Page 48 of Dryad, Try Again
“Share why you’ve been here every night this week.”
I shrug and stare at the carrots floating in my bowl. “Can’t a guy visit and help his great aunt? His only family?”
“Yes, and as your only family, I need to let you know, you’re not hiding the way you feel.”
My throat goes dry despite the hearty stew before me. Aunt Hannah puts her hand over mine, and I gaze at her. “Talk to me, Tanner.”
I force a smile. “Nothing to talk about.”
“Well, tell me how’s school?”
I shrug and glance at my food. “I’m doing alright grades-wise.”
“Good to hear. How’s Kovi?” I wince before I can help myself. “Bingo,” she mutters with a victorious smirk. “I know boy troubles when I see them.”
“There’s nothing with me and Kovi.”
“Really?” she asks in a skeptical tone.
“Really.” I’ve always been shit at lying to Aunt Hannah. I eat more stew to avoid my cruddy attempts at bluffing. When I take a breath and put the spoon down, I sense the truth bubbling to the surface. “There’s nothing…anymore.”
“Oh? He seemed to like you,” she replies. I glance at her and furrow my eyebrows. “I’m old, not dead. I know what a crush looks like, even between two young men.”
“He’s a monster, I’m a human.”
“Unimportant details,” she says, waving her hand around. We both snicker, then she places her hand on mine again. “Something’s eating you up inside. I’m worried about you, sweetie. What did Kovi do to you?”
My eyes sting and I stare at her hand. “He didn’t do anything to me.”
“It’s okay if a boy doesn’t want to date you, there are plenty of monster fish in the sea.”
I laugh. “It’s not that. We’vebeendating.”
“Aw, so he dumped you?”
“No.” I sigh and look away. “He’s amazing. I’m the one that ruined it.”
“That doesn’t sound like my Tanner. Sweetie, maybe I can help. You can talk to me about anything.”
I nod and gaze at my aunt. The love I feel for her is so strong. She’s been my shelter for years, and now I could really use her sage wisdom. So, after taking a deep breath, I proceed to tell her a truncated version of how I freaked out with Kovi. I explain our childhood and catch her up on the present, naturally leaving out some of the naughtier elements.
“Ah, I see. So, you’ve known this monster boy for quite some time.”
I miss him so much it hurts. “Yeah. And now he won’t even talk to me. Can’t say I blame him.”
“Aw, sweetie. I’m making us some tea.” Aunt Hannah gets up to fix up the mugs while I finish my meal. The delicious meat doesn’t absolve the heartache, but it’s a comforting flavor palate. Two minutes later, she’s back with two piping hot beverages.
We sit there for a minute in silence, listening to the ticking of the old clock on the wall. After Aunt Hannah takes a sip, she studies me. “It sounds like you’re afraid of this tree monster boy.”
I sigh with a smile. “I’m not afraid ofhim, per se. It’s just…”
“He brings back a dark memory. But Tanner, we can’t be held responsible for our traumas.”
I sit back. “But you didn’t see the look on his face, Aunt Hannah. I devastated him. I called him a nightmare.” My eyes sting and I fixate on the hot steam floating out of my mug. I recall so vividly the hurt on Kovi’s face. “I don’t blame him for not wanting to talk to me.”
After another sip, Aunt Hannah places her drink down. “So then you’ve decided. He’s not worth the trouble.”
“Huh?”
