Blizzard Girl ©

Chapter Nine:

After dinner, Charlie and Jason left the dining room, while Dad and Mr. Bunter continued to talk at the empty dining table about Stone Henge.

Mom and I were in the kitchen hand-washing the dishes. Mr. Bunter does have a dishwasher machine, but my mom tells Jason and I that she likes the feel of doing it by hand. Also, this usually gives her the chance to each have some one-on-one time with Jason and me.

"Could you pass me the cup?" asked mom as she started scrubbing and I stood by with a dry towel.

            "Mom?"

            "Yes, Venti?" she asked me back as she handed the wet cup to me.

            Slowly, I started to dry the inside of it first before I said, "What did Matt find out?" I noticed that my mom turned very rigid. She was like a statue. That is, before she started to pick up a plate and scrub on it harder than necessary.

            "Matt and his team concluded that the substance from the snow. The avalanche snow, is new. And, they did some tests on some rats that they have in the lab." My mom glanced at me to gauge my reaction. She knows that I'm not a big fan that the EPA uses animal testing, but according to Matt, it isn't illegal yet. I'm still against it though.

            I put the cup on the rack and started to dry the plate as I asked her, "What happened to the rats mom?"

            My mom took a deep breath as she said, "Well, the rats froze Venti." Before I could add something else to say she gave me some silverware as she told me, "They froze from the inside out Venti."

            "What?" I asked her feeling a little sick at the thought.

            "The point is that they never saw an animal freeze out that fast Venti. And since this substance..." She handed me another cup, "is in you, it's amazing that you're still alive sweet pea."

            I focused on rubbing the cup to a dull shine before I said, "So, do you believe the old lady?"

            My mom looked at me momentarily confused before recognition of my topic change lit up her eyes. "Venti, I think I do. Destiny...it's a real cliché these days isn't it?" I nodded in agreement before she said, "Do you know that one of the definitions of destiny is a predetermined course of events?"

            "No, I didn't know that mom," I replied as I noticed that we only had three more plates left.

            Smiling my mom said, "Well, the old lady already had predetermined some of it. This proof from Matt however, it's more."

            For a moment, my mom and I were both focused on finishing the dishwashing. After I set the last plate with the others, mom took off her wet gloves to hug me. I smelled her for a moment while I was in her embraced. She always smells like Cocoa butter.

            When she pulled back to look at me she said, "Venti, I think that what happened to you was just a series of events that were meant to be. The climb to Mount Everest, being caught in the Avalanche, and having an unknown substance live comfortably in you. And, your dad and I are trying to embrace it with all we've got." I could sense the but before she said it. "But, understand that your dad and I are still adjusting."

            "I understand mom. At least," I felt bad knowing that I had to lie, "At least, I'm back to normal. The substance is dormant, and I feel great." In truth, I kind of felt crummy.

            The lie did work though. "Good, now you need to get some sleep. You look so tired Venti."

            "Good night Mom," I waved to her as I left the kitchen and entered the dining room. Mr. Bunter and my dad were arguing about the origins of Stone Henge when I waved at the both of them and said, "Good night Dad, good night Mr. Bunter."