Take My Hands to Sollazo

“The warrior knew the only way to return home was to find the door. The only problem was that the door could be anything and anywhere. His little heart was crushed by knowing he might never get home again. He didn’t belong in this world. He belongs on his plant with his Mother and sister, and they await his return.”

My brother’s soft snoring made my Mother and I look at him. My Mother chuckled, “Alright, kiddo, it’s time for bed. We can finish the book tomorrow night.”

I sighed and threw myself back onto the bed. “Why can’t we finish it? Nate doesn’t pay attention anyway.”

My Mother had already closed the book and placed it on the nightstand. “I know, honey.” She went to my brother and softly picked him up. “But you know your brother likes spending these moments with us.” She smiled softly at me, “Let me take your brother to his room, and I’ll come and tuck you in.”

After 5 minutes, my Mother came back into my room. “In you go, Bean.” She lifted the blanket, and I slipped under it. “Your Dad decided to take your brother to the game this weekend. We can go out on a Mommy and Bean date if you’d like.”

I smiled happily at her. My Mother’s hazel eyes shine brightly when she looks at Nate or me. She would say we are her favorite chapters in her book. My Mother leans in and kisses my forehead.

“May your dreams take you to a wonderful destination and give a chapter world wild to explore.”

That was one of my memories of my Mother—a famous fantasy writer who took people out of this world with her writing. Someone who taught me it was never wrong to dream big. The bigger, the better.

I walk towards my car and get a call from Nate before I get in. “Hey,” I answer as I climb in the driver’s seat.

“Yo, Beanie!” My brother’s deep laugh vibrates through the cell. “I’m going home this weekend, and Dad wants to know if you are deciding to come as well.”

I haven’t been home for a few years, so returning feels weird. This month will mark 17 years of living without my Mom. Losing Mom was hard for all of us. Nate and I were little and unsure of what life would be like without her. Dad took it the hardest, losing the love of his life and having to raise two kids as a single dad, but he did a great job.

Dad got remarried seven years later. Linda, my Dad’s wife, was always excellent. She ensured we never forgot our Mother and respected and loved us even if we weren’t hers. Dad and Linda gave birth to my little brother, Austin, four years into marriage. I love him to pieces, but Nate and I tend to spoil him a little too much.

“Bean?” I hear Nate hesitate.

“Sorry,” I snap back to the now. I guess it’s time to go back, right?” The family always came to visit me here in New York, or we’d go see Nate at his place in Boston. Dad still lives in the house he bought with Mom. It scares me to know that traces of Mom won’t be there anymore.

This doesn’t mean I hate Linda; I love her, but sometimes I miss my Mother.

Nate sighs. “I know it’s hard. It’s hard for me, too. I just think it’s time to give the old man a rest with all this back and forth.”

I laugh. “Yeah, Dad needs that energy for Austin.” We both burst out laughing.

“Alright, see you this weekend. Can you bring me a whole meat lovers’ pie from my favorite pizza joint?”

I chuckled, “Okay. Hopefully, I won’t forget.”

“Don’t worry; I’ll remind you before you leave.” After that, we said our last goodbyes and headed to work.

Friday came too quickly. I had the day off at the publishing house. The night before, I packed my suitcase and drove back to Salem. Home sweet home.

After four and a half hours of driving, including two pitstops, I arrived in front of the house. Nate came before me, seeing his car parked next to Dad’s. It’s not surprising since he lives close by. I take a deep breath before stepping out of the car.

“Beanie!” I see Austin running from the backyard and jumping into my arms. I give him a big hug and put him down. Nate and Dad follow behind.

“It’s about time.” Nate pulls me into a death-hold hug.

“I can’t breathe.” I gasp.

“My turn, kid.” Dad’s hug is warm and soft, like the one he gave me when I was younger. We all went inside and spent the evening catching up.

I put down the book I’m reading and head to the kitchen to make coffee. Coffee keeps most people up, but it does not for me; it makes me sleepy.

“Can’t sleep?” I turn and see my Dad with a mug in hand. I nod. “What are your plans for tomorrow?”

I don’t have much planned. I came here without a schedule, wanting to go with the flow of things. “Nothing in particular.”

