Ariel's Daughter

Chapter 22

I feel as if it's been forever since I'd last seen Avery. It was a huge rush of relief as Avery climbed out of the police car, running towards us immediately. All at once, it was a deep understanding that I'd never felt so worried. It was a different feeling of worry about Avery rather than I had been with my dad missing. When my father was missing, I'd knew in my gut that he'd be okay, no matter what. He was my father that was my confirmation. But Avery, he was different. He was nine years old, and I knew he would be okay, but it was a complete opposite effect on me. He was so young it just made me realize how much I'd worried about him.

Now, with him in my arms I felt my body relax and I smiled. It felt like home again with Avery back. Wherever he went, I didn't care. All I cared about was that he was back here, with us.

***

I think about what Beth had said. That everyone has a reason. But what is Avery's? What is his reason for running? For worrying us. I had to know, I just had to. It drove me crazy just thinking about it. I had to know his reason, just to justify how frustrating it was that he had run away, to make it right for the worry he caused us all.

Still, something wasn't right. It was different feeling now, sitting next to him at the kitchen table with his family while my father served us dinner for all of us. It was just something about Avery. He was somehow different. Quieter than usual, in fact, and that's what was messing with my mind. If he had been his usual self, he'd be nodded and shifting around his seat and mumbling without opening his mouth in his attempt to answer a question. It was unusual, he was completely quiet, probably only nodding in response to questions that came his way, and I was worried. But, he was gone for almost three days, he's probably tired I think. I'll let it go for now.

We eat dinner with each other, then join each other in the living room squishing onto our small couch. It didn't bother me, surprisingly. We all listen to the news on the television and made notice of how they tell us to be careful because Fall is coming, and fast. Its probably one of those crazy winters that I remember from so long ago, that school had been canceled because it was too dangerous to even be outside. Winter was coming early this year, and I whole-heartedly wished it would cancel the first few days of school as it started. The first week was never fun, going around classes and reading over syllabi, and getting more homework we didn't need. It only made it worse, with the fact that this was my last year in high school. It was stressful enough to be going through the process of realizing how my whole life had been a lie and that my mother was Ariel. The one from the fairytale. It only made my mind feel even more hectic inside.

"So, maybe a night of cards tonight?" My father suggests. I sigh. He is the ultimate master of cards. I've never won against him, and I consider myself sort of good at strategy.

"Ah, dad. They wouldn't even stand a chance." I answer in defeat.

"But Ember, they've never played against me." He laughs and I nod my head and take a deep breath of air.

"Alright. Let's play." I say. "Which game?" It's silent as he is picking out a game he admires. Then there's that little familiar scoff when he recognizes one he wants to play with us all. I have a feeling I already know but I'm quiet in waiting for his reply.

"Blackjack." He answers simply.

We continue to play until it is so late we are practically falling asleep while playing the game at our wooden kitchen table. Of course, my team won. I teamed up with Madilyn and Avery, and my father played against Jack and us. It was only fair, since I couldn't see the cards, but even so, Avery managed to tell me exactly what the cards in our hand were and when to play them. I wasn't sure how he knew how to play, only because he was nine, but I now learned not to doubt him because of his age. Not to say that I had doubted he was really smart when I met him, I knew he was. But really, what nine year old knows how to play blackjack. I didn't learn until a couple years ago when my dad taught me.

Everyone says goodnight after we finally decide Madilyn, Avery and I win, and go our separate ways to our individual cabins. I sigh as I trudge down the hallway to my small but cozy bedroom. I jump into the covers after changing into my flannel pajamas and snuggle in. It's warm and toasty that I fall asleep as I hear my father's 'goodnight' and 'I love you, Ember.'

When I wake up I can hear the usual laughter down the docks in Jack's cabin. It's their familiar breakfast fest consisting of too much laughter. I have to smile at the thought. I want so badly to make up with my mother, but in my heart I know it isn't worth it. She lied to me, and to my face. She doesn't deserve my forgiveness. Not yet.

I stroll down the docks, hoping to catch Avery sitting by himself again like I'd find him most days, but am sad and lonely when I realize he isn't. I know he must be thankful to be back home. He's different somehow, and I can't quite place it, but I know it. Avery is changed, and I want to know what made him this way, and why. Why he left in the first place. Was is because of me, or the fact that he could have been afraid of me somehow. I had to know the reason he left me, making me think it was my fault. I still think it is my fault, and it will stay that way until I find out the real reason he ran off.

A noise behind me startles me and I find myself almost slipping and falling into the now chilly lake. I feel steady hands grip me and help me back a better position. They belong to Avery. I smile. I hear a noise erupt from his throat. Its quiet, but it sounds as if he is choking. I panic, but footsteps that come closer from behind him are Madilyn's.

"Avery is trying to say thanks." Madilyn says. At the news it surprises me more. First, before Avery was gone, he barely tried to verbalize his thoughts, now, when he's back again, he tries. He really is different. I stare into the darkness in my mind, but with the apparent expression on my face, Avery and Madilyn know that I am not too fond of the change.

"I'm sorry." I start.

"No, its okay. No apologies from you missy. Avery is different, I guess he's just growing up." She answers, and I can hear the internal groan when Avery growls, and it actually sounds like a growl, not a wimpy noise he used to make. If Madilyn wasn't the one who was really confirming this was her little brother, I'd probably believe this wasn't Avery at all, until I feel his arms around me in an apologetic, tense way. I embrace him back happy that he hasn't changed when it comes to hugging.

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