by H. L. Burke
She slid onto the couch beside him. Hesitantly, she reached out and touched his arm. “Please don’t cry.”
“I don’t want to leave. It’s … it’s awful where I came from. No one here yells at me or hits me … and now you have to send me away and it’s all … it’s all my …” He sat up straighter and clamped his mouth shut.
Nyssa’s brow pinched. Was he going to say it was his fault? How could it be? Even a child should be able to see this is my uncle’s fault, not his.
“We don’t want you to leave either. I shouldn’t have said what I did. I was just worried and frustrated.” She tightened her grip on his arm in what she hoped was a comforting way. “Ellis likes you. Mrs. H likes you. I even like you, and I didn’t intend to. Ellis and I were just worried we might not be the best home for you, what with everything that has happened over the last few days.”
“You’re the best home I’ve ever had.” He wiped his nose on his sleeve.
She grimaced and fished a handkerchief from her pocket. “Here, use this.”
They sat in silence. The quiet crackle from the stove and the tick of the clocks on the wall harmonized with Nyssa’s own breath and Theo’s sniffles. She turned her eyes to the clocks, mounted in an elaborate display Ellis had come up with when they’d first purchased the shop. There were three faces, one depicting the local time, the other the time back in New Taured, and the third the date. One of many things they’d spent time and money on when they should’ve been establishing their business … of course, in those days it seemed like they had both time and money to spare.
“You said you couldn’t pay for a tutor,” Theo said. “You don’t need to. I don’t even want to go to school. I want to learn how to fix things, in the shop, like you. That’ll be my trade. It’s better than picking pockets. Look.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pocket watch. “I found this in the pile you were going to throw out.”
“I recognize it.” She took it from his hand. “The face was crushed, and I didn’t have a new one.”
“Most of the clockwork was still good. Open it up.” His eyes shone in the firelight.
She pushed the button, and the casing snapped open. Two mechanical arms, the remnants of the clock’s bent hands, popped straight up, at angles to the clockwork. A small cardboard cutout tipped each arm, one of a cat and the other a mouse.
“Wind it up!” Theo prompted.
Nyssa turned the knob on the side. The arms twitched then began to spin, moving in a circle, the cat perpetually just out of reach of its rodent prey.
“You made this?” she whispered, holding it closer to her face. The chase continued, around and around.
He nodded.
“When?”
“While you were helping Mrs. H with the dishes. Ellis and I went into the workshop to finish cleaning up, and I found the watch.”
“Did Ellis help you?” She poked at the moving parts. It wasn’t a new invention, just a slight alteration on the watch’s intended function, replacing the turning of the hands with the faster swirl of his cat and mouse figures. Still, for only one lesson in repairs, it was clever.
“He told me I could have the pieces and let me use his tools, but I wanted to make it myself. He said you’d like it if I made something, though. He said you appreciate in-gen … ingenyo.. Ingennooty?”
She laughed. “Ingenuity. I do. This is very good. You could have quite the career ahead of you.” She handed him the watch.
He snapped it shut and slipped it into his pocket. “You really like it?”
“I do. It’s clever.”
“When did you learn how to fix things? Were you my age?”
“I was a bit older than you.”
He leaned back on the couch and yawned. “I don’t want to leave.”
“You don’t have to.” After a moment’s hesitation, she reached out and ruffled his hair. “You look tired. I’ll go turn down your cot.”
They’d set up a folding bed in the corner of the sitting room, along with a pillow and several blankets. She turned down the blankets and plumped up the pillow. When I was his age, I think I had a teddy bear or a doll or something. Do boys like that sort of thing? He really should have some toys. Clockwork is all well and good, but children need to play.
“Come on. Let’s get you in bed.”
He didn’t answer.
“Theo?” Nyssa eased closer. He’d slumped back against the arm of the couch, his mouth open but eyes shut. She chuckled. Bringing a blanket from the couch, she laid it over him, then eased him into a more comfortable looking position. Should I carry him to his cot? The couch is probably just as comfortable, if not more so. No, I’ll let him lie.
