Sticks and Stones

by Alexie Aaron

  Mia studied Murphy. “What’s going through your bean?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Uh huh. We’ll speak later when I can. Right now, I’m headed back for falling-on-my-ass practice.”

  “Mia! The children.”

  “If they can let alone understand but say ass right now, I’m just going to retire and let them be raised by wolves,” Mia said, turning around the stroller and skating back to the farm.

  ~

  Gates took a turn around Ted’s track slowly, counting skate strokes before the hazard of the slight decline and incline where the track met the smooth garage floor. She towered over all but Cid and Ted in her skates. She had amped up her pads for today’s practice. She adjusted the strap of her multi-crash helmet and coasted to the workbench. Ted had just finished showing Mia how to trade out her street wheels for derby wheels. Gates thought that it was cute seeing the couple bump each other out of the way. Mia was standing on a box, Gates suspected the young Martin boys used.

  “Are you ready for a few controlled falls?” Gates asked.

  Mia put on her pads, and Ted handed her skates. She put them on before she replied. “I’m going to check out these wheels first.” Mia took off around the track.

  “I think it’s a big mistake putting her in the mix,” Gates said. “She’s fast but hardly tough enough.”

  All the male members of PEEPs turned around. Mike started to speak, but Cid clamped his hand around his mouth and pulled him into the office.

  Mia returned. She flipped off one skate, tightened a wheel, put the skate on again, and said, “Now I’m ready, Teach.”

  “First derby stance. Your skates need to be wider than your shoulders. Your knees need to be bent, and you need to be in a squat position. Very similar to sitting on the edge of a barstool. Keep your head and shoulders up so you don’t block your peripheral vision. It allows you to turn your head without losing balance. If you’re doing it right, you’ll feel a burn right here,” Gates said, rubbing the front of her thighs. “If your back hurts, you’re bent too far forward.”

  Mia imitated Gates.

  “Let’s move on to falls. Knee falls, four-point falls – adding the wrist guards, keep all your fingers in.” Gates demonstrated these two falls. “Now you.”

  Mia mimed Gates and popped up each time.

  “Keep your body small like this,” Gates said falling, tucking her head and limbs in. “This way you don’t get inadvertently fouled for low blocking a skater. You may be able to slide down into a knee tap by putting the toe down first, then the knee, and the reverse back up.”

  Mia rolled off and, at first, had a bit of a balance problem. She stood up and thought for a moment and adjusted the knee plant to the speed at which she was skating. Gates motioned for her to complete the circuit practicing the three falls.

  Gates joined Mia, and the two worked together on the safety measures Gates had learned. Plow stops were practiced. T stops were shown. Mia had a little trouble getting the coordination of dragging the outside wheels. She did, however, learn fast to keep her stance low. The two moved through other steps, and Gates showed her a few drills.

  As she was discussing the principles, they were moving. Mia was skating backwards listening to Gates. It didn’t hit Gates until she mentally moved on to her list and said, “I guess we can scratch off backwards and transition skating.”

  “I did do a little work when Ted was studying the skates and how to make them better.”

  “Let’s take a few turns around the track and build up some speed. Careful of the lip.”

  Mia nodded, and the two started off companionably but soon became competitive.

  “If your wife hurts my girlfriend, I’m going to sue,” Mike hissed.

  “My wife and your girlfriend are determining the atmosphere out there. Gates outweighs Mia by forty pounds and eight inches. I think Mia is sizing her up right now.”

  “Why do they call us freshies?” Mia asked.

  “Because we are fresh meat.”

  “Makes sense. So, unless I’ve missed the memo, my job is to just show up for Fresh Meat weekend and participate in the drills while getting a lay of the land.”

  “Your husband has some earcoms that should also pick up enough of the sound around us. The venue is going to have a camera in place prior to the regulars arriving. Mia, it’s not child’s play out there, even for fresh meats. It’s rough. I know you can swing a sword, but this is all body.” Gates demonstrated by advancing on Mia. Mia stuck her toe stop in, dug in, and Gates hit a small wall of one. She backed up and put her weight into it, and Mia moved slightly.

