Broken Song

by Erik Schubach

  She smiled broadly now. “All of them.”

  Mr. Callahan opened his mouth to speak but I shot a glare at him and held up my hand to stop him and I continued to speak, “All of them? You know all this information about them? So you keep lists or spreadsheets or something?”

  She shrugged and pointed at her head and said, “No, lists get confusing, I keep it all in my head.”

  I feigned surprise. “In your head? How many shelters and missions do you help every month? And how many are in this area you've decided to live in? How many people can they give cots to?”

  She tilted her head and squinted her eyes, I could see her trying to figure out what I was doing. “There are eighteen in the city proper and I consider Second Street Shelter and Anchorage Avenue Shelter mine. They can handle two hundred and thirty seven people a night but there are four hundred and seven of my people in the area.”

  I nodded and shot a poisonous glance at Mr. Callahan. “You don't think she can do math? She has an unorthodox grasp on math that we could never hope to match. She has an unconventional intelligence that I envy!” I looked at my beautiful blonde. God I just want to kiss her! So I did. Then I looked at the porcelain features on her beautiful face that now had a dreamy look on it. “San. If I had a family of five that needed cots for three days. Can you shuffle them in somehow if each shelter in town had only a single cot for a single night in their rotation schedules?”

  She squinted and stuck the tip of her tongue out the side of her mouth as she thought. “If they each get a bunk, I can shuffle nine cots and transfer seven other people to other shelters so that nobody loses their turn at a cot, while providing the family the three days together. But if the children are smaller and they can sleep on one cot together, then I can do the same with only three shuffles and two transfers.”

  I looked around, everyone looked sufficiently impressed. I grinned and then said, “San, how many people have you found jobs, to get them off the street, since you came to Seattle?”

  She said with pride, “One hundred and thirty seven. But only one hundred and twenty two were able to keep the jobs and stay off the street.”

  I smiled gently at her. “How many jobs on average can you find per week now? And how many new people, freshies, find themselves homeless and on the street each week?”

  She looked like she was about to cry again. “Now-a-days I can usually place about five people a week but seven freshies show up in that time. It is a losing proposition, that's why I wanted to create my foundation. So I would have more resources and more people that can help my people re-integrate into society and find the jobs and support they need.”

  Then I sneered at Alistair, I had researched this next one in DC with all the spare time I had there waiting for him to return from Germany and I had no doubt Sandra knew the answer. “Sweetie, when Callahan Shipping did its cutbacks to maximize profits three years back, did any men and women in the Seattle shipyards get laid off?”

  She nodded and I said, “How many?”

  She shrugged. “One hundred and three.”

  I nodded at her in encouragement when I prompted her as I asked, “And did any of those people wind up on the streets?”

  She stood straight. “Twenty two. They had such specialized jobs so it was hard for them to find another job. They tried hard to make ends meet but within six months of the downsizing, their houses were foreclosed on and the debt collectors took all they owned. I was able to get seven of them jobs to try to make amends for my family needing more money being the reason they were homeless, but it is so hard to find positions for people with odd skill sets like like ship crane operator in a down economy. I wanted to give them their pride back.”

  To his credit, Mr. Callahan looked struck by this. He probably never gave the people who had lost their jobs a second thought.

  Then he started walking to her. I stepped in his way. “I'm not done.”

  I looked up at the huge man glaring down on me. “Sandra. How many children do you visit in the hospitals each month? How many benefit from your therapy dogs?”

  She frowned. “I'm only one person with four dogs. I can only have them visit with only one hundred children a week and only twenty per week get to snuggle with my dogs; that is another reason I wanted to create my foundation. To get more people and more animals so that more children can smile and forget their cancer if even for a moment.”

  I almost teared up. “And you have suffered through the loss of so many of those children. Isn't the pain unbearable?”

  She nodded and her voice was hoarse when she replied, “Yes, but I can endure it knowing I gave them a single instant of happiness before God took them away from us.”

  I looked at her, she had such pain in your eyes. “Last question. I promise. Are you in demand at the hospitals?”

  She nodded through a tear and said with pride, “They are all requesting me daily but I can only do one a day since I work at the duck boats and the cafe to support myself here.”

  Then I looked at her father and said in a matter-of-fact way, “That Alistair is the capability of your daughter. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people depend on her to do things none of them can. It is why I am in such awe of her and why you should be too.”

  He looked at her then at me, he was deep in thought. “All of this is well and good, but it is a far cry from being capable of forming a foundation.”

  I was glaring at him but was surprised by a tiny voice beside me. “But... I did... I got my foundation. We got government approval tonight.” I watched as she motored over to the refrigerator and she grabbed some papers and walked over to her father and handed them to him before she returned to my side and grabbed my hand and laced our fingers together. God, she didn't know what she was doing to me; I was no good for her.

  Her voice was stronger now. I tried feeding strength to her though our clasped hands. She smiled and said, “The Callahan Foundation is real. I finally got it.” She looked up at me. “I did it because you asked me to in your note. Jane and Crystal helped me but made me do all the work and research.”

