by Marc Lindsay
“I have one fight and now I’m some roid monster” his voice raised in exasperation.
“It’s not just one fight and you know it,” she shot back.
“That’s not fair , I’m never going to be one of those types that sits back and takes shit, but I don’t go looking for it either,” he replied, a little angrily.
“I know, and that’s why I love you, but it doesn’t stop me worrying,” Helen said, her voice ragged with emotion. The pair stared at each other, both realising the futility of the argument.
“And just for the record, I’m not doing drugs, I’m just naturally buff,” he said light hearted, Helen burst out laughing despite herself, and after a moment she looked at her son tiredly.
“I know in my heart you’re not doing drugs, I’m just concerned. What you just did would be punishing for most people, but you just cruised through it literally without breaking a sweat, promise me you’ll be careful and not push yourself too hard.”
“You know they gave me two week’s detention, so you really don’t have to punish me too,” Jason said trying his best to look adorable.
“I think a week of cooking dinner will suffice,” Helen sighed, then moved over to give her son a hug. Jason kissed her cheek.
“I love you mum,” he said warmly.
“I love you, too,” Helen replied, then added “Go and clean up, then you can make us both some breakfast.”
“For you, anything,” Jason replied.
Chapter 11
As Jason entered the school grounds his infamy had reached legendary proportions. He half expected another day of whispering and pointing. What he received was totally unexpected. Walking by, people said hello, some waved, some smiled, one even patted him on the shoulder. Jason wandered on, a little bewildered by the attention. Reaching the stairs he felt a tap on the shoulder and turned to find Selene standing there dressed in black jeans, union jack T-shirt, combat boots and trench coat. Her make-up was the same as before, except her eyes bore a touch of blue eyeliner.
“Morning bruiser,” she said, holding her fists up mockingly with a smile.
“Hey, you were gone pretty quick yesterday,” Jason replied, forgetting everything else around him. There was uncertainty in her eyes for a brief second, then replaced with an even bigger smile.
“What can I say, when I can get out of here I’m gone,” she replied nonchalantly, making a forward sweeping gesture with her hands.
Selene leaned casually against the stair rail.
“How did things go at home last night?” she asked. Jason sighed.
“What I expected, but it was better this morning,” he said thoughtfully. Selene looked at Jason, suddenly serious.
“Did you bring that book in today?”
“Yeah, why?” Jason asked.
“I spoke to my grandmother about it and she’s very keen to have a look,” Selene said. “That sounds great, but…,” Jason started.
“But what?”
“But I have detention this afternoon and I have to cook dinner tonight for mum and I,” Jason said. Selene smiled slyly.
“If I can clear your schedule, are we on?” Selene asked, Jason looked sceptical, but shrugged.
“Sure, you bet, but I don’t like your chances.” Selene’s grin took on a devilish quality.
“The impossible is my specialty,” Selene stated and without another word, took off.
Jason’s day went by without a hitch. The students were friendly and the teachers polite, but they all watched him warily. Lunch time came and Jason was prepared, deciding not to go to the cafeteria both for the food and the unwanted attention, instead opting for a spot under a tree, overlooking the sports oval. Halfway through his tuna salad sandwich, Selene popped down next to him.
“So this is where you’ve been hiding, I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” she said a little breathlessly. Jason took another bite of his sandwich.
“Yeah I thought I might prefer the fresh air and seclusion out here,” he replied through a mouthful of tuna. Just then a trio of younger girls walked by.
“Hi Jason,” one of the girls called out.
“Hello,” Jason replied on reflex. The girl who spoke blushed and the other two giggled. All three quickly walked by. Jason appeared to blush a little as well. Selene was clearly enjoying his discomfort.
“So that’s the reason you’re out here alone, to receive hero worship from young girls who clearly don’t know any better,” she commented sarcastically. Jason shook his head his blush deepening.
“No, no, of course not,” he said in a rush.
“Relax bruiser, I’m just messing with you. Sheesh, you’re such a boy scout,” Selene said. Jason took another bite of his sandwich, his cheeks still flushed red.
