by Alexie Aaron
“Not to mention we get to go to the head of the lines at Comic Con,” Ted said.
They were outside the chapel in the Resurrection Cemetery waiting for Father Alessandro to arrive. Father Santos was conversing with Audrey inside. The rest of the PEEPs team, splendid in summer suits, were covertly snapping photos, trying to capture images of the curious ghosts that hung around this prestigious burial ground. Mia noticed a lot of mobsters and molls but not too many of the celebrated upper crust. One of the robber barons tried to get her attention, but Mia pretended not to see him. She had a full schedule, and his troubles would just have to wait.
The Basso Gallery had advertised the discovery of Giuseppe’s clock which they paid a hefty sum for from the Catholic Charity. It started a bidding war on the staircase. The buyer, a count from the lake country of Italy, was renovating his family home to spotlight the carved wonder. The receipts from the sale of Giuseppe’s work would cover not only the renovation of the parish house but put in a decent lawn with playground equipment for the young children who would be spending time there.
Audrey was ecstatic. She had spent the first week of Mia’s convalescence taking care of the sensitive whilst wheeling and dealing with auctioneers and the Bassos. Mia got a bird’s eye view of how Audrey worked. PEEPs should make her their manager. She suggested to Ted, next time he had a patent to sell, he should employ Audrey.
The girls had enjoyed their time together. They braved Doctor Walters, and Mia let him see the arrowhead that did so much damage. They both got his standard lecture about seeking out hobbies and men that didn’t put them in harm’s way. Mia watched her doctor as he talked with her friend and thought that he was sweet on Audrey. When she mentioned this on the way home, Audrey blushed, but insisted she was not interested.
“He’s a doctor,” Mia pointed out. “Your mother would have such bragging rights.”
“My mother wouldn’t have to put up with the calls in the middle of the night and anniversaries missed, being a doctor’s wife.”
“Good point.”
Audrey and Mia had bonded. They spent a few evenings in the company of Ralph who insisted on bringing Mia this and that to make her more comfortable. One night he brought forty pounds of bride’s magazines and his own scrapbook.
“Mia, it’s time,” he announced. “Don’t look at me that way. You’ve got to pick a date, venue and… Who’s your maid of honor?”
“I was hoping it would be you,” Mia said.
Surprised, Ralph put one hand on his chest and fanned himself with the other. “Me, I’m an old man. You need a beauty like, well, Audrey here,” he suggested.
“Audrey has agreed to be my bridesmaid, and I’ve already asked Gwen Kowalski to be my flower girl. Ted’s sister Rae and his two nieces will also be in the wedding party.”
“You’ve been thinking about this…”
“Actually, Audrey got me drunk one night and brought the subject up.”
Audrey who had just brought in a tea tray laden with highly caloric nibbles said, “It was time. Ted was getting anxious.”
“Why me, Mia?” Ralph asked. “A homosexual male in his forties isn’t standard maid of honor material.”
Mia, whose eyebrow raised at the underestimation of her godfather’s age, took his hand. “Audrey said the traditional person to act as maid or matron of honor is your best friend, the person that means the most to you, the person that has seen you through the bumps in life and celebrated the happy times too. I couldn’t think of anyone that means more to me than you and Bernard.”
Ralph burst into happy tears but accepted the honor. Mia waited until he had calmed down before bringing up the location.
“I want Murphy to be there. He won’t step foot in a church. I would like it to be outside, perhaps at Ted’s farm…”
“October with the leaves turning…” Ralph clapped his hands together. “We can dispense with the traditional gauzy dresses and…”
After that, Mia sat back and watched as he and Audrey rifled through pages of magazines, stopping every now and then as they found ideas.
Mia sighed contentedly. Ted placed a hand on her shoulder and pointed to the cab pulling up. “I think that may be… yes it is, Father Alessandro. Excuse me a moment, don’t run off,” he said.
She was tired of that joke after two weeks but laughed anyway. She watched Ted walk to greet the priest. He leaned over, and the two of them had happy words. The priest looked over at Mia and nodded. She waved shyly at him. He walked up the steps and stopped before her.
“Mia Cooper, I heard you have quite a fascinating story to tell me. Ted’s invited me to dinner this evening at Ruth Chris Steak House, and I’ve accepted. It’s going to cost you two a mortgage payment,” he warned.
“Don’t worry, Father, we’ve got it covered. I’d also like to ask you a favor.”
“I’ve got a few minutes now. I’ll read you. Close your eyes and open up your mind to me, Mia. She’s gone. The gray lady is gone. All doors are open and aired.”
“I thought so, but I wanted to be sure,” Mia said relieved. “There’s quite a lot to tell you. We’ll talk all about it this evening.”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it. Now I have two souls to bury and a third to cross over, I believe.”
