by J. H. Hayes
In the dim light, Azaria rose and walked to her father’s furs, sitting down next to him.
He turned, startled, "What’s wrong, Azaria?"
"Everything, but quiet, father," she said. "I want to talk to you."
"Now, Azaria? It’s late. This is hardly the..."
"Shhhh... father. I said I wanted to talk to you. Just listen.”
"I don’t know why I was involved in the Equinox ceremony. And I know it’s too hard for you to tell me right now. But I don’t want you to worry about it anymore. I just want my old father back. I love you."
Then Azaria took his arm and wrapped it around herself. She laid her head atop her father’s massive shoulder and exhaled a sigh of relief. She knew it would take more than a few words to mend what had been torn, but she knew they would eventually get there and that they’d do it together, as they always had.
