by Kimbra Swain
As he got up to leave, I embraced him again. This was a love I’d never known. The love of family. He assured me that my father loved me in his own way, but he was consumed by all things in the Otherworld and had no proper means to express it. I didn’t care. I had everything I needed.
This trailer park was my kingdom. My royal bard stood by my side, and the greatest advisor I never knew I had, my grandfather, waved to us as he got in his pickup truck. An angel slept in my extra bedroom. My loyal furry companion did his business in the neighbor’s yard. Plus, I had the memories of an almost love.
Levi settled down in the recliner. He seemed very different from the brooding young man that entered my home a couple of weeks ago. I saw the growth not only in his attitude, but in his features. His eyes looked older and wiser.
“What are you looking at?” he asked.
“You’ve changed, Levi. Or maybe I just know you better now,” I said.
“I’ve changed, and you know me better,” he said.
“Oh, well, excuse me, wise one,” I laughed.
“What’s it like having family now?” he asked.
“I’m a little overwhelmed,” I admitted.
“Just when you needed it, eh?” he said.
“It seems so,” I said.
“I know I’m not real family, but you are still stuck with me,” he said.
“You are real family, Dublin,” I said. He knew I’d say it, but he grinned anyway. I supposed his sweet smile was payback for the inclusion. The fact was, I didn’t know where I’d be without him right now. I reminded myself that I needed to find him a girl. Not just because he needed one, but because I needed him to have one.
“I can sleep in the recliner if you want my bed,” I said.
“No, Grace. Go get some rest. You are looking tired and thin,” he said.
“Thin? You should know better than comment on a woman’s weight,” I said.
“It’s true though. I was afraid you were sick,” he said.
“Oh, I don’t get sick. Have you ever been sick?” I asked.
“A couple of times when I was a kid. Chicken pox. Strep throat,” he said.
“Now that your fairy side has emerged, you won’t get sick. Unless you swap gravy with the wrong person, then you might get an itch,” I said.
“Ew,” he said.
“You never know,” I laughed as I went toward my room. “Goodnight, Levi.”
“Goodnight, my Queen,” he said.
“Oh, shut up,” I said slamming the door. I heard him laughing through it. I laughed too, but kept it quiet.
Considering how little sleep I’d gotten lately, I surprisingly slept for about 6 hours then was wide awake. Demetrius Lysander was a part of this, but I just couldn’t figure out how. My father pays for the services of Lysander and retains him for me as a lawyer. The more I thought about their connection I wondered if I didn’t need to just contact my father. I would think that if he knew something, he would have told me. For the first time in my life, he tried to get me to come home which would essentially re-establish my royalty and heritage. All the things that I missed out on, like the fairy identification, would emerge as powerful gifts. Father wanted me to accept that inheritance.
Lysander, if he was a bogan, may not be employed by my father so much as indebted to him which would make things hairier. Lysander would be bound to my father’s family, but since I was an exile, I didn’t technically belong to the family. If Lysander wanted to stick it to my father, a good way to do it would be through his exiled daughter. I had to admit that he still cared about me.
Amanda Capps and Lysander were seen together more than once. I decided to call Remy and see if he could find out a few things for me about my own lawyer.
Laying in the bed, I found his card on my nightstand and called him.
“Hello,” he said half-asleep.
“Remy, it’s Grace,” I said.
“Grace, what’s wrong?” he asked.
“I need you to check on something for me,” I said.
“Grace, its 3 am,” he groaned.
“Oh shit! I didn’t realize the time. I went to bed early, and I thought it was later than that,” I said.
“And it’s Saturday,” he added.
“I’m sorry. I’ll talk to you later,” I replied.
“No, wait, Grace,” he said. “I want to help you. Please tell me what you need.”
“I need you to check on some things about my lawyer,” I said.
“I told you he was bad news,” he said.
“Yes, but you gave me no specifics. I need to know if he’s doing things behind my father’s back,” I said.
