Fort Lupton

by Christian, Claudia Hall

  “Would you like to try it?” Jacob asked.

  “We all did it!” Ivy beamed. “I gave him a banana!”

  Jabari looked at the enormous elephant and shook his head. He turned back to hide his face in Yvonne’s shoulder.

  “Let’s just hang out for a minute,” Yvonne said.

  Jabari turned back to watch the elephants.

  “What is it?” Yvonne asked the little boy.

  Jabari shook his head. A Denver Zoo employee placed an apple in Jabari’s hands. The little boy smelled the apple and took a little bite. He was mid-chew when the elephant’s trunk appeared in front of him. Jabari stared with awe. The elephant snuffed Jabari with its long trunk before grabbing the apple from him. Jabari laughed, and the kids cheered.

  “Would you like to stay more?” Jacob asked. “The kids need to get to school.”

  Yvonne looked at Jabari, and he shook his head.

  “We were thinking of getting breakfast,” Jacob said.

  “Sounds lovely,” Yvonne said.

  They followed Jacob, Katy, Ivy, and Keenan out of the elephant area. Yvonne let a small space come between them.

  “Are you okay?” Yvonne asked.

  “Starving,” Jabari said.

  “You are?” Yvonne asked. The child had not been hungry since before he first got sick.

  Jabari nodded. Yvonne smiled.

  “Why are you smiling?” Jabari asked.

  “You’re getting better,” Yvonne said.

