The Longed One

8-Your Father

I came to the passage way."Are you ready?""No."Then I walked through.

We came to the court room.The representitive judge sat down in his seat and we settled too."Mother of Abelia Lyndon and father of Abelia Lyndon,you may leave the court room."

I looked at them both."Wh-Why are they leaveing,your honor?"My parents walked out of the room."Now I am asking you,Abelia Lyndon,who do you want to stay with for the majority of your underage life?"

"Your honor,I don't want to choose a side.I didn't even want them to get divorced."He sighed."Ms.Lyndon you have to make a choice.Both of your parents are perfectly suitable to be our guardian.It's all up to you."

"Your honor,with all due respect,do you think it's so easy for a kid at my age to make such a big decision?Because it's not!"The court therapist came over."The court can be postponed,dear.You don't have to make a decision now.You will have to do it eventually."

I rolled my eyes and wiped the entirity of my face with my sleeves."No one could be equally suitable for the same position,your honor.So I'm asking you,which one of them is more suitable?Who would you put me with if I was not old enough to make the decision you're making me make?"

"Your father.""Then my father.Now if you could dismiss me,I'd like to leave."He nodded."Dismissed."I walked out of the court room.

"Abelia,sweetheart.""Linden?"I shook my head and walked away.I went into town.Everybody is so lovely.They're all so familiar.I missed coming into town.

I stopped by the herb shop."Abelia.What can I do for you today,sweetie?"I smiled."Hi."I looked around."I'm looking for Lavande Noire,linden,rosehip,sage,pomegrante flower petals,heather leafs and hibiscus."

"Quite the list you got here,Abelia.Going away for a while?"I nodded."Well give me a a few minutes.You go sit down at the front.I'll bring some tea for you."I nodded with a smile and walked out to the front.

Mrs.Meeks came with my supplies and a hot cup of tea."You usually come with your dad.Where is Mr.Lyndon?"I sighed."You already called him didn't you,Mrs.Meeks?"

She sat down next to me."I had to,sweetie.I was concerned when you showed up without your dad."I nodded."Is he coming or not?""He's not.He said he knew why you would run away and that he'd be waiting for you at home."

"In that case..."I got the mug from her."Mind if I stick around a little longer,Mrs.Meeks?"

Mrs.Meeks and I go way back.I was about four when we met.My dad was dropping off some herbs for Mr.&Mrs.Meeks.I tagged along.

Ever since then,Mr&Mrs.Meeks kinda became my grandparents.All four of my grandparents died way before I was even born.Three to two years to be exact.

It was getting kind of late."It's getting really late sweetie.I'll get Mr.Meeks and we can get you home.Ok?"I smiled."I don't want to cause any trouble.I'll go on my own.Thank you for the tea and the chat,Mrs.Meeks.It was wonderful to see you again."

I came home and dad was sleeping on the couch.I put a blanket over him and went to bed.I called Reggie.

"Sorry I couldn't answer.""You ran off.I know that you don't want me to ask you why.I am trying to respect that but...you're making it so hard for me."

"I'm coming back tomorrow morning.And thank you for at least trying.But I'll tell you after the tour.Believe me it's for the best if I do that."

Then my phone rang."Reggie,I'll call you later.Ok?""Good night,Lia."I sighed."Good night,Reg."I hung up and answered Reed's facetime.

(Reed's pronouns are they/them)

"Grandma said you weren't in the mood to talk to anyone but I figured I'd be an exception."I rolled my eyes with a smile."Of course I can make an exception for you,Reed."

"How's everything?You seemed..."

"Unsure?Upset?Mad?Unlike myself?Yeah...I know."I realized the background.It seemed almost too familiar."Are you-"I turned my head over and they were at my window.

I let them in."What are you doing here?!Are you crazy?!"They rolled their eyes and say down on my armchair."Reed it's almost midnight.""Right around the time you try to use your powers and get mad at yourself for no fucking reason."

I sat down on my bed with a pouty face."Now now.I'm not judging you.You know that."I nodded."I know that.It doesn't help that you don't judge.People will."

"I've heard a couple things about you going on a tour with that tool."I scoffed."Reed.""Lia,I don't trust him.I know things that you don't.I go to school with him."

"Soon,so will I.I'm about to be fourteen.After this summer I'm coming to Acula.Just like you.Just like him."

"I didn't mean to make you mad.I'm just warning you.Again."

We sat in silent for a while."Want me to help you?"I nodded."I'd like that."

We got down on the floor and placed a flowerpot between us.They raised their hands in the air.I placed both of mine on their's.

"Please don't do it for me.I want to do it myself."Reed nodded."Of course."I tried with their help to make the daisies bloom but...it didn't work.