The drive home seems to take longer. The sun is giving way to the thunderclouds building to the west. The relaxation from the view of the mountains and pine trees, I usually receive while driving home, fizzles to nothing.

My adoptive father's Land Rover is parked in the drive. Damn, I will have to face the bastard.

Walking in the door, I start before my adoptive father can. "I've found where my birth family is. I have an opportunity to go meet them, and I'm going to go."

"How long will you be gone?" my adoptive mother asks.

"I have no idea. It is a long journey, so I can't give you a time frame."

One...Two..

"Who gave you this information? How do you know they are telling the truth? Where are you going? How are you getting there? Why are you doing this? Why ...." my adoptive father continues to rant.

Damn, I didn't even get to three today.

Knowing I can't give him the answers he desires, I don't try. Even if I give him answers, he still will have something negative to say. Quickly walking up the stairs to my room, I start packing as much as I can in my suitcase, duffel bag, and backpack. I take everything I can, because I know nothing I leave behind will remain in this house.

Once again my adoptive father bursts into my room, still ranting about anything he can. Tuning him out, I continue to pack.

"You're a disappointment," my adoptive father finally declares.

"I always have been and probably always will be," I retort over my shoulder, zipping up my suitcase.

"You've always made me proud." My adoptive mother sobs.

"You had a funny way of showing it," I counter and start to pack the laptop I bought with my own money.

My adoptive father storms out of my room, while my adoptive mother continues to weep. When she finally gets the message that I'm not going to talk to her, she turns and leaves the room. I call my friend, Sam, and ask him to pick me up and take me somewhere. He asks no questions and says he would be here in about thirty minutes.

Grace comes bursting into the room upset wanting me to take her with me. "Why are you leaving? Leaving Evan and I?"

"I can't take you with me, Grace. If I could, I would - I promise."

"Please don't leave me," she begs with tears in her eyes, her makeup streaking down her face.

"I'm sorry. This is my opportunity to meet my birth family," I try to explain.

"When will I get to meet my family?"

"I will come back for you. I promise. I have no idea how long this is going to take. Please stay strong until I can come to get you. Keep your secret phone as close as possible. Call me and give me frequent updates, and I will call you as soon as I can." I promise her.

She hugs me tight again, releases me, and runs out of my room.

Next comes little Evan, although he isn't so little anymore at fifteen. The sad look on his face finally breaks me, and I hug him as long as I can.

"Why do you have to leave?" he asks as he lets his tears fall.

"I need to see where I was born. I need to find out if my birth family is there. I just can't turn this down."

"When will you be back?" he mumbles into my shirt.

I pull back slightly, so I can look him directly in the eyes. "I'm not sure. I will find a way to see you, but I don't know when. Remember the cell phone I got you?" These cell phones became a necessity when our adoptive father became too overbearing. He nods, and I continue, "I will call you as often as possible, but I don't know when I can. Try to call me once a week and let me know how you are doing. Let me know when you are going to be alone or only with Grace. I will try my best to call once a week."

I hear honking and I pick up my bags and head downstairs. Right before I reach the door, I hear a voice coming from behind me. Well, double damn, I'm not escaping that easy.

"Why are you doing this? Haven't we given you everything you needed? Are you so selfish to leave everyone behind? I knew you wouldn't make it and be anything." He continues to spout his insults.

Ignoring him, I open the door.

"If you go through that door, don't come back!" My adoptive father hisses.

"I don't plan on it," I reply, as I walk out the door.

Seeing my adoptive mother crying is a surprise, and I have no idea if this is genuine for me or for the awaiting wrath of my father.

Grace and Evan follow me out the door and to Sam's car.

"I will stay in contact as often as possible," I emphasize while hugging both of them tight. "Call me, when he isn't around, and let me know how things are," I say to both of them, tears streaming down my face.

Deep breath in - Deep breath out.

"I have to go," I whisper, because nothing else will escape. I let go of my siblings and get in Sam's car.

Sam drives away, and I don't look back. Good or bad, it's sad to be leaving the only hometown I remember, but even tougher to leave my siblings here. With Grace moving out soon, I worry about Evan. This is an opportunity not only for myself, but a way to find safer living arrangements for my siblings.

We pass the high school.

"Hey Sam, remember the time I got in trouble for calling bullshit on Jack? You kept me out of detention by explaining the situation to Principal Jones, slanting the retelling to favor me."

He laughs. "Principal Jones always had a soft spot for me."

"You're such a lady's man."

"Don't you know it!"

I look over at his happy face and sadness sweeps over me. "Sam, I'm sorry I have to leave on short notice. This guy just popped out of thin air with information about my birth family. I would regret not going and at least finding out about them."

"Are they still alive...your birth parents?"

I turn and stare out the window.

"Hey," he says.

I draw in a breath. "Naw, man. They died in some boating accident when I was four. This guy thinks I might have some birth family still around."

