Chapter 32: The 8th Month - How the Stars Fall
By Sarah C. Davies
“My sister is pregnant.” The wooden rocking chair creaked under Ryker’s weight as he rocked back and forth. “I’m going to be an uncle.”
His eyes roamed the field to the left of the porch. “And the sunflowers have finished. The cold autumn winds are bringing the winter to my doorstep. I wonder if the lake will freeze over this year.”
Rust tinted rum swirled in his glass. The liquid that left a burning trail down his throat warmed his stomach, but he still wore a coat. “How are Soliel and Tierra? I bet they’re happy to have you home.”
Ryker knew he should go and visit his friends, Chester and Pippa. Probably Pete too. He was the one who saved Ryker’s life after all. He’d found Pete a well-paying chef’s position at an inn located in Sunriver. Close to his folks’ place. It was the least he could do.
“Did you tell your sisters about how you nearly stole a peach from the fruit stall that one time?” Ryker chuckled. “I’ll never forget the look on your face when that boy asked you to pay for it.”
The rocking chair creaked again. Ryker flicked his gaze to the matching chair on his right. “Do you think of me?”
Calloused fingertips, worn down from hard work, brushed against the oak armrest. After Ryker had finished his canoe, he’d set about making matching rocking chairs to sit on his front porch. One was worn already—the other had yet to be sat in. “There’s not a day that passes by that I don’t think of you,” he whispered.
Ryker finished his rum and rose from his chair, pausing at the steps that led to the gardens. His russet eyes took to the sky. “I miss you . . . Goodnight, little star.”