2

I stumble down the steps of the stairs. My bag in my right hand as my left slides down the railing.

Everything has changed in the past month and it scares me.

Just yesterday I had to go to the funeral of the only parent I've ever known. My granddad.

He was a beautiful soul. He had the kindest heart.

A tear sheds from my eye, my warm hand wipes it quickly.

I step off the bottom stair and take my leave of the house I've grown up in for the past 14 years.

The hot Miami sun beams down on me. Possibly for the last time. I have friends and family here but my tribe is in Stehekin Washington.

Which is where I'm headed right now. I open the trunk of my car and drop the bags inside. I only have two. A luggage bag and a school bag.

Both contain clothes. I don't need much, I'll have to buy a whole new closet to accommodate the new weather. Miami is not rainy, foggy, or wooded. Stehekin is all of that.

I sit down in the drivers seat. Turning the gear shift to drive.

The airport is a short drive. We had to live close to the airport in case of emergency. Everything is by the airport, the hospital, pharmacy, grocer.

Even as early as it is, 5 am, the streets are still flooded with cars. Just the two mile drive takes me ten minutes.

I get out of the car and send myself off. Visually I'm fine but internally I'm in a tiny little ball. I'm terrified, my hands are shaky and palms sweaty.

I find my seat on the plane and situate myself. Luckily I've got a window seat and just a little old lady next to me.

Maybe Stehekin will be great, a fresh start even. I could start over. My tribe seemed fine from my grandfathers stories. I have visited but it was just twice. Once when I was 5 and once when I was 6.

My parents died when I was 6. I still blame myself. They were worried about me.

On the way to the airport, I had fallen and broken my leg. So they were on their way here to see me.

A sleeping semi truck driver drove off the interstate into traffic killing three others along with my parents.

Luckily I'm an only child so the tribe didn't lose anyone else. My father was the alpha and my mother was the healer.

I was supposed to find a suitable alpha from a surrounding tribe but never have. They handed the alpha duties onto my Uncle Bo. The man I'm staying with while I go to college.

I yawn and make myself comfortable. My head against the window and legs intertwined.

Drifting off into sleep

——————————————————————

The plane has arrived. I can't seem to shake the feeling of this being the worst decision of my late grandfathers life. It was his wish I go here when he die.

He was so old I thought he would never but now that he has. I wish he never did.

I get off the plane. Going to the baggage claim and wait for my bags.

They arrive in due time so I make my way through the airport. As I'm descending the escalator I hear a loud whistle.

I step off the escalator and look forward.

A group of men, about 5 stand 30-40 feet in front of me. One holding a sign with my name.

I drop both my bags and say just barely loud enough to be a yell "For the love of god. What. The. Actual. Fuck."

All their faces contort into confusion.

I pinch the bridge of my nose and mumble "Why in the world would you do this to me Grandpa."