“Kid, what the hell have you been feeding on? You’re as big as a truck!”
"It's in the genes, ma'am," Nikoli replied with a chuckle. “It’s in the genes.”
It was like no time had passed between them. Their energy matched, and right away, I recalled times from the past when we'd been together like this. Only back then, we were a family.
"I had no idea you were home," Marian said, and I peeked their way to find Nikoli watching me.
“I got here on Friday,” Nikoli replied. "It's just a quick trip because I have school on Monday, so I'm leaving tomorrow."
“Don’t make that face,” I heard Nikoli laugh, and I looked their way to find Marian pouting. She was always able to make him laugh. "I'll be back soon, I promise."
"You better," she pointed at him. "I've perfected your favorite, cheese casserole. If I'd known, I would have made some and brought them over."
Nikoli’s face lit up. "Well, I mean, I'm leaving tomorrow, and I've already packed. I don't see why we can’t still make some.”
He grinned, and Marian cackled with laughter. I'd forgotten about the wood and everything except for the two people before me. This was what I'd given up, a woman that loved me to death, and a brilliant son? This was the life I could have had, and now it was gone forever.
I nodded when Nikoli called to me that he was leaving and would be back later. I could see the questions in his eyes, but he would be disappointed to find out that Marian and I talking didn't mean we were getting back together.
She didn't want that, and frankly, a part of me didn't want that either.
I’d only hurt her, that I knew for sure, and that was the last thing I ever wanted to do.