Mermania

Memories

Something. What is it?" Speechless, Zach shook his head. Kara could tell that Zach met the next day's obligations with some trepidation__he was less than thrilled to have to spend the day at Ben and Lia's house. She had to go to work, though, and so did Craig. Her mom was staying with Ben and Lia for a couple of nights before returning to Spokane, and Kara and Craig did not think it best to leave Zach alone at home just yet, so when Lia offered to keep him with their daughters for the day, Kara took her up on the offer."What I need is breakfast. I'm starving," Sara said. "Yeah, but we have lots of books at home." "Well, not in so many words," Eddie muttered. "I just thought it might help you feel at home more quickly." by the closet instead of tossed into the hamper like they should have been. Granddad lunged desperately out of the creek. "Zach! Hold still, let me get it!" "No!" Kara chuckled, feigning disgust. "And a couple of weeks ago, I took him to the library. He checked out fourteen books. He's already read them all. And we took him to Mt. Rainier, and Portland, and to see the fireworks..." She didn't know whether to laugh at herself for rambling on like this to a near-stranger or to cry for both joy and sorrow at having a son now, ten years late. "Of course not." When he didn't say anything, I added, "I told him I couldn't see him again." "He's not getting better, is he?" he asked low enough that only I could hear. But a different path had been ordained for them, and it was okay. Not her first choice, nor entirely devoid of sadness, but okay. As the mother with her three children disappeared from view, Kara sighed and returned to her work. "And that's it?" "But I only have a little left to do on your curtains and then they're done." Sara scowled. Lennek approached Rema, placing his hands on his hips. "You'll be before thousands of people. Don't look so bloody scared. You're supposed to be in love. Smile." "Meara?" Mom popped her head in my room. "Did you want some lunch? It's just you and me, kiddo." "Be right out!" I grabbed my towel and wrapped it tightly around myself. "Anywhere I want?" he asked, still incredulous at their invitation enough for her to snap a few pictures. Then Craig drove him, uniform and all, to the school, where there would be space to let Zach practice hitting live pitches. "Will you call me later?" Now that her head was screwed on straight, maybe she could pull herself out of bed. Reaching over to her wheelchair and using her tail as leverage, she raised herself off the bed and sat down into the seat. She grabbed her clothes, placed them on her lap, and wheeled into the bathroom. Positioned the laptop so they would be within the built-in camera's range of vision. "So, you want me to go under the knife to change the color of my eyes?" "Prince Lennek is ready to depart." Arnek took hold of her arm, leading her from the house. "What?" he asked. "Do we have to go down there?" "Ah ha, the Nightmare of the Deep has arrived." Gael smiled as he approached Xanthus. "So glad you could join us. Are you ready to live up to your name, brother?" But the youngster did not respond; he was stretched out on the ground, his book open beside him, Paws lying against him and gazing up at Craig contentedly.

The scenario reminded me of Shane and I couldn't help feeling sad about it, even though I knew our break up was the right thing. I shrugged inside, relieved for the interruption. Returning to the table, I interrupted the girl's playful words. The maid is helping me into my gown when the steward arrives with a request from the empress to join her for breakfast in her private chambers. Mother, dressed and leaving her room for the first time since her tantrum, accepts the invitation graciously and helps Isobel finish buttoning the dress. Behind me, Mother drapes something across my neck. Catching a glimpse of it in the mirror as she fastens the clasp, I gasp softly. It's one of the few jewels her family passed down to her, and one of her prized possessions. A dozen black-onyx teardrops dangle from a strand of black beads at the base of my neck. The stones are warm against my skin and I wonder if she's been holding them all this time, debating whether to put them on me or wear them herself. Apparently, her desire to put me on the throne is greater than her own vanity- which is something I won't soon forget. "Sara, you're supposed to drink- not inhale." Her mother came over to pat her down with a hand towel. "I'm hungry," he complained as she picked out some new garden gloves. Darmik wanted to ride the black stallion- he needed the freedom of flying through the air and the calmness that riding brought. "No, we aren't swimming the Mediterranean." She heard the smile in his voice and was angry all over again. Sara immediately pressed the blanket firmly in place. She noticed Mr. Dimitriou's hair was sticking up in odd places, his shirt was rumpled, and his brows furrowed. He looked incredible. "Is that your way of saying 'thank you?'" I asked, not hiding the annoyance in my tone. Nodding, she retrieved her oatmeal, now warm, and returned to her stool. "What's this?" There was a note in the center of the table, written in child's handwriting. She glanced at Zach and pulled it over, reading it aloud; "I escaped. Soldiers will be here any minute. We have to go to the safe cave." "No. Why?" "Who would've thought my son would get to throw out the first pitch at a Mariners game?" Derek chuckled. "And especially your son!" he laughed. He clapped Craig on the back. She touched my arm briefly. "Your mom is sick?" I went inside. I didn't feel her request warranted a response. "I'm naked." It came out as a squeak, no more than a whisper. He bent forward, his hand on his knees, and his shoulders shook. Was he crying? Maybe he was exhausted from our long journey across the Atlantic. I felt strangely exhilarated, but I hadn't spent the last six months trying to keep my mother pain free and alive. During that time, my dad drained himself keeping her comfortable and buying her a few