Jay - Ahern's Burden
Healing

Jay woke early the following morning, troubled by dreams of an unseen force throwing him around by his clothing. He sat up and wrapped his blanket over his shoulders. Walking down the short hall he stuck his head into the main room. The only light came from the low fire. Somehow Nuvi had moved Barclay onto the couch, but he lay prone and unchanged. Nuvi was asleep on the floor in front of the couch. She had tucked her left hand between his shoulder and the pillow.

Outside, Jay could see a few stars through the west window, but the east window had the faintest, orange glow. He knew the day would begin soon, but he also knew his night’s sleep was over. He headed back to his room to wait for someone else to wake up.

His unnerving dream was happening with more frequency. He never saw who or what threw him about, but he felt like the actions were becoming more violent. And though he knew it to be a dream, he couldn’t shake the thought of a strange force trying to get to him, wanting to control him.

During his unpleasant dissection of his nightmare he saw a light advancing from the hall. It rested outside his door.

“Jay,” Nuvi whispered. “Are you awake?”

“Yes,” he whispered back, “I can’t sleep. I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“I’ve been in and out,” she said, “may I come in?”

“Of course,” he said, scooting to one side of the bed. “It’s your room.”

Nuvi set the candle down on the table by the door and joined him.

“I’m sorry about the chill,” she began, “the nights are cool until summer.”

“The nights don’t cool off in Taq,” Jay said.

“Taq is pleasant,” she agreed, “but I prefer a change in season.”

“You know Taq?”

“Yes,” she answered. “I know a lot about what you and Barclay are doing. I don’t know specifics, but I know you were looking for Milla’s book.”

Jay didn’t know what to say. He assumed he and Barclay were alone. It brought him no small measure of comfort to learn the opposite.

“Did you find your mother’s book?” she asked.

“Barclay told you about her book?”

Nuvi nodded. “Three days ago, he came and told me where you were going,” she said, looking down at her hands. “I admit I was jealous when I heard of your plans. I’ve never traveled to the Library of Cedar. How was it?”

“There’s not much left,” Jay said.

Nuvi frowned. “I thought what I heard over the years were false rumors. They’re true?” Nuvi asked, hoping she misunderstood him.

“Yes,” he answered bluntly. “Looters have taken everything. The library is ruined.”

“They destroyed the library?”

“Yes,” he said, “but we searched through the scattered books and I found my mother’s.”

“You did?” she asked, before she could control her excited, loud voice. “You did?” she repeated in an even more subtle whisper.

Jay nodded. “I can’t wait to read it.”

“Can I look through it when you’re done?” she asked. “I love reading, but I don’t have many options.”

“Yes,” Jay said. “It may be a while. Barclay said we may never figure out her clues.”

“You mother had a gift,” Nuvi said.

“Barclay said those same words.”

“I enjoyed talking with your mother when we lived in the capital.”

“You spoke with my mother?” Jay asked.

“Yes,” she answered, smiling. “She loved holding Arina. You were little back then, just learning to pick yourself up. You used to hold onto her leg before venturing across the floor. We’d talk for hours while Barclay and your father discussed matters of state. She was kind. We became friends.”

Jay was jealous. His mother and father were mere memories. He had his father’s journals and the time spent within their pages helped him develop a sort of relationship with him. He didn’t have this connection with his mother. Barclay and Nuvi had met her. They had talked about her intellect and that she was a joy to be around. He wanted those memories. He wanted to see his mother’s face, hold her hand, and crawl into her arms when he felt scared or alone. Before going to the library, he thought about reading her book. If he could find it, he would have a piece of her. He could create his own memories of her. He wanted her book, so he could dive in and discover his mother, the same way he had discovered his father.

“I like your memories of her,” he said after a long pause. “I don’t remember her face.”

Nuvi and Jay sat quiet for some time until she stood and headed for the door. She turned to Jay after blowing out the candle. The ambient light from outside had grown enough so they could see each other.

