Sweet Tooth and Claw

by K A Miltimore

  There was a loud rap on the front door, which was strange as customers usually just came in. Hedy turned quickly at the sound and Bren rose from his table. He strode over to the front door. It opened with a waft of cold air.

  "Hedy Leckermaul?" The parcel courier was standing on the front porch, brazenly wearing shorts in the freezing weather. He held a small pouch in his hand. "I need a signature."

  Hedy gave a nod to Bren to sign on her behalf and in a moment the door was shut and Bren was back in the shop, placing the parcel on the counter.

  "I wonder what this is? I'm not expecting anything." Hedy took a hold of the tab at the top of the cardboard parcel and gave it a pull, tearing open the top. She drew out a slim envelope - black, with a gold embossed C on the back flap.

  "What is it, Hedy?" Mel came forward as Hedy carefully opened the flap, removing the bit of gold wax that held it sealed. She drew a crisp white page from the envelope. After a moment, the paper fluttered gently from her hands.

  "Hedy?" Mel said again. This time, Hedy turned toward the girl with fat tears rolling off her cheeks.

  "It's the Concierge. They have closed down my waystation."

  Chapter Five

  What? How can that happen? Can they do that? They can't do that!" Mel's voice grew louder with each word. It wasn't possible that Hedy could lose her waystation just like that, with no warning, no time to correct anything.

  "Apparently, they can. It can happen as quickly as opening a letter. I guess Raluca's final report wasn't favorable after all." Hedy said, dryly, trying to mask her frustration as she wiped away her tears. All the years, all the dangers, all the people she had helped, wiped away on a sheet of paper.

  "Chère, there must be some kind of appeal. Some process to get this all sorted out. There is no way they would just close you down and give you no options." Louis stood from the table and slid his arms around Hedy, hugging her fiercely. Mel could see her melt into his arms. The sound of muffled tears couldn't be ignored.

  "Hedy, let us help. I can call the Concierge right now and demand to speak with someone. As a guest, I can tell them what a mistake they are making. Please let me help you with this." Bren's voice was quiet but urgent. After a few more moments, Hedy lifted her head from Louis' shoulder and he gently released her. She dabbed her eyes with the corner of her apron.

  "I really appreciate the thought, Bren, I do. But if I am going to get the waystation back, I have to be the one to do it. I have to fight for it. And I will. It just caught me off guard.”

  Louis patted her arm gently. “No need to hide those tears from us, Chère. We’re all friends here.”

  Hedy nodded and wiped her face again. “Now, I'll start my campaign to get the Gingerbread Hag back on the waystation map. I'm glad you are all here though, for moral support." Hedy stepped over to Bren and gave him a hug, squeezing him even harder than he was trying to hold her. Mel looked away quickly and she noticed that Louis had caught it as well. Their eyes met and Louis smiled.

  "Enough of this crying now. You'd think it was time for a second line at the funeral. Get on with calling the Concierge and I will get back to eating. Bren is going to tell me all about being a Salamander, which I am sure is fascinating beyond measure, and Miss Mel is going to brew up some more strong coffee for the Krewe. We have a busy day ahead of us, what with righting the world's wrongs and eating scones and whatnot." Louis' voice broke the spell between Hedy and Bren and they both laughed as they pulled away from their hug. The tension was gone and it was time to get to business.

  "You can count on Louis to distract you from whatever ails you, that is for sure." Hedy chuckled and headed toward the back room where she kept her Roll-a-dex.

  "What time are you leaving today, Mel?" Hedy called back over her shoulder as she fiddled in the doorway with the paper cards, flipping for the administrative office number for the Concierge. She wondered briefly what time it was in Brussels.

  "I'm not sure. The group is meeting tonight and unless I hear from Ana, I will meet up with them. Let me check my texts." Mel wiped her hands briskly on her apron and picked up her phone. There was a message waiting, but it wasn't from Ana. It was Helen.

  "Uh, Hedy?" Mel called toward the back, causing Hedy to lift her eyes from the number on the card.

  "Yes?"