“Grace, how am I supposed to know that?” he said.
“Look at his cases filed in court. See if they correlate with fairy issues or if there are conflicts of interest,” I said.
“You need a private investigator,” he said.
I paused and took a deep breath thinking about Dylan’s comments about starting a P.I. firm.
“You still there?” he asked.
“Yes, sorry. I got distracted for a moment,” I said.
“I wish you’d let me distract you,” he laid on the accent that he knew I loved.
“Remy, if I wasn’t up to my neck in shit, I’d let you,” I said.
“Well, then, I’ll help you get out of it, then we can discuss terms,” he said.
“Do you ever stop flirting?” I asked.
“With you? Never!” he laughed. “Anything else?”
“Yes, Dylan Riggs left me his ashes, only his urn is empty. I’d like to know what else was in his will. I need to know who is lying to me. I suppose it’s possible that someone gave me the empty urn as a cruel joke,” I pondered.
“That’s terrible,” he said.
“Yeah, I hope not, but I’m not ruling anything out,” I replied.
“I’ll call you when I find out something,” he said.
“Sorry to call at this hour,” I said.
“Darlin’ you can call me anytime you please,” he said. “Later, sweetheart.”
“Bye, Remy,” I groaned.
The bedroom door creaked open, and Levi stuck his head in.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yes, I just thought of a way Remington Blake could help me. So, I called him, but I didn’t realize what time it was,” I said. “I’m sorry to wake you.”
“Don’t go to Remington Blake for that,” he said.
“I’ll have you know it was about my lawyer! Not that!” I replied.
“You didn’t wake me up. I can’t get comfortable in that chair,” he said.
“Come in here and lay down. I’m getting up,” I said, then he rushed in the door barreling on the bed like a child. Laughing at him, I tried to dodge the half-naked human torpedo invading my bed. He held me down and wouldn’t let me get up.
“You don’t have to get up,” he said.
“You’ve just been waiting for the moment I’d invite you to my bed,” I teased.
“No,” he said releasing me. He rolled on his back and put his arms behind his head. “I just wanted to make you nervous.”
“Silly man,” I said. “Why?”
“Because it’s fun,” he said. I rolled over on my side and admired him. “So, what is Remington Blake doing for you?”
I spaced out for a moment staring at his impeccable body. “Um, well, um, I’m having him check Dylan’s will to see if he meant for me to have his ashes. If not, someone played a cruel joke on me,” I said.
He grinned knowing he was throwing me off. “What made you think of that?” he asked.
“Just paranoia, I guess. I used to be like that all the time. Living here, I’ve lost my edge. I’ve gotten too comfortable and let my guard down. If we are going to stay, I need to wake up and pay attention,” I said.
“Stay?”
“Yes, after tonight, between Winnie and Nestor, I want to stay,” I said.
“Good. I like the idea of fighting for wh
at we want as opposed to running and hiding,” he said.
“Levi, you don’t know what’s out there. It’s bad either way,” I said.
“No, you aren’t fighting alone anymore. I’m a minstrel and a poet. My lyrics are heroic, and my face is stoic,” he said scrunching his face up.
I died laughing. “That’s terrible! You should stick to the guitar,” I said between laughs.
“Yeah, probably. I thought I’d give it a try,” he sounded defeated.
“Dublin, you don’t have to rhyme. Look at what you did before we went into the courthouse. Just speaking with authority and putting your will behind it was enough to make Lysander shut up, Amanda back down and the reporters silence. You did all of that without a guitar or stupid poems.”
“Could I calm crowds like the one after the hearing?” he asked.
“You may not could have then, but I think as you gain confidence in your abilities, you will have that kind of power,” I replied.
“I wish I would have tried,” he said.
“We can’t go back, Levi,” I said.
“You talking to me or yourself?” he asked.
“Both,” I replied. He reached across the bed and grabbed my hand. The tingle of fairy to fairy touch cascaded up my arm.