“When breakfast is over,” she said, grabbing the door knob, “I’d like you to tell me what happened to Barclay.”

Jay nodded as she closed the door. He crawled back into bed, on top of the covers, to rest up before the day began. The thoughts of his nightmare had disappeared. He thought about his mother and how much he wanted to be with her.

After breakfast, Nuvi volunteered to take over her daughter’s cleaning and instructed her to go outside and get an early start on her daily chores.

Reluctantly, Arina gathered her tools and exited the house alone.

Nuvi collected the dirty dishes and poured some water in the pot over the fire. “Tell me, Jay,” she said, walking back to the table, “how did my Barclay fall?”

Jay thought about how he should tell her. He decided to start after they found the book and to tell her everything. Nuvi interrupted him a few times for clarification but soon he reached the difficult part.

“Then this man,” Jay said.

“Wolf,” Nuvi corrected.

“Yes,” Jay said, “this wolf, paced back and forth and put on a glove.”

Nuvi sat back at his explanation.

Jay noticed her expression but continued. “Then he blocked my view of Barclay, and, he struck him, hard.”

Nuvi began to cry and looked down to her hands.

Jay watched her, not sure if he should continue. Then he saw her nod and again locked eyes.

She nodded, wanted him to finish.

“The wolf put the glove away and raised a sword,” Jay continued. “And that’s when I…when my body…” Jay stopped. He didn’t know what to say. He replayed the event as though it came from a dream. “I don’t know what I did.”

The two sat silent for a long while. Nuvi waited for Jay to find the words.

“It felt like I couldn’t control what I was doing,” he finally said. “Something came out of me, and my body glowed red.”

Nuvi’s tears had stopped and she listened to Jay in awe.

“I knew what was happening, but I felt like I had no control. The three men were thrown away from us, stuck against the walls. The next memory I have is hearing Barclay’s voice. I was standing next to him.” He looked up and met Nuvi’s eyes. “He told me to stop.” Jay looked back down and inhaled a heavy breath. “He told me to grab his hand, and after I did, we came here.” Jay looked up to see her staring at him.

Nuvi nodded and looked away. She didn’t know what to expect, but she better understood her husband’s injuries.

“Thank you,” Nuvi said. She reached forward and grabbed his hand. “Thank you for bringing him back to me.”

“He will heal, won’t he?”

“I’ve done all I can,” she said, looking over to her husband. “I don’t know why he won’t wake up. I would like to hear his voice.”

“Me too,” Jay admitted.

She squeezed his hand before standing up. “I’ve fallen behind. I need to clean before Arina finishes outside. Why don’t you keep her company?”

Jay nodded and pushed out of his chair. After slipping on his coat he went outside to work next to Arina.

Nuvi came onto the porch a few minutes later and watched Arina and Jay tend the garden together. They look cute, Nuvi thought. She smiled and left them alone to clean up breakfast.

“Mother?”

“Yes, Arina,” Nuvi replied, without raising her head. She had fallen deep into her folk medicine book trying to find a remedy for Barclay.

“Can we go for a walk?”

“I will take you later,” she responded, turning a page.

“Can Jay and I go?”

Nuvi stopped and looked up from her pages. She looked at Jay sitting at the table and knew this was all her daughter’s idea. At first, she thought no but her mind lingered on the pros and cons. She knew the Idols had people everywhere, and there were the desperate people who would turn in their own family if it meant a hefty reward. She already had suspicions about a few people being too nosey. She knew her daughter wanted to get away, but letting them go out, on their own, had yet to cross her mind. She opened her mouth to say no when Arina spoke.

“We won’t talk to anyone,” Arina said. “We’ll take the Kush trail to Marieann Point. Jay hasn’t seen the bridge in months.”

The Kush trail weaved around behind their home through the forest. No one used it anymore. It bent far out of the way and had been forgotten for years. Her daughter had thought this through. They most likely wouldn’t see anyone. Nuvi relented, but she needed a backup plan.

“Don’t go up to anyone,” she began. “If you see someone, don’t run away. Introduce yourself and Jay.”

