Muse Unexpected

by V. C. Birlidis

  Her screams had died away to silent crying and her mother kissed her on the forehead several times, continuing to hold her.

  “Can you stand?” Callie said. “Because my legs are about to give way and the very last thing I want to do is sit on this filthy floor.”

  Sophie couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, Mom. When has this floor ever been filthy?” She stood on her own feet and grabbed her mom’s hands, showing her she was okay.

  Sophie managed a weak smile. “You look like crap, Mom.”

  Her mother rolled her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair, which made it look worse.

  “Well, you’ll have to excuse me for my appearance. I wasn’t expecting guests.”

  Sophie sat down at the table.

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “There isn’t much use going into the details. We can…”

  Sophie nodded her head in agreement, but then changed her mind. “No. No, get it over with so I can deal with it all at once.”

  “Sophie, I don’t think—”

  “Damn it, Mom,” she shouted hoarsely.

  “I don’t know. I don’t know. The police don’t know what happened and I sure as hell don’t know. He’s gone. Do you understand? He’s gone and I don’t know what to do. What to say. So shut the hell up!” Her mother’s hand flew to her mouth and she began to cry. “I’m sorry, Sophie. Oh, God. I am so sorry. Forgive me.”

  She burst into tears and threw herself into her mother’s arms. “Oh Mom…”

  Chapter 5

  With a flash of light and crack of electricity, Georgia appeared outside of the small Cape Cod in Columbus, Ohio. She noted that her luck continued to hold up, as she glanced around and saw the street was empty. Knowing how and when to Shimmer unnoticed was a true talent and one she had mastered. She stood for a second, catching her breath. It had been a long time since she travelled so far. Shimmering from one room to another was one thing, but Shimmering thousands of miles was enough to make her feel like she was about to vomit. She almost did, but refused to allow herself to show any kind of weakness. When her head stopped spinning, she straightened and checked herself to make sure she was presentable. Her long, honey-colored, streaked-with-white hair was pulled into a modern French twist. She doubted herself a little, wondering if her outfit was overkill and would send the wrong message, but she pushed the concern out of her mind. She wore a sleek, tailored couture black suit, with a matching black trench coat, black gloves and a pair of black designer pumps accented with shiny, red-lacquered soles. Several strands of pearls, of varying sizes and lengths, rested against her skin inside her opened white shirt. Her gold brooch with the large red stone was fastened to her lapel.

  She knew she didn’t look like the stereotypical grandmother.

  I refuse to show up wearing a granny dress, shawl and sneakers. My daughter, the rebellious one, wouldn’t be fooled by such an outfit and if I’m going to win Callista and Sophia over, I need to be savvy and being savvy requires my incredible good luck and my exquisite sense of style and good taste.

  She opened the small gate and shook her head in disappointment at its peeling paint.

  “I’m used to walking into a room and commanding attention without much effort and there was no reason why now should be any different.” She tightened the belt of her trench coat to emphasize her point. However, the closer she got to the door, the more her nerve began to slip away again.

  But it’s always good to have a contingency plan.

  She reached into the front pocket of her trench coat and pulled out a small vial. Taking care, she uncorked it and smeared some of the blue liquid onto her gloved right hand. She reminded herself she now had only a minute to touch Callie.

  If she won’t return to Greece willingly, a veil of obedience potion should remove any willful notions Callista may have. She raised her other hand to knock and the door swung open.

  She forced herself not to sneer at her daughter’s meager environment. It was unacceptable. It was pathetic. Here’s to hoping the time in this hovel will be short lived.

  “Callista?” she called, her heavy Greek accent hanging off of each syllable she spoke.

  Callie’s mouth flew open. “Oh, shit,” Callie said. “Georgia?”

  “Language, Callista. Georgia? Have I reached such a lowly place in your heart? Am I now to be referred to as Georgia and not Mother?” Stepping forward, Georgia embraced her daughter and kissed her on the cheek, making sure her right hand touched the back of Callie’s head. She felt the shudder run through her daughter’s body as the spell took hold and she stepped back.

