Birthday Party #2

After breakfast, I went to the swimming pool. We have our own, in the basement of the packhouse. It’s not big, but I love to swim a few lengths. I take off my clothes and forgot I didn’t bring a swimsuit. I chuckle, oh well - I’m the birthday boy today. I guess it’s fine. In my naked butt, I jump into the water.

“Adam! Are you seriously swimming naked? Others have to swim in there to, you know!” I hear Joshua’s voice. I look up and swim towards the edge of the pool. “Hey Joshua, nice to see you to. Jeah, I forgot to bring my swimming suit. How do you like my new style?” I answer him, lifting my body out the water.

“Noo noo noo! I don’t have to see! It’s fine.. I just came here to give you your present.’ Joshua said with his hands in front of his shocked face.

“Well, a present is a very important reason to dress in clothes, I think. You better look the other way if you don’t want to see me.” I jump out of the water and hurry to my pile of clothes. Joshua indeed has turned around. “Your present isn’t here, Adam. Follow me..”

“Wait!” I yell, “I’m not fully dressed yet..” I guess he doesn’t care, Joshua just keeps walking. I sigh. He will never change. I hurry and start walking in the direction he left, trying to put on my shoes. I hop around like a bunny and after 30 seconds I’m still bare feet and I’m not even close to Joshua. I guess I’m not good at this. I stand still and take the time to dress fully before I run after Josh.

The moment I stepped outside the building I hear a loud “SURPRISE!”. Bonnie and Joshua, mom and Marcus are standing close to a black-colored Dodge Ram pick-up truck.

“OH MY GOSH!! Are you freaking kidding me??” I yell while I jump around. “Is this truck for me??”

I look at Josh, he stands there with a huge smile on his face. “I told you, I couldn’t bring your gift inside?”

Mom walks upon me, and gives me a big hug. “This is yours, my darling. I know you are able to drive, already. But I want you to get your license first, do you copy?” She looks me in the eyes with a stern look. I nod. “Off course mom, but please… Can I try? Here, between our borders? I will bring Joshua, he has his drivers license already!”

Mom smiles and holds the key into the air. “Promise you will be careful, darling.” I grab the key out of her hand and say: “You know I grew the past few years, right. It’s not working anymore, holding stuff above your head..” I smile and give her a kiss on her forehead. “But I will momma, I’ll be careful. I promise.”

“Come on Josh, it’s time to try this beauty!”

---

I had a great morning, driving around in my new truck. Mom know I’m always careful, I hate being reckless. It’s dumb and stupid. But she couldn’t help herself to text Joshua four times in the hour we were gone. Mom is sweet, I love her to death.

After the excitement from this morning, I start feeling restless. It’s something I can’t explain. This morning, I woke up and felt incomplete. I thought it’s because of Eve missing, and ‘my family’ being incomplete. But I think it’s more. I can’t explain the feeling. I need to know.

I mindlink mom, asking were she is. I need to talk with her, she will know.

I walk to the backyard. Mom’s busy gardening, she loves to do so. I can see, she’s working in her vegetable garden. “There you are.” I say to her. “But mom, summer is over. What are you doing here?”

She looks up, with dirt all over her face, and smiles: “Adam, before winter starts, I need to prepare the ground. I need to fertilize and cover the ground so it will be ready when I start growing seeds in the spring.” She stands up and wipes a lock of hair out of her face. “But, that’s not why you’re here, right. Tell me. What are you worried about, son?”

I walk with her to the wooden bench on the side of her garden. We sit down and I start asking her: “Mom, it’s this feeling I have. I woke up feeling incomplete, I’m restless and I can’t say why. First I thought it was because of Eve not being here; she’s part of my family, you know. But it’s more. A more deeper feeling, if you know what I mean. Why am I feeling this way?”

Mom kept silence for a few minutes. I look at her face and it’s almost like she’s not here. “Mom?” I ask.

“Oh sorry, darling. I was lost in thoughts. Yes, I know what that kind of feeling is. The moment you turn sixteen, the link between mates are starting to form. The Moon Goddess made you a perfect mate, making you ‘complete and whole’. It’s your other half, together you’re one. This feeling, you have, is because your body wants to find his mate. He wants to be ‘complete’. This feeling will always be there, until you meet your mate. And even then, when your mate is away, the feeling will be back and start growing worse over time. That’s Goddess’ way of making sure you will always going to be together. Not being apart for more than a few days or weeks.”

Avery stops talking and a sad look appears on her face. She’s thinking about her mate, and how he was taken away from her after only two days. She’s terribly missing him and sometimes, the feeling is unbearable.

I think about what she said. “Why didn’t you explain to me before? I had no idea.”

“It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you, darling.” mom said. “But it made me think about my own mate. About your father. It reminds me of the pain I have, missing him. I’m sorry darling. I should have told you.”

I give her a side hug. “It’s fine. I understand.” I think about it for a while and ask her again: “But, there’s nothing I can do to make this feeling go away? Only to find my mate?” She nods. “That’s right. Find your mate and the restless feeling will be gone.”

---

More surprises were coming this day. For dinner, they arranged a big barbeque for the whole pack, to celebrate my sixteenth birthday. There were lights everywhere, hanging in the trees and between buildings. Also torches were put into the ground. It’s gorgeous. I look around and I'm happy. This is my family, my life. Everyone is happy and content. We have fun and dance on the country-style music I love. It’s almost perfect.

Marcus walks towards me and says: “Adam, it’s almost time. Are you ready for your first packrun?”

I nod. Oh yes, I’m so ready!