Rather than turn to go, she sat beside him. She rested a hand on his back and listened to his gentle breathing.
Sparks and shocks, I’m getting soft. Still, if I have to get soft for anything, I’m glad it’s for a kid. If someone had plucked me off the street when I was his age, how different would it have been? I might never have broken into houses. I might never have been arrested. Still, I turned out okay. Mr. Calloway’s to thank for that.
Nyssa had been fourteen when Mr. Calloway helped her escape the life, got her into trade school. He’d even escorted her to church. Should I be doing that for Theo? I’m not sure I have what it takes to be a spiritual mentor.
A mechanical hum came from the stairwell. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Ellis rising in his chair, the wheels locked into the metal tracks they’d installed on either side of the steps. When it reached the top, he grabbed onto the latches, and pushed forward onto the level floor.
She put a finger to her lips. “Shh.”
He came closer and smiled. “Is he all right?”
“I think I calmed him down. Though it looks like we’re stuck with him.” She laughed quietly, keeping her voice just above a whisper.
Ellis pushed up one arm of his chair and swung himself onto the couch beside her. “I’m relieved.” He matched her tone. “As I said, I like him. We’ll figure out the details, his schooling and whatnot, later.”
“There’s a little school in the local church, I think. He might do well there, and he can come home and help us in the shop afterwards if he wants.” She glanced from Ellis to Theo and cleared her throat. “We’d probably need to become parishioners, though. Would you be comfortable with that?”
“Sure.” He shrugged.
“I just wondered … we’ve never really talked about religion, and I got the impression your father was an atheist.”
“I’d say more that he was extremely disinterested in anything he couldn’t evaluate scientifically, the spiritual included. My mom was a very spiritual woman, though. I know I’ve talked about that before. I tend to take after her in terms of my life philosophy … thank God.” Ellis winced. “You know my father isn’t someone I intend to emulate.”
“Oh, I know, but being an atheist doesn’t make you go mad and experiment on your servants. You’re an inventor like him, after all.” She concentrated on the fire. Her faith had always been a private thing, something between herself and God in whispered prayers. As much as she trusted Ellis, she felt odd opening up to him about it.
“True. Still, it’s one more way to separate myself from him. Plus it helps me remember my mom.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Is it important to you that we have the same faith?”
“It makes it easier to decide how we raise Theo.” She nodded.
“True … and maybe other children some day.” He cleared his throat. “Do you want that? Children, I mean.”
Her cheeks warmed. “I haven’t given it a lot of thought.”
“Because … it’s never really been a good time to broach the subject. I mean, it’s not like it comes up in casual conversation, but …” He trailed off.
She raised her eyebrows.
“After my accident, I had a good doctor. He was compassionate, but honest about what sort of limitations I could expect, that I wouldn�
��t walk again, for instance. However, he … he said I should have no difficulty … I mean … my injury didn’t affect …” He let out a long breath then said all in a rush, “I’m capable of fathering children.”
The heat washed down from her cheeks into her neck and chest. “Oh. That’s … that’s good. I mean …” She bit down on her tongue. That’s good? What sort of idiotic response is that? The man just … oh shock me. What do I say?
“I know we aren’t near that point in our relationship yet,” he continued, his voice steadier. “However, I thought before things progressed, I should clear the air on that. I know what people think, the assumptions they make, but I need you to know that you won’t have to sacrifice that to be with me. If you do choose to be with me, that is.”
The warmth of her blush cooled into a gentle glow in her breast. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “No matter what the circumstances, being with you wouldn’t be a sacrifice. And I do want that—someday.”
He brushed his lips across her cheek before settling on her mouth. Her hand strayed to his chest, gripping his shirt. His mouth pressed against hers, firm but still somehow yielding. She closed her eyes and concentrated fully on his kiss.
He withdrew with a laugh. “That was the most awkward conversation I’ve had in my life.”
