by K Larsen
He nodded. “Six years in the making.”
“Almost there now, keep your chin up,” she encouraged.
Gabriel cupped her chin and looked tenderly into her eyes. She wondered if when he finally worked out all the kinks of the drug he was working on, he’d have normal hours or if a new project would magically appear to soak up his time. She brushed the thought away as he kissed her and nodded. He set the mug on the counter and headed to the lab. She gripped her mug, still warm from the steaming liquid inside. She picked up his mug and stared inside. He’d drained it to the dregs.
~***~
Dr. B sat in the kitchen, his hands wrapped around a cup of steaming tea. His warm eyes crinkled at the edges when he smiled at her.
“Afternoon dear,” he greeted.
“Hi.”
“Tea?”
“That would be nice, thanks.” She watched him shuffle around the kitchen to fix her some tea and she laughed. He grumbled the entire time about nothing and everything. He always appeared grumpy—unless you knew him.
“Something amusing?” he asked.
“You,” she said and batted her eyelashes at him in mock innocence.
“I’ve been called many things dear, but never amusing,” he grumbled good-naturedly. He walked past a bare spot on the wall where a picture had hung.
She couldn’t help her curiosity and asked, “Dr. B?” as he set her teacup in front of her. “Why is it that there are pictures missing on the walls?” She noticed he startled slightly before he studied Celeste’s face.
“Some things are better left as memories and some memories are too painful to view. I don’t need the pictures. My memories are all up here,” he said and tapped his head.
“I’m sorry,” she offered. She didn’t want to pry but longed to know Dr. B’s story.
“Don’t be. You had no way of knowing. I lost a great deal in my lifetime Celeste, but I’ve also gained a great deal. You and Matteo for instance.” He gave her a warm, easy smile.
Celeste blushed at his affection. She often wondered about Dr. B’s life. He was a private man, who had amassed quite a bit of wealth in his years, but had no family to speak of. She knew he’d been married at one point but didn’t know anything else. Had his wife passed on? Left him? She burned to know the answers but knew it wasn’t her place to pry. Over the years he had shared tidbits here and there as he saw fit and that would have to be enough for her.
“We’ve gained you, not the other way around,” she said. Max curled up at her feet. She wiggled her foot gently under him.
“Aww, child, you never know who is really benefitting now do you?” He quirked a bushy eyebrow at her and smirked.
“You’re much too kind for your own good,” she teased.
“Maybe so, but I’m old and a good judge of character.” Celeste laughed; that certainly couldn’t be denied. “How’s everything at home?” he asked.
“We’re good.” Dr. B and Matteo had been a great source of comfort to Celeste in the last two years. She was able to talk with them about wanting children and Gabriel’s moods and get not only good advice for her well-being, but insight into how the male mind worked. “Gabriel spends most of his time at the lab working on God knows what drug. Six years and he’s finally making progress, from what he says.”
“Interesting. You must be proud of his work,” Dr. B commented.
“I support him of course, but honestly I know very little about what he works on. It’s all very hush-hush. New compounds, new side effects, old drugs tweaked to perform differently or to enhance their ability. I sort of zone out when he tries to explain what he can to me,” she said and laughed.
“My wife did the same. She was smart as a whip but really had no understanding when I started jabbering on about work. The look on her face . . .” he started, his voice fading as he shook his head at the memory, a quiet smirk on his face.
Celeste conjured up the last time Gabriel had droned on about the intricate chemical compounds that made up his work. She let her face relax. “Like this?” she said. Dr. B laughed heartily at her expression.
“Yes dear, you look just like her.” He reached across the table and patted her hand.
Celeste warmed at Dr. B’s gaze. Sometimes she noticed him watching her with a fondness in his eyes. She wasn’t sure why but she was happy that she gave him something to smile about. She relished their time together and was happy that he seemed to share the sentiment. She loved her parents dearly but their relationship was more formal. What she had at work with Dr. B and Matteo was what she imagined most families to have. And she loved it.
