Hooked on a Phoenix

by Ashlyn Chase

  “Oh, thank the Goddess!” Kristine cried.

  Gabe was able to right himself onto his birdlike feet and happily hopped around the wet deck. He spread his phoenix wings and turned enough to admire his colorful tail. I’ll never complain about the color of our feathers again.

  Everyone let out sighs of relief. Jayce retrieved the cage and opened the wire door. Gabe hopped right in. He was never so happy to fit into a bird cage in his life.

  Antonio faced skyward. “Thank you, Gaia!” he called out.

  “Yeah, yeah.” A female voice reverberated from everywhere and nowhere. “Now don’t bother me for at least a century. Okay?”

  “Yes, Goddess,” Antonio said like a man who had learned the words “yes, dear” were sometimes the only acceptable answer.

  Chapter 19

  Misty watched from the shore until the boats blended into the horizon. At last, Gabriella put an arm around her shoulder and said, “He’s gone.”

  Her eyes must have looked like saucers, because Gabriella backed up quickly and took her hands. “No, no. I don’t mean it like that. He’s not dead. He’ll be back…in a few weeks. I promise.”

  Misty nodded. “I know. I’m just going to miss him so badly.”

  Gabriella tugged her in the direction of the family car. “I know, honey. I know. I’ve been through this with Ryan and Jayce. One of the hardest things is to watch their loved ones suffer as if they’re never going to see them again. But you know you will! Kristine didn’t know what was happening, and poor Chloe! Well, I hate what that girl went through, thinking Ryan had died in her arms.” She shook her head sadly. “Now let’s go out to lunch or something.”

  “I can’t eat right now.” Misty was tempted to stay right where she was and wait for the boat to return. She had to see for herself that Gabe was alive. It seemed impossible that they’d incinerate him to ash and he’d somehow survive.

  “Okay. I guess you’ve lost your appetite. Then let’s go shopping. You still need clothes, and it would be nice for me to try things on without Antonio hemming and hawing and wishing he could be anywhere else.”

  Misty smiled weakly. “I guess that’s what they mean when they say, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping.’”

  Gabriella grinned. “That’s my girl.” As their feet crunched on the sand, she continued chatting, probably trying to distract her new daughter-in-law. “Now I could use a couple of pairs of pants, and you know what I think you can use?”

  “What?”

  “Maternity clothes!”

  “Oh! Yeah. I haven’t bought any yet.”

  “Well, let’s not wait until your pants don’t fit.” Gabriella chuckled and opened the old Buick’s car door for her. Then she flipped the lock on the driver’s side and climbed in. “Do you know if there is a mall around here?”

  “I know where there’s one in Saugus near my grandparents’—I mean, my uncle’s house. It’s right on Route 1. Probably half an hour from here.”

  “Okay, get me to Route 1,” Gabriella said in a chipper voice.

  Misty appreciated what her brand-new mother-in-law was trying to do. Hopefully, she was right, and some retail therapy would be just what she needed. She guided Gabriella to the mall with no trouble, except the usual maddening Route 1 traffic.

  When they arrived, Gabriella went straight to the information desk and asked, “Is there a maternity store in the mall? I’m sure there are maternity sections in some of the larger stores, but I think it would be fun to go to a boutique that specializes in all things maternity.”

  The young blonde behind the counter smiled and said, “Yes, there is a Destination Motherhood store. It’s on the second floor on the left as you get off the escalator.”

  Suddenly, this pregnancy took on a whole new meaning. Motherhood, Misty thought. She hadn’t quite pictured herself holding a child’s hand and being called Mommy. It felt strange but good. She just wished she could go through this “expectant” stage with Gabe.

  “I’m sure I’ll have plenty of advice, since I’ve been through it so many times,” Gabriella said as they rode the escalator. “But I’ll try to contain myself. Feel free to tell me to butt out if I’m overwhelming you. I know it can get confusing when there’s too much input. Your doctor will probably be the one you listen to, and I understand that, so don’t worry about hurting my feelings. Plus, everyone has their own parenting style.”

