by Alexie Aaron
Lee walked over, and a Lou Malnati’s pizza deliveryman stood there with an armload of pizza boxes and a crate of sodas. Lee gave him a couple of hundreds and asked, “Mind if I catch a ride back?”
“Not as long as you understand I have a few deliveries to make first.”
Lee had him set the food on the hall table, and she walked out onto the porch explaining, “A ride is a ride.”
Mia shut the door and started to pick up a few of the pizza boxes when she heard Curly moving down the stairs followed by the Opticals. “Here come my little heroes,” she said affectionately.
“Mia, they are not alive,” Ted insisted, walking in through the corridor to the kitchen.
Mia already had Curly hugging her waist and an armful of Opticals.
“Hand them here. All you’re doing is giving Jake an interesting view of your cleavage.”
Mia looked down and sure enough each small robot had its lens trained on her bosom. “Jake, you’re a pervert.”
The bots looked up at her and nodded their lens heads.
Mia handed him the Opticals but kept Curly, or rather Curly refused to let go of Mia. She picked up the pizzas and headed for the kitchen. Cid passed her. “Soda’s on the floor by the door,” she said.
Audrey met her with a stack of plates and silverware. Burt and Mike walked through carrying the ramps they would need to remove the bots from the basement.
“Who ordered the pizza?” Mike asked.
“Lee. She left with the pizza guy after paying him for our food.”
“Haven’t you ever just wanted to leave with the pizza guy?” Audrey said dreamily.
Mike and Burt said, “No!” together.
“I wasn’t asking you guys,” Audrey said and looked in Mia’s direction.
“My pizza guy was also one of my greatest tormentors, so no.”
“When I was a kid, ours was a dreamy college guy,” Audrey told them. “He drove a mustang.”
“This guy was over forty, bald, and drove a Buick,” Mia said. “Good thing you didn’t open the door,” she teased.
Ted came back and set his iPad on the table beside Mia. Cid passed out sodas, and they sat and ate until Glenda arrived.
“I’m glad to see the house in one piece. I was talking to the residents. They seem to think that it would make a good social club. A place to play cards, have meetings, and take classes.”
“I was looking at the blueprints, and you could put in a small elevator. You would only lose the small rooms that adjoin the stairway,” Audrey said. “The place could be rented out for weddings. The kitchen is big enough to handle a cocktail reception, and you could expand it for a sit-down situation.”
Glenda sat next to Audrey, and the two talked about the house. Mia excused herself. “I’d like to clean up so I can get home. Susan said Dieter came home a few hours ago. I’d like to talk to him before bedtime.”
“Go on. I’ll handle your cleanup,” Mike said.
“Really?” she asked surprised. “No Mia-gets-out-of-cleanup rants?”
“Not this time. Go be with your family. I’ll send Ted and Cid home once we’ve packed up.”
“Thank you!” she said and kissed her husband before heading out the back door, shedding her hoodie and tee on the way.
Mike picked up the castoff clothing and watched from the window over the sink as Mia took off and disappeared.
“Mia Martin, the ultimate commuter,” Mike said.
~
Mia landed at the aerie and jogged into the house and into a warm coat. She put boots on her feet and stepped back out into the cold, crisp winter’s night. She saw a few deer make their way across the property as she walked down the hill. The farmhouse was fully lit, and the smoke billowing out of the chimney bespoke of a large welcoming fire in the fireplace. She knocked once before she walked in.
“Mommy’s home,” she said.
Maggie ran down the steps. Mia knelt down and allowed the dog to clean her face as she listened to her little whines. Susan came out of the kitchen.
“I’ve just put a pot of coffee on. I’m afraid you just missed Brian. His head hit the pillow, and he was out. Dieter is bringing up some more wood. We were going to have a chess game.”
“I didn’t know he played.”
“He doesn’t. I was going to teach him,” Susan explained. “I figured we were in for a long night of waiting.”