“Do you want to run the shop a little tomorrow? I want to surprise the boys with game tickets, and Linda is having a cooking class. I could use your help if you’re up for it.”

“I don’t see why not. I’ll go.” We finish our coffee and head to bed. The morning is filled with people moving around and chairs getting dragged around. I finish getting ready and head to the kitchen. Pancakes, banana loaf bread, fruit salads, toast, eggs, and various breakfast dishes filled the table.

“Are we having company?” I ask as I take a plate and fill it with my favorites.

Linda comes in with a tray of bacon. “No, honey, I couldn’t decide what to make, so I made everything. Bacon?”

I chuckle and take a couple of strips onto my plate. The boys come running in and make a mess eating. I swear they are like animals.

Dad hands me the keys to the antique shop. Dad and Mom had the antique shop way before they had us. It was stable, and sales were always good.

It didn’t take long for me to arrive at the shop. I open up and start the day. I check Dad’s list of things that need to be displayed. I go back and place all the stuff on a small cart.

A sudden noise makes me lift my head from where I am working. I don’t hear anything again and get back to work. The painting. I leave the clipboard on the cart and go around the corner to find the painting I need.

As I make the turn, I bump into something big. I quickly looked up and screamed. I close my eyes, grab onto the arm holding my shoulder, stabilize my footing, and flip them over my shoulder. A grunt snaps my eyes back open. “Thief!”

I’m about to jump over the big man lying on the floor, grunting, “I’m not a thief. I work here.” He slowly sits up and rubs his shoulder. “You seem like a tiny mouse, but you are strong.” He looks up at me, and the light lets me see his face clearly. Gray eyes, dark curly hair, beautiful full lips, and an immense body.

“I’m Lance, by the way.” He gets up and dusts himself off. “And you are?”

I slowly look him over before I answer. “I’m Bean. My Dad owns the shop.”

“Oh, you’re his only daughter?” I nod. “It’s finally nice to meet you. Sorry, I scared you.”

“What are you doing here so early?” I ask.

He jingles a pair of keys. “I came through the back. I had to bring in some new antiques.”

I breathe deeply and nod. “Alright, give me a second.” I step away and quickly call my Dad. I explained the situation, and he laughed at the other end.

“Sorry, I forgot to tell you. Just play nice. Who knows, this can be a new chapter in your life.” He hangs up before I can say anything else.

I turn to Lance and awkwardly smile. “Sorry about earlier. My Dad forgot to mention you.”

I reach out and say, “Let’s start over. Hi, I’m Bella Rose, but everyone calls me Bean.”

Lance quickly smiles and reaches for my hand. “Hello, Bean. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lance.” His deep voice vibrates through my body, and the warmth of his hold engulfs me in a bubble.

We stare at each other until we hear thunder whipping outside. A lighting strike hits the shop, and my grip on Lance tightens. Soon, a rumble comes right after the strike. The shop shakes.

Lance takes me into his arms and covers me. “What’s happening?” I feel my voice tremble.

“I’m not sure.” Lance holds me tighter. We hold onto each other and close our eyes.

After a couple of minutes, the thunder and shaking stopped. Lance and I get up. He starts searching my body. “Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?”

I laugh. “I’m okay. Thank you for protecting a stranger.”

His eyes start shining. “What makes you think we’re strangers?”

I look at him, confused. “Aren’t we?”

Before Lance could say something, someone called him, “Lance?” A soft, velvety voice calls him.

The voice causes Lance to look shocked and confused. His face hardens, and he turns towards the voice. A petite, slender woman with long dark curls and dark gray eyes stands a few feet away. She’s a female version of Lance.

“Mother?” There was a crack in Lance’s voice.

“Oh, heavens. It’s really you.” The woman walks towards us slowly, but Lance runs and takes the woman in his arms.

I start looking around. I thought we were in the back room of the shop. Why am I here? I look out a huge open window in front of me. Green fields, purple skies, and the smell of vanilla.

I started feeling panic. Did we die? Was it really an earthquake? Are we buried in? Is this heaven? Did we cross over? What happened to my Dad? My brothers? Linda?

