That did it: the tears of joy were flowing. Autumn laughed first, then cried, then managed to do both at the same time. She didn’t know what to do, so sat down on the big couch and buried her head in her hands.
“Now, now,” Billy said, “Why don’t you go take your shower first. Then we’ll sort this out. In the meantime, I’m here to protect you and,” he held her hand to help her to her feet, and looked down at her barely protruding belly, “my baby?” he declared and asked at the same time.
Autumn sniffed back her runny nose and wiped her tears on the back of her hand. “Okay, I’ll let you take care of me and your baby. I think I’ll just find my way back to the bathroom and that shower while you find something for me to wear. At least now I have something to look forward to, even if it’s just a clean body.”
“Oh, you’re getting much more than a clean body, darlin’: you’re getting a clean start. Now, get goin’, girlfriend,” Billy added with an affected lisp, “we’re going shopping!”
As soon as Autumn was in the shower, Billy was on the phone. “Mom, I think we have our first resident or client or student or whatever. I mean…you’re going to be a grandma!”
“What? I mean, who, I mean, why, I mean, how?” Bibb asked, totally baffled. She only had two sons. James had gone back in time and couldn’t be ‘heard’ from, and Billy was gay.
“I’m going to have a baby in I’d say five, maybe six months. We have to go to the doctor to be sure. I’ll have to see if I can get a referral for a good obstetrician. I mean, I don’t want just anyone bringing my little red headed child into the world.”
“Billy, would you slow down and speak so I can understand you? And how do you know that you’re having a red headed child?”
Billy spoke slowly and deliberately. “The, mother, has, red, hair, and, so, does, the, sire. Okay?”
“Where and who are they? And, do, I, get, to, meet, them?” Bibb asked just as purposefully.
“Absolutely!” Billy said then speeded his speech up to a normal rate. “But first, the mother and I have an errand or two to run. Can you get one of the guys there to clear out the crafts room and bring up one of the bedroom sets? I think your quilting is going to have to wait until the next phase is complete.”
“Can I at least know her name?” Bibb asked in exasperation.
“Autumn, like the color of her hair,” he said with pride. “And I will not call the sire a sperm donor. That’s beneath him. There’s a story behind their situation, and I’d like to keep that confidential…”
“I understand completely,” Bibb interjected then stopped talking when she realized that she had interrupted.
“It’s Benji,” Billy said then clenched his jaw. He took a deep breath then continued. “I might as well tell you now, because I don’t think I could keep that a secret. I’m not as good as you are when it comes to that, even though I’d like to think I am.”
“Well, Benji was, is, special to you, to all of us. Since he’s gone, I’m glad we can do this for him.”
Ж
The shower and the peanut butter and toast snack that Billy suggested had put the glow into Autumn and her pregnancy. “God, you’re beautiful,” he said as she came out wearing his loose fitting gray sweats.
“Um,” she hesitated. “I thought you said…” she began, not wanting to tell him outright that she didn’t want anything to do with him sexually. At least it sounded like he was making a pass at her.
“Oh, I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant. I will never mean that. I’m in a monogamous relationship. You’ll meet Peter in a few days. His job takes him all over the country. And yes, you’ll have your own room, but not here. I’m taking you to meet my mother, the baby’s grandmother! Oh, you’ll love Bibb. She’s a kick.”
“Okay,” Autumn replied, still a bit tongue-tied with all of the good fortune that was suddenly coming her way. Hopefully the saying, ‘if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is,’ wasn’t the case with Billy. He was her last hope.
The shopping trip went smoothly. “You can buy anything you want, but I’d suggest elastic waistbands. I don’t know how fast a belly grows on a pregnant woman, and I want you to be comfortable,” Billy said. He was already feeling protective of her, and it wasn’t just the baby. He grinned as he realized that this must be what it felt like to have a little sister.
“This is just to get you started,” Billy told her as he put the bags of clothing in the back of the truck. He ran around to the passenger side and opened the door for her. “I love this truck, but I think I’m going to need to get a family rig pretty soon. Do you know when you’re due?”
Autumn didn’t answer aloud, but shook her head ‘no.’ She didn’t want to tell him that she never paid attention to the months of the year much less days of the month. Periods came and went, and were just a nuisance that she had to take care of whenever she noticed that she had messed her pants. She had been clean and sober for a while, but didn’t know how long. She didn’t know when the sobriety started much less what the month or day was today.
Billy hadn’t heard her reply, but didn’t want to ask again. She probably didn’t know, and he didn’t want to embarrass her. He shouldn’t have even asked. She was obviously in a daze with her change of life from the streets. He’d make a few calls and get some referrals for a good doctor for her and the baby. Maybe he could find out what her interests were so she could start some schooling while she was pregnant. It would give her a focus and a purpose for her life after the delivery. He wouldn’t mind an open adoption, but it would probably be hard on her.
“I thought it might be easier for you if I took you over to Mom’s now. She’s getting a room set up for you.” Billy saw the look of fear on Autumn’s face. “Don’t worry; if you don’t feel comfortable with her, you can sleep in my bed, and I’ll take the couch.” He glanced over and saw her blanch. “Or you can take the couch, and I’ll take the bed. I just want you to be comfortable. You’ve been through a lot from what you’ve told me. Would you allow us to treat you like a queen?”
