Fight Or Flight

by Amy Shojai

  The Skype call with her father had left her reeling. No wonder Grandfather and Grammy forbade any questions about Lia’s father. She’d always assumed they wanted to protect her from reconnecting with the man who’d treated her mother so shabbily. Instead, the secrets they kept protected their own actions.

  The car stopped outside the house, and Lia saw movement behind the front door sidelight. She took a breath, bracing herself. Silently she repeated her mantra: Ancestor Pride, Intelligence, Kindness, Act in Love with Intuition and Attitude. She wouldn’t be buffaloed this time.

  “You want me to stay? I can wait for you.” September watched as Lia climbed out, and then quirked a grin.

  Lia shook her head and waved her off. Grandfather would be pissed enough without September witnessing their conversation. She wouldn’t leave without answers and had 22 years’ worth of questions that September didn’t need to hear. Grandfather’s angry bluster wouldn’t silence or chase Lia away, not this time. Despite the brave assurances, her stomach roiled like a million butterflies danced inside.

  Grammy met her at the door as September sped away. She stood, arms crossed, voice stiff as her posture. “Call back your car, Lia, and leave. You’re not welcome here.”

  Lia pushed past the smaller woman, noting that as usual she looked ready to host a high society tea. Not a hair stirred on her tightly coifed upsweep and little makeup was needed to enhance her striking looks. She was queen here and knew it.

  “Call Grandfather. I have questions for you both.”

  “He’s in a meeting. He won’t see you.” She jutted out her chin, nostrils flaring. “You made your decision when you defied our wishes.”

  “Grammy, I’m an adult. Neither of you gets to decide what I think, say or do.” Lia closed the front door behind her, making clear her intention to stay. “Is he in his office? We can go there together.” She took two quick steps into the entryway.

  “No!” Grammy grasped her arm, then released her grip as if the action was beneath a well-bred woman of her station. “You will not disturb him. I’m warning you, Lia.”

  “Or what? How can you stop me, Grammy?” Her brow stitched two parallel lines. She ignored the older woman’s pinched mouth. “I found my father.”

  Grammy winced, and she took a step backwards. “Then you know what he is.” She fairly spat the words. “Worthless, a shiftless nobody. A criminal, who defiled my little girl.” She whirled, and strode down the wide hallway, heels click-clacking on the hard surface.

  Lia followed, pressing her advantage. “I spoke to him.”

  Grammy froze. She turned, manicured nails clenching like claws at her side. “He’s a liar. Whatever he told you, it’s not true. You can’t believe anything criminals say.” She took a breath and repeated the tale she’d told every year since Lia grew old enough to ask. “He treated your mother like dirt, took advantage of her innocence, and that killed Kaylia as sure as I breathe.”

  “Don’t you mean that I killed her? That’s what you’ve always thought, isn’t it?” Lia couldn’t control the tremolo in her voice.

  “Of course not.” Her voice dripped acid. “Don’t be dense, Lia. It was that man, that Wyatt Teves that caused all our troubles.”

  “He didn’t abandon my mother. He told me what Grandfather did, had him arrested for statutory rape.”

  The smaller woman sniffed and paced. “He deserved it.” Her fingernails stabbed and sliced the air in a staccato counterpoint to her words. “Your mother was a child. That paniolo took advantage, had eyes for our money. He used her, and when he learned he’d get nothing from us, he threw her away like garbage.”

  “They were in love!”

  “Love, bah. She was barely fifteen, she knew nothing of love. I had—your grandfather and I had spectacular plans for her. All ruined, and for nothing.” She sniffed again. “You can’t expect anything good to come from those people.”

  “What people?” Lia asked mildly. Somehow, she wasn’t surprised at the illuminating comment.

  “How dare you! I am not a prejudiced person. Your father was common, an opportunist. Raised that way, not like decent folks.” She continued to pace. “We did what any responsible parents would do to protect our child.”

  “Yeah, and that worked out great.”

  Grammy’s head jerked as if slapped.

  Lia bared her teeth. “They got married. My father picked out my name. Apikalia. Do you know what that means?” She shook the baby bracelet in Grammy’s face. Her throat ached for all the years she’d missed not knowing him, and all the lies for the sake of bitter prejudice.

