by Alexie Aaron
He ran into the nursery and thanked God that most of Brian’s things were still there.
He walked down the stairs, noting the lack of Mia’s things in the house. As he turned into the kitchen, it all came flooding back to him, Murphy slicing through the mountain of emails and chat and phone transcripts. The wood from the cupboards was neatly stacked in the mudroom. A coffee pot was warming a pot of stale coffee, and three chipped mugs were lined up on the counter. There was no kitchen table. It too had been chopped up and neatly stacked in the mudroom.
He kept getting mixed feelings about everything. He was still angry with Mia. No one else seemed to have trouble with her though. He looked around and didn’t see Maggie. She must have been terrified when Murphy went berserk in the kitchen. He went outside to look for her. He found her playing in the yard. She seemed fine. He walked to the office and moaned as he saw the broken window and remembered it was his head and shoulders that broke it.
He stood at the door and had his hand on the knob. He didn’t want to go in and face whatever was in there, but it was his home. He had worked hard to buy the farm and do the barn renovations. He walked into an empty office. He sat down, and the center monitor lit up. Marvin walked to the center and announced, “Dear Duck Dodgers, I have a raw video for you to watch. After, there is a personal message. Thank you and goodnight.”
Bev had sent the video, and Burt had worked quickly cleaning it up. He didn’t leave much on the virtual editing room floor. He kept the time running in the corner. Ted watched his beautiful wife confront Beth.
“Who’s lying?” Mia asked.
Ted watched the video, appreciating the farcical nature and hating the unvarnished truths.
Beth’s happy confession: “I’m going to ruin that kid. Make him hate his mother.”
Mia standing up for herself and actually apologizing: “Did Ted lead you on? I don’t know, but he told me he only had eyes for me. He promised me that you meant nothing to him, or I would have steered clear. We were friends. I wouldn’t poach on another friend’s property. I see we were both misled and used. I’m sorry.”
“Again, Beth. I’m sorry. I thought you were possessed by a flitch, but there is none there. Then I thought maybe Roumain left a thought and activated a Judas hex, but I couldn’t find one. Please complete your dissertation and move on with your life. You’re a smart and capable woman. Don’t let Ted destroy you as he has me.”
Beth called out: “He didn’t lead me on, Mia. He was just Ted, kind and gullible. I’m sorry it has gone this far. How you can be so decent to me is amazing. I was going to ruin your child.”
And finally Mia’s icy reply: “No you weren’t. I would have killed you first.”
The scene faded out and another emerged. Mia’s face was now centered in the shot. Ted saw an unfamiliar jet behind her. Mia took off her sunglasses and spoke:
“Horrible things happened. We were used and abused by Roumain. For that I take total responsibility. Angelo has told me that Roumain has been dealt with, and we’re not to fear any reprisals. It’s going to take you awhile to see what the truth is and what is a lie. In the meantime, we have a very important investigation to do. Let’s not bicker or take any ill feelings into that mall. Burt and I managed to be friends, and we had a lot of real shit to deal with.
Again, I am sorry that my life has brought you pain. But you didn’t have to open the door to Beth, did you? Alan will be calling you with a temporary custody agreement.
Be kind to yourself.”
Mia stared into the camera, her irises filled with gold flecks. The film faded away.
Cid walked down to grab a soda from the icebox. He found Ted sitting there staring at the center monitor. He had frozen the film at the end and was staring at Mia’s face.
“Burt’s called a meeting for two weeks come Thursday. We’ve got a mobile indoor Wi-Fi to build, and we’re down a computer.”
“What happened to it?”
“Burt blew it apart, and Murphy… He smashed it to bits. He calls it Whitney-ized, what a card.”
“That’s my personal computer.”
“Oops,” Cid said and walked out of the room.
Ted dialed Mia’s cell number. He didn’t expect her to pick up. She didn’t. He left a message, “I’ve got a lot to think about. How can I blame you for things outside of your control? You are the beautiful mother of my son, and I will always treasure you. I’m sorry, and this time, realize that they aren’t just words. Kiss Brian for me.” He put his phone down and pulled up the existing mobile Wi-Fi and started working.
