Fae by C. J. Abedi Page A

anyone’s name.”
    â€œReally? I find that hard to believe.”
    â€œReally.” Now this was a topic I wanted to discuss. “It’s kind of crazy if you think about it. I mean, I never really saw my grandparents growing up. I have no aunts or uncles. I don’t know anything about our family history. It’s kind of unnerving.”
    â€œWhy?”
    I couldn’t hide my agitation. “Because who am I? Where do I come from? What were my relatives like? What did they do? What did they love?”
    â€œWhoa. This really has you upset?”
    I was quiet for a moment as I tried to understand what I was feeling. The emotions were so new, yet so strong. I wanted to know everything about my family. Up until this moment it had never even mattered. It was funny how in the blink of an eye my life could suddenly change direction and that some assignment in class could throw me off so much.
    â€œI’m not upset. I’m just confused by it, you know? I just suddenly felt like some freak. I think I was probably the only one in class who knew nothing.”
    â€œThat’s probably not true,” Teddy shook his head. “And why does it matter now?”
    â€œI don’t know.” And I really didn’t. “It just does.”
    â€œWell I’m sure a nice chocolate milkshake will bring you out of this funk,” Teddy said as he pulled into the drive-thru of Queen Elizabeth’s, a local hamburger joint. “What do you want?”
    â€œI’m fine. Really. No milkshake. I promise,” I said. “I’m at the restaurant tonight. I’ll grab something there.”
    Teddy shrugged his shoulders and ordered. It didn’t take more than a few seconds before Teddy began devouring his burger and pulling out on to the road. He dropped me in front of my parents’ restaurant. The parking lot was relatively empty.
    â€œThanks for the ride,” I waved at him as I pulled my backpack tight up against my shoulders and, walked up the wooden stairs and entered the restaurant. From the outside it was clear that it was a small mom and pop diner. It needed some work, maybe a fresh paint job, but despite its outward appearance, it was a place that all the locals loved. The food was always good, and the service was even better. I loved the diner and it never bothered me to have to pull in hours. When I walked inside my mom greeted me with a giant hug.
    â€œHi honey,” she sang. When my mom hugged me, I always felt safe. Like nothing could ever touch me. There was nothing like unconditional love.
    â€œWow. That’s some hug,” she said as she kissed my head. “I haven’t gotten one of those in a long time.”
    â€œI just missed you,” I replied as I put my backpack down behind the counter. I made my way toward the back room to grab one of the uniformed collared shirts and black apron. My mom followed me.
    â€œHow was school?” she asked. I pulled my oversized sweater off and slipped on the a tight fitting polo and apron.
    â€œIt was fine,” I said as I pulled my hair back in ponytail.
    â€œJust fine?” she asked. ”You don’t have to change into the black pants. Your jeans look good.”
    â€œThanks,” I replied, relieved that I didn’t have to wear the full uniform. I looked over at the mirror and smoothed the runaway hairs away from my face. I pinched my cheeks for some color.
    â€œSince you just had a ‘fine’ day maybe I’ll make my famous lasagna for dinner.”
    â€œYou don’t have to do that,” I said quickly. “I actually have a History assignment tonight, so I can close up the restaurant.”
    â€œAre you going to work on it here?” my mom asked. “By yourself?”
    â€œNo, not by myself. We were each assigned a partner to complete the project with,” I said with a bit too much excitement. “He’s going to meet me here after his