Sentry Rising

by Birkenhead, Naomi

  “I told you everyone knew, and I meant everyone,” Mathias answered as he and Zyphera both got up to leave.

  “How much of a secret could it be when the girl you're after is aware of your crush.”

  Zyphera’s words were like salt being rubbed into his already red and oozing wound. Leath sat slumped over, head in his hands.

  The Professor patted him on the back as he, Remy and Miss Mirdy filed out behind Mathias and Zyphera.

  “Don’t give up kid,” He said kindly, “You never know what hand fate will deal you next.”

  Leath smiled up at the old man as everyone disappeared.

  “Guess it is just you and me kid,” Leath said glancing over at Thad who was still trying to register the minuscule portion of information he had just learned.

  “You ready for this?” Leath asked, looking down at his young co-horst as the two walked across the hall into the kitchen.

  “Absolutely not,” Thad replied shaking his head.

  “Well here goes nothing,” Leath said taking a deep breath as he pushed open the kitchen door.

  See, Boys can cook

  The pair had two and a half hours to prepare a meal for seven people. Thad and Leath rifled through Miss Mirdy’s endless selection of cook books before deciding what meat, veggie, and starch dishes to prepare.

  “So what is one the menu boys?” Miss Mirdy asked as she wandered into the kitchen from the garden.

  “We have decided to prepare the spinach, feta, and ginger stuffed chicken breast, with cumin and honey summer veggies, paired with, dill and lemon peppered yams and baby potatoes,” Thad replied.

  “Don’t forget the roasted garlic ceasar salad with homemade dressing and buns,” Leath added, a hint of pride creeping across his face.

  “Mmmmm, that sounds simply delicious,” Mirdy exclaimed. “I will let you two fly at it.” Quickly washing her hands in the kitchen sink, “I will be peeking in from time to time to monitor your progress,” she added, drying her hands on a dish towel.

  “That might be useful, Thank you,” Leath said gently ushering her out of the kitchen.

  Mirdy smiled at their eagerness and allowed her self to be pushed out the door.

  “Now let’s get cooking,” Leath exclaimed rolling up his sleeves. He pulled two of Miss Mirdy’s aprons out of the pantry, handing the pink one to Thad.

  “Why do I have to wear the pink apron?” Thad whined.

  “Because I said so,” Leath smiled slipping a purple apron over his head.

  “Its cause you secretly have a soft spot for cuddly little kittens, isn’t it,” Thad giggled, taking note of the kitten and teacup pattern overwhelming Leath’s apron.

  “Would you rather wear the teddy bear apron,” Leath threatened.

  Thad shuddered. “I am definitely good with the pink,” he replied, thinking about the pastel rainbow background with furry teddies all dressed up, having a picnic. The worst part was Miss Mirdy had "secretly" named the teddies after each member of the household.

  With aprons tied snuggly around their waists, hands washed and cooking utensils ready, the two hunkered down with noses to the grind stone. In no time at all, an aromatic breeze sprinkled with the scent of ginger, lemon and sweet thyme filled the air, accented by rising bread dough and roasting garlic.

  “Hey ladies what’s cooking?” Mathias asked poking his head in the kitchen door. He chuckled softly at the sight of the two boys dressed in Mirdy’s girly aprons, covered with flour and vegetable peelings. Not to mention the mess that seemed to be spread from one end of the counter to the other.

  “Never you mind,” Thad said rushing to the door to shove him back into the hall. “You’ll just have to wait till dinner to find out,” he announced as he huffed from the effort.

  “Fine,” Mathias replied stepping away from the door, which caused Thad to stumble and nearly fall. “By the way Thad, I love your apron,” Mathias yelled as he sauntered down the hall to find something to do.

  “Thanks I stole it from your daddy,” Thad yelled back.

  “Nice come back,” Leath said as the pair knocked fists.

  “Learned from the best,” Thad grinned.

  “Just don’t tell the Professor I am teaching you insults 101 in addition to your other lessons,” Leath added with a wink.

  “Well you never know it could come in very handy one day. How weak would I look if I had some bad guy throwing out insults left, right, and center and I couldn’t defend myself?” Thad said innocently.

  “Very bad indeed,” Leath agreed.

  The two looked at each other and burst out laughing.

  “Wait a minute,” Thad said standing a little straighter, his nose twitching. “Can you smell that?"

  “The yams,” They said in unison rushing for the oven.

  “Oh crap,” Thad said disappointedly as Leath pulled the pan from the oven,

  “We charcolized the yams and potatoes and we don’t have time to start again.”

  “It’s not that bad,” Leath reassured him as he placed the steamy pan on top of the oven, “They’re just a bit…..smoky,” he decided after taking a moment to find the right word.

  “Right, smoky dill and lemon peppered yams and baby potatoes,” Thad said changing the little menu they had printed up for their guests. “How much time do we have left?”

  “Chicken should be done in about twenty, so we should start the veggies,” Leath instructed.

