Sighted

Chapter 11: A Parent's Intuition is a Frightening Thing

Gin

      After our parents arrived, we introduced them to the halfling staying with us. My parents are in their fifties now, but my mom still kicks evil's ass. Owen and myself both take after her in size and get our coloring from our dad. Mom is short and very petite, with wavy, dark brown hair, streaked gently with gray, and brown eyes. My dad is half a foot taller, with curly blonde hair that he keeps short. His gray is much less noticeable, but the laugh lines around his green eyes reveal his age.

      I pull Owen into my bedroom and shut the door. Owen already shooed Mom and Dad into the kitchen because we know Dad brought us food. I pleaded with Dylan not to mention anything, getting a promise from him, before I sent him into the kitchen as well, to keep my parents occupied. I whirl around to see the same worry and concern on my brother's face.

"Why are they here?" I try to stay quiet so we're not overheard.

"I don't know, I just talked to Dad yesterday and told him everything was fine. He didn't say anything about them coming out."

"You talked to Dad?" I hiss out accusingly. If he said something...

"Not like that! You know Dad calls all the time, I didn't mention anything!"

"You swear you didn't let anything slip about what's been happening here?"

      Owen scoffs, "Give me a little credit! The only thing they knew about was that we have a halfling guest and that you took care of the demons threatening him. They think we're just trying to locate his parents and nothing more."

      It's alarming us that they are both here. Visits at all are somewhat rare, with our family's busy lifestyles, let alone both of them showing up unannounced. Usually Dad will stop by for a few days every month or so, checking on us. Mom makes time to stop in when a magical problem brings her close to the area.

      Owen lets out a groan and drops down onto the bed, sprawled on his back. "What if they find out about Bowden?" he asks miserably towards the ceiling.

       He's worried about the demon! "What if they find out that I've found my... soulmate?" I barely whisper the last word enough to be heard. "Do you know what will happen? Mom will start planning the wedding immediately!"

      Owen sits up, glaring at me, "At least you can have a wedding! What if they find out..." he trails off as his shoulders slump. I know what he's worried about. As much as I've talked to him about my concerns on having a soulmate, he's talked to me at length about his own life concerns.

      I sit down on the bed, throwing an arm around my little brother. "Owen, if they ever find out about Bowden, it doesn't mean that they'll find out that you're gay. They'll just assume it's the bracelet."

        Owen still hasn't come out to our parents. I support whatever choice he is comfortable with and he has decided not to tell them yet. I can even understand why. Both of my parents are fanatics about having grandchildren, and a lot of them. Since our family is so small, my mom never had a chance at not being chosen. My parents even tried to have a big family, but they just couldn't seem to get pregnant after Owen.

      My dad had to watch both his children live this harsh life. They want the family's line to spread out, and to see grandchildren that have a choice and for a chosen one to have a large range of support to help them. I can even see it from their point, but its put a lot of pressure on us, especially Owen. There are modern ways where he could pass on his bloodline, but it would be a lot more difficult.

      If it wasn't for the grandchildren aspect, I think my parents would be very accepting, and I've tried to convince Owen of this. It's not as if we haven't seen crazier things. Their daughter's a cold-blooded killer, I think they can handle Owen having a husband one day.