Adam walked along the hidden trail to his parent’s house. He admired the beautiful dusk sky as the colors fade into an indigo ombre effect. The air began to turn chill, causing goosebumps along the back of his neck. The faint noise of the woodland creatures, the crackling of twigs enticed Adam to explore the forest before night settled, but he had an objective he needed to complete. Adam loved how the sky was always different colors as the seasons changed, how in the summer dusk would be colored a dusty rose, and how in late winter the blue-purple hues would dance along the horizon. Adam took a deep, cleansing breath through his nose and out his mouth to calm his nerves. He had a plan about how he would contact Janelle, his family, but Adam wanted to talk to his Dad to make sure he was making the right decision. Every few decades, Adam would bring up the idea to find the other part of his family, the part ripped away due to man’s greed. The last time he suggested the idea was at the turn of the 19th century. Hephaestus was adamant that it was a mistake and would only cause issues that neither him, the GODS, or his human descendants deserved. It had been over 100 years, and he cautiously watched the humans. They progressed not as far as he wished, but enough for him to feel comfortable making contact. He found the path to his father’s house, the smell of the forage and burning wood began to fill his nostrils. He listened carefully to see if his father was in his cave. Instead, he noticed the subtle scent of his mom cooking. The smell of sweet honey figs and baked feta wafted through the air. He approached the raggedy house that appeared abandoned to the human eye. He looked around to see if another human was milling about, but all he sensed were animals, a few nymphs, and dwarves. He placed his hand against the wooden door. Calling upon the powers of Gaia, Adam’s eyes turned golden brown, he grew a bit taller, and his body became chiseled as a well-crafted athlete with broad shoulders and biceps that fought against his shirt. Adam whispered in Greek, “Anoíxte tin pórta stone kósmo ágnosto. Chorigeítai apó ton evlogiméno Día.” (translation Open the door to the World unknown. Granted by the Blessed Zeus.)
The cravings along the door glowed a fiery red and gold, that read,” This is the Home of Hephaestus and Aglaea, all are welcomed and blessed.”
Adam knocked on the door, not to intrude on his parent’s privacy. He heard Aglaea run through the house, heavy-footed like a small child, with an outburst of giggles that escaped her lips. She was a happy woman, one whose infectious laughter and joy spread to all.
Adam was startled as the heavy door Flew open “ADAM, I am so glad to see you! “Aglaea’s arms flew around Adam, pulling him in for a loving embrace, one that only a mother could give, warm and caring that radiated love. Adam breathed in deeply; her hair smelled of Apples and honeysuckle. “Hey, Mom,” Adam said, holding her tight. It didn’t matter if he was a millennial old. It felt good to be in the arms of someone who loved him.
“Oh, Adam, come in, come in. I am cooking for dinner. Your Dad not back from Olympus yet, but he will be home soon,” as she pulled away from the embrace, ushering him into the house. Adam smiled, asking, “What’s for Dinner?” He already knew from the smells; she was cooking a wonderful game stew, honey figs, baked feta, and Sweetbread. Aglaea smiled warm and luminous as she took the lead, walking back to the kitchen. Adam followed, looking at the memory stills that were created by his Dad. Images of him playing with the Charites and playing with his Aunt Demetria and Persephone. He admired the family pictures with him, his two brothers, and his six sisters. As he walked into the dining room, he saw the plate of food and glass of red wine waiting at the table.
“You’re a mind-reader!” Adam said, sitting at the table, grinning at the home-cooked meal. He noticed that the robots, his father made, looked more realistic than the last time.
“Mom, Did Dad change the robots?” Looking at the new models as they clinked across the floor. He noticed that Hephaestus had thinned the metal alloy to the point it looked like skin, semi-translucent using gold and copper threads to give a hue that appeared human-like. It was always amazed him how his father could make them look so lifelike except for the face. The robot’s face looked similar to C-3PO; Adam wondered if the robot created by his father were the inspiration for the character C-3PO in Star Wars. Adam’s mom broke the silence “I had a feeling you were coming. It’s been a hundred, oh maybe 150 years, since the last time you came for your father’s advice,” Aglaea said, side-eying her son. “You know we miss you and don’t have to stay in the mortal realm all the time.” Aglaea sat down next to him with her bowl of stew and wine.
