My Crazy Years

Family

"How was the first day?" James asked as soon as you came back from the park, together with a happy Hornet, Bloom and Broke, two other children that were eager to see the world.

The White Lady had her restrains about letting them go without Pure, but not even she could deny them this little joy and her oldest was already busy training with the mantis lords. Ghost and Grimmchild were with Quirrel exploring the attic of the house, something they liked to do from time to time. You promised to take good care of them and off you went, praying in your mind to have the same luck like last time and you did... kind off. Someone passed by you in the park, just as you held the little ones in your hand helping them reach a lower branch of the chestnut tree so they could get some of the leaves and play with them. The guy gave you some odd looks, but thankfully, said nothing. If you were a nut case, he wanted nothing to do with you. If you were not in a public park, you would have played some music on your phone. You were in the mood for some good old rock, but after a nasty experience, back home when you listened to your favorite band, in your own garden, mind you! you decided against it.

"It was ok. The others seem really cool. Made a new friend." you said, letting the little ones go to their mothers.

"That's great. By the way, your mother called. She wanted to speak to you. I told her you'll call her back." James said and returned his attention to the papers in front of him.

"Ok. Thanks. By the way, what are you working on?"

"Oh! This? Just some documents for the new exposition that's scheduled to open this winter." he sighed and rubbed his eyes, obviously tired.

"Rough day?" you asked, looking for a way to lift his spirits.

"Too many idiots to deal with." he said.

"Maybe you should ask Grimm to give them nightmares. At least... what?" you stopped when you saw your uncle's eyes light up. Did... did he seriously consider that? Not that you didn't but you were a dumb teenager. Surely, he knew better, right?... Right?!

Thankfully, the rumbling of his stomach gave you the chance to change the subject. You offered to cook some chicken and veggies at which your uncle eagerly agreed. He was starving. After you both ate and served the bugs too, you went out to the backyard, deeply inhaling the night air. The cold felt so reinvigorating. The bees were flying around, still working even at this late hour. A guardian carrying one of Pale King's children on his back came to greet you, the little one happily waving their tiny hands. You smiled and gently patted them, before they flew to join the others and help them. You took a sit on the cold stairs in front of the door, watching the bees' work. The flowers needed to be weeded out but given the current weather and the fact that you forgot your rubber boots at home, you couldn't get to it yet. Ah! This wasn't why you came here!

You took out your phone and pressed on the contacts icon, looking for the one that said Mother. You pressed it and waited, listening to that ring that always took too long, whenever you called but could not take more than two seconds whenever the roles were reversed.

"Hello." her voice was tired, more than usual. Why did she never take a break?

"Hi, mom. How are you?" you tried to appear calm. This time it won't end bad.

"Tired. How was the first day of school?"

"Fine. Everyone's nice." you let out a breath. So far so good.

"Glad to hear."

Silence. Talking to her was never easy lately. It used to be, but somewhere along the way, it changed. It happened before the accident.