  Georgia stared at her daughter, waiting to see who would be the first to blink. Callie sighed and stepped aside to allow her to walk into the house.

  I should have used the veil potion on her ages ago. Think of all the time I’ve wasted.

  Her thoughts of triumph were short-lived as she saw the group of people standing behind her daughter. She glared at them, leaving little to the imagination as to what they should do.

  “Well,” she said, watching the group depart, “that is much, much, much better. Callista, you know people will sit around like spectators at the crucifixion, licking the tears and drinking in the sorrow of others like a fine wine. It’s so distasteful.”

  “Georgia…” Callie said, in a low tone, almost a growl. “Now is not the time for you to throw your ego around. Please, be quiet. Sophie is in the next room and has just found out about Angelo.”

  Georgia removed her coat and laid it on the nearest chair.

  “We’ve all made mistakes and I have been gracious enough to see beyond your shortcomings and forgive you. I am here to help you through your time of need and judging by what I’m seeing, I may have arrived too late.”

  Callie stared back at Georgia. “You know what, Georgia, I know I shouldn’t let you bait me, but I'm too exhausted. I am standing here, having been told my husband is dead, and you have the nerve to travel thousands of miles to resume an argument that ended whatever limited amount of goodwill we had for each other. What the hell are you doing here? Are you serious?”

  Georgia ripped off her gloves and threw them onto her coat as she prepared for battle.

  “Oh please, Callista. Is this where we’re at? You yelling at me and me yelling at you, each of us refusing to even give an inch?”

  She stepped back and clasped her hands in front of her and turned at the sound of a middle-aged couple rising to their feet. “And I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure, who are the two of you? I would think the time for you to depart has long since passed.”

  It is beyond mortifying to have these mortals witness how disrespectful my daughter is being toward me. This will not do.

  The woman moved forward, extending her hand. “I’m Callie’s friend, Stephanie. We live in the neighborhood. We’ve known each other for years. Both of our daughters were born around the same time and go to the same school. I don’t know why I’m rambling. This is my husband, Gil.” Stephanie broke out into a loud and nervous laugh.

  What a nervous bundle of nerves this one is. I don’t have time to bother with this obnoxious woman. Is this the sort of person my daughter and granddaughter are exposed to? Georgia glanced at Stephanie’s outstretched hand and shook it with her left hand, fearing at any moment the woman would begin to cry.

  Gil pulled Stephanie away. “It’s been a real pleasure meeting you,” Gil said, reaching for the door. “Callie, we’ll call you tomorrow morning to discuss arrangements.” The door shut behind them with a soft click.

  “Damn, damn, damn, Georgia.” Callie yelled. “I can’t do this with you. And as for those people you dismissed, Gil and Stephanie have been more of a family to me than you ever were. You gave away your right to offer your opinion in my life when you banished me.”

  “I didn’t banish you,” she said through gritted teeth. “That is a lie, Callista, and I won’t be lied to. You waltz into my office one day, interrupt a staff meeting to proclai
m your love for that, that… that man. What was I supposed to do? You were talking nonsense. Love…normal life, you kept on droning on and on about what you wanted. Your needs. You were such a sniffling little, ungrateful wretch.”

  “Why can’t you ever listen to me? You…you…you never listened and you always treated me like an afterthought. Like I was a possession you could use as a bargaining chip to negotiate a more powerful position for yourself.”

  “Is that what you think? Do you believe I cared so little for you? Listen to me, you ignorant child. Everything I have done I have done for you. I have clawed my way to the top on my hands and knees for our family’s benefit. You didn’t mind the power and wealth when I bought you that little English convertible. As long as you had your way, you were content.”

  “It doesn’t matter, Georgia,” Callie said. “None of this matters. What’s done is done. Now, if you’ll kindly leave.”