  “Sounds good,” Thad agreed going to the fridge and pulling out some garden fresh: zucchini, green beans, carrots, cauliflower, and a few small yellow and orange peppers.

  “Do you think we will have enough of everything?” Thad asked, suddenly worried that some of their guests with bigger appetites would go hungry.

  “We should have just enough,” Leath announced, “That way we won’t have to eat leftovers tomorrow if this doesn’t turn out,” he added with a chuckle.

  “I hope so,” Thad sighed as he washed the veggies.

  The kitchen fell silent as the kitchen clock loudly tick tocked the remaining minutes Thad and Leath had left to finish their dishes and present them to the hungry crowd gathering in the dining room.

  “You boys ready?” Miss Mirdy asked popping her head in. She had forgotten to check in with them earlier and the sight before her made her eyes widen like flying saucers.

  “Almost,” Thad’s muffled voice answered. He was rummaging through one of the cupboards trying to find an appropriate serving dish.

  “Well it smells delicious” She said with an approving nod of her head, “But you better hurry, the mongrels are starting to gnaw on each other, oh and you might want to clean yourselves up,” she added eyeing her dirty pupils standing among the debris of the kitchen.

  “Right,” Leath said looking at himself then at Thad, who had now almost climbed into the cupboard.

  “I got it,” Thad replied triumphantly, “uh, can you pull me out Leath,” he asked, realizing how far in the cupboard he was.

  “I got you little buddy,” Leath said hauling Thad out by the waist.

  The two hastily prepared their serving dishes and tidied up, slightly. With a sigh they turned and looked at each other with filthy beaming faces.

  “After you” Thad said gesturing to Leath to head upstairs to clean them selves off.

  They hurried up stairs, dawned the cleanest and nicest clothes they could find before running back to the kitchen.

  Thad popped his head into the dining room. “They’re all here,” He told Leath as he pushed through the kitchen door.

  “Wonderful! Let’s get this show on the road,” Leath said excitedly.

  “Dinner is served,” Thad announced as he entered the dining room carrying a giant bowl loaded with crisp lettuce leaves, drizzled with their homemade Ceaser dressing, then sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese, cloves of warm roasted garlic, and candied pecans. Leath followed behind toting a large plate loaded with dinner rolls, fresh from the oven.

  “Help your s
elves to the salad and buns as we bring out the rest of the food,” Leath encouraged as he set the buns on the table.

  Seconds later they returned with a steaming bowl of veggies and plate heaped with the “smoky” yams and set them on the table.

  “The food smells delicious boys,” Professor Haynsworth replied as the others agreed, their mouths watering.

  “Just wait for the main dish,” Thad announced happily.

  A moment later Leath returned carrying a silver platter full of sesationally aromatic stuffed chicken breasts.

  “Dinner is served,” He announced in a French accent, bowing to his house mates before taking his own seat.

  “Dig in,” Thad invited, taking his usually seat between the Professor and Mathias. But he could hardly sit still. He wanted to know what everyone thought of the meal. “Sooooooo,” he wondered aloud looking at all the guests.

  “Mmmm, Not bad boys,” His Grandfather answered.

  “I must say that I am pleasantly surprised,” Zyphera added in agreement. “Not so much by your ability to cook Thad, but by Leath’s!”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment,” Leath beamed from the opposite side of the table. “I can cook for you more often if you like,” He added leaning forward.

  “Don’t push your luck,” Zyphera said closing the gap between them. A hint of a smile played at the corner of her lips.

  Everyone at the table paused with their folks halfway to their mouths baffled by the polite exchange of words. Realizing they had become the center of attention, Zyphera looked away uncomfortably.

  “Could you pass me the salad Mirdy?” She asked trying to move the conversation along.

  Everyone took her cue and finished forking their food into their mouths enjoying each others company, Leath most of all.

  “You’re grinning like an idiot,” Mathias whispered in his ear.

  “She didn’t say NO,” Leath replied continuing to beam.

  “You’re hopeless,” Mathias shook his head.

  Leath shrugged, “I won’t deny that.”

  Thad looked around the table at the smiling faces. “It doesn’t matter what life has in store for me, as long as I am surrounded by those who love me I will be okay,” He thought to himself.

  He smiled a funny little smile, chewing his food with gusto. His mind wandered to the best part about dinner, dessert. It was Miss Mirdy’s specialty. A five layer cheesecake. The bottom two layers were regular cheesecake and chocolate cheesecake. On top of the chocolate was a layer of thick fudge topped by a layer of peanut butter and another layer of chocolate cheesecake.

  Thad started drooling just thinking about it. He was so pre-occupied he hadn’t realized everyone else had finished dinner and was waiting for him.

  “Sorry,” he apologized around his mouthful of food.

  He hurriedly cleared his plate and waited patiently like the rest of them.

  The night carried on, filled with great conversation and fun. A game of Cranium was won and a rematch was set for the following Friday.

