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The phone filled with congratulations, and when I didn’t respond back immediately, my mom picked up on it. “It’s not as easy as that, is it, honey?”
“No. I scented him at work, but he was already gone.”
“Gone? Gone? He passed away?” Leave it to my dad to be overdramatic. Although, to be fair, I did work in a hospital and sounded like someone kicked my puppy. It wasn’t that wild of a jump.
“Not that kind of gone. He’d been there and left before I got there. He was at the ER, and then he wasn’t.”
There was a long pause, and I wasn’t sure if my parents were silently duking it out to see who would go first or what.
“I know you’re a rule follower, but did you think to look up records and go find him? Sure, he wants to see you too.” My mother meant well.
“Mom, even if he was a patient, which at this point, I don’t think he was, do you think losing my job was on my list of things to do today?”
“But he’s your mate and…”
She wasn’t wrong. Had I thought it would work, I’d probably have done it. It wasn’t like I hadn’t tried to some extent.
“I know this, but… Anyway, I went around town looking for him… a few times… and I just don’t know what to do now. I can’t give up.”
“Well, I’ll tell you right now what you shouldn’t do. Don’t freak out.” My dad pretending he actually spoke like the youth instead of his over seventy years was amusing.
“Don’t freak out?” At least he had me chuckling.
“You know what I mean. Fate isn’t gonna dangle your mate in front of you, and then yank him away. That’s not how that works. You need to relax and know that you will see each other soon, and all will be good.”
From his lips to the goddesses’ ears.
“You say that with such confidence. Confidence I wish I had.”
“I do, because that’s how fate does their thing. And when you do come together, it’s going to be wonderful.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“I understand why you’re not here, and it’s the right thing, but we do miss you.” Had I been there, he’d be hugging me. I really needed that hug about now, but this would have to do.
“I miss you too, Dad.”
“If you need us, call. We’ll be there for you… always.” There was a tinge of hurt in my mom’s voice. I knew that it had been difficult for them, raising me in the environment they did. I didn’t always see that, but the further I got from the situation, the clearer it became.
“Thanks, guys. I love you both.” And I did. Our relationship was complicated and not always easy, but I loved them and appreciated all they’d done for me… still did for me.
Calling them had been the right call. It had calmed me enough so that when I climbed into bed, I was able to catch a decent sleep.
Baby steps.
Chapter 6
Anders
“Anders, what are you doing?”
I leaped up, bumping my head on Isabella’s desk, and fell back on the floor. “Ouch!” I lay where I was, staring up at Isabella.
“There are no leaky pipes under my desk, and if there were, I’d be very worried.”
Rubbing the back of my head, I asked, “How’s Edgar?”
Her face brightened. “Fine. Showing all his friends his war wounds.” She held out a hand, and I grabbed it. “But he’s not under there either, though he and his siblings have holed up in some off places in our house.”