“Cece, fiore mio,” Matteo greeted her, and kissing Celeste’s cheek. He looked sharp in a navy-blue suit, white shirt, and solid blue tie. He definitely wasn’t working the stables today.
“Teo! I wasn’t expecting you today,” Dr. B said. He gave Matteo a wolfish grin.
“Celeste is here . . . of course I’d be here,” Matteo answered.
Celeste threw a crumpled napkin at him. “As if,” she covered a laugh with a cough.
“Celeste is here every day,” Dr. B pointed out.
“I really enjoy your tea?” Matteo tried again.
“You are hopeless.” Matteo glanced up at the ceiling as if it would give him a hint to his next comeback.
“Dare I admit that I enjoy your company old man?” he said, narrowing his eyes playfully at Dr. B.
“Oh, hogwash,” Dr. B deadpanned as his eyes flashed with amusement.
Matteo sat then, joining them at the table where the three of them laughed and chatted about nothing in particular for hours.
~***~
The rain cast a dreary feel over everything as it sped by her windows. She only needed to drop off something for Dr. B at the embassy before heading home for the day. The weather made her sleepy and quiet. She found a parking spot with ease, close enough that she wouldn’t get soaked jogging from her car to the entrance, and snatched the envelope from the passenger seat after putting the car in park.
She made her way through the now familiar halls until she reached Dan’s office. She didn’t bother knocking anymore as Dr. B generally called to let Dan know she was on her way. She pushed through the door, bypassed the empty reception desk and walked into his office.
Dan sat reclined in his chair, feet propped up on his desk, a book in his hands. “Working hard I see,” Celeste said with snark. Dan set the book down and smiled at her. Over the years they had developed an easy rapport with each other.
“Nice to see you too Celeste.” Dan gave her a smug smile. He dropped his feet to the floor and stood to greet her. She glanced at the clock on the wall and saw that it was just a little after five in the evening. Celeste wrapped her hand around his and shook his offered palm.
“I didn’t expect the good doctor to turn this around so fast,” he said, pointing to the envelope in her left hand.
“Are you disappointed to see me?” She laughed.
“Never, Celeste,” he laughed heartily.
“How’re the wife and kids doing?” she asked sincerely. She propped her hip against the wall and watched Dan run his fingers through his hair.
“Grace hates it here. She’s about ready to graduate and says she’s moving back to the States.” Dan chuckled and shook his head.
“You’d think after the last four years she’d have grown fond of Paris in some way.” suggested Celeste.
“Not a chance. That girl was pissed when I was transferred here and she’s pissed we’ve stayed so long. Sheila is beside herself,” he huffed and rolled his eyes.
Celeste gave him a heartfelt grin. “I imagine a mother would want to keep her baby near no matter how old.”
“Absolutely. They’re both stubborn and buttheads non-stop. I’m about to lose my damn mind trying to keep the peace,” Dan chuckled.
“I’m sure you’re exaggerating. Sheila and Grace are both lovely.” She gave him a rueful smirk.
He raised an eyebrow at her th
at said ‘if you only knew’ and added, “Thank God I have Jim. Without that kid, I’d be outnumbered and out-witted.”
Celeste smiled and thought of what Dan’s household must be like. A teenage daughter, a middle school-aged son and a feisty wife who lit up any room she entered. It made her heart warm to think that Dan was in good hands, that he had something meaningful to go home to at night. He was a good man.
“You’re tough, you’ll make it,” she joked. Celeste handed the manila envelope to him and said, “It’s after five Dan, go home to your family.” Dan nodded and took the envelope from her.
“It’s after five Celeste, go home to your husband,” he threw back at her with a wide grin. Celeste only chuckled before turning and heading back out to her car.