  Grammy barked a laugh, and ice-blue eyes narrowed, shining with malice. The angles of her face sharpened and she spat like a cat defending its territory. “They didn’t have the right to marry. Your mother needed our consent, and we wouldn’t give it, so she ran off to play house, that’s all. Your Grandfather set her straight, and we all came back home. Where we belonged.” Her expression softened. “She didn’t tell us about the baby until we couldn’t do anything about it.”

  Before she could digest the implication of that comment, a door opened and closed nearby. Grandfather spoke in muted conversation with another man.

  All color drained from Grammy’s face. Her mouth opened and closed but no words escaped, and hands plucked at Lia’s coat sleeve to detain her. Lia realized not all secrets had been revealed.

  Lia strode past the older woman to intercept Grandfather as he left his office, knowing he’d be less likely to verbally attack her with a business client present. For the Corazons, everything came down to public perceptions. Reputation was all, and disowning Lia had hurt their standing in local society. Since everyone already knew what she was, that damage had been minimized. But spilling Grammy’s secrets would damage the Corazon name beyond embarrassment.

  “Appreciate your time, Dub. If you change your mind, I don’t head back to the Big Island for two days. My associates have a few more product orders to fill. My clients are very particular.”

  The slight man shook Grandfather’s hand. He looked familiar.

  “Sorry I can’t help you, Mr. Kanoa. I stopped doing business in Hawaii years ago. For personal reasons.” He noticed Lia standing in the open archway, and a frown carved trenches into each side of his mouth. He’d lost weight, and his imposing stature looked gaunt, a shrinking shadow of his former vigor.

  Grandfather turned his back and spoke through gritted teeth. “Cornelia, get her out of here.”

  Mr. Kanoa glanced Lia’s way, and his face brightened. “Oh, what a pleasure. Lia, isn’t it? We met at the gala in August. Antonio Kanoa, remember?” He offered to shake, ignoring the tension, or perhaps relishing it. She gripped and released his delicate, damp hand, and forced herself not to wipe her palm against her shirt. She remembered he ran an import/export business, acquiring unique merchandise ordered by high-paying clients like Grandfather.

  Kanoa chuckled, looking back and forth between the two. “Some family issues, I see? Good luck, young lady, I know from experience what a difficult man your Grandfather can be.”

  “Call me Apikalia.” She stared at Grandfather. “That means, my father’s delight in Hawaiian. Did you know that, Grandfather?” She paused, and added, “My father told me he picked my name out special.”

  “Get out, Lia. You don’t belong here, not anymore.” Grammy hissed a warning as she grabbed Lia’s wrist and tugged.

  Lia shook it off.

  “You’re Hawaiian?” Kanoa’s smile widened. “What a coincidence. I have business dealings there now and again.”

  Grandfather’s face flushed beet-red and his voice growled from deep inside. “You spoke to him? You have the gall to say that to my face, girl? Get out!”

  “They were married!” She pointed a shaking finger in his face. “Grammy’s ashamed I’m a bastard, but that’s on you, isn’t it? You fixed things, thought you’d make the problem go away. How dare you lie to me all these years?”

  He slapped away her
hand. “I never lie.” Grandfather glared at Kanoa, and nodded at the door. “This is private, see yourself out.”

  The small man nodded, grinned even wider, and pulled out a fancy cigarette case as he walked to the door.

  Lia stuck her hands in her coat pockets, fidgeting with the pink gloves, when she wanted to flail and hit back at something, or someone. She blinked hard, refusing to give Grandfather the satisfaction of her tears.

  “I never lie, Lia-girl. Wyatt Teves promised to marry her, but he lied. He disappeared instead. Broke my poor Kaylia’s heart.” Grandfather took a step toward her, and she couldn’t help but retreat. “That evil man didn’t have the cojones to ask for my daughter’s hand like a decent—”

  “He was the same age as when you married Grammy—”

  “Jailbird, a convict. I checked up on him later, you know, when we found out Kaylia was pregnant.” He glared at his wife. “Tell her.”

  Grammy looked away, and Lia knew. “It was you!”