She laughed, a little louder than she intended. Theo moaned and stirred in his sleep.
Nyssa pulled the blankets back up to his chin. “We should let him sleep.”
“You’re right. After all, tonight we’ve discussed money, sex, and religion. If we stay up any longer we’ll get into politics, and the level of uncomfortable could possibly kill everyone within a mile radius.” He chuckled.
Nyssa watched Ellis descend the stairs. She checked one last time to be sure Theo was covered then stood back for a moment. His eyelashes fluttered, perhaps dreaming. He looked so much younger when he was sleeping, a baby. His dusty-brown hair fell over his cheeks.
He needs a haircut or he’s going to start looking like a girl. Blast, I really am thinking like a parent now. Ellis, myself, and Theo … A smile overtook her face.
“I have a family,” she whispered to the ticking clock. “A real family.”
Chapter Seven
The next morning, Ellis sent the promised telegram to Amara at the Azores’s mansion. They then all filed into the shop to start the day.
“Do you think there’s any point to opening the shop?” Nyssa asked. “Or should we just wait to hear back from Amara?”
Ellis shrugged. “We still have our tools and enough spare parts to do most basic repairs. If we stay closed, it will feed the gossip.”
Nyssa nodded. Theo ran across the room and flipped the sign to “open.” He settled behind the counter, chest out, chin in the air, like a little shopkeeper. Nyssa stifled a laugh.
The boy’s great, patched coat swung about his body, making his twiggy frame look like the clapper inside a church bell. A pair of over-sized trousers dripped from his body. Though Mrs. H had washed them, they still were threadbare and stained.
Nyssa chewed her bottom lip. “I think I’m going to take Theo out for a bit. He could use a new wardrobe, especially if he’s going to be waiting on customers. Looking proper and professional is a big part of owning a business.”
The boy’s eyes widened, then a grin spread over his face. “Really? New clothes?” His smile died. “Can we afford it?”
Nyssa frowned. “We aren’t broke yet. Besides, we won’t make money unless we spend a little, be it for parts or in order to maintain a respectable appearance. We’ll call it a business expense. Do you want to come, Ellis?”
Ellis shook his head and ran a cloth over his tools. “I think I’ll stay and work on some small repairs. If by chance a customer does wander by, someone needs to be minding the store.”
“All right.”
They might be more likely to come if it’s just Ellis. After all, he doesn’t represent the criminal element. Not even seventeen and my reputation is more tattered than Theo’s coat.
After everything that had happened, Nyssa decided it was best to do their shopping away from their immediate neighborhood. Her satchel at her side, she led Theo to the corner and waited there for the trolley. A woman with a clockwork pram shied away from them, closing the pram’s canopy as if to shield the baby from their presence.
Yep, my reputation has definitely preceded me. Shock my uncle.
Theo hopped from foot to foot. “I’ve never ridden a trolley before.”
“Just remember to hold on tight if you can’t find a place to sit. They jerk a bit.”
With a hiss of steam and rattle of metal wheels over tracks, the trolley careened up the street then stopped before them. The woman with the pram tried to tilt it up the steps but couldn’t quite get it over. She cleared her throat, gazing hopelessly into the mostly empty car. There were a few people in the back, but none rose to help her.
Swallowing her pride, Nyssa stepped forward. “Here. They really should build these things with ramps.” She took the back of the pram and motioned for the mother to enter. The woman did so but with a pinched mouth and worried eyes.
Does she think I’m going to steal her baby? What would I want one for?
To break the awkward silence, Nyssa continued speaking as she hoisted her end up, pushing as the mother pulled. “My friend once submitted a design for retractable ramps to a major trolley manufacturer. His was specifically for wheelchairs, but it would work with prams too. He said they never got back to him.”