  “I didn’t banish you,” she said. “You made your choice and from that very moment, you took control of your own life. Whether or not you will admit it, I have responsibilities requiring sacrifice. Sacrifice from not only me, but also from those I love. And now, you intend to throw your mother out of your home. The woman who gave you life, who raised you, who loved you even when you cursed my name and kept me out of my granddaughter’s life.”

  “Georgia, I had hopes. I had hoped your icy heart would have melted with the birth of Sophie. But, after sixteen years, I am forced to admit it hasn’t."

  Georgia clenched her hands. “You were promised to another and you had gifts, which were meant for more important things. This?” She motioned to reference the house. “This isn’t what you were meant for.” She stood up, her face inches from Callie’s. “You spat in the face of our family’s tradition and the Fates, and said no thank you; I don’t want the blessings you have bestowed upon me. You had a calling, the ability to do great things and what have you done with it? Nothing. You are an embarrassment to the Demigod…”

  “Mom?”

  A voice came from the kitchen and a young girl walked into the room. “What’s going on?” the girl asked.

  Be smart. You get one second to make an impression on this girl.

  “Sophia? I’ve always dreamed of this day. Darling, you’re lovely.”

  I’m sure I sounded as bad as I think it did. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

  Callie walked towards her daughter and protectively stood in front of Sophie.

  “Honey,” Callie scratched her head. “I don’t know how to explain, but this is Georgia.”

  Georgia corrected her. “Sophia, I’m your Yiayia.”

  “You don’t look like a person who would go by Yiayia. I’m sorry, but this is too much,” Sophie said.

  Georgia took a step closer to her granddaughter, not sure if she should embrace her or wait for Sophie to make the next move. Sophie left the room, running up the stairs.

  Callie dropped onto the nearest couch, her head cradled in her hands. “Well, your first interaction with Sophie was sheer perfection. Looks like your relationship with my daughter will be as successful as our relationship. Why doesn’t the house just explode? I think an explosion would make this evening complete.”

  Georgia gathered her items and slowly walked toward the front door.

  Come, come Callista. Stop being stubborn. Give in to it. Let your last little bit of will power leave you.

  “Mom…I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you’ve forced me into a corner."

  Georgia smiled inwardly.

  “You’ve shoved your way into my life and for Sophie’s sake; you have to stay with us.”

  Callie walked towards the adjoining hallway, to the first floor bath and guest bedroom. She switched on the bedroom’s overhead light. The simple room featured a wrought-iron bed, patchwork quilt, overstuffed reading chair and antique wardrobe.

  “Georgia, you can sleep in this room. Is your luggage outside?”

  “No dear. It’s in the guest room.”

  Sparks of light bounced around the room, revealing to Callie a matching set of luggage. Callie shoved Georgia into the room.

  “Are you crazy? Someone is going to see you Shimmer and we’ll spend the next few days trying to get them to sip your special clover tea to make them forget. Stop being cute.”

  Georgia walked past Callie and sat down in the reading chair, reaching over to turn on the reading lap. She grimaced at the glare caused by the overhead light and with a sudden glint in her eyes the light switch clicked off.

  “There. That is so much better.”

  Callie frowned. “I’d offer to help you unpack, but I’m guessing it’s—”

  They both finished the sentence, “—already taken care of.”

  Callie walked out of the room and returned with a towel and washcloth set. She placed them on the bed.

  “Georgia,” Callie began.

  She raised her right eyebrow.

  “Okay,” Callie paused. “Mother, enough with the tricks. While you’re here, you have to promise me you will leave the Shimmering stuff back in Greece.”

  Georgia got up and walked to the bed, reaching for the towels. She folded them again, avoiding her daughter’s gaze.

  “Mother, promise me. Sophie isn’t part of this. You know it and I know it. She isn’t like us and I would like to keep it that way. She’s been through enough.” Tears welled up in Callie’s eyes.

  Georgia sighed as she stood up and walked over to Callie. “I will do my best.”

