Evelyn
Four years later…
So here weare in Lapland, Finland to see the Northern Lights. On my back, I’m carrying Margaret. Sean is carrying Seth, and Logan is holding Kenneth’s hand.
We’re walking through a forest and it’s almost dark.
“Do you actually know where the cottage is?” I ask Logan. “Sean, do you know?”
Neither Sean nor Logan knows where we are. Our fearless leaders are now stone quiet.
“Get it together boys, the sun is going down,” I say.
No one answers me. We’re cold and famished.
“I don’t mean to complain but this is not the “glamping” trip that you promised me,” I say.
“Come on Evelyn, the cottage is just around the corner,” Sean says.
I’m so exhausted, I can’t take another step.
“Let’s make a nice place to sit down guys. Mommy packed us a nice lunch.”
Logan and Sean looked relieved.
“Here let me take Margaret off your shoulders,” Logan says.
“Thanks,” I say.
My little family sits down in the woods as I empty out my tote bag filled with food. There are small sandwiches for the children and some huge sandwiches for Logan and Sean. I also pass out apple juice for everyone.
“I’m going to go a couple of miles ahead of you guys so see if the cottage is out there. I don’t want to drag everyone over the hill. I’ll be right back, family,” Sean says.
Before we can say anything, Sean is gone. Logan and I keep the kids busy. I begin to worry because the sun is going down. We pull the children closer and play a game with them so that they don’t notice we are almost immersed in darkness.
After a while Logan and the children fall asleep. I don’t know what we’re going to do. Sean should have been back by now. I feel dread in my gut. Things are going from bad to worse. Logan opens his eyes and gives me a wink.
“It’s going to be all right Evelyn.”
“I’m not sure that it is. The kids are meant to be in bed, and we’re supposed to be sitting in a hot tub with a magnum of champagne chilling.”
“Look at the stars, Evelyn. What could be prettier than this?”
“What time are the Northern Lights?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I’m worried about Sean,” I whisper.
Logan puts a finger over his mouth.
“I know, the kids but really Logan, where is he?”
“It’s only been a short time,” Logan lies to me for the first time.
Logan closes his eyes. I lay back onto a tree, but I can’t close my eyes. Kenneth wakes up and sleepily walks towards me and sits down in my lap.
“Mommy, where’s daddy? Has he gone to get us help?”