  “Well I am afraid that I must turn in,” The professor announced standing up with a stretch “Good night everyone.” A chorus of “goodnights” followed him up the stairs to his room.

  One by one Thad, Zyphera, and Miss Mirdy all excused themselves to bed and Remy heading back to his home, leaving only Leath and Mathias behind.

  “Awe Thad you’re not going to stay up and revel in the glory of our success?” Leath pouted as Thad picked himself up off the floor and headed for the door.

  “I have to get up early tomorrow and go with the Professor to meet some new people,” Thad replied wistfully as he paused at the door.

  “I guess you better be well rested for that. You know how long the Professor can talk for,” Leath joked.

  Thad nodded his head and smiled. “Goodnight you two. I will see you in the morning.”

  A glimpse of the city

  The next morning the Professor breathed a sigh of relief as Thad bounded into the kitchen in good spirits dressed in his favorite outfiT. Black high tops, cargo shorts, his black and a blue polo shirt Miss Mirdy made with a skull design embroidered down one side of the back, accented His deep chestnut bed head hair, as stylishly messy as ever. Considering all he learned in the last twelve hours the professor was glad to see Thad at ease. Finding out that fate had chosen you to be the Guardian to planets and people you never even knew existed, was no easy pill to swallow. Any grown person would have a hard time adjusting, never mind an eight and a half year old boy.

  “Did you have a good sleep?” He asked watching as Thad rummaged around in the cupboard to find his favorite box of cereal.

  “As you can imagine I had lots of interesting dreams,” Thad replied as he reached up on his tippy toes to remove a box from the back of the cupboard.

  “I am sorry I kept this from you. I would have told you sooner…..”

  “But you were just trying to protect me,” Thad interrupted with a smile. “I am not angry. I appreciate what you have done, honestly.” He added trying to reassure his grandfather. Truth be told, he always felt like something was missing. He was convinced fate had plans for him that had yet to be revealed. Mind you, it could have been the fact he watched way too many Saturday morning cartoons, the side effects being an over active imagination, but the recent events proved the latter to be true.

  “I also wanted to make sure you were old enough to understand what is expected of you,” His Grandfather explained, still feeling like he owed Thad a much larger explanation. After all, honesty and openness were virtues he valued.

  “I am almost nine years old,” Thad reminded him chewing a mouthful of cereal, “that’s like almost an adult.”

  The Professor laughed. “Of course,” His Grandfather replied looking down at his most cherished grandson “But there is so much you still have and need to experience. The burden of being a Watchman means forfeiting your life for the sake of all others. When you take over in my place, your life will no longer be yours. I don’t think that you fully understand the sacrifices you will be making.” His Grandfather’s voice filled with sadness.

  “I may be young, but this is what you, Zyphera, Mathias, Leath and Miss Mirdy have been preparing me for. Life deals us only the hands we can play, right,” Thad replied spooning more cereal into his cheeks. “Besides, it’s my destiny!” He said his face lighting up with excitement.

  “Yes it is your destiny and no matter how I wish I could change it I can’t,” His Grandfather replied “And didn’t you think that some one as important as yourself would have better manners than drinking out of his bowl!” He added watching Thad drain every last drop of milk.

  Thad looked up at him sheepishly, his smile rimmed by a faint white mustache.

  “Come with me,” The Professor said extending his hand to Thad. “Today I am taking you to see the sixth member and a very dear friend,” He said. “I think it would be best if you could see for yourself the vastness and complexity of your duties.”

  Thad’s Grandfather led him down the hall. He paused in front of the second to last door on the left. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” His Grandfather asked feeling Thad’s hand shake.

  “Yes” Thad replied in his bravest voice, tightening the grip on his Grandpa’s hand.

  Drawing in a deep breath his Grandfather slowly turned the old brass doorknob. “What lies behind this door defies all logic. Once you pass the threshold of this door you will emerge on a completely different planet,” He said trying to prepare Thad. “So I am going to ask you one more time, are you ready?”

  Thad nodded his head, feet rooted to the spot in anticipation. His heart beat wildly. A mixture of fear and excitement pulsed through his veins. A small sliver of light reached across the hall as his Grandfather pushed opened the heavy door. He looked down. Thad’s eyes were almost popping out of his head. The Professor gave the door one last heave.

  “It is just your old study” Thad said his voice laced with disap
pointment as he peeked inside “Here you had me all excited for some logic defying……..” Thad suddenly became quiet.

  “Yes, it is just my old study,” His Grandfather repeated, smiling as they stepped over the threshold emerging in a vast field blanketed in purple.

  “Holy flying heifer cows!” Thad exclaimed finally finding his voice. “This is some secret you have been keeping Grandpa,” he exclaimed, taking in the world around him.

  His Grandfather laughed “Come on, I have some people for you to met.”

  Thad walked forward, his legs and feet weak and tingly with excitement. One minute he was standing in the doorway of his Grandfather’s old study and now here he was standing on the soil of a completely different world.