Lemonark

A Mother Knows

I don't know what had happened, but whatever it had been ceased once the morning came. Ophelia had ushered me up, telling me we had better get home and prepare for the long day.

Mother Odessa was nowhere to be found, but Tree gladly ushered us off into the forest, telling us to not forget whatever we had come with. We had both picked up our clothes and followed Tree out of the willow tree, which was still as beautiful as before.

The sun had not risen, but it was definitely morning, for the sky was like a sort of lighter blue, but not too light.

"Don't worry too much about the Tarantulans, for they won't be a bother to you both now that the sun is planning to rise!" Tree said eagerly as she walked with us back to the cluster of trees where the other dryads were located.

Those little pests had not crossed my mind at all until Tree had mentioned them, and they did fill me with a little bit of fear. But, it was said there was nothing to worry about, so there probably wasn't and there was not anything to panic about. I should not worry about silly truffles, for everything would soon be solved and we would be ready to properly begin the day on a better note. I gently rested my head on Ophelia's shoulder, and she looked me in the eyes, a twinkle shone in her own.

"Are you feeling alright, my dear? The walk ahead will come out faster if you run, so don't feel afraid to go ahead of me, I won't mind in the least."

Her voice was soft, and I liked that. It made me feel safe, like I belonged with her, and she belonged with me.

Meeting someone like her would be a blessing to me, and I was thankful she had come into my life. I know that she could have possibly been using me for my power, but I was going to push that thought out of my head. For I must focus on the good and how she is caring for me and giving me proper love, in which I needed.

You could say my mother loved me while we shared the same roof, but I doubt it was real love. This possibility had already come into my mind and it was starting to bother me.

"You should run with me! It'll be fun." I wasn't quick to respond, and now I was unsure of what she would answer me with, because a woman of her age would be better walking than running.

"Oh, I don't suppose I couldn't give a little jog," she replied as I took my head off her shoulder and gave her the goofiest possible grin that went as wide as my lips were allowing.

"We best start now, so say goodbye," she beckoned for me to say goodbye to Tree, who I had forgotten was even near us.

"Goodbye Tree, and thank you for everything that you have offered to me and Ophelia. Hopefully the paths we both have been guided onto intertwine again, for I will be counting down the seconds." I spoke from the heart, more or less, because it would be nice to see her again, but counting down the seconds was far too much.

My message obviously had an impact on her, because she gave me a strong embrace for someone of her size. Her grip was strong, which did shock me a little bit, but I viewed it to be a good thing about her.

I led the way back home, but it still seemed that I had been following her, because she was directing me where to go.

"Turn there- Oh, don't go down that path. That's not a shortcut, it'll lead you astray and you're sure to be lost! Stick to the way I'm directing you," she had sounded a little impatient, which was justified because it wasn't as if I had been making it easier.

I was not running, but I had been jogging, which was difficult when wearing two long robes that I could easily trip on. Plus, my feet were not protected, and they were sure to have blisters by the time we had gotten home.