Lapidary

“Can I join for dinner tonight?” I asked Kellie.

I’d been putting off seeing them and replaying the conversation we’d had, two years ago, over and over in my mind. It had such a huge impact on me, especially considering how it had made me run away and not talk to anyone for two years. Clearly, my parents didn’t hold any grudges.

I am what I am.

Dev’s tattoo was applicable to me as well – I am what I am – but where he had accepted what he was, I hadn’t. I had denied it, fought against it, and lied about it.

“Of course, sweetheart!” Kellie said. “You’re always welcome.”

“I’ll be there in an hour.”

“Okay, baby, love you.”

“Bye.”

Joining them for dinner had been an impulsive, last-minute decision. It was now or never. My parents loved and accepted me for who I was, regardless of whether I deserved it. I had been a terrible daughter, with good reason, and had been neglecting them for far too long. Human lives were so short, we might as well make the most of the time we had.

I got dressed in denim shorts, sneakers, and a T-shirt that covered my breasts and the scar between them. I had grown accustomed to the feather, and had often forgot its presence, like I forgot about the tattoos on my wrists. But now that the feather was gone, I was constantly thinking about how vulnerable I was, and how I had to watch my back.

I left my cottage and went to the nearest shop, where I eyed the wine bottles and realized, without the voices harassing me, that I had no need for it. I bought chocolate mousse pudding instead and then headed over to my family’s light pink house in the lower fin of Ocelos. I knocked on the door, and Jacob opened and pulled me into a hug. I hugged him back with one arm, the other holding the plastic bag containing the dessert.

“Welcome home,” he said.

“Thanks.” I ended the hug and went in before he closed the door.

My sister was sitting at the head of the kitchen table, with her feet resting on the chair to her left. She was leaning back, and on her phone, oblivious that I had even arrived. The kitchen smelled fantastic – there was chicken in the oven, and rice and veggies on the stove. Kellie stirred the vegetables with a wooden spoon before looking at me.

“Hi!” She headed over to give me a kiss.

Ava twisted in her seat and grinned at me. “Hey.”

I touched her shoulder. “Hey. I brought dessert.”

I placed the chocolate mousse on the table, and she instantly reached for it. “Yum!”

Kellie snatched it away and went to the fridge. “You can have some after dinner.”

Although we were adults, and capable of making our own choices, Kellie still liked to tell us what was best for us. I think it was her way of showing us that she loved us. With Ava she was more direct, and with me she was more cautious. I think she was scared that if she said the wrong thing, I’d leave again.

Ava rolled her eyes and went back to her phone.

“Who are you texting?” I asked.

“Quinn,” she replied.

“Is that the friend who will be joining us for dinner?” Jacob asked as he took a seat next to her.

“Yes,” she said, avoiding my eyes.

I didn’t ask her why Quinn was joining us or what was happening with medical school, because my parents didn’t know about it, and I didn’t want them worrying or swarming her with questions. We would have this discussion some other time.

I set the table without being asked, and once it was done, I sat down next to my dad, who instantly noticed my tattoos.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“The ocean.” I turned my wrists so that they could see.

Ava’s eyes narrowed and I knew she was thinking about the scars I had covered up. She didn’t mention it, like I hadn’t mentioned Quinn.

“I didn’t know you like tattoos,” Kellie remarked.

I never minded tattoos but never considered getting any, until I met Dev. And even then, I hadn’t considered getting any until he talked me into it. I took in his delicate work and couldn’t help but smile.

“I like them,” I said.

I could tell, from the way Jacob’s lip curled, that he was not a fan. He didn’t say anything, and I wondered if he, too, was afraid of upsetting me and losing me again. My family was walking on eggshells around me, which made me wonder what their lives had been like without me. Had it been happy and drama free? Or had they missed me and become miserable?

A piece of Kellie’s faded T-shirt was sticking out from beneath her cooking apron. It was flecked with different colors of paint.

“What are you working on?”

“Something for you.” She smiled secretively.

“Are you going to tell me what it is?” My sister had told me that my mother had been working on something for me.

“Of course not!” she said. “That would ruin the surprise. Jacob, tell us about your day.”

I laughed at my mother’s blatant attempt to draw the attention away from her painting. My dad was put on the spot, but obliged. “The crime rate in the city is spiking again, and I think we might expand Shark Bay Prison.”

“Of course, you talk about work.” My mother rolled her eyes.

“Why is the crime rate spiking?” I asked, although I already know.

“The Risen has caused a lot of trouble lately – blowing up clubs and murdering each other.”

“Why would they do that?” Ava asked.

“Rumor has it that Devton Embers wants to become the leader, and Volgrun Sozgemon doesn’t want that.”

I didn’t bother telling my family that Devton didn’t want to become leader or that Volgrun felt threatened by him and was killing off his friends. I asked, “Do you think Devton will make a better leader?”

Jacob pondered this. “He is a daimon – pure evil. I don’t think he will be much different from Volgrun.”

My face twisted. “He can’t help that he was born a daimon.”

My dad’s face softened, as he evidently realized that my words also applied to me: I couldn’t help that I had been born part angel. “That doesn’t make him any less evil.”

I glared at my father.

“Daimons aren’t like other magical beings,” my father warned. “There is nothing good about them. They are born to deceive, manipulate, and take what they want, regardless of who they hurt.”

“You’re wrong,” I blurted out.

The atmosphere was tense, and my mother tried to relieve it by changing the topic. “Ava, when will your friend be here?”

“She should have been here already,” Ava said, then slowly added, “an hour ago.”

My mother nodded. “Something must have come up. Let’s eat.”

When Ava didn’t object, we dished and ate our meal. My family made small talk about my father’s work and the weather. Kellie told me about her hobbies, like cooking class, yoga, and pottery. Ava was very quiet, certainly upset about Quinn bailing on her. Was she also quiet because, without studying, her life was empty? I didn’t push her to talk, and neither did my parents. She had a bad habit of losing control of her emotions and freaking out, like she had when I had just returned. I told my parents about my cottage and that I was happy here.

“You look better,” my father said. “It looks like you are eating again.”

I swallowed a mouthful of chicken. He meant it as a compliment. I had never deliberately starved myself; I had just been too miserable to eat. Besides, my stomach had always been full of pills and alcohol, which meant there hadn’t been any room for nutritious food. Now, I had gained weight, although I was far from fat. I was dressing better and bathing regularly. My skin was healthy, like my hair, and I felt better – inside and out.

“Thanks,” I said.

We finished our meal together and then moved on to dessert. We ate it quickly and I knew I had chosen the right pudding.

“Excuse me,” Ava said once she was done. “I’m going to bed.”

“Ava, stay!” Kellie said. “Your sister never joins us for dinner…”

“I promise to join more,” I said, trying to take pressure off my sister. “Besides, I also need to go home.”

My parents’ faces fell, and I realized they didn’t believe I’d come back soon. I would put in more effort with them.

“I promise,” I said.

“Okay.” My mother rose.

I hugged Ava first. “I love you. Tell me if you need to talk.”

“Thanks.” Ava headed to her room, and my parents walked me to the door.

“Thank you for coming,” Kellie said.

“Thanks for cooking.” I kissed her cheek. “I’ll come check out my painting some time.”

“Just be patient! I want it to be perfect – and that takes time.”

“I’m sure it will be stunning,” I said.

Then I turned to face my father. “Thanks for tonight.”

“You’re welcome any time.” He hugged me.

I left the house, heard the door close behind me, and walked down the street. But I was not ready to go home and sleep. I pulled out my phone and called Dev. It rang twice before he picked up.

“Hello.”

“Are you ready to go on an adventure?” I asked.