Arina nodded enthusiastically and walked towards Jay.

Surprised, but pleased she had agreed, he put his book down on the table when Arina reached down and grabbed his hand, almost lifting him out of his seat.

“Don’t be long,” Nuvi chimed in before they reached the door. “You still have your chores to do before dinner.”

“We’ll be back soon.”

Jay waved before Arina yanked him over the threshold.

“Don’t slam the…”

Boom!

“Sorry,” Arina’s sorrowful voice said through the closed door.

“Arina,” Nuvi whispered shaking her head. She closed the book on her finger and came to the window to watch them walk away. After rounding the corner, they disappeared, and Nuvi returned to her research.

Once outside, Jay followed Arina as she made her way behind the house up to the overgrown trail. Jay didn’t know what to say and fell behind. He watched Arina’s feet leave a gentle impression in the turf and could see the blades of grass try to regain their previous position as he stepped over. He didn’t know why but he thought it rude to step on the same blades while they struggled to regain their composure.

The scenery slowly darkened the farther they traveled into the woods. The trail rose up and down and an occasional ray of sunshine stretched across their pathway, providing a comfortable spot-light to help them along.

Jay watched a small bird hover above Arina when she stopped walking and crouched down. Instinctively, Jay followed her lead and looked behind him. He listened intently but didn’t hear anything.

“What’s wrong?” he whispered.

Arina turned around with a grin hidden behind a lone finger covering her lips. Then she used the same finger to point over the next small hill. “Look.”

Jay thought it odd but tilted his head as he slowly rose to peek over Arina.

In the trail in front of them a young fawn stared back.

Relieved, Jay stood erect.

Arina followed, and the two watched three other young fawns join the first.

The new arrivals didn’t care about their new visitors, and after a brief pause the four moved on together, finding no need to fear Arina or Jay.

Arina continued along the trail and waved goodbye when she passed.

“Do they live around here?” Jay asked.

“I don’t know,” Arina answered. “I haven’t seen one in a while and I’ve never seen four together.”

Jay turned for one more look, but they were gone.

The two continued through the woods and didn’t see any more animals.

Jay noticed through the trees on his right how the scenery began to drop and disappear. We must be close to the Gorge.

“Be careful,” Arina said. “It will be slippery. It rained a few days ago. And if my mother asks, tell her we sat on the upper rim.”

“The upper rim?” Jay asked.

“Uh huh,” nodded Arina. “You remember how Mother doesn’t like it when I go to the lower rim.”

The path continued higher up to the left but Arina stepped to the right and into the trees. She walked into more daylight and came to a large uncovered rock.

Jay watched Arina walk up to what looked like the edge of a cliff.

She looked around and waved Jay to stand beside her. “I love this spot,” she said, holding her hand out to the endless view.

Beyond the weathered stone they could see the famous bridge. At their distance, Jay could see a few people walking across. It wasn’t as busy as he remembered but there were some people moving about. He saw one man lead a team of oxen, pulling a large cart loaded heavy with timber.

“The people look small,” he said.

“Isn’t the bridge amazing?”

This wasn’t the first time Jay had seen the bridge, but this angle was his favorite.

Below the bridge the gorge fell deep. Being mid-day, the sun hung at the perfect angle to allow a bright view of the water below.

Jay didn’t follow Arina’s lead when she leaned over to get a closer view.

Beyond the bridge the landscape rolled away. The trees continued for many miles, but beyond them Jay could see the distant plains.

“Do you and your mother still come here often?” Jay asked.

“If it’s not icy,” she said, “We sometimes have lunch here.”

Jay looked around. He had forgotten how private the spot was, perfectly concealed by trees and bushes. The pathway flowed in such a way that even if someone came along, they would have to walk through the growth to see them.

“This isn’t my favorite spot though,” she said, walking away from Jay. “I like to sit on the lower rim.”

Jay watched her walk to the left and circle around a large boulder. She walked in front of the end of the rock face.

