Bernard had cleaned himself up and changed into a tunic and
pants that were more formal in nature and less covered with dirt. He made his
way down the steps but was stopped by the conversation that he overheard
happening on the first floor. Squints was discussing the trip with his sister
and Trent.
“It’s long past time Brooke. For this and many other things
to come to an end.” Squints stated with sadness in his voice.
“And what do we do if the truth returns everything back to
the way it was?” She asked worry in her voice.
“The truth may not be the best option, but nothing can turn
back time now. We have to deal with the way things are. And as unpleasant as it
will be, I think Squints is right.” Trent offered.
“It would be less unpleasant if you didn’t decided this all
needed to happen on a road trip to the other side of the planet.” Brooke pointed
out.
Bernard was confused, he had no clue what ‘truth’ they could
be talking about and whatever it was had to relate to him, and Squints had
offered to take him on his trip to the Minotaur cliff city.
“Brooke I’m not saying you shouldn’t be a part of this
process. I just think he’ll need proof, and some time to let it all sink in.”
Bernard couldn’t stand it any longer and came around the
corner. “Let what sink in?” He asked nonchalantly.
Brooke was holding back tears and forcing a smile on her face.
“That you’re not my baby brother anymore.” She explained.
Bernard returned the fake smile. “I haven’t been your baby
brother in a long time, not that I can remember but just based off my age you
had to have given up this “baby brother” thing years ago.”
He pointed out.
She got up and gave him a genuine hug. “We may be adults
now, but you’ll always be my baby
brother, and I will always love you.” He
returned he hug which lasted longer than any of their other hugs that he could
remember.
“Brooke I’m going to be gone for the summer, not the rest of
my life.” He pointed out. She reluctantly let go of him and made her way into
the kitchen.
“Yeah well. Neither if you is leaving till the morning,
Dinner will be ready soon and I want to hear all about the darkest night
celebration in the capitol.
Bernard listened along with Trent and Brooke as Squints
regaled them with tales of the winter festival from their previous home. The
food and the performances, the fireworks and the nightly celebrations of dance
and song. He knew that there was more than just the sadness of temporary
distance in his sisters heart and the fact that he could think of nothing but
his own lack of memory as the cause or some form of symptom of that sadness worried
him.
They ate dinner together and talked of old times. They told stories that Bernard had no real memory of but had heard so many times he could recite whole sections of them himself. He had initially been excited about his impending adventure with his friend, but try as he might he was unable to shake the feeling that his entire life would never been the same come tomorrow morning.
