An ordinary bliss (On Hold)

On the eve of my nineteenth birthday, during the small,
family only party we always have at home, i receive a surprise visit from the grandmother no one speaks of. Actually, everyone thought she was long passed.

She doesn't say much, just hands me a note and a small box.

"Your birth rite, on your nineteenth birthday."

She says this stone faced and cold, just like they said she was and without another word she is gone back into the night. Just like that.

My father looks worried as I bring it inside. His long estranged mother just showed up? Why?

"Maybe we should wait to open that."

We have not been in contact with that side of the family and that is why we have lived as rogues for the last 14 years, forsaking our pack and the family and friends we had left behind. And to keep my secret.

But his warning comes too late, I have already popped the small metal ornate lock and the lid springs open.

A small strange scent escapes and makes me blink fast, catching my breath. A strange wave of nausea hits me hard and fast but as quickly as it came it is gone and I regain my composure.

"What was that" father asks.

"Who was that?" I say feeling like I need to sit down.

My head buzzes.

"What a weird night" mother says. She tries to make light of the fact that her estranged mother just appeared. But why now?

We left our entire family behind years ago, voluntarily, as a sign that we were not going to be part of anything they said or did anymore. Dad says, for a while they stayed in contact, hoping and trying hard to convince us to return. But they gave up after a while and we were effectively banished. Forgotten.

Maybe that's for the best, seeing as though I'm the only one, in the history of our family to be human....ever.

As they sing happy birthday to me I can't shake the sinking feeling coming over me like a rash. I lock eyes with mum. She feels it too.

What an odd birthday.