Kai whimpered.
"She was injured when we nabbed Travis." Xochitl looked apologetically to Hanna. "I didn't know it was this bad."
"Doesn't surprise me," Hanna said, cradling Lucy's head in her lap. "Even as a little girl, she'd go days with a cut or sprained ankle and not let on she was hurt until Ellie noticed. Used to drive her mama crazy." Hanna reached under Lucy's arms, causing Kai to whine. "Help me get her into the house."
Xochitl found it curious that Hanna didn't seem alarmed at Lucy's high fever. "Don't you think we should take her to a hospital?" She patted Kai on the back, moving around him to grab Lucy's legs.
"Not a hospital for miles, and the doc's a drunk. Wouldn't let him near my girl if her life depended on it," Hanna said, matter-of-fact. She must have noticed Xochitl's concern because she added, "Which it does not. No. I'll call Doctor Howard. He'll sort her out."
Hanna lifted Lucy up by the armpits with amazing ease as Xochitl struggled to get a proper hold on Lucy's limp legs, her body heavy in her unconscious state.
"Kai, help Lucy." Xochitl grunted and nodded for Kai to move toward the porch. "Doctor Howard?"
Kai smiled and bounded up the stairs to the front door.
"Does that Feral ever stop moving?" Hanna looked over her shoulder toward the kennels. "Our other boarders are going to have a problem with him."
Xochitl gazed up from Lucy's legs to see Kai literally bouncing off the walls doing back flips as he waited for the women to reach him. "So far, he only stops when he sleeps. Out cold."
"The vet," Hanna said, walking backward up the stairs of the wrap-around porch.
"Huh?" Xochitl struggled to hold onto Lucy.
Shudda had Kai carry her.
"Doc Howard's a vet," Hanna replied as she eased Lucy up onto the stoop.
"What?" Xochitl almost dropped Lucy's legs. "You're going to call a vet?"
"Of course." Hanna seemed at ease with the idea of an animal doctor treating a human. "He's known Lucy all her life," Hanna continued. "And who better to cure Cat Scratch Fever, than a vet?" Hanna chuckled.
Xochitl shook her head.
Now I know who Lucy gets her bad jokes from.
"What?" Hanna asked as she waited for Kai to stop bouncing around and open the door.
"Nothing." Xochitl yelled up to Kai. "Hey, Hound Chow!"
Kai stopped and tilted his head to the side as if confused.
"Door!" Xochi nodded toward the wrought iron screen door. "Open."
Kai smiled, bounced to the door and threw it open.
"Easy, stray. That's hand-crafted," Hanna grumbled.
"He's a bit hyper." Xochitl tried to sound conciliatory.
"No kidding." Hanna stepped over the threshold into the house. "A real special breed," Hanna muttered with contempt.
"He's good at a lot of things." Xochitl hoped to cast a good light on the squirrely boy. Somewhere between fighting off the Vigi Boys and listening to the Were's nonstop snoring, she'd grown attached to the kid.
I seem to be doing that a lot lately.
Lucy mumbled incoherently as Xochitl and Hanna hoisted her into her childhood home. Off the foyer was a large living room, eclectically decorated with a mix of comfortable stylish furniture and old world pieces. Beyond the living room, through the dining room was the kitchen, and around the corner and to the right, was a long hallway, its walls covered with framed photographs of Lucy in various stages of her life.
Huh. No Dad.
One photo in particular caught Xochitl's attention. It was of a beautiful, petite young woman — Lucy's mom? — smiling as she held a little redheaded girl.
Lucy doesn't look like her mom at all.
They passed another door and stopped at the end of the hall.
Oh thank God.
Xochitl's arms felt like they were about to fall off. Every muscle screamed, and her body threatened to collapse at any moment.
Hanna seemed anxious as she watched Kai sniff his surroundings and pick up various items for closer inspection.
"Kai put that down," Xochitl hissed. "Open door."
With deliberated care, Kai placed a vase back on a decorative side table, skipped over to Hanna and opened the door — gently this time.
"Kid catches on quick," Xochitl said, overselling the teen Were to Hanna like a used car salesman.
They followed Kai into the room and eased Lucy onto the bed, resting her head on a down pillow. Hanna walked to the adjacent Jack and Jill bathroom.