“Be careful,” he said.

“It’s safe,” Arina said, looking up at him. “Come down.”

Jay walked to the boulder and leaned over. He found the partial staircase hidden under the brush, leading him to an unseen level below the upper rim. Hesitantly, he followed her. Stepping down a few more steps, the stone spread out wide enough to catch him if he were to fall. He did not enjoy this spot as much as she did.

Under the upper rim, the stone sloped into the mountain as it dropped to the top of the lower rim. The edge of the lower rim protruded a few feet from the upper rim. The spot was all but invisible.

Arina sat with her back against the rocks, looking out over the bridge. She used a layer of green moss for a cushion. When Jay came down the steps she waved him over. “The moss is dry, and it’s soft,” she said patting a large clump.

Jay took the space beside her and they sat quietly.

“Your mother would not be happy with us,” Jay said, sitting down.

“I know,” Arina agreed, not wanting to disobey her mother but finding it impossible to resist. “She thinks it unsafe being down here. You won’t tell her, will you?”

“No,” Jay said quickly, shaking his head.

“I love coming here whenever I can,” Arina stated. “I like to watch the people travel across and wonder where they are going. I want to travel across the bridge someday. I’ve never been away from Boon.”

“Never?” Jay asked.

“Mother has a few friends on the other side, but we never traveled away from Boon.”

Jay thought to say something but didn’t want to make her feel bad. He thought about the places he and Barclay had been and he recalled the conversation with Nuvi when she said she had never been to the Library. He started to feel embarrassed about his recent travels.

“At least we can cross the bridge,” Arina said. “During the war the soldiers kept it closed.”

Jay nodded. He remembered many of Nuvi’s bridge stories. “I remember your mother’s story about neither side able to gain control when the fighting began. The captains chose to close it and move their armies.”

“Did my mother ever tell you about the hooded man?”

“No,” Jay said, shaking his head. “Who is the hooded man?”

“No one knows,” admits Arina, raising her shoulders. “But he made them close the bridge.”

“Lots of people wear hoods,” Jay said, trying to get her to explain more. “What did he do?”

“Mother said this was the first place Koshia and Trykin started fighting. She said they wanted to control the bridge.”

Jay nodded. That sounds right.

“She said each army had over a thousand soldiers, but when they arrived, neither wanted to attack first. She said if they attacked they would lose many lives. She said for days they tried to get the other side to cross, but no one would. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Then one day when they were yelling at each other and about to cross, a hooded man appeared.”

“He teleported,” Jay said. “The same as your father?”

“I don’t know, maybe. Mother said he appeared right there.” She pointed towards the bridge. “Right in the middle of the bridge. All the men thought he was someone from the other army and started shooting arrows and throwing rocks, but no one could hit him. Then he moved and looked towards the plains and raised his arms. The soldiers stopped shooting arrows and watched to see what he would do.”

“What did he do?” Jay asked.

“Nothing,” Arina said. “Mother said he just stood there with his arms out.”

“He just stood there?” Jay asked.

“That’s what mother said,” Arina admitted. “She said no one knew what to do. Then a light started to grow around him, and it became very bright. So bright that no one could look at the bridge. Mother said it happened in the middle of the day, but the light around the bridge was brighter than the sun.”

“Then what happened?” Jay pried.

“Then the light went away, and the hooded man disappeared.”

“He left?” Jay asked. “After appearing out of nowhere and showing his powers, he left?”

“Mother said no one ever saw him again,” Arina stated. “But that’s why the bridge is white.”

“Why is the bridge white?”

“Because of the hooded man.”

Jay thought he knew the history, but he’d never heard this story. And he thought the bridge was always white. “What color was it before?”

“Mother said before then the bridge was a dark brown.”

“The bridge used to be brown?” Jay asked, looking down at the spectacular white stone.

“That’s what the hooded man did,” Arina said. “He changed the bridge. The captains signed an agreement that they wouldn’t try to control it, that’s why they closed it and moved their armies.”