Chapter Twenty-three
“You did what?” Mia asked.
“I had Alan call the photographer,” Bev said.
“And he did what?”
“Negotiated you a deal. You get twenty-five upfront and fifty percent of the profits.” Bev handed Mia the check.
Mia’s eyes got big. “When you said twenty-five, I hoped you meant twenty-five hundred, but I would have taken twenty-five dollars. This is a check for twenty-five thousand dollars.”
“You owe some for Alan’s time, and me fifteen percent, so you’ll clear twenty thousand and change. That should keep you off the streets.”
“Thank you, Bev.”
“You-know-who called and wondered if you would do a nude layout.”
“No! I’m a mom. How can you even think I would do such a thing?”
Bev held up the picture that was causing such a stir. “Seems to me you’re almost naked here. Who is that with you?”
“Orion. I suppose I owe him half.”
“Nonsense, what is he going to spend it on, nectar?”
Mia looked at her watch. “I hate to be a bore, but Ted’s coming to pick up Brian, and I don’t want to be here. Could you?”
“Yes, I will because I don’t want you to fall in love with the goof all over again. Play the field, have yourself some of that…”
“Watch it! Brian,” Mia warned.
“Brian, I was asking your mommy if she needed a rooster in her bed. Cockadoodle Doo!”
Brian clapped his hands together and laughed. Mia kissed her son and said, “Have fun with Daddy, Cid and Murphy. I’ll pick you up on Wednesday.”
Mia stared at Brian.
“Get, or you’re going to have to deal with ‘I’m not your Teddy Bear!’”
“Do you have to be so cruel?” she asked Bev.
“Yes. It’s part of my charm.”
Ted watched Mia leave the apartment building. He was early. She looked thinner, and he worried that she wasn’t eating well. But she walked with a light bounce to her step, so she must be alright. He got out of the car and headed inside. He prayed that it was Tauni Cerise he would be dealing with.
The door opened on the first knock, and Bev stared up at him. “I’m just putting on Brian’s socks. I think he needs a new pair. His feet are humungous.”
“We, I mean, I may have some at the house.” He looked around the cramped apartment and frowned.
“This is just temporary. Mia plans on building a small house closer to you, for Brian’s sake,” Bev said.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” Ted asked as he buckled Brian into his carrier.
“I think you got a raw deal. Us sinners need to stick together. But I’m not going to let you fu… fancy up Mia’s life with your insecurity. You either rise to the top or forget my niece ever looking your way again.” Bev smiled. “Gee, now I feel better. Have a nice week,” she said, holding the door open for him.
He carried Brian to the car. The super’s wife looked at him from the open door. Bev joined her. To Ted, it looked like two fashionable buzzards lusting over his liver.
He got in and looked in the mirror at his son. He had gotten larger since he had last seen him. “Brian, we are going to have a great week. Maggie has been dancing around since I told her you were coming home.”
Brian started babbling. Ted smiled and turned off the radio so he could listen to his son. Ted drove in t
he direction Mia had been walking. He thought he saw her down by the marina as he got on the highway, but he wasn’t sure. He had a long drive ahead of him and precious cargo to carry.
~
“Strike! Come on, Mia. You can do this!” Ed encouraged. He stepped back as Mia’s attack took him by surprise. She twisted, and the iron sword she swung just missed him.
“How long has she been at this?” Sabine asked, pouring a large glass of lemonade for herself.
Judy looked at her watch. “Today, three hours. Five hours yesterday, and I had to carry her to bed the day before.”
“This is hardly the vacation I thought she was taking,” Sabine said.
“Mia hired Ed to teach her to fight. She paid him upfront and told him she wanted to start right away. Ed takes his training seriously. He had Mia up at the crack of dawn running the dunes. They have been working on pounding out their own swords. Mia is driven by fear and her need to keep her son safe.”