“Everything turned out fine. The house is stable, and I think that Audrey will be partnering with Glenda to turn that old mansion into a community center of some kind. I don’t think Glenda will ever be comfortable living in that house in my opinion.”
“Would you?” Susan asked.
“No. I’m at home here. Cities are nice to visit, but I prefer the open spaces out here.”
“I’m a small town girl, but I do enjoy my Sundays at Soldier Field,” Susan admitted.
“Even when they’re losing?”
“Tsk tsk, Mia, they don’t lose. They just miss out on opportunities to win.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Mia!” Dieter exclaimed as he walked in from the basement stairway. He had an armful of wood. She took half of it and followed him into the living room. He set it down in the wood box. “Susan taught me how to build an Illinois blaze. We waited until Brian was asleep. He seems way too fascinated by fire.”
“Runs in the family,” Mia said. “How did your trip go?”
“It was sad but needed. I came back early. Susan and Brian were here. You know how nice it is to have someone greet you when you get home?”
“Yes, I do. I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”
“You had work. How’d it go?”
“Better than anticipated. I got out of cleanup, so I came straight home.”
“Mia, I’m going to head home,” Susan said, pulling on her coat.
“I don’t want to chase you out,” Mia said.
Susan’s face softened. “Dear, I know, but that young man has something on his chest that perhaps you can help him with if I’m not around.”
“Thank you for being part of our family, watching Brian, and caring for Dieter.”
Susan reached out and hugged Mia. “It’s a pleasure. I’ll see you on Saturday for Brian’s party. Ralph said I’m to bring my green bean casserole and macaroni and cheese.”
“Sounds yummy.”
“I understand Sabine is going to be here?”
“If the weather is good. Are you still trying to fix Tom up with Sabine?”
“I won’t answer such obvious questions,” Susan said and all but skipped out the door.
Mia walked into the kitchen, poured herself a mug of coffee, and walked to one of the two chairs by the fire and sat down. “Dieter, why don’t we play chess here. I know a bit about the game. I can get you started.”
Dieter put the small low table between them. Mia set up the game board, choosing standard pieces as to not confuse Dieter with the Star Wars set. She held up each piece, named it, and described what it could do. Soon they were playing a game.
“Mia, Judge Roumain calls you his white queen.”
“Perhaps because I can be moved in many directions.”
“Many people he uses as pawns,” Dieter observed.
“Do you feel like a pawn?” she asked.
“I did until I met the white queen. Now I feel like a bishop.”
“I can see that. Who’re my knights if I am a queen?”
“Murphy, Ted…”
“Ted’s not my king?”
“Oh no, I don’t know who the king is, but Ted isn’t sitting back and being protected. He is fighting too.”
“I’m glad you see him that way. I’ve always thought of him as my dark knight, my Batman.”
“Mia, your uncle, he’s a black knight, maybe a black queen.”
“I wish it were otherwise, but I fear you’re right.”
“Does this make you sad?” he asked.
“We can’t control the politics of others
. All we can do is listen and express our views when they listen. Otherwise, you create a chasm instead of building a bridge.”
“Very thoughtful words,” Dieter said.
“Dieter, Susan said you might have something weighing on your chest. Can I help you with it? I’m not a genius like Ted, but I’m a good listener.”
“I want to ask Judge Roumain for a leave of absence. I want to go to school like the other children. I want to stay here if you’ll have me.”
“Of course you’ll stay here with us. We could talk to him together,” Mia offered. “He’s a formidable but reasonable entity.”
“I’ll give him notice to find another attrpeur-âme.”
“That is very grownup of you, but, Dieter, don’t grow up too fast,” Mia warned. “I regret not having time for, as Murph says, ‘hijinks.’ Take time and enjoy being a teenager if that’s possible. Angst-city is what I remember.”
“I would like you to give me chores.”
Mia put her hand on Dieter’s forehead. “Are you coming down with something? I think you’re delirious.”
