The Soft Goodbye

I've been trying really hard to focus on finishing this chapter, I swear I have been. But without my notebook for half the week, and then crazy random demanding life moments getting in the way, it hasn't been the best week for my muses. It's been a little off in my brain, as well. They know I've been really bummed about Noah leaving, and also other things so they've been quiet. I don't really hear a peep out of them at all during the day lately, but we still gather together for "storytime" at night. Right before bed is when I do my devotionals and read a chapter of The Shack. Last night as I was reading, everyone was there except for Kenayde.

After the chapter was done and everyone was turning in for the night, I pulled Aislyn aside before she could scurry off. "Hey. Where was Kenayde tonight? She never misses this."

She shuffled her feet and looked around. "Who? Oh, Kenayde...yeah, well...she, uh...you know....I don't...um...what were we talking about?"

I looked at her with narrowed eyes. "Your sister. You know, the short blonde with big blue eyes. She kinda looks like you. Ringing any bells?"

"Oh, Nadie! Yeah, right. She wasn't...feeling well tonight. Just a little over tired, you know."

"Is she not sleeping well?"

"No, not really." Her voice had gotten quiet. "She's been trying to find Noah for you. Knows you're all hung up on losing him and thinks you're not writing because you miss him."

If I didn't think Kenayde was the sweetest character ever before, I did then. "Are you serious?" Aislyn only nodded. "Well where is she now? Can you take me to her?"

"Yeah. But if she asks, you threatened me with marshmallow peeps."

"Threatened with?"

"Yeah," she shuddered. "I hate those things."

As it turned out, Kenayde was not hard to find. When we found her she was reading something, and as soon as she saw us coming, shoved it under her butt. "Hey there, little sleuth. We missed you tonight."

"Sorry," she apologized brightly. Aislyn gave her a look. You know, one of those looks siblings can use to communicate with out words. Because of this, Kenayde sagged slightly and blinked. Excessively. "I was just too tired tonight."

"Uh huh," I said, not buying it at all, even when she forced a yawn. "Wanna tell me what's really going on? You're the one I always count on to tell me the truth. Don't make me rethink that trust I have in you."

Kenayde looked again at Aislyn. The older sister nodded and the other frowned as she returned her eyes to me. "I was looking for Noah, which I suspect you knew because of what you called me." She sighed. "I thought if I found him and brought him back, you'd start writing again."

"It's not because I don't want to write, girls. Seriously. I have ideas. It's just been a lack of time."

"And not because you lost Noah?"

"Listen, I'm sad Noah's gone. I'm sad all of The Others are gone. But really, they didn't help the muses for the book at all. If anything, they took from it."

The two shared a look again, and finally Kenayde produced what she'd been hiding. "I found this the other day."

Taking it, I saw it was a letter. From Noah. It said he was leaving and he would not be coming back. I could see both Aislyn and Kenayde watching me carefully, so I kept a stiff upper lip. And lower lip. "Well, at least we know he wasn't eaten by some random vampiric sheep or something."

"Really?" Aislyn questioned with skepticism. "You're not, like, gonna cry or anything?"

"What? No. Seriously, it's cool. I just wanted to make sure he was okay, you know." They both nodded slowly, like they weren't sure of they could believe me or not. "Really, it's fine. So you can both stop worrying, and I can get back to work. Actually, Kenayde, I still owe you a new face so I'll get to that soon. Can you both just go to bed now and we can move on with life in the morning?"

Kenayde jumped up and snuggled me. "Okay. Goodnight!"

I left them and headed back for my own bed. I kept the note. And yes, I was sad. I hate goodbyes, especially when I'm not there to participate.