by Alexie Aaron
He invited her into his mind, but she declined. “There’s no need.”
Mia felt Roumain’s continued tries of reading her. He even put his hand on her heart, not believing what he felt there. “Angelo, your little bird has been playing you for a fool. I feel Stephen Murphy’s handprint on her heart.”
With all her might, Mia pushed away from Roumain. She didn’t run to Angelo; she instead turned and faced both of them. “You messed with my mind,” she accused Roumain. “And you… did nothing wrong,” Mia said to Angelo. “Well, maybe you sniffed my hair, but hell, it does smell good. Now as for my heart, I had a hell of a day resulting in my best friend almost fading from existence. Doomed to wander forever. I couldn’t have that, so I gave him my energy… too much energy. I started to die. Murphy regulated my heart. That’s what you felt, Roumain. The result of friendship between two different entities. Don’t you accuse Stephen of things you want for yourself. I trusted you, and you led me here. Almost got me killed. For what? Your god damn game. What am I to you? A chess piece?”
“Mia, be careful what you say. You’re going to be standing before me one day,” Roumain said.
“Will I? I don’t think so. From what I’ve experienced from almost dying two, three times is that I didn’t see you when I looked into the light. So go and fuck yourself. I’m out of here,” Mia said, walking towards the door. Angelo handed her the suit bag on her way out the door.
“Why play this game?” Angelo asked Roumain. “What do you think you’re doing? She is evolving. Why fill her with anger?”
“She’s so powerful.”
“That she is. I take it you’re not going to mediate between her and Sticks,” Angelo said, walking over to the bar and pouring himself a stiff drink. He offered one to Roumain, but he declined.
“Nah, the girl’s got this. I did, however, clean up all that other garbage, including Two Face Tony,” he said lightly.
“That was a royal mess. I’m sure Mia regrets setting him up for a fall.
“No she doesn’t. Angelo, Mia’s not this little angel you think she is. That’s Sabine. Mia has a naughty side to her. Can’t blame her considering the hand she was dealt. I will take a drink. The girl’s scrambled my eggs.”
Angelo poured a measure of the expensive bourbon and handed it to the entity.
“Here’s to regrets,” Roumain said. “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”
“Let’s just keep that private.”
Roumain laughed. “Nothing’s ever private, my friend. Nothing.”
~
Mia walked along, enjoying the feeling of the soft grass between her toes. In her haste to depart, she didn’t grab the shoes that went along with the expensive gown that Angelo had generously purchased for her. Walking around N’awlins barefoot isn’t unusual, but Mia wouldn’t recommend it. Too many foul things on the sidewalks. Her feet were filthy by the time she reached the park.
“How does Angelo have any money?” she asked herself. “Does he carry a credit card in his…” She stopped talking to herself. She sensed Sticks’s presence. Mia looked upward into the canopy of trees and called, “Sticks!”
There was a mad rustling and crackling before the giant thin demon stood in front of her.
“Hello, you look different in the daylight,” Mia said, observing how supple the bark-like skin seemed.
“Hello,” Sticks said with practiced care. “You look beautiful.”
Mia’s heart melted.
“Where is your father?” Sticks asked.
“My father?”
“The ghost with the axe.”
“Oh, Murphy. He’s not here. He’s a friend, I guess,” Mia said lamely. “Sticks, we need to talk.”
“Are you going to send me to hell again?”
“That wasn’t me, and about that, I’m sorry for the snake swallowing you. I misunderstood what was going on.”
“You bonded with me.”
“I was just trying to get you to let me go. I’m sorry.”
Sticks’s face mutated into what Mia guessed could be a smile, but she wasn’t sure.
“I’d like to cancel our engagement… bonding, if it’s possible.”
“I’d like that too. I don’t have enough room up there for you,” he said childishly.
“Do you know how we do that?”
He nodded. “Come,” he said and picked Mia up and climbed the tree. This time, she went up the tree right side up. He stood on a sturdy branch, winding his long toes around it for stability. He pulled Mia upside down so his hand fit perfectly in the brand. “I, Sticks, reject your offer,” he said and dropped her.