  I smiled at her. How fucking... ummm, frigging amazing is this woman? She turned to her father. “And I already have two million pledged from Mandy Fay Harris and Councilwoman Anabella West. Crystal McKay is setting up a fundraiser benefit for the movers and shakers of Seattle to attend. I have Amber LaLaine and Satin Thunder playing at it and they are also donating to the charity. Reese Qualls is lined up to create the foundation's online presence. Mandy Fay Harris is organizing an album with other artists, the proceeds will go to the foundation, plus my monthly stipend from my trust account. I can expand and help so many more people.”

  Then she got brave and looked directly at her father. “Before you force me to go back to DC. Come with me...” She looked at me then back at him. “...with us tomorrow daddy. Let me show you the people I help. Let me show you I can take care of myself and others. Let me show you why this is my home. I just want you to be proud of me daddy.”

  He looked hurt at her words, but he nodded and handed her the papers. “OK princess. Show me your world tomorrow.”

  And with that, he walked to the door and stopped with his back to us. “I love you princess.”

  Before he could step out, Sandra had run up to him and hugged him from behind. “I love you too daddy.”

  He turned around and bent way down and kissed the top of her head then left.

  Everyone in the room seemed to sigh in relief, and Sandra locked eyes with me. “You brought daddy to me?” I nodded and she continued, “You... love... me?”

  I actually giggled at that. “From all that just happened, that's the one thing you latch onto?”

  She giggled. “Well it is a huge thing. I was so scared when you left.” She slapped my chest hard, then looked at the closed door again. “You did this for me?”

  I nodded. “I take care of the people I care about. And... I still owe you twenty four hours anyway. I never break my promises.”
/>
  She was on her tip toes kissing me to the “awww”s of my twins. The hazy heavenly feeling from the kiss quickly dissipated as I realized again and said, “My girls!”

  I wasn't about to let go of the blonde that was causing my body to buzz as I looked at my girls, and Missy and Steven. “How?”

  Lessa stood and grabbed one of my hands and one of Sandra's and pulled us to the loveseat to sit. She reclaimed her spot on the couch by Brandye and the puppies; Then she shrugged and said simply with the smile I have missed so much, “Sandra was the mastermind.”

  I looked down at my blonde imp who was blushing cutely when Missy spoke, “Yeah, that pasty little twit is pretty damn sneaky. She contacted the girls to find out why they didn't want to see you, only to find out how ass-face Victor has been manipulating everyone. So she started a conspiracy to get them to Seattle in case you ever returned. She heard about him wanting to send them away to boarding school because they were cramping his style with his new sugar momma.”

  I almost stood in anger over that if it wasn't for the warm hand squeezing mine gently to calm me. Missy was staring at our hands then grinned and looked back at me. “She had me call douche-boy and ask if I could have the girls here in Seattle to finish their high school years here instead of shipping them off to an 'expensive' boarding school, that set his cheapskate antenna pinging. I told him how I missed my favorite nieces, fine... my only nieces, but they'd still be my favorites, and this would be good bonding time for me with them. I also offered to take them in if they decide to attend the University of Washington afterward. He readily agreed and wham-bam I'm their legal guardian until they are eighteen and they are staying with Steven and I.”

  She grinned like a shark. Then I looked at my girl. That was pretty damn smart. Then it hit me. She brought my babies back to me. Dammit, I'm crying.

  We all spent a couple hours just catching up and hugging and crying. At one point the girls pulled me aside and asked a single accusatory word, “Cancer?” More crying later and them promising to stand by me, then it was time to turn in. I was exhausted. Missy and Steven left the girls with us and said they would collect them tomorrow night.

  We made up the pullout bed and Sandra said goodnight then and hugged each of us and I climbed under the covers with my girls and inevitably the dogs. God I was happy. Then I fell out of the bed as Lessa pushed me out with her legs. My twins were giggling at my look of shock. Then my gentle one, Brandye whispered in admonishment, “What are you doing out here with us when your girl is in there mom? You really scared her and put her through a lot. She's like the most awesome person. Go.”

  Lessa joined in and said, “Shoo.”

  I was scared but I grinned at my girls. I started for Sandra's room and Daisy jumped off the bed to follow. I stopped at the door and looked out at my girls. They looked exasperated as they motioned their hands toward the bedroom door. I was uncertain. What if... she didn't want me. I tapped gently on the door. A sweet, “come in” sounded and I stepped through with Daisy in tow.

  I stood at the door and smiled sheepishly. “The twins kicked me out of bed.”

  Sandra looked down and bit her lower lip and just raised her covers. I slid in beside her and Daisy jumped up and curled in at our feet. I didn't know what to say so I said, “I'm sorry.”

  She whispered loudly, “You better be! You had me scared to death! I thought you...” She paused then continued, “If I lost you I don't know what I would have done! I... I love you, you stupid woman! No... that's not it. I'm IN love with you Penny.”

  I gasped. There was no way she meant that, I was broken. I looked at her but I saw no deception in her eyes. “I... I'm in love with your infuriating self too San.” I paused... “Penelope,” I stated.

  She tilted her head. I sighed. “I just thought you'd like to know who loves you.”

