Gran found her voice. “Chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, baby carrots and pie for desert.”
“I’ve never before smelled food so tempting.”
Gran gave a small smile and stepped to the side to motion to a chair. “Please have a seat.”
I sat next to Morik through a stilted dinner. As usual, the food was delicious even if the portions were a little small. I hadn’t warned Gran we’d have company. Morik didn’t seem to mind. He ate with perfect table manners. I wasn’t sure what I had expected, but it wasn’t what I saw.
By the time Gran served the pie, mom had regained some of her color. I didn’t blame her for her worry. I had the benefit of talking to Morik through familiar faces the first few times I met him. If our initial introduction had been face to face, it would have been a severe shock. Fine, I probably would have run screaming. They all handled it much better than I would have.
After his last bite of pie, Morik thanked Gran for dinner and then looked at mom. She cringed when his eyes met hers, but didn’t look away. “With your permission I’d like to take Tessa out for a little while.”
Mom tried speaking, but had to clear her throat. “Where?”
“Just out in the front yard. In sight of this house.”
Mom nodded reluctantly. I wasn’t sure who to feel sorry for. Morik because people only looked at him when they wanted something, or my mom because she struggled to do what I wanted even when everything in her wanted to take me and hide me away.
Before leaving, I helped clear the table for a change. Morik stayed out of the way, watching us move. When we’d cleared everything, everyone, except Aunt Danielle, quietly stood by the table as we put on our jackets. I glanced at the clock. Dusk. Too many years of rules drilled into my head had me hesitating at the door.
Morik reached around me, turning the knob. Close to my ear, he said, “I’ll keep you safe.”
I stepped into the dusk with Morik close behind me. My feet wouldn’t carry me any further than the front step as my eyes drifted to the darkening horizon.
The sound of the door closing behind me startled me. The last time I’d been out at this time, I’d been running all out for the door with a green-eyed shadow thing chasing me. Tension skittered along my spine. Sure, I knew Morik now, sort of, but it didn’t mean I wanted to see him like that again. I forced myself to look over my shoulder. No green-eyed shadow. Relief flooded me. Morik watched me closely with his curious eyes. He’d replaced the cap, but tucked the glasses in his pocket.
“Look up,” he said quietly.
I did and saw the first stars twinkling in the twilight. As I watched the sky fill with the sparkling lights, I made a heartfelt wish. Morik seemed nice, minus the whole Clavin thing. Nice people… er, beings deserved friends. Although I didn’t want to be that friend forever, my wish was to be enough of a friend to help him find what he sought.
He stepped next to me, tilting his head back to look at the sky with me. “Are they as you remember?”
“Yes. Thank you,” I said looking at him.
He met my gaze. “Would you like a ride to work tomorrow?”
Darting my eyes toward his bike, I inwardly sighed before nodding. “That’d be great.” At least now, I knew what to expect and could dress in layers.
“Thank you for this evening,” he said looking toward the front window. I followed his gaze and caught the curtain moving. “It wasn’t easy for them.”
“I’m glad you came. And thanks for knocking.”
He grinned fully with a mischievous look in his crystal eyes. “I’ve popped in announced before and learned that knocking is a necessary custom.”
The sight of his sharp lower teeth caused my heart to skip a beat.
Pulling his glasses out of his pocket, his grin faded. “Good night, Tessa.” He opened the front door for me holding it until I stepped inside.
“Night,” I rushed to say as he closed it.
He nodded once acknowledging it before the door clicked shut.
My stomach sank as I realized my reaction to his teeth had hurt his feelings. Outside, I heard the bike start and peeked out the window just in time to see him pull away. I wondered where he went. It couldn’t be far since he said he was always near.
“I don’t care what deal you made. I’d feel a lot safer if we close up now,” Mom said from behind me.
I nodded and went to take a shower needing to think. If I was going to be his friend, I needed to get over our differences and really start to get to know him. Once I knew him better, I’d know what type of person he’d get along well with and start my search. With my birthday not far away, I didn’t have much time.
Chapter 9
Sun streamed into my room landing right on my face. I scowled and rolled over.
“Up, lazy girl!” Aunt Danielle called from the doorway. “Morik is in the kitchen waiting for you.”