Read The Solitarian: Part 1 of The Amaranth Series for Free Online Page A

about his grooming.
    “There are some ‘things’ that you just can’t part with.”
    “I understand.” I think quickly. I start to toss various carrying items over to him so that he can lose the sheet. My eyes follow as he loads the bags that we packed onto the bed. The mirror in the corner grabs my attention and I look a mess. My hair is pulled sloppily to the very top center of my dome. I have on the most rustic clothes that were made. My face is flushed and is as white as his, from a summer of zero sun. I haven’t slid a drop of gloss on my cracked smackers since I’ve met Keyan Van I’m as old as the earth. I’ve lost a bit of weight myself so I look like a snow scare crow. I plan to rectify that with fun and sun before I leave for school.
    “I have so much there that I do not wish to leave behind.” He expresses. I am shocked from my critique of myself. I can see how his things could mean so much to him.
    “Maybe I can convince my dad to come back before I leave for school. We can retrieve them then. That will give me a reason to come back and gather all of the beautiful clothes that I have to leave behind.”
    “Thank you McKenna. You are an angel. I wish that I had known you long ago. We would have been great friends.” He passes me and glances at his reflection and then shies away. I see the hint of a glisten in his eyes before he hurries away from it.
    “Wait…” I step in front of him and grab his scruffy hair covered face. I stare into his eyes and I see it right there plain as day, as beautiful as a jewel, his life-ring. It seems to dance. The more I stare, the more I’m drawn in. It hypnotizes me. I want to climb inside of his pool of blue heaven and lose myself there. “It is the most fascinating thing that I have ever seen.” I say as I get closer. I am literally breathing onto his face. He starts to tremble. He hasn’t been this close to anyone in decades.
    “Maybe we should get going.” He pulls away from my grasp.
    “It is beautiful Keyan. We will have to get you sunglasses. That will be hard to hide from a pretty lady. Especially in intimate moments.”
    “Then I should stay away from pretty ladies until I am ready for exposure.” His wooly face is so covered, but his expression of uneasiness is clear.
    “I agree. Now let’s get you hidden.” He helps me carry the trunk and several bags to the jeep. I open the back and we load it inside. He climbs into the trunk and fits with room to spare. He is so slim from living off of the land. I cover him with a few garments and then a fluffy blanket. I lock it and hurry back inside to get the little things that I am toting.
    My parents wake and start to pack as well.
    “Honey, do you need help getting your things to the car?”
    “No dad. I took all of it out this morning.”
    “Really? You have more than your mother and I. you’ve been shopping in town all summer. How did you get it all out?”
    “Very slowly. I’ve been up since a little before dawn.”
    “Oh.” He sips on a cup of coffee and sits at the table. “Did you enjoy yourself this summer darling?”
    “I did. You guys are the best parents in the entire world. I will never forget this trip as long as I live.”
    “It would have been better if Rylan could have come though right? I remember how upset you were when he had to stay behind.”
    “I’m glad we had this time apart Mom. I wouldn’t have discovered some of the things that I discovered had he come along. I will be happy to see him when I get back.”
    “You only have a few weeks before you leave for California. How will he deal with that?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe we can talk about it when we see one another. Right now I’m just anxious to get back home.”
    “Well say goodbye to this cabin Kenna.” My father says as he grabs his jacket and stands. I go into my room and bid a farewell to my clothes that I must leave behind for now. I hear the door opening and closing as my parents pack their things