The rain soaked her thoroughly as she rummaged through her pocket trying to pull her keys out. She shivered as she finally plunked into her seat and yanked the door shut. When she pulled into her drive she turned the car off and stared at the dark house. Sitting in the shadow of her car she imagined what Gabriel would be doing if he were home. He would most likely be reading, legs crossed, note pad on his leg, documents resting on the arm of that tattered but comfortable armchair they used to play-fight over. She smiled briefly at the thought and then frowned. He wasn’t home and he likely wouldn’t be before she retired for the night. With a heavy sigh, she opened her door and readied herself for the rain-laden sprint to the front door, feeling his absence more vividly than his presence.
Chapter 25
Annabelle
“I was taught to love, But I learned to hate. Bisect me. I will regenerate”
~ Earthworm, Grief
Mark waited for Annabelle at his truck looking delectable. For the first time in her life, she was completely breathless in the presence of a guy, and she didn’t want the feeling to end.
“Sorry I’m late!” she called as she quickly made her way across the parking lot. He reached out and snagged her bag from her shoulder, setting it in the truck for her.
“No worries,” he said reaching for her hand. Annabelle gave it to him. “Hi,” he said in a hoarse voice. He tugged her to him and hugged her. A feeling of euphoria rushed through her. She burst out laughing. It was so ridiculous to be so affected by such a simple gesture, yet she was. It was a warm, sincere, affectionate hug. “Is this amusing?” Mark asked releasing her.
“Not at all,” she giggled, willing herself to stop. “Sometimes, I laugh at inappropriate situations.”
“That was inappropriate?” Mark scratched his neck, a bewildered expression on his face.
“Not at all, that’s why it was inappropriate to laugh.” Mark shook his head at her still not understanding. “You hugged me. I liked it. It was nice. I’ll stop laughing now if you do it again.”
He gave her a wry look before tugging her to his chest and squeezing her. This time, she squeezed back and found the sound of his heart beat calming and reassuring. Mark helped her into his behemoth of a truck and bowed to her before closing her door and climbing into the driver’s seat.
“Will we get to chat tonight?” he asked.
“I’ll have a little time,” she smiled.
Mark had embedded himself into her life over the last week. He made it a point to message her daily and she found by the end of the day the anticipation of reading his thoughts and having a few minutes to message back and forth with him left her breathless and excited.
“Only seventy-seven days you know.”
“Until what?” Annabelle’s forehead wrinkled in confusion.
“Until I can take you on a date, inmate.” Annabelle smiled and swatted his thigh. He caught her hand, pinning it to his leg and said, “I’m really happy we met.”
Annabelle let her hand relax as she blushed. He removed his hand from hers but she left her hand where it was. Mark looked down quickly before focusing on the road ahead and grinned. And Annabelle wished the trip home were longer.
~***~
With one hand and one eye on the steering wheel, Annabelle’s mother started digging through her bottomless purse. The Coach bag was busting at the seams full of ‘essential’ items, as her mother liked to call them. Annabelle cringed to think of how much she would pack on an actual trip somewhere. Her mother had the car swerving all over the road when she finally pulled her hand out of the bag, looking victorious and producing a perfume bottle. Annabelle scrunched her nose. Her mother popped the cap off and spritzed herself and then took aim at Annabelle.
“Mom! No,” she protested, leaning right until she was pressed firmly into her door. Her mother smirked and spritzed anyway. Annabelle groaned and tried to waft the air around her away. She wasn’t a big perfume fan. Pulling out a tube of lipstick next, her mother smoothed a generous amount on her lips, using the rearview mirror as her guide. At least there wasn’t any traffic on the road right now, Annabelle thought. Still, she tightened the strap of her seat belt more. Her mother smacked and rubbed her now coral-colored lips together, then reached over to Annabelle. “Here.”
“I’m okay, coral isn’t really my color,” she stated dryly, and pushed her mother’s extended hand away.
“Oh, come on,” her mother said with a pout.
“Fine,” Annabelle groaned and carefully dabbed on the tiniest bit using the mirror in her visor to guide her. She pressed her lips together and dropped the lipstick back into her mother’s bag.
“So what’s this surprise?” she asked.
Her mother grinned at her and shook her head. “Not telling, you’ll find out soon enough.”