“You still look tired. I promise to stay on my side of the bed,” he said, squeezing my hand.
I laid my head back down on the pillow and quickly went back to sleep with his hand in mine.
When I woke up, Winnie was laying between us asleep. I never heard or felt her get in the bed. She had her blanket, snuggling up next to Levi. I realized she probably didn’t have a male parent figure. Cletus and Tater were just some guys that Bethany let live with her. They were not related to Winnie and certainly weren’t parent material. Those idiots were the ones who shouldn’t be allowed to procreate.
I realized Levi’s eyes were open watching me. Smiling at him, I eased out of the bed and mouthed “coffee.” He nodded, pulling her closer to him.
As I made coffee, I watched the sky awaken. There were a few puffs of clouds in the distance, but the sky was mostly clear. I started some grits for Winnie. I made eggs, bacon and toast for Levi and myself.
I didn’t know how long it would take Remy to find out the information I needed or if he would find anything at all, but I wanted to know as soon as possible. If I promised him something in return, he might find the answers I needed sooner. Dylan’s death hurt, but to get the information I needed, I would oblige Remy’s flirtations. It wasn’t’ so bad. He and I always had a good time in the bedroom. Maybe it would be what I needed to get over Dylan.
Levi appeared in the kitchen with a sleepy headed little girl in his arms. “Want some grits, Winnie?”
“Yes, ma’am. Will you make Uncle Levi some too?” she asked.
“I would, but Levi doesn’t like grits,” I responded.
She looked him in the eye, “You can’t be my Uncle anymore.”
I died laughing. “I’ll eat grits for you, Winnie. Only if I can have cheese in them like you,” he responded. Bless his heart. He didn’t like grits, but he’d eat them for the love of that child.
“Can he have cheese, Aunt Grace?”
“Of course,” I said. “Go wash your hands.”
She ran off to the bathroom while Levi poured a cup of coffee. As I passed him to get cheese out of the fridge, I kissed him on the cheek.
“What’s that for?” he asked.
“For loving that little girl,” I replied.
“Hard not to,” he said.
“I know what you mean,” I said watching Winnie reappear. She plopped down at the kitchen table, patting the seat next to her so Levi would sit. I placed a small bowl of grits in front of each of them, and a plate of eggs, bacon and toast for Levi. I grabbed my plate and joined them.
Winnie gave her little hands to each of us and prayed for the food. “Thank you for letting me sleep here, Aunt Grace.”
“Winnie, you know you are welcome to stay here anytime you want,” I said as someone knocked at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Levi said popping up out of his seat.
When he opened the door, a scant woman stood on the other side smoking a cigarette. She mashed it out on my deck railing. “Hi, I’m looking for my child,” she said.
“It’s my momma,” Winnie said quietly.
“Invite her in, Levi,” I said.
“Come in, ma’am.” He held the screen door open for her. She wore green pajama pants with a dollar bill print on them. Her t-shirt was white and stained. She leered at Levi as she entered. At least she had good taste.
“Morning, Bethany. Would you like some breakfast?” I asked.
“No, I just need to collect Winnie. We are going over to her grandmother’s house today,” she said.
“Oh, how nice. How is your mother?” I asked.
“She’s doing better than she was, but the blood pressure pills have her twisted up,” she replied. Her mother had numerous health problems and lived in an assisted living home. Winnie told me once that she didn’t like going there because it smelled like old people. I wanted to laugh at her, but I told her that visiting our family is very important.
“Bethany, this is Levi Rearden. He’ll be staying with me for a while,” I said.
“Your daughter is adorable,” he said.
“He colors good, Momma,” Winnie said as she ate her last bite of grits. She scratched Rufus on the head and grabbed her blanket.
“You be good, Winnie,” I said.
She hugged me. “I will, Aunt Grace,” she said. Then she ran up to Levi, who scooped her up in the air and twirled her around before he let her down. She latched on to his neck. “Bye, Uncle Levi.”
