June's Little Light

Tempting Reunions

Day

She gasped and nearly dropped Apollo had he not quickly clung to her shoulder and hung on with the same agility June and I had used to run the rooftops together. He looked between June and I. I hardly noticed. June was still so breath-taking. She was older, more mature even. Her fit form was displayed perfectly in her uniform. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen to this day.

Her eyes watered just barely. Apollo climbed off of her. "Mommy, are you okay?"

She shook her head, almost as if remembering where she was. "Yes." No. She wasn't okay. I could see it. So many emotions flickered through her dark eyes. The glint of gold made me jump to action. I walked forward and took Apollo from her shoulder. She watched me carefully, as if she was afraid to speak.

"Hey kid, want to play?" I asked. He glanced behind my shoulder as I walked towards the shelf with puzzles. He was worried about June as much as I was. "June will come to us when she's ready." I paused. He looked at me with a question in his blue eyes. "She's never met a super hero before."

Behind me, June snorted, but I could hear the cry as well. I glanced behind me and smiled at her. I have him now. She returned a delayed smile. I sat on the floor and placed Apollo beside me. Then, we began a puzzle of the Republic's flag. As rain pounded the window, we solved this puzzle. Apollo was barely holding on by the time we finished it. He put the last piece in place and yawned big.

By this time, June was sitting on the couch. Watching us. Apollo patted to the couch and nuzzled into June's side. This got her attention. She wiped at her eyes and say up. Apollo's arms wrapped around her waist and he leaned heavily into her chest. Then he looked at me and patted the seat next to June. I glanced at her for approval, and she nodded. "Mommy, will you tell me," Apollo stopped to yawn. He shifted his position when I sat down. His head was in June's lap and his feet were extended over mine. "A bedtime story?"

Warmth filled me to my heart's maximum. I could watch this kid fall to sleep on me all day. For a moment, I wanted his head in my lap just so I could run my fingers through his hair. It reminded me so much of mine. I grinned nervously. June whispered, "Which one?"

He closed his eyes. "The one about Day."

June sucked in a breath of air. I watched her carefully. She nodded even though he couldn't see it. "There was teenager who lived in the streets of the horrible old Republic," she began. Her lips moved so fluently. "He gave food to the poor sometimes, but mainly, he protected his family. His name was Day, and somebody accused him of murder. She got in a disguise and tracked him down, but she didn't know that he was really a good guy." Her eyes met mine. They were glossy with tears. I had never heard our story through her perspective. "And she fell in love with him. But she didn't want to abandon her job, so she betrayed Day. She turned him in and killed his mother."

Apollo yanked and nuzzled further into his mother's lap. June's voice cracked. "She interrogated him and he explained all of the bad things to her about the country. So she helped him escape. Together, they started a revolution."

Apollo's breathing evened out. It was eerily quiet for a moment. "Hi," she whispered, tears falling again. I scooted closer and wiped them away. June closed her eyes and breathed deeply.

"Hi, June."

She smiled grimly. "I'll put him in bed and then we can talk."

"Wait." I said before she got up. She looked at me. "Can I help?"

June looked like I just hit her with a guilt story. She nodded and motioned for me to carry Apollo. So I cradled him under my arms and lifted the light boy up. His head rested over my forearm. I listened to every soft breath of his with adoration. He looked like an angel in the light of the rain.