by Ashlyn Chase
“Well, thanks. I’m kind of glad you showed up and told me this. I was trying to think of ways to wipe the humans off the planet—but then I realized I’d be wiping out good people too, like Aaron and his children and the Fierros and their brood, as well as Dawn and her grandmother, who has been called Saint Annette by her friends.”
Fate gasped. “You were going to wipe all the humans off the planet?”
“Wow. I did not see that coming!” Karma said, wide-eyed.
“Relax. I had already talked myself out of it as soon as Aaron kissed me.”
“He—He kissed you?” Fate asked, giggling.
“Yes. What’s so funny about that?”
“Nothing! I’m just tickled. You know we love you, right?”
Gaia raised one eyebrow. “Tickled?”
“It’s an expression that means we’re happy for you,” Karma said.
“Well, thanks. I’m pretty happy too. I think.”
“Only pretty happy? Maybe?” Fate’s expression reflected concern.
“I’m still not happy about the rest of humanity. Well, many of them. I haven’t taken the time to examine each and every person. In fact, I intended to stay away from them. Like you’d cross the street to avoid a bad smell.”
“They don’t smell bad anymore. Back in the day though…” Fate waved her hand in front of her nose.
Gaia sighed deeply. “No. That’s not what I meant. I can’t explain it properly. I’ve had to keep a careful eye on my paranormals. Maybe I let the humans fall through the proverbial cracks while doing my utmost to protect them.”
“You’re losing me,” Karma said.
“I’ve been trying to keep the paranormals from revealing their existence to humans, knowing how badly people would behave if they found out. They can barely tolerate each other. Can you imagine how threatened they’d be if they realized there was a whole subgroup with superior powers?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Karma said. “All of my clients are human, and they’re assigned to some pretty powerful minor goddesses.”
“But what happens when they find out the person you’ve assigned them to is supernatural? And superpowerful?”
“We give them a time period to adjust. If they can’t or don’t want to handle it, we wipe their memories.”
“Hmm… If only I could wipe every human’s mind and start over. I’d eliminate a lot of my gifts.”
“What would you take away from them?” Fate asked.
“That’s just it. I don’t know. I think they need most of what I gave them, but some have perverted it.”
“Are you talking about sexual perverts?” Karma asked. “Because I can help you with them.”
“No. I mean, yes…but not specifically or only them. But this might be a useful example. I gave people a sex drive to be sure the population didn’t die out. And yet, some have carried that too far.”
Karma nodded.
“Listen,” Fate said, “you can ponder the worth of your creation later. For now, we want to get you laid—I mean shade. We need to get you into the shade. Your fair skin will burn in the bright Caribbean sun.”
Gaia stuck a hand on her hip. “Sure, that’s what you meant to say. And that’s another thing! My ozone layer is my sunscreen, and humans are blowing a hole in it. With every rocket, every jet, it gets worse and worse. Why can’t they just leave my creations alone?”
Karma sighed. “It’s okay, Sister. Everything will work out. You’ll see.”
“I don’t know how you’re able to be so optimistic. Don’t you deal with the worst of them?”
“Yes, and I take great pleasure in busting their chops. Leave the offenders to me, Gaia. Take a little nap, and let me do the rest.”
“Why do you get to have all the fun?”
“Oh? You want to get in on the revenge game?”
Gaia shrugged. “It beats trying to think of ways to blow up the whole human race while leaving my innocent animals.”
“Why don’t you just concentrate on the people you don’t want to blow up?” Fate winked. “I think there’s someone out there who is as lonely as you are. Maybe you should spend some more time with him?”
“I’m afraid I’ll screw it up.”
Fate choked, and Karma laughed. “Good for you, Sister. Now go tell him that.”
* * *
Aaron looked up from changing his granddaughter’s diaper. He seemed surprised to see Gaia.
“I thought you wanted to be by yourself to think.”
“Yes, and I thought. I also had a chat with my sisters. I’m done now,” Gaia said.
He grinned as he gently placed the freshly diapered baby in her crib. “So did you come up with any revelations? I mean—considerations?”
Gaia sighed. “No, but when Fate and Karma showed up, they gave me something else to think about—some interesting news.”
“Oh? What was that?”
Gaia chuckled. “I’m not sure I should tell you. You’ll laugh.”
He straightened and gave her his full attention. “I won’t if you tell me not to.”
“Seriously? You really won’t?”
He schooled his features and hoped he wouldn’t burst out laughing. But with Gaia, who knew what she might find humorous? “Sure. If there’s something you want me to know, you can tell me.”
“It’s just this silly thing. Fate has been looking for somebody to keep me company, to make me laugh, someone I can spend quality time with. She thinks it will make me less annoying.”
Aaron’s brow furrowed. “Oh? Did she find someone?”
“Yes, as matter of fact she did. She told me to go spend some time with him.”
“I see. So I guess you’re here to tell me you won’t be around much anymore.”
“Really? Why would you assume that?”
“I’m confused.”
“It’s you, silly. They said I should be spending time with you.”