“I doubt she can carry a sword down the streets of Chicago,” Sabine said.
“Oh no, this is to protect her from entities, large ones.”
“She’s still not talking about killing her a birdman? Angelo has bent over backwards trying to make amends.”
“Oh, I don’t think she has a foe in mind. She just wants to know, if she has to fight, she can.”
“I think that’s a smart thing.”
Ed walked over and nodded a shy greeting to Sabine. “Judy, do you think you could do something about a better teat holder for Mia. They’re bouncing all over. I find it distracting.”
“Oh, Ed, teat really? I don’t know. What do you think, Sabine?”
“I think that if her foe is male, then it would give her an advantage.”
“Yes, advantage teat,” Judy said, clapping her hands together.
~
“Mia! I’m going to have to spank you. We are two weeks from my wedding day, and you’re all tan and muscly.”
“Ralph, no one is going to look at me. It’s your and Bernard’s day. The dress still fits at least,” Mia said, striking a pose.
“Oh, you little slut,” Ralph said. “No more Myrna Loy. You’re more of a California Starlet now.”
“Bullshit.”
“You’re a mother; watch your language.”
Bernard walked in the room and looked Mia over. She had spent a week on an island and looked wonderful. Her hair was all sunlight and fresh air. Her skin was a caramel color, and her eyes sparkled. “She’ll do,” he said, winking at Ralph.
“Now can I take this off?”
“Yes, but I want you to try on the little present I have for you.”
“I do hope you bought me clothes. Ted burned all of mine,” Mia said as she left the room.
Ralph looked at Bernard. “She’s not kidding.”
“How is her mood?” Bernard asked in a whisper.
“She’s a little salty, but she did spend a week with that giant Judy hangs with. He taught her to defend herself. I’m seeing a little of our confident girl back.”
“Good, I didn’t like the one that cried all the time. I was thinking of trading her in for a goat.”
Ralph slapped his thigh. “Oh, the things you say.”
Mia walked into the living room.
Bernard gasped. “Ralph, you’ve outdone yourself.”
“I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to tighten the waist?” Mia said, yanking on the web belt.
“Tighten it a little so your pants don’t fall off,” Ralph said.
Mia stood still while her godfather inspected her. She was wearing the custom dark brown, pocketed trousers Ralph had designed. She wore black, laced boots with a little heel to them. She had a black tee that clung to her busty frame. Over it, she had on a military green, open shirt.
“Now if it gets cold, you can put on that brown military jacket, but you shouldn’t need that until autumn. What do you think, Mia?”
Mia looked in the mirror and smiled. “I love it!” she said and hugged Ralph hard.
“Good thing because you have seven sets. It’s for work, darling. Bernard and I will take you out for some everyday clothes at another time.”
“I can pay you for these. I received quite a healthy settlement from Ted.”
“It’s for burning her clothes,” Ralph said. “Bev is relentless. Of course, Bev is also taking fifteen percent.”
Bernard kept noticing Mia grabbing for something at her throat that wasn’t there. He remembered a necklace with an axe and a leaf hanging from it. He touched his throat, and Mia saw that and said sadly, “It was melted. My fault for leaving it behind.” Her eyes filled up. “Burt gave me the axe to remind me of Murphy. It was the first gift I ever received from a boy… The leaf was, well, let’s not go there. I lost Grandma Fred’s pearls too.”
“They were mismatched, and I’m sorry, Mia. Life happens. For you, life really happens. There will be other boys, I mean men,” Ralph corrected.
“I don’t want anyone else,” Mia said. “I’m done with the whole yadda yadda… What is that on your balcony?”
“One of your flying friends left it,” Ralph said.
Mia walked outside and picked up the large, brown leather satchel. It wasn’t that heavy, but it seemed strangely solid just the same. She brought it into the apartment. She undid the leather ties and opened the bag. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Mia drew out a shield and a leather scabbard. She flipped the strap and slid out the sword. She timidly moved it around. The weight and balance was perfect. She put the sword back in the double scabbard.
