SCRATCHED

Chapter 40

2025, Solshore.

Her mother used to watch her sleep. Deep in the night, she would tiptoe into her room and sit slowly on the bed. She would sit there for a few minutes, then caress her hair, kiss her on the head and leave whispering 'I love you's' and 'Good nights'.

Kara heard them all, including the time her mother accidentally stepped on a noisy toy and gasped. It was so funny she almost laughed in her sleep. The night visits became less frequent as she grew older. Teenagers preferred their 'I love you's' in form of fewer chores and bigger allowances. But the time her mother would tiptoe into her room to watch her sleep and touch her hair was her favorite part of the night.

It was morning in Solshore. The sky was a dull blue and the birds began to chirp as they circled the water. It was one of the reasons this particular morning felt so peaceful. They hadn't chirped in a while. But watching Martha sleep as her scratch healed almost brew tears out of her eyes.

Martha's hair was short and red as a pomegranate. Reaching a hand and pushing away a stubborn strand, Kara watched her drowsy dark-brown eyes flutter open, like the sky and her one good eye. At that moment she saw her resemblance with little Cara. But the red hair reminded her of Max.

"Hey," Kara whispered.

"Hi," Martha whispered back with the smile Kara had missed so much.

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better, thanks to you."

Kara felt a tickle of guilt. She grabbed Martha's hand. "Martha I'm so sorry-"

"Oh, nonsense!" Martha laughed, squeezing her hand tighter. "We're all safe because of you, dear. What are you apologizing for?"

Kara smiled.

"The kids?"

"They're asleep. It's not yet sunrise. You stay in bed and let the medicine do its work. I'll give them a kiss for you on my way out."

"You're leaving? Without breakfast? I can have David make you some-"

Kara shook her head with a smile. "He's been up all night watching over you. The kids haven't had much sleep either. You all rest. I'll be back soon-"

"For lunch," Martha cut in firmly. "You'll be back for lunch."

Kara chuckled, then slowly nodded, her eyes glowing like the rising morning. "I'll be back for lunch."

"All of you," Martha warned.

"All of us."

Cara and Clyde had a bigger room than their parents. It was tidy. Cara didn't have any toys and Clyde hadn't played with his for a while. She tiptoed in and sat on Clyde's bed. He slept so peacefully, just like Max. They were almost the same height. And when she leaned in, she felt that their hairs had the same softness too.

Cara hugged her teddy bear as she slept, a hug so tight it was more than just an 'I need you' but more of an 'I'll protect you with my life'. Kara felt the same way. She imagined what it would feel like as a real parent. The smile faded from her face. It was hard enough thinking about falling in love, let alone having kids. She would unlock those dreams some other day.