THE PRICE SHE'LL PAY: For the secret she never knew she had...

by Cara Charles

  “There’s nothing like wonderful tea and a warm fire. I think you’re overdue for a little relaxation,” Desiree said watching Elise’s every reaction.

  “Let’s just say, it feels like a lifetime since I’ve stopped to enjoy a perfect cup of tea in front of a cozy fire. Thank you, Desiree. This is a wonderful moment.”

  “Busy career?”

  “Yes, but I’m on a new journey with a new little friend in a new land.”

  Buddy had settled, his nose to his belly, he closed his eyes, and sighed, content.

  Elise was quiet after a long sip of her tea, closing her eyes, she listened to the fire.

  “I understand that, completely.” Desiree waited as Elise escaped into the hypnosis of the fire. “I’m so glad you can relax. Driving here can be a long, tiring trip.”

  “This breathtaking beauty dissolves all fatigue as you sigh, completely in awe.”

  Desiree sipped her tea and stared into the fire and prayed.

  “Ode to Joy” was touching her.

  Elise opened her eyes and took a breath to clear her head. She took a long sip of tea and another dainty sandwich. Elise was quite relaxed now and she felt she was going to break.

  “Your shop is a fantasy, Desiree. I imagine you are very happy here.”

  “Oh, yes. These islands create opportunity for dreams to come true. I’m from Warwickshire in the middle of England on the River Avon, Shakespeare’s hometown. When I was a girl, there was a tiny shop like this in the village. My happiest times were anticipating what Lady Lucy would have donated to the shop, or what toys the Lucy family who lived in the large fifteenth century Manor house called Charlecorte would have handed down to our sweet charity shop. Our favorite contributor Lady Lucy, the matron of Charlecorte was always extremely generous. All of us in the little village loved her, beyond measure. My mother furnished her entire house in Lucy Estate hand me downs. We felt Lady Lucy’s love in our home every time we spoke of love for a certain piece of crockery or a darling piece of china or sat in our favorite chair. So when I decided to stay in America instead of going back home to England when I retired from the diplomatic corps, I duplicated the little Curiosity Shop from home and… here we are. The shop has given the town’s children the same joys I had as a child, even their parents, and especially the grandparents. It’s the twinkle in their eye, I love the most. A lot like yours. I’m glad you appreciate it, so. I’ll let you in on a little secret. Upstairs in my apartment is my mother’s entire house. Many of the items there are from that little shop near Stratford. So my childhood is only a flight of stairs away. Would you like a tour, later?”

  “I’d love it, Desiree. You know you have a gift for creating a safe atmosphere.”

  “Call me Dez, if you like. Everyone does.”

  “Well, thank you. Dez? When I do find a home here, would you decorate it?”

  “I’d love nothing more,” Desiree patted her knee.

  Elise was drifting down into a much needed comfort, “Wonderful, simply wonderful. Makes me want a new home, today.”

  “I know a great realtor, Eamon Clifford, fun guy, nearly a Washington native but originally from Ireland, and a former forest ranger. In this buyer’s market, he’d find you the perfect spot. We’ll call him whenever you say,” Desiree moved the tray to a cart, and the ottoman under Elise’s feet. “I’m sensing you need a little pampering.”

  “Dez, you are so sweet to notice. I’m weak with relaxation. I have no desire to fight such a welcome invitation to spend the afternoon with such kind, generous company in front of your cozy fire. Buddy knows a welcome home too.”

  “I can feel you both need to relax. And so I want you to feel at home, while I tell you a silly story about my hometown and that rascal, young William Shakespeare.”

  In the blink of an eye, Desiree had replenished Elise’s tea, and covered her with a cashmere wrap.

  “Oh, Dez. Are you sure? I’m certainly imposing. Truthfully, I’m paralyzed,” Elise let out a huge sigh and closed her eyes, again.

  Desiree’s intuitive kindness was over-whelming.

  Elise could feel tears stinging her eyes. She didn’t want to burden this wonderful woman with her family tragedy. But right now she was so vulnerable, she felt ashamed. She so wanted to tell Dez everything. She so needed someone’s shoulder to cry on even though she’d deny the very comfort she desperately needed. She inhaled sharply as if that breath would stem the flood of tears that were waiting.

