Chapter 20

20

TANNER

I place the last can in my aunt’s cupboard then shut the wooden door. “There. Now you have plenty of nutritious soup.”

“Enough to last a lifetime,” Aunt Hannah remarks. She stands to my left and places a hearty helping of stew into a bowl. “Eat up, Tanny.”

I take the bowl, and moments later, we’re at the kitchen table, ready for our meal. I dig in, enjoying the hearty flavors of meat and potatoes, but Aunt Hannah eyes me curiously.

“Your food is getting cold,” I state, still trying to avoid her gaze.

She eats one spoonful then relaxes. “Tanner, it’s time for you to share.”

“Share what?” I ask, knowing exactly where she’s going with this.

“Share why you’ve been here every night this week.”

I shrug and stare at the carrots floating in my bowl. “Can’t a guy visit and help his great aunt? His only family?”

“Yes, and as your only family, I need to let you know, you’re not hiding the way you feel.”

My throat goes dry despite the hearty stew before me. Aunt Hannah puts her hand over mine, and I gaze at her. “Talk to me, Tanner.”

I force a smile. “Nothing to talk about.”

“Well, tell me how’s school?”

I shrug and glance at my food. “I’m doing alright grades-wise.”

“Good to hear. How’s Kovi?” I wince before I can help myself. “Bingo,” she mutters with a victorious smirk. “I know boy troubles when I see them.”

“There’s nothing with me and Kovi.”

“Really?” she asks in a skeptical tone.

“Really.” I’ve always been shit at lying to Aunt Hannah. I eat more stew to avoid my cruddy attempts at bluffing. When I take a breath and put the spoon down, I sense the truth bubbling to the surface. “There’s nothing…anymore.”

“Oh? He seemed to like you,” she replies. I glance at her and furrow my eyebrows. “I’m old, not dead. I know what a crush looks like, even between two young men.”

“He’s a monster, I’m a human.”

“Unimportant details,” she says, waving her hand around. We both snicker, then she places her hand on mine again. “Something’s eating you up inside. I’m worried about you, sweetie. What did Kovi do to you?”

My eyes sting and I stare at her hand. “He didn’t do anything to me.”

“It’s okay if a boy doesn’t want to date you, there are plenty of monster fish in the sea.”

I laugh. “It’s not that. We’ve been dating.”

“Aw, so he dumped you?”

“No.” I sigh and look away. “He’s amazing. I’m the one that ruined it.”

“That doesn’t sound like my Tanner. Sweetie, maybe I can help. You can talk to me about anything.”

I nod and gaze at my aunt. The love I feel for her is so strong. She’s been my shelter for years, and now I could really use her sage wisdom. So, after taking a deep breath, I proceed to tell her a truncated version of how I freaked out with Kovi. I explain our childhood and catch her up on the present, naturally leaving out some of the naughtier elements.

“Ah, I see. So, you’ve known this monster boy for quite some time.”

I miss him so much it hurts . “Yeah. And now he won’t even talk to me. Can’t say I blame him.”

“Aw, sweetie. I’m making us some tea.” Aunt Hannah gets up to fix up the mugs while I finish my meal. The delicious meat doesn’t absolve the heartache, but it’s a comforting flavor palate. Two minutes later, she’s back with two piping hot beverages.

We sit there for a minute in silence, listening to the ticking of the old clock on the wall. After Aunt Hannah takes a sip, she studies me. “It sounds like you’re afraid of this tree monster boy.”

I sigh with a smile. “I’m not afraid of him , per se. It’s just…”

“He brings back a dark memory. But Tanner, we can’t be held responsible for our traumas.”

I sit back. “But you didn’t see the look on his face, Aunt Hannah. I devastated him. I called him a nightmare.” My eyes sting and I fixate on the hot steam floating out of my mug. I recall so vividly the hurt on Kovi’s face. “I don’t blame him for not wanting to talk to me.”

After another sip, Aunt Hannah places her drink down. “So then you’ve decided. He’s not worth the trouble.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, obviously.” She waves her hand around and looks up. “This monster hurt you once. Why should you try to be with him?”

My throat goes dry. “But…but…he was a kid. It was an accident!”

“But what if he hurts you again?”

“I’d take that risk!”

“Is some monster truly worth it?”