Mia didn’t have time to scream. She was falling headfirst to the ground. Mia braced herself for the pain that would come before the end.
It didn’t happen. She fell into the arms of Angelo.
“Little bird, you must let me teach you how to fly,” he said, holding her shaking body close to his.
She wanted to say something witty, like nice catch, but nothing came out but a squeak.
Stick’s called down, “Is that your father?”
“No. Are we okay? I mean, I don’t have to marry you, do I?” Mia managed to ask.
“We’re good. Say hello to your father for me,” he said and left.
“What is this about your father?” Angelo said, putting her down on the ground.
“I haven’t a clue,” Mia said. “Angelo, thank God you were here. Thank you for saving me, again.”
“It’s my pleasure. You forgot your shoes,” he said and handed them to her.
“I know, but I didn’t want to go back in and spoil my exit,” Mia admitted.
“So you walked all the way here barefoot just to look cool.”
“Yes.”
He chuckled. “Roumain left. You put a flea in his ear.”
“I guess I did. I’m going to have to face him before I move on, aren’t I?”
“I don’t think so, but if you do, I’ll be beside you.”
“You? Mister perfect.”
“Me, perfect?”
“Honestly, you fight for good, forgive instantly, and… I’m pleased to call you my friend,” Mia said, her voice changing. “I’ve been a little wretch when it came to you. I’m sorry.”
“I deserved most of it. The bitchiness just made me keep my distance. That was the idea, wasn’t it?”
“Can’t fool you. Hey, you spent an eternity in my mind. I hope I’m not in trouble for anything…” Mia hedged.
“No, I wanted to relive our dancing at the OOBer ball from your perspective,” he admitted.
“Why?”
“I knew that night that I had made a mistake. You were flirting with me, and I didn’t take you seriously.”
“You told me you wanted big women,” Mia teased.
“I do like big women. They are so beautiful and soft. You were this scrawny little girl,” he said, shaking his head.
“You saved me from dying. You fixed me.”
“But I hurt you at the same time. I thought if I released you from those memories, I would be helping you to forget those that came before me. I’m sorry, Mia. Hurting you is my regret.”
“I wouldn’t have looked at Ted seriously if you hadn’t hurt me.”
“I know. That is another regret,” he said through clenched teeth.
“From my perspective that was a good thing. He loves me,” Mia defended.
“Mia, do you love him?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure? How can you be, considering all the men you had in such a short time?”
“Why are you being mean right now?”
Angelo stopped and took her hands in his. “I don’t mean to be cruel. But I’ve watched you with Ted, and I don’t see it. With Murphy yes, but with Ted, it’s not there.”
“What’s not there?”
“The Cooper curse.”
Mia was stunned. “That’s impossible. I love Ted with my whole heart.”
“Th
ere is no tension, no passion, no chemistry.”
“Angelo, sometimes people find someone that they can just be themselves with. No games, no pretenses. Ted accepts me, warts and all. He puts up with all of this. He appreciates the oddities about me, and he’s the one I truly feel safe with. When I told him about having demon genes, he said, ‘I imagine all of us do.’ Sure, he’s gossipy and corrects me until I feel totally stupid, but I love him. He gave me Brian.”
“Judge Roumain gave you Brian, Mia.”
“No, he may have set the stage, but Ted…” Mia’s face fell, and she looked down at her filthy feet. “I can’t put my dirty feet into those beautiful shoes,” she said, trying to distract herself from thinking about what Angelo was saying.
“Mia, look at me?” Angelo asked gently.
“I need to wash my feet,” Mia said, tears falling down her face. She sniffed. “Brian looks like Ted and me a little,” she reasoned.
“He’s Ted’s. Oh, my little bird, don’t misunderstand me. Brian is genetically Ted’s, but Roumain…”
“I thought it was different, rushed, more forceful. I thought I spurred that on. I couldn’t control myself. Oh my god, does Ted know?” she asked.
