing with grown ups as well as children."

"Does he still hate grown ups?" Asked her niece who was much older than her nephew.

"No. Not anymore."

"Then why did he not stay with you that night? Why did he leave?"

"Because even though he had made peace with his parents and grown ups in general he was still so very afraid of growing up. Not sure if he would ever be ready for it."

"He must be so terribly lonely now." Her daughter said with pity as she clutched the teddy bear that had once belonged to her uncle but then passed down to her.

"Oh no. He is not lonely. He has not been lonely for a very long time and is quite happy."

"But how do you know that if you never saw him again?"

"I believe that is a story for another night. Now I think it is time that you all go to sleep. We have a very important day tomorrow."

She tucked in each of the children, giving them each a kiss goodnight, the last one she went to was her son. The boy no longer looked angry or frustrated but remorseful and guilty.

"Mother." He said.

"Yes my dear one?"

"I'm sorry about what I said earlier."

"I know you are."

"I don't think grown ups are bad anymore. When father gets home tonight, will you tell him I'm sorry?"

"Yes I will."

"Do you think he'll forgive me?"

"Of course. Do you forgive him?"

"Yes."

"You have no idea how relived he'll be when I tell him that."

She kissed his forehead.