“Do you believe the story?” Jay asked, hoping she would say yes.

“Mother said it happened, and I believe my mother. But I’ve never seen magic, so, I don’t know.”

“Your father can teleport,” Jay reminded her.

“Yes,” she admitted, “but that’s all I’ve seen.”

Jay thought about showing her a trick but decided against it.

“Can you do magic?” she asked.

Jay smiled. He wanted to show her what he could do, and since she asked, he might as well show her. “I don’t know if it’s magic,” he said honestly, “but if I clear my mind and think of what I want to happen,” he said, touching the moss behind them as he explained, “it happens.”

A yellow tulip grew horizontally out of the moss and turned vertical until the pedals opened to show a fully-grown flower.

“I remember you told your mother how you couldn’t wait for the tulips to grow.”

Arina sat in amazement. She couldn’t stop looking between the flower and Jay. She had never seen anything like it before.

“You do like tulips, don’t you?” Jay asked.

“They’re my favorite,” she confirmed. “They don’t grow well up here. I planted dozens last year and only one grew. Mother will be thrilled.”

“Now you have two.”

Arina couldn’t withhold her smile.

Jay was glad she reacted so well to his simple act. He had other tricks he wanted to show, but in the back of his mind he remembered Barclay’s instructions about practicing magic and the dangers that sharing with others could bring.

“Arina, you can’t tell anyone.”

“Why not?” she asked. “I was only going to tell mother.”

“That would be fine,” he said, trying to find the right words. “I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

Arina’s smile slowly faded.

“I don’t know why magic is outlawed,” he said, looking at the bridge, trying to make her feel better. “Some people must use it to take advantage of others.” He turned back to her. “I don’t want anyone to know what I can do,” he said honestly. “If the wrong people find out, I may never get to come back here.”

Arina’s smile returned. She understood what he meant. “I won’t tell anyone.”

Jay smiled back. “It’ll be our secret. Do you want another one?”

Arina nodded. “As many as you can do.”

Jay produced dozens more, to her delight, each a different color.

“How long will they last?” Arina asked.

“I don’t know.”

“I hope they never go away,” she said honestly. “We’ll have to check tomorrow.”

“Should we go?” Jay asked. “I don’t want to upset your mother.”

“Yes, we should,” Arina agreed.

They made it home without incident. After lunch, Jay took a nap while Nuvi had a quick conversation with her daughter about what happened to Barclay, minus the graphic details.

The following day, Arina successfully petitioned her mother for her and Jay to go on another walk, but this time she had one requirement.

“I want to go with you,” Nuvi said, before Arina could think of a reason why she shouldn’t.

Arina didn’t mind going on walks with her mother, but she knew Jay wouldn’t make her more tulips if she did. And they would stay on the upper rim.

Jay didn’t mind either way and secured his mother’s book inside his coat.

Arina lost the argument even after trying to convince her mother that she needed to stay with Barclay. They each found their coat before heading for the door.

Please wake up, Jay thought while he knelt next to Barclay. He then went to the door and let Nuvi and Arina say their quick goodbyes.

They walked along the same path as the day before, but the fawns had left or were hiding.

“I am jealous,” Nuvi admitted. “Four fawns at one time is rare.”

They made it to the upper rim and sat for a while without much conversation.

Nuvi knew her daughter wanted to be alone with Jay and did feel a pang of guilt for interloping.

“Arina told me about the hooded man,” Jay said, trying to start a conversation.

“She did?” Nuvi asked. “Well, I would like to thank him for giving us such a beautiful bridge.”

“You believe the story?” Jay asked.

“I have no reason to believe otherwise,” she replied.

“Do you know other stories like the hooded man?”

“My grandfather used to tell me stories about men who had amazing talents,” Nuvi explained, “but I’ve never seen anything to match the story of the hooded man.”

Arina desperately wanted to look over the edge to see if her tulips were still there, but Nuvi made everyone stay back several feet from the edge.