Billy heard her slight chuckle at the remark. “Yes, dear; the queen wants to treat you like a queen,” he joked. Now Autumn was laughing out loud, not even trying to contain her glee. “See, you’re starting to feel better already. Now, on a serious note…” Billy looked over and saw Autumn tense. “Just listen; I want to give you a very short history lesson before we get to Mom’s.
“Years ago, my mother, Bibb, was unmarried and pregnant. There was no place for her to go: she had no family and had a business that she was trying to get off the ground. She delivered her child, all alone, by herself, and took him to strangers to be adopted out. She never knew what happened to him until a few months ago. She doesn’t want that to happen to other women, or girls…” Billy added with a look down his nose over at Autumn. “So, she decided to sell her business to her employees and develop the additional property she had. Before he left, Benji helped clear the land and built her an oversized house. It’s a home for unwed mothers. It’s an old idea that she’s trying to bring back. At least bring it back without the shame that it tends to call up.”
Billy changed to a bright tone, “So, you get the honor of being the first member of the extended family. You get to be my sister!”
“Wha, what?” Autumn babbled.
“Well, since Bibb is the housemother, you get to be her daughter. And, since I’m her son, then you’re my sister. Oh, and by the way, that baby that she gave away was me. I spent all those years in an orphanage—which wasn’t bad by the way—but she spent those same years missing me and not knowing how or if she could get me back. She’s bucked the system before, and she’s doing it again. And you, little sister, get to help! Come on; we’re here.”
Autumn allowed Billy to open the truck door for her and help her down. “I’ll come back for the clothes in a minute. You’re going to love Bibb.”
Autumn kept her head down. She wasn’t used to looking anyone in the eye. Anonymity
had been a major part of survival in her past life. She could put on an old ball cap to cover her red hair, an oversized sweatshirt, baggy pants, and untied tennis shoes, and then become any teenaged kid, male or female.
She wouldn’t be able to keep that up for long, though. She didn’t know how far along she was in her pregnancy, but it was probably three months. She could feel the lump above her pelvic bone growing every week. At first, she thought she was just not keeping track of time very well. Actually, she never did care much for watches or calendars. But, a couple of weeks ago when she was in the bathroom at McDonalds, washing her face and cleaning up as best she, she looked up and saw the personal hygiene products for sale for a quarter. She stopped her sink-top bath and stared. She knew she had seen at least two full moons since her last period. She always thought of werewolves and fantasy characters when the moon was full. Oh, to be someone or something special. Super powers: why couldn’t she have them, too? They wouldn’t even have to be too special. If she could just get a decent job and take care of herself...
Herself; that had started the new panic. She couldn’t take care of herself, and now was pregnant. There would be someone else to take care of if she didn’t do something fast.
She was walking by the river last month when she saw it: the little yellow note from Benji. She almost lost it, but ran fast enough to stop it from blowing into the water. No, she wouldn’t jump off the bridge today, tomorrow, or ever. That note flying away was a wake-up call. It was if that scrap of paper had pulled itself out of her pocket to flutter about, to remind her that there was someone out there who could, and would, help her. Even if Benji couldn’t be there with her, to protect and feed her, he had given her a blank check with names on it.
Yes, she was glad she had brought it in to the police department this morning to cash it. She had clean clothes, a clean body, and best of all, hope. And now the baby had a father. Or, according to Billy, two fathers and a grandmother. Many children had started out life with much less and turned out just fine. Yes, Billy was the right person for her at the right time. She looked up and said, “Thanks, Lord. I forgot You got it all under control, but that we just need to listen. Thanks for going the extra step and pulling that yellow ticket out of my pocket.”
16 Misconception
November 5, 2013
“S hit, shit, shit!”
“What’s wrong, Billy?” Bibb and Marty asked at the same time.
“I told Benji that he had to wait until next August 17th to go through The Trees because that was the date you told James to come through. But, the date isn’t crucial, is it?”
“No,” Marty answered cautiously. “James was to come through for an event, to save the life of his ancestor. That was the only reason I told him that date. He’d be in the vicinity of the assault if he came through at that time and, well, it did turn out all right. If it hadn’t, you, your mother, and your brother would never have been born.”
“Benji’s gone. He left a note that said he was just going to kick around the country for a few months then come back through town when it was his time to go through The Trees. He could be back there now if I’d been thinking straight.”
“Well, you did have a lot on your mind with James and Leah leaving, and then the transplant ordeal…” Marty was trying to soothe his son’s frustration, but it wasn’t doing any good.
“Billy, I think the misconception was meant to be,” Bibb said authoritatively, then paused. She giggled then tried to compose herself. “I guess that would be both misconceptions were meant to be. If Benji hadn’t been where he was at that certain time, he wouldn’t have ‘sired’ your child, and Autumn might not be alive, or at least clean and sober. And, if he were here, he’d probably take on the responsibility for both her and the baby. So, you see, it’s all going to be okay. I’m sure he’ll get back to where he wants to be. And this way he won’t have to worry about having a child and, well, maybe a wife, in this time waiting for him. I think he was meant to go back.”
