by Ashlyn Chase
“So can you think of any other way to not interrupt the mood and, you know, keep the earth from…”
“Detonating? Erupting? Imploding?” Fate giggled. “Why don’t you just re-create the spot you’re fooling around in, right in the ether? He won’t even know you’ve relocated. You can do it before you start getting too involved to think about where you are.”
“Sure. Like preventative protection.”
Fate chuckled. “You could call it that. I’m sure to humans ‘preventative protection’ might sound like something else. And that’s okay. You don’t want him to know about the ether and all that, right?”
Gaia flopped back on the easy chair. “That’s another problem. I’ve showed him some of what I can do, but there’s so much more. Also, I don’t know how much to tell Aaron about the other paranormals. He’s familiar with the phoenixes, but should I warm him about the others? Vampires, for instance? What about some of the more powerful gods and goddesses? I mean, he’s met Apollo, you, and Karma. But there are others who could scare the pants off the bravest human. It was so much easier just to leave humans in the dark completely.”
Fate shrugged. “I guess you just have to figure it out like all the other paranormals do. From what I understand, they tell their partners nothing until they’re one hundred percent sure their lover can be trusted.”
“But you said Aaron was my soul mate. I can trust him completely, right?”
Fate gave a weak smile. “I don’t know. You might want to ask him how much he wants you to share. Now, if you don’t need me anymore, I should get going too before I’m missed. I was working with Karma to redirect a wrong relationship to a right one.”
“Why don’t you adjust time like I showed you?”
Fate smirked. “I don’t want to. You’re on your own, Sister.” And she disappeared.
“Wait! I didn’t ask my most important question!”
When no one reappeared, she flopped onto the fainting couch to pout.
At last, Fate’s voice reached her from somewhere outside the ether. “Try asking a happily married woman for the answer to your last question.”
Chapter 16
Gabriella Fierro hummed to herself as she washed the breakfast dishes. Her husband was out, helping with one of Habitat for Humanity’s many projects. Her friend Annette Forest was at the senior center with her boyfriend, Diego. Gabriella thought to herself how funny “boyfriend” sounded when talking about men of a certain age. She didn’t know how old Diego was, but if she had to guess—
Suddenly, Gabriella was standing in a flowering meadow, dirty dishwater dripping from her empty hands. “What the…?”
“Greetings, Gabriella!”
The goddess herself appeared from behind an apple tree and strolled toward her, holding a ripe red apple in each hand.
“Gaia?”
“Indeed! I thought it would be a good time to get to know each other better, since you’re going to be working for me.”
“Oh yes. I suppose it would be.”
“I didn’t take you away from anything important, did I?”
Gabriella chuckled. “Not at all. You can take me away from doing dishes anytime.” And my own silly thoughts.
“Your thoughts aren’t silly. In fact, I’d like to know your thoughts on something.”
Gabriella took a step back. “You can read my mind?”
“Only when you think too loud.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize… Can Misty teach me how to think softly?”
Mother Nature smiled. “She probably can. I don’t hear many loud thoughts from her now that you’re taking over the job that left her panic-stricken.”
“Panic-stricken? Oh dear. I knew she was uncomfortable being the muse of parenting since she just became a parent herself and now she’s pregnant again. But will the job really be that hard?”
“Not for you. I should have realized a more experienced parent would take a lot of things in stride. But I think she’s happier now. Is that right?”
“Oh absolutely. She’s delighted watching dancers from the ether. She wanted to teach dancers, you know. Now she becomes that little voice of reason when they’re about to attempt something stupid. Pardon me…I mean beyond their athletic skill. It’s perfect for her.”
“I’m glad.”
“So am I. She’s such a sweet, sweet girl. I watched her grow up. She was always like the little daughter I didn’t have.”
“Well, we’re not here to discuss your daughter-in-law. I’d like to talk about you, Gabriella.”
“Of course. I’m anxious to know something too. May I ask you a question?”
“You can ask…”
Implying she might not answer. Well, here goes nothing… “Why do you need a modern muse of parenting? Parenting is pretty much the same as it’s always been. You feed, clothe, and protect your child while teaching them right from wrong. That doesn’t change.”
“Ah. But modern times have made it more of a challenge. Have you heard the phrase, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’?”
“Yes.”
Gaia sighed. “Well, the village is a thing of the past. People are increasingly cut off from each other. Parents face more distractions and financial pressures than ever before. Not to mention the internal pressure they put on themselves to raise a child who excels in some way, making it seem as if they’re superparents. Sometimes, it’s a way to cover up the fact that they’re barely parents at all.”
“So this isn’t just about kids being raised by kids who don’t know the first thing about parenting because they never had a good example themselves?”
“Oh, it definitely is. But it’s not only that. Bad parenting crosses all economic and cultural lines. You know the difference, and I don’t think you’ll be shy about telling a parent to back off or step up when necessary.”
Gabriella laughed. “Not at all. You have no idea how many times I’ve wanted to brain some obnoxious mother or oblivious father in public.”
