Dark and light: The Shadows

Chapter 14

"Our baby has arrived!!" is the first phrase Eva heard when the designated driver dropped her off at her grandparents' residence.

Her grandma and grandpa welcomed her first. Then she was surprised by her sister Shana, who had also been there an hour earlier. She had been napping.
But Eva was just happy to be here, even if it was for a few days. And the first day went by quickly. The majority of it consisted of her visiting the stable and taking a walk around the perimeter. She was sure a marketplace was nearby, but she never wanted to annoy any of them to take her. She was tired after her first day of venturing around the property. Grandad would join in occasionally, but they generally gave her space.
At lunch and dinner, it was some semblance of Thanksgiving dinner and then soup, respectively. Grandma went by a solid lunch and a semi-solid dinner, so you would go to sleep without having a stomach ache if you fell asleep early. Plus, the weather called for it out there. Eva and Shana missed it all. More from Eva than Shana, though.

Grandma helped Eva with a music project she was still working on before they went to sleep and ended up laughing half the time away. Gram's folklore ended up inspiring Eva with a new song idea. So she had two notes open. One for the original project, and one for a single. For whenever the opportunity presented itself.

The following morning, Eva woke up feeling more rested than she had been in weeks. Her favourite food was being prepared for breakfast once she emerged in the kitchen. Shana and Gram were cracking jokes and teasing Gramps in between. He, being the charming man he is took it like a pro this time. Eva chuckled to herself, knowing he had a spark inside that could return the same joking manner and leave the two stunned. In an inoffensive manner, of course.

They all had breakfast and filled each other in on details. Grampa talked about his process of storing root vegetables, and that's how they've always had their own produce during the winter. Gramma talked about how well her pottery skills were getting and spoiled Eva's surprise. Eva only took it as something endearing, though. She loved it when her gramma was excited about something. It made her aged face glow, and her eyes twinkle. It was the same twinkle it had when she looked at her husband.
Shana talked briefly about how her tarot services were going since she stopped being a case worker. And that this trip was rejuvenating;  Eva could believe that. She was happy that her sister was finally pursuing her life interest. It was her sister who helped her learn she was clairesentient. And had claircognizance.

Eva then shared the 'best' parts of her career so far. Some shit has happened, but now wasn't the time to talk about that. She didn't want to turn the mood sour. She just wanted to be present with the ones she loved...

On that note, her sister filled her in with the well wishes and showed her the gifts their parents had sent to Shana for them.

Eva acknowledged that with a half-hearted smile. She eased her mild disdain by bringing up a mutually exciting topic. The relief she felt when her grandma latched onto the topic was on her face if anyone watched that moment. In her head, she repeated what her therapist/advisor told her when she confided with her on this topic. And that's why she's even able to answer the phone when either her mom or dad called. She forced herself not to shake her head at the thought of them. I shouldn't resent them. Instead, she pinched her leg a couple of times to tune back into the conversation. Chuckling once, she knew there was no joke in the convo about her.

Later that afternoon, she sat by the fireplace for a while, thinking and meditating on the flame visuals. She tuned in on the crackling of said flames and reached over for the fireplace poker a couple of times. Thank goodness she didn't need to load in any wood to keep it going. Her Gramps had just done so.

Her sister joined her shortly after, bringing her a cup of hot cocoa.

"How did you know I was getting peckish?" she asked softly with a chuckle. She smiled at the sight of mini gingerbread within the mini marshmallows.