Blacken

  “Good idea! Sandy gave me some tips that her boys discovered, let me grab them,” she went over to her closet, patting at the top shelf for the folded piece of paper she had received that was placed inside the manual. Finding the items, she pulled in a sweeping motion, causing something else to come loose and fall from the shelf.

  It was the birthday gift Owen gave her; she completely forgot about it.

  He noticed her shift in demeanour as she bent to pick the purple box up off of the floor, “What is it? What is wrong?”

  “Owen gave me this on my birthday, the same night everything changed. I don’t know if—should I even open it?” She thumbed over the packaging, watching as the small layer of dust collected on her digit as it streaked through.

  “I believe you should, it would not do you well to throw it away without knowing.”

  She nodded, just another reminder that the blond would never really be forgotten by her, constantly leaving little reminders in everything.

  Tugging at the ribbon, Avie ripped at the shiny magenta wrapping paper, opening the cardboard lid underneath. Inside was a small silver key, and a folded note. Confused, she set the key and wrappings off to the side and expanded the note to read.

  Hey Aves,

  I know things have been weird, and I know everything’s been falling onto you, but I thought we could try to get the Dewey Decimal team back for another mystery to solve, something different. We’ve had our disagreements on ‘certain aspects’ but I think maybe the mystery was the only thing we could see eye to eye on and I want to continue that with you. I’m not supposed to do this, but I got an extra key made for the library archives for you to use, that way you can look at them if I’m not around. It’s not like anyone is there much to begin with.

  I guess what I also wanted to say was I’m sorry. You’ve been stressed from Garret and your condition and I’ve been too busy stringing you into all of this to stop and really listen to your side. So, I’m sorry, Aves.

  Your birthday is coming up so I’m probably just going to give this to you then, I hope you’re not sick of the library by that time.

  Happy Birthday Avie!

  From your friend,

  Owen.

  The woman read through the handwritten note again, she couldn’t be sure, but it almost felt like it was written after he met Rhulle, before shit all hit the fan and he started to rapidly change. The question also came across if he even remembered all that he wrote when he decided to present the gift to her, his mind certainly changing on topics written inside from his behaviour.

  It caused her to hiccup, gasping in stilted breath with a sad heart but an optimistic outlook. She finally got an apology, a possible glimpse that while Owen changed into the person he now was, he was still in there—this letter proved just so.

  “Are you alright? What does it say?” Rhulle asked, hints of worry filtering through.

  She wiped at watery eyes, “He gave me a key to the library, telling me happy birthday and that he was sorry for his behaviour. He will come back to himself; I know he will. This is the last bit of the real Owen I’ll get to see and it’s an uplifting one.”

  He enveloped her, “You have some peace of mind.”

  She returned the hold, nodding into the softness of his chest, “Yes, I think I finally do.”

  He flipped through the notebook, finding the phone number he was looking for.

  Avie was out at work, and he hoped this plan would all go off perfectly. Rhulle hesitated over the counter for a beat, clenching and releasing his fists as he thought over the conversation with his vovii just a day prior.

  “Would you tell me more about Christmas, and why you all have to celebrate so much of it?”

  The holiday was in full swing, Avie had been placing a few things under the tree addressed to friends and herself, the small space of the apartment chalk full of decorative set pieces and multicoloured lights. She explained Santa and Saint Nicholas to him and even the tale of Mary and her virgin birth to Jesus Christ, yet it all did not seem to warrant this level of obsession.

  “The spirit of Christmas is to give, spread joy and be with loved ones. I think it starts earlier and earlier every year just because people want the magic to start as soon as it can. That, or people are corrupted by consumerism and the need to buy and spend as commercials for Christmas come on as early as November sometimes. But I like to believe it’s the holiday magic.”

  “You have perked up in these last few days, it must be the magic. What do you like best about Christmas time?”

  It was his first celebration, noticing the change in environment and only reading through various novels in passing enough to recognize the holiday, but still unaware of the intricacies that entailed with it.

  His vovii smiled, opting to sit beside him instead, “Decorating, the music may be tied with that though. Christmas movies are often cliché but always make me feel good.”

  “And what of gift giving? How do I get something for you for the spirit?”

  She paused, “You don’t have to, I’m not expecting you to have to worry about that.”

  “Are you giving me anything?” He wanted to celebrate things right by her, she deserved a proper festivity.

  Avie looked off to the side, speaking embarrassed, “I am, but that doesn’t mean you need to as well.”

  He placed his hand on hers on the couch, “I want to, darling. Is there any way?”

  Turning to face him, she let out a long exhale, “I can show you a few things, and you can pick out which one you would like to get me, how does that sound?”

  “I thought the point was the surprise of opening it up on December twenty-fifth,” Rhulle chuckled.

  “That’s part of it,” she smiled in return, “but I don’t know what else we could do.”

  Shrugging, “If it is what I can do, then I will, gladly.”

  He caught the recognition in her eyes, he did not fully believe his own words either.

  Cocking his head, Rhulle tried to work the phone, seeing it only demonstrated a few times.

  “Hello?” a female answered, there was no backing out now.

