Percy and Paul

Scratches

Two weeks later

"Hi Sally!" I called as I walked into her apartment. I was excited for another great day with Sally and Percy. Sally ran up and kissed my cheek, making me smile like a child who just got their favorite ice-cream. She was wearing an apron and she was covered with flour and I couldn't get past how beautiful she was. "Where's Perce?" I asked.

"He's grabbing a few things from the store, he'll be back before dinner." she replied. She laughed, "Come help me make blue cookies for him."

It was getting close to dinner time, and I could tell Sally was anxious because she kept glancing at the door and the clock.

"Should we go look for him," I asked.

"He can take care of himself," she answered. She always said that any time I suggested we go look for him when he disappeared. It confused me.

Then the front door opened and shut, and Percy came in. I was shocked. He didn't have the groceries, but that wasn't what worried me. He was limping badly, and his hand was pressed against his side covered in blood. His face was battered and he was horribly pale. "Percy!" I exclaimed. He grimaced. I caught him as he fell forward.

"Mom," he gasped, "kit. Couch."

She nodded, "Paul. Get him to the couch." She spoke with such authority I listened immediately.

"We need to call an ambulance!" I said urgently.

"No," Sally said, "I can handle this."

This confused me more. Sally was a smart, sensible person, and the smart, sensible thing to do was to get Percy to the hospital. She knelt down next to her son, and lifted his shirt. She gasped, and I paled when I saw his injury. There were three long gashes that looked like giant claw marks that went from his left shoulder to hip. All Sally asked was, "How many?"

"Two." he replied weakly, as Sally started pouring something on his wound, "I got the first one. The second one caught me by surprise. Gave me this." She had him nibble on what looked like a lemon bar.

"Alright, sweetie. Let's get you to the tub."

The tub!? Before I could react, they were already down the hallway with the water running. I ran after them and saw my girlfriend place her son into a full bathtub, clothes and all. I saw peace and relief flood over Percy's face as Sally pulled me away and shut the door. All I could do was look at her.

She sighed sadly, "One day, Paul, we'll explain all this. For now you just have to trust us. He'll be okay."

I still stared at her, but nodded my understanding. I would have to trust them blindly. Later, Percy walked out of the bathroom completely dry and blood free. Color had returned to his face, and he noticed the blue cookies we made earlier. When he saw them, he stopped looking like a veteran and looked like a child, and squealed, "Cookies!" and ran and stuffed three in his mouth. I smiled. I don't know what they're holding back, but you can bet I'll trust them until they are willing to tell me.

I almost forgot they were holding back, because nothing strange happened for weeks afterwards. Then something happened.