  “Tell me your story, Dez,” Elise’s eyes were closed as a tear escaped.

  Dez took her hand, “Tell me your story, dear. You’re ready to release it.”

  Elise found it hard to breathe. The lump in her throat was suffocating.

  The tears were flowing now, but Elise kept her eyes closed. “Are you sure?”

  Desiree patted her hand, encouragingly, “Yes, darling. Let it go. Let it all, go.”

  Elise kept her eyes closed. Lara’s smiling face swam in front of her. Tom smiled and Boogie barked as if saying, ‘trust her, she wants to help.’ Elise took a breath. It was like jumping off a cliff back into the black abyss, she’d escaped the day before.

  “I’m afraid, if I let this out again… I can’t ever escape it.”

  “Getting through it, setting it adrift and living one day at a time, not in the past or the future, is the first step. When you’re ready.”

  Elise sighed. She’d avoided verbalizing the finality of losing them. It made it all too real. But the music… underscored the beauty of their lives and their love for another…

  “I buried my husband, my daughter, and our sweet dog, yesterday. I ran from their funeral and my brother Sam, the last of my family. I’m hiding from the press and the killers who hurt my family to get to me. I’m an attorney who won a multi-million dollar damages suit that was settled, no appeal and the company lost $500 million dollars. I believe they killed my family to even the score. Sam doesn’t know where I am. I’m killing him with worry. So, you see, Dez? I ran from the daily memories of our life together. Without containment, this pain will push me too far. I know I wouldn’t survive it if I had to stay and face that empty house everyday for the rest of my life.”

  “Oh my God! Your poor darling!” Desiree sat next to Elise and pulled her into her arms and rocked her like a broken hearted child. Desiree cried silently with Elise. Desiree vowed to help Elise weather the unbearable, knowing as the leader of METAPHOR, it was her own mis-steps that were to blame.

  “Oh, my God,” Elise was releasing it, coming to grips with her loss. It had to be faced, before it could be let go. Elise allowed her tormented heart to empty.

  Buddy jumped in her lap, he licked her face, anything he could to comfort her.

  Elise petted him as she finally set the burden down.

  Desiree handed her a handkerchief.

  Elise dried her eyes. Weary, she laid her head back on the soft headrest, closed her eyes, and sighed as the sobs subsided, but held fast to Desiree’s hand.

  “You said you had to run. Why? Did they send killers to find you, too?”

  “Yes, I was followed. I handled the situation. I’ve never felt in danger. Over confidence can be deadly, but I only ran because they’re buried a few miles away from my home. I ran from… the death of my happy life.”

  “I’m here for you. You’ve come to the right place to renew your soul.”

  “I felt compelled to come to sanctuary, when I saw a billboard of an Orca.”

  “Your instincts told you this would be a haven for you. You are safe with me. Perhaps we should inform Eamon, he’s also our Sheriff. In time, you can notify your Sam that you are OK. Where are you staying?”

  “At the Best Western, under Ellie Larsen.”

  Buddy wagged his tail now, sensing she was better.

  Desiree cell in hand dialed, “Eamon? Dez here. My darling? I need a favor. A friend, Ellie Larsen has her things at Dan’s. Do you think you could get John to check her out, and bring her things to me?
And Eamon? My friend Elise will be asking you to find her a little sunny cottage with some ground and privacy. She’s come here to heal, like most of us.” Desiree paused listening. “Yes, thank you.” Desiree ended.

  “Are you sure, Dez? I’ve been such a burden to you, already.”

  “Not a burden, not ever Elise. Walking into my shop, into my world you were meant to come. You were drawn here to heal and begin again. I will help you. I failed to mention, I’m a retired psychiatrist. I want you to be in a safe, accepting environment until you feel ready to move into your own place.”

  “I feel my life’s work is unfinished. It is that dedication to our family mission that compels me to become productive again. Here, is where I’d like to do just that.”

  Desiree hugged her, “You are a survivor, compelled to stay on mission. But you recognize your need to regroup. Many of us have come to these islands for that very reason. Myself included.”

  “Thank you for allowing me this luxury to invade your life with my promises.”

