Page 9 of Red River

The first time he arrived, he smiled at me and said, "Hi, Archer, look at you! You’ve grown so much. I told you, you’re going to be a big, big boy!" He shook my hand, and I held it a little longer, just like before.

This time, the atmosphere was lighter than before. By now, I was firmly part of their family, and people were more at ease around me, even if they still thought some of my behavior was a bit odd.

During one of River’s visits, I went outside, plucked an orange marigold from the neighbor’s yard, and brought it back.

Marching into the room where River and Sam were chatting over tea, I handed River the flower, got on one knee, and asked, "Will you marry me, River?"

River’s cheeks flushed a deep red as he looked down at the marigold in his hand.

"That’s a very nice offer, Archer, and I’d probably take you up on it if things were different. But, you see, I already have a husband."

"You can always leave him and live with me," I replied, crossing my arms.

River chuckled awkwardly. "But I love him. Thomas is a good husband and father. Don’t worry—you’ll find a nice omega someday when the time is right."

I felt a spark of irritation and snapped, "Your husband will disappear someday, and then you can come to me. I’ll marry you!"

Sam immediately intervened.

"Archer! That’s enough! How can you say something so rude? You shouldn’t wish bad things on other people. River has a family and his own life. You’re just a child, and he’s an adult. Cut this nonsense, or I’ll give you a good spanking!"

River didn’t seem angry—just confused. He smiled kindly and said, "You know, Archer, I have a big family. I’ve got two kids and hope to have more. It would be hard for you to take care of us all."

"I’ll have a big house someday," I declared confidently. "A really big one! My uncle is a beta, and he doesn’t have any children. He told me I’d inherit his house by the lake. We can all live there."

Sam couldn’t contain himself and snorted loudly.

"Oh, I doubt you’ll inherit it! Uncle Al favors your cousin Jan!" Then he grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room like the insolent child I probably was. He scolded me for a while and then forbade me from entering the room where River was.

Even though River visited a few more times that vacation, I only saw him briefly. Despite my inappropriate comments, he still smiled warmly at me every time.

The next time I saw River, I was just over eleven years old.

My behavior had changed—I was more reserved, no longer the impulsive child I had been before. Adolescence had stripped away some of that directness.

That summer, I was spending time at Sam’s house with my cousin Jan.

River arrived one morning with his three sons in tow. As we greeted each other, I noticed a slight flush on his face when herealized how much bigger I had gotten. By then, even though I was only eleven, I already stood taller than him.

We didn’t talk much that day. Sam, who hadn’t forgotten my outburst two years earlier, decided to tease me. "Well, look at that, Archer. Do you still plan to marry River someday? Look how big his family is—that’s a lot of responsibility!"

He and Jan laughed loudly, completely oblivious to how cringeworthy it was. Both River and I turned crimson. I didn’t respond, refusing to give him any reason to mock me further.

Later, Sam asked Jan and me to take River’s three sons to the guest room and keep them occupied. We showed them a computer game on my laptop, which entertained them for a while, while we discussed some action movies and other important teenage stuff.

Not long after that visit, my father got a promotion and moved across the country with my stepdad, taking me with them.

For years, I only saw Sam occasionally when he came for short holidays.

The last time I met River was when I was almost sixteen, visiting Sam on a short trip.

I remember the impression he made on me that evening. River arrived alone, without his kids, though his heavily pregnant belly made it clear he was days away from giving birth to his youngest son, Lake.

When I heard the doorbell, a rush of emotions hit me, but I was mature enough by then to know that my childhood dreams were silly.

Of course, River could never be mine. Looking back, my earlier behavior felt embarrassing and cringeworthy. But even so, a part of me still longed to see him, even if it was just one last time.

While Sam and River chatted over tea in the kitchen, I decided to leave the guest room and say hello.

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