Chapter 22: Adorable little plushie

Chapter 22: Adorable little plushie.

" I’m confused, Sir, what are you talking about?" Adrian rubbed the back of his head, trying to understand what the doctor meant.

" No need to strain yourself. Just be sure to meet me after sun down. You’ll understand then." He said, waving his hand, gesturing for him to not think too much about it.

Adrian nodded, a flicker of curiosity emerging atop his anxiousness.

"Alright, I’ll be there." He said.

He turned his attention back to his mother, supporting her as they began their slow walk home.

The doctor’s final, cryptic words continued to linger in his mind, he didn’t adhere to the man’s warning but continuously tried to decipher what he meant.

While escorting his mother back home, Adrian was worried because it felt as if the temperature was dropping at a steady pace.

’ Is a blizzard on its way?’ He thought to himself.

The cold seemed to cling to them as Adrian carefully guided his mother back from the doctor’s clinic, his arm acted as a steady support for her slow, measured steps.

The path home was usually a familiar one, no different from a winding track of snow covered earth and frozen mud between the log houses, but today every crater and stone felt like a potential hazard.

In his eyes they were all troublesome hinderances.

He was so focused on the ground ahead, watching for any patch of snow or ice that might make her slip, that he almost didn’t notice the tall figure approaching until she was nearly upon them.

"Adrian! Melissa! What a pleasant surprise to see you both out and about." a warm, familiar voice called out.

It was only then that Adrian looked up, realizing that he had almost bumped into the latter.

The person in question was Miss Elara, her dark hair stood out against the pale furs of her hood and fur clothing.

A woven basket laden with fresh bread loaves was hooked over her arm, filling the air around her with a comforting, yeasty smell that made Adrian’s stomach rumble even though he had already eaten this morning.

"Good morning, Elara. It’s nice seeing you again." Said Adrian’s mother, her voice was a bit thin but cheerful. From the look of things till now, she always seemed to gain a little energy when she saw a friendly face.

Amongst all the villagers in the village, Melissa had a friendly relay with Elara, at least, the both of them could be be said to be basically friends.

" I’m so sorry I didn’t notice your illness sooner... it was only after the Mr Miller came rushing over that i..."

" It’s ok. There’s no reason to burden yourself, this illness of mine popped out of the blue so it’s natural you didn’t notice." Melissa smiled at Elara who chuckled softly.

" So how are you faring today? It’s gotten better I hope." Elara asked, her kind eyes crinkling at the corners with genuine concern as she looked from the mother to the son.

"Oh, I’m just fine, dear. Truly." Melissa said, patting Adrian’s arm. "Especially with this one watching over my every move like a mother hen."

" I’d be surprising if anything happened to me, with him around." Adrian’s mother chuckled while he smiled awkwardly. He knew he was a bit too protective but it wasn’t his fault, he just couldn’t help it.

Elara joined his mother and laughed a bit, making Adrian more embarrassed.

" You’re absolutely right. of course you’re fine! How could you be anything else, with a wonderful son like Adrian looking after you?"

" I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s noticed." She smiled turning to glance at the young man next to his mother.

" The whole village is talking about how hard he’s been working." She winked at Adrian, who suddenly found the snow on his boots incredibly interesting.

Melissa chuckled, her voice was a bit dry, raspy which quickly turned into a light cough. She recovered, squeezing Adrian’s arm.

"He is a good boy, that’s for certain. Sometimes I think he can’t help himself. He’s just too filial for his own good, always running himself ragged for this old woman." She looked up at him with so much love and pride that Adrian felt a complicated mix of warmth and embarrassment.

Adrian’s expression shifted between awkward gratitude and deep embarrassment. A faint blush crept up his neck as the two women talked about him as if he weren’t standing right there. He shuffled his feet, managing a small, self-deprecating smile. "It’s really nothing, Mom. Miss Elara. I’m sure Anyone would do the same for their mother. What I did shouldn’t really be all that surprising."

" Not surprising? If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought you were taking care of your bride instead." She chuckled, causing a blush to creep onto the man’s face again.

Eventually, Elara glanced up at the sky, where grey clouds were beginning to gather. "Well, I should let you two get on your way. I’ve got to get this bread home before it loses its warmth, and I don’t want to keep you standing out in this cold any longer. You need to get inside by the fire, Melissa."

"Thank you, Elara." Melissa said warmly. " It was wonderful talking to you. I feel even better than before."

" It was my pleasure." She replied in kind.

Just as they were about to part, a playful grin spread across Elara’s face. She turned her attention back to Adrian, her head tilted. "Tell me, Adrian, you haven’t forgotten the promise you made to me, have you? Or is your dear mother the only woman you feel the need to take care of."

Adrian’s smile returned, this time more genuine and amicable. He met her teasing gaze squarely. "I didn’t forget, Miss Elara. Not at all. I meant what I said."

"Good," she said, her smile softening. " Don’t forget, I’ll be holding you to it, then. Take care of your mother." With a final nod,

she continued on her way, the scent of fresh bread trailing behind her like a promise of comfort.