The pram now rested safely inside the trolley. Nyssa and Theo scrambled aboard as the engineer pushed the lever and the car moved forward with a jump. Theo yelped and grabbed Nyssa around the waist. She in turn clutched a leather strap hanging from the ceiling. As soon as she’d steadied herself, she worked her way onto a bench across from the mother with the pram.
The woman cleared her throat. “It’s a good idea, your friend’s. He should write the company again … or maybe go to their competitor.”
The tension between Nyssa’s shoulders eased. “I’ll definitely suggest it.”
They sat in silence for the rest of the ride, though Theo popped up repeatedly to look out the windows or goggle at the engineer. When they jolted to a stop in the downtown shopping area, Nyssa nodded to the mother and took Theo’s hand to help him from the car.
This section of San Azula could’ve easily been transported whole from New Taured. While large sections of the island still had their “local color,” this area catered to tourists from the Continent, as well as the occasional expat looking for a taste of home. The people wore buttoned up coats and top hats in spite of the San Azulan heat. Gas lamps lined the street, and a bank with a clock tower and blocky continental architecture overshadowed it all. None of the buildings had the high arches and white plaster more common in San Azulan shops and homes.
Hopefully the outside influence meant local gossip was slower to filter into this area. Nyssa was about out of patience with people’s assumptions.
If the shopkeeper had heard anything about Nyssa, she certainly didn’t show it. The young woman with dark, shiny San Azulan hair and olive complexion escorted them in, plopped them on a settee, and trotted out her best samples.
“We have the highest quality fabrics. Certain to last well beyond when the young man outgrows them.” She held up a pair of pants.
Theo’s nose wrinkled. “I’m too old for knee pants, Nyssa. I don’t want to dress like a kid.”
“Shush,” Nyssa said, but she nodded towards a pair of gray trousers. “Do you think those come in his size?”
The shopkeeper tapped her lips with a well-manicured finger. “Stand up for me.” She took out a tape and measured Theo’s legs. “The smallest we have will be a few inches long, but I can fix that with a quick hem. Also, that will allow them to be let out as he grows, so they’ll last longer. His girth, or lack thereof, might be a little problematic.”
“We can fatten him up.” Ny
ssa smirked.
“True. There’s always a belt. I’ll see what we have in stock and have the seamstress take up the legs. Do you have time to wait? It won’t likely take her more than ten minutes. If not I can have them sent to your address later.”
Theo’s shoulders slumped.
“We can wait.” Nyssa nodded to the boy. “I think Theo would like to wear them out.”
A half hour later, they started back towards the trolley stop, Theo strutting in his fine new clothes and Nyssa doing all she could not to burst out laughing. They passed a shop with tools and trinkets displayed in the window.
Theo stopped and stared. “Look,” he whispered, his breath fogging the glass. “Like yours.”
Nyssa followed his gaze to a pair of magnification goggles. They weren’t a professional set, too small and flimsy, designed for hobbyists who liked to put together models rather than people who worked with actual machinery.
“They’re all right. I doubt they have a night vision setting or an x-ray setting.” Nyssa reached into her satchel and pulled out her pair. Never leave home without them.
Theo reached out a hand, then drew back.
“I’ll get you a pair someday. Maybe not as elaborate as these, but better than those.” She nodded disdainfully towards the shop window. “You need tools, not toys, right?”
Though some toys might not hurt either. What do eight-year-old boys play with? Sticks and rocks?
Theo grinned, but then blanched and dodged behind Nyssa’s skirts. Nyssa whirled about. Uncle Al stalked towards her.
Squaring her shoulders, she put on her most stoic face. “Are you following me?”
“I may have seen you hop the trolley and made a guess where you’d end up.” Uncle Al grinned. “Got to keep an eye on my investment, as it were.”
“Well, you can stop. I’m going to see to it that you’re deported from the island, perhaps back to prison.” She reached back and took Theo’s hand. “Come. Let’s go home.”
She tried to push past her uncle, but he moved to block her.
“You see me as a villain.” He peered at her. “Why? Didn’t I protect you? No one put a hand on you without hearing from me.”