  Misty was nowhere near needing parenting advice. “All that can wait. The only style I’m interested in right now is clothing.” They entered the store, and she was immediately struck by how few choices there seemed to be for the moms and how many there were for the little mini-mes. The saleswoman came over and asked if she could help her find her size.

  Misty told her she was a six, and the saleswoman brought her over to a rack with only four sizes. Extra small, small, medium, and large. They seemed to have the psychology of the pregnant woman down pat. “Now, you look more like a four to me, but we’ll try the small first. What would you say your style is?” she asked.

  “Trying to look like I haven’t given up.”

  Gabriella laughed. “You always look wonderfully well put-together. I’d say your style is classic with a pop of bright color.”

  Misty realized she was right. “I never really thought of my style as having a name. I just know what I like and don’t like. I like things that don’t go out of style. Nothing too fussy like lace or ruffles. No crazy prints, but I like to look feminine, and I hate material that doesn’t breathe.”

  “Yup, that’s classic. Do you mind ironing?” the saleswoman asked.

  “Not if I really love the garment. Then it’s worth it.”

  Gabriella sighed. “I used to dress nicely, but then I had seven kids!” She laughed. “My clothes had to be practical. Thank God for spandex.”

  Misty had to choke back the urge to cry out, Deliver me from spandex!

  Thankfully, the saleswoman wasn’t listening or ignored Gabriella. She pulled a pair of beige linen pants from the small rack and handed them to Misty. They had that elastic panel over the tummy, and everything became real again. Then the saleswoman brought over two blouses, one a bright red, and the other a sapphire blue. After a second look, she realized they were a little boxier and longer than regular blouses, more like tunics.

  Misty took the blue one and said, “I like this.”

  The woman smiled. “You have good taste. That’s a silk-cotton blend. Very classic, it breathes, and it’s easy care. You can hand-wash it.”

  Gabriella raised her eyebrows but said nothing. Good, Misty thought. I guess she really can keep her opinions to herself.

  “I’d like to try these on.”

  The saleswoman seemed a little too delighted. Misty realized she hadn’t checked the price. She glanced at the tag and almost swallowed her tongue. “Oh. I didn’t realize these were so expensive. I’m afraid I can’t afford such good taste.”

  “Please don’t worry about it,” Gabriella said. “It’s my treat. We needed to get you a wedding gift, anyway. Call it your trousseau.”

  “I can’t let you do that.”

  “Don’t you know shopping is more fun if someone else is paying for it?”

  Misty smiled at that. “I’ll have to win a shopping spree. I’m used to going to department stores that cater to young women my age. They know we don’t spend a lot, but we like to look as if we did.” The blouse fabric felt silky smooth as it slipped between her fingers, but was it worth almost two hundred dollars?

  “That’s what I usually do too, but this is special. This is your first maternity outfit. And since you’re my first daughter-in-law to need one, I’d be thrilled to buy it for you.”

  Misty doubted she’d be thrilled when she saw the price, but she couldn’t argue with her in front of the saleswoman. “Okay, if you’ll just show me to the
fitting room.”

  All three of them traipsed into the back. The saleswoman stood next to Gabriella, and it looked as if she wasn’t going to leave. Misty stepped inside the changing room and put on the outfit.

  She hated it. It fit her shoulders perfectly, but she wasn’t used to seeing herself in anything that didn’t hug her body. She realized she had to buy looser-fitting items, but she didn’t want to look dowdy.

  Turning and looking in the mirror again definitely didn’t help. Ugh. I look awful. I’ll probably be wearing muumuus soon. She felt tears brimming in her eyes. By the time Gabe turned back, she’d be wearing clothing like this all the time. How would he look at her then? Would she see the same hunger in his eyes?

  “How does it fit?” the saleslady asked brightly.

  Misty barely got the word “Fine” past her lips without choking on it.

  “Is everything all right? Do you need any help?” the saleswoman asked.