“I doubt it. We males are on automatic at times.”
“Not Ted. He takes the time to feel everything. Oh my god, oh my god. Angelo, what the hell? Don’t tell me anymore. Please take this from me,” Mia pleaded, putting his hand on her head. “Take me back, and let Sticks drop me on my head.”
Angelo knew that what he was going to say next was going to be another regret, and Mia would never forgive him for it, but he couldn’t stop himself. “My little bird, you don’t love Ted deep enough for the Cooper curse to have taken hold.”
“I don’t understand?” Mia pleaded. “Angelo, I love Ted. All his faults.” Realization flooded her. She said slowly, “I can see his faults.”
“The Cooper curse won’t let you see the faults. Think of your father and Amanda. Bev and her lost love. This isn’t you and Ted. I’m afraid, it’s you and Stephen,” Angelo said sadly.
“No! You’re wrong. I’m not some crazy bitch in love with a fucking spirit. Oh my Lord in Heaven, this can’t be so.”
Mia was three thoughts from imploding, and yet Angelo couldn’t stop himself.
“I saw how you threw your body on top of his to save him, Mia. I saw from your eyes. You don’t see the dusty farmer with bad grammar and not two cents to his name. You see this knight that fights for you and beside you.”
Mia shook herself. “No, I see a stubborn, conservative prig who tried to get it on with me, but my better sense prevailed. No, Murphy’s not the one. All of this has convinced me that maybe there isn’t a curse. That maybe it skipped me. That maybe I can love my spouse like everyone else loves theirs. I do love him. I hate what Roumain did to him, to us, but it doesn’t stop me from loving Ted. Murphy has always had my back, so it’s natural I have his. Leave me alone, Angelo. I’ll reimburse you for the clothes when I make it back home.”
“What about the aerie?”
“According to Roumain, I don’t need it.”
“Let me take you home.”
“No,” Mia said firmly and walked in the direction of the river to wash her feet.
Chapter Thirteen
Mia didn’t remember how she found her way there, but as she knocked on Yum-Yum’s door, she knew she had chosen the right witch to see.
“Mia!” Becky said, truly surprised. “I saw in my cards that I would be visited by a little bird, but I wasn’t expecting you.”
Mia sniffed. “Yum-Yum, I’m in a bit of trouble. Can you loan me some bus fare? I’ll wire it back to you as soon as I get home.”
“Come in first, and let me get a look at you in the light. You’ve been crying. Your heart’s broken. Ted, is he…”
Mia sniffed. “No, he’s fine. I’ve just heard things that I can’t believe are true.”
“About Ted?”
“No, yes, no. Oh, Yum-Yum, I’m not sure I have any energy left to explain.”
“Mia, there are no busses north worth taking until morning. You’re going to spend the night. I have a feeling evil has been working against you. Good too. What did you do to have both sides playing with your mind?”
“I showed up,” Mia cried.
The large woman drew Mia into her arms. She guided her to an overstuffed chair and sat her down. She didn’t have any tissues, so she gave Mia a roll of paper towels. “Now tell me about all this fuss. Your leg, is that a handprint?”
“How much time to you have?”
“I have until my shows are on tomorrow. So spill it, girl. You’re never going to have a chance like this again.”
Mia did.
Becky sat back and was awestruck by the adventures and torment Fredericka’s granddaughter had gone through. She stopped her a few times and asked her questions for clarification.
Mia felt better once she had finished. She looked over at the older woman and asked, “So, who should I believe? Roumain or Angelo?”
“If this Angelo fellow had said he was in your heart or soul, and not just your mind, then I’d say he had a pretty good read on the situation, but he wasn’t. I heard about this curse nonsense from Fredericka when we were girls. It’s a curse, not an indication of whether or not you love your husband enough, or even whether he is the one for you!”
Mia felt kind of stupid. She reran what Yum-Yum just said over in her head, and it made sense.