“And, you were meant to have a child, son,” Marty added. “I think it’s pretty awesome myself. Nobody has to pretend to be someone else like Bruce did, Autumn is being taken care of and will get a good education and career training, and I’m going to be a grandpa, this time for real!”
“Well, I guess you’re right,” Billy said. He knew that his older half-brother, Bruce, had pretended to be James’s father. Being gay was shameful back then, and a fake marriage and an imaginary wife who died in childbirth were created to perpetuate the story of James as Bruce’s child.
Bibb sat up straight, inspiration hitting her all at once. “I think I know why you feel bad. You’re a great detective, and you didn’t figure this one out, at least not right away. But, I really don’t think you were supposed to…”
“Thanks, Mom, I needed that,” Billy said with a grin. “We’re supposed to let the Man Upstairs take control of some of this. Free will only goes so far. And, I think you’re right. He took a bad situation and turned it into good for all of us.”
“So we’re all cool?” Marty asked. Bibb and Billy nodded that they were. “Good, because I want to take this lady home and see how it feels to make love to a grandma!”
“Eww; that’s too much information,” Billy said with an exaggerated look of disgust. “You’re still my parents, you know.”
“And don’t we know it, son,” Marty said. He reached around his son, held him close, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t worry about what you should have done, or could have done. Benji’s a big boy and can take care of himself, wherever he is. And, he has given us all a great gift, even if he didn’t mean to and doesn’t know about it. Have a good night.”
Marty turned to Bibb, “Come on, Grandma, or do you want to be called Nana?”
“Whichever one he pops out with is fine by me. Oh, and we don’t have to wait for the ultrasound. I’m sure I’m having a grandson. Having sons seems to run in this family.”
17 Zero Hour
Outside Greensboro, The Trees
Next year: August 17, 2014
“S o it’s time,” Benji said softly as he stared at The Trees, his time tunnel to the past and his grandparents. He should have come into town a few days earlier so he could have stopped in to say good-bye to Billy, Peter, and Bibb. Who knows, maybe Marty had made it back, and he’d finally get a chance to see him again, too.
“Hmph,” he snorted. “Or say good-bye to Wee Michael or even Autumn. Yer an evil man, Benji MacKay: makin’ friends, and then dumpin’ ‘em, leavin’ without a word, jest a scrap of paper if ye can find one. Weel, it’s too late now to do anythin’ about sayin’ good-byes or nice kenin’ ye’s. It’s daybreak and time to see if this works.”
Benji brought out the smartphone Billy had given him, the one he had set with a picture of 18th century Evie as the background. He had clipped a still shot of her from the video his grandfather had accidently taken. She was pregnant at the time, but that didn’t matter: it was Evie’s face he needed to concentrate on.
“Ye canna be usin’ the picture of Grandpa fer yer focus now, can ye?” he asked himself. “Ye dinna want to be comin’ back to yerself now… How can I look so much like him?”
Benji checked his backpack one more time, sighed deeply, and looked up. “It’s all in Yer hands, Lord,” he said. “Thanks fer givin’ me the opportunity to go back to where I belong. I hope I make Ye proud. Amen.”
He slung his backpack over his shoulders and fished in his pocket for the coin. “Here we go, ready or not,” he said. He took one more look at the smartphone picture of Evie and started his slow, determined walk.
He had been warned about the queasiness that came with the strong magnetic pull of the site. His stomach would probably be upset either way, though. He was both scared and ecstatic that the time had finally come. Now, as long as Grandpa hadn’t moved, he’d be fine. But, with as flamboyant and politically active as his grandsire was, he still shouldn’t be too hard to locate. At least, if
he had stayed in North Carolina…
“Focus!” Benji said to himself harshly. “Now isna the time fer waverin’. He’ll be there, ye ken he will.” He added softly, “I hope he will.”
18 Not a Fair Trade
August 19, 1782
B enji was hot and tired and hungry after his long walk. He had been robbed his first night here; a thief had taken his backpack and most of his goods while he slept, but he still had a couple of copper coins left that he could use for food and drink. Of course, it would be smarter to keep his money and find another way to silence the growling lion in his belly. At least this town was large enough that he had options. He was deciding whether to head to the livery stable and see if they had some equine output he could shovel in exchange for a meal, or go to the tavern and try his hand at cards, when his attention was diverted to the dock.
“She’s big and, if you can motivate her properly, I’ll wager she’s stronger than five men!” a voice shouted.
The spectators in the crowd were all jeering and laughing. Several very crude remarks were made, downright nasty suggestions that were inappropriate in any era. “It’d take a big man to get her to work if she didn’t care to,” said the fat man with the cigar. He started a cruel and sinister laugh. “Or a big strap. Look at those striped shoulders. It looks like she’s as stubborn as a jackass with a full belly.”
The crowd roared at Tubby’s joke, which pleased the squinty-eyed trader. Another voice added, “Even if you couldn’t get her to work, at least she could foal a bunch of big buck slaves. Look at the size of her!”
The Great Big Fairy Page 12
