“Two doggies!” he said, as Chip and Trixie chased each other across the garden.
“Yep, two doggies,” I said, hoping he’d forget all about that by the time we got home. It would make my life easier if he did.
Miles looked surprised when we walked inside the castle.
I mouthed “Hi” to him.
“Hi back,” he said in a normal tone. There was no need for him to be stealthy about it.
“I thought it would be fun to come visit the castle, and maybe we can find something entertaining to do here while Doree’s at her doctor appointment. What do you think?” I asked, looking at Tryon, and then glancing at Miles.
“I think I see where you’re going with this,” said Miles. “Come on.”
We followed Miles to the family room/game room, and Tryon was thrilled with the Wii games. He had his own way of doing things, after all, he’s only three. He liked the bright colors and the figures moving, and being able to move his own Mii.
I stood back to let him play, and so I could talk to Miles.
“Doreen’s appointment is today,” I said. “I forgot to tell you, and I didn’t want you to worry when I didn’t show up like I usually do. And honestly, Tryon was wearing me out! I ran out of things to keep him busy.”
“I’m glad you brought him. It’s nice to see more of your family, and better to use this...” he indicated the room, “than have a bored brother on your last nerve.”
“Yeah, he kind of was. But I realized on the way here, what his life is like. It’s good, I don’t mean that, but the poor kid is stuck in the house all day. I’m going to spend more time with him from now on, and give him a chance to get out of the cabin, and play.”
“That’s great, Anika,” Miles smiled. He looked really glad.
We watched Tryon engage in his own version of tennis. He did better than I did. He wasn’t following rules, and his way of doing things worked.
“Your brother is the same age my brother James was, the last time I saw him. When I was solid, I mean.”
“Kind of odd how my brother and sister are both so close in age to your younger brother and sister.”
Miles sighed. Seeing how much he missed his family, made me appreciate mine even more.
“I’d share with you if I could,” I said.
Miles smiled softly.
“I know you would. You’ve done so much, believe me. Being my friend these past months, you’ve done more for me than you’ll ever know.”
“Yeah, well, right back atcha,” I said.
I alternated between playing games with Tryon, and letting him play solo games so I could talk to Miles. The time went by faster than if we stayed at home.
I looked at my watch.
“Okay Try, time to go, Mom and Doreen might be home by now.”
“Thank you,” I whispered to Miles.
“Any time,” he smiled.
As we walked through the house toward the entryway, Tryon turned suddenly.
“Anika, who’s that guy?”
Miles and I stared at each other, we were both stunned.
“Um... what guy, Try?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Good thing the kid is as young as he is. My sudden pallor, and the need to hang onto the doorframe in order to stay upright, would have been a dead giveaway of my panic, otherwise.
Tryon turned, and pointed.
“Him.”
Miles and I both looked. Tryon was pointing to a painting on the wall.
Miles thought the whole thing very funny, but I slid down the wall, and had to take several deep breaths and wait for my heart to slow down, before continuing down the hall.
“Not funny!” I hissed under my breath at Miles, once I’d collected myself, and Tryon, and we began our journey to the front door once again.
Miles laughed so hard, he could only wave goodbye. He didn’t even react, when I took a whack at him on the way out the door. He really is fortunate to have his semi-transparent guy superpowers!
But then again, if he didn’t, it would be perfectly fine for Tryon to see him, instead of a Red Alert event.
Sigh.
It was Saturday, “boycott Anika day” at Miles’ place. I understood his point though, and appreciated the opportunity to spend time with my family. When you see someone who’s lost what you have, and how much they miss that, it tends to make you appreciate what you have more than you did, before.
I sat on the couch in the cabin, reading a book to Doreen and Tryon. It was a new one, his favorite having mysteriously disappeared. I wondered which desperate family member hid it away somewhere. I must say, I enjoy reading a new story more than I do reciting one from memory.
Mom and Dad walked into the room together, Dad’s arm across Mom’s shoulders, and her arm around his waist. He was home for the weekend as usual, and apparently they had news. Their eyes were so bright with excitement, I considered suggesting they invest in sunglasses before their children were permanently blinded.
“Come on kids, gather ‘round!” they said.
Even though we’re already sitting right here. Clearly, they’re over-the-top thrilled about something.
“Dad and I have been looking for a house to rent, closer to where he works,” said Mom.
“Eventually we plan to buy again, but we’re not waiting until then to have our family back together,” said Dad.
“We found a place,” Mom beamed. “It’s convenient for Dad to get to and from work, and is so much closer to Doreen’s doctors. We won’t have to make the long drive there and back.”
Doreen looked relieved to hear that. Doctor visits took three hours longer than they otherwise would, living at the cabin. That would be hard on anyone, but especially when you feel terrible to begin with.
“The house has a yard, and a play set,” Dad said, looking at Tryon.
“Yay!” Tryon tore around the room until Dad caught him and swung him up in the air, squealing with laughter. Dad laughed too, and Mom.
They were all so happy… I was happy for them. This was good. For them.