“So you got yourself engaged with a demon,” Becky said, lifting an eyebrow.
“I’m not that familiar with the customs down here, but Sticks and I sorted it out. He almost dropped me on my head, but Angelo caught me, and that’s when he told me all of this.”
“Seems to me, this birdman is sweet on you, Mia.”
“At this point, I don’t give a rat’s ass,” Mia said. “He didn’t need to tell me about… you know.”
“Some men are brutally honest.”
“I don’t know if he was being honest or playing some sort of sick game with me. Now Roumain, he can rot in purgatory. I hope that he is overrun with politicians.”
“Mia, you’re too young to be making curses like that. In the morning, you’ll feel better and have a whole new perspective.”
“Thank you. I know it’s an imposition, but I’d love it if I could stay here.”
“Fancy that, you’d turn down that penthouse apartment for my house. I can’t wait to brag to the girls.”
“Yum-Yum, how much of what I’ve told you is going to be heard by the girls?”
“The engagement part, and that’s about all I could tell them in good conscience.”
“Phew! Although, you can tell them more, but if I read it in Ghosts, Entities and Mediums, I’m going to be pissed.”
“I saw your picture in last month’s selfie section. You looked a bit irritated.”
“I was.”
“Mia, do you love this ghost?”
“Maybe, but I’m not in love with him,” she said firmly.
“How about Ted?”
“I love him with my whole heart.”
“What if he cheated on you?”
“I’d kill him!”
“That would qualify as passion. Angelo is only seeing what he wants to see. He’s trying to get you to voluntarily exchange family life for the aerie. The judge seems to have been more into you that night than inside Ted. He could have been inside both of you at the same time,” she mused. “I bet he was making love to himself. He’s narcissistic enough to do that.”
Mia laughed.
“Did you enjoy the conception of Brian?”
“Yes,” she admitted.
“Do you love the result?”
“Definitely. My son came a bit too early, but just in time to save me from myself.”
“Then don’t be too quick to curse the judge. But if you do want to curse him, I’ll refer you to Monique. She’s the best in the business.”
&nb
sp; ~
Ted put down the phone and sighed. Cid and Audrey watched him. He was using his fingers and talking to himself, but no words were coming out.
“Spill it!” Cid ordered.
“That was Sissy Seeley. She says that someone named Yum-Yum called and asked her to send a private jet to New Orleans for Mia, and Sissy Seeley thought that I’d better be on that jet tomorrow, and to get a haircut.”
“Uh oh, something must have gone wrong,” Audrey said.
“According to Sissy, who got this from Yum-Yum, Mia broke off her engagement with Sticks successfully, but then had a major fight with Angelo and Roumain. She ran away and ended up at Yum-Yum’s house asking for bus fare.”
Mia doesn’t have a phone or anything, let alone clothes, with her,” Audrey reminded Ted. “She was just trying to get home the quickest way she could, or she would have already called you. Go, Cid and I will watch Brian until you get back. I’ve got a lot of research to do. Now that Jake’s back in the computer, it will be easier.”
“I’ve never left Brian for more than a few hours, not to mention leaving the state.”
“Ted, Cid, Murphy and I are Brian’s godparents. Give us a chance to get to know the kid without you hovering.”
Jake flashed a line of men’s clothing on the monitor. He then Xed off any fan wear.
“I think it’s his way of telling me to pack real clothes,” Ted said, scratching his head.
“Do you have any?” Cid asked.
“My honeymoon clothes, but they are pretty lame,” he admitted.
“Honestly,” Audrey said, getting up. “Come on, let me look through yours and Cid’s closets. I hope, between the two, I’ll have you impressing the pants off of Mia. Not that she cares for clothes… Wait, what are we doing? Mia loves you the way you are.”
“No, if the old lady and Jake want me dressed up, then I better do it,” he decided. “Walmart’s open.”
“Argh, no. Hmmmm, you’re about Matt’s size. He’s not as tall, but… Hang on, I’ve got a few calls to make.”
~