  “No,” Misty said, a little too quickly. “I’m…fine.”

  She heard Gabriella asking the saleswoman to give them a minute.

  She didn’t know whether to be grateful or worried. She just wanted to get out of there. This wasn’t where she belonged. She was only twenty-three. She wasn’t ready to be a mommy. She wasn’t even ready to give up the idea of owning a stellar wardrobe. Spandex, here I come.

  Gabriella knocked. “Can I come in?”

  Misty unlocked the door.

  Gabriella stood back and took her in. “The clothes look beautiful on you, so that can’t be causing the tears in your eyes.”

  Misty’s posture deflated. She swallowed hard. “I…I don’t think I can put into words what I’m feeling. I just don’t want to be here right now. I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, honey. Don’t be sorry. You’ve had an awful lot to deal with lately. I kind of wondered when it was going to lead to some waterworks. I’m surprised you’ve held up so well until now.”

  “Can we go to a fabric store?” Misty asked.

  Gabriella looked surprised. “You like to sew?”

  “Um, I wouldn’t say I like it, but sometimes it’s necessary. Like when I want something special and can’t find it at a store. Special dance costumes, mostly. Not that I’ll be sewing sequins all over my maternity wear.”

  Gabriella gave her a weak smile. “Let’s get out of here. I have the feeling that what you want and need isn’t in any store.”

  * * *

  When Gabe arrived home in his bird cage, Misty rushed over to him. He hopped toward her and chirped. To his surprise, she threw her arms around the cage and hugged it.

  With his paranormal hearing, he overheard his father whisper to his mother, “And you worried about that boy finding true love… I think you can put your fears to rest.”

  Out of his right eye, he saw his mother’s soft smile as she rested her head on his father’s chest, and he finally understood why she wanted to see all of her sons happily married. That soft expression on her face warmed his heart. She really did love his father dearly and only wanted the same for her sons.

  “Can we let him out of the cage?” Misty asked.

  “Not just yet,” Antonio cautioned. “If we go downstairs to the rec room and close the door behind us, we could let him out to stretch his wings.”

  “Let’s do that.” Misty smiled and lifted the cage carefully. “Does he understand me?”

  Gabe chirped again. He wished he were a songbird and could make a pretty set of sounds instead of the loud squawk of his species. At least as a little bird, his sound was less harsh.

  “I think he just answered you,” Gabriella said. “Why don’t you all go downstairs, and I’ll prepare a snack to bring down in a few minutes.”

  “That sounds good,” Antonio said.

  Gabe hoped his mother wouldn’t forget to give him some food too. He’d had a very stressful day already. Getting out of the cage for a while would be welcome, and he was grateful Misty had suggested it. He was surprised at how much of his former life he remembered. He’d thought maybe the amnesia of human infancy would be part of starting over.

  As soon as they’d reached the basement level of the home and Misty had set his cage on the coffee table, she opened the cage door, and he hopped out happily. If he flew up onto her shoulder, he didn’t think he’d scare her… Only one way to find out.

  He flapped his little wings and flitted up to her face. She didn’t shrink from him or turn away. Landing on her shoulder, she remained still. At last, she let out a deep breath, and he realized she’d been holding it.

  “Kristine said she and Jayce had come up with a couple of ways to communicate. Do you still have the Ouija board?” Misty asked.

  “Oh boy. We did until Luca saw it. He had a fit, saying something about demons using it to control kids. Sounded like a bunch of urban myth nonsense to me, but we let him throw it out anyway.”

  “It’s not nonsense,” Luca said as he came out of the adjacent bedroom. “Some of my friends at Northeastern had an incident in their dorm—”

  The Fierro elder held up his hand. “Don’t repeat that story, Luca. Misty just wants to talk to Gabe. Not a bunch of poltergeists that may or may not exist.”

  “Fine.” Luca stood with his feet apart and folded his arms.

  It was the first time Gabe had seen his youngest brother resemble a man instead of the little kid he’d always been. He probably hadn’t noticed Luca growing up with all the other drama in his own life.

