“Well they are. As long as they are, I’m not doing anything.” She glared at Marlin and crossed her arms over her chest. “You and the witches will have to do it on your own.”
“We’re trying. We found her yesterday at some flat in the Trenches.”
“So what happened? Couldn’t you stop her?”
“No. She used that eye of hers. Turned the witch into a sobbing mess. Her head still isn’t right. Keeps going on about some bloke named Henri.”
“I’m sorry, but it serves you three right. You should leave Marie alone. Whatever she’s done hasn’t seemed to do anything seriously wrong.”
“What if the next time something more serious does happen? We have to put a stop to this before the whole bloody universe unravels.”
“Leave me alone. Please. I’m getting married in a few hours and I don’t need anyone to upset me.”
“Oh, well, we wouldn’t want that, would we? Have to look nice for your pictures and whatnot. That’s far more important than the universe unraveling.”
“The universe isn’t unraveling. Everything is fine. Better than fine.”
“You keep thinking that. Some of us still have a job to do.”
Emma waited until she was sure Marlin was gone before she got in the shower. As she let the warm water run over her body, she considered again whether she had done the right thing. Try as she might, she couldn’t get past the simple fact that her parents were still alive. More than anything the last fourteen years she had yearned for that. She would have given up anything for that: her academic achievements, her career at the Plaine Museum, and her other career as the Scarlet Knight. Perhaps in a way she had given those things up in this timeline, but it didn’t matter, not when she heard her mother call out, “Emma, breakfast is ready!”
She poked her head out of the bathroom to shout, “I’ll be there in a minute.”
Then she put on a bathrobe and went to join her family.
Chapter 17
In order to stretch their meager budget, Marie took Veronica to a thrift shop to get her some new clothes. Along the way to the store, Veronica stared down at her feet as she continued to pout about the incident at breakfast. In a way this made Marie glad, as this kind of normal behavior meant Veronica was healthy. They might not even need the bottle of antibiotics in their old apartment.
“How much farther?” Veronica whined.
“Not far.”
“I’m tired. Can’t we rest?”
Marie took a step back so they were against the wall of a store, out of the way of other pedestrians. She bent down to look Veronica in the eye. When the little girl tried to look away, Marie took hold of her chin. “I know you want to go home, but we can’t yet. We have to make sure you’re completely well first. Otherwise your mama and papa could get sick.”
“They could?”
“That’s right. But in a few days, when we’re sure you’re all better, then we can go home.”
“You promise?”
“Cross my heart and hope to die. Stick a needle in my eye.” Veronica stared at her, not familiar with that old childhood rhyme. “Yes, I promise.”
Veronica nodded to indicate they had a contract now. She didn’t complain the rest of the way to the store. The thrift store was almost as big as Veronica’s house with racks of old clothes that stretched from one end to the other. Marie led Veronica over to the girl’s clothes.
As Veronica’s clothes had all been custom-made, Marie couldn’t be sure about what size would fit her. She selected T-shirts in a range of sizes, one of which would have to fit. She did the same with the blue jeans. “Are those trousers?” Veronica asked.
“That’s right, just like the ones other little girls wear here.” She took Veronica’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Let’s go try them on.”
At the changing room, Marie handed the pile of clothes to Veronica. “Aren’t you coming with me?” Veronica asked.
“I don’t think so, sweetie.” As the little girl’s cheeks reddened again, Marie added, “But you’re a big girl. I’m sure you can do it on your own. Can’t you?”
“I guess.”
“That’s my brave girl.”
Veronica went into the changing room with the clothes. Marie waited outside to listen as the little girl grunted and strained. “Do you need any help?”
“I can do it,” Veronica snapped.
A few minutes later Veronica emerged from the changing room. She had managed to get the T-shirt and blue jeans on, except both were backwards. Marie couldn’t help but giggle. Veronica stared at her, her face red. “What?”
“You’ve got them on backwards,” Marie said.
“I do?”
“Yes, silly. The button and zipper for the trousers go in the front.”
“Oh.”
“It’s very good for a first try though.” Marie gave Veronica a brief hug. “You need any help fixing them?”
“No. I can do it.”
“All right. I’ll be right here when you get out.”
It took Veronica less time to correct her mistakes. This time when she stepped out of the changing room, the button and zipper of her pants were on the front as was the graphic of Strawberry Shortcake on her pink T-shirt. “Is this better?”
“Yes. You look very pretty.” To complete the look, Marie found an elastic band to pull Veronica’s hair into a ponytail. “Now you look like a 21st Century girl.”
Veronica stared into a mirror for a moment and fussed with her thick bangs. “Do you think Mama and Papa will like it?”
“They’ll love it just as much as I do.” Marie took Veronica’s hand. “Come on, let’s go find you a new dolly to replace Lucy.”
After a lot of deliberation, Veronica chose an old Cabbage Patch Kid with black hair and brown eyes. She clutched it to her chest as if it were real.
Altogether, Marie spent a third of their money at the thrift store. It was worth it to see how pretty Veronica looked. She was now indistinguishable from most of the other little girls on the sidewalk. In time, Veronica would realize how well she fit in and no longer want to go back to her parents.
