Home Sweet Home

The train pulled into Grand Central at about 6am, jarring me awake. How I managed to sleep sitting up I don’t quite know, especially since my neck, and my forehead where it kept bumping against the window tell me I was very uncomfortable. Or at least I was later.

I don’t know what I was expecting when I got to the terminal. A crowd? A banner? A Hobgoblin in a chauffeur’s uniform holding a sign with my name on it?

What I got was Mom. That was it.

I never was able to hide many things from Mom. She must have seen my disappointment. “Master Runyon sends his apologies but he and Teleri are in tense negotiations for the Mattress Commercial.” She said. “And Yang disappeared shortly after T’ing got back, Neil’s off…doing something I hope won’t get him in trouble, and of course Ilya had to stay and guard the bathroom.

There was one name I noticed got left off that list. “What about Hobson?”

Mom looked worried. I hate it when Mom looks worried. “The agency left a message from him.” She said. “He’s gone back to England, maybe for good.”

“Oh.” I say. What else could I say? The little guy swears himself to my service and he can’t even manage to stick around to say goodbye? Hobson gave me the wand. Got me into this Dread and Puissant gig in the first place.

“Tim I’m sure he wouldn’t have just left like that if it weren’t important.” Mom said.

“Sure.” Again, what could I say? She’s probably right but…it’s not bad enough I had to say good bye to all my friends back in Fandom, I didn’t even get to say goodbye to one of my friends here.

“Did you sleep on the train?” Mom asked, changing the subject.

“A little,”

“Why don’t you get some sleep when we get home. I have to go to work so you’ll have the place to yourself.”

“Yeah.” I think I really could use more sleep. And privacy. Fandom’s still kinda a lump in my throat.