I love my family… but moving wasn’t the right thing for me to do. Miles had something to do with that, I wouldn’t even consider leaving until he was free. I didn’t want to live with Mom and Dad forever, either. I had a good job, and I wanted to go to college… I was impatient for Monday to arrive, so I could see about making an alternate plan.
I skipped breakfast Monday morning, and left the cabin before anyone else was out of bed. I was anxious to get my immediate-future plans in place.
The weather was beginning to warm up, although this early in the day, it was still quite cold. The ground remained covered in snow, but there’d been no new flurries over the past two weeks. Maybe spring was preparing to arrive.
I called Polly on my way to the castle. The birds were singing a blue streak, I hoped I’d be able to hear her!
“Hi Polly, how are you holding up?” I asked.
“Oh Anika dear, I’m holding… it’s so hard, though. The doctors don’t sound good, Miles hasn’t had any improvement the whole time he’s been here.”
“I’m sorry, Polly…”
“So what’s going on with you, dear? How are things at the estate? How is the mystery solving coming along?”
“Good, actually. We’re... I’m getting closer. I wanted to ask though, if it would be possible to have the same arrangement you had with the previous caretaker.”
“Not if it includes running off without a word,” Polly laughed. It was good to hear, the poor woman didn’t have much to laugh about lately.
“No, of course not,” I laughed too. “But I would like to move into the guest house, if that’s okay.”
“Why certainly dear, but is everything all right?”
“Yes, everything’s great. My parents found a house near Dad’s work, and are planning to move right away. I don’t want to leave the best job I could ever have, though. I love working for you, and I’ll be able to start college before long, at this rate.�
��
And I’m not leaving Miles alone in semi-transparent limbo, even if it means camping on the lawn.
“Well then dear, you just move right in. You’ve got the key. And dear... use one of the vehicles if you need to. If you look around, eventually you’ll find the garage. It’s on the ground floor.”
Funny Polly.
I thanked her, and ended the call.
Chip ran to meet Trixie, who was waiting in the garden for us. They ran circles around the fountain and flower beds, it didn’t take much for them to be happy. Just each other. I sighed. I could relate. It would be hard on Chip too, when Miles and Trixie were gone.
Miles was also waiting in the garden.
“Hi,” I said.
“Hi back,” Miles smiled.
“Guess what,” I said.
“What?”
“My family is moving to Glen Haven. They found a house to rent. They’ll be closer to Doreen’s doctors, and Dad’s work. They’re really happy about it.”
“You’re not going with them?” asked Miles.
“Nope. I’m staying here,” I pointed at the guest house. “There’s no reason for me to give up my job. It’ll pay for college, which is really important to me. And seriously, Miles, do you think I’d for even one second consider leaving you here, in this semi-transparent limbo? I care way too much about you, to do that. I’m staying put, as long as I have to. You’re not going to be stuck here alone, ever again.”
Miles smiled softly.
“Thank you. But if we don’t find that evidence, then don’t you dare stay here and sacrifice your life over it.”
“It wouldn’t be a sacrifice,” I scowled at him. “But it won’t come to that. I’ve been sure all along, and even more so as time passes. There’s proof, and I’ll find it. It’s a gut feeling, and mine have never been wrong.”
“Okay, then,” Miles smiled. “I’m very glad you’re staying.”
“Me too,” I smiled back. “Come on, I want to get the key and check out my new house!”
“Okay,” said Miles, laughing, no doubt, at my enthusiasm.
Hey, this is the first time I’ve lived on my own! Or the first time I will, I still need to tell the parents and move in.
We walked to the castle, and I retrieved the key to the guest house from amongst all the other keys pertaining to the estate.
I skipped back to the small cottage, and unlocked the door. I remembered going through it with Polly, and I’d been there to check on it and hire a repair man to fix the leak in the roof. But I’d never been in it when it was my new place to live, and I was more than a little excited.
“I love this,” I said, looking around.
Like everything else at the estate these days, it was neat as a pin and in perfect condition. The cottage was freshly painted and outfitted with new carpet, bedding, and curtains, per Polly’s instructions. It might as well be new, it certainly looked it. All I needed to do was move over my clothes and laptop. Maybe stock the kitchen, that would be wise, since I’d be in charge of fixing my own meals from now on. If I intended to continue eating anyway, which I did!
“What do you think, Chip?” I asked, as he and Trixie investigated.
They wandered through the small cottage, using their noses to gather who knows what kind of information, then took off outside again.
“Nice place,” said Miles.
“Great neighbors, too,” I grinned at him.
“The best,” Miles smiled back.
I rummaged in the kitchen cabinets, looking to see what I’d need to put on the shopping list for the next time I went into town. Food was about the only thing, it was very fully furnished.
“Cool, the TV is even hooked up,” I said.
“Well of course. Did you think you were somewhere ordinary? Nothing is ever shut off here, which is fortunate for me, I would have been in poor shape the past three years if I didn’t have electricity, internet and satellite. I would have had to resort to reading the entire library again.”
I laughed.
“I’m going straight home to talk to Mom and Dad. He took the week off since they’re moving, so he’s still here. I’ll be back later, I’m sure Dad will help move my things. Then I’ll run to the store, and then I’ll be back to stay. Movie at my place tonight!”
