Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 30

Jake parked the car in his mother's driveway and made his way up to the familiar little blue cottage he grew up in.

His chest felt hollow. Lying to Anna put his stomach in knots. But, he couldn't tell her. Not yet. What if she didn't love him anymore once she knew his heritage? What if he truly had to pick eventually: fae realm or human realm? Would she come with him? He couldn't stand the thought, but it kept creeping up in his mind. What if this discovery cost him Anna? Any life without Anna was not one that he wanted. He meant it when he said he wanted to be with her for the rest of his life.

The air inside his lungs evaporated and he couldn't remember how to get more air in. He sat on his front doorstep and hung his head like he had that morning.

They had promised: no lies, no secrets, ever. It was a promise they had both kept from the moment they made it ten years ago, up until last night. Part of him wanted to run back to her house and tell her the truth, apologize, kiss her madly, hold her, and never let her go. But, he needed answers first. Needed to know the truth himself before he could tell it to her. At least, that's how he tried to justify it to himself.

He could barely wrap his own mind around what was going on. How could he explain it to her? What happened after he went through that tree was not a dream. It was as real as the feel of Anna's skin beneath his hand last night. He knew that the moment he touched her. And he would have to go back tonight and meet Saleh again. Hopefully, she would be able to tell him more about what exactly it meant to be half-fae half-human.

On shaky legs, he stood and raised his fist to his mother's door. The knock sounded throughout the whole living room. Jake could hear his mother shuffling about on the other side fo the door. He'd never knocked at his own home before, but figured it was best given how he'd left things. This approach would convey some level of respect.

"Coming," his mother's sing-songy voice came from inside. Then he heard the lock turn and the doorknob shifted. Her eyes were wide with surprise as she saw who stood at her door.

"Hi, Mom." He gave an awkward wave. "Can--can I come in?"

A tear slipped from her eye and she stepped into the doorway to pull her son into a warm embrace. "Of course, Jakey. You're always welcome here." She ushered him into the living room. "Sit, sit. I'll make some tea."

"That'd be great, Mom. Thanks," he said quietly and walked over to the couch. The house seemed smaller, more muted somehow.

The sounds of the kettle being filled and tea bags being opened came from the kitchen as Jake waited. He bounced his legs up and down and was suddenly unsure of what to do with his hands.

Memories of his last conversation with his mother flowed through his mind. He was so disrespectful, so mean to shove her off like that. Of course, it had taken discovering a whole new realm to brin him groveling back to her. He thought her insane and was now thinking it might have rubbed off on him. But, it was all too real, too tangible for him to ignore. He was going to ask for everything his Mom knew about his father. But, first, he would apologize profusely and hug the woman who gave him his very life.

She walked into the living room after a few minutes with two cups of steaming tea in her hands. One she set in front of Jake and the other she held in her own hands as if she was trying to warm them.

"Mom, I love you." He leaned forward and took her tea from her hands, carefully placing it next to his own on the coffee table and pulled her into another hug. "I'm so sorry," he whispered into her ear.

He felt the warmth of her tears on his neck when her composure broke.

"Oh, Jakey. It's okay. I understand." She started rubbing circles on his back.