The Aeolian Master Book One Revival

by John Northern

  *

  On the fourth day (the day before she was to have dinner with the warden) Viella had a mop in her hand and was cleaning the floor near one of the beds in the Intensive Care Unit.

  Maley had been inspecting the room, keeping a close watch on Viella. She walked over to a bedpan next to JoJo's bed and looked in it. "Get over here and empty this bedpan," she shrieked. The hate and anger were apparent in her voice.

  Viella leaned the mop against the wall and started toward JoJo's bed when she heard a noise in the doorway. She looked behind her in time to see her father step into the room.

  "Daddy," she said in a surprised tone.

  "Just a moment," said Juez calmly and walked toward Maley. "If you ever speak to my daughter like that again," his voice was rising in pitch and fervor until he was finally screaming, "you'll be in the pit within the hour!" He paused looking down at the woman who began to shrink away from him. "Do you understand?" he yelled.

  "Yes," she stammered in a frightened voice. "Yes," she stammered again.

  Juez started speaking a little lower and calmer, but the anger was still there and with clenched teeth he said, "And not only that, but you are now going to be her bodyguard, watching out for her, every moment of the day, because if anything happens to her, if she gets the slightest scratch on her hand, your life won't be worth two cents. And believe me, I have the power to bring you down hard—all the way down to your doom."

  Maley started to shake uncontrollably as a visible line of sweat formed across her forehead. She was too frightened to speak.

  So, Juez asked, "Do you believe me when I say I have the power to bring you down?"

  "Yes," she stammered.

  "Now get the hell out of here so I can visit with my daughter. And on your way take that bedpan with you."

  Maley backed slowly away from Juez, and then turned and stumbled toward the bedpan. She grabbed it, slopping some urine on the floor, turned and fled from the room.

  Viella stood in astonishment. She had never seen her father this angry. But when he held his arms out, she broke through her amazement and rushed toward him, falling into his open arms.

  He held her and patted her on the head. "Are you okay?" he asked.

  "Yes," she said in a tearful voice.

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes," she said and this time she couldn't help it. She began to cry in half hidden whimpers trying to keep it back.

  "It's okay," he said, and he continued to hold her in a hug with both arms wrapped around her in a gentle and comforting manner.

  When the whimpers finally subsided, and she had calmed herself, except for the occasional uncontrollable sob, she asked, "Did I do wrong?" sob.

  "Only by getting caught, child," he answered.

  And then, thinking about getting caught, she suddenly remembered her brother. "Did Sam get caught," she asked.

  "Yes, he did."

  "But I haven't seen him since I got here."

  In a rather pleasant voice Juez said, "He chose the run."

  "Oh my God," wailed Viella.

  But before she could break out in tears again Juez quickly added, "But he got away."

  Viella broke his hold and stepped back. "He got away?"

  "Yes, he and three other runners actually made it to the final zone and just when it looked really bad for them a couple of rebels dropped ropes from the girders above, and they managed to escape."

  Viella sighed with relief. "Sounds like Sam," she said. "When this is all over he'll probably write a book and become the richest man in Newusa."

  Juez chuckled, "Well maybe not the richest, but I'm sure he'll do alright." Juez paused and sat down on a bed,. "But speaking of alright, my main concern right now is you. How are you doing?"

  "I'm doing okay," she said in a subdued voice. She hesitated a moment and then she added, "except for one thing."

  Juez' eyebrows furrowed and he became intent on her words. "Except for what thing?"

  "The warden," she said, and her face showed she was one word away from crying again.

  "The warden?" asked Juez

  Viella started out with, "He . . .," but broke out in great sobs and Juez had to wait for several minutes before she calmed down enough to continue. "He made advances on me, and he says I have to have dinner with him tomorrow night at his house."

  Juez remained calm on the outside giving the pretense of composure, but Viella knew he was seething on the inside. “That's an easy problem,” he said. “I'll take care of it before I leave.”

  Viella nodded, knowing he would.

  They talked awhile longer, and then she walked with him to the front door, which exited from the waiting room. She watched as he left.

  Chapter Fifty