“What about you, Jay?” Nuvi asked, turning the discussion towards him. “Have you discovered any stories since you’ve been away?”

The question caught Arina and Jay by surprise.

“Um,” he said, trying to think of something to share. His mind caught hold of something his father wrote in one of his journals. “Have you ever heard of Dow’s escape?”

Mother and daughter shook their heads.

Jay closed his eyes and thought back to remember how the story began. “My father wrote of a sea battle between Ondoria and Chaldry. The Ondorian ships were older and slower and everyday more were lost. Eventually, the Chaldrian ships were in position to break through the Ondorian’s final barricade. If they were successful, they would have an open sea to pillage the Ondorian coastal lands.”

Jay paused to remember again. “I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I’ve read the story one time.”

Nuvi and Arina sat patiently.

“My father’s words were, ‘Only nightfall saved them.’ The Chaldrian ships dropped anchor and sent a small row boat to discuss Ondorian’s surrender. Dow was the leader of the Ondorian fleet and met the Chaldrians in his own small boat. After a brief discussion, Dow returned to his ship, having refused to accept the Chaldrian’s terms. The assault would continue in the morning.

“Dow knew they would not win. He and the others in their small boat rowed back to the Chaldrian fleet. The darkness protected them, and they climbed aboard the lead ship after the noise from the sailors quieted.

“My father didn’t go into detail, but he said Dow and his men sabotaged the navigations of the ship. They repeated their work until they were spotted. They rowed back as fast as they could, but two other Chaldrian ships gave chase.

“Dow knew they were in serious trouble, but he and his men knew that even if their little boat were to go down, he had done his part and given the rest of the fleet a chance.

“The Chaldrian ships gained fast and would soon overtake them, when the sea began to boil.”

“The sea boiled?” Arina asked.

Jay nodded. “Dow’s men stopped rowing and they watched the water rise off the surface in two separate columns in front of the Chaldrian ships.

“One ship altered its course, but the other chose to press on and collided with the wall of water.”

“What happened to the ship?” Nuvi asked.

“It crumbled against the wall and sank into the sea. The other ship returned to the fleet unharmed, and Dow returned to his own.

“The Ondorian sailors watched the Chaldrian ships try again and again to attack them, but each time they were confronted with a column of water and forced to turn or suffer the same fate. Two other ships were lost before the Chaldrian fleet abandoned the battle.”

Jay looked at Nuvi and Arina. “And that’s the story of Dow’s escape.”

“I like it,” Nuvi said, looking over the bridge.

“Me too,” Arina agreed, not feeling as upset about her mother being with them.

“It brings me strength to know someone is watching out for us,” Nuvi said with confidence. “We should head back. We need to accomplish something before nightfall.”

The three walked home with little communication.

“Arina…” Nuvi said when they stood on the porch.

“I know,” Arina said, cutting her off, “my chores.”

Nuvi smiled at her daughter’s reaction. She knew she wanted to spend more time with Jay.

She grabbed her tools and left the porch without a word.

Nuvi made her way to the kitchen, while Jay knelt in front of Barclay. He placed his hand on his forehead and thought about how much he wanted him to be better and for him to wake up. After a moment he sat on the couch and continued to read his mother’s book.

After a few minutes, Jay closed the book and looked to Nuvi. She was looking out the window, towards the garden.

“Would you mind if I helped Arina?” he asked.

“She would like that,” Nuvi stated. “I’ll call for you when the food is ready.”

Jay nodded and pushed out of his chair. Half way to the door, three strong knocks boomed throughout the house.

Nuvi walked next to Jay. “Stay hidden,” she whispered. “If I call for you, come out and introduce yourself.”

Jay stepped back into the hallway, so he could be out of sight but still listen.

“Who’s there?” Nuvi called, standing away from the door.

“Liga.”

Liga, Nuvi thought. Why is he here? She opened the door enough to expose her face and nothing more.

“How are you?” she asked in the most pleasant tone.

“Tired, but well enough,” he answered. “May I come inside to rest?”