It feels like my heart is about to rip out of my chest. I place my hand on my chest and start having trouble breathing.

“Bean?” I heard someone call me, but I was not sure from where.

“I think she’s having a panic attack.” Another voice was close by. Was it the woman?

“Bean!” I feel someone take me into an embrace. The hold becomes tighter and warmer. I start feeling myself calm down. “Bean?”

I slowly look up, and Lance looks down at me, worried. “We died.” I start crying in his arms.

“Oh dear.” I feel a hand pat my back. “No, my darling, you are not dead. You are full of life. Look at me.” I turn to look at the woman. “Let’s get you something to drink and calm you down. We can explain more after you’re better.”

She nods to Lance, and he places his hand under my legs, picking me up. I quickly wrap my arms around his neck to prevent myself from falling.

We end up in a beautiful room. It looks like the sun came in and decorated it. White marble and gold decorations fill the room from the ground up.

A server brought a tray of tea, and it helped me calm down.

“Are you feeling better?” The woman asks.

I smile softly. “Yes, thank you.” I bite my lip. “Sorry, but what should I call you?”

She smiled brightly, “Call me Carmella. I am Lance’s Mother.”

I ask Lance, “If we aren’t dead, where are we?”

“We are in Sollazo, my home. It’s not on Earth.” He starts, “Sollazo is a planet light years away from Earth. The only way to get back and forth is by doors. They can be anything or anyone who can teleport us from one point to another.”

“So, we are in space? Are you an alien? I am a hundred billion miles away from home. But the only way back home is using a door?” I repeat. “So, all I need is the door to return home?”

Carmella and Lance give each other a worried look.

“My darling, a door is hard to find or active. A door appears when the moment is right and needed, like you. You were the door to bringing Lance home, but the magic you had was only temporary. You are no longer the door.”

“So I’m stuck here until the universe decides it’s time for me to go home? How long will that take?” I stand up, feeling my whole body shake.

Lance stands up and takes me into his arms.

I look at him. “You’re making it a habit to embrace me.”

“It looks like it calms you down,” he smirks. He lets me go and takes my hand. “Don’t worry. You’re here with me, and I’ll protect you. I promised your Mom.”

“My mom?”

“The warrior who travels dimensions by doors.” Lance smiles.

“That’s about you? We’ve met before?”

“There is so much to tell you. I want to show you around my beautiful land before we talk more. How about it?”

I look at Lance and then Carmella, who smiles as she watches Lance and me interact.

“I don’t think I have much of a choice.” Carmella gets up quickly.

“Let’s get you changed.” She pulls me away from Lance and takes me away.

After trying a few dresses, we settled on a cream, flowery dress and a pile of diamond jewelry. The dress perfectly embraced my curvy body, and my brown curls fell down my back, beautifully defined.

As I step out, Lance looks at me in awe. I feel my face burn. “Does it look weird?”

Lance takes my hand and places my palm on his cheek, “You look as beautiful as the moon.” He kisses my palm and then leads me out.

Sollazo is beautiful, rich in vegetation, with green fields and magical creatures I have never seen. The sky is naturally purple and becomes light pink when night falls. It’s like the stars are on the land.

We stop by a clear blue lake. I sit by the lake and dip my fingers into the warm water. Lance is next to me.

“This place feels like a dream, like one of the worlds my Mother wrote about. It doesn’t feel real.” I feel my smile fade. “Will my family be okay? What if I’m gone for too long?”

Lance takes my hand. “Don’t worry. I’m here with you. Even if you forgot me and see me as a stranger, I’ll find you a door and get you home—even if it kills me having to let you go.”

I look up at Lance, and sad eyes look down at me. Deep down, he feels familiar yet seems like a stranger. I feel comfortable with him, and I know I am safe with him.

I look out to this new, out-of-this-world magical world. As my Mother would say, some chapters are unexpected, and you should take them courageously.

I don’t know what this chapter holds, but I hope my family stays safe. I hope I discover these familiar feelings toward Lance.

I need to take this crazy, dreamlike reality into my own hands and discover more here.

From everyday life to a magical whirlwind chapter. I squeeze Lance’s hand and smile at him.