  "Helen asks if they can hold the group here tonight. She apologizes for the late notice but Helen has her mother staying with her and she'd rather not host tonight. I can tell her it won't work, if you want..." Mel felt awkward even asking; not five minutes before Hedy had been in tears over the letter and now Mel was asking for a group to come meet at the Bakery. The timing was all wrong.

  "No, it's fine. There is nothing about the letter that stops me from allowing guests to use the Bakery. Brussels is what, nine hours ahead of our time? So that makes it eight PM, right? Go ahead and text Helen that she is welcome to hold her group here tonight. I may be a bit distracted but you can handle things." Hedy picked up the receiver and began dialing the international number for Belgium.

  "Oh, a fete. How exciting? What should I wear?" Louis gave Mel a big smile and despite feeling like she was taking advantage of Hedy, she couldn't help but smile too. Louis' charm was irresistible.

  "Something in black would be appropriate. It is a local witches’ coven. I suspect you would be the first Rougarou in attendance, but we're a progressive bunch." Mel said as she texted Helen to share the news.

  "I would expect nothing less from a group affiliated with my dear Hedy. I appreciate the invitation and normally I would love to watch the witches at work but I can keep Bren company - perhaps there is a good brewhouse around town where we can go carousing. You do not want to try to out drink a Rougarou. Just sayin'." Louis tapped Bren on the arm, as if they were old and dear friends.

  "Hello? Yes, hello, this is Hedy Leckermaul. I need to speak to someone about my waystation. Yes, I'll hold." Hedy said and the room went quiet. Mel's phone beeped and she saw another text had come in from Helen. The group would be there at six o'clock.

  "Yes, I am still on the line. I received the letter you sent by courier, notifying me of the waystation closure. I want to speak to someone about petitioning this decision. Yes, I'll hold." Hedy turned to look at the group and rolled her eyes. Minutes ticked by and someone had obviously come back on the line with Hedy. She covered the telephone mouthpiece with her hand.

  "I'm on hold. Given the late hour there, they are going to try to reach the Director, the one who replaced Raluca, but they make no promises. I may need to call back in the morning....err midnight our time." Hedy stage whispered and the three audience members nodded their heads. Moments passed by and no one said anything. Mel didn't want to make the slightest noise from even rolling out cookies.

  "Yes, I am still on the line. I understand the hour there. I would think taking away a waystation might warrant a telephone call with the new Director. Yes, I do wish to speak with him directly. Yes, I will hold the line." Hedy said, exasperation creeping into her voice. She covered the mouthpiece again after several endless minutes.

  "They are going to try to patch me into his cell phone. Apparently, he is at the opera. Lucky for me the curtain hasn't gone up yet." Hedy shook her head slightly and Louis gave a soft guffaw.

  "Yes, I am still on the line. Thank you. Director..Haugrsson? Is that correct? Good, I'm sorry to interrupt your night at the opera but I want to speak with you about his letter I received about..."Hedy paused, clearly listening to the other person on the phone for quite some time. Her face furrowed as the silence stretched on.

  "No, I don't accept that. Whether Miss Vaduva was going to recommend closing me down or not can never be known - she died before she could finish her report....No, the fact that she died at my waystation isn't ample evidence, sir. I deserve a fair hearing, not a letter in the mail or a telephone call before the opera begins. This is my life we are talking about! Do I have to get on a plane to Brussels to find you? I doubt the Concierge would apprecia
te the attention." Hedy's voice rang out through the quiet bakery. Mel couldn't recall ever hearing Hedy shout, even when dealing Lyssa or her minions. Hedy was always a port in a storm.

  There was silence as Hedy listened to the voice and her face softened a bit. Whatever she was hearing must not be a flat refusal, Mel thought. That was a good sign.

  "Yes, I do think that is fair. Please do. I will walk you through all of it. Yes, at your earliest convenience, sir. Thank you." Hedy hung up the phone and turned to look at the trio, triumphantly.

  "He's coming. Director Haugrsson is coming and I can plead my case. It's not over yet."

  Chapter Six

  Well, I think that is a triumph, Hedy. An absolute triumph. Once you get him here, and tell him your story, with earnest emotion, I have no doubt that he will reverse this ridiculous decision and put you back on the waystation map. And if he doesn't. I'll eat him." Louis said with a flourish, giving a large chomp in the air. Hedy laughed but Mel didn't know the flamboyant man well enough to know if he was serious or not.

