Once there was Darkness

Frego, Violet, Kessa, and Kol were having dinner to celebrate Frego’s 22nd birthday. To and Jolla had gone all out decorating the garden. Jolla was becoming an amazing cook.

Violet and Frego had gotten very close since their return. So close that Max was training another new Bejhar.

“Dad,” Frego’s voice filled the night air. Kol had gotten lost in thought. He looked up smiling. Kessa met his smile. “Why don’t we ever celebrate your birthday?”

Kol’s face became blank. The air sucked out of his lungs. His heart stopped beating. How was he going to answer this question and not trip over his tongue? ‘Guide my words, Lord.’ He prayed before speaking. Kessa held his hand. “A lot happened on my birthday. Some joyous. Some not.”

At that moment, his mother stumbled into the garden. Frego leaned over the table, “I think she’s drunk.”  

She hit the table with force trying to keep from falling. Jolla brought an extra chair for her. She erupted in laughter as she sat down, pointing at each person around the table, “now this is what I call a party.” She continued laughing.

“Looks like you started celebrating early.” There was no inflection in Kol’s voice when he spoke.

“Someone has to celebrate around here.” She waved her arms wildly in the air. “What happened to all the wine that used to be in the palace? Wine!” She shouted, pounding the table.

“It was given to the temple. It is not a necessary part of palace expenses.”

His mother laughed, “how do you intend to entertain kings if you don’t have wine.”

“When the occasion calls for it, it will be provided.”

She giggled, burped, put her hand over her mouth in a vain attempt to be polite. “Ooops,” she continued to giggle. “Are you afraid that you or Frego,” she pointed at him. “Will be like your father and turn to drink. I mean, this job does have its problems.” She burped again. “Sleepless nights, demands beyond measure, bicker, bicker, bicker.” She flopped her hand back and forth on the table each time she said ‘bicker’ and it reminded Kol of a fish that was trapped on the beach after the tide went down. “I’m amazed truly that you haven’t taken up some horrid habits yourself to cope. Wine, food, women.” She looked at Kessa and laughed. Kol was still holding Kessa’s hand. “A woman.” His mother continued laughing. She stood, stumbling. “You would think the party for two birthdays would be greater than one.” Laughter cut through the night as she stumbled out of sight.

Kol got up from the table and walked in the opposite direction.

Frego got up to go after his dad.

“Let him be. He’s not ready yet.” Kessa added.

Frego spoke as he sat back down, “the flowers. Every year he gets flowers. They are from you.”

“They are.”

“I don’t understand. Does he not want to share this day with me?”

“No, that’s not it at all. You are the light of his world.” Kessa felt Kol’s presents behind her long before he put his hands on her shoulders.

“You are the joyous moment that I spoke of.” Kessa reached up and touched his hand. “This day floods me. It shakes me.” He took a deep breath. Kessa guided his hand toward his seat. She knew once he started talking, he would stumble. He accepted her guidance and sat still holding her hand. “Your grandfather died on this day.” Kol thought before he spoke. “I’m the one that found him. We weren’t like me and you,” he pointed at Frego. “Or Kessa and Rajaf. But I went to him first. He was dad.” He got lost in the memory of finding his dad. The state of his body. He looked at Frego, “you are the only good thing that ever happened on this day.”