Annabelle stared out the window; it was a sunny Saturday and although she was happy to have something do outside of the house, her mother’s surprises usually weren’t her idea of fun. On that thought, Annabelle’s head bumped her window as her mother veered right into a parking lot. She pulled upright and rubbed the spot gently. Looking around she spotted the surprise—apparently it was spa day. Annabelle half-smiled. Maybe a little pampering would do her good.
~***~
She sat beside her mother as estheticians poked and prodded at her, willing to take whatever moments with her mother she could get. All the while she kept trying to think of something to discuss, a light topic that would keep their conversation upbeat and flowing. Despite her best efforts, nothing came to mind. She never used to have such a hard time talking to her mother, but that was long before.
“Did you know your father and I met at work?” Her mother smoothed her shirt.
“No, you’ve told me about your first date but not where you actually met,” Annabelle answered. She wanted to know, but mostly she just wanted to keep her mother talking. It was a rare and pleasant surprise.
“Oh Annabelle, he was so determined and driven and handsome,” her mother gushed, a soft smile playing on her lips. “There was never anyone who caught my eye like he did. I was a goner from day one.” Watching her mother lean back into the pedicure massage chair Annabelle thought about how when she was a child and sad, that woman held her. Her mother who sacrificed so much for her before. There she was sitting right there, the same but so different. She listened to her mom chatter on about her father and wondered how a person was able to change so vastly in the span of a lifetime, how, the highs and lows of life could change the fiber of your soul, creating a different person altogether.
Five hours later, Annabelle was relaxed and ready for a nap. They’d each had a pedicure, manicure, massage and facial. It was a decadent treat that should have left Annabelle on a high. Five hours alone with her mother was unheard of. Instead of the high she craved, her stomach twisted into knots on their drive home. She had noticed the sorrow-filled gazes her mother had cast her way at the spa. They talked about superficial things to pass the time they were seated next to each other. There was a longing in her mother’s voice that she couldn’t place. When her mother had stroked her hair and murmured, “Always be a good girl,” Annabelle hadn’t responded. She had been too in shock. Her mother’s words hit her as a g
oodbye rather than a simple reminder.
The sun was sitting on the edge of the earth as they drove home. They spilled through the door together and the weight of the silence in the house visibly hit them both. Annabelle noticed her mother’s face fall as she looked around. Her mother sighed, dropped her bag on the table in the foyer, kicked off her shoes and moved quietly into the depths of the house without a word. Annabelle closed her eyes and shook her head, warding off all the negative energy floating around her.
Brant,
What’s up? How’s life in the afterworld? Here’s not so great. Well, just here, as in, the house. School is fine. I’m pretty excited to graduate and be out of here. And Glenview is great. Mark. He makes me smile and forget that there are shitty circumstances in life. Jezebel, dude, you’d adore her. I know—I’ve written that before but she’s like Mom from before. She’s firm, but gentle and caring. It’s hard to explain I guess. Do you remember when we used to go with Dad and get fresh honey? How it melted on your tongue as soon as it hit? It was so sweet. It went down so easily and we always begged for more. Jezebel’s like that feeling. Mark is a warm summer breeze that makes you think of windy days and salt and sand and Jezebel is like honey.
Does that make any sense?
-Annabelle
~***~
The sun woke Annabelle as it rose over the horizon and the muted glow began to light her bedroom. A tranquil breeze blew the curtains. She yawned and stretched wishing she never needed to get out of her bed as she basked in the soft down against her skin. For the first time in years she woke feeling content and grateful; she had Mark, Jezebel and Madison in her life. The silence of her home didn’t seem so profoundly deafening any more. With a content heart she hopped out of bed to prepare for her big day.
With big bright eyes and rosy cheeks Annabelle headed downstairs. Graduation Day. She could barely contain her excitement as she gathered her things and headed for the bus stop. A car horn honked as she rounded the corner of her street. She lifted her head.
“Get in! No bus for you today!” Madison called from her open driver’s side window. Annabelle grinned, loving her best friend, and jogged to the car.