“Since you fell asleep.” I frowned at him and he quickly added, “Clavin will not know the difference. He will feel rested. And those living here do not know.”
I didn’t ask why he’d waited to appear. I thought it might have to do with him having a little bit of pity for Clavin, but his reaction in the car made it obvious he didn’t want me seeing Clavin in a positive light. So I asked about something else that still wasn’t clear.
“What will you do once you have your companion?”
He sighed and closed his eyes. “I won’t need to hide who I am. I will talk to her and spend time with her freely.” He opened his eyes looking right at me.
“Why limit yourself to one family? There are millions of girls out there and you could probably be with one already.”
“Even in the beginning, nature had rules and limits. Made by nature, I too have rules and limits. Your race created so long after mine is off-limits to my kind unless invited. When Belinda’s father called on me, it was the invitation I needed but only to make a deal. As I’ve said, there were rules to that deal.”
“So, you’re stuck with me. Have you ever seen anyone else you liked? Maybe I could help you make a deal with them or something.” Something in his expression changed. I couldn’t tell if he was upset or laughing at me, so I added, “I’m not trying to get rid of you or get out of the deal or anything. I just don’t think it’s fair that you don’t have a choice when I do.”
He closed his eyes again. “I will make do. Dusk is soon. Be ready for Clavin.”
“Wait!” I squeaked scrambling to get out of the bed. No way did I want Clavin to wake up with me snuggled under the covers with him. I saw Morik quickly smother a grin and frowned at him. “Not nice,” I mumbled.
A moment later, he left. Clavin stretched with a yawn and I hurriedly ran my hands over my hair.
“You have to get up Clavin. I need you out of here in two minutes.” I darted my eyes toward the window. Light still shone, but dimmer. Morik was right. Dusk approached. I had about forty minutes before dark.
Clavin sat up and struggled out from under the blankets. “Thanks again, Tess,” he groggily acknowledged me. “I feel like I actually slept this time.”
“No problem. I hope you sleep better this week so you don’t have to drive all the way out here.” I walked to the bedroom door trying to hurry him along.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he looked up at me with a slightly hurt expression. “You’d rather not see me?”
“It’s not that Clavin. I just don’t think this is good for you. Coming here. I think you’re having bad dreams because you’re feeling guilty. I’m wondering if seeing me might just make it worse. I already forgave you. All you need to do is forgive yourself and I’m sure the dreams will stop.” I hoped Morik would hear and get the message.
Clavin nodded and stood, leaving my bed a rumpled mess. I wondered if I’d have time to change the sheets before dark. Did it really matter though when I’d been in it with him already?
I pulled open the door and led him out. The house didn’t smell like cooking food as it usually did. Not even the baked apple pie smell lingered. Everyone sat in the living room watching our tiny old television. From the sound of it, they focused on the evening news. We didn’t watch the news in our house. I understood what they were doing. They were making the house as unappealing as possible for lingering visitors. But why would they do that if they thought I’d made my choice?
I didn’t say anything, just walked to the coat hooks and handed Clavin his things. “Good luck,” I said quietly before he walked out the door. He nodded, but didn’t look back at me. I had a feeling I was seeing the last of Clavin.
I stayed by the door, peeking through the curtain high at the top of the door until his car pulled away. Turning, I faced three sets of eyes focused on me. Aunt Danielle lounged back in her chair, eyes closed, ignoring us all.
“He’s feeling guilty and not sleeping. I couldn’t say no.”
Gran shook her head while mom scowled at me. “Yes, you could have said no, you just chose not to. You’re wasting your time with him,” my mom flung out a pointed finger in a general direction indicating Clavin, “instead of trying to meet a boy…”
“Now, is not the time,” Gran interjected. Mom closed her mouth with an angry snap. Gran looked at me with a tender expression and I loved her more for her intervention. “Tess, there’s some food warming in the oven for you. Eat. You don’t have much time.”
I nodded and took a page from Danielle’s book. I ignored everyone for the remainder of the night.
In the morning, I walked to school freezing my butt off. Mom, still mad at me, left before I woke. Gran gave me an apologetic look when I saw her standing next to my bed holding breakfast. All this pressure to make a choice that I didn’t want to make weighed on me.