Before The End Of Dawn

11 | 04

I woke up at 9:00 the next morning.  Whispers where coming form downstairs, as silent as the steps of skittering mice.  My first priority was to use the bathroom, but curiosity got the best of me and forwent the morning leak.  

A strong scent of hazelnut flavored coffee wafted in the air.  My Papi's voice was the strongest within the group of adults, but yet, their discussion was still hard to decipher.  I decided to creep closer.

Down the hallway, my back eased against the kitchen door frame, my squeezed up against it so tightly, nobody could see my figure.

"-hope you'll support our decision," my ear caught Papi saying.

I heard my father produce a low sigh.  It was a sigh I heard often when he was thinking deeply about something.  His voice was low and gravely as he spoke, so it was hard to hear.  There were only bits and pieces that met my ear.  "I'm sure it's going to be an adjustment for Austen."

"Oh.  I'm sure he'll get used to it relatively quickly and soon come to accept our decision," Mimi whispered in her soft, motherly tone.

My toes curled beneath me, and made a high-pitched squeaking sound on the hardwood.  The grown-ups quit talking.  It was quiet.  I held my breath.

A chair creaked.  Footsteps pattered against the floor.  I tensed, my body becoming tightly coiled and ready to spring if needed.  

My mother's head peeked around the corner.  I shrieked and started to run off.  But I didn't make it far, for my feet slipped out from under and I fell flat onto the floor.  My hands crept towards my nose and held it as pain bounced from nostril to nostril.  I held in a scream, knowing that it most likely would hurt for a few, long minutes.

"Austen, what are you up to?  Why are you sneaking about this morning?" My mother asked.

I turned to sit up and face my mother.  I cringed upon seeing her frown.  Inside, my heart wilted.  "I...  I couldn't help it.  I just...  I heard you guys talking and wanted to know what was up."

Mom came forward and bent down in front of me.  Her thin fingers curled around my jaw, twisting my face so that it lined up with hers.  She pulled my hand away from my nose.  Her frown turned into a sad smirk.  Her lips touched the aching flesh of my nose.

I closed my eyes, relief slowly filling my deflated heart.

My mother's hand swept my growing bangs away from my face.  "Maybe you should come into the kitchen and we'll explain what's going on.  You're big enough to understand what's going on, and i'm sure you'll be happy to find out."

---

My hands drew together.  My fingers intertwined; trembled, even, with the anxiety of what was to happen.  Was the story going to be good?  Was it bad?  My small heart couldn't take the awkward silence that filled the room since my presence was discovered.

My hand went to my nose and softly rubbed at it through the thick bandages and the splint my mom had found lying in the medicine cabinet.  I was a little self-conscious about it, and felt that that was what everyone at the table was staring at.

Breaking the silence that I could no longer take, I asked, "So, Mimi, Pop-pop, what did you want to tell me?"

"Well...  Actually, Austen," Papa spoke up, "it's more of a matter that we would like to discuss with you.  Papi and Mimi basically agreed with the idea."

My hands came together again, the nerves making my fingers tremble even more viciously than before.  I stared into my father's keen blue eyes intently expecting the unforetold that was to come out of his mouth at any second.  But nothing except good, reassuring words flooded off his tongue.  

Papa created a nervous gesture of his own.  His hands went to the pockets on his plaid sleep pants and tugged at the fabric inside.  The muscles beneath the skin of his face twitched.  Mom sought out one of my father's hands that hid beneath the soft fabric of his pant pocket.  

"Austen...  Buddy," my father spoke up, an uncontrolled smile twisting his features.  Papa's one hand slid out of his pocket to rest on the one mom was holding.  "You're mother and I have decided to move to New Hampshire."

"This would mean leaving your school behind... and all you're friends..."

My insides seemed to rupture, and my face contorted into an expression of sadness.

Mom spoke up before the water works could start.  Her hand went out to my two, clasped ones, and patted them in a comforting manner.  "But, Sweetheart, you won't be alone.  We'll be living right next door to Papi and Mimi!"

"And we will no longer be within the confines of this busy, bustling city.  No more start-stop traffic, blaring car horns, or even road rage."

"Like you Papa?" I snickered.

I saw mom tighten her grip on Dad's hand and stare at him with an angry, almost shocked, expression.  "Eric!"

Dad slouched a little in his chair and gave a sheepish look.  "That's kind-of why I agreed to moving.  I'm getting sick and tired of...  I already explained what I'm looking forward to not having."

I laughed, uneasily, at the comedy playing out before me.

I spoke up after I was able to control myself.  "When will the moving process begin?"

"Tomorrow we will start moving most of our things.  Papi and Mimi helped us pick out the perfect house; which we bought.  And plans were already set into action about a month ago," Papa answered.

"Is that why mommy started packing up some of my action figures and stuffed animals?"

This comment left a small grin plastered on my Papa's lips.  "You catch on quick, Austen."