Chapter 3.05

appaloosa recreation center; three months later

“Bahumbug,” Anakin complained loudly. My twin crossed his arms, his mouth set in a deep scowl.

“What’s the matter, pumpkin?” Aunt Lane asked. “I thought you liked bowling!”

“Yes, but it’s 8 in the morning,” Anakin said.

“The perfect time for family bonding!” Uncle Alistair declared, his hands clasped in front of his chest. Behind him, Aunt Lane mirrored the gesture, and I smiled to see them so close together. When I grew up, I hoped I would marry someone who made me as happy as Uncle Alistair and Aunt Lane seemed to be. 

“Rey, you like bowling, right?” Uncle Alistair said, turning to me.

I chanced a quick glance at my twin. Anakin sighed, waving his hand, and I nodded. “Yes, Uncle Alistair,” I said. Then, glancing at Anakin again, I added, “I’m much better than Anakin.” 

“Hey!” Anakin protested loudly. “That’s not true!”

“Anakin, higher numbers mean you lose,” I replied.

My twin stuck out his tongue, and I giggled. Anakin was a sore loser, but he was never mean about it.

“Lose, shmose,” Anakin muttered. He let out a loud grunt as he cradled the large ball to his chest and waddled towards the bowling lane.

I copied him, balancing precariously on my new pretty sandals (a gift from Aunt Lane). I was glad that we were at the bowling alley so early, for it meant that no one else was here. I liked being alone with my family — it was more peaceful that way. 

“SCORE!” Anakin and I bellowed. We high-fived each other as the last of the pins clattered to the ground.

Uncle Alistair laughed, but I caught something sad in his eyes as he looked at me and Anakin. Before I could ask why he looked so wistful, he marched up to the lane with a bowling ball of his own. 

“Okay,” I heard Uncle Alistair whisper to himself. He looked like he was taking this very, very seriously. I wondered if he and Mom had ever bowled together. They were twins, after all — just like me and Anakin.

Leliana and Alistair; Rey and Anakin.

No wonder he’d looked so sad before. He was probably remembering Mom. 

“You’re going down, Windsor!” I heard Lane jeer, and I pushed all thoughts of Mom from my mind. I was tired of crying about Mom and Dad. I had to be happy so Aunt Lane and Uncle Alistair wouldn’t worry about me. 

Uncle Alistair, it seemed, took Aunt Lane’s words to heart, and we all giggled at the sight of our uncle sprawled on the ground. 

Uncle Alistair soon got his revenge, though — he made sure to video tape Aunt Lane as she tried (unsuccessfully) to bowl in her long mermaid skirt.

After several matches (I beat Anakin soundly in each round), Anakin pulled us towards the row of gleaming arcade machines in the corner of the room. 

“Ha,” Anakin said as he booted up the center arcade machine. “They call that a tank? I could invent something much better.”

“SCORE!” I heard Aunt Lane bellow as a series of loud crashes came from her machine.

“How are you doing, Rey?” Uncle Alistair asked.

I shrugged, biting my lip, and half-heartedly pressed the center button again. Even though I tried to think about other things, I just kept going back to Mom.

“Uncle Alistair, did you ever bowl with Mom?” I asked, keeping my eyes fixed on the glowing screen. 

Silence. Then —

“No, your mom and I preferred to play tag,” he said. I turned, and my uncle smiled down at me sadly.

“Your mom probably would have beat me, though,” he added, his smile turning rueful. “She was very coordinated. You remind me of her.”

My breath caught. “R-really?”

He patted my hair, saying, “Yes, Rey. You and Leliana are both full of light and bravery.”

Light. I smiled weakly, hoping that he was right. I didn’t feel very brave, but Uncle Alistair knew everything. Maybe I could be brave.

I turned back to the machine, feeling considerably lighter, and began to press the button with more force.

Great job! The screen read, and I beamed.

Great job, indeed.

As a side note: lol remember these characters? I haven’t updated my other story, The Zevra, in months, and unfortunately it looks like it’ll be a while yet before the next chapter. I underestimated how difficult it would be to take photos for such a magic/action-heavy story! For now, the windsors are my top priority.