Selene clapped her hands together and rubbed them.
“Anyhoo, the reason I hunted you down was to inform you that it’s done,” she said, flicking her hands up in the same manner a magician would at the end of performing a trick. Jason raised an eye brow.
“What’s done?”
“Well for starters you’re not required to attend detention this afternoon,” she stated, a satisfied expression appearing on her face. Jason sat up. “Why, what did you do?”
“Well for starters, a thank you would be nice,” Selene said.
Jason placed his sandwich down.
“Thank you. Hey it’s not like I’m not grateful, but how the hell did you pull that off?” Selene exhaled, laying on her back, staring up at the sky, her hands behind her head.
“If I didn’t know any better, one would think you assumed nefarious intent on my part,” Selene said with a sigh.
“My second surprise is both you and your mother are coming over to my grandmother’s place for dinner, tonight,” Selene said. Jason looked sceptical.
“Hey, I’m all for it, but I have to see if mum’s on board with that idea first,” Jason replied
“I said it’s all sorted,” Selene cut in. Jason looked perplexed.
“My grandmother has a lot of pull in Perigord, hence the detention and the fact your mother couldn’t refuse an offer to experience the best home cooking in town,” Selene said sitting up. “I’ll see you tonight,” and without another word she was gone. Jason shook his head smiling and continuing with his lunch. He thought to himself she was the pushiest damn girl he had ever met.
The rest of Jason’s day went by easily enough; there was no sign of Hector or Tiberius in any of his classes and the other kids were beginning to relax in his presence. During his last period, his English class was interrupted by one of the administration heads. The young woman quietly excused herself, handing Mr Rosenberg a piece of paper and quickly departed. Mr Rosenberg called Jason to his desk, passing the paper on and instructing him to return to his seat, his usual jovial nature replaced with an obvious air of disapproval, aimed squarely at him.
Jason opened the paper it read.
‘Mr Page you are exempt from attending detention as from today’s date. Report to the library after school and present this letter to Ms Brewster. She will acquit you from her roster’.
Regards,
Leonard Florentine.
Principal.
Perigord High School.
Jason looked around and caught Selene’s gaze. She gave him a slight wave with her fingertips and mouthed the words, ‘you’re welcome’. He folded the note and placed it in his pocket. He wasn’t sure how Selene had done it, but he wasn’t going to complain. The rest of English went quickly. On two occasions Jason placed his hand in the air to respond to Mr Rosenberg’s questions and was clearly ignored, despite being the only volunteer in class. He thought it strange, but shrugged it off. The final bell rang and as Jason packed his bag, Selene sidled up next to him.
“I’ll see you tonight.” Before he could respond she was gone again. After delivering his note to Ms Brewster at the library, he returned home.
He arrived to find his mother already home. Greeting him in the kitchen,
she wore a bemused expression on her face.
“I had an interesting conversation in my surgery today with a lovely old lady, Mrs Jaeger. Her granddaughter, Selene, is your age. She came in just before lunch bearing an apple pie the size of a tractor tyre, stating it was a belated welcome gift”. Helen pointed to the kitchen bench where a huge deep dish apple pie was sitting, a sizeable piece missing. Helen smiled sheepishly, ‘It was heavenly” she added. Jason reached over to cut himself a slice, Helen slapped his hand.
“I was only going to have a small slice,” Jason protested.
“You’ll spoil your appetite,” Helen scolded. “As I was saying, Mrs Jaeger insisted that you and I attend dinner at her house tonight, and that she wouldn’t take no for an answer. She really was quite adamant,” Helen added. That must be where Selene gets it from, Jason thought to himself.
“I don’t know how she did it, but Mrs Jaeger also got me out of my detention. Selene said she has a lot of pull in town,” Jason replied thoughtfully.
“Well you better get stuck into your homework since your afternoon is now free of cooking duties. We’re not due there for another two hours.” Jason nodded dejectedly as he slowly made his way up stairs. Helen watched him go, then turned her attention to the pie sitting on the bench, a naughty smile appearing on her face.
