Episode One Hundred and Eighty-Five: Feathers

Giggles accompanied the bells ringing as the door flung open, and Molly raced into the space. A lopsided green hat somehow stayed on her head as she practically dove to the children’s section. Her fluffy winter coat flapped all around her. 

A cold gust of wind blew through the shop, but the door snapped shut, cutting it off.

Her giggles stopped as she found the new dinosaur book I’d put right in front.

“Dinosaurs!” 

I hid my smile behind my mug, as pure joy radiated from her entire being. To be that young again, when the perfect book in the right stop made all the difference.

She plopped down without a care and flipped through the pages.

I knew she loved it. 

The book had more accurate dinosaur illustrations in them, including feathered versions, and the various places they’d been found in the world—only part one of who knew how many books.

The wet footprints across the rug vanished slowly.

Molly’s dad’s entrance was subdued in comparison. He slowly opened the door and stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him. Yet, he said nothing as his eyes landed on Molly.

He visibly swallowed, and a soft sigh escaped that was a mixture of hope and sadness.

Alarm bells went off in my head as I set my mug on the counter, leaning closer. Golden magic spilled from my fingers as it flowed around him.

The bond between him and his daughter burned so brightly, almost white instead of gold.

He stepped closer to his daughter, and his haunted look shifted to a soft smile. 

“Did you find a new book?” he asked as he approached.

“Dad, look, I did!” She held it up, eyes wide. Her feet bounced against the rug on the floor. “Look, they have feathers!”

“That’s what the scientists are saying now.” 

Molly nodded so frantically her hat finally slid off and plopped to the ground. She didn’t even glance at it.

“Let’s get it and read it at home tonight.” He reached down and picked up the hat, running it between his fingers. “But we can’t stay up too late. Auntie Claire will be over to pick you up in the morning.”

“I don’t like Auntie Claire. She’s so slow!” Molly let the book crash to the floor and clutched his jacket. “Why can’t I stay with you?”

A sigh escaped his lips as he pulled her fingers free. “I have a doctor's appointment I need to go to.”

“But afterwards…”

“Sorry, pumpkin, you’ll be staying overnight with Auntie Claire.” He patted her hands before slowly bending over and picking up the book. “I’ll see you the day after. We spoke about this.”

“But she doesn’t even like dinosaurs,” grumbled Molly. She stomped to her feet and marched in my direction.

The golden light didn’t give me any clues as it faded. Nothing to go on, but something felt wrong. How he spoke, and how he watched her. Like it was his last chance.

“Hey Molly! Did you find the new book?” I asked, even though I knew the answer.

Her face brightened, and she hurried over to the counter. “Feathers! So many feathers in bright colors!”

“They’re so pretty.” The brightly colored illustrations were a work of art. Posters were available in larger sizes, which I might order just in case she wanted one. 

“Not pretty, strong!” Molly glared at me and crossed her arms.

I tilted my head and leaned across the counter to get a better look.  “You can be both pretty and strong.”

“Maybe.” Slowly her arms uncrossed, and she glanced down at her feet.

“Sable’s right, Molly. You can be both, pretty and strong.” Her father smiled down at her as he set the book on the counter. “We’ll get the book.”

Molly’s head jerked up, and she reached out to the edge of the counter. She’d gotten taller since the last time they’d been in here. Her arms stretched farther.

I snagged the book and grabbed my scanner.

He took the moment to pull the knitted hat over her ears and tuck in some of her wild hair.

“Dad…” said Molly, as she straightened it out.

“You dropped it. You don’t want to lose your favorite hat.” He patted the top of her head with a chuckle as the attached fuzzy ball bounced around.

“How can I lose it when you always find it?” asked Molly in a sing-song voice. She dodged out of his reach.

A painful expression crossed his face as his mouth opened, but nothing came out.

Yet she didn’t notice, studying studied the area near the bean bag chairs, distracted.

“Is this all?” I quickly rang up the book before looking at him. Hopefully, Indigo stayed out of sight. 

He nodded and cleared his throat, then tapped his card. It beeped as the purchase went through.

“You’re all good.” I smiled at both of them. 

He handed the book to Molly, who immediately took it and raced to the door. Giggling as she darted under the big table.

“Are you okay?” I whispered before he turned away.

“I’ll know more tomorrow.” He pressed his lips into a tight line as he gave me a nod.

“Coming, Dad?” Molly's voice broke whatever thoughts he had, as he smiled and hurried after her.

Whatever his doctor's appointment was, hopefully it turned out all right.

The Cat leaped onto the counter next to me as Molly headed out with her father.

“Well, that’s done for today,” he said, just as the door closed behind them. 

“You really won’t tell me what’s going on with them?” I sat on my stool and pulled my mug close. Molly’s father might be sick, which just hit too close to home, given my father's diagnosis.

“I’m not all-knowing.”

“You have the book.” The one he didn’t want me to read, the one that oozed with magic.

The Cat’s tail flickered behind him, and he turned my way. “It’s not like it explains everything. It's a list of everything that must be done.”

“A list?”

“Just a never-ending list.” His green eyes glowed before he turned away.