  Chapter 64

  September pulled into her usual parking spot at Doc Eugene’s veterinary hospital. In the back seat, Shadow whined with anticipation. He loved the staff, in part because they offered bacon-flavored treats.

  She hadn’t wanted to leave Lia alone at the Corazon estate but had no choice. September felt protective of the younger woman, but had no right to offer any advice, even if they were cousins. Lia didn’t know about the relationship, though, and September wouldn’t dare overstep to say anything. Mom had secrets she hadn’t shared. Some family secrets were best left hidden.

  Lia’s stories pushed the boundaries of belief, though. “What do you think, Shadow?” He barked, paw-dancing on the back seat and anxious to go into the building. “You recognized Lia, didn’t you?” She’d often wondered how he’d survived the flood. Coincidence followed September, she felt drawn to the younger woman. “Let’s see if you recognize Karma, too.”

  Although the Rottie momma wouldn’t be interested in anything except her babies for the foreseeable future, September’s curiosity prompted the visit. Now, with the fantastical story fresh in her ears, and Lia otherwise engaged, she wanted to meet the police-dog-to-be. And ask Doc Eugene a couple of pointed questions, besides.

  “Hey September. Hiya Shadow, how’s the big boy?” The young receptionist grinned when they entered, and then frowned with worry. “Is Shadow okay?”

  Shadow woofed his own answer, and pranced to the front desk for a paws-up greeting over the counter. His tail wagged double time.

  “How’s that for an answer.” September laughed, and shrugged an okay for a treat. “Can you tell me if Karma had her puppies yet? That’s Lia Corazon’s Rottweiler.”

  The girl wrinkled her nose, and fished out another treat for Shadow. “Lia called earlier. Nobody’s brought Karma in.”

  “Is Doc Eugene around? Love to bend his ear for a minute.” While Shadow munched and the receptionist hurried to the back, September leaned on the counter.

  Doc Eugene bustled in, drying his hands on a towel. “Busy day here, September, what can I do ya for?” One of the best veterinary cardiac specialists in North Texas, Doc Eugene also ran a general practice. He held a special affection for Shadow, since he’d come from the last litter bred by the veterinarian’s wife. “Macy doing okay? The staff still misses that kitty.” He came around the counter into the waiting room and took a knee to interact with Shadow on the dog’s level.

  “Macy hasn’t had a fainting spell in months. The medication has him back to his bouncy pestering self.” She loved watching Shadow turn into a puppy at the man’s attention. “Macy teases Shadow into chase games, and they run laps around the house. I worry it’s too much for Macy.” The cat had knocked over a stained glass lamp during a recent romp, just as Mom walked in, and also liked to bat at pictures on the wall. Mom had not been amused. “I really need to find my own place soon.”

  The veterinarian gave Shadow a final pat on the dog’s tummy, and stood up. “You know the prognosis as well as I do. Macy’s already outlived most cats with the condition, so he may buck the odds.” He softened his tone. “If he tolerates exercise well, let him have some fun. As long as further signs don’t develop, aim for quality of life. We can adjust the meds as we go.”

  “Okay.” She’d suspected as much but hoped for better news.

  “Have you contacted Macy’s breeder? They should have done testing. We talked about this.”

  September ran a hand through her hair, still getting used to the short bob. “Macy came from a breeder in South Bend.” Actually, the cat had been a gift from her longtime abuser, Victor, the cause of her PTSD. He awaited trial for murder, so she’d never have to worry about him again. Because of the bad associations, she’d put off any follow up.

  “Any responsible breeder will want to know.” He turned back to Shadow. “This boy looks good. Finally healed, and I bet he’s a whole lot more comfortable now.”

  She hesitated. “I’ve got a hypothetical for you, Doc.”

  “Oh goodie.” He smiled and rubbed his hands together like a cartoon character relishing a treat. “Asking for a friend, I take it?”

  She laughed. “Let’s say it’s for a couple of friends, including Lia Corazon.”

  His eyebrows lifted. “Karma’s due to whelp anytime.”

  “Right. So if canine gestation takes 63 days—”

  “More or less, yes.” He waited.

  “That means she bred back in August, right about the time she got caught in the fire.” September waited for his nod. “The thing is, Shadow nearly got caught in the fire, too. And there are witnesses that saw him and Karma together.”

