Point of View: Ghost Bird
Gathered in the small dinning room, I sit at the bench that runs across the left side of the table. On the opposite side of the table the collection of mismatched chairs are filled with my crows as well as the strangers. All ten gather around the table, Apa sitting at the head of the table just as he always had, Aaron taking his spot under the table. Sitting in between Ari and Danny, my hunger is completely gone as I just take in the warmth of this memory trying to engrave it in my head.
Ari is quietly talking with Lee about his advanced Calculus homework Zach chiming in. Jose and Danny are arguing about a rumor that seemed to be spreading throughout the school about some girl. Kyle seems to be listening in with a clear frown on his face. Melody sits opposite me struggling to suppress giggles as she eats her pasta. Mikael occasionally making silly faces along with Max.
"Not hungry?" Surprised at the soft low voice, I glance to the side to find those soft bright blue eyes that contrast startlingly against his caramel skin. Rafa. Smiling, I glance down to my plate for a moment before looking back at those stunning eyes. How could I even begin to explain?
"Starving." I admit quietly and the male studies me for a moment trying to determine what I was thinking. Glancing around the table, I find Apa's knowing eyes and he gives a small nod ushering for me to eat. Looking down at my plate I pick up my fork and quickly begin eating pushing my thoughts away with every mouthful.
Live in the present. Don't overthink about the future.
Dinner is quickly finished and praises are echoed to Lee who smiles happily. The three strangers easily scoop up the plates without a single comment and we all migrate to the living room. The small television is flicked on to the news, and my crows curl up around the room taking out their homework as the strangers do the dishes. Glancing around, Apa waves me over and I smile.
Taking a seat at his feet, I lean back against his shins and his fingers slip into my hair. Taking a slow breath in, I listen to the news as Apa detangles my hair the soft tugging to my scalp relaxing. We sit like that for a while, my limbs like jello and head is rests against Apa's leg.
"Dishes are done." Zach smiles drawing everyone's attention as the three enter the room and Apa lightly scratches my head.
"Time for little girls to be headed to bed." All eyes dart to Melody who sits in Jose's lap. Frowning, she gives a small nod and kisses Jose's cheek. Moving around the room she gives kisses to the crows and shy hugs to the strangers until she reaches me. Moving out of Apa's reach, Melody smiles tiredly before extending her arms. Lifting her into my arms, I carry her down the hall and into the final room of the church.
The large room, is filled with multiple sets of large old wooden bunkbeds. Lightly pressing my hand against the familiar wooden frame, I carefully place Melody down on her feet. Watching as she rushes around the room gathering her pjs, she elegantly slips into the small adjoining bathroom as I take a seat on the farthest bunk bed. Running my hand over the neatly made bed, I am instantly bombarded with memories from years before when Melody is suddenly in front of me.
Realizing how lost in my head I was, I give Melody a tired smile and she is quick to embrace me in a hug. "Izzy." She whispers and squeezes me hard. Surprised, I quickly wrap her up in my arms.
"My Melody," I whisper in response pressing my face into her neck as I squeeze her back. "What's wrong?"
It takes a few moments before Melody pulls away to meet my eyes. "Are you going to be here tomorrow?" Stunned, I study the small girl in front of me. She would make a powerful young woman one day soon. Sooner than I would like to admit. She couldn't stay my little crow forever. "I know you said you don't know when you will be gone because of your work." Melody swallows hard at my silence and I study her as she holds back tears. "Father always says you are doing gods work and helping others but-"
Unable to help myself, I am quick to pull the little girl back into my arms. Instantly I feel her grab at my sweatshirt, gripping it tight in her hands, as though she could force me not to leave. "Tomorrow afternoon," I whisper slowly pulling away and pressing my forehead against hers. "Tomorrow afternoon, I promise to pick you up from school."
Stunned the little girl rushes to meet my eyes studying me as a few tears escape and trickle down her cheeks. "You always keep your promises." She whispers and I smile nodding. Pressing my lips to her forehead, I give her a little squeeze and nudge her up the ladder.
Quickly moving to the top bunk, I step up onto the bottom bunk and tuck her in. "I missed you Izzy." Melody tiredly whispers and I smile pulling the blankets around her.
"I missed you too. Sleep well my crow." Stepping down from the bunkbed, I make my way back to the living room. Aaron, who had laid out in the center of the room stretches and gets to his feet sensing it is time to go. Instantly all eyes are on me and I can feel the air freeze.
They knew what was coming next but no one ever wanted to speak it out loud. "Are you headed back?" Mikael's voice is soft as it breaks the silence. Pushing my hands into my sweatshirt, I give a small tired smile nodding.
"I figure I should clean up my apartment a little." I shrug and Jose laughs softly. God knows how terrible the fridge must smell.
The crows nod clear nervousness in their eyes and the three strangers look confused as they try to figure out the double meaning behind their words. Slowly I bring my attention to Apa who smiles softly, just as he always does when I am about to leave his side. How he must really feel about not knowing if and when I would return... this time I swallow hard. "Be safe." The small comforting words echo in the silence.
Nodding, I take a step toward the door before turning back to the group. "I promised Melody that I would pick her up from school tomorrow." Almost instantly all the crows eyes widen in shock and Apa instantly looks relieved. Jose and Danny beam as the words sink in and Mikael, Ari, and Max all hold easy smiles. Lee just shakes her head at my teasing.
"Pick up is at 2:00." Apa states and I nod taking hold of the door.
"Don't be late!" Jose calls out and I laugh.
"See you tomorrow."
YOU ARE READING
Are You Willing to Love?
Fanfiction"Izzy let's talk about this..." Bossman states his voice strained over the phone. He was fucking stalling again and I was this close to screaming at him over the phone. I helped the Blackbourne team clean up that terrible school, I sat through the e...