“One small slice can’t hurt,” Helen whispered to herself.
Chapter 12
Helen’s van pulled onto the darkened street. Both Jason and Helen peered out through the window of the kombi. They could see a small Tudor cottage quaintly built with a thatch roof, and a cobblestone path that wound its way from the road to the cottage door. Either side of the path was lit with fairy lights strung up on trees and hedges giving the yard an ethereal glow.
“It’s purty,” Jason drawled in imitation of a country redneck. Helen gave him a playful elbow in the ribs.
“Behave,” Helen replied. Jason placed his right hand over his heart.
“I solemnly swear to uphold the name of Page and not cause undue discomfort toward my mother drearest,” he pledged. Helen shook her head with a smile.
“Let’s go smartypants”.
Jason rang the brass bell which was intricately engraved with images of a mounted hunt. The men on horseback had drawn bows and hounds running to their front. A large stag could be seen in the distance. Jason studied the image of the stag. Strapped to its back was a scabbard containing a sword. He thought to himself that it must be a flaw or mistake on the part of the artist. He was about to say as much to his mother when the front door opened. Jason’s eyes went wide. Standing before him was Selene, wearing a beautiful blue dress, stockings and shoes. Her hair was carefully braided, her normally Goth-themed makeup was gone, replaced with a cleanly scrubbed face. Behind Selene stood an old woman, her white hair tied up in a bun. She wore a pale grey dress and black shoes. Selene’s grandmother exuded a healthy pallor and a twinkle in her eye that suggested she still had a lot of good years left in her. Selene’s smile was wide and friendly, but her brow was slightly creased.
“Don’t just stand there, invite them in,” the old woman scolded.“Forgive me, this is my grandmother, Ursula,” Selene said then curtsied. The action was brief and obviously forced and the look on Selene’s face was one of embarrassment. Jason couldn’t help himself, a smile creeping onto his face.
“Thank you for having us,” Jason replied in dramatic prose, then remaining in character he leaned forward and grasped Selene’s hand and gently kissed the back of it. Jason peered up from her hand with a devilish grin. Selene’s face had gone crimson, her eyes wide in surprise.
“Jason,” Helen exclaimed.
“Its fine Helen,” Ursula said with a cackle. “I didn’t think anyone could make my Selene blush. She must be a little bit sweet on your son.” Now it was Jason’s turn to blush.
“Now that the young ones are suitably embarrassed, please come in,” Ursula invited.
The inside of the house was crammed with assorted German bric-a-brac. Old clocks adorned the walls as well as figurines and steins littering the shelves. The furniture was old and quaint with needle point pillows nestled on the sofas. Jason and Helen walked slowly around marvelling at everything Ursula had to show them, and genuinely interested in the stories each piece held.
“I love your house Ursula,” Helen said.
“Why thank you, dear.”
“It’s exactly what you would think a turn of the century German hamlet would look like,” Jason added. Ursula looked about the room with both pride and love.
“Everything you see has been in my family for generations. This will all be Selene’s when I’m gone,” she said fondly, indicating her granddaughter who looked extremely uncomfortable.
“That won’t be for some time yet,” Selene replied. Jason noted the change in her demeanour and decided to change the subject.
“I have to admit I’m really looking forward to eating some authentic German cuisine,” Jason said.
“Then I hope you brought your appetite young man,” Ursula said with a grin as they retired to the dining room.
After Helen and Jason felt positively stuffed, they were sitting opposite each other, both wearing the same expression of fatigue and bloating. Selene and Ursula were out of sight but familiar sounds could be heard eminating from the kitchen. Light beads of sweat had broken out on Helen’s brow as she fidgeted in her chair. Jason leaned forward, careful not to be heard by their hosts.
“That was without a doubt the best and largest meal I have ever eaten in my life,” he whispered, Helen feigned mock hurt.
“The best meal you’ve ever had?” Jason was about to reply but Helen waved him off.