Xochitl sat on the end of the bed and watched Hanna wet a washcloth before returning to the bedroom. She dabbed at Lucy's forehead with the cloth, continuing down her arm and stopping at the leather cuff around her wrist.
Xochitl held her breath as Hanna unbuckled the cuff and slid it off Lucy's arm, exposing the jagged scars hidden underneath.
As if they were her own, a flood of emotions rocked Xochitl. Shock turned to horror, which turned into to what Xochi perceived as anger. Then, as a tear slid down the side of Hanna's face, Xochitl felt overwhelming sadness. Lightheaded and dizzy, she placed a hand on the bed to steady herself.
"She doesn't talk about it," Xochitl whispered, trying to catch her breath. "I think she's ashamed."
Hanna turned, her dark curls skimming over her brow, and for the briefest of moments, Xochitl thought she saw Hanna's chocolate colored eyes glow amber, but then it was gone and all that remained was pain.
I'm so tired I'm losing it.
Hanna placed Lucy's cuff on the side table and lovingly brushed the hair off her face. "I'll go call the doc." She patted Lucy lightly and left the room.
Xochitl remained seated at the foot of Lucy's bed as Kai, curled up on an overstuffed chair in the corner of the room sound asleep, snored. Going on less than fumes, her body was beyond aching. It was numb.
Wish I could conk out whenever I wanted.
On the nightstand next to the cuff, Xochitl noticed a picture of Lucy as a little girl. She picked it up and studied it.
Lucy can't be more than six or seven here.
The old black and white photo looked as if it had been hand-painted to add color. On a pier over a lake, Lucy cradled a golden puppy in her arms, the sun shining down on her long copper hair. In the background, out of focus, a woman stood on the porch of a small log cabin.
Wonder where this was taken?
Lucy, the cabin and the innocence depicted in the picture reminded Xochitl of her own small moment of happiness when her parents would picnic and fish by the lake at Camp Pendleton. Xochi's heart ached.
"Get a grip, Xoch," she mumbled, shaking off her melancholy as she placed the picture back on the nightstand.
She glanced around the cozy room, and it dawned on her that everything in it, all the knickknacks, the figurines of puppies and horses, the wall art of beautiful show dogs and wildlife, belonged to a young girl. Even Lucy's bed, with its white eyelet comforter was a twin, not a double or a queen or any size befitting a grown woman. The room was a snapshot of Lucy's childhood. Her refuge. The place that made her the happiest.
"Tau! Thandiwe!" Hanna's voice bellowed down the hall into Lucy's room. "Come!"
Xochitl stood as two large puppies the color of rust loped into Lucy's room and jumped up, placing their massive paws onto Xochi's chest.
"Um, hi!" Xochitl said, tilting her head back from the dogs' relentless attempts to lick her face.
"Off!" Hanna boomed as she raced into the room, stopping at the doorway. "Sit!" Her hand pointed to the ground.
Tau and Thandi dropped their rumps to the floor and sat looking expectantly up at Xochitl.
"Damn twin puppies." Hanna sounded out of breath. "Always getting out of their kennel." She looked down at the pups. "Too damn smart for your own good."
"Puppies?" Xochitl looked at the twins and put her arms up in the air. "I got nothin' for ya."
Tau and Thandi's tails slapped at the hardwood floor in response.
"Doc's on his way," Hanna said and nodded to the bathroom
. "Your room's on the other side. You can share the washroom with Lucy. Towel's underneath the sink." She looked at Kai. "Not sure what to do with him."
"I think he's good there." Xochitl walked toward the bathroom with Tau and Thandi on her heels. "Not you two." She put her hand up. "Stay."
The puppies stopped.
"Good." Xochitl smiled at the dogs, then looked at Hanna. "Thanks, by the way...for taking care of her." Xochitl glanced at Lucy.
"That's what I was put on this Earth to do." Hanna smiled. "I'll see about getting some clean clothes for your mutt."
"That'd be great."
Hanna left the room. Tau and Thandi stayed.
"Great." Xochit groaned and glowered at the dogs.
The twin pups followed her through the bathroom into the adjoining bedroom. She flicked on the light.
