Grubb 3

"So why didn't you just say something two nights ago when I came in. Maybe a quick little, 'Hi, Sebastian. I'm your half-sister, and I can take you straight to our dead dad?' That might have saved me some time."

Peggy laughed, and I felt a bit better in that moment. The common room for the inn was empty, my bag was packed, and my cab was almost there. I was tempted to say that the entire trip felt like a dream, but that couldn't have been any less true. In fact, it had felt more real than anything else in my entire life. Still, my vacation was over; it always had to have an end.

"I was just nervous. How do you just tell somebody something like that? I barely was able to contain myself, trust me. I practically wanted to run as far away as I could. I had been counting down the days until you would be showing up. This, naturally, explains the reservation book's little decoration."

This time it was my turn to laugh. I hadn't done much of that in months. I watched Peggy as she leaned up against the counter. In that moment I felt more at home in that damn inn than I had at home since the accident. I wanted to say something, anything, to Peggy at that moment, but the sharp sound of a honk filled my ears.

"That sounds like your cab."

It did, and my heart dropped. I didn't know exactly how to say goodbye after something like this, and instead just said the first thing that came to mind.

"Thank you, Peggy."

None of the millions of other words I was thinking actually escaped. I could tell that she knew just what I had meant. No fanfare, I grabbed at my bag and gave my newfound sister one last glance. I had almost gotten to the front door when her voice stopped me.

"Don't take another twenty-four years to visit this time, okay? You're always welcome in Kingshearth. Maybe next time I'll be able to give you the full tour."

I had to admit, the thought was tempting. With all the impending dread gone, the whole place just seemed brighter. Happier. It was definitely a different place than it had been yesterday. I actually looked forward to a tour, to see the sights. Fresh air, friendly people, a real community; in so many ways, it was the opposite of back home. LA had its merits, no doubt, but the charm of Kingshearth had grown on me, even just in my memory.

I finally shoved open the front door and was greeted, no so politely, by the cab driver. Naturally it was the same guy that had taken from the airport. I just smiled and said a few quick words to him. He seemed a bit disgruntled, but when I slipped a twenty into his hand he simply shrugged and made his way over to the car.

Peggy nearly jumped when I slapped on the counter. Her eyes seemed to shine when she saw me. I was sure that I was glowing too.

"I think I'm gonna be needed a room, miss. Also, how about I take you up on that tour offer right now?"

"I'd like that."

We just looked at one another for a moment until at last I was able to say what I truly wanted to.

"Peggy, tell me about our father."


Okay, and there's the story. Not too long or anything, just a short story I wrote for school. For anybody who read it, I hoped you liked it. It's very different from my usual stuff, but that's a good thing in my opinion. I'm actually starting to pen a story that I plan on throwing up on the website soon, more of a combination of my old style with this story here. We'll see how it goes. Until I finish that, though, like always: read, review, enjoy, and, if possible, go hug your parents. You may never know how long they'll be there, so cherish them every moment you can.