Tales from the Petrichors / Chapter 24

This chapter contains a pet death and a sad theme.

Goodbye, My Friend

Zara’s phone buzzed on the desk, making her glance up from her novel. “Hello?”

“You sound tired, darlin’. Still writing hard?”

“Baako,” she smiled at the familiar voice. “I’ve written hundreds of books by now, and not a single one is a best seller. I think I’m just gonna give up and focus on my family.”

“Now, don’t go makin’ rash decisions.” He responded; she could hear the frown in his voice. “Say, why don’t I head down there and we can grab some lunch.”

“I could use the break,” she commented. After agreeing on a place and time, Zara headed out to meet up with her old friend. He was already inside the diner, ordering some coffee.

“Darlin’, you look beautiful as always!” He complimented, pulling her into a tight hug. “If only all of us could age so well.”

Zara chuckled, returning the hug. “You’ve aged fine!”

“What are you getting?”

She tapped her chin as she looked at the menu. “Well, the key lime pie is supposed to be really good. I can review it for work!”

“Sounds good to me!” The pair grabbed a table and waited for their pie to be delivered, catching up on what’s happened since they last spoke.

Upon returning home, she heard the baby crying and sighed, heading into the baby’s room. Riley was panicking, trying to get her sibling to quiet down, but she didn’t know what to do.

Zara patted her shoulder and picked up the baby, changing her diaper before grabbing a bottle and feeding her. Just as she was setting Kori back into the crib, she heard Riley screaming for her from the next room over.

“What’s wrong, Riley?” She called as she exited the baby’s room.

“It’s Captain! He’s not moving!”

Zara’s heart stopped as she rushed into the bathroom, finding her beloved companion on the bathroom floor. She swallowed hard, shooing Riley from the bathroom before shutting the door.

The reaper came and went, taking Captain’s soul with him. Zara broke down, barely able to contain her sobs. She knew she had to be strong for her child, but Captain had been with her since she was a small child – it was like losing a part of herself.

But Riley was no idiot – she knew full well what was happening. Seeing the reaper probably didn’t help.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Karson questioned as he entered the kitchen from the garage after finishing his daily workout.

She tried to form words, but the only thing that passed Riley’s lips were soft sobs. Karson immediately brought her into his arms.

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“It’ll be okay, sweetheart.” He murmured softly, increasing his grip on her.

“What about mom?” She sobbed.

Karson frowned, knowing how hurt she must be. If he listened closely, he could hear the cries that she tried so hard to hide. “Give her some space. She’ll be okay, I promise.”

Kori started to cry again and Karson rushed into her room to soothe her. Riley sat at the table, writing her melancholy little heart out.

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