“Oh, Mia, I’ve seen one of these. Come here,” Ralph said. “You put it on like this so that the sword hangs here. If you had a long knife, it would go like this, and you put this…” he picked up the shield and positioned it, “on here so you can move freely.”
The scabbard pulled Mia’s shirt backwards a bit, making her bust more prominent than she was comfortable with.
“What a nice gift. Who’s it from?” Bernard asked.
“I don’t know,” Mia said. “Do you see a card?” she asked, looking through the satchel. She dumped it upside down and a small scroll fell out. Mia picked it up. “This is cute.” She carefully unrolled it.
Hold your shield higher, most of your enemies will come from above. S
Ralph and Bernard watched Mia’s face go through a series of emotions.
“Who’s it from?” Bernard asked again.
“His name is Sariel, and he loaned me his sword once. I guess this is so I don’t have to borrow one from him.”
“That’s very expensive, Mia,” Bernard started.
“And you’re worried if there are strings attached,” Mia finished.
“Yes.”
“When I met this gentleman, I was with Ted at the time, so I don’t think it would be that kind of favor I’d be repaying.”
“Too bad,” Ralph said.
Mia blushed. “I’m shocked. Good thing Brian’s not here.”
“Honey, have you checked in with Ted?”
“He set it up so I can talk to Brian via the computer. They sound like they’re having a good time together. I miss Brian, but I understand the need for Ted to have time with him too.”
“That’s very kind of you, Mia. Ralph and I are proud of you.”
“I’m still angry,” Mia confessed. “I want to move on, but I’m so angry.”
“Mia, do you still love Ted?” Bernard asked.
“Yes.”
“Then why aren’t you with him?”
“I put him in danger. I can’t guarantee that I won’t put him in danger again. He isn’t like me. He’s scientific. I feel stupid around him.”
“But you’re not stupid, a bit spontaneous, but not stupid,” Bernard said. “I like Ted. I still think you’re a good match.”
“Then why did he start talking with Beth in the first place?” Ralph’s sharp intake of breath echoed Mia’s anger. “Bernard, there is one person on earth that hates me. I mean, r
eally hates me, and it’s Beth. Hell, even Burt apologized for talking to her when he was being control by the flitch.”
“Wasn’t Ted under the control of that Roumain entity like you were?” Bernard asked.
“Not when he first started his chats, emails and the texts.” Mia put away her weapon and shield. “I don’t have the ego to be able to withstand my husband having a relationship with someone who hates me. Man, that was so low.”
“Now, Mia, you had your own little talk with Mike,” Ralph brought up.
“One hour of talking with Mike equals Ted’s months of communication? I don’t think so.”
“All I’m saying is, you have to try to let that go in order to have a good relationship with the father of your son,” Bernard counseled.
“I’m trying, Bernard. I’m trying. I know he’s coming to the wedding, and I won’t make a scene. We’ll iron out the wrinkles this week at work. I promise.”
“It’s not that we don’t want you to be happy, Mia. It’s just, we’ve been through a couple of doozies ourselves and came out on the better side of things,” Ralph admitted.
“I want the love you have for each other. And not with anyone with feathers, thank you very much.”
This made Bernard and Ralph laugh.
“Now, I’ve got to get this stuff home and prepare for picking up Brian tomorrow.”
“How about if we send the clothes so you don’t have to hire two cabs? You just take the weapons with you.”
“Sounds like a deal.”
Mia stood in the dress Angelo had bought for her, wearing the shoes he had given her, holding on to a shield and a sword she could fight him with. “Oh the irony,” she said to herself as she crossed the square, heading for the bus stop.
“Are you sure it’s irony?” a voice asked her.
She turned around, and standing before her was a normal-sized man with the face of Sariel. “How did you… oh, wow. Thank you for this,” Mia said, holding up the satchel. “It is so much lighter than the iron sword I have.”