“Bye, Winnie. I can’t wait until you come back and play next time,” he said.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Bethany said.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“She doesn’t like men, but apparently Mr. Rearden has the touch,” she said, leering at him.
He blushed and looked away.
“He most certainly does,” I replied, smiling at him.
“He’s my new Uncle,” Winnie said proudly.
“I see that,” Bethany replied. “Thanks, Grace!” She said as she walked out.
“Anytime,” I called out to her. Levi watched them cross the street and go into her trailer.
“Well, I’m sure Bethany will be happy to entertain you now for free,” I said when he returned to the table.
“I couldn’t,” he said.
“Why not?” I asked.
“She’s been used by men for a long time. I’m not that kind of guy,” he said. “Plus, she’s Winnie’s momma, and I don’t want her getting any ideas. I love that little girl, but I’m not looking for a drug addict wife.”
“She looked rough today,” I said.
“We have to stay for Winnie,” Levi said.
I gathered the dishes and piled them in the sink. Looking out the window, I saw a plume of smoke rising toward town. “Levi, come here,” I said pointing at the smoke.
“Where is that coming from?” he asked.
I ran to my bedroom and pulled off the shorts I wore to sleep. I slipped into a pair of jeans. “Put on some pants. Hurry!” I said.
I heard him pound through the trailer as I grabbed my keys. He met me at the door. “What is it?”
“It looks like it’s coming from the Tin Roof,” I said in a panic.
“Oh, no,” he said, grabbing the keys from me. “Get in. I’ll drive.”
We hopped in the truck and sped off toward town. As we rounded the corner, three fire trucks surrounded the burnt shell of the Hot Tin Roof Bar. Levi couldn’t stop the truck fast enough for me to get out and run toward it. “Nestor!” I yelled.
One of the firemen grabbed me to prevent me from getting closer. “No, you can’t go over there, ma’am,” he said holding me back.
“The man who owns the bar,” Levi ran up behind me.
“Where is he?”
“We got him out. An ambulance took him to the med center,” he said. We turned and bolted back to the truck.
“It’s just down the road,” I said to him.
“I saw it when we went out to the store,” he said. “He’s alive, Grace. It will be okay.”
“He shouldn’t have told me. I can’t believe the Sanhedrin would do this,” I said.
“You don’t know it was the Sanhedrin. It seems we have more than one enemy,” he said.
When we arrived at the med center, they would not give us any information except that he was alive and could not have visitors. We sat for hours waiting. Several times Levi went and got coffee. I wasn’t leaving until I knew something about Nestor. Levi lounged next to me in a small waiting room when my phone rang.
“Hello,” I said.
“Grace, where are you? I stopped by the trailer,” Remy said sounding concerned.
“I’m down at the med center. Nestor Gwinn’s bar burned down. He was in it. They won’t let me see him,” I said.
“I’m on my way. Maybe I can help,” he said and hung up.
“He’s coming?” Levi asked.
“Yes,” I replied.
“Are you going to sleep with him?” he asked. “I know it’s not my business. I’m just asking.”
“If it gets the information we need, then probably,” I replied.
“Don’t do it, Grace,” he said quietly and cautiously.
“We need to find out who killed those children. That is more important than anything,” I said.
“You can order him to do it, right?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You are the queen. He’s a minion,” he said.
“Doesn’t work like that, Dublin,” I said.
“Why not?” he asked. “My book says that the queen and king of the Otherworld can require any fairy to complete a task as long as it does not require them to give their life.”
“You and that dammed book,” I swore. “No, I’m not the queen.”
“Sure, you are. You are the queen here,” he said.
Dismissing his assertion crossed my mind, but it had a certain brilliance to it. I could press my will on a fairy in this world to do as I asked. I knew this because I’d done it before I got banished, but that would mean accepting the royal part of myself again. I dared not tempt my colder side. However, if it were possible, I would have to be the Queen of something, and I didn’t think the trailer park counted.
