Arandori Dewfeather

One Stone at a Time

“Gonna go clear my head.”

Dori clicked off the comm and headed out of the city. There wasn’t a great sea or lovely beaches out here, but she’d found a nice enough spot. It was quiet, the water trickled as it ran from a spring into the pool of water. As she makes her way around the pond her thoughts are a jumble.

She had said she didn’t know why it bothered her so.  That she didn’t understand it. The quickening she felt in her belly as she remembered it was coming around. The almost panic that rose in her chest threatening to suffocate her.

Why?

She grabbed a handful of rocks plopped down on the tree trunk. With a flick of her wrist, she skipped a rock. “One. Two. Three. Four.” She couldn’t help but count off each time the rock skimmed the surface.

When was the last time she saw him? Her head dipped as she pushed her fingers through the tangle of curls. She knew the exact answer to that question. Sighing, she opened her fist and let the pebbles fall into her lap.  “If he’s gonna show, this is when it will be.” The thought hit her as she re-tied her ponytail and grabbed another stone.

He hadn’t missed an anniversary yet.  The thought was punctuated by another flick of her wrist to cast the pebble into the water. One. Two. Three. Jaw set as she grabbed another stone. And another. Six.

It was bad enough she was worried about Fio.  She could say she’d be okay all she wanted but Dori knew. Some of the comments, the things she said out loud to people. She knew she was desperate.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Another rock skipped as she considered just how she could help Fio. She’d refused everything she’d offered so far.  After a while, Dori picked herself up and started to make her way back to the Moon.

Head clearer and plan in place for Fio at least.  If she wouldn’t accept money, there was little she could do to refuse food just showing up at her door. Especially with no indication as to who had sent it. 

As for her husband? There was little she could do but make herself scarce for a few days. Luckily she had a little time.

Once Dori was back inside her room, she picked up her comm and sent a quick message to Fio.

“Hey, wanna hit the tavern early? For a bite to eat? My treat.”