This is all the time I have with her and I don’t want to waste it.
I look at the map, trying to find a place where Genevieve can rest before she asks. I’m aware that fairies don’t use their legs as much as I do, so I can’t let myself get annoyed by her legs hurting. She’s trying her best not to use her wings and that means more to me than I can ever express. It eases the feeling of being alone. Because I don’t have a choice, Ihaveto walk even though I hate it.
”There is a waterfall we can rest at later if your body needs it.”
“How long will it take to get there?”
“I’m not sure, it depends on how fast we walk.”
“Okay.”
We have a long journey ahead of us, longer than both of us imagined. I truly enjoy her company and I don’t want this to come to an end.
What will happen touswhen we’re done with this? Will we go back to being strangers? Will we be friends? Are we going to pretend we never did this together, like we never met? What if she never speaks to me ever again?
The thoughts make me worried, so instead of simply asking her,
I press it down just as I’ve always done.
“Thank you for buying me the crystal and the book, I’m really excited to read it.” Her voice speaks loud and clear.
“It was nothing, don’t worry about it, sweetheart.”
“But it is, it’s so sweet that you picked out a book for me and I truly look forward to reading it.” She repeats with rosy cheeks.
A big smile appears on my lips. Looking away from her, I try to focus on something else. Why is she making me this soft?
Since my mother died and I lost my wings, I’ve always been the grumpy loner. So why is she slowly making me rediscover the happy little boy in me? How is it so easy for her to make that boy feel so safe to come out of his shell?
I used to cope with my mother’s death by flying and exploring mysterious and magical places. But all that ended when he took my wings. My life hasn’t been the same since then. But now, as I spend my time with Genevieve, something inside of me is starting to light up again and it’s growing with every minute that ticks by. Almost like new flames are being lit.
—
Lake City was bigger than we thought, it took a while before we were even close to the exit, almost like running through a maze, but we made it. And now we’re on our way to the waterfall that will let us rest. I need a good swim when we arrive.
“Can I ask you something, Genevieve?”
“Yes.. Should I be concerned?”
“No. Of course not.” My fingers run through my messy hair before continuing. “Didyouhave a good childhood?”
The thought of her opening up makes it easier for me to do the same with her. I can’t quite place why but I think it would make me feel more comfortable, safer.
“I did. Or, I think I did. My mother always took care of me and Esme in the best possible way she could as a single mother, since my, I meanour, father left us when we were young. It was a hard time for us. It can still be hard for me to think about. I’ve always wondered if something was wrong with me, if it wasmyfault that he wasn’t interested in being a part of our family.” She tries to explain without her voice breaking.
“It wasn’t your fault. The decisions that adults make are never the children’s responsibility.”
I know how it feels after all. The way my father treated me, the way he destroyed me, I always used to think that I deserved it or that it was my own fault. That I had done something wrong and that’s why he did what he did. But now I know that’s not thecase. It was always his own decision to treat me like that, and he was a complete psychopath for doing so.
“I know, it’s just so tragic that adults, parents, do things like that. How can you just leave your child and decide to never show up nor have an interest in their life ever again? How can younotwant to be a part of their journey?”
Her words held sadness. This is tough for her to speak about even though she’s trying her utmost not to show it.
“I guess we’ll never understand what goes through their head.” I say, wishing I had a better answer.
I will never understand nor get an answer to why my father treated me the way he did.
And I will never forgive him for killing my mother.