  “Hello, is this Sandra?”

  “Yes, it is, who’s this?”

  He paused, “My name is Rhulle, I am Avie’s… boyfriend. Do you have a minute?”

  “YOU’RE THE ONE WHO’S WITH SUGAR BEAR?”

  The truxen cringed, moving the receiver away from his face as the loud shrilling continued through, picking up bits of speech as the slew of words cascaded out.

  “Of course, I got a minute! I got about a million questions ‘bout you that Avie’s avoidin’ specifically, what was it ya said your name was again?”

  “It is Rhulle, I um, I wanted to get her something for Christmas. She implores that she does not want anything, and I am desperate, Sandra. I do not have much cash, and I cannot go out into town anytime soon. Is there any way you could help me out in this situation?”

  “It’ll cost ya. How about you answer some questions and I can run out and get somethin’ to help?”

  This woman thought he was a human. That was fine, he could act… human.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Let’s have a sit down with coffee. I can come by in, say… ‘bout an hour enough time?”

  “No!” He cleared his throat, “I mean—ahh, I cannot presently... otherwise I would. Could this happen over the phone?”

  “Well sure, that works. Tell me, Rhulle, do ya love her?”

  “More than anything,” he didn’t even hesitate in his response.

  “You ain’t playin’ around with her, right?”

  “Playing? We have fun together, but my intentions are serious.”

  She hummed, “Good, just what I wanna hear. Because she sure does love you.”

  He blushed; just how much was she speaking of him? Not that he minded, but to hear someone else know of their relationship, and that Avie spoke so fondly about him...? Rhulle’s heart fluttered, echoing in
his chest.

  The phone interview continued, this woman leaving him with an overbearing mothering feeling towards Avie, asking questions that caught him off guard and leaving him feeling a bit odd about answering them so freely when just months ago he was reserved.

  It was for Avie, he wagered.

  No. That wasn’t right. It was because of Avie.

  “Did you go into debt from buying that engagement ring? Should’ve done that payment plan,” she laughed, tone not completely serious.

  Engagement…?

  “I will have to remember that for the next big purchase.”

  “Right, well, ya sound good for her. She thinks the world of you, you know? Wouldn’t have to get her nothin’ but a Christmas card and she’d love it all the same.”

  “She has not had a proper Christmas in her life, and her birthday was ruined so I wanted to at least do something. And I know my predicament may sound odd, but Avie trusts you so I know I can too. I can explain more soon.”

  “No need to worry ‘bout it now. When it’s right you two will fess up to the secrets, until then I’ll stop by with somethin’ for you to give. What’s the budget?”

  “Budget for money? I—ahh… two twenties and a fifty?” He worried if that sounded right.

  Rhulle collected a few bills over the years on Earth, keeping them with the stash of odd items catching his interests, such as the ring he presented to her. Gathering the coloured papers in the dead of night just this last evening and keeping them hidden from Avie. He hoped that was enough to buy something, anything.

  “Gotcha, sugar’s been eyeing a painting at Street-Neats and I think it was going for about that price.”

  Painting?

  “Oh, actually, Sandra, that gives me an idea. Could you pick up painting supplies instead?”

  “Sure hun, just an array of colours for paint? Are you available if I go and fetch that now?”

  Avie did take a shining to the portrait he gave to her, having hung the artwork up in her bedroom to look at constantly. It sounded like the perfect idea, but would this Sandra want to see him? Would she come into the apartment and see who really was conversing with her? Did he have a choice?

  “Yes… that would be great.”

  “See you soon then, hun.”

  The other end clicked, and a low monotone noise greeted him—the same as when he picked it up for the first time. Rhulle figured he could be done with the conversation and placed the phone back in its cradle. The stars above, how would he pull this off?

  Sandra picked up a rainbow of coloured acrylic paint, a large canvas and soft paint brushes, the nice stuff from the corner hobby and art supply store. Handing over cash with a smile and an exchange of holiday expressions to Bobby at the front, she was out the door towards the little apartments Avie called home.

  The brunette thought over her conversation with the man on the phone, he had spoken in a very stilted manor, like he’s never been around people let alone talked with them. An accent was attached to the warm voice that she just couldn’t place, running it all over as she walked.

  This Rhulle guy didn’t seem too bad, just socially awkward if she had to wager anything. Maybe that’s why she couldn’t meet him, or why her sugar couldn’t have him out and about with her. She thought about the poor guy working himself up for days trying to get something together for Christmas.

  Still, Sandra was honoured that he managed to call her out of anyone and ask for her help. She knew that sometime soon, she would be able to meet the mystery man. If anyone could help him come out of his shell, Avie could. That woman had the patience of a saint.

  Lugging the awkward frame around, she finally managed to reach the top floor, apartment 516 and knocked heavily at the door.

  “It is open!”

  His voice barely registered through the wood, regardless, Sandra heard it and entered the small flat, flicking on the light and taking in all the tacky decor. Man, she loved the gal, but it looked like the north pole threw up in the space.

  “Hello, Rhulle?” The door behind her closed, walking up to the dining table and leaning the frame against it, she saw the bills laid out on top.