Clearly the guest bedroom, it was identical to Lucy's except for the plain furnishings. Only a mirror and a store-bought landscape adorned the walls. The nicest accessory in the room was a handmade quilt of reds and yellows draped over the bed.
At least the bed's a double.
Beyond exhausted, Xochitl staggered to the bed, plopped down and yanked off her boots.
"Fine," she said to Tau and Thandi who stood in front of her, patiently waiting. "I'm too tired to argue with dogs."
Her eyelids drooping, Xochi sprawled out on the bed. The clicking of claws as the pups circled each other for the best napping place lulled her to sleep.
Chapter 20
Major General Ronald M. Davidson — Recorded Personal Log
I have assumed command today as of zero-six-hundred hours. The initial skirmish was first reported this morning at zero-three-hundred hours by Corporal Saunders who witnessed several Marines housed in his barracks change into what he referred to as "werewolves." Sigh
Brigadier General Andrew T. Milton...Andy...USMC Camp Pendleton CO was killed after being afflicted by what I assume can only be the, as of yet, unidentified virus originating in Los Angeles. We lost thirty-four more Marines to the Affliction. All were killed during the three-hour battle. As of now, fifty-two Marines are confirmed dead in defense of the base with approximately another one hundred and sixty-seven base personnel wounded. Several are still in critical condition.
I will expedite my report of the conflict to General Paul H. Hicks Commandant of the Marine Corps to ensure that all killed today be granted full honors and, along with their fellow injured Marines, be awarded the Purple Heart in recognition of their sacrifice. Sigh
Today is a sad day for the Corps...and for me.
21 months ago
Three hours and Grande iced coffees later, Xochitl turned off the I-5 Freeway onto Harbor Drive toward Camp Pendleton — the first home she had ever known.
The Marine base was immediately off the exit, and Xochitl was surprised at how much the Main Gate entrance had changed. The original two-lane drive was now four lanes and the old "guard shack," as it was affectionately called, had been replaced by four guard booths. Huge cement barriers flanked either side of her car, funneling her and all traffic to the third booth. Judging by the squad of Marines stationed at the gate and the enormously high fence that appeared to run the perimeter of the base, security had clearly been beefed up.
¡Híjole! It's DEFCON 1 around here.
An oversized yellow and black sign read CAUTION 100,000 VOLTS.
That's new...I think.
Xochi pulled up to the guard booth, and the MP motioned for her to roll down her window. She complied, the salty air feeling good on her face.
"Hi. I'm here to see Colonel Jones. My name is Xochitl Magaña." Xochitl gave the Marine the sweetest smile she could muster.
"ID, ma'am." The stoic Marine held out his hand.
Okaaay. I remember these guys being friendlier. Of course, I was five.
Xochitl reached for her bag and pulled out her wallet. The only identification she had left was an expired driver's license and an old MCX ID from when she was little. She had lost everything else in the fire that had burned down her bar.
I hope he'll be okay with these.
With a wide grin, Xochitl handed the cards over to the guard.
The Marine meticulously inspected her IDs.
Xochitl felt the nervous grin plastered on her face and forced herself to look away from the guard.
"You know, this license is expired," the Marine said.
"It is?" Xochitl gazed back at the guard, feigning disbelief.
"By a year."
She knew the man wasn't buying her act.
"I know. I'm sorry. I recently lost everything in a fire and I'm just trying to see my Uncle Vernon Jones. He really is waiting for me. If you could just call the—"
The Marine threw up his hand, halting her tirade. "Colonel Jones is your uncle?"
"Well, not my actual uncle. He was my father's best friend. He was stationed here. I actually lived here until I was six. See." Xochi pointed to the MCX ID. "That's me."
The guard looked at the little girl on the card and smiled. "Cute. But I still can't let you in."
"Please. If you could just call up to HQ."
Xochitl's cell phone buzzed in her pocket. This time she put up her hand to interrupt the guard. "Just a sec."
The Marine grunted, annoyed. Xochitl knew she was pushing her luck. She pressed her back into the seat, pried the phone out of her skinny jeans and flipped it open. Her uncle's office number was displayed on the Caller ID screen.