  “My turn,” Mia said and took off around the track, and Gates held tight as Mia hit her with her shoulder. “Whoa!” Mia bounced back, keeping her balance. “I guess it’s best to find the competitor’s weak spots,” she said and took off around again, stopped dead in front of Gates, and danced around her and took off skating.

  Gates pursued Mia, and soon they were bumping hips, shoulders and, basically, having a small controlled brawl down the track.

  They discussed the rules, and Mia had too many questions. Gates threw up her hands. “What do I know? I’ve only been doing this for two weeks!”

  “And you thought Brian got his question asking abilities from me,” Ted said to Cid.

  “Refreshment time!” Cid called out.

  Burt, who had been watching via the cameras in the garage, waved the girls in. “I’d like to show you some footage we’ve already picked up via the security cameras.”

  Mia rolled over to Ted. He picked her up, set her on the workbench, and took off her skates. Ted then picked her up and carried her over his shoulder to the office.

  Gates laughed. “Now that’s what I call a pit stop.”

  Mia leaned back against Ted, who had pulled her onto his lap, and watched the screen. They saw bleacher stands moving in and out, pebbles falling from the ceiling, and freshly applied tape rolling back up.

  “What we can’t show you is the showers turning on and off and the toilets flushing all at once and one at a time,” Burt said.

  “I’m looking at the personnel, and they seem to have the same fourteen women, plus and minus other coaches, during the times of the incidents,” Mia said. “Jake, did you do a pattern test to see who had to be there before the tricks started?”

  “Nothing starts until ten minutes after the full compliment. The skaters arrive at different times so we can’t rule anyone out,” Jake responded.

  “Where did the pebbles originate from?” Mia asked.

  “They appeared out of thin air.”

  “They had to come from somewhere. Matter of this kind doesn’t simply form. It has to come from somewhere. For example…” Mia tossed Gates an umbrella. Mia opened her palm and a small amount of blue energy formed. She closed her eyes and found the items she needed near the half-veil she selected. “Open the umbrella,” she warned, seconds before it rained Legos. “I didn’t create the Legos; they came from the toybox in the family room upstairs in the house. What a poltergeist, wizard, alchemist, or whatever, does is accesses a half-veil and create a vacuum. The items are drawn into it and, with experience, released at the right time over the area where they want the stones, or in this case Legos, to fall. They have to come from somewhere. By finding the source, I believe Ted can calculate how strong this poltergeist is.”

  Gates stared at Mia. Mia was tempted to read her mind but instead chose the high road.

  “How did you learn to do that?” Gates asked.

  “By watching Burt’s explanation of poltergeists. I have the basics of telekinesis, and Murph has taught me about the veils, half-veils.”

  “And Mia is a freak,” Mike said.

  Gates frowned.

  Mia was beginning to like Gates.

  The girls went back to skating, and Ted resumed tinkering on a device to be used in the girl’s helmets. At best, PEEPs would see a 180 degree pictur
e of what was going on around the helmeted skater. Cid was helping, adding his observations as they worked. Burt stood with Mike who was keeping an eye on Gates and Mia by watching the camera feeds.

  “I’m really pleased with the hard work both are putting in. They may not fool the pros, but they will possibly fool the poltergeist.”

  “Whose idea was it to include Mia?” Mike asked.

  “Mine,” Burt answered.

  “Why?”

  “Murphy can’t protect Gates in places like locker rooms. His reactions are quick but maybe not quick enough considering there are so many skaters on the track at one time. Ted and I talked, and he felt Mia was up for the distraction.”

  “We can’t count on her. She’s a wild card at best,” Mike said.

  “We make allowances for Cid’s career, Mia’s and Audrey’s pregnancies, and your jaunts to Chile. Mia is not going to duck out because she’s bored.”

  “Gates is a professional. Mia is just fooling around.”

  “Are these real comparisons or are you trying to start trouble?”