In the meantime, the little girl took hesitant steps in her new pants. “These feel odd,” she said. “My legs are rubbing against each other.”
“You’ll get used to it, sweetie. I promise.”
“Can we see where the angels live now?”
“We sure can.”
***
Emma didn’t get dressed at home. She wore one of her tube tops and shorts to the church so she wouldn’t ruin the dress before the big event. She, Becky, and their mother waited in the basement until it was time. No matter how much Mom and Becky chided her to stop, Emma continued to pace. She glanced at the clock on the wall and counted the moments until she and Dan would be married.
“You’re going to wear a hole in the carpet,” Becky said.
“I’d have to walk this same route for years for that to happen,” Emma said.
“Well you’re making me nervous. Why don’t you sit down?”
“I can’t. I’m too excited.”
Mom reached out to take her hand. “It’s all right, baby. I was nervous too. I had to throw up three times before the ceremony. If you feel nauseous—”
“God, Mom!” Becky interrupted. “That’s gross. Em isn’t going to barf all over. Are you?”
“No, I feel fine.” Better than fine, she added to herself. The joy she felt was the same as when she had woke up on Christmas morning when she was a child and saw the pile of gifts—mostly books—that awaited her. This would be a far better gift that she would receive today.
With an hour left before the ceremony, they corralled Emma onto a seat to fix her hair and makeup. “Don’t put too much on,” Emma chided Becky. “I don’t want to look like a whore.”
“OK, Bridezilla. I’ll be careful.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just nerves.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” Mom said. “It’s your day.
”
Once they had touched up Emma’s curls, Becky got the dress out of its garment bag. Since Mrs. Chiostro had worked on it, Emma had no doubt the dress would fit perfectly. The bodice showed a little too much cleavage and the knee-length skirt was a little too short for her taste, but she supposed it suited this Emma Earl.
Becky fixed the tiara with the veil on Emma’s head. Then she patted Emma’s shoulder. “You look gorgeous, kid.”
Mom gave her a careful hug. “Oh, my little girl,” she said as she began to cry.
“Mom, come on. You’re going to get mascara all over the dress,” Becky said.
“I’m sorry. I can’t help myself. It seems like only yesterday you were a tiny thing in my arms. And now look at you, so grown up.”
Emma took her mother’s hand. “You remember what you told me? I’ll always be your baby.”
“I know, baby. I know.” Mom dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “It’s so hard to believe my little girl is getting married.”
“We’ve been planning this for a year now,” Becky grumbled.
“Becky, why don’t you go see if Dan is here yet?” Emma said.
“Yeah, whatever.”
Once Becky was gone, Emma gave her mother a hug. “I know things haven’t always been the best with us. I’ve done some stupid things—”
“Emma, no—”
“I have done some stupid things. I’m really sorry. I just want you to know that you and Dad are the best parents any girl could ever hope for.”
“Oh, baby, thank you, but we’ve always been proud of you.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
They held hands until Becky returned. “It’s time,” she said.
Emma heard the music as she climbed up the basement stairs. One of Mom’s old friends from the symphony began to play “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” on the cello. Emma remembered her mother had played it at a Christmas concert, and how the notes had swept Emma away. She felt that way again, though not from the music.
She couldn’t feel her feet as she climbed the rest of the way up the steps. She seemed to coast on a cushion of air, across the floor to where her father stood by the doors. His tuxedo fit perfectly to conceal his paunch. He didn’t hesitate to crush her in a hug. “You look gorgeous, kiddo.”
“Thanks, Daddy.”
He hooked his arm through hers and then they took their position behind Becky and the best man. Emma hadn’t had time to learn the man’s name. At this point she didn’t care. She wanted only to get up the aisle, to where Dan waited for her.
Ahead of them, Becky and the best man started up the aisle. Beside her, Emma’s father twitched. “It’s OK, Daddy,” she whispered into his ear. “Everything will be fine.”
“I know, kiddo,” he said.
The music changed to the traditional wedding march. That was their cue to begin their walk down the aisle. Emma let her father take the first step. She glided after him, her eyes focused ahead of her. Dan stood at the altar, resplendent in his tuxedo. He’d shaved the goatee off so he looked more like her Dan.
They made it to before the altar, where they came to a stop. “Who gives this woman away?” Reverend Mitchell asked.
“Her mother and I,” Daddy said. He kissed Emma on the cheek and then went to sit down in the front row.
Emma took the final step up to the altar. She looked into Dan’s eyes and smiled at him. She continued to look him in the eye as the reverend went through the service. She didn’t hear what he said, not until he asked Dan, “Do you promise to honor and cherish Emma in sickness and in health, all the days of your life, until death do you part?”
“I do,” he said.
“And you, Emma, do you promise to honor and cherish Dan in sickness and in health, all the days of your life, until death do you part?”
“I do,” she whispered.
“Excuse me?”
“I do,” she said louder, so everyone could hear.