"That could be interesting."

"Maybe. Hey, I wrote a note to Mr. Johannson. I know it isn't a formal notice, but it will just have to do. Also, I booked Mr. Lange for next month in his favorite suite. Somehow make sure he gets it and stays happy."

"Still worried about your job, even though you might never return."

"Mr. Lange is our biggest client, who refers the most people to stay at the resort, they can't risk making him unhappy."

He sighs. "Okay. I'll make sure Mr. Johansson knows about him."

It doesn't take long for us to get to the hotel. I step out and then lean back into the car.

"Thanks for being such a good friend, Sam. Things wouldn't have been the same without you. Please keep an eye on Grace and Evan when you can."

He scowls. "You sound like you're about to die. You don't have something terminal, do you?"

I look heavenward, leave it to Sam to think of this.

"No. My birth family isn't American, and I don't know how long I'll be gone."

He squints at me and opens his mouth, but he shuts it just as quickly. "Okay. I'll keep an eye on them."

"Thanks. I owe you. Maybe one day I'll repay you," I say shutting the door and effectively ending any other questions Sam could throw at me. I don't know how much I could lie to him.

Knocking on EJ's door, I am greeted by EJ wearing a T-shirt and sweats, and he seems more relaxed.

Once I get settled, we decide to order pizza, and it comes about 30 minutes later.

"Was life bad for you?" he asks as he sets the pizza on the small table in the room.

I walk to the mini fridge. "What do you want to drink?"

"Dr. Pepper. I usually drink water, and soda isn't as readily available on the islands."

"Okay, what can you tell me about these islands?"

"Because it was created, there is a variety of topography on the islands. Everything from mountains and valleys to dense forests to what I guess you would think of as a typical island, ports and beaches."

"That sounds interesting."

"Going to the beach anytime you can is refreshing, but sand gets stuck in everything. Your clothes. Your carpets. Your pets. I even have some falling out of my hair even after I've showered."

"What about your family?"

"Just me and my Ana."

"You don't have any kids?"

I swallow my bite of pizza, but EJ's stops halfway to his mouth.

He looks down and, for the first time all day, sadness sweeps over him.

"My Ana had complications during the birth of our twins. They didn't make it, and Ana almost died with them. She couldn't have kids after that."

Tears roll down his cheeks, and I panic about what to do.

"I'm....I'm..." Breathe in - Breathe out. "You know what, saying I'm sorry doesn't necessarily mean squat in your situation. I wish you and your wife could have had kids, you'd have made a great father...even with your jokes."

He looks up, dried tears dot his cheeks, and he grins. "You don't like my jokes?"

I shrug. "I didn't say that," I say, drawing out the "that".

A piece of pizza crust comes flying across the table. "Rotzlöffel."

I send a pepperoni flying, and it smacks EJ in the face. "Did you just insult me, old man?"

"Of course. I basically called you a brat. Now, how about we don't have a big mess to pick up and stop throwing pizza."

"Okay. It's only fair for me to tell you about my life...the short version." He nods, so I continue. "I have two adoptive siblings, Grace and Evan. They mean the world to me. We have an overbearing, bastard of an adoptive father, who is never satisfied with anything. We move every five years to a bigger, more modern home, so he can impress his boss. He leases a new car every year, so he can be ahead of the crowd. He hosts elaborate dinners, where the kids have to be out of the house, so we don't embarrass him. My adoptive mother sits back and lets him do as he pleases. I tried to make him proud most of my life," I answer, then I start pointing my pizza crust towards EJ moving it with my next words. "Which I've stopped trying to do, mind you, because I've never had success pleasing him in anything."

Regret flashes in his eyes before sadness takes over. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. It's so much pressure, but the islands need the help of the Protectors and Guardians. The Elders feel like the combined strengths of Protector/Guardian pairs will help in the fight against the rebellion."

"I'm not sure I can really be that helpful. However, if it will secure a future for my siblings away from our adoptive father, it is a challenge I'm willing to accept."

We get ready for bed, and I'm eager for the next day, and the journey to a new beginning. We get up to head to the airport for our nine am flight, but not before I call my siblings on our phones. Grace's voice is hoarse, and I cringe at the thought I've caused this. I keep my emotions in check for their sake and assure them a better future will come... eventually.

It is actually an enjoyable plane ride, even with my stomach knotted with worry about what is going on at home. We land in a much smaller airport than what I normally see, but we quickly get to the car EJ has parked in the long term parking lot and head to our next destination. Once inside, my stomach sinks with the realization that I am only a few hours from meeting my cousin.

My first observation is the difference in the Smoky Mountains and the Rockies. Pines are mixed with oak, maple and other deciduous trees - the mountain space being filled with them. I wonder if the space in my heart will be filled in such a way.

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[A/N]:

Rotzlöffel (German) - A brat - literally, "snot spoon." [https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/573354/hilarious-german-insults]