|Hello Winter| [BL]

Chapter 12

The Song that I was listening to: We're Just Kids, By, Call Me Karizma

================

Chapter 12
Grey

"I take it you know why you're here?" Emma asked. I nodded evenly.

As soon as I had gotten back from Shasta's house, I headed straight to Emma's. It was that, or she hunted me down, throw me over her shoulder, and walk me right back to her place. I took the easy route. Because this was gonna be another scolding. Another reminder of who I was and the role I was unwillingly given and the death that was unfair and real.

Emma scanned me for a second, her expression thoughtful, in a way. Which, for some reason, brought me to the already known realization. That Nic and Jesse were absent right now. Not absent from the front room, I didn't see them or hear them anywhere in the house. Which, if they were here, I'd be able to count on them making noise. Nic can't be quiet, while Jesse doesn't like being quiet.

I wondered where they were. Emma might've asked them to leave. Which is either really good or really bad for me. It might even just be nice to not have them bickering and prying at me while I'm here.

"I-, I have no excuses," I confessed. Not that I really had any before. This time, though, I had gone against the obvious rule. I wasn't ashamed of it, I probably should be. Maybe I was guilty of breaking the trust Emma had given me once before, but not ashamed, and I told her so. She didn't seem angry or even disappointed.

"I know you aren't. Which is why Osservatore doesn't see fit to punish you." Ah yes, Osservatore, if I remember correctly, it means, "Observer" in Italian. It sounded kinda creepy, stalkerish even. I never met the person, if they even are a person. So I am in no right to judge. 

I had nothing to say to that. I mean- I should be relieved, but it's not that easy sometimes. Emma is young-looking, but knowing her, she's also wise. She's always had the right answer. One that made everyone happy to an extent and she's endearingly patient. There's a lot about Emma that I don't understand, but I do know that she snatched my broken form of a 2nd chance off the world and helped me. If anything, she has my highest respects and I'd probably do a lot for her. She's the older sister I didn't have that I wanted.

"It's okay. Mrs. Tatum is a good woman, and her husband Joel too. I haven't met their son yet, but if he's anything like his parents I believe he will be a good man." I opened my mouth, probably to ask something when Emma spoke first. "You want to know how I met them. I know." I clipped my mouth shut and Emma scanned the room for a moment, she almost looked conflicted, thinking carefully about something. It wasn't long before she clearly came to a decision and held a hand out to the couch. "Why don't you have a seat."

I did exactly that, sitting in the corner of the couch, tucking my legs in and waiting for Emma to speak.

She settled in, criss-cross, and tapped her fingers against her knees before starting.

"I met Joel in my careless years. He was only 22 years old I believe. I was wandering the forest around here, letting flowers grow and basking in my ability to be able to do so. To be able to make something so beautiful and lovely. I found it quite exhilarating, I felt the use of my power and the creation of it. I still do, but I have calmed considerably since those years. Continuing on- he was an interesting young man, funny, and inquisitive. He played by his own rules, but in a selfless way. I still don't know how he managed to combine the two to this day." She took a breath in and continued on.

"I despised him at the start. Joel Tatum always poked into my life, always trying to fill in the holes of my story. I relented him, it was impossible, it was supposed to be impossible. However, I got no answers. So I continued ignoring and avoiding him. That was until he caught me. I was growing flowers in my garden, the one out back, tulips I think. He saw me and didn't scream or take me to the police or attack me. He just asked questions. He just wanted to know more." Another breath, this one lasted longer and it was more to comfort I think.