~
Mia was enjoying the cool breeze that had wound through the monuments. Ted had parked her there at her request. She didn’t need to be at the graveside. She had witnessed Giuseppe and Esta being welcomed by Pietro before the light vanished. The burial was more for the heirs of the Basso legacy. This proud family could hold their heads high and take genuine pride in Giuseppe’s talent now that there was no cloud hanging over his name. What Pietro had done was forgiven and would not be mentioned again.
“Excuse me,” a familiar male voice asked behind Mia.
Mia twisted in her chair to see a tall man and a young woman standing there. It took her a moment to identify the couple. “Please come where I can see you better?” She invited them to sit on the stone bench in front of her.
He-who-walks-through-time escorted Judy to the bench and waited until she was settled before sitting himself.
He had on a dark suit and complementary blue shirt and tie. His braid was gone and there was stubble of returning hair upon his head. He smiled at Mia. His handsome face, unmarked by tattoos, looked even more comely with the perfect white teeth of his smile.
“Your teeth, they’re…”
“Veneers. Judy convinced me that this is what fashionable men wear in this time.”
“I said, ‘Ed, if you’re going to fit in here amongst the mortals, you have to look the part.’”
“So you’re going to stay?” Mia asked.
“There is nothing for me back there. My questions have been answered, and Judy suggested I give this time a chance, so much possibility.”
“Where are you living?”
“Actually, that’s why we’re here,” Judy began. “When I was on sabbatical, in your head, I ran across memories of Komal and a hidden island…”
“In the middle of Lake Michigan,” Mia finished. “I think it would be an excellent place for an emerging deity and a gray lady to call home. I’ll have to ask the present caretaker, but I sense that he would enjoy having company. Can I ask you, Judy, how does the maiden you inhabit feel about the arrangement?”
Judy sighed. “I did try to draw her out, but the events of her past are too great for her to function on her own. My sisters, who were a bit put out by my defection earlier, agreed that I should live out her lifetime in charge of her active psyche. Ed needs a mate, and I need the adventure of living again.”
“You make it sound so clinical,” Mia said frowning.
“Oh, dear, don’t let my lack of emotional response cause you to think I’m not in love with the thought of existing on earth with Ed. I was never allowed the luxury of emotion. My existence was to heal. Speaking of,” Judy said and got up and put her hand on Mia’s thigh. “Let me do t
his for you as a thank you for having me as a guest.”
Mia nodded and felt the warmth from Judy’s hand move through her clothing and then through her thigh.
“In a day or so, the scar will start to fade. You should really use a little moisturizer. Your skin’s a bit dry. I’m thinking about starting my own line…”
Mia giggled. “You’ll be an instant success. My aunt will be your best customer.” Let me talk to Komal and get back to you. I’m not exactly sure how or where?”
Judy tapped Mia’s temple. “Just think of me, and I’ll know. We’ll always have a connection you and me.”
“Can I ask you one last question?”
“Why did I leave the temple of healing?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve been there since my talents were discovered. I had to leave my earthly body behind and exist there. It was a noble and high calling but unfortunately not one that sat well for me after the first hundred years. We all are given a choice, and I made mine. I left with you to see what living on this plane of existence would be like. I experienced your pain and your joy. I saw the world as it is, not as I fantasized it to be. I decided to embrace it and join the human race. Ed here was a bonus.”
“Ed, a pretty short name for someone as mighty as you,” Mia commented. “How do you feel?”
“Like a child. True, I have learned so much through time, but I was just an observer. Now I want to participate and make this world a better place. Right now it’s headed into challenging times. I want to be prepared to do my part when I’m called upon.”
Mia was impressed. “I do have a question that maybe one or both of you can answer for me. The Birdman of Cahokia, who was he?”
“He was a traveler from the order I belonged to, the one Angelo Michaels reports to. I don’t think he knew of his impact on those ancient people. He was just simply enjoying the hospitality of the city,” Judy explained. “I know you want to know more, but it’s not my place to tell you.”
Mia nodded. The couple got up, and Mia wished them a good day and promised to get a hold of Komal soon. She watched as the two wandered through the gravestones. Snippets of their conversation came back to Mia in the wind.
“They bury their dead in boxes? How barbaric!” He-who-walks-through-time exclaimed.
“Don’t be so upset, dear. After all, they’re just old bones.”
***
Alexie Aaron
After traveling the world, Alexie Aaron, a Midwestern native, returned to her roots where she’s been haunting for years. She now lives in a village outside of Chicago with her husband and family.
Her popular Haunted Series was born from her memories of fleeting shapes rushing around doorways, an heirloom chair that rocked itself, cold feelings of mysterious dread, and warm feelings from the traces of loved ones long gone.
Alexie also writes the Cin Fin-Lathen Mysteries. These cozies set in England and south Florida combine action and intrigue with a liberal dose of humor.