  “Hello, yes, forgive me but I am not feeling well, just in the washroom. I left the money on the table; I hope it is enough?”

  She took the bills, snorting out an affectionate giggle, “You ain’t gotta be so shy, hun. Avie loves ya, so I will too. This is plenty, I’ve got some change to give back, I’ll leave it here.”

  The few dollars were placed there instead as she walked towards the bathroom, knocking lightly at the door, “Listen hun, you went outta your way today to do something for her. I respect that. Thanks for coming to me for a hand, you call me anytime for anything, ya hear?”

  “… I understand. Thank you for everything, Sandra.”

  “I’ll skedaddle, I want to properly meet you soon too, Rhulle. Alright?”

  “Yes, I would like that as well.”

  She smiled, picking up her purse on her way out, making the noise of the door loud enough for him to hear. Sandra laughed once, shaking her head and turning to go back home.

  What an odd fella.

  CHAPTER 27

  People were all wrapped up in the spirit of the holidays, their minds on the hustle and bustle of family, decorating and last-minute shopping. Avie was able to have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off, happy to have the time to spend with Rhulle on his first celebration. Even the odd questions from townsfolk about Owen and the trial tapered off, the inquiry of something out in the woods making its way back into obscurity as no curious explorer managed to find anything.

  The redhead woke up first, eyes flashing open of their own will before her mind could process that it wanted to be awake. She blinked away sleep, registering her surroundings as consciousness fought for dominance, finding an asleep Rhulle holding her into his chest. She smiled, seeing the serene look on his features, amazed that she was able to once again wake up to this; to him.

  A hand was raised to further wipe away sleep from her eyes as she rolled, delicately trying to move the arm acting as deadweight from around her waist. It grasped at her instead, pulling her flush against the body behind her.

  The vovii nuzzled his nose into her ginger locks, sighing, “Good morning.”

  “Good morning! How did you sleep?” she asked with a laugh, Rhulle was always extra affectionate in the mornings.

  “Amazingly, and you?”

  Turning her head, she was able to face him while keeping the position, “It’s always much better when you’re here beside me.”

  He smiled, cupping the side of her face, “I have got a taste of being with you for days now, admittedly, it will be difficult for me to return just to sleep alone.”

  “It would make the reunion that much better,” she turned fully, kissing him a few times while she idly played with the silken chestnut feathers at his chest.

  “Merry Christmas, Avie,” his voice was soft and smooth, whispering over her skin in a tender affection as they broke away.

  She let the words course over her, offering her own smile with bright eyes, “Merry Christmas, my love.”

  Without warning, Rhulle sat, scooping her up bridal style in a lithe fashion—standing and carrying her out towards the living room where the glistening Christmas tree beckoned with its cheer. The action never ceased to make her burst out in a fit of giggles, graceful arms wrapping around his neck just to stare into the face she adored so much. He placed her down onto the sofa, holding up a singular finger in an action for her to wait. He knelt down, reaching into the pile of gifts that littered underneath the tree and pulled back the wide box marked with his name, as well as a long and thin one that camouflaged in the back.

  Rhulle handed the one addressed to him to Avie, smiling in a giddy apprehension while returning to her side. She looked down at the gift she held, then to the foreign one he held in his hands with a cocked eyebrow. What did he get up to?

  “Ready to exchang
e gifts?”

  The woman went with the flow, shaking her head with a soft laugh, “Yes, of course.”

  He proudly thrusted the gift into her lap, the rumpled edges and over-taped wrapping paper endearing to see. She took the object, handing over her gift wrapped present in return. Rhulle grasped the item, fingers tracing over hers in the exchange before tapping his talons, hearing the hollow echo call back to them.

  “You open yours first,” he claimed, excitement hardly able to contain itself in his voice.

  She clenched her lips in her teeth, the thrill of opening a gift from her vovii was not something she expected fully, overjoyed with just the idea of spending the holiday with him. He had gone out of his way to try and do something for her, and she couldn’t wait to see.

  Tearing off the decorative paper, she was greeted with a painted landscape. In a lush green forest, the two of them stood facing each other in an embrace—standing happily in front of a cottage with vibrant flora adorning the canvas in such a picturesque scene it caused Avie’s heart to tighten.

  “My love, this is beautiful… I’m speechless… Is this—could this really be our future?”

  “It will be ours in no time, I had hopes for you to look upon this if the present gets hard to handle. You could remember that better times are coming, and the worst is behind you now. Our future is ours to make.”

  Her chest tightened, constricted with the love he shared for her, it took her, overloaded her, yet she couldn’t get enough of it. Rhulle was the driving force to give her life new meaning, to change as a person and learn new skills with a new simple life, one she dreamed about for decades. And he offered it to her.

  “I love it, it means so much that you made something… You’d better open yours before I get too emotional,” she said, wiping at brimming tears with a shaky laugh.

  Leaning across, Rhulle kissed the damp cheeks, “I am so delighted you enjoy it, I wanted to surprise you so desperately.”

  “You did! You really did,” she kissed him back in the same fashion, “how were you able to paint this anyway?”