  With that, they went to their car and followed Jacob to Pete’s Kitchen for breakfast.

  ~~~~~~~~

  Friday morning — 8:50 am

  Sissy cleared her throat, and the elderly man looked up from his newspaper. Anjelika had set up a meeting between her father, Otis, and Sissy at the Fluid Coffee Bar. Anjelika told Sissy that her father could help her get ready for her new adventure.

  “Sissy!” Otis said in heavily accented English.

  “Sir,” Sissy said. Her eyes flicked away from him for a moment, and then back to him. “I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what to call you.”

  “You may call me Otis,” he said.

  “That seems kind of informal,” Sissy said.

  “It’s a fake name.” Otis shrugged. “My American name.”

  Sissy giggled nervously and he smiled.

  “Come, we’ll walk,” Otis said.

  Otis picked up his cane. He took her elbow with his other hand, and they left the coffee shop.

  “Don’t you need your bodyguard?” Sissy asked.

  “Bruno?” Otis asked. “No.”

  “But isn’t your life in danger?” Feeling suddenly responsible, Sissy looked around for any possible danger.

  “No,” Otis said with a laugh. “Jillian returned the items which were taken. Everything has been resolved.”

  “Oh,” Sissy said. “That seems like a good thing.”

  “Yes,” Otis said. “For the first time in many, many years, I breathe the free air. Bruno too! He’s been attached to my hip for more years than you’ve been alive.”

  Otis laughed.

  “Did he go somewhere?” Sissy asked.

  “He got married,” Otis said. “Nice girl from Kiev. It is something he thought he’d never be able to do. He is traveling for a while before he returns.”

  “That’s nice,” Sissy said with a smile.

  She felt a lot more comfortable since Otis said he wasn’t in danger. They continued down Pennsylvania Street toward Benedict Fountain Park.

  “It’s a little bit cold,” Otis said. “Will you be okay on our walk?”

  “I have lots of layers on,” Sissy said. “That’s what we native Coloradans do — wear lots of layers.”

  “I’ll have to take your word for it,” Otis chuckled. “In Russia, we just freeze.”

  Sissy smiled.

  “Now I wanted to talk to you about what it’s like to be a junior member of a ballet company,” Otis said.

  “Okay,” Sissy said.

  “You haven’t had a lot of experience with ballet companies,” Otis said.

  “I’ve taken classes at the Denver Ballet since I moved in with Sandy,” Sissy said.

  “But mostly, you’ve been with Ivan, yes?” Otis asked.

  “That’s true,” Sissy said.

  “It’s very different to be in a large ballet corps,” Otis said. “You are not so important, and . . .”

  He looked at Sissy and motioned to a metal park bench.

  “Let’s sit,” Otis said.

  Sissy swallowed hard and nodded. She wasn’t sure what he was trying to tell her, and that frightened her.

  “Are you saying you don’t think I can do it?” Sissy said in a low whisper.

  “No, no.” Otis shook his head. “I’m saying you have to be smart. Many, many girls are destroyed in their apprenticeship.”

  “Destroyed?” Sissy’s eyes went wide.

  “Please,” Otis said.

  Otis gestured again to the metal park bench. Sissy plopped down and he sat beside her. For a moment, they looked out onto the wide-open grass area.

  “I don’t . . .” Sissy started.

  Otis smiled at her.

  “I have been around the ballet almost all of my life,” Otis said. “I can tell you what happens, what to look out for. Would you like that?”

  Sissy gave him a quick nod.

  “How well do you get along with girls?” Otis asked.

  “Good,” Sissy said. “I mean, I have friends and stuff.”

  “Sometimes, ballet girls are very jealous,” Otis said. “Especially of one who has as much talent as you do. How will it be for you if everyone hates you?”

  “Hates me?” Sissy asked. “Um, okay I guess. I mean, I won’t love it but I’ll probably make other friends.”

  “Outside the ballet?” Otis asked and Sissy nodded. “Good. That will help. But you know, you will work a lot.”

  “I know,” Sissy said. “I promised Sandy that I’d finish high school at the very least, so I’ll go to school at night.”

  “Is it too much?” Otis asked.

  “I won’t know until I get there,” Sissy said. “I’m going to have therapy too, you know, for my eating disorder.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Otis said. “Most ballerinas have eating disorders.”

  “I can’t just sort of have one,” Sissy said. “It’s like drinking one beer for an alcoholic. If I get started, I get dead.”

  Otis nodded.

  “Some ballet companies — I don’t know about the company you’re going to , but some companies,— they use the young girls — apprentice and chorus — to entertain their wealthy supporters,” Otis said. “That’s how I met Anjelika’s mother. That specific situation was all on the up-and-up, but it was not always like that. And not all companies are like that. Some encourage the girls to . . . entertain the men. The boys, as well.”

  “You mean sex,” Sissy said.

  “I do.”

  “That’s prostitution!” Sissy gasped.

  “They will tell you that it is not,” Otis said. “They will tell you that they never force the girls, but . . .”

