Chapter 5

The sun had not yet cracked the horizon when Thomas threw the blankets off of himself and crawled out of the warmth of his bed into the chilly, pre-dawn air. He shivered as threw on a plain tunic and gray trousers.

The door creaked open as his mother poked her head into the tiny room. “Good, you’re awake.”

Thomas grinned sheepishly at her. “Awake in body, but not in spirit. This whole waking up early thing has me wishing I never became friends with Ivan.” His mom raised an eyebrow.

“Really?”

“Of course not. That was, as some people call it, a joke.” He stood and crossed the room till he was standing just in front of her. “I can see where it got confusing though, with old age and all.” Her hand rang off the back of his head.

“You better watch it.”

Thomas laugh. “Watch what?” He ducked as she swiped at his head again.

“Too slow,” he teased. He made his way into his family’s small kitchen where his mom had sat a pot of freshly brewed coffee.