Page 46 of The Mentor
“Really?” My voice rose slightly in surprise. “And did he?”
Her eyes softened. “He took me outside, but we didn’t go to your cabin.”
I stayed quiet, eager to hear how Magni had handled a sensitive situation like that.
“He taught me about the constellations of the stars and we talked about how people have lived on this planet for thousands of years and what happens to us when we die.”
“Magni talked to you about death?”
“Yes, and he held my hand so I didn’t feel so alone.”
I was picturing the giant man sitting on the bench outside the school holding hands with Mila and philosophizing about life-and-death.
“And then what?”
“Then he carried me back to bed,” she smiled. “And he didn’t even get mad when I kissed him on his cheek.”
“You kissed Magni?”
“Yes, I think he liked it,” Mila said and added in a sad voice, “I don’t think he gets many kisses.”
“No, I don’t think he does,” I agreed.
“Maybe that’s why he’s grumpy so often?” the girl pondered out loud.
“Could be.” I let out a deep breath and yawned. “How about we get some sleep? We have that long run tomorrow.”
She nodded and found a comfortable spot under my arm, resting her head on my chest.
“Good night, Kya.”
“Good night, darling.”
We fell into silence for a few minutes until she suddenly spoke up again. “You know what Magni told me?”
“No.”
“He said that I was lucky…” Mila paused. “…His father died three years ago, but he doesn’t miss him. I don’t think his father was a very nice man. Magni told me I was lucky to have a mother to miss, you know, because it’s a sign that I had a mother who loved me and was worth missing.”
“That’s a good point.” I twirled a lock of her hair around my finger.
“Do you miss your mom?” she asked.
“Sometimes, but I’m used to not seeing her. She’s a singer and she travels all the time, which is probably for the best since we don’t agree on much.”
“But you love her, right?”
“Of course,” I said.
“Was she sad that you were moving here?”
“You would think that, but my mom has always been adventurous and spontaneous herself, so she didn’t try to hold me back.”
“When I grow up, I want to be adventurous and spontaneous too,” Mila announced.
“Be careful about that,” I warned. “I take after my mother and it has gotten me in trouble lately.”
“What kind of trouble?”