Miles laughed.
“Okay, see you when you get back. But Anika… just get groceries at the store this time, okay? No more diving for cats, and recording murder confessions.”
I rolled my eyes at him, and he laughed again.
I left Chip playing with Trixie, and ran through the wooded path and over the bridge and back to the cabin.
I walked in the kitchen where Mom and Dad sat at the table eating breakfast.
“Mom… Dad, I need to talk to you about something.”
“Anika, I thought you were still in bed!” said Mom, surprised to see me come in through the backdoor.
“No, I had something I needed to do, and I need to talk to you about it now.”
Mom set down her coffee and Dad set aside the newspaper, and they waited expectantly for me to continue.
“I’m so excited for you all, finding a house, and being closer to Dad’s work, and Doreen being closer to doctors… that’s what’s best for all of you. It isn’t what’s best for me, though. I don’t want to leave my job. I would make minimum wage if I were in the city. I’d never be able to save enough to go to more than a junior college, and I do want more. I’m saving everything I earn. If I stay, I’ll reach my goal before I’m twenty-five, not forty.”
Mom and Dad gave each other a long telepathic look.
I really hoped I wouldn’t have to pull rank. I was four months away from my twentieth birthday, definitely of legal age to make this decision. But I would prefer to have their approval.
“The previous caretakers for the estate lived in the guest house. I talked to Polly, and she said we can have the same arrangement she had with them. She told me to use one of the Bannerman vehicles whenever I need to drive somewhere.”
Another long, telepathic look.
“We’ll miss you, honey,” Dad said, “but we knew this day was coming. If life went the way we expected, you would have started college and moved out, last fall. Your Mom and I aren’t surprised this is what you want to do. I talked to Mark last week, and he said if you want to stay, you’re welcome to continue living at the cabin. I’m proud of you, of your work ethic, and the excellent job you’ve done restoring the estate. I know how badly you want to go to college, and that you’re working to accomplish that. I couldn’t possibly fault you for it, or expect you to give up on that, to come with us.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I said, relieved at how well they were taking this.
“I know you need to do this, and I’m proud of you too,” said Mom, as she gave me a hug and got a little emotional. “We’re going to miss you so much, though. You better call and check in a lot, and if you need anything, or run into any difficulties, you promise to tell us immediately. Don’t try to handle big problems alone.”
“I promise, Mom.”
She had no idea I already made that promise.
“Alright, then… as long as we hear from you often, I’ll try not to worry too much,” said Mom, brushing her hand across her misty eyes.
Dad smiled and rubbed Mom’s shoulder.
“Take care of yourself and call like your Mom said, and I’ll make sure she doesn’t worry too much.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I laughed. “That’s great of Uncle Mark to say I can stay here, but I’ll be right on the estate grounds if I stay in the guest house. So I want to do that. Since you’re moving to the city tomorrow, I’d like to move my things to the guest house today. Can you help me, Dad?”
“Of course, honey. I’d like to see where you’ll be living.”
“Me too,” said Mom. “We’ll take turns, that way one of us will be here with the kids.”
Dad helped me carry over my things. There wasn’t that much, w
hich is great when it comes to moving.
Then Mom drove with me to Cedar Oaks, and we grocery shopped together. It was great to have a chance to spend time with Mom, just her and me. I was going to miss her and the rest of my family, but staying was the right thing for me to do. I had a sense of peace about it that I didn’t have when I imagined going with them.
That night, Miles and I had movie night at my place. It was so much fun. I hoped we would get to do that again many times, before finding the evidence that I felt was looming closer by the day. I was glad of all the memories we were making. At some point, they’d be all I had left, and they’d need to last me the rest of my lonely life. I’d have friends in the future, but I had no illusions that I’d ever find another friend that fit me like Miles did.
Mom and Dad moved to the city with Doreen and Tryon, the next day. It didn’t take long to pack up, they didn’t have much more to move than I did.
Tryon and Doreen turned to look back one last time before the car disappeared around a bend in the road. I waved, and then they were gone. I stood watching and listening until the sound of their vehicle faded into the distance, and the whisper of the wind in the pines was the only sound.
It felt strange seeing them drive away to their new life in the city, while I stayed behind. I was no longer under the shelter of Mom and Dad’s wings. Their home and mine were no longer the same, and never would be again. It was a milestone moment.
I turned, and signaling for Chip to follow, I walked back through the path in the woods to the guest house. My new home.
Chapter 18
If the house held more clues, they were well hidden. We hadn’t found them yet, in spite of our many searches.
Miles and I were camped in the office taking a break from searching the estate. For a change of pace, we were searching the internet.
The only sounds in the room were the hum of the computer, the dogs chewing their Nyla bones, and the crackling of the cheerfully glowing fire in the library fireplace. Being neighbors was very cool, and so was having no curfew.
“I can’t believe how many cars are in the garage,” I said, as I pored over the search results displayed on the monitor.
“Really? You expected less? I think you’re forgetting where you are,” smiled Miles.
Miles Page 23
