Episode Two Hundred and Two: Good-bye

Before I could say anything, Onyx beat me to it.

“I thought we weren’t leaving until tomorrow…” he said as he set his mug on the counter. “I wasn’t…”

“Sable obviously has things in order, and she deserves to have an afternoon free from working without us around. Plus, I’m feeling very energetic and want to make some progress on the drive.” Dad nodded like his decision was already set in stone. “I already packed my bags, which are by the door.”

His tone made it clear it’d be hard to change his mind.

I tried to get a good look at Onyx, but he just stood up and set his plate in the sink. His shoulders fell.

“Are you sure?” I asked. I had to try. “It’d be good to have ya’ll here today, plus you could always leave this evening, do some night driving.”

This time Onyx suddenly shook his head, turning around. “A storm is coming in this afternoon.”

“See, perfect time for us to hit the road.” Dad smiled brightly before finishing his mug of tea. “Onyx just needs to pack.”

Onyx headed out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Each footstep somehow felt louder than the last.

“Dad, you sure?” I asked one last time. “I really would love to spend more time with ya’ll.”

His smile softened, and he placed a hand on my knee. “I know pumpkin, but we can’t be around all the time, and truly I’m feeling fantastic this morning. Getting some miles in before the storm is the best.”

I sighed, but said nothing else.

“You should call mom, she’d love to hear from you. I texted her this morning that we were leaving today.” He patted my knee twice then removed his hand. “It’s good to see you find a place you belong, though we all miss you.”

“I miss you guys, too.” I didn’t know what to say, especially since he was dead set on leaving early. 

“This is part of growing up and leaving the nest, though I didn’t think you’d go quite so far…” 

Heavy footfalls from the stairs caused my Dad to stand, and I pursued.

“I’m sorry we’re leaving you with the dishes, but you know I hate long goodbyes.” He rolled his eyes. “Not like your mother. We need to say we're leaving an hour before we do, since she just always lingers.”

“I’m gonna take the bags out to the car,” said Onyx, peeking around the corner. “Ah, you can’t join me… Fine, but you better not run off.”

“Bet that’s Indigo,” I muttered.

“I love that cat,” Dad said, all serious. “When you leave this job, you better bring her home with you.”

“Don’t worry, Indigo is stuck with me.” Probably for the rest of my life, but I didn’t add that. Not yet anyway. “She’s still young yet.”

“Friendly cats are hard to find… That black one is a good one too, but it sounds like he stays with the store.” 

“Oh, I didn’t realize you spent any time with him…” I added, trying to think of when I saw the two of them together.

“Back inside. I know the snow is exciting, but you’ll eventually get cold even with all that fur,” said Onyx from the doorway. “Sable, come get your crazy cat!”

I hurried in that direction and snagged Indigo from Onyx’s arms. Her paws were cold.

“Cat’s shouldn’t like playing in the snow,” grumbled Onyx. Somehow, the knees of his pants were damp like he’d fallen in the snow.

“What happened?” I asked, glancing out the door at the tracks. The sidewalk had been cleared, the same around the car, yet someone had gone stomping through the yard after some much smaller tracks. Cat-like tracks.

“Nothing…”

Dad joined us. “How did you get wet? I already cleaned the car…”

Onyx just shook his head. “I started the car to warm it up, and I spotted the cooler in the back…”

“Just hugs then,” added Dad before he warped his arms around both of us. Indigo chirped in my arms and snuggled closer to me.

Pine and sea salt surrounded me for a moment until he pulled away, then headed out the door, leaving me with Onyx and Indigo.

Onyx stepped closer. “Don’t worry, he’s just being Dad…”

Then he wrapped me in a quick hug, over in just a second.

“I hope so…” My arms tightened around Indigo.

“At least you have plenty of french toast left,” he said with a chuckle. “It will all work out…”

“We’ll see,” I said with a shrug.

“Onyx!”

“Coming!” he hollered back. “Dad…”

“Yep, drive safe.”

He nodded, then headed out.

I stood next to the open door, the cold air biting my face before it suddenly cut off. The sunlight reflected off the snow as the car pulled away. Finally, it vanished behind some trees and I shut the door, ignoring the tears rolling down my cheeks.

“Thanks, Betty…” I added as I headed to the kitchen. It was nice not needing to feel the cold.

“Breakfast!” Indigo leaped from my arms and shifted into her real form, wings catching the air. 

By the time I turned around the corner, the Cat and Indigo both sat on the island with plates in front of them. The french toast had been kept warm by Betty.

“Well, your brother can cook,” muttered the Cat.

I started laughing and couldn’t stop for a minute, the laughter mixing with the tears that were still trickling down at the abrupt departure. Then, I grabbed a stool as both the tears and laughter faded.

“Did that all really happen?” I asked as the two of them ate food. At least they could have a normalish meal, even if it was closer to lunch-time than breakfast.

Indigo cut the French toast up in small bites, but not as neat as I did, while the Cat took his weird bites of food.

“They were here, that was real,” added the Cat after a few moments.

I snagged my latte, which was also still warm, and sipped on it, savoring the flavor.

“I guess I need to call my mom today…”

“Tell her, Dad less sick…” chirped Indigo.

I paused, and it took a moment for me to respond.

The Cat glared at the small dragon, as though she shouldn’t have said anything.

“What?” I asked, turning to look fully at the Cat, and expecting an answer.