Chapter 6

"Yeah, I will. But I have to do one thing first." I say that as I open the door and walk down the stairs from my office.

"What is it that you want to do, kiddo?" Aunt Josephine asks as she follows me outside the office.

"I just need to wrap this whole thing up." I turn around and look for Jack. Where is he..?

Found him. "Hey Jack. Come here for a second." I call him over. He stands next to me and as we are at an elevated spot somewhat all of the places in the forge can be seen.

"Everyone!" All of the workers seemed baffled that I shouted and they all stop and turn towards me, "I would like to have your attention please." I stand there, facing all of my employees.

"For 48 years, I have been seeing this place and for 30 years I have worked here. That's a lot of time I have worked here but I have been here longer than just that. It's just that I was too young to be working." They all have gathered and are listening carefully.

"My dad gave this place to me when I was 28. Exactly 10 years after I had started working here. He really was a great man and the greatest blacksmith I had met. It really is a shame that he left this place. But he knew it had to be done." I take a deep breath.

"I have known mostly everyone of you for ages and, I really got to say that, you guys were much more than I expected. Never disappointed and never gave up. My dad would have agreed"

"He made the right decision and so will I. My time has come and I have made up my mind. I am leaving Jack with my position. You all will listen to his orders. Believe in yourself as I believe in you. It was nice working with you all. Goodbye."

*Clap *clap they started clapping, "We won't let you down sir!!" A worker shouted.

"I will work here forever!"

They all seem to be encouraged. I'm glad.

I turn to Jack, "You should say a few words. New manager"

"Mr....." He hugs me, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" He is almost going to cry.

"Now go ahead. You got this." I pat him on the shoulder.

He turns to the workers, "I will try my best as the new manager. Let's all work hard and make Mr. Linndon proud!" He shouts.

"Yeah!!!!" They all shout.

"Good work, kiddo" Aunt Josephine turns to me.

"And with that over, I guess I will walk you out myself, for the final time." I say as I walk down, I get my suitcase that has all of the things I had brought here with me years ago and lead the way.

The workers are waving me and I wave them back. I am really going to be missing this place very much. I have to say this is an intense decision.

We reach the entrance and walk out to the front. "So this is were you say goodbye to your aunt eh?" Aunt Josephine looks at me.

"Well they needed to know." I put the suitcase down.

"So what are you going to be doing next, kiddo?" She asks.

"I have to say I don't really have much in mind but I am planning on travelling,...seeing places." I reply.

"A lousy, bad liar. Just like your dad" she laughs.

"Was I that obvious?" It seems that she found out that I was lying.

"Your dad, was a great man. And you are just like him. I can tell that he would be so proud of you."

"Thanks, aunt Josephine."

"No need to thank me kiddo. You need to thank your family. They have done so much for this country and for you. You too should be proud of yourself."

"Yeah, I guess I should. It is kind of sad that I have to leave this place." I look at the forge. The sign says, 'The Linndon forge'. Goodbye, my second home. I really am going to miss this place and the people. They don't know that this might be the last time they see me but, it is for the best. I can't have anyone know about this.

"Sad about leaving the forge, huh kiddo?" Aunt Josephine notices me staring at the forge.

"Yeah, I really am. How could I not be?" I say as I turn around.

"You are not just leaving this forge, are you now?" She asks.

What? "So you kno.."

"Let me interrupt you there kiddo. I don't know what you are talking about but I think you are smart enough to know the answer yourself."

"Okay." So she really do know that my parents didn't just go missing.

"You family and my family made a deal once. Before even you aunt Josephine was born. We were to help to cover up the mysteries hidden in the Linndon family and in return, they would make weapons for us."

"I didn't know that." I am hearing this for the first time.

"It is a great deal for both families but some things had sacrifices. Your parents said it was time for them to go. I denied them at first, I thought that this would put you in a state that I didn't want you to be in but they convinced me. I just want you to know kiddo, that I didn't take care of you just because of the family deal, okay."

"I know, aunt Josephine" I go near and hug her.

"Okay that is enough. You are going to make me cry. I am too old to be crying" she laughs.

"So this is goodbye?" I ask.

"It is never goodbye, kiddo."

"You are right. Thank you, for everything. I don't know if I have done anything to deserve this."

"You have done more than just to deserve it." She turns to me, "Go, kiddo. Don't make the other world wait for you"

"Thanks" I hug her one last time. I take my suitcase in hand and start walking through the streets that I might never see again. I look back and wave to aunt Josephine. She waves back. I look up at the evening sky, it's so beautiful. I guess this is goodbye.