Aaron’s smile grew. “I see. I’d like that.” He placed his arm around her waist and said, “What should we do with our quality time together?”
“I thought maybe I could help you with the plant you want to make into medicine. We haven’t talked about that for a while.”
“It’s true. I still want to explore that possibility, and now that I’m here in Puerto Rico, I can. Since plants can’t be taken off the island, I guess I have to take myself to the plants. I was thinking of moving here.”
“Really? You’d give up your lovely home in Brookline?”
“It would be hard. I have so many memories of my daughters growing up there. But if it’s something important, yes. I think this might be very important, and I’m sure they would understand.”
Gaia placed her arm around his waist too. “So you want to mend shattered hearts… I think that’s a lovely thing to do. Sometimes it makes me sad to see so many brokenhearted people.”
“I’ll bet. How do you deal with it?”
“I try not to look.”
He chuckled. “Well, now that you’re aware there’s something that might be able to help, you won’t need to be afraid to look anymore.”
“True. Although I’m not sure how to help you. I could whip up a greenhouse and put a few hundred plants in there for you, just to get you started. I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about when you say things like ‘analyzing compounds’ and ‘finding the best delivery systems,’ but I can grow plants all day long!”
Aaron looked thoughtful, gazing at his feet, then looked up at her and said, “No. This is something I should do the human way. I can’t let you do everything for me.”
“Oh. But I could really help…”
“You probably can, but I need to know the process can be duplicated without supernatural help. First, I’ll have to find a place to build the greenhouse
, and it should probably be close to the area where they grow naturally so we’re not changing the conditions too much. There are so many different climates here. I guess I’ll need to find a piece of land near that mountainside. I’m just not sure if the rain forest is for sale.”
“Okay, how can I help with that?”
“I don’t think you can. I’ll need to speak to someone who knows about owning land all around the island—and I have a strong feeling that a lot of rain forest land is probably protected, never to be built upon. But if I can find a spot that works, you can help me build the greenhouse—by hand.”
“Build it? You mean from bricks and mortar?”
“Yes, so to speak. I imagine I’ll use metal and plastic, but with a kit or plans, I can probably put it together myself. That’s how everything starts, right? Even things you do must start with a plan.”
She tipped her head side to side a couple of times. “I suppose so. I got a little lazy and just made it so each generation’s DNA would vary a bit, and then whatever species I was tweaking comes out just a little differently—but the same in most ways. I don’t have to build the whole item from scratch over and over as you do.”
“Yes. It must be nice to put something in motion that will self-replicate. But when it comes to inanimate objects, like buildings, I can’t do that. In other words, I don’t want your help in that way.”
“Hmph. Don’t want my help… Here. Let me show you something…”
“It’s not that. I’m just not sure how much I should depend on you. I could get so used to your doing things for me that I’d no longer want to do anything for myself.”
Gaia sat down and hugged her knees. Aaron sat beside her but didn’t say anything.
At last, she looked over at him and asked, “Do you really think I would make a mistake like that? Let you use me? Or make you dependent on me?”
“I hope not. But I have to confess… I don’t always understand you. I would like to though.”
“That makes two of us.” Then she smiled. “What would you like to know?”
“I—I don’t even know where to start. Where did you come from?”
She shrugged. “I’ve just always been here. Not necessarily here here. Not even on this planet before your concept of time.”
“Really? So there was no one before you?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t think so.”
“Is there a God?”
Gaia laughed. “There are lots of gods.”
“No, not those guys. I mean, one big guy. Up there.” He pointed to the sky.
Gaia looked up, then gazed at him in wonder. “I think I know who you’re talking about, but he’s not up there.”
“Where is he then?”
Gaia let out a deep breath. “I don’t know. We don’t see each other very often. Sometimes our paths cross, especially if it looks like a huge disaster might impact both of us. Lately, I’ve been trying to get in touch, to advise him that we need to intervene before man destroys this planet and maybe others as they try to escape and start over somewhere else. Plus, with all the space junk they’re leaving up there, they could be blocking their own way out.
“We met a few years ago. I warned him that humans were creating a climate change I couldn’t fix by myself.”
Aaron sat up straight. “What did he do?”
“Nothing. He just wanted me to wait and see if the humans could figure it out for themselves. I was angry. Incensed is more like it. I think he’s avoiding me now.”
Aaron put an arm around her shoulder. “Do you think he’s still waiting for people to figure things out for themselves?”
“I imagine so. Although it’s getting harder and harder to leave this problem alone. I’d ask him again, except I don’t think I would get a different answer. He really doesn’t like to encroach.”
“I can understand that. I’m not sure I’d want to interfere either. Self-created human problems can be very confusing and complicated. Mostly because everyone thinks they’re doing the right thing.”
“It doesn’t seem that hard to me.” Gaia rose and paced. “It’s pretty simple, actually. People used to teach their children, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’”
Aaron nodded. “Yes, the Golden Rule.”
“Golden Rule?”
“That’s what we call it. Most children learn about that idea very young but seem to forget it. Sometimes when they need it the most.”