“I know, mom,” Adam said, slurping the stew, warm and rich Broth with rosemary and bay leaf. His table manner went out the door, around his mom. Causing an involuntary shudder from her, but nothing could dampen her joy, having Adam home. The warm stew filled his heart with joy, and he remembered how it felt when he would come to his wife and children.
“Your sister is doing great, finding their place in the world; it hard for them right now due to humans being pricks,” Aglaea said, seeing the sadness creep into his eyes from memory that lingered too long.
Adam forced a fake smile, answered his mom, “yeah, I noticed they try hard to bring Joy to the World. It’s so hard when everyone is so pessimistic.” Or as he did air quotes, “As they say Keepin’ it Real.”
Algaea sighed, deeply “Yeah.”, sipping the perfectly aged Rioja she had received from Diyionus, who was trying new varietals.
“Maybe for Father’s Day, you and your sister could come home for a few days?” She asked, smiling return to her inner joy, which brought a smile to his face. All of a sudden, Algaea looked up. “Dad’s home!” She said, beaming and getting up to fix Hephaestus meal, with a glass of whiskey instead of wine. Adam was amazed at how tuned she was to his father’s presence. Just then, a loud boom came from the back of the house near the forge erupted, the smell of smoke and leather began to fill the air, along with tulips. Tulips, Adam sniffed, to make sure he smelled the flowers, “Ahhh, the old man trying to seduce Algaea. He may have to cut the visit short.” He thought, smirking to himself, “He always been a hopeless romantic.”
Hephaestus opened their back door beaming with a huge smile seeing Algaea putting his food on the table. Hephaestus came over and hugged his wife from behind, picking her up and kissing her neck. Once he places her back down, he hands her Tulips; he got from Hestia. Adam shook his head; they acted like horny teenagers. He noticed how his Dad always radiated a warm red glow around, Algaea. He realized he missed his wife, her infectious laugh, her golden eyes, that beamed like polished gold coins.
“Honey, Adam’s here.” She said, giggling through the coarse beard tickling her neck. Hephaestus kissed his wife one more time, on the temple gently, letting her down. Hephaestus walked over to Adam to patting him on the back but pulled Adam in for a hug.
“Hey Dad,” He said, as he felt the embrace linger, with a tinge of sadness.
“It good to see you, son.” Hephaestus released Adam from the embrace, patting him hard on his back, assessing his son’s current state. He knew from his reaction; he was about to do something dumb.
“Let’s finish dinner; then we can talk,” Hephaestus said, limping to his seat, stopping to kiss Algaea on the top of her head, and took a seat next to her. Adam watched as the tension came to his father’s face. Adam focused on his enjoying his stew. He noticed how Algaea studied his face with concern. Adam focused on his breathing, slowing his heart rate as if he was nervous. “You know Y’all should talk now. I am going to go upstairs.” As Algaea pushed away from the table, she walked over, gently touching Adam’s shoulder, and whispered: “No matter what, now we love you.” She kissed the top of Adam’s thick curly black hair.
“Oh, and Heppy, can you put the food away.” Algaea whisked away quickly upstairs to give the two men privacy. Soft scents of apple and honeysuckle floated by as she promptly disappeared.
Adam covered his mouth to stifle a giggle, looking over at his father “Heppy?” but a low chuckle still escaped.
“Damn that woman.” Hephaestus sighed as he eyed Algaea rushing up the stairs. Adam smile at his father. “How do you do it, Dad?” asked, reaching for the sweet bread.
Hephaestus shrugged, “I was lucky.” He grinned, “So tell me? Have you given up on that Foolish plan?” Hephaestus knew the answer; he wished his son would move on. He was immortal; he had a family that loved him.
“Nope, I found her. She’s a journalist in Baltimore. I already made plans to meet her.” Adam said he knew his old man would be upset. Hephaestus took a few pieces of the meat from the stew, chewed, looked at his foolish child, and released an aggravated sigh Hephaestus. Looked at Adam, eyes pleading that he would reconsider.
“Dad, it will work,” Adam said, sipping on his wine, making intense eye contact with Hephaestus, pleading for acceptance.
Hephaestus knew anything; he would say he could push Adam away. The same thing happened when Adam left Greece and went against GOD’s first warning not to meddle in human affairs. He was just like his mother, and that frightened Hephaestus. He could not lose another son, not his first son, but he knew it was too late. Adam didn’t care about the rules or thoughts of the GODS.
“I don’t want you to deal with the Wrath of Zeus and Hera,” Hephaestus said, staring into his whiskey.