  “Oh gosh,” Sissy said. “What would I do?”

  “You would tell your sister,” Otis said. “You can call me or Seth, but I think you’ll feel more comfortable speaking with Sandy.”

  “I’ll do that,” Sissy nodded. “What will she do?”

  “She will tell Seth and he will take care of it,” Otis said.

  “Oh.” Sissy scowled and bit her lip. “Seth might make it really hard for me.”

  “Maybe,” Otis said. “But you must remember — you have a patron. You are not stuck. While you are at there on talent, Seth’s money will open doors for you.”

  “If I need them,” Sissy said.

  “If you need them.”

  “Yeah, Seth promised he wouldn’t buy me a placement,” Sissy said.

  “You don’t need him to,” Otis said. “You are very
talented and clearly work hard. What do you know about a ballerina’s day?”

  “Um,” Sissy said. “Misty Copeland was here. She told me she starts with a ballet class at ten. Then she practices from noon to seven. On days that there’s a performance, she cleans up after practice, gets dressed, and is on stage all night.”

  Sissy nodded.

  “It’s a long day,” Otis said.

  “It’s a long day,” Sissy said. “I did some of it a couple months ago when I was in The Nutcracker.”

  “How was that?” Otis asked.

  “I liked it,” Sissy said. “I didn’t have to think about anything else. That made me really happy.”

  Sissy fell silent, thinking through what Otis had said.

  “So I should expect people’s jealousy,” Sissy said. “That means I should watch being jealous myself.”

  “Exactly,” Otis said.

  “And I should be careful not to brag about Seth,” Sissy said

  “True.”

  “I need to keep an eye out on these parties,” Sissy said. “What if I never go? I mean, I’ll have school and stuff. I won’t really have time.”

  “You cannot miss them entirely,” Otis said.

  “Oh sure.” Sissy nodded. “I want to fit in, at least a little bit, have people like me and everything.”

  “Exactly,” Otis said.

  “What if I mess it up?” Sissy asked. “Everyone hates me and stuff.”

  “Then you will find another placement.” Otis shrugged. “There are seven companies in New York alone. There are ballet companies all over the country and most of the world. You can always find another place.”

  “But?” Sissy asked.

  “You want to make it work,” Otis said. “If you’re miserable, leave the company. But if you can work it out, you’re in a more powerful position to find another ballet theater.”

  Sissy nodded.

  “You have so many people who love you,” Otis said. “Remember that. And don’t let anyone take advantage of you.”

  Otis looked at Sissy.

  “I think you’ll be fine.”

  “I hope so,” Sissy said.

  “Shall I take you to school?” Otis asked.

  “Ok,” Sissy said. “Thank you very much, Mr. . . .”

  “Otis,” he said.

  He got up off the bench and gestured to an edge of the park where a limousine was parked. When they got closer, a gorgeous, buxom woman stepped out of the driver’s seat. She opened the door for Otis and helped him into the car. Sissy got in after him, and they started toward East High School.

  “She seems nice,” Sissy said after a few blocks.

  “My situation has brought a change of fortune,” Otis said.

  Sissy nodded.

  “Don’t smirk,” Otis said with a smile. “I am also your patron. Don’t you forget it.”

  “I won’t,” Sissy said.

  Otis smiled.

  “You’ll have fun,” Otis said.

  “I hope so,” Sissy said.

  The limousine pulled up in front of East High School. Sissy thanked Otis again and got out. Standing on the sidewalk, she looked up at the big brick building. In the early morning light, it actually looked pretty. A stab of regret flashed through her.

  She would never graduate from here.

  She would never see her friends graduate or go to prom or homecoming or have a crush on a football player.

  Soon, she’d be in New York dancing for a professional ballet company.

  Overwhelmed by the thought, she jogged into the building.

  Chapter Three hundred and fifteen

  Need me

  Friday morning — 10:15 a.m.

  Sitting at the kitchen table, Delphie looked up from her cup of green tea. She’d heard a sound like the side door opening. She looked expectantly at the door to the kitchen before sighing. Today was the first day in a long time that Valerie hadn’t been able to have mid-day tea. It was the first day with many, many days to follow.

  Valerie was leaving to do her movies. Rightly so, she was taking Mike and Jackie with her.

  Delphie nodded to herself. It was a lot better than when Valerie left in a huff and Mike sulked here. No, Mike and Jackie belonged with Valerie.

  Delphie sighed. She missed them already.

  For the last few months, she’d been so busy with Ivy and Keenan that the only time she could count on seeing Valerie, or anyone, for that matter, was at mid-day tea. Ivy and Keenan, with their unique issues, had taken up every extra thought Delphie could muster. But as of today, Ivy and Keenan were spending the mornings at the Marlowe School. This morning, they took their first steps toward integrating with other people.

  Delphie smiled. She was grateful they were ready. And certainly, she was ready for a break. She sighed.