“No,” she answered. “What brings you to Boon?”

“Oh,” Liga said, looking out across the porch. “Nothing grand. I’m on my way to visit some friends to the North and came by to see if Barclay had come home.”

“Not yet,” she said, faking a sad face. “He’s still not with us.”

“You must be proud of your husband,” Liga said, “but it’s a shame you two are not together more.”

Nuvi didn’t answer.

Liga stared at her with a crooked smile. “Do you know when I might see Barclay? I have a pressing matter that requires his attention.”

“I expect to see him shortly,” Nuvi responded. “He wanted to help plant the garden this season, and as you can see, it’s ready.”

“Yes, I noticed,” Liga said, looking over his shoulder, half turning from the door. “But I don’t understand why you would leave your daughter alone to do all the work. She’s never gone outside without you.”

Nuvi held his gaze.

“Until next time,” he said, and spun on his heel after a held nod.

Nuvi watched him walk off the porch and she opened the door further the farther he moved away. She stood in the center of the porch and watched him make his own path across the yard and disappear into the trees.

His parting comment bothered her.

How does he know if I go outside with or without my daughter? She thought. He’s been watching us, she concluded. Without closing the door, she hurried off the porch towards Arina.

Jay stood in the doorway and watched Nuvi reach Arina. He relaxed when they walked back to the house arm in arm. Behind him, he heard a funny noise that made him grab the end of the door and lean back inside. Everything was quiet. Then, he heard a low grunt coming from the couch. He yanked on the doors edge and propelled his body into the room. The motion accelerated him towards the couch and nearly closed the door. He stepped forward and tripped on the rug and came to Barclay’s side.

Barclay blinked several times and slowly brought his left arm up to rub his eyes.

“You’re awake!” Jay exclaimed. “You’re awake!”

Barclay looked around, squinting.

“Barclay!”

Barclay cleared his throat, causing an ugly echo to ring throughout the room. “My eyes hurt,” he said in labored voice.

Jay couldn’t control his excitement and he ran for the door. He yanked the almost closed door open and looked for Nuvi and Arina. He spotted Nuvi with her arm around her daughter at the garden’s edge. Jay was about to run onto the porch and yell, but in a flash, he remembered the man who came to visit. He thought it best to not run out into the open if they were under surveillance. He may still be within earshot, Jay thought. What do I do?

“No,” Jay said, when Nuvi stopped and turned around to explain something in the garden to Arina.

Whistle, came the thought, and after a short breath he let a quick high pitch note ring beyond the garden.

Nuvi and Arina looked to the house. Instinctively, they squinted and brought their right hands up to shield the sun from their eyes.

Jay jumped in the doorway, waving his arms around fiercely for them to come inside.

Neither moved.

“What is he doing?” Nuvi asked.

“Why is he jumping?” Arina questioned. “Is a bee stinging him?”

Frustrated, Jay stopped jumping. He knew he had their attention and thought again to run out but instead he put his hands together and leaned his head to the side. After holding the position for a moment, he sprung his head up and held his hands out. Then he began a series of strong points to where Barclay slept.

They had started walking towards the house when he started pointing, but Jay knew they still didn’t understand.

“He’s pointing,” Arina said, still looking at the house.

Nuvi had her head down. The glare of the sun was too much, and her eyes began to water. She was wiping away a tear when Arina ran from her.

“What’s wrong?” she called out.

Arina stopped and came back and grabbed her mother’s hand. “Dad’s awake,” she said, pulling hard.

Nuvi took two staggered steps before she realized why Jay had been so animated. She pulled on her daughter’s arm as she sprinted in front of her.

Jay returned to Barclay when he saw them coming. He watched Barclay grimace a painful swallow.

“You’re awake,” he repeated, unable to hold back a smile.

Nuvi flew through the open door and home in on Barclay.

Jay backed out of the way in time to give her full range.

“Oh, my husband,” she said, crying. “You came back to me. You came back.”

Arina came through the door moments later. She knelt next to her mother and put her arm around her.