  "He will be here in a few days, and in the meanwhile, I am going to keep good thoughts." Hedy said, sounding far more chipper than anyone expected her to really feel.

  "I am going to prepare myself for an afternoon on the town and have a little toilette before the fais do-do with my new friend, Bren. See y'all in awhile." With that, Louis was gone.

  Bren looked from the doorway to Hedy with a bewildered look. "A 'fais do-do'? With me? What is he talking about?"

  Hedy chuckled and replied, "You and Louis are going to paint the town red apparently. It has been decided. No sense trying to talk him out of it. I suggest you pace yourself if you are going to drink along side of him." Mel joined in with a giggle of her own at that.

  "Well, I guess I will have to freshen myself up as well, since I have a date apparently. I was hoping that you and I could have a chat some time today, when you aren't busy." Bren said and Mel took that as a cue to come from behind the counter. The last thing she wanted was any more awkward conversations in her vicinity.

  "Hedy, I'm going to do a quick dusting in the entry and take Maurice in by the kitchen stove. The warmth will do him good. I'll be back in a bit." Mel said as she scooped up the chinchilla, hidden under his wool blanket. He didn't even protest, which said much for his affection for Mel. With a whirl of her apron, she was gone.

  "What's up, Bren?" Hedy also came from behind the counter and sat at the table where Louis had left an empty plate and a scattering of crumbs. She absent-mindedly swept at them with the end of her apron, cupping them in her hand.

  "Well, I was hoping that you and I could have a 'fais do-do' of our own, so to speak. We know each other here, at the house, with you as a host and me as a guest, but we've never had a meal out from the house together, or taken a walk or even gone grocery shopping. Not that I am suggesting we go grocery shopping, unless you want to go grocery shopping, which is fine because I actually don't mind grocery shopping, but my point is that as...close friends, we don't do things socially that friends do. I would like to change that." He finally finished his speech, watching Hedy's face for some reaction. She seemed confused by the stream of consciousness and her eyebrows knitted together.

  "I think I know what you are saying. Other than a fondness for grocery shopping, you are suggesting that we go do something fun, away from the house. Is that right?"

  Bren nodded, lips pressed together. Whatever else was on his mind, it wasn't getting passed his lips right now.

  "That sounds like a fine idea. There is no reason that Mel can't hold down the fort while you and I take off for an adventure. I haven't been in Seattle for ages and we could play tourist there, checking out the waterfront and the Space Needle. The Pike Place market is fun and we could pick up a fish for dinner when we go." Hedy had the last of the crumbs cupped in her hand and she carefully poured them back on to Louis' plate.

  "Yes, we could certainly do that, but anything simple is fine with me also. I have been here two months but we've hardly had any time to talk it seems. Time seems to be running out on us and I don't want that to happen." Hedy's knitted brows were back.

  "Running out? What do you mean, Bren? Are you leaving?" If he was going, he certainly hadn't told her before.

  "I have no immediate plans, Hedy, but I mean more generally. Your life is busy and complicated right now. I don't want to be another complication for you." He said, pressing his lips together again, as if he would push back whatever was waiting on the tip of his tongue to be said next.

  "Bren, I would never consider you a complication. You mean..." The tinkling of the bell interrupted her and Michael appeared in the doorway, shaking off the remnants of snow from his leather boots.

  "Hello, all. Hardly fit for man nor beast out there. Cold and it smells like snow in the air, if you catch my meaning. How is everyone?" Michael said, walking into the room and giving Hedy's shoulder a pat and her cheek a quick peck. He stretched a hand out to Bren, who shook it slowly.

  There was a pause before Hedy broke the silence, "Things started poorly, Michael. I received a message that the Concierge has closed down my waystation."

  "What? That's insane!" Michael dropped Bren's hand and placed it firmly on Hedy's other shoulder before letting go to walk to a spot where he could face them both.

  "Yes, quite. But I called the Concierge and spoke with the new Director. He is going to come and let me try to plead my case. So all is not lost." She gave a tight smile, more at the thought of having to beg for her waystation than anything else.