  “If she takes Gates’s limelight I will.”

  “Of all the shallow shitty things to say,” Burt said. “You disgust me. This isn’t the Gates O’Brien show. It’s PEEPs with special guest Gates O’Brien. Mia is a PEEP, and you’re an asshole. I’m doing a study on possible poltergeist phenomenon. The Carter haunt was a gem, but it wasn’t poltergeists. I was hoping we’d hit pay dirt. To do so, I need a seasoned paranormal investigator involved, not Miss Hollywood goes skating.”

  Mike turned around and punched Burt. But his punch didn’t land. Burt caught it in his hand. It was at that moment, Jake’s crush for Ted evaporated and his new worship of all things Burt had begun.

  “I think you better go and sit on the porch until Gates is finished,” Burt said, opening his hand.

  Mike flexed his fingers to make sure nothing was broken. He retreated outside and walked to his car and then remembered he had to wait for Gates and walked over to the porch where Brian sat doing his extra math handout.

  “So, what are you in for?” Brian asked.

  “Trying to punch Burt. You?”

  “Supergluing Varden to the patio door to look like a Garfield car window plushy.”

  “How long did he stay?” Mike asked.

  “Until Lazar walked in. About five minutes. Mom was able to start the healing process on Varden’s forehead and palms. The surface skin came off. He looks like he has a bullseye on his forehead, and he won’t be able to draw for a while. He was supposed to start rock climbing lessons this week, but his hands are too hurt to do so.”

  “You glued his forehead,” Mike said horrified.

  “That was how he lasted so long. The weight was equally distributed.”

  “Varden is light, why didn’t you just use large suction cups like the toilet plungers?”

  “I didn’t think of it. That’s why I’m here. I didn’t think about the consequences of hurting Varden. Lazar said that the glass could have collapsed, and Varden could have fallen, possibly cracking his head open and landing on the pebble glass. Lazar was really mad. Mom said she was disappointed in me, and Dad is grounding me from the museum for a year.”

  “What about Nanny?”

  “It’s her day off. I would never try to pull such a thing when old eagle eye was around.”

  “When did this happen?”

  “Five minutes before you got here. Mom said she would discuss this with me in depth and maybe call in Angelo to give a reprimand.”

  “That’s a bit harsh.”

  “No. Varden is a child, and my flock is supposed to protect children. Mom says I’m not grasping what protecting a child is. Dad said that Varden wasn’t a lab rat. He is my brother.”

  “Do you hate your brother?” Mike asked.

  “No. I wish he had his own room, but I don’t hate him. He’s always happy. Why all the questions, Uncle Mike? I thought, since you have a girlfriend, you tossed me away like yesterday’s garbage.”

  Mike winced and asked, “Where did you hear that?”

  “On television.”

  “I’m sorry I haven’t been here for you kid, but I have been trying to find myself.”

  “I think you were using me to get to my mother. Noah says that’s the only reason he could think of for you forgetting my birthday, sending me postcards, and reading with me.”

  “Noah is how old?”

  “Five. But he listens to grownups. He stands still and they forget he’s there.”

  “My gosh, you kids grow up fast.”

  “My mother saved the world, but all they can think about is how different she is. They tried to take us away because she’s a freak.”

  “Brian, your mother isn’t a…”

  “You called her a freak in the office. I heard you when I was under the desk.”

  “How did you get there?”

  “Noah and I have our ways.”

  “Your mother isn’t a freak. I’m not a good person. You would do well to keep your distance from me, kid.”

  Brian picked up his stuff and walked to the other end of the porch and sat down.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Audrey pulled into the parking lot. She walked into the office to find Mia sitting by herself reviewing tape.

  “I’m looking for Mia Martin?” Audrey teased.

  Mia turned.

  “I love your hair!”

  Mia blushed. “It’s about time. My hair was way too long. You’re looking good. You have the I’ve been shopping twinkle.”