“I’m joking, Ursula is an amazing cook,” she said.
“What was that roll with the bacon and onion?”
“Rouladen, what about the Sauerbraten?” Helen said but Jason shook his head, “It was the pot roast with vinegar and seasoning,” Helen added.
“I remember now, who would of thought vinegar in pot roast,” Jason smiled, then muffled a burp through a closed hand.
“I’ll have to get the recipe for that one,” Helen said. Just then Selene and Ursula entered the dining room each carrying a plate of dessert. Selene was holding a chocolate layered cake and Ursula was holding a pastry dusted with icing sugar.
“Whoa they look good,” Jason said. Ursula looked pleased.
“This is a Viennese apple strudel and Selene has a Donauwellen, a chocolate and vanilla layered cake with sour cherries and cream.”
“The Donauwellen is to die for,” Selene interjected.
“I think I will,” Helen said with a groan.
“Good, you can sample both,” Ursula replied with a chuckle. Selene unstacked four small plates as Ursula cut four generous servings of each dessert, serving first Helen and Jason then Selene and herself.
“Its official, I’m not eating anything for at least a month,” Helen said taking a sip of her coffee.
“Yeah Mrs Jaeger, you can have us over any time,” Jason added.
“You are too kind, these are simple dishes my mother taught me and I have taught Selene. She helped cook tonight as well,” Ursula said. Jason and his mother looked impressed.
“I’m afraid that’s a dying practice in this day and age,” Helen replied.
“I don’t know whether it’s the young not caring to learn or my generation not having the patience to teach, but I think it’s important to pass on our lessons or they will become lost forever,” Ursula said plainly.
“I totally agree” Helen said.
“I knew your Uncle, Helen” Ursula said changing the subject suddenly. “You knew Uncle Plato?”
“He was a warm, intelligent man your uncle. We both shared a passion for reading and history, in particular this town’s” Ursula said, Helen smiled fondly.
“I remember as a little girl Uncle Plato telling me fairy tales. They were always so vivid and detailed, some were scary, but I didn’t care.
He always made me feel safe,” Helen said. Jason regarded his mother as she divulged this story from her youth.
“When was the last time you saw him?” Ursula asked. Helen looked embarrassed at the question. “It’s been years, more than I can count, I’m afraid.”
“That’s alright, life gets in the way of things. Plato knew this all too well. What was important was the time you had together. He never forgot you, he liked to talk about you after he had received one of your letters,” Ursula said. Helen’s eyes had darkened at this turn of discussion.
“When Selene told me of Jason’s book I remembered sitting in his library having one of many discussions with him. It brought back a lot of good memories. Did you bring it with you, Jason?” Ursula asked. Jason nodded and retrieved the book from his bag.
“Here you are Mrs Jaeger,” he said, handing her the book. She studied it, then looked at Jason.
“My eyes are tired tonight, would you mind if I keep it for a little bit? Selene could return it to you later,” she offered.
“Of course ma’am, take as much time as you need” Jason replied.
“Grandmother have a look at this pendant Jason found in the book,” Selene said quickly.
“Pendant?”
“Oh yeah, this fell out when I first found it. I thought it may have been a book mark, but I decided to wear it,” Jason said as he pulled it from the collar of his shirt. Ursula moved quickly from her chair, reaching across the table, her eyes fixed on the silver cross.
“It’s beautiful, and looks old like me,” she laughed. “Would you mind if I kept it too? I might have some books with information about it,” she continued. Before Jason could respond, Selene jumped in.
“No need, I’ll take a picture of it instead,” Selene said, Ursula nodded with a smile, except her eyes remained narrowed on the pendant around Jason’s neck.
Later that night Jason and Helen stood outside the Jaeger front door. They thanked Ursula and Selene for dinner and a wonderful night, before waving farewell. Ursula stood watching long after the van had departed, casting the occasional glance towards the stars. She shivered and threw the scarf she wore around her neck before turning off the lights and closing the front door.
