helped me bullit
My mother helps with all the canning, robert
e my dad’s in his flannel shirt, a rake in his hand, burn
-nearby woods with its speerpe veil.
dry leaves in my fire pit by
left in the earth for me to prep in mason jars
and eveling such a bounty I think Mother Nature has so much to offer an I drink my warm pompkin tee. That old woll’s smell is almost gone from
trace that she was ever bere before me I just like the thought of something just belonging to me.
my mother. She presses her cheek to my face, tmeling: into her before pull
Thanks, Mom, for helping me I appreciate it so much Ireldn’t have done it myself” So much work, it took all afternoon yesterday just to pick
Throughout the day.
ya.” My whole family is becoming closer, beating slowly from the poison that to ruined us.
barbecue. They should be here soon.” My sisters and their mates are coming to celebrate my birthday. This will be my first
sure that everything is tidy, and put out some we like grond. We are all grown wolves now
feel eyes on me to feel him watching me with my family at times then leaving coming back Town’t smell him, the wind is iwmong direction, but I can tell him. The hair on my arm stando end at times:
I don’t acknowledge his eyes, refusing to let him know that I feel him on
aves with her mate, a homemade birthday cake in her hands,vanilla with cherry chip icing
middle sister res next with bags of presents that her mate carries in his hands. All greet me with cheek pressed agent cheek. Their smells
with the reach that are now grilling
from pouring out of i
filling it with their smiling faces, pouring wine into the glasses. Everyone is in good spirits Tran’t stop the happiness. is it they can smell it
The old wooden table holds the summer bounty full of grilled vegetables my garden provided
As we take our seats. I hear a car pull into my driveway, footsteps crashing on the gravel, getting closer, then gradually getting further away,
omeone changed their minds. Getting up, I go to the front door and look out. Dallas is just opening his car door, getting in.
“Teat to him. He looks my way.
– saw the smoke from my side of the lake. I thought you might want some comperry. I didn’t want to disturb you. I’ll see on Monday,” he calls out from
ter tottering on a decision.
No, you’re not disturbing anything. We were just going to eat. I have so much food. Come eat with us” He besitates, teeter *Come on, we have steek,” I say, trying to entice him to stay
“My family won’t bite Taking a breath in, he closes his door before walking toward me.
“Cameround bark
My father and mother mechange glances with one another before they busy themselves with cutting the meat on their plates. I set another place at the table, just for him.
ballet passes at the screen door before coming inside. He’s looking at my family, unsure if he really should be here,
“Dalles, come in alt down. Help yourself! Would you like some wine to drink, or I have beer?” He looks around at what everyone else’s glasses are filled
“Good
ne, how are you?” My mother’s voice is plement on the ears, welcoming a strange wolf into our meal.
keeps his voice very poline toward her. “Dr. Valentine
“All right, bellan. What brings you here?” my father as sterly. “Dad” My voice raises in embarrassment.
“I just saw the smoke from her fire 1 live across the ladie, so I thought I would just stop by and say hi.” He looks at my father, holding his ove
Hook toward the fire pit.
g with just the faintest wisp od smoke spiraling toward the waning