Gaia grinned. “I’m delighted. It seems as if you’re prepared for it.”
Gabriella shrugged. “Well, I’d rather give someone a pat on the back for good parenting, but I’m looking forward to helping the next generation however I can.”
“You can absolutely give a parent praise when it’s deserved. There isn’t enough of that either.”
She smiled. “Okay then. Between Misty telling me how to use my new powers and your pep talk, I think I’m ready. When do I start?”
“Ah, well, there’s another reason I wanted to talk with you.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” Mother Nature paced in front of Gabriella while she spoke. “I know you’ve been happily married for over thirty years, correct?”
“Thirty-six wonderful years.”
Mother Nature smiled and halted her pacing, turning to Gabriella. “How? How did you do that?”
“Excuse me?”
“I believe you heard me. I’m asking how you accomplished thirty-six years of contented togetherness.”
“Yes, I heard you. I’m—I’m just not sure how Antonio and I have stayed together and been happy for all these years. We just…have.”
Mother Nature cocked her head and put her hands on her hips, as if waiting for the magic secret to be spilled.
Gabriella let out a long breath and scratched her head. “I really don’t know how. It just happened naturally. We like each other. We’re best friends. I can’t imagine trying to cope, never mind enjoy life, without him. We rely on each other. We trust each other. We understand each other. Does that help?”
Gaia placed her clasped hands behind her back, then started pacing again. “I…I think so. You’re saying you were friends first? And still are?”
Gabriella smiled. “Yes. Best friends.”
“This friendship thing
has me a bit confused. I don’t know who or what to believe. I see couples trusting each other and being betrayed. I see friends enjoying each other’s company, then having a fight and walking away, never to return. I just don’t know how to avoid the things that ruin a relationship. I’m…I’m afraid I’ll do something to ruin the one I have, which is just beginning.”
“With Aaron?” Gabriella guessed.
Gaia nodded, snapped her fingers, producing a bench, then sat down and stared off into the distance.
Gabriella cleared her throat. “Well, you have maturity on your side.”
Gaia burst out laughing. “Yes, you could say that.”
Gabriella chuckled too. “I find that if Antonio and I disagree, we truly try to work things out. We don’t stomp off like children. It helps sometimes to get a little distance from each other, but you should say that’s what you need and assure your partner you’ll be back to discuss it later. Good relationships happen when people try to give each other what they need.”
“So you’re saying if we have a fight, we shouldn’t walk away, but we should give each other space.”
“Exactly!”
“You’ve lost me.”
“I’m not answering your question very well, am I?”
Mother Nature shook her head. “Not so far, but what I’ve learned about humans is I should probably just wait until you explain it in a way I’ll comprehend, and we can talk until it makes sense. I don’t need space. I need to understand what the secret is to staying together.”
Gabriella brightened. “See? You just did it. You just told me you needed clarification. And you didn’t need to walk away or get angry. That’s a big part of successful communication. Just being honest and explaining how you feel, what you need, as well as what you’re thinking. If the other person understands where you’re coming from, they can correct any misunderstanding or miscommunication.”
“Okay. I think I get it. So I should just treat Aaron as I would treat you or anyone who was trying to help me.”
Gabriella reached over and took her hand. “Yes. And don’t forget to use those three little words…”
“I love you?”
Gabriella grinned. “Those too, when appropriate, but I was talking about ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ Be grateful for the times when he helps you or encourages you to do or keep doing something important to you. Or even when he just does his own job.”
Gaia looked down at their clasped hands. “Now I’m confused again.”
Gabriella heaved a sigh. “I apologize, I’m not explaining myself well. But thank you for being patient with me.”
“All right. I think I get it. You’re expressing gratitude for my…well, I don’t know what I’m doing, but it sounds like I’m doing something right.”
Gabriella let out her tinkling laugh. “Yes, you are. And actually, it’s really quite simple. Let me just say this: treat each other with respect. That’s all.”
“That’s all?”
“Basically, that’s what it all boils down to. Like, love, and respect.”
Mother Nature nodded slowly, gazing out at the meadow. “All right, I think I understand. But I may have some difficulty with that. To be honest, I haven’t given human beings much respect in the past.”
Gabriella patted her knee. Gaia looked down at the hand touching her. It seemed as if Gabriella was comfortable around her. That was new too. All these new thoughts and experiences, well…they were comforting, confusing, and sometimes downright baffling.
Gabriella straightened her posture. “There’s one more thing.”
Gaia quickly focused on her and paid attention.
“Forgiveness. A successful relationship requires endless forgiveness.”
“Endless, like they’re never going to stop needing forgiveness?”
Gabriella chuckled but nodded. “Unless you change our basic makeup, human beings are never going to stop making mistakes. Hopefully, with age and maturity, those mistakes become fewer and farther between. I know they have been for Antonio and me.”
“Okay. So any time Aaron makes a mistake, I need to forgive him. No matter what he does?”
Gabriella nodded. “Yes. But don’t tell him that.”
Gaia leaned over and dropped her head in her hands. “Gawd. I’m never going to get this.”