"Hi." Xochitl paused to listen to her Uncle Vern on the other end of the call. "No. The MP won't let me in...My ID is expired...I know...Okay." She handed her phone to the guard. "Here, he wants to talk to you."
"Hello?" The Marine stood at attention when he heard the colonel on the other end.
Even from where she was sitting, Xochitl could hear the deep baritone of her uncle's commanding voice. She leaned her head back against her seat and smiled knowing the meaning behind that tone. Vern had a way of calmly letting you know you've screwed up and to not do it again. He was never mean, but he was still scary.
"Sir...Yes, sir...I will, sir," the MP said, his anxious tenor signaling to Xochi that Vern had made his instructions abundantly clear.
She tilted her head toward the guard and grinned.
He looks like he's either gonna salute the phone or crap his pants.
She knew the man was just doing his job, but she still found herself having to stifle a giggle.
The guard hung up the phone and handed it and the IDs back to Xochi. "You can go on ahead."
"Great. Thanks so much." Xochitl gave the MP an "I feel your pain — been there myself" look.
Not that it'll do much good.
Without another word, the Marine stepped back from her car and waved her through the gate. Xochitl gave the MP a slight nod and drove onto the base for the first time in twenty-two years.
Xochitl gazed out the window of the Toronado, amazed as she drove along Vandergrift Boulevard toward headquarters. The dry, desert-like terrain was about the only thing on base that looked the same as when she was little. By the Main Gate she passed a new hospital under construction — though the project seemed to have been abandoned.
Guess defense against KV took priority.
Many more housing communities had been erected on base since Xochi had lived there — newer, Spanish-style homes that reminded her more of mini suburbs than military lodging. O'Neal Heights, set in the hills behind the old hospital, had been her home until her papa had moved her to Los Angeles.
Xochitl had loved living on base as a child. She'd felt safe. There had been lots of kids to play with, and on really warm days her parents had taken her boating on Lake O'Neal.
Xochi had loved being on the water with her papa.
He taught me how to fish on that lake. Well, he'd do the fishing while I tried to the save the worms from his hook.
"¡Ay! Mija, you're wasting the bait," her papa would chide.
"But Papa, I'm saving th
em," she would reply.
Her father would just chuckle, pat her head and eventually give up on fishing.
Papa liked the idea of fishing more than the actual fishing.
Xochi's mom would always have a Kentucky Fried Chicken picnic waiting for them on shore.
Huh. Haven't been on the water since living here. Haven't had KFC either. Mmmm...KFC...
Xochitl's stomach rumbled.
As she approached the Mainside Center — the hub for base activity — her mind moved away from thoughts of food and filled with memories of her mother.
Alice Magaña had the brightest blue eyes that would instantly light up at the sight of Xochi's papa, Carlos. To Xochitl her mom was the prettiest lady on base, especially when she smiled. She had flaxen hair and fair skin that complemented Xochi's father's black hair and brown skin. They had been the most striking couple.
Like movie stars.
And when she and her mom would go shopping at the MCX or the commissary, people would often comment how much Xochi resembled her mother. Her mom would reply, "Oh, she does. But she's more like her papa. Wise and strong. Five going on thirty." Then she'd laugh.
Xochi loved her mother's laugh and how, when her papa really got her going, it would start at the center of her belly and crescendo in an explosion of sound that increased until no sound came out. Only the shaking of her body revealed she was still laughing.
Her parents had entertained often when the men were home. Her papa and Uncle Vern would light up the barbecue, and all the families in the neighborhood would come over for hot dogs and hamburgers. The celebrations got so big that they would spill out onto the streets, transforming into block parties that would last well into the night.
As the beer flowed, the moms would gather to gossip or talk about base life. Xochi liked to sit on her mom's lap and listen as she spoke about how glad she was to finally be in a real home that didn't share walls with anyone else. The other moms always had nodded in agreement — like they were bonding over the shared experience. The women would exchange decorating tips and laugh about how their husbands complained that they had bought another pillow or throw blanket. Xochitl recalled how her mother would spend hours rearranging the furniture or painting walls. Looking back on those days, it occurred to Xochi that her papa had always been away when her mom went into "fix-up" mode, as he'd called it.
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