A Kitchen Chronicles Roadtrip
Part 7 (final)
©ESR 2026
Monday mornings had no business being this beautiful.
The cabin stood quietly beneath the pines, wrapped once more in stillness as Storm made one final walk around the porch.
He checked the windows. Locked the back door.
Tugged gently on the screen latch.
Satisfied.
The Queen disappeared inside one last time. “I forgot my book.”
Storm smiled. “You’ve said that twice.”
“I know…I keep finding reasons not to leave.”
He understood. The cabin had done exactly what he’d hoped it would.
It hadn’t solved anything.
It hadn’t erased deadlines or responsibilities.
It had simply reminded them that life could slow down.
Sometimes…that was enough.
Jaguar stood at the edge of the clearing.
Watching the forest. Not searching. Listening.
The woods felt… settled. As they should. He dipped his head once toward the trees.
A silent farewell. Whether it was meant for the forest…
Benny bounced out the front door carrying absolutely nothing.
Because he was, after all, a cat. He stopped halfway across the yard. Turned in a slow circle.
The wind carried cedar.
Warm earth.
The fading scent of last night’s campfire.
He breathed in deeply. “I think…” The others looked toward him. “…I’m going to miss this place.”
The Queen smiled. “So am I.”
Storm slipped one arm comfortably around her shoulders. “We’ll come back.”
Benny’s ears perked. “Really?”
Storm nodded. “If the Queen wants another weekend away…” He glanced down at her.“…I know a pretty good cabin.”
She leaned gently into him. “I happen to know a pretty good prince.”Storm looked entirely too pleased with himself.
Jaguar quietly looked away. Some conversations deserved privacy. Even if they happened in the middle of a driveway.
The truck was packed surprisingly quickly.
Benny insisted on inspecting every bag before it was loaded. Twice.
He declared this “quality control.” Storm declared it “being nosy.”
Benny saw no meaningful distinction.
The drive home began beneath blue skies. The Queen rested her bare feet against the dashboard. Coffee warmed one hand.
Storm’s fingers found hers across the center console without either of them looking. It had become one of those small habits that no longer required thought.
Simply…contact.
Beside them, Benny stood with both front paws on the center console, watching the forest slowly give way to highways. “So…” he said after several thoughtful miles. “…does everybody get one?”
Storm glanced briefly into the rearview mirror. “One what?”
“A best friend.”
The truck grew quiet. The Queen looked toward Jaguar. Jaguar looked out the window. Finally he answered. “I do not know.”
Benny considered this with great seriousness. “Hmm.” Another mile slipped past beneath the tires. “I think…”, his voice had grown softer, “…it would’ve been nice.”
Storm smiled. “What would’ve?”
“…Having somebody my age.” The words came out almost absentmindedly. As though he hadn’t meant to say them aloud. “Somebody who wanted to climb trees. And chase butterflies. And maybe…”, a sleepy yawn interrupted the thought, “…learn Holy Cat Things.” His eyelids drooped.
The Queen reached over and gently scratched beneath his chin. “Careful what you wish for, little ember.”
One sleepy orange eye opened. “…Why?”
Her smile was almost mischievous. “Because…” She brushed a thumb over the top of his head. “…life has a funny habit of listening.”
Benny gave this all the consideration a thoroughly exhausted orange tabby could manage. “…Okay.”
A minute later…
His head slowly tipped sideways.
Then farther.
Until it came to rest against Storm’s arm. The soft rumble of purring filled the cab.
Storm laughed quietly. “I think he’s officially out.”
Jaguar looked back only once. “He has grown.”
Storm nodded. “He has.”
The Queen watched the road unfolding before them. “When we left…” she said softly, “…I was tired.”
Storm squeezed her hand. “I know.”
“When we’re going home…” She looked out across fields rolling lazily beneath the afternoon sun. “…I feel like we’re taking something back with us.”
Storm didn’t ask what. He already knew.
Peace.
Not permanent.
Not perfect.
Just…a little more than they’d had before.
Sometimes that was enough to change everything.
The miles disappeared beneath them.
The forest faded into memory.
The cabin became another place waiting patiently for their return.
While four hearts carried a little piece of it home.
Inkblots & Teapots 