  “Witnesses? Together, how. Oh, you mean?...” He grinned widely.

  She held out her hands, with a “what can you do?” gesture. “Lia believes Shadow fathered Karma’s pups, but that can’t be true, can it?”

  He rubbed his chin, then strode to the counter and looked at the paper appointment book. He flipped back several months, and pointed. “Here’s the date Shadow had surgery.” He flipped forward a few pages. “And here’s when we admitted Karma for smoke inhalation, two weeks later.” The corners of his eyes crinkled, and he spoke to Shadow. “You dog, you!” He laughed.

  Shadow woofed and wagged, looking very proud of himself.

  “So it’s possible?” September wasn’t sure how she felt about it, but couldn’t wait to tell Lia.

  “Viable sperm remain in the system for up to a month following castration. So yes. It’s unlikely, but possible. If they were together, Shadow may have fathered Karma’s puppies.”

  Chapter 65

  Karma whined deep in her throat as the car jittered and swerved over the country road. She leaned hard against Tee, appreciating the girl’s soothing hands and low murmurs, but her girl’s fear-scent choked a good-dog’s nose.

  She’d played countless games to learn dozens of commands and skills. Often, she bit down on Tee’s padded arm, but that was a game, too. Afterward they snuggled and shared treats. Karma wanted to bite the man, though, even without the padded sleeve. He smelled wrong, smelled of danger and sour blood, and wet feathers. Like the dead bird Karma found one time, and Lia threw away.

  Her uneasiness grew, but respect for Tee ran deep. Even though the girl lacked sharp teeth like Karma, and had only two legs to run, Tee’s fierce attitude rivaled Karma’s own. Getting into the car was wrong, but she did as Tee asked because humans sometimes knew things that good-dogs couldn’t understand. Karma had to trust her girls. She knew Lia and Tee would never wish her harm.

  Still, people missed out on many things that a talented dog understood. Together, Karma and Tee made a good team, each adding to the strength of the other. Karma nestled close against her girl’s bare arms to show that a brave dog would protect, no matter what, even from the hidden dangers people couldn’t detect. As long as they stayed together, all was fine.

  The car slowed, turning off the paved country road onto a dirt pathway that cut through brittl
e stalks of spent vegetation. The stalks flipped and flapped against the sides of the car, every once in a while punctuated with a “thump” that made Karma growl.

  “Shush, it’s just on old cornfield.” Tee whispered soothing words she didn’t understand, but Karma felt better anyway. Her girl sounded excited but brave, like she planned and expected this very strange car ride. Maybe this was a new game Karma needed to learn?

  Her ears pricked and brow smoothed. Karma pulled away from Tee, staring first one way and then the other out each side of the car windows. Within minutes, they stopped in a clearing, well hidden by the spindly field corn, and parked in front of a weathered building. Its rusty metal roof creaked in the wind, and Karma noticed other dilapidated outbuildings. But more interesting by far were a dozen or more wooden A-frames sprouting from the dusty yard like giant fire ant mounds. Karma cocked her head when first one, and then several more disgorged noisy birds. Big birds, as big as lamb-toy! Karma wondered if they squeaked when bitten, too.

  The driver climbed out and slammed the door. He trotted to the house, stomped up shaky stairs and banged on the porch door until it cracked open.

  Tee hugged Karma again, and smoothed her black ruff with trembling fingers. “Didn’t mean to get you into this. Can’t pretend I’m sorry you’re here, though. Just be brave, watch me, and do what I say.” She smiled, and a dry laugh escaped. “You always do, though, such a good-dog.”

  Karma wriggled at the praise for only a moment. Her jaw snapped shut and hackles bristled when the man returned to the car with a tall, thin woman. She made no sound, but stared hard, making Karma growl louder. She gave orders the other jumped to obey.

  “Put these on.” The driver shoved three lengths of rope over the back seat into Tee’s hands. “Two on the dog, one on you. Be quick.”

  When Tee looped ropes around her broad neck, Karma whined but accepted the leashes. Her brow furrowed when the girl pulled the other rough loop over her own head, cinching it tight. She watched with growing unease when Tee followed instructions to thread her own leash through one window and Karma’s out the other narrow opening.