  "We have to do something. We can't let you lose your waystation, Hedy. We just can't." Michael was agitated and his voice sounded loud in the quiet bakery.

  "He will be here in a few days, so there is time to put together the best arguments. I'm not giving up without a fight." Hedy said and Michael stepped forward to pat her again on the shoulder.

  "We are right behind you, right, Bren? All in this together." Michael said and Bren nodded, before slowly standing.

  "I should get ready for my 'fais do-do' with Louis," he said, with a small smile. Hedy smiled back at him but Michael looked confused.

  "Louis? Do you have another guest, Hedy?"

  "You haven't had a chance to meet him, Michael. He is an old friend from New Orleans and he is staying for a little while. He invited Bren out on the town tonight." Hedy replied, rising from the table also.

  "Two dapper Dans out on the town, eh? Sounds like a good time. Next time, let me know when and where and I'll join in." Michael said, laughing lightly.

  "You'll be the first we call, Michael," Bren said and he gave them both a wave as he headed back toward the entry. "We'll say goodbye before we leave, Hedy."

  Bren was hardly out of the doorway before Michael had strode over and hugged Hedy tightly. "Don't worry, darling. We'll make things right, no matter what it takes. I have a few tricks up my sleeves." He gave her another quick kiss on the cheek.

  "Michael, I appreciate it, I really do, but I think just letting the Concierge know just what kind of a mistake they are making will fix things. I am not expecting we'll need tricks. But if we do, you are the tricky devil I would call." Hedy said, giving him a quick hug and then stepping back from his embrace.

  "Ah, excuse me, tricky Imp, if you don't mind. I haven't crossed into demon territory and I hope I never do. But even an Imp can have a trick or two to help out a pretty lady in a tough spot. Let's hope it doesn't come to that," he said, seeing the frown on her face return. "Aww, none of that now. Smiles, please." Hedy obliged him and went back behind the counter.

  "So tell me about this Louis character. An old friend you say? Should I be jealous?" Hedy gave a loud laugh as he finished speaking.

  "Hardly. He is in his mid-twenties, and I am not...in my mid-twenties, and he is like a younger brother. So no, no need to be jealous. I've known him since he was a teenager. He's...rambunctious. You'll understand when you meet him." Hedy poured some water from the copper urn into a teapot
to make Michael is favorite cup of Earl Grey.

  "So why is he here? Not exactly the time of year for a visit." Michael found the plate of finished rhino cookies and took one before Hedy could stop him. He crunched thoughtfully on the cookie horn.

  "He says he wanted to get away from New Orleans for a rest and just wanted to see me. I hope that is all there is to it. He seemed concerned when I mentioned calling his cousin, Delphine. She and I were friends when I lived in New Orleans, though we haven't spoken in a long time. Would you make a call out of the blue like that to make sure all was well? Is that weird?" Hedy gave Michael's arm a playful slap for taking a cookie unasked, before returning her attention to the teapot.

  "I would say that is a good idea. Forewarned is to be forearmed, or whatever the phrase is. Everything might be just as he says, but then again, what if it isn't?" Michael gave a severe bite to the rhino head, wrenching it from its portly body for emphasis. He smiled through clenched teeth.

  "You are incorrigible. Alright, I will call. It's been some time since I called Delphine but if there is even a flicker of chance that something is wrong, I should find out. I would never forgive myself if something happened to Louis and I didn't do all I could." Hedy swirled the tea in the pot and placed it on the glass showcase with a soft thud. She pulled the little pitcher of cream out of the cold case and placed it next to it.

  "I won't tell on you that you are snitching to his cousin. I can keep a secret." Michael said, mischievously.

  "See that you do, you tricky Imp."

  Chapter Seven

  Hedy hadn't dialed the 504 area code in a long time - years, in fact. When she left New Orleans seven years ago to move to Portland and opened her first waystation, she and Delphine hadn't been on the best of terms. As close as they once were, the death of their friend Julius had driven a wedge and neither of them had worked hard to remove it. Now, Hedy wondered if Delphine would even take her call.