  She tilted her head cutely and simply said, “Penelope.” And kissed me more passionately than I have ever been kissed in my life. It was as if her soul was wrapping around me possessively and protecting me and mingling with mine.

  She broke the kiss and we gasped for air. Then on one of her tangents she whispered, “I love your hair like that.”

  I giggled and kissed her again, I was already missing her lips. The night that followed will forever be burned into my being. We didn't have sex... we made love. I never knew the difference until I was crying in her arms, basking in happiness afterward. She showed me what it truly was to be loved, to share yourself so unconditionally with the other half of yourself that it makes you whole for the first time in your life. It was, the only word I can use to describe it... beautiful.

  As I was finally nodding off, my body still buzzing, she whispered, “You're getting that operation! I'll be by your side. I love you. Goodnight rocker girl.”

  I nodded. “OK. I love you.” And we fell asleep in each others arms.

  Epilogue

  The next day we brought Alistair around and showed him Sandra's world. The man was beyond awed by his girl. He actually bonded with Leo. In the children's wards he was brought to tears. When he was ready to go home, he had said, “I had no idea princess. I'm so very proud of you.” This got her bawling, that was the only thing she had ever wanted him to say.

  Then he shocked us all by letting her know that family would come visit her at her 'home' for Christmas this year and he set up a secondary trust for the Callahan Foundation that would match every dollar donated to the charity using Callahan Shipping funds. He had Sandra promise to locate all former Callahan Shipping employees on the street and he would find them alternate positions in the company.

  It is hard to believe that was all five months ago.

  I did go through with the surgery. I didn't feel like I was a woman after that until my platinum haired fiancee showed me every day that I was and more.

  I must have cried for a week when we stood vigil over Yvette with Colette during her last few hours, to the last minute she was upbeat and let us know she loved us and gave us more artwork of the two of us. We cried with Colette and shared her pain, she let us know the difference we had made in her daughter's life. My girls were there. They had become good friends with her. They were stronger than me.

  That brings us to this wonderful Saturday morning. Sandra and I had just showed up to the cancer ward for our rounds. Brandye and Lessa had four more dogs in tow, and Mike from the Callahan Foundation had three more. Enough for each child in the ward plus one.

  Brandye looked over at my grinning blonde imp who just nodded at her and my daughter said, “Fang announce.” The cute howl was met by giggling behind the curtains. We spent some time with each of the children, making sure they each had a therapy dog and we talked with every one. My girls are in awe of their future step-mother and volunteered to help every chance they got. They giggle at the fact they get to call her “mom” soon. This always gets Sandra happy, giggly, and weepy as she hugs them. She truly does love them as her own.

  I looked down at the single dog on the leash as our procession, minus Mike, made our way to the recovery ward. This was the reason for the happiness of our day that we could barely contain. The pain of the loss of Yvette is blunted a little by this miracle... Sandra looked down at Monster and with the biggest smile I had ever seen on her face as she she said, “Monster, announce!”

  His howling was met by a squeal and little Ranee came running out pulling her chemo IV with her. “Monster!” When they thought she had only weeks to live, her cancer had gone into remission. Sandra cried for days with happiness when she found that just one of her children would live.

  Sandra bent down and took his bib off and said, “Go get her Monster!” He ran to her, dragging his leash. She cocked her head at us as she scooped him up in her arms and nuzzled him.

  Sandra just happily said, “He's yours now. How could I possibly break up such a wonderful team?”

  The smiles from her parents matched ours as Sandra turned to me and the girls and said, “Sometimes, there is a
happy ending.”

  Books in the Music of the Soul universe...

  (All books are standalone and can be read in any order)

  Music of the Soul

  A Deafening Whisper

  Dating Game

  Karaoke Queen

  Silent Bob

  Five Feet or Less

  Broken Song

  Short Stories in the Music of the Soul universe...

  Misadventures of Victoria Davenport: Operation Matchmaker

  Books in the Valkyrie Chronicles series...

  Return of the Asgard

  Bloodlines

  Books in the Fracture series...

  Fracture: Divergence

  Sample Chapter Valkyrie Chronicles: Folkvangr

  (Coming in January 2014)

  Prologue

  I let loose my battle cry that ended in a hiss as I hardened my fist with my nano lattice to the maximum my nanites could give me, I could feel their determination as well. The blue net of compressed magnetic force glowed on my skin as I struck with all my might. Surely, this will do it. The force of the blow sent the shock frame on the device hurtling back, absorbing the strike with a horrendous crashing sound. I was pushed back by the counter-force of my own punch with a sneer on my face. I am Ragnarok, I cannot let a tiny Asgard woman beat me!

  Tyr grinned at my display in the training room as he looked at the numbers scrolling on the holo-console by the force measurement device. “Well done Inatra! That was almost to my level. Eighteen hundred and thirty one joules of force, or over thirteen hundred Earth foot pounds.”

  I bared my teeth then hissed at him like a Terran cat, then said, “What!? I shall attempt it again! There is no way the Demon can strike harder than me!” I looked over at Kara who was sparring with three other Valkyrie, she glanced at me as she was handily beating them then grinned and winked at me. By the war gods my sister was infuriating! I did what any good warrior would do in this instance and stuck my tongue out at her.