  Today was the first morning she had off, and Valerie was working. Jacob was working too, as were Sam and Aden and Sandy and Honey. Even MJ had left town for a trip to Europe. All of the adults were working and the kids were all in school.

  The first day Delphie had any time at all, everyone else was gone. Even Seth had taken Ava to Malibu for the weekend.

  Blane’s hospital visits were restricted to Heather only, so Delphie couldn’t go see him. Charlie was in some God-awful therapy today. The doctor had forcefully suggested that they let him get through it on his own. They were all going to visit tonight.

  No, there was no one who needed Delphie today.

  She’d never felt so lonely.

  Tomorrow, they were meeting to plan out this year’s garden. Tomorrow, the house would be full of life. Tomorrow, she had a brownie date with Katy. That was after she dropped Noelle, Ivy, and Tink at Heather’s house for a day of shopping. Nash and Teddy were planning an adventure with Aden — camping at Dinosaur National Monument, she remembered. They were leaving tonight. Tomorrow, Jacob and Mike were going to do the early season dirt work so that it was done before Mike left. Tomorrow, Valerie, Honey, Sandy, and Jill were spending the afternoon with Delphie to get their quarterly tarot readings.

  Tomorrow, the Castle would be full of love and life and noise and activity. Someone was sure to have a meltdown. Someone was sure to laugh. Someone was sure to break something. Someone was sure to apologize. Someone was sure to forgive. Someone would be mean. Someone would be kind.

  Someone was sure to need her.

  Tomorrow.

  But today, Delphie sat alone with her green tea in a quiet house.

  She looked at her smartphone. Her friends were busy with their lives. Maresol was at the doctor’s today to find out her prognosis. She’d invited Delphie to go with her, but Delphie had turned her down.

  She’d been sure someone would need her today.

  Yvonne had her hands full with Jabari. Dionne was working at the clinic.

  Delphie checked the time. Maresol would already be on her way to the doctor’s office.

  “Shoot,” Delphie said out loud. She’d missed Maresol.

  Delphie had all but quit her job reading fortunes at Herbs and Arts. She’d even cut back her time with some of her regular clients. Ivy and Keenan had needed every moment of her time.

  And now they didn’t.

  Delphie sighed. Nodding to herself, she decided to take a nap. She drained her cup and carried it to the sink.

  When she turned around, Tanesha was standing in the doorway to the kitchen. Delphie yelped.

  “Did you finish your tea?” Tanesha asked.

  “I . . . uh . . .” Delphie looked at her cup. She loved tea. If Valerie had been there, she would have had another cup or two. “Would you like some?”

  “Not green tea.” Tanesha lifted her lip and shook her head. “Yuck. I never got the taste. But . . .”

  Tanesha held up the tea she and her mother drank. Delphie smiled and turned on the pot. Tanesha reached into her backpack and took out two antique china teacups with saucers. She set them on the counter.

  “I bought these for you when I was
in Atlanta,” Tanesha said.

  “Oh my Goddess!” Delphie said. “These are beautiful, and they look . . .”

  Delphie opened her special china cabinet and took out two tea cups with the same pattern but in different colors.

  “Yours match these perfectly,” Delphie said. “How did you . . .”

  “A finding spell Fin taught me,” Tanesha said.

  “Oh.” Delphie raised her eyebrows.

  “I’m joking,” Tanesha said. “I don’t do any of that crap.”

  “Not consciously.” Delphie gave her a knowing nod and Tanesha laughed.

  Delphie took the tea. Tanesha took down another pot from the cabinet and filled it with warm water. Delphie got her green tea from the cabinet. They waited while the water heated.

  “I know the tea is designed to mute my fairy powers,” Tanesha said.

  Delphie nodded.

  “I just like it,” Tanesha said. “Mom does too.”

  “She does,” Delphie said with a nod. “As much as I like your company, Tanesha, I’m wondering . . .”

  “Why I’m here?” Tanesha asked.

  “Don’t you have school?” Delphie asked.

  “We had a test this morning,” Tanesha said. “I’m off until the afternoon session.”

  Delphie nodded.

  “I came because I wondered if you knew who Jabari’s mother is,” Tanesha said.

  “You?”

  “Not his spiritual mother,” Tanesha said. “His biological mother.”

  Delphie’ nodded and gave Tanesha one of her annoying blank faces.

  “Oh no, you don’t,” Tanesha said. “You don’t get to go all ‘crazy hippie lady’ on me!”

  “Crazy hippie lady?” Delphie laughed.

  “You know, ‘I gots my cats and my green tea and . . .’” Tanesha started to laugh. “You know you do it.”

  “Mystic,” Delphie said. “I prefer ‘mystic’ over ‘crazy hippie lady.’”

  “Shoe fits,” Tanesha said.

  Delphie laughed. She held out her arms and hugged Tanesha.

  “What was that for?” Tanesha asked.

  “You,” Delphie said.

  “Are you going to answer my question?” Tanesha asked. “You know, I can sic my girlfriends on you.”