  “It is my pleasure to help you. Feel like looking at the brochures while I get dinner underway? It will give you a plan. You are resilient. Determined to carry on. Time is what you need. Time, activity, and these soul-cleansing islands. You already have a new understanding friend or two, who themselves have been restored by being here. Now... how’s a rare roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy sound? With a squash and apple soup and more surprises. A hearty dinner is just what you need, if you are only able to eat a little, the aromas will comfort you.”

  “I can’t promise an appetite, but thank you for this… most generous gift.”

  “My pleasure, darling. You are more gift to me than you realize.”

  With that Desiree smiled. She patted her hand, and poured Elise another cup of tea. She stroked Buddy, who had settled in Elise’s lap.

  “I rescued him. It’s just like we’ve been together all his life.”

  “Lucky boy. I’ll be right back.” Desiree went upstairs.

  Elise thought about Desiree. Perhaps she was a mother, who felt adrift. She too, has a life purpose to comfort someone in need like any good mother.

  Elise sipped her tea, and closed her eyes. The fire crackled. Elise drifted down, down, down into the new music… DeBussy’s, Claire de Lune.

  Soon, she began to dream…

  Elise was walking down stairs, another breath, another flight, then another and another until there was a door. She opened it.

  There she was.

  She was four years old, reading “The Little Gray Donkey” to her Daddy. Behind Daddy was another door. Elise opened that door. Someone pulled her into the red sand of the Outback. She was running, because she heard the helicopter coming.

  Someone pulled the blinds. Someone else put out the closed sign. Someone changed the music to children’s music.

  Desiree gently placed a comforter over Elise. Her pulse was slow, her respirations, long and slow. Desiree sat down next to her.

  Elise was hyperventilating now and becoming restless. Agitation would follow. The camera on the tripod, was recording.

  “Good morning, Elise. Today is your birthday. How old are you?”

  “I’m twelve years old.”

  “You are safe. Do you understand? This is just a dream. Where are you, now?”

  “In the bush. We must get to the rocks. Shanti says, stop looking for them.”

  “Who is Shanti?”

  “Who my Daddy protects.”

  “Do you know you protect her too?”

  “I’m not sure. The helicopter is going to find us. Mommy and Daddy left us.”

  “To protect you, dear. To keep you safe. Why are you in the Outback, darling?”

  “Bad men look for us. Shanti can’t hide us. Daddy and Mommy left us!”

  “Elise? Do exactly as Shanti says, no matter how frightening. Promise?”

  “Yes. Yes. I’m scared and I hate it here! It is so hot and I am so thirsty.”

  “Do you feel safe?”

  “No. I want my Daddy.”

  “This is only a dream. Where has Shanti gone, darling?”

  “Little Elise knows. I don’t.”

  “Can we speak to little Elise soon?”

  “She’ll only speak to Dr. Dez. I have to hide with Shanti.”

  “Yes, hide. Be safe. Dr. Dez is here, right here,” Dez petted her hand.

  They music changed to The Nutcracker Suite. Opera 71A, The Russian Dance, by Tchaikovsky from the 1940’s “Fantasia” film.

  Elise jumps up, and twirls around the room until the music is over, then she returns to the love seat, her demeanor child-like. They have added a stuffed cocker spaniel and a stuffed tiger to the loveseat.

  “Is Little Elise here?” Dez asks.

  “Oh, my puppy and Sher Khan! My favorite presents from Daddy and Dr. Dez.”

  “Yes, Elise, I’m here. How do you feel?”

  “Happy, happy, happy! Is my Daddy here?”

  “No, Elise. Dr. Dez is here. Sing to your puppy.”

  “Elise sings, “How Much is that Doggie in the Window.”

  Elise hugs and kisses her puppy, “I love you, Buddy.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX -- MILES TO GO

  Desiree wipes tears of regret, imaging the damage she’d done to so many prisoners.

  Her notebook is open to a set of instructions encased in plastic. They now play, “The Bare Necessities” from the Jungle Book. Desiree offers Elise a dish of red M&Ms.

  “Oh? For me? These are Daddy’s ‘I love you M&Ms.’ Is he here? He’ll be home soon. I want to tell him I love Sher Khan, Mowgli and Shanti,” Elise is now dancing with her tiger.

