Dancing in the Oaks

Time Will Tell

After I dropped Nick off I drove back to my house. Something seemed off when I pulled up. The driveway seemed different. I could and would never be able to look at this place the same. It will forever be a place of deep dread. I never wanted to be back, but I needed my stuff. As I was talking with Nick before I dropped him off, he told me that I could stay at their guest house. According to him it has not been used in years. I was alright with that. If I remember correctly it is about fifty feet off of the west side of the house. I gave the door a loud knock. To my surprise it was Harlem that answered. "Hi Harlem, can I come in?"

He gave me a strange look as if he didn't know me. Exactly, like he did not know me. That is what it felt like with everyone. Was I just some stranger that did not deserve anything? Was I useless? Someone who was just there, maybe like a ghost? "Why are you here?" He gave a confused look.

"Harlem. It's me, your sister, Norah. Uhm I live here! I'm here to pick up my stuff. I need to get something for Nick too." He finally let me through. I was released because I had a few valuable things I needed.

"Norah! What are you doing here?" My mother asked in a nearly yelling tone of voice.

I learned against the wall. "Mom, I am here to pick up my things. I'm moving over to Nick's parents' guest house if that makes this whole thing easier on you. Nick's brother moved out of the guest house, so I'm helping Nick run his family business." I lied to make up some excuse. However I justified it because it was partially true. " Now it's his business. Just please it won't take me more than an hour." I tried to convey my point.

"Fine." She gave a dirty look. See, it was as if they truly did not want to be back at the place. I no longer felt welcome no longer.

I opened the door to my room and gathered everything I could into my suitcase, bag, and backpack. I probably was able to pack up 90% of my stuff. Nick didn't have much besides his one hat he left over about two weeks ago. I took my blankets. The last thing I hauled out to the truck was the German dress, necklace, and keepsakes that I found. I for sure didn't want my family to get those. That was my prized possession.

When I left it seemed as if they were happy about it. It's almost as if they don't want me around, but that's fine because I have Nick. I drove very slowly along the road as I traveled the half mile distance. Upon arrival I got everything out and took it to the guest house. I couldn't find Nick, but I smelled something nice cooking. Nick must have been in the main house. He texted me and let me know that he had unlocked the guest house and I could just walk in and make myself at home.

The last blanket that I hauled in was a Swiss blanket. Apparently my grandma got it when she traveled to the Swiss alps. I walked in through the door and Nick stood there. "Hey" he said.

"Hey" my face lit up. I shut the door behind me. I finally felt somewhat safe, but not emotionally safe.

"Hmm." He looked over at the clock.

"I know... I know. I'm so sorry. It took me a while. I made sure that I got everything. I didn't leave..." I walked over to the empty chair to set the blankets on. "My family were being a bunch of jerks."

"No..." He said quietly.

"What do you want then?" I asked kindly.

"Here I'll take that." He took my suitcase as I followed him through the small room. "No one should be coming back now. My brother left. He moved to Seattle with Mika. I basically live by myself in the main house. I will stay over there and you will stay here. No one should find you at all. By the way, my brother and Mika, they got married apparently. I don't know and personally don't really care. My dad is dead too so we should be alright." He looked at me differently again.

"What?" I said as I blushed.

We both walked back into the front room. I liked the house. It felt more like a home than what my house did. Maybe it's just because Nick's radiating smile lit up the entire world for me. "Look over there."

I looked over at the window. "Stop being weird!" I laughed at the unknown as well as his strange actions.

"Hey, just know that I'm here for you. You don't have to worry again. You're alright: we're alright." His arms squeezed around my back. I felt safe. "This is time for something new and different." My hand touched his hair. "You alright?"

"Oh yeah I'm fine! I should be asking you that."

He just laughed a little. "No i'm alright. Just glad to be alive." I was too, just happy to be alive.

"This has to be the end alright?" I asked.

"Yes, yes this is the end. It's all going to be alright." He kept hugging me.

"You know, I like... I love you. Thanks. I have no words to express how grateful I am. I just don't know what to do now." My voice trembled.

He finally let go and gave me a quick kiss. "Okay. I've got some food. It's Uhm chicken. I hope that's alright."

"Of course!" I love chicken and I have to admit that Nick is a wonderful cook.

"I'm so happy to just be here with you. Just don't worry about the situation, okay?" He said. "Did they let you get everything?"

I had to recollect my own thoughts, "Nope. First my brother answered the door. They literally question everything that I do. Should that be the other way around? I guess not. My family just doesn't get that they are in the wrong and not me. I'm so tired of this. I walked in and my mom just got mad and asked why I was even here. It doesn't make sense to me!" I said.

"Norah, nothing ever will. Please. Forget. Here you know, go put your stuff down and lay on the couch. I will finish dinner and then we'll just try and forget about this." Nick took my purse and hung it by the door.

"Do you have a blanket? I'm freezing." I asked kindly.

"Yeah. Norah, you're making yourself sick. Just don't worry. I know that's hard, but... I'll get you one. Just lay down and relax. Take a break." He walked into the other room to retrieve a blanket. He laid the blanket across me as I just stared into his eyes. He smiled. The house is fairly small, probably only 300 square feet. It was perfect for me.