Nuvi had her head on Barclay’s chest when she felt her arm. She sat up straight and Arina rested her head on her shoulder.

Barclay reached his arm out and Nuvi grabbed it with both hands and held it to her chest. He smiled as he looked at them. A tear began to run away from his eye when they watched him mouth “I’m sorry.”

Nobody moved.

Nuvi nodded and brought his hand to his cheek. “Don’t do that again.”

Jay never thought to hear an apology from Barclay or the gentle rebuttal from Nuvi based on what happened. But above that he felt so much relief knowing his friend had come back to them.

Barclay nodded as he accepted her terms and closed his eyes because of the pain he felt when he swallowed.

“Get some water,” Nuvi commanded.

Arina jumped up without a breath and collected a cup.

Jay walked beyond the couch and closed the door. By the time he released the handle, Nuvi had the cup to his lips. She struggled to raise his body well enough with her one arm.

“Jay, I need your help,” she said without looking up.

Barclay tried to grab the underside of the couch when Jay came around him.

“Put your arms down,” Nuvi gently commanded her husband. “Jay, put your hands under his left shoulder.”

Jay followed her instructions, and gently tilted Barclay’s upper torso towards Nuvi.

Barclay had enough leverage to drink in a comfortable position.

After a few swallows, they laid him back down.

“Better?” Nuvi asked.

Barclay nodded and swallowed again. This time he showed minimal signs of discomfort.

“How long?” Barclay asked, in a scruffy voice.

“Two days,” Nuvi answered.

Jay brought a chair for Nuvi, so she could be off the floor.

“Does anyone know we are here?”

“No. Jay and Arina have stayed by the house.”

She didn’t mention them going to Marieann Point twice.

“My body aches and my head is pounding,” Barclay said, and he again rubbed his eyes.

“Don’t get up,” Nuvi counseled. “Stay still, I’ll bring you some bread to nibble on.”

The mention of food caused the most uncomfortable feeling in Barclay’s stomach.

Arina took her mother’s seat while Barclay continued to rub his eyes.

Jay walked to the windows and pulled the curtains to keep the sunlight out of the room.

“I missed you, Daddy.”

Barclay tilted his head and focused on his daughter. He smiled, and she took his hand.

Jay returned and stood far behind her, not wanting to interfere.

Barclay looked beyond Arina and locked eyes with Jay. Then he thought of his daughter’s words. Barclay swallowed hard, hoping Jay would understand.

“Jay,” he whispered, while he tilted his head back.

Arina looked over her shoulder and sat up.

Jay came up and knelt in front of Barclay.

“I’m sorry I waited so long to tell you about your parents.”

“All is well,” Jay said.

He had wanted to tell Jay for years. He had stressed over the issue, fearing Jay wouldn’t understand or that he may be angry with him for some reason. But he knew, and judging Jay’s reaction, there were no issues.

“I have more I need to tell you,” Barclay continued.

“What is it?” Jay asked.

“Excuse me, Jay,” Nuvi said, wanting him to vacate his space in front of Barclay. “You’ll have plenty of time to talk later. Today, the two of you will give us room.”

Arina had moved away before her mother forced Jay out.

Nuvi set a small basket down beside the chair and scooted it closer to the couch. She grabbed a round loaf and began breaking it into pieces. She removed the hard crusts and placed small, soft pieces in Barclay’s mouth.

“Arina, dinner is yours to prepare,” Nuvi said, without looking up. She placed another small piece in his mouth. “Make good use of your time.”

Jay enjoyed Nuvi’s motherliness and wanted to stay but knew it better not to push the issue.

Arina had already walked into her room to change.

Jay followed her lead and returned to his mother’s book before Arina made it into the kitchen.

Jay held his mother’s book on his lap and watched Nuvi’s delicate hand. He still looks pale, he thought. I can’t wait to talk to him. He glanced to Arina and he could tell she was happy her father had come back. Heal Barclay, he thought before he flipped the book open and found where he left off.

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