Coyotes: Denis

Chapter 9: Impressions

   The next day, I woke up with my face swollen from crying. I got up to wash, but had no intention of putting the effort I had yesterday into getting ready. A quick splash of water on my face was all I could muster before crawling back into bed.

   As I lounged, I took off the bracelet, and examined it. I still had so much to contemplate about yesterday, and I couldn't come up with any explanations.

   What happened the last time we saw each other that caused the mental breakdown he seemed to be having?

   We hunted, we celebrated, and then we left. Everything was going well, until he disappeared.

  He looked sick, and exhausted, but he ran and fought back like nothing could stop him. So, not a flu. And his eyes... I shivered at the thought. A tiny part of me was excited by the wild look he had, but that was swallowed up by the concern that I harbored.

   Benoit looked like a dying man, fighting for survival. Or maybe it was more like a caged animal.

   I groaned, pressing my palms to my eyes until I saw stars to try and block out my thoughts. With a huff, I put my bracelet on again, and tried to go back to sleep.

***

   I was woken up from my nap by a commotion in the main room.

   Quickly rolling out of bed, I perked my ears up to listen.

   "--come in to my house after more than /10 years/, asking to see my daughter? It couldn't have anything to do with how upset she was when she came home, right?!" My mother's voice was thundering.

   My heart stopped when I heard Benoit's mother. "Lanette, please. I came here to explain. I know how this looks, but please hear me out."

   My mother scoffed. "I don't think you /realize/ how this looks, Julianne. What could you possibly say to make it better?" The words dripped with venom. "I trust your son! But you? You've made it clear my family means nothing to you!"

   This was bad. Bad, bad. I took a deep breath to still my nerves, and came out into view. Both women seemed to turn away, ashamed to have been caught arguing.

   My mom managed to look up at my tired expression, and tried to relax the fists clenched at her sides.

   I didn't like this kind of confrontation, but had to keep it together and say something. "M-Mom... I want to hear her out. I showed up unannounced, a-and she had to go through a lot because of it."

   Benoit's mother seemed relieved to have a chance to be heard, and have her efforts recognized. She looked hopefully at my mother for the final say.

   I hoped that for this, my mom could put aside their differences. "... Fine. I'll put on some coffee, and we can talk about this outside."

   I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding, and followed Julianne outside to the fire pit. We took our seats, and I started the flames while my mother retrieved our clay pot and cups for the drinks.

   It was a tense few minutes waiting for our hot coffee to be poured, but my mother and I waited expectantly once his mother took her first sip.

   She seemed to consider her words carefully before beginning. "My son has not... Been in his right mind for a few days."

   My mother gave a dry chuckle. That wasn't a great start.

   His mom pursed her lips, annoyed at the hostility.

   "Forgive me, I feel as though this all is not mine to tell. But I couldn't let the issue fester."

   Well, I hadn't expected her to say something like that. I was put on the edge of my seat when she spoke directly to me.