  “So, how else did Kristine recommend communicating?” Antonio asked.

  “She said they came up with a code. If Jayce turned his head to the right and looked at her with his left eye, it meant no. But if he turned it the other way and looked at her with his right eye, it meant yes.” Misty was gently patting Gabe’s feathers with her finger, and he didn’t want to move. The love she communicated came through with every stroke.

  “Okay. Let’s try that,” Luca said. “Hey, Gabe. Are the Red Sox going to win this year?”

  Antonio laughed. “I think that qualifies as an unfair question.”

  Luca shrugged. “Fine. You try.”

  Antonio looked at Gabe head-on. “Are you happy to be home?”

  “Ha. Another trick question,” Luca said. “He’d probably rather be at his own apartment in bed with his bride.”

  Misty’s face heated. Gabe was so close, he could feel it. Maybe she could ask a fair question if he gave her the space to make eye contact. So he left her shoulder and flitted down onto the coffee table.

  She sat down and faced him head-on. “Do you want to use that system to talk, Gabe?”

  He turned his head left, so he could look at her with his right eye.

  “That means yes. Correct?”

  He faced her square on and then turned in the same direction to confirm his answer.

  She grinned. “I think that will work. We just need to ask yes or no questions that he can answer without a bunch of explanations.”

  Antonio laughed. “That’s Gabe’s preferred way of communicating anyway.”

  The door upstairs opened, and his mother called out, “Stay downstairs, Gabe. Antonio, can you give me a hand, please?”

  “Luca, can you give your mother a hand please?”

  Luca rolled his eyes but walked up the stairs to take a tray from Gabriella. When he returned, Gabe was delighted to see a whole pile of shredded meat in one corner. As soon as Luca set it down, he perched on the raised edge of the tray and pecked at his treat.

  “He must be starving,” Misty said.

  Antonio laughed. “Gabe is always starving. Didn’t you notice his hollow leg?”

  Misty’s gaze dropped to her lap. He imagined she was remembering the times he couldn’t eat at all, because of their tumultuous relationship. Damn. He had put her through an emotional roller coaster. If only he
could communicate how much he loved her now.

  Wait. He could. He picked up a strip of beef in his beak and flew to her leg. Then he placed the food in her lap.

  “Awww,” she said.

  Antonio smiled. “There’s no mistaking that meaning.”

  “Give me a break,” Luca muttered as he returned to his bedroom. “I have to memorize the ten codes.”

  Misty gazed after him for a few seconds. “Is he still studying to be a cop?”

  Antonio snorted. “Unfortunately. I can’t imagine how I raised a cop after six firefighters. Oh well. There’s a black sheep in every family.”

  Gabriella was on her way down the stairs and had apparently overheard his comment. “Antonio Fierro. Don’t you dare call any of our sons a black sheep.”

  “Okay. If he’s going to be a cop, I’ll call him the blue sheep. Is that better?”

  Gabriella let out a deep breath of resignation.

  Gabe faced his father and turned his right eye toward him.

  Antonio laughed. “See? Gabe agrees with me.”

  * * *

  Over the next few weeks, Misty and Gabe perfected their communication to the point where it was almost not awkward at all. Almost. When he disagreed with something she said or wanted to do, he’d flap his wings and squawk. Repeatedly, if he really felt strongly about it.

  One day, the doorbell rang, and Misty was home alone with Gabe. When no one else was around, they shut him in his cage with the explanation that only another phoenix could go after him, if he “escaped.” Misty thought it was ridiculous but went along with it.

  She finally realized the wisdom of that policy when she opened the door and Adam was on the other side.

  “Adam! What are you doing here?”

  “Uh, are you able to talk? Outside?”

  Gabe squawked his head off and was beating the cage with his feathers so hard, she was afraid he’d hurt himself.

  “Uh, no. You can say whatever you have to say right here.”

  He peered around her at the bird in the large cage. It was situated between the living room and dining room so Gabe could see and participate—sort of—in most family discussions.