  Desiree reads her flow chart notes, offering two paths of recall.

  “It’s two thousand sixteen, Elise. Where is Shanti teaching in 2016 and 2017? Your Daddy said if Shanti was in danger, you would tell Dr. Dez.”

  “No. I’m sorry. It is hidden,” Elise stared, seeing something in the air. “There is no danger,” Elise sings and dances with her tiger.

  Dez can’t help but stare. ‘Look what I’ve created.’

  Following the instructions, Dez goes to the kitchen, and prepares cookies and tea and arranges them on a child’s tea service. Desiree brings the new tray to another tea table in the shop parlor, and pours Elise a splash of milk, adds the tea and sugar, and arranges the little cups for their tea party.

  “Tea, darling?”

  When the song ends, Elise takes her seat and eats a cookie.

  “Yes, please. Mmmm. Delicious.”

  “Would you mind re-pouring, Elise dear?”

  “My pleasure.”

  Desiree refers to her notes, again.

  “How many lumps, Madame Desiree?”

  “Yesterday, I took twenty and fifteen lumps of sugar in my tea darling, but today...”

  Elise reads something in the air, “You’d like twenty and sixteen lumps?”

  “Do you have enough, darling Elise?”

  “No,” Elise freezes and stares into space. She closes her eyes and leans back on the loveseat and breathes. She’s quiet for several minutes.

  Desiree waits, her anxiety building.

  Elise’s breathing evenly now, as if she’s fallen asleep.

  Eamon quietly approaches.

  Desiree shakes her head. He stops. Failure has erased the hope from her face.

  Buddy senses Desiree’s distress and puts his head on her knee.

  She smiles down on him and pets him. She closes her notebook. Desiree stands and covers Elise with the lap robe. She walks away, tears in her eyes.

  Eamon comforts Desiree.

  Unnoticed, Buddy jumps up on the love seat and kisses Elise’s cheek.

  Elise bolts upright and says, “We don’t have enough. I’ll send to George Washington University for the Larsen brand. They’ll have our twenty and sixteen lumps of sugar.”

  “Two of your sweetest lumps will do until the Larsen brand arrives.”

  “You are most k
ind, Madame.”

  “Thank you, darling. ‘Patience is a virtue.’”

  Desiree texted her team, ‘Shanti Larsen is at GWU/DC. Locate now.’

  Desiree watches as Elise add two lumps to her cup.

  “Milk?” Little Elise says.

  “A splash.”

  They sip their tea and nibble on their cookies.

  “Simply lovely,” Elise says.

  “Yes. You are, my darling.”

  Tears steam freely down Desiree’s face.

  Elise gathers up her tiger and her doggie, finishes her tea, and closes her eyes.

  Desiree went up to her study and IM’d the President.

  ‘Our friend, Professor Shanti Larsen from George Washington University would like to come and visit her old Uncle Joseph, today.’

  ‘Done. CP.’ The President replied from Air Force One.

  Eamon carried Elise upstairs to the guest room.

  Desiree undressed her and put Elise in a flannel nightgown.

  Elise the child, opened her eyes, smiled, and closed them again.

  ‘She’s still dreaming,’ Dez thought.

  Exhausted, the undressing didn’t wake her. Elise slipped into a deeper sleep.

  The speaker allowed Brahms into the room, soothing the atmosphere.

  Buddy jumped on her bed and nested behind Elise’s knees. He looked at them as they watched over Elise.

  “If she were to break now, we’d never get her back.”

  Eamon nodded, as Dez tucked her in and petted Buddy.

  “We’ve asked too much of her.”

  Buddy was tired and closed his eyes. They left the room, keeping the door ajar. They shut off the light. At last he could relax.

  Buddy dozed for a while.

  Voices. Woke him up. He wagged his tail. They quietly opened the door.

  “Want to go potty?”

  He jumped down.

  Elise was dreaming of kangaroos, Pinocchio, the Little Gray Donkey and then, there was Daddy.

  Daddy was telling her it was going to be all right. Suddenly, she was hot.

  “Don’t worry, honey. Everything will work out. You’ll see,” Daddy said as he turned away.

  But he and Mommy were running away into the orange Desert, she didn’t want them to get lost. Shanti was pulling her toward the rocks.