Theo

Lost Time

This chapter is dedicated to my Mother, Jennifer, who wrote the poem that Julia Lockheed says at Theo's birthday celebration. Thank you, mom!

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"John where is Theo?" Julia came into the dining hall her long caramel brown hair tied in a braid while wearing black pants and soft blue blouse complimenting her blue eyes. She smiled at John as he looked up from the paperwork set down in front of him. 

"How should I know? He is always off on one adventure or another. Maybe he is out in fields helping Garath?" John shook his head while admiring his beautiful wife cocking a grin. 

"I already checked there," she laughed and rolled her eyes turning around. "I wanted to have another bout with him in the pit before later today." 

"I'm sure you'll find him. He shouldn't be that difficult compared to everyone else you've had to track," Julia laughed and shook her head leaving John to his paperwork. 

"Ha! If only, I think he has inherited my elusiveness as well now," Julia exited the dining hall headed to the kitchen while taking a deep breath thinking to herself. Where has that boy gone now her mind wandered to ideas and different areas he likes to frequent while she enters the kitchen to Cathy busying herself with tonight's preparations. 

"Oh, Julia dear! How are you?" Cathy hollered above the noise of food cooking and utensils clashing against the counters. 

"I'm great Cathy, just looking for Theo. You haven't seen him have you?" Cathy frowned floured hand on her hip thinking for a moment. 

"No, surprisingly he hasn't run in here to get any treats today at all. Maybe try the old forest field?" 

"That's right! He does love the old forest since it's his safe spot from everything going on here. Thank you, Cathy!" Julia ran out of the kitchen and outside headed across the field and to the old forest. The trees looming large against the fields as the sun rose to midday creating hot air blowing across everyone. A small dirt path is the only thing leading into the hidden area beyond as Julia pushed branches and bushes to the side. 

"Theo!" She hollered walking further in the trees rustling as if to giggle at the mother looking for her son. Julia only shook her head smiling paying attention for any signs that Theo did come out here along the winding dirt path leading up a hill and then down the other side. The site of a clearing in a circle starting to appear slowly in front of her. 

Her eyes looked at the old battlefield that is portrayed in the family oak door leading to John's study. In the middle sat Theo in meditation with a smile on his face. Julia just sat back for a moment smiling at her fifteen-year-old son today. He has grown so much with his messy hair slightly covering his face and broad shoulders lifting as he breathed in. 

"Theo," She walked towards him slowly as his eyes opened jumping. 

"Dear lord! Mother! Don't sneak on me like that," Theo grabbed his chest eyes wide before closing them shaking his head as his mother just laughed. 

"Not my fault you didn't hear me yelling your name earlier," Julia sat by him and looked around. 

"Sorry, the trees muffle all sounds except for what is in the middle of the clearing. I've tested it to see if I could hear anything from the other side," Theo grinned proud of discovering it first as his arms wrap around his legs. 

"Well, are you busy anymore?" 

"I was never busy before now. Why? What's up?" Theo looked at his mother quizzically.