“He’s not just some monster, Aunt Hannah! He’s an amazing man! He’s supportive, caring, and gorgeous. When Kovi’s with me, my life doesn’t feel hollow anymore. He’s more than worth it, because with him, I know I can do anything!”

Aunt Hannah puts her hand over mine. With a coy grin, she says, “Tanner, honey, there’s your answer.”

My breathing slows down. “Huh?”

“You just told me he’s worth it. Despite all the pain he’s inflicted on you, you still care for this boy.”

My heart beats faster when I hear the truth. I want to reach out to him so badly . “But after what I did, how can—”

“Tanner, everyone has baggage.” She pats my hand. “Now it’s up to you to share yours. The worst thing that can happen is he walks away and gives you your closure. But if everything you’re saying is true, I’d bet the opposite will happen.”

A seedling of hope is planted in my soul. “What’s that?”

“He’ll accept you, and you two can become something new, something more. Something that works.” She takes a long sip of tea. “The world changed two decades ago. But finding someone who wants to build a life with you is a timeless pursuit.”

I smile at the thought of growing older with Kovi. Baby steps, though. “So what do you think I should do?”

“You’re the college student, sweetie. You have friends, right?” She grins and holds up her mug again. “Ask them for help. And go fight for your monster.” She winks and I laugh so hard my lungs hurt. I love my Aunt Hannah so damn much. But she’s right—I need to do something to get back to Kovi.

The day before Halloween, I’m trying to focus on work at Mummy Mocha. The campus is thrumming with excitement for the big formal. More monsters than usual walk in and out of the café with books in their arms and tentacles. Ten weeks ago, if I saw this, I’d probably faint at the sheer amount of bat wings, claws, and furry tails of our patrons.

Now I don’t care about any of that. I only want to see branches, leaves, and vines. I never thought I’d actively want to interact with a tree monster.

But no, Kovi isn’t here. With a lull in patrons, I take a mocha over to my table of friends. Since it feels like my love life has been advertised in the Creelin Courier, I’ve informed my human crew about my predicament. I sit down at the small table in front of Shonda, Rachel, and Owen, and they’re all sipping drinks.

“So he still hasn’t talked to you?” Shonda gently asks.

I sigh. “No.”

“I’m tempted to drag him over here by his branches,” Rachel mutters.

“We shouldn’t harass him,” Owen remarks.

“Thank you, Owen.” I turn to the girls. “Please don’t bother him on my behalf.”

“We just don’t like seeing you like this,” Rachel says.

“Especially before the dance,” Shonda adds.

“Not that there’s anything wrong with going solo,” Owen mutters around his cup.

“I don’t care about any of that, I just…” I scratch my eyebrow and gaze at the other patrons. “I just want to plead my case. I don’t want to lose him.”

“Of course, not.” Shonda taps my hand. “Why don’t you go to his place and hash things out? You have trauma, so what? We all do.”

“That’s too forthright for me. I don’t want to pester him by banging on his door.” I huff and stir my cup around.

“Anyway, that’s his home turf,” Owen remarks. “It’s not like you can lure him here, since this place is closed during the dance tomorrow.” He sips his coffee. “But this is damn good brew.”

An insane idea sparks in my mind. “What if…this place was available?”

“Ooh, I sense a plan,” Shonda sings with a smile.

“What if I borrow the place to make my grand gesture to Kovi?” My heart thumps harder as I say the words out loud.

“Will that mummy let you keep the place open?” Rachel asks.

“He sure will!” Seth says.

We all jump and yelp at the sight of Seth sitting on a backwards chair by our table.

“Jeez!” Shonda yelps.

“Give us a warning!” Owen chastises.

“I’m so down,” Seth says with a grin. “What’s the plan, Tan?”

“How did you hear us?” Owen mutters.

Seth shrugs. “I overhear everything on campus. Tanner’s not the only new student struggling with a monster boyfriend.”

We all chuckle. The campus rumor mill has been abuzz with queer love stories this semester.

“So, what are we going to do?” Seth asks with a huge grin.

“I…I think…” I wipe my palms on my lap. This plan could break my heart or save me. “I think I need to go shopping for lanterns.” The four faces gaze at me in confused silence as a plan hatches in my brain—it’s time for me to make my move.