“Then by the power vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
At last came the moment Emma had waited for, when Dan lifted her veil. He leaned down to kiss her on the lips. Since they were in church, surrounded by their families, the kiss was short and didn’t involve any tongues. Still, Emma sighed as if she had been ravished.
Only when they turned to face the congregation did Emma see Mrs. Chiostro in the back row. The old witch shook her head sadly. Emma looked away from her, back at her new husband and then down at her parents. That was all the confirmation she needed that she had done the right thing.
Chapter 18
In order to get to Robinson Tower, Veronica would have to take her first ride in an automobile. She was excited by this prospect until the bus pulled up to the curb. The little girl whimpered and then pressed against Marie when the bus’s brakes hissed as it came to a stop. Marie felt Veronica tremble with fear.
“It’s all right,” Marie said. “It won’t hurt you.”
She turned Veronica around so the little girl could watch other passengers board. “See, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“It’s so big.”
“Remember when you rode the train from Boston to Rampart? You were scared then too, but nothing hurt you, did it?”
“No.”
“This isn’t any different from the train.” Marie gave Veronica’s hand a squeeze. “I’ll be right here with you to make sure nothing happens.”
“Hey lady, you getting on or what?” the driver shouted.
“We’re coming. This is her first bus ride.” Marie lowered her voice to say to Veronica, “You can do this, sweetheart. Can’t you?”
“Yes,” Veronica whispered. She pressed her doll tighter to her chest and then let Marie lead her to the bus steps.
“Up you go, sweetheart,” Marie said.
Veronica paused for a moment, as if to contemplate whether or not to climb the steps. She finally took one step and then another. Marie dropped the money into the box for both of them. Then she led Veronica down the aisle. A middle-aged man in a suit stood up and offered his seat to them. “Thank you, sir,” Veronica said.
Marie let her sit by the window so she could watch the city go by. The first time they hit a bump, Veronica whimpered and threw herself against Marie. Marie stroked the little girl’s hair and whispered that it would be all right. Veronica eventually gathered the courage to turn back to the window.
They got off at Executive Plaza. Marie carried Veronica down the steps. After the bus had pulled away, Marie set the little girl down and then tickled Veronica’s tummy. “See, nothing bad happened, did it?”
“No.”
“Now you’ve had your first ride in an automobile. Wasn’t it much faster than a train or a horse?”
“Yes.” Veronica did not sound excited. Her face was still a little red from the experience as well. “Can we see the angels now? Please?”
“Of course we can.”
The day was clear enough that they could see all the way to the top of Robinson Tower. Marie pointed up at the top of the black tower and said, “That’s where we’re going.”
“All the way up there?”
“That’s right.”
“How are we going to climb that high?”
“We’re not. We’re going to take an elevator.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s sort of like the dumbwaiter you use at home, only it’s much bigger and faster.”
“And it’ll take us to the angels?”
“That’s right, sweetheart.”
“Let’s go!” Veronica said. She tugged on Marie’s arm to drag her towards the building. She seemed to have gotten over the bus ride for the moment.
To get inside, they had to use a revolving door. Marie insisted on carrying Veronica through the door. The little girl let out a shriek of joy as they went around. “Can we do that again, Marie?”
“On the way back,” Marie said.
“All right.”
&nbs
p; Marie set Veronica back down, but kept hold of her hand as they went up to the front counter to sign up for the tour. The security guard leaned over the edge of the counter to look down at Veronica. “How old is she?”
“I’m seven,” Veronica said.
“And what about your dolly, how old is she?”
“She’s not alive,” Veronica said.
“Well, I stand corrected,” he said with a chuckle. Marie gave him the money for their admission and then led Veronica to the line to go through security.
“Can’t we go already?” Veronica asked.
“Not yet. We have to go through that metal arch there. It makes sure people aren’t carrying anything naughty like guns or knives or bombs.”
“Why would they do that?”
“Because some people aren’t very nice.” Marie didn’t elaborate; she didn’t want to try to explain terrorism to Veronica. It would only make her scared to go up in the elevator.
Veronica showed a surprising amount of courage in going through the metal detector. The guards did let her keep her doll, which no doubt helped her as she stepped through the arch. “Come on, Marie. Let’s go, let’s go!”
“Just a minute, sweetie. I have to go through too.” Marie had to empty her pockets of change and keys first. Nothing happened for her either as she stepped through the metal detector. She hurried to gather up her change and keys so she could take Veronica’s hand again.
Before they could go up to the observation deck, they had to go to an auditorium to watch a movie on the construction of Robinson Tower. Marie had seen this several times before, but it was all new to Veronica. She was literally on the edge of her seat as the movie began. “Is this another magic box like the television?” she asked. Someone shushed at her.
“It is. This is called a moving picture,” Marie whispered. “Now, let’s be very quiet and watch.”
“All right.”
The movie took fifteen minutes to detail the entire process from the tower’s design to the phases of its construction to its opening. The announcer concluded by saying, “Robinson Tower remains standing as a testament to the strength and greatness of America.”
The lights came on and the tour guide said, “Now if you’ll follow me to the elevator, we can go up to the observation deck.”
Tales of the Scarlet Knight Collection: The Call Page 42