  Turning away from her, Callie walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

  Georgia sat back down in the overstuffed chair. The one thought burning a hole in her mind was whether or not she would ever get her relationship with Callie right.

  “You know what you did and she doesn’t even know all of it,” she said to herself. “You can pretend all you want, but you know why things are the way they are and if you aren’t careful, all of your plans will be ruined.”

  She glanced down at her right wrist, removed the bracelet and rubbed it. Although it had healed decades ago, the scar was easy to read. The shame caused by the word Nothos branded on her still burned white hot in Georgia’s heart.

  Chapter 6

  Wearily Callie made it up to Sophie’s bedroom and knocked at the door. She heard Sophie’s muffled voice. “Come in”.

  “I can’t begin to offer you an explanation as to why after twenty-two years Georgia has decided to walk back into our lives,” Callie said.

  Considering the timing, I can’t even say if it’s a curse or a blessing.

  Callie stood watching her daughter, waiting for some sort of reaction and her heart broke when Sophie began to cry. Her daughter looked down at her messy bed and the stuffed animals on the floor and attempted to straighten-up her room.

  Have I been so horrible to this poor child she feels it is more important to have a clean room?

  “Sophie, don’t worry about the stuffed animals. It’s not important. Listen, I know the only thing you have invested in your relationship with your grandmother is the occasional thank you card for the money she sends you during the holidays. But, I don’t want the history I have with my mother to interfere with you being able to forge some sort of bond with her. Although she and I may not be on the best of terms, her being here says something.”

  Sophie grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest. “Mom, I am so tired I don’t know what to think. All I know is … all I know is I love you, Mom. I know we haven’t been… I know I’ve… I…I…I… don’t know what I’d do if…”

  Callie moved closer to her and cradled her in her arms.

  “Shush, I know sweetie. I know.”

  Sophie rubbed her eyes. “Do you think you could sleep here tonight?”

  “You read my mind, baby.” Callie chuckled and after changing into sweat pants and a T-shirt she climbed into bed, letting out a sigh of exhausted relief. “You always had the best pillows. How did that work out? I think I’m going
to have to steal a few from you.”

  “Mom, what are we going to do without him?”

  “Go on, baby. We remember and keep him in our hearts, but we go on. It’s what he would have wanted.”

  ***

  The next day, Callie woke up and noticed Sophie wasn’t there. Someone was banging around the kitchen and she sighed. Between Sophie crying in her sleep and her own tossing and turning, Callie was sure she'd gotten maybe two hours of sleep. She got up and walked down the hall into her own bathroom, closing the door behind her.

  “I look like hell.” She glanced at her swollen eyes and the dark circles and bags under them. Her head was pounding and she swallowed three ibuprofen. She took a shower, brushed her teeth and walked down the stairs. At the bottom of the staircase, she paused on the last step. The house was spotless.

  Following the sound of glasses and dishes being shoved into the dishwasher, Callie found Georgia standing in the middle of the kitchen, and Sophie and Stephanie sitting at the table glancing at several photo albums Callie recognized.

  The counter nearest the stove had been made into a coffee station, with Callie’s ancient, party-sized percolator chugging along as it brewed a batch of coffee.

  Sophie should have said something to Georgia. She knows the large coffeemaker was only used for special occasions… Your husband just died. I think this qualifies as a “special occasion,” stupid.

  Wanting to watch the interaction, Callie took a few steps back and hid herself away from the doorway.

  “Well,” Georgia said. “I’m truly sorry you had to see your mother and me arguing. But I hope you know that although I haven’t been a huge part of yours or your mother’s life, I do care for both of you. But enough of old arguments and healed over wounds. I bet you would enjoy hearing about when your mother was young and about Greece?"

  “I would love to hear embarrassing stories about my mom,” Sophie replied.

  “I’m not going to argue about hearing them,” Stephanie said. “Do you have any really mortifying stories? I would love to hear those.”