Bruin's Break

[Bruin Dumbledez]

Bruin made the long trek up the mountain path towards the family home, the Sun's bright rays providing little warmth as they danced back skyward off the thick blankets of freshly fallen snow.

It had been an exhausting flight and Bruin wished for nothing more than a steaming mug of hot chocolate, a warm hug from his parents, and to settle down for a long winter's nap with his big yellow lab, Ray. He knew that his grandparents were supposed to be visiting for a few days before leaving for yet another trip, but he didn't know if he was up for a visit just yet.

Bruin's grandfather had always been a little eccentric and spoke in such a way as Bruin never knew exactly what he actually meant when he spoke. His grandmother, on the other hand, was a sweet and affectionate lady, but it had been almost a year and a half since they had last seen each other and so much had happened that Bruin didn't know if he had the strength to relay it all in such a short time.

Bruin mounted the wooden steps, kicked the snow from his boots, and stepped into the warmth of his home. "Hey Mom and Dad, I'm home!!!", Bruin managed before Ray barrelled into him with an affectionate greeting. Bruin heard some footsteps and looked up to see his mother enter the room from the kitchen. It looked as though she had been crying. "Mom? What's wrong? Where are Grandma and Grandpa?", he asked, knowing instinctively that something wasn't right.

 

[Meg Dumbledez]

Meg's emotions had gotten the best of her and she couldn't contain the tears. She had wanted to gain her composure before Bruin arrived home, but had been unable to do so, especially in consideration of the tragic events of the past few days. Meg rushed across the room and embraced her only son in a breath-constricting hug.

"Bruin, honey...there's...there's been an accident....", she managed between sobs. "Your Grandma and Grandpa never made it here...". With those words said, Meg's last remaining strength dissolved and she disintegrated into a deep, heart-wrenching sadness, tears streaming from her cheeks as she mourned the loss of her parents.

 

[Bruin Dumbledez]

Nothing could have prepared Bruin for what his mother just said and he simply stood there holding his mother, the combination of overwhelming shock and an intrinsic understanding that his mother needed him to be strong resulting in him standing their offering an unyielding support for her. "It's okay mom....it's going to be okay...", he repeated again and again, hoping that at some point the words might actually ring true.

 

[Edward Dumbledez]

Edward had just returned from bringing some wood in for the fire when he heard Bruin attempting to comfort his mother. He entered the living room and gently ushered his wife and son to the couch. Edward himself was finding it difficult to reconcile the happenings of the last few days and wasn't sure how to help his wife deal with the sudden and untimely loss of her parents. He busied himself by stoking the fire and then settled into a chair opposite the couch.

Edward eyed the strange package and letter addressed to Bruin that sat on the coffee table between them. The package had apparently been intended as a Christmas present for Bruin from his grandparents and had been retrieved from the wreckage of their rental car. A car that had been decimated by a logging truck on one of the icy mountain roads leading to their home. Despite the sadness enveloping the room, Edward was curious as to what the package might contain and the mysterious circumstances that had preceded its delivery.

 

[Bruin Dumbledez]

Bruin sat on the couch with his arm still around his mother, unsure of what to say or do. He looked at his father and a rare, but meaningful look of understanding passed between the two. They needed to be strong.

Bruin noticed that his father was looking at a small present and envelope bearing his name on the table before him. The handwriting was rather large and messy, unmistakably that of his grandfather and Bruin wondered if this was the "surprise" that his mother had referred to in her letter.

 

[Edward Dumbledez]

Edward eyed his son and then figuring that no harm could be done by it, simply said. "Go ahead and open it if you like. There's no sense in waiting."

 

[Bruin Dumbledez]

Bruin leaned forward and gingerly opened the envelope, taking a moment to admire his grandfather's unique handwriting and slid the letter out from within.

Bruin,

Your Grandmother and I could not be more proud of you and your accomplishments.  We think that you are ready to receive a rather "special" treasure that has been in our family for generations.  It has a unique history that we look forward to sharing with you, at least those parts that we have been able to discover during our travels. 

We hope that it provides you with as much joy as you have provided for us.

Love Grandpa and Grandma

Bruin had never experienced any significant loss before in his life and was suddenly struck profoundly by the sad reality that was unfolding around him. He hesitated momentarily, unsure of what the small package might hold, before tearing the paper away to reveal what appeared to be an old, hinged wooden box about the size of his palm. Bruin slowly lifted the lid and was surprised at the strange and wondrous carving within.

Bruin withdrew what appeared to be an old limestone carving from the box, a strange mixture of a lioness' head on a powerful human torso. He wondered where it came from, what significance it might have, and what stories had been lost with the premature passing of his grandparents. He wondered even more deeply what steps he would need to take to discover its secrets for himself.