“Dad, it won’t. I have a plan,” Adam said, looking at his father. He realized he noticed his Dad furrowed the brow. The steam, rising from his foot. He knew his father was worried and angered, and he would do anything to prevent another trial, but he needed to do this; he wasn’t sure if he would get another chance.
“Son…” he took a breath, choosing his words with care, “If they catch you this time, I will not be able to save you.” He said, his voice deep and low. “I can’t put Algaea nor your sisters through that pain again.” He returned the eye contact, even more intense, forcing Adam to break his gaze and look away in defeat.
“I know, Dad.” Adam had made his mind up. He knew his Dad would be fine. Algaea will use her joy magic on him to forget the pain from losing him. He already knew he would end up locked in Tartarus or beheaded by Ares. His step-father/ Uncle would love to end his life for his crimes against the Greek pantheon. But he needed to reconnect with a part of his mortal family; he needed to see one person from his lineage. Tell them his story, apologies for the pain of his actions. Adam knew this was the only way.
Hephaestus took a deep breath. “I think you should leave. I tell Algaea you will come back to visit another time.” Hephaestus stood up to show his son out. Adam saw the pained expression on his father’s face, how his father couldn’t bear to look at him. As Hephaestus walked by Adam, he could hear sizzling from each footstep against the floor.
Adam sighed, quietly got up, headed to the door. As Adam walked out of the house, his father would not make eye contact. The tension was thick, and both men felt disappointment from their decisions, a feeling of finality lingered through the air. As Adam walked out of the house, he called out, “Bye, Dad” Waiting for a response, all he heard was the door slam behind him, and Adam walked back in the woods as the sun began to rise.
Adam walked back to his campsite, feeling the agony pulsate in his chest; he knew he broke his father’s heart. He wished his father understood why he needed to connect to his kin.
Hephaestus turned to walk back to the dining room to see his wife, standing at the foot of the steps. Annoyance, expressed across her face, “Why did you do that?” whining, hurt that Hephaestus, shutting Adam out and didn’t even try. Hephaestus didn’t want to hear his wife berate him over his decision. He had to protect his family from the foolishness of his son. Hephaestus walked pass Algaea, hoping she could take a hint and leave what transpired alone.
“Hephaestus! “Algaea’s normal sweet voice boomed with fury as her quick steps ran towards her husband, heavy and monstrous. “You pig-headed fool!” Algaea screamed as the house shook from her voice. Hephaestus grumbled to himself and fired back with full rage to his wife “ALGAEA!!!!, he bellowed, “Not now!!!” Steam came from his feet, his face turned red, and steam raised from beneath him as he was burning footprints into the marble floor.
“Where are you going?” Algaea rushed behind him. “I’m not done with you!” Algaea screamed as she grabbed her husband’s muscular arms with all her strength. “How dare you to let Adam leave without listening,” flailing her arms in his face, stammering, “Without talking to him” Algaea anger overtook her, and she shoved her husband out of anger. Hephaestus was seething with rage, lips twisted with contention and her brow furrow, verbal venom dripping from his tongue. “Don’t you touch me, woman! This is all your fault!” Snatching his arm away from Algaea grasp, “We would have both sons if it weren’t for you!” Hephaestus bulged with anger. The natural heat of his body flowed through his arms. Algaea wouldn’t back down “Weak? Weak? You’re the one who let Hera, Aphrodite; Hell, even Athena, manipulate you!” Hephaestus opened his mouth to speak when Algaea spat out, “You hid your son, from his family!” she attempted to push the god, who stood stoic, with an ease a mockery only a scorn woman could say “because you were too Skyla to stand up to the pantheon!” Hephaestus grabbed his wife, breathing steam out of his nostrils.
The heat from his hands burned her skin. Algaea would not back down as she felt her skin burn under her husband’s touch. “Shut UP! He is not your son! You were only his wet nurse B—” Hephaestus released his wife before he finished the last word. He turned away to hear his wife whisper: “I don’t want to lose another son.” Tears began streaming down her face feeling, defeated Algaea ran upstairs away from Hephaestus. The deafening silence of the house caused a prickly sensation up his arm. A heavy sigh escaped his lips, “Damn you, Adam.” He muttered under his breath, pushing his bowl away from him.
P.S. if you liked this post leave a comment or you can buy me a Coffee.
Che-Michelle Tales 