  “I was hoping to catch Mike and Gates, but I’ll see them at the investigation. I was reviewing a lot of tape and realized: A, you’re nuts for skating; B, you need a nickname; and C, you have nothing to wear.”

  “It’s just a Fresh Meat weekend. I thought I’d wear the stuff I have on.”

  “Nope. Orion took me to this great cosplay store, and I found this!”

  Mia took the bag and pulled out clothing and looked at the tags. “Who’s Harley Quinn?”

  “She’s a DC Comics villainess,” Cid said. “I think you could use some pieces, but I would downplay the crazy and concentrate on the tough.”

  “Have you met Cid? Darling, he’s my new dresser/manager/chef,” Mia drawled.

  “She needs a name. They all have names,” Audrey said. “I saw a girl dressed in a variation of a naughty librarian costume, and she was called Page Turner.”

  “I can’t wear this top. There’s not enough support for my boobs,” Mia said. “The little tartan skirt is cute though, as are the argyle short shorts.”

  “Keep to the Scottish theme. You could be Mac Menace,” Cid said. “But not for practice. Burt wants at least one of you in a PEEPs T-shirt.”

  “Then wear these shorts, pretty please,” Audrey begged.

  “Leave it all here. I’ll see what I can do,” Mia promised.

  “Dupree returns with Gates,” Jake announced.

  “Goody, I want to show Gates the outfit I got for her,” Audrey said.

  “I’m going to drop this off inside. Mac Menace, huh?” Mia said, walking out the door.

  “I can tell she likes it,” Audrey said.

  “Mia, wait!” Dupree called after her.

  “Shit,” Mia said under her breath before she turned around, planting a fake plastic smile on her face.

  Dupree put a hand on her arm. “I need to speak with you privately.”

  “Sorry, but my freak schedule is full.”

  Dupree loomed over Mia. “I need to apologize.”

  “I’m not going to stand here and listen to you just so you can satisfy your girlfriend. I’m tired, and I have chaos to sort through inside. I really have had enough of your bullying and name-calling. I don’t know if I was delusional when I thought we reconnected? Having you around made me want to go to work when I was bone tired. You were fun, and now you’re a bore. Let’s pick on Mia. It u
sed to be Burt. Now it’s you. You’re no better than the town people who call me Crazy Cooper just loud enough so I can hear them.” Mia extended her hand and smiled. “Take my hand. Let’s make a show of it for Gates,” Mia said and leaned in and whispered,“I release you from any friendship you were faking.”

  Mia turned on her heel and ran up to the house. She didn’t look back. She just shut the door after her. Inside, she slid down against the door. “I’m not going to cry.” She pulled her knees up and tucked her head down. She heard Lazar walk up.

  “We usually use a doorstop when the door needs to be open. Although decorative, I’m going to have to ask you to move.”

  Mia got up, picked up her bag, and walked past him. “Where do you need me right now?”

  “Upstairs in the tub. You stink.”

  “You’re icing on the cake, Lazar,” Mia said and ran up the stairs.

  A knock on the door preceded Mike walking in. Lazar looked at him and narrowed his eyes. So he was the source of Mia’s mini breakdown. “Can I help you, Mr. Dupree?”

  “Where’s Mia?”

  “Probably in the tub right now. Knowing her, she hasn’t put water in it, and she is curled up in a ball sitting there in her sweaty clothes and tennis shoes.”

  “What’s wrong with her?”

  “Gee, let me think. Could it be that Enos is gone? That Nicholai believed the contrived rumors about her instead of asking her himself. Or that a community she embraced with open arms tried to take her children away from her? No? Gee, could it be that her son heard you call her a freak? Or that she’s pushed herself so that your girlfriend - who I understand from Mia is very nice – could have some backup. Mia has been living in those skates. Mia hates to skate. Mia hates to parade around in the short tight costumes needed to complete the masquerade. Mia is just starting to gain respect in this town, and now, she’s going to be overexposed, skating roller derby so Burt Hicks can satisfy his grant and have some fucking self-esteem.”

  “Maybe I should leave.”