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He froze as he caught sight of his father walking towards the cottage with a large spade in his hands. He wore one of his old flannel work shirts, the same he wore in life, and his dingy, dirt-stained pants from working out in nature all day.
Without saying anything to him, Persephone started towards his father as Devon tried to hold his bleeding heart in his chest with his bare hands. He followed her and before he knew it, or even felt ready, he was standing in front of his father for the first time in years.
His father’s eyes looked them over.
It was obvious he recognized Persephone, since everyone here knew the Goddess, but it hurt to see that he didn’t recognize him, his own son. Devon knew he wouldn’t, but he’d hoped some seed of remembrance would have been triggered at seeing him again. Just as he was sure every other soul had the same wish when they came to the Underworld.
“Hello,” she greeted, bringing his father’s attention to her. “May we have a seat and chat a bit with you?”
His father simply nodded, not saying a word, and turned to enter the little cottage that they had been standing in front of.
Devon watched as his father placed the spade next to the door, just as he did in life. He pulled off the dusty boots and rubbed his hands together before washing them and preparing to make tea.
Persephone followed him into the kitchen, but Devon could only stare.
“Please, let me,” she asked as his father began to fill the kettle.
“Oh, I cannot let the Goddess do…”
The breath left his body as he heard his father’s voice for the first time in forever. His father was a quiet man, but he remembered all the times growing up when that rough baritone calmed his childish temper.
“I insist.” She smiled as she held out her hand for the kettle, and his father hesitated a moment before handing it to her. She motioned for him to have a seat with Devon.
Devon felt a weird tinge in his chest at how domestic this all felt. He imagined Persephone as a mortal woman and them sitting down for a family meal with his father. The tinge in his chest quickly became an ache.
His father sat down in one of the blue chairs at the small wooden table in the middle of the kitchen, as Devon caught sight of Persephone pouring water from a flask into a teacup. He said nothing as she heated the cups with her hands, the kettle untouched, and put tea bags in each before distributing the cups.
Devon quickly grabbed his to have something to do with his hands and tested the heat. He was so nervous, he worried they could hear his heartbeat in the quiet room.
“I want you to meet Devon,” she started. “I’ve put some water in your tea that will help your
memories to return,” her eyes darting to Devon quickly then away as she spoke.
He realized she was nervous, too, as if unsure if she made the right call here. He gave her a small smile of reassurance, a promise that they would get through this.
“My memories, my queen?” his father asked as he slowly wrapped his aged hands around the teacup.
“Yes, I want you to remember who Devon is. I would like for you to speak with him about your life before you came here. Is that alright?” she asked as she placed a hand on his father’s gnarled fingers that held the teacup so delicately.
“Yes, my queen,” he whispered as he stared into the cup.
“Demetri, you may call me Persephone.” She smiled as his father looked up at her, his eyes wide and glistening at her request. Right then Devon saw the love she held for all the souls here shining through her eyes.
Persephone patted his and his father’s hands, then stood.
“It will only last for half a day at most, so please,” she glanced at Devon, “make the best of it.”
Devon just stared at his father as the man who raised him took a sip without saying a word after her speech.
Persephone moved to Devon and grasped his hands, her eyes full of fear and apology. “I am sorry this was sprung on you, but I had to make a deal to move forward with this and I didn’t have time to warn you before it was retracted, or before my sisters called for it.”
His hand went over hers as he looked deep in her eyes and whispered, “Thank you.”
She nodded and disappeared into the shadows of the room.
Chapter 34
Devon waited, not sure if he was breathing as his father finished the cup.
