Chapter 2 – Dave
“Home is not where you live, but where they understand you” -Christian Morganstern
“Hi. You must be Emma,” said the man before me, giving me a warm smile that I couldn’t help returning. I nodded uncomfortably, not sure what to say.
He was tanned with a big muscly build for an older man and he had jet black hair cut short, he looked pretty young to have a sixteen year old daughter and I wondered if he had any other children. He had tattoos covering his left arm and he wore a pair of dark jeans and a flannelette shirt.
“I’m so glad I finally got to meet you.” He said kindly, a big grin plastered across his face and his warm eyes shining at me. “Of course I only wish it was under different circumstances.” He added softly and I was surprised when his eyes held mine rather than shifting to the floor uncomfortably like most people did when they mentioned my mother. I just gave a small nod and he smiled down at me sympathetically, not pityingly like most people.
I knew I should probably not like him because of what had happened but I couldn’t help feeling comfortable around him rather than awkward like I’d expected. There was just sort of a kind air about him.
“I’m Dave by the way” he said as he took my bags for me and led me to his old rusty pick-up truck and soon we were on the way to my new home.
* * *
Dave owned a small little farm-style house buried deep in the woods. It was about a five minute drive down small dirt road, just off the main road through the town centre. From what I’d seen of the town on the way from the airport it looked like everything here was at least 40 years old, including the people. Everything seemed to have a green hue to it from the surrounding forest, even the tree trunks and rocks were green with moss and the sky was dark and cloudy. It looked like a setting straight from Twilight.
As the truck came to a stop I unbuckled my belt and climbed out and Dave went to get my bags, lifting them as if they weighed nothing. “Thank you.” I said as he led us into the house and he just smiled back at me.
“I’ll show to your room and give you some time to get adjusted, I’m sure you’re exhausted after the flight. Dinner shouldn’t be too long but I can get you something to eat now if you like.” He said glancing at me.
I shook my head, “its fine.” I said, hoping my smile didn’t look too forced.
He nodded and opened the door to my room gesturing for me to go inside. He followed me in and put my bags on the bed. “So bathroom’s just across the hall and kitchen and stuff’s that way...” He said trailing off uncomfortably.
I nodded and he smiled before turning to leave. “So... uh you can you know set up your stuff and I’ll call you when diner’s ready?” he said looking to see if this was okay with me, clearly unsure of what to do now.
“Sound’s good.” I said and with that he was gone.
I looked around. The room had a small single bed in the corner covered in a floral duvet And a thick pink comforter with a bedside table beside it which held a small lamp, there was a desk on the opposite wall which was bare and on the other two walls was a large window with white curtains looking out into the forest and a set of drawers on the other wall with a mirror sitting on top of them. I sat down on the bed. It wasn’t much but it seemed cosy and homely and I reminded myself to thank Dave.
I opened my case with the few possessions I’d brought in it - I’d mostly just brought clothes – and pulled out the white picture frame with the picture of me and my mum. We were standing in front of the new house we’d moved into and she had her arm wrapped around my shoulders, her head thrown back in a laugh and I was grinning at the camera. She had long wavy blonde hair that matched mine and the same blue eyes as me but I was more tanned than her. I suppose that came from Dave. She looked young enough to be my big sister in the picture. This had always been my favourite picture of her.
I carefully placed it on the bedside table next to my bed, hoping that things would get better now I was here.
