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The Gift

Stephanie's Storyline, Chapter 6.2

copyright comidacomida 2018

The train was due in at 3:15 and we arrived two minutes early. Although any onlookers would have seen me stepping off the train by myself with a single suitcase there was no way they'd be able to appreciate the fact that I had four traveling companions and a whole lot of emotional luggage. Fortunately, my dad and mom were waiting for me.

The hugs and kisses were a great relief. Once we had settled down, however, they asked for some details about my schedule. I couldn't help but think that I'd been avoiding my family long enough. "Well... how about we go home for starters, and then I'll figure things out from there?"

I was distracted on the way back to their house, spending most of my time sitting in the back seat nodding or offering up little non-committal answers to their questions. It wasn't that I didn't want to talk to them, but my mind was racing with different thoughts, questions, plans, and considerations for my upcoming 'investigation'. They did a good job of managing the conversation, which was pretty much how things always worked when it came to them.

I got casual updates of what the neighbors were up to and special events going on at work for my dad. The subject of small talk switched between topics almost as quickly as we passed each stoplight. They didn't bring up anything about Billy or about me living out of town-- hot topics to avoid, I'm sure.

Othe than Medved, my spirit companions joined us on the trip back from the station. In order to make things easy on me, Tom sat beside me inside the car, taking up the vast majority of the back seat and leaving me pressed against the door; I guess to my parents it would just look like I was leaning against the window due to travel fatigue. Since there wasn't a lot of room beyond that, Anapa perched atop the car's roof, having no trouble staying put since the wind didn't affect him.

Kyle, in the meantime, had offered to fly and he actually beat us to the drive way, landing next to the front porch while we were coming down the street. I hadn't ever seen him take to the air beyond a quick hop or a flap-jump and it was a little strange seeing a human-sized figure glide so effortlessly. Yes, it was in direct violation of science, but I'd already come to terms with the fact that physics didn't really hold the same sway over Spirits as it did for Humans. It wasn't something I had to dwell on for long though, as Medved stepped out from behind the car as my parents got out.

He looked over both of them and sighed as he followed after my mother. "Oh, Dear Heart, you are putting on weight! What would your mother say?"

There was something almost funny about Medved, who looked like he could easily have been 400 pounds calling my mom out on her weight. True, I suppose she may have added a few pounds, but it wasn't that bad. Then again, my grandmother DID always call people out on things like that. I had to stall for time to hide my smile while my brain processed the significance of it all. She ended up calling to me from the front door. "Everything okay, Stephanie?"

Finally grabbing my suitcase and backpack I looked up and smiled. From beside my mom, Medved just sighed. "You need to take better care of yourself, Dear Heart... it's the chocolates again, isn't it?"

The Bear's comments were the exact things I used to hear my grandmother say-- especially the comments about the chocolate. In fact, 'Dear Heart' was her nickname for my mom. Medved continued to fret over her few extra pounds, but I wasn't about to go there. Smiling, I walked up to the front door. "That's a new top, isn't it? It's really pretty."

She matched my smile with one of her own. "Thank you, Sweety. It is new... I got it last weekend."

My dad, who had already gone inside called from the living room. "You ladies coming in? AC's on... we don't need to pay to cool the outside, you know."

It was almost surreal how little things had changed. I handed my suitcase to my mom and followed her inside, closing the door behind us. Medved, who had preceded us, took up a spot in the living room while Anapa, Tom, and Kyle walked in through the closed entrance; my prior invitation was enough to allow them to come in. My mom headed off for the hallway. "I'll put this in your room for you."

I followed right after her. "It's okay, mom... I've got it. I need to put my backpack away too."

She continued down the hall regardless, stopping at the entrance to my room and setting the suitcase down. "Your father started some ribs in the barbecue before we came to pick you up. I hope you're hungry."

My dad loved barbecuing and he never needed much in the way of an excuse. The fact that he was good at it made it a positive trait. "Mmmm... it's been awhile since I had ribs. When's dinner?"

She gave me a hug and kissed me on the forehead. "I'm making some potato salad and your dad's also grilling some corn. Everything should be ready around five or six. In the meantime, I'll give you some space to unpack and unwind."

Blessed solitude-- she couldn't have offered a better welcome home present. "Thanks mom... I think I'll just rest a little... I was up early getting ready for--"

She held up a hand to forestall my statement. "You don't have to explain anything, Honey... just relax, and I'll see you when you're ready for some family time. I still have some dishes from last night that need cleaning so there's plenty to keep me busy."

The stand-offish attitude was a little new but, then again, considering how quickly I fled last time I was visiting I realized that my mom was probably trying to give me some space rather than risking chasing me away again. I felt bad, but, to be honest, the breathing room was a welcome break after the long trip. I'd almost expected to be smothered, so getting time to unpack and unwind was exactly what I needed. "Thanks. Love you, mom."

She smiled at that. "Love you too, Sweety."

I made my way into my room which was exactly how I left it. The first order of business, out of reflex as much as anything else, was to return the bear carving back to its place of prominence on the shelf. Even as I set it where it belonged I felt Medved's paw come to rest on my shoulder. I let out a sigh, raising a free hand so I could place it atop his furry digits. "Does this feel like coming home to you?"

He took a step closer and he leaned down, wrapping his other arm around my mid section as he hugged me from behind, resting his muzzle on my shoulder as he spoke. "This is just a house. Wherever you are is my home, Lapushka."

Kyle, who was standing just inside my bedroom door fluffed out his feathers and folded his wings. "Uh... Stef? I know you don't want things to get complicated so you should probably know that as soon as Human Kyle finds out you're back he'll probably come by to visit... maybe Ashton too, but definitely Human Kyle."

Anapa, who was standing half in the door and half out of it looked into my room and gestured with his arm. "Hemet-netjer... There."

Judging from the direction in which he was motioning it appeared that he was trying to get me to focus on my brother's old room; Billy had the room across and slightly down the hall from mine. Kyle spoke up quickly, questioning him. Anapa responded in a matter-of-fact tone, at which point the Raven looked back to me. "He said we should start the investigation by searching Billy's room."

Medved snorted. "Niet. Let her rest first. Stefanika slept very little last night and spent the day traveling. There will be time for that after she has recovered."

Tom, who was surprisingly standing outside the house next to my window pushed his massive head through it before objecting. "There will be time for rest later... we must first be certain that this house is safe. If there is someone or something sacrificing energy to a Spirit here then we need to know that Stephanie is not at risk."

Once again, I was being pulled in different directions. Setting my backpack down on the bed I turned back to my companions and I--