Dieter laughed. “I would like to earn an allowance like Mark.”
“I think that can be arranged. We also haven’t figured out your room yet. Have you picked which of the front rooms you want as your own?”
“I was thinking of the northeast one. It’s farthest from Brian’s room, so I can have music playing.”
“You’ve thought it out. The furniture in there is a bit spotty. Saturday, you’ll meet Ralph, one of my godfathers. He’s pretty good at decorating.”
“Mia, I have all I need. I have Ted’s boyhood desk, Cid’s made me a chair, and Murphy has found some wood and promised me some shelves when he returns.”
“You seem to have everything under control, but don’t hesitate to ask for more. I want you to be comfortable, or as comfortable as a teenager can be.”
“You were alone most of your teens?”
“Yes, it was very lonely. Murph and I were just getting acquainted. I want better for you. The minute you walked into Roustan Rose, I felt as if we were part of each other.”
“Maybe it’s just the magic.”
“I don’t think so. I felt a pull here,” Mia said, touching her heart. “Stay and get to know us. As Ferris Bueller said, ‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.’ You have your own journey, and if we are just a stop on your life’s path, we will be thankful for the time we have. I’m thought of as a freak in Big Bear Lake. Unfortunately, you’ll have to deal with my reputation while building your own,” Mia warned him. “Think it over. We would love for you to put down roots here, but there is no rush. This isn’t an offer with a sell-by date on it.”
Dieter nodded. “You are so kind.”
“Nonsense, son, she is just trying to distract you from the game. You’ll have her beat in two moves,” Roumain said from behind them.
Mia turned around, and he was sitting in her chair. “Don’t you ever knock?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow.
“It’s cold out there. I’m used to warmer climates. Hello again, Dieter. You did a good job in Syria.”
“Roumain, may I offer you a drink?” Mia said. “Dieter and you have business to talk about, I understand.”
“Something warming. Brandy if you have it?”
Mia walked over to the cabinet in the dining room and pulled out a large bowl-like glass and poured a large measure of brandy into it. “Dieter, another soda?”
“No thank you.”
“I’ll be in the kitchen if you gentlemen need anything. I’m going to be baking,” she explained.
Mia left them. She wished Cid were around so that he could tell her what was going on. She looked down at Maggie. “You go in there and give Dieter some support.”
The dog left. She walked into the room and lay down by the fire.
Roumain looked at the nervous youngster. “Well?”
“I would like to ask you for a leave of absence.”
“A leave of absence,” Roumain repeated. He picked a dog hair off his pant leg before asking, “Why?”
“I would like to go to school. It is very hard to keep up with classes and activities when I may be whisked off to parts unknown for days at a time.”
Roumain nodded. “That is an understandable request. When would you be resuming your vocation?”
“When I graduate from high school.”
“Seems to me that the Martins would prefer you to get a college education and, most certainly, an advanced degree. Let’s say we will resume your promise to me when you are thirty.”
“That is a generous time,” Dieter said, a bit overwhelmed by the generosity of the entity.
“You’ve earned it. You will, however, still have your gifts to deal with. Mia will be good counsel when it comes to what not to do. If it’s a mistake, she’s made it.”
Dieter looked at the entity. He could tell that the judge was fond of Mia. “Thank you, sir.”
“Send Mia in here. She and I need to discuss a few things.”
“Yes, sir,” Dieter said and left him.
Roumain gazed into the fire. His mind drifted to a time when a fire was hard to come by. He and his siblings huddled together to warm themselves as hurricane winds howled outside.
“Roumain?” Mia asked.
Her voice brought him out of his memories. He looked over at the woman. “Sit, Mia, you look exhausted.”
“I’ve had a rough few weeks. How are you?”
The judge smiled wide. The firelight shone in his perfect white teeth. “I’m fine. I’m going to have to replace an attrpeur-âme, but I have someone in mind. Thank you for taking in the boy.”