Gabriella put an arm around her and gave her a side squeeze. “Relax. You’ll get it. Like, love, respect. That’s all you have to remember.”
“So what if I love and respect him, but he does something I don’t like? Or I do something he doesn’t like? Does that ruin the whole ‘like, love, respect’ thing?”
“No. But if you’re in a committed relationship, you wouldn’t need to worry so much. You can rely on love. You can dislike the other’s actions without losing the love between you. You can love him and not like what he does. Do you understand what I mean by that?”
Gaia thought a minute. “Oh yes. There was that time when he didn’t trust me. I didn’t like that, but that didn’t mean I didn’t like him. I liked him a lot, and that was why his not trusting me hurt.”
“Exactly! You’ve got it. Love always, and like the person if not always the behavior. And about respect…that’s how you treat each other, no matter what.”
Gaia rose. She reached for Gabriella’s hands. Gabriella immediately placed her hands in the goddess’s and rose. Gaia smiled. “Thank you, Gabriella. Thank you for a very important, very confusing, but very smart lesson. I will remember the main points. I may forget some of the bizarre ways you got there.”
Gabriella giggled. “I wish you would. Hey, why don’t you and Aaron come to Luca and Dawn’s wedding? The officiant usually has some words of wisdom for the couple, and he will be much more well-spoken than I am. Plus a wedding usually brings out the romance in attending couples.”
“Really? They won’t mind?”
Gabriella smiled. “They’d be honored. Besides, Antonio and I were told we could invite whomever we want. It’s an outdoor wedding, so size doesn’t matter.”
“That’s another saying I’ve heard regarding couples…”
Gabriella smirked. “Oh, that. Well, you love him, so I think you’re beyond that part. Besides, if you don’t like the size you gave him, that’s on you.”
Mother Nature scratched her head. “I really don’t understand what you’re saying sometimes, but I think you’re telling me not to worry about it. Okay. I’d better go now.”
Gabriella blew out what sounded like a breath of relief.
* * *
Dawn had landed at Logan Airport and was taking the subway to her mother’s halfway house in Brighton, Massachusetts. Lissie had been sprung from prison early for good behavior. Dawn had mixed feelings. She knew her mother was clean and sober and really wanted to stay that way. Still, Dawn had heard it before and couldn’t help worrying.
She arrived at the large, three-story brick house. It was several miles from the place she grew up. That took care of a major worry. Her mother got in trouble by being part of the neighborhood gang. Dawn had managed to extricate herself but not without difficulties. She knew how hard it was. When the gang felt they had you, they thought they owned you. That was not going to happen to her mother again if she could do anything about it.
Dawn strode up the old, faded brick steps and rang the doorbell. Lissie was the one to open the door, and she practically threw herself at Dawn, squeezing her tight.
“Oh, my beautiful Dawnie. Thank you so much for coming all the way from Puerto Rico to see me. I can’t wait to spend some quality time with you. I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too, Mom. I want to tell you something right up front.”
Lissie’s eyes widened. “Oh no. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. In fact, something is very right. I can’t stay in Boston long because I
have a wedding to go back to. Mine! I’m getting married!”
“Oh! Dawn, that’s wonderful. Come in, come in. We don’t need to stand on the stoop all day.”
Dawn followed her into the big home’s foyer and wondered how she was managing the challenge of living with other addicts. “How are you doing, Mom? Really.”
Her mother threw an arm around her and gave her a squeeze, then escorted her to a living room. “Sit down, hon. I’m doing great. Can I get you something?”
“I don’t suppose you have beer here?”
Lissie laughed. “Honey, this is a sober house. No alcohol allowed.”
Dawn almost sagged in relief. “That’s good. In fact, that’s great. I’d just like an ice water, please.”
“Are you sure? We have Pepsi, juice, milk…”
“Water is good. I need to drink more water anyway,” Dawn said. “I forget to rehydrate in a hot climate. It’s not as hot here, but establishing a good habit takes practice.” She hoped she wasn’t being too transparent or too preachy.
“You got it, hon.” Lissie hurried off to another room, and Dawn figured it must be the kitchen. She looked around. There was a bookshelf with loads of AA and NA books. Two full-size couches and a loveseat were grouped around a large coffee table which displayed numerous pamphlets. The only decorations on the walls were banners proclaiming One day at a time. Live and let live, and But for the grace of God. It seemed as if Lissie had landed in a good place.
She wondered how some of the people she knew in the old neighborhood were doing, but she thought better of going to call on them. Most of the people she knew there had drug and/or alcohol problems and/or mental imbalances.
Her mother hurried back with her ice water and another glass filled with what looked like soda.
“So tell me about this wedding, and more important, the groom!” Lissie said.
“Oh, Mom, he’s my dream come true. Luca Fierro is the most wonderful, smart, handsome guy ever. I feel incredibly lucky.”
“And his family?”
“They’re awesome!”
Lissie looked a little crestfallen. “I wish I could have been there for you.” Quietly, she asked, “And how’s your grandmother?”