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The Gift

Stephanie's Storyline, Chapter 9.5

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Anapa was obviously interested in hearing about what Human Kyle had to say about the ordeal-- but it also helped that they could each phrase their suggestions without anyone else hearing, which is exactly what my Raven Spirit did. "Ask her what Kyle told her about that day... and why she thinks he's changed so much."

Tom's suggestion was much more personal. "Was she at the funeral? Ask her about her impression of it."

Medved said nothing, simply resting a hand on my shoulder for continued support. He wanted to let me make up my own mind; he had faith that I would be able to get the most out of my time with Kyle's mom. I understood Tom's suggestion about being more personal. "Were you at the funeral, Mrs. Harrison? I mean, I saw Kyle... what'd you think of it?"

There was a slight pause from the end of the other line before Mrs. Harrison replied "Oh yes. I brought Kyle. It was lovely."

The Raven spirit across from me at the table made a sour face and stated "She actually dropped Kyle off and picked him up after the service."

Having run into a social roadblock my thoughts came to a halt as I tried to figure out how to restart the questions. I figured continuing on the personal approach would be the best way to go. "I... um... I didn't stay for the whole thing. It was too hard."

Medved gave me a gentle squeeze on the shoulder at the same time my mom reached across the table and took hold of my hand. Kyle's mom let out a soft sigh. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Stephanie. I can't even begin to guess what it's like for you and your family."

My mom spoke up at that. "We're taking it one day at a time. It's... difficult at times, but--"

Before my mom could shift the tangent I cut back in. "What about Kyle? How's he doing with all of this?"

I could tell there was concern in her voice. "Well... he lost one of his best friends, but you know teenage boys. I suppose he's coping in his own way."

I glanced at the Raven spirit before asking my next question. "You said that he's changed? How so?"

Mrs. Harrison let out a sigh. "Well... it's just the little things... you know?"

"Like what?"

My mom gave my hand a squeeze and offered an expression that suggested she thought I was being too nosy, but I didn't withdraw the question. After a moment, Kyle's mom answered it. "Well, Stephanie, you know that Kyle was there at the river when-- when it happened. I have him seeing some help at the mental health clinic twice a week. He's a little more withdrawn, which the doctors tell me is to be expected... and he doesn't leave the house now except to go to school, and occasionally with Aiden. You know Aiden, right?"

My mom answered for me. "Of course-- the third member of the musketeers. Those three were inseparable."

It was a call back to the final year the boys went trick-or-treating; they had gone as Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, the three musketeers. Both moms shared a long sigh while I fought with some tears that really wanted to get away from me. Kyle's mom pulled me back to the moment with a question. "You know, Stephanie, Kyle's birthday is coming up in October... I'm sure it'd mean a lot to him if you could stop by if you're in town around then."

It took everything I had to keep my voice from cracking. "I-- um... ah... we'll see. I'm pretty busy at work and I--"

She interjected. "It's alright... just an open invitation. No obligation."

Even though she couldn't see it I nodded my thanks, not trusting words as I choked up. I had thought I'd be able to handle talking to Kyle's mom but I was wrong; too many thoughts and memories came flooding into my head and I pushed my chair back, stepping away from the table as the tears began to leak. Although all four Spirits turned to watch me leave they were all kind enough to give me space as I retreated into the living room.

Somewhere in the background I could hear my mom explaining my departure to Mrs Harrison but I was so caught up in my own thoughts I didn't really give it much consideration. I sat down on the armrest of the sofa, staring out the living room's front window and taking in the sights of the front yard. Even as I tried to steady my mind I couldn't help but remember that the window had always been Billy's favorite place in the early morning before school, staring out of it like he was getting ready for the day by seeing what was to come.

Strangely enough, that thought entered my mind and stuck there as my attention was pulled to a man walking down the sidewalk. I murmured as I looked at him. "What?"

His skin was dark and most of his long, black hair was pulled back behind his head in a ponytail but several strands were loose, hanging down either side of his face with what looked like ceramic beads woven into them. He had an EMT uniform on but from my position by the window it looked like he was wearing some kind of leather moccasins. Although any of that could easily have been overlooked the one thing that was impossible to miss was the faint swirl of black fog flowing around him which, if I was seeing it correctly looked like it was flowing out of and into the palm of his right hand.

My Spirits, who came to me the moment I spoke all followed my gaze. Kyle spoke up first. "That is the man... the one who came to get Billy."

Tom did not seem pleased by the sudden appearance of the mysterious man. "He has a Spirit with him, Nekedeh... and we are not prepared."

As the Rhino spoke it became obvious that the man saw not only me through the window, but my Spirits as well. Anapa took a step forward, interposing himself between me and the paramedic, running a single finger across the window and leaving a softly glowing purple line of energy as he drew some kind of sigil on it. The rune made the man pause and the smoke swirling around him recoiled.

I jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned around to see my mom. "Are you alright, Honey?"

Glancing over my shoulder I looked to the paramedic who remained standing where he was just beyond the front yard. My mom took notice of him and made some casual remark about passerbys before closing the blinds; she led me physically away from the window but my mind stayed there thinking about the significance of the man outside. Was he waiting? Was he planning? I didn't know, and that didn't sit well with me.

She must have taken my silence that morning as reflection brought on by the phone call but she gave me my space. When we sat down for lunch my dad filled me in on his progress with the emergency medical transportation provider. Apparently, according to their administrative assistance William Smith is on duty all day today but they have a request in so hopefully either he'll give me a call today or at least I'll hear from a supervisor."

Kyle called from the living room. "Or he'll stop by for a visit... he's still out there."

I hadn't expected the day was going to be straight forward when I woke up and, as we sat there eating lunch I was fairly certain that I'd underestimated the day; things were even more complicated than I'd first presumed.