It turned out my father suspected the Vipera’s existence, but he did not see them as creatures, but as an affliction. People who could be helped.
How ironic it was that he was the optimist, and I was the pessimist in this particular instance. My father was not perfect after all.
I had not thought of my father in some time. I suppose when you are surrounded by those who were family adjacent, there is less pressure to mourn the ones who are no longer here.
I wiped the wetness on my face that went unnoticed until it pooled at my chin, dripping onto my hands.
How silly were feelings like these? I would never understand them.
The sound of ringing metal was clear as day, echoing against the street of brick facades.
I went where I usually did when I found myself looking for assurance, John’s shop.
As I stepped into view past the double barn doors, John stopped to wipe his face on a dirty rag. His demeanor lit as bright as the furnace when he saw me, his smile easily melting all who saw it.
“Alina! I wasn’t expecting you today.”
“That makes two of us.” I smiled, moving over to sit on one of the stools by a small wooden table. “Horse’s shoe fell off.”
“I did his shoes a few days ago.” John raised his brow. “Are you ever going to name that poor thing?”
“Afraid not; he knows it as his name now,” I laughed.
“What troubles you, Crow?” John frowned, dragging another stool forward and sitting, brushing off the dirt from the table with his cloth. “You don’t have to make up a reason to stop by.”
“Feeling more lonely today than usual.” I rubbed the back of my neck.
“Those lads aren’t giving you trouble, are they?” His voice was stern.
“No—well, yes, but I’m just feeling a bit foolish. I read my father’s papers again. I don’t know why I keep reminding myself.”
“Because you miss him.” John took one of my hands and clasped it between his. My hand was so small between them, so fragile. It was scary to be vulnerable, to talk to someone. I think I had spoken more to John in these past two years than I ever did while my father was alive. It wasn’t until I met him that I realized the extent of my neglect. I think if I asked my father’s ghost what my favorite fruit was, he would say apples. Or if I asked him what mother looked like, he would hesitate before saying her hair was black.
“I don’t know if those are the right words for it, and it kills me inside.”
“It always helps to focus on what is present. No use debating to have or to have not.”
“I suppose.” I glanced at the blazing fire, heating the room as if it were a summer’s afternoon.
“Those boys, the new ones. Are they... the viper kind?”
“Vipera,” I corrected. “Yes.”
“And the blond one,” he started.
“Silas.”
“Is there something there?” he teased. “You got quite flustered when you brought him here.”
“He asked me to marry him,” I replied sheepishly, not including the fact that he demanded it.
“That is wonderful news!” John squeezed my hands, his face lighting up. “Where is the ring?”
I shook my head. “I wouldn’t accept anything he suggested. I don’t want people suspecting anything about where the money is coming from.”
“Sounds like he has expensive taste,” John laughed. “When I proposed to Elisabeth, I bent two pieces of copper wire into a knot until I could get her something nicer.”
I smiled and nodded. I didn’t want to get too deep into the nuance of it all, but simply pretending to be happy was working. It was better than chasing an adrenaline high, having someone beam with pride and happiness for how your life is going.
