An Immortal's Favour

Jack- A Small Request

*

I wasn't there when Mother leaned her head against the crumbling stone of Immortal Gale's well, whimpering as she called for the immortal, her 'friend'.

I wasn't there when she- the immortal -appeared and took pity on Mother, promising to help me and to relieve her of her grief.

I wasn't there.

And that's why I didn't believe one word of the lurid tale I was told the evening after I'd been brought home from the hospital. The doctors, caught off guard by my sudden escape of a seemingly certain death, were, at first, sceptical. But there really was nothing wrong with me, and after a few short days, I was given the okay to leave.

My relatives telephoned once I got home, anxious to know how I was. But having to tell each one that I wasn't about to kick the bucket over, and over, and over again really did a number on me.

For the rest of the evening, Mother wasn't rushing off somewhere and sat down in the family lounge to keep me company. But our conversation was awkward and stiff as if she was tiptoeing around a sensitive subject.

"You're not too tired are you, my dear?"

"No. I'm fine."

"I've got somebody I'd like you to meet." She squeezed her fingers together hard at that. "She's in the reception room. I can go and get her now, but...Are you sure you aren't too tired?"

"I'm okay." But she wasn't; she was still wringing her hands, her eyes swivelling this way and that. "I promise- I'm okay now." Gently, I placed a hand on top of hers. She gulped, lacing our dark fingers together and gazed at me intently, her black eyes watering.

"If you're sure." Just a little bit longer, and then I can go to sleep.

Mother disappeared through the doorway, almost running out.

"Jack's just through here..." Her voice drifted into the room from a distance a minute later, followed by the echoes of footsteps.

As Mother and the guest drew nearer, I sat up in my seat, straightened my clothes and tossed the blanket onto one arm of the leather sofa.

The guest entered first, and her face lit up as soon as her eyes met mine, glowing with a happiness that did nothing but spike uncertainty through me. She was so tall- easily a head taller than me at least. Her deep brown skin contrasted sharply with the white box braids brushing at the back of her knees. I was sure that I'd never seen her- or anyone like her -in my entire life.

Her eyes roved over the room for a split second, glancing over the photographs on the walls and the giant Tamaranian flag pinned over the mantelpiece. She tucked a stray braid behind her ear.

"I'm so happy to finally meet you! My name's Gale," she introduced herself, stepping towards me, one arm outstretched.

I shook her hand cautiously and stared. Gale. Gale. I knew I'd heard that name before.

"I'm Jacob. So you're a believer in the immortals like my mother?"

"Believer?" Turning back to look at Mother, Gale moved forward and sat in an armchair. "Jack, I am an immortal."

The polite smile on my face faltered at her casual use of my nickname. Gale hesitated, picking up on my sour expression.

I sat in silence and looked at the stranger blankly. I'd thought she was another one of those people who believed themselves to be some sort of 'reincarnation' of Gale or other. I'd been told about them, but meeting one in my own home was certainly something new.