“Exactly. How do you get them to remember it always? To have that in the forefront of their minds at every moment?” She held her hand out to him.
Aaron grasped it and rose. “If I knew the answer to that, I could probably cure a lot of the world’s ills. But unfortunately, I’m just one man. I hope I can cure one ill. Even that might be quite an undertaking, but I’d like to leave the world a better place by making that one thing possible.”
Gaia continued to hold his hand. “I’m glad Fate picked you out for me, although”—she chuckled—“I told her I had already picked you out for myself.”
Aaron grinned but looked down so she couldn’t see his eyes.
“Was that too forward of me?”
“No. That was just perfect. I needed to hear it. If it’s not too forward of me, I’d like to say something too.”
She smiled prettily and said, “Of course! Say whatever you wish.”
“I hear you’ve been a little hard on some of the paranormal–human couples. I think if we’re going to make this work, you’ll need to accept them for making the same choice we’re making. Otherwise, you’ll be called a hypocrite.”
At first, she stiffened, and her eyes rounded. Then she shook her head and let out a sigh of resignation. When she relaxed, she said, “I know. I know. Someone already spoke to me about it. I just wasn’t sure if it applied to me. When I realized it did, I wasn’t sure what to do about it. Eventually, I decided I should host an apology party—but we’re not calling it that! We’re calling it Gaia’s gala. I have to maintain some semblance of dignity.”
Aaron smiled. “Perfect. I’m proud of you. It might not be easy, but I’ll be right there at your side.”
* * *
Gaia eavesdropped through the floor of the vacant second floor over the party venue—a tea room. Bliss had managed to get her friend to reopen after business hours for a private function.
“Who sends out invitations to a party that starts in an hour?” Gabe asked.
Misty leaned into him and whispered, “It can only be one person, hon. My boss.”
Kizzy overheard and exclaimed, “Gaia herself will be here? And by the way, where are we?”
The goddess decided she needed to make an appearance quickly before thirteen tables full of guests whipped themselves into a tizzy. She floated down through the ceiling to the small stage that had been set up for performers at the Boston Uncommon Tea Room.
“Welcome, one and all. Welcome. I’m glad you could all make it to my party.”
“Did we have a choice?” Antonio asked.
Gaia held her tongue and gazed out at the crowd. So many familiar faces. So many humans mixed with paranormals, and it wasn’t the horror show she’d thought it would be. She did a quick count and noted five phoenixes—three with human partners, two with modern muses—a werewolf with another one of her muses, a wizard and vampire couple, a human waitress with a shapeshifting coyote, two muse and dragon couples, and a handful of witches among the humans. A veritable smorgasbord of humanity and paranormal beings, all sitting together like…friends! Who knew?
Aaron rose and joined her on stage, putting his arm around her waist. Gaia sighed and laid her head on his shoulder.
Some of the couples looked at each other with eyebrows raised.
A disembodied female voice said, “Oh, come on. Don’t look so surprised.” Fate stepped out of the e
ther and gazed at the crowd. “You all knew I was looking for a mate for Mother Nature. As you can guess, I succeeded.”
“Where the heck are we?” Ruth asked, holding her infant dressed in a pink onesie.
“Some kind of restaurant, I think,” the male witch next to her whispered.
“I can see that. I want to know where the building is,” she said.
“You’re back in Boston!” a pretty brunette said as she entered from a door on one side. She carried a large, steaming teapot. “For those unfamiliar with the place, you’re at the Boston Uncommon Tea Room. My name is Bliss. I’ll be serving tea, and someone is coming right behind me with coffee. Simply ask for what you want.” She pointed to each table, and a cup and saucer appeared in front of each guest. Then she began making the rounds with the hot water. She offered a choice of teas, and whatever the guest asked for appeared in front of them.
Another young woman, carrying a tray with a pot of coffee and an assortment of sweeteners and creamers, entered behind her and said, “Welcome back, most of you. I’m Angie. I’m an actual waitress here. Bliss is just helping me today. So are a few others you may not know, like my boyfriend, Tory.” She pointed with her thumb behind her. A tall, muscular black male came out carrying two trays with three tiers each. The three silver levels were laden with scones, cakes, and tiny sandwiches. The appearance of a big man with small delicacies was incongruous but cute.
Tory set them down on two tables, then rushed back for more. Another young man, also muscular but shaved bald, passed him carrying two more of the same triple-tier trays and set them on two more tables. Before long, each of the attendees had a cup of tea, a small plate, and an assortment of goodies in front of them.
Once everyone was settled, Gaia cleared her throat.
“Welcome to Gaia’s gala! I know it’s probably not what you expected, but I thought this would be cozier then a raucous party with a dance floor, a DJ, and all those crazy buffet lines.”
Another goddess walked out of the ether. Karma was wearing studded stilettos and leather from head to toe. She smiled at everyone. “For the few of you who don’t know me, my name is Karma. And you’re all here because”—she looked over at Gaia—“somebody has something to say to you.”