“Dieter is a pleasure. A perfect fit. You chose well.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Dieter is my reward for forgiving your shenanigans.”
“You talk of the boy like a prize. How dreadful of you.”
Mia smiled at him until he nodded. He said, “I saw you in him. You want more children. Dozens according to the string bean.”
“Ted is not a string bean. He’s strong.”
“Yes, he is. If the boy decides to be a Martin, you won’t have to go to Gerald. I’ll take care of things.”
“It has to be legal.”
“Mia Cooper Martin, I know the gravity of this. I will not fail you or Dieter. I give you my word.”
“Very well then.” Mia got up and ran over and hugged the entity.
“Now none of this nonsense. Violine will smell you on me, and then I’ll get another decade of silence.”
“You old rogue, I’m sure you’ve been up to worse than hugging me.”
He smiled. “Sit back down or I’ll do worse,” he warned. “Tell me, how is Roustan Rose?”
Mia caught him up on the events of the house and the mysterious Lee who, surprisingly, Roumain didn’t know anything about. “I’m glad to see that place sorted. There are a few more…”
Mia popped her hands over her ears.
“Don’t worry, little one, I know you’re tired. Enjoy your holidays. But keep your eyes to the skies, little bird. Trouble is brewing,” he warned.
Mia nodded. They sat, talking of easier things. Roumain finished his brandy and stood up. “It’s been a pleasure. Time for me to get back to work. Give my regards to the string bean,” he said and disappeared.
Chapter Thirty-six
Mia followed Father Santos over the frozen ground. Her boots crunched on the hard layer of snow as she made her way to the grave. She looked around and saw the solitary mausoleum and sensed this was where Chastity Murphy’s remains were buried. A young priest met them at the gate and directed them to Rose Malloy’s grave.
“As you remember, she was taken from this earth by a lightning bolt. Her body was burnt by heaven’s fire. I doubt that she exists in any form,” Father Santos explained.
“Then why are we here?”
“Yo
u asked.”
“Father, I would like to forgive Rose for all her transgressions against me. I’ve had a lot of time to think, and I don’t really think she was an evil person, just a misguided one. When I was persecuted as a child, I could lay it all on her doorstep, but then I would be wrong. She didn’t make the mothers of the other children fear me. They chose to exclude me. I have forgiven them. It’s time to forgive Rose and ask her forgiveness for my anger.”
Father Santos nodded. He looked over at the young priest. The priest pointed to the mausoleum. “Mia, over there, is that Rose Malloy?”
Mia turned and looked at the woman with the furtive look. She wrung her hands looking at Mia. “That’s Rose.”
“Go on,” Father Santos encouraged.
Mia approached the apparition. “Rose.”
“Mia, you’ve changed.”
“I’m married and have a son.”
“Who would ever have thought you would ever…”
“Land a man?” Mia asked, amused.
“No, become so settled. Mia, please forgive me. I caused you no end of problems. I was always jealous of your independence and talents. Everyone around me seemed to be living a more interesting life. I hated them for it. I hated you.”
Rose’s honesty hurt, but it needed to be said.
“I think I got Sherry Martin killed, and then I couldn’t wait to spread the horrible details. I was at the height of my evilness when God struck me down.”
“Where are you now?”
“Hell. Or what I always thought hell was. Weep not for me. I have deserved my reckoning. I thank you for your forgiveness and the opportunity to ask for yours. Enjoy these days. There are those that will cause this world so much pain. They are plotting now. Take care,” she warned.
“I hope you find peace, Rose,” Mia said, meaning it.
Rose smiled and faded away. Mia turned to see the two priests conversing. She didn’t want to intrude so she walked the graveyard looking at the simple graves. These were the remains of spirits that needed to be watched, to be cared for. From the outside, the boneyard looked small, but as soon as Mia walked to the end of a row, another row appeared. She turned and looked back and acres of gravestones with dew glistening on the granite tops filled her view. Was this real or was this a vision? She wasn’t sure.
