by Alexie Aaron
Ted laughed, then coughed and then laughed again. Mia put a hand to his forehead. “I don’t like the feel of this.”
“I’m just hot because I’ve been working. Now about that coffee?”
“On it. Are you coming up or am I bringing it down?”
“I’m coming up. I need to check on Murphy.”
“Dave’s with him.”
“Oh, good. Cid?”
“Constructing a casket, and Burt is helping him.”
“Well, maybe I better get back to work.”
“No, you’ve done enough for a while. Come up and let me spoil you.”
Ted was too tired to argue. He let Mia lead him upstairs. She steered him towards the sink, pulled off his work gloves, and said, “Wash those hands. Twice.”
She ground and measured out the coffee. When Ted was done, she filled the coffee maker and pressed brew. Mia opened up a box of Zebra cakes and set them down in front of her husband, warning, “Don’t eat too much, you’ll get sick.”
Ted shook his head. Mia was being bossy, but he liked to be bossed around. He could tell she was concerned, and he hated that it was probably because he was more used to using his brain than his hands.
She poured him a mug, leaving room for all the sugar and milk Ted would add. She waited until he had half a mug drunk before asking, “You liked me when you were helping me build the mausoleum, didn’t you?”
“Yes, before that too.”
“I thought you and Beth were a couple.”
“So did Beth,” Ted said frowning. “What’s this all about?”
“It occurred to me, if you didn’t leave me that day to go to Vegas that we would have been together sooner.”
“You weren’t ready for me. I knew that. I didn’t want to be rebound boy.”
“Instead Whitney was…” Mia said, her voice trailing off.
Ted flexed his muscles. “You’re so used to thinking of me as this musclebound stud muffin that you forget I’m a very smart man. I knew that I couldn’t make you love me, Mia. You had to figure it out on your own.”
“I did.”
“It took you long enough.”
“Now you’re complaining about time. Asshole. You never thought that perhaps Burt could have been rebound boy, did you?”
Ted gave her a look of pure horror. “Who? Do I know him? Please say it wasn’t Mike…”
“Asshole, there was a time before PEEPs. I didn’t suddenly sprout from the ground when you all arrived.”
“Um, I’m suddenly feeling very vulnerable right now. Somewhere out there is your first love.”
“First and second,” Mia said smugly.
“Mia Cooper Martin, you’re the mother of my child. You shouldn’t say such things.”
“You have an insecurity problem.” Mia tapped his chest lightly. “And what’s with you thinking I’ve already fooled around with Mike Dupree. Mike isn’t lover material. Second husband maybe, but…” Mia slipped away before Ted could grab her. She giggled so hard, she got the hiccups.
He caught her and pulled her to him. He lifted her chin and looked deep into her eyes. “I’m the only husband. I get fifty-sixty years, and then Murphy gets a chance. There will be no second husbands. Especially, no Mike Duprees.”
~
Burt walked into the kitchen. He smelled the freshly brewed coffee. Mia smiled at him and poured him a mug. “Ted’s looking for a pain reliever. Sit,” she ordered.
“How’s the grave coming?”
“He’s got two more feet, and he’ll have the depth my father specified. He had to cut through the concrete first before he began the grave. All he had was a pickaxe.”
“He’s going to be in traction. Where’s Dave?”
“He’s still outside with Murphy. I was going to take him this thermos of coffee,” Mia explained. “I didn’t want to leave Ted alone.”
“I’ll watch that he doesn’t do himself in,” Burt offered. “I’m a handy guy when it comes to digging holes. I’ve dug enough for myself.”
“But those were metaphorical holes,” Mia reminded him, putting on her coat. She stuck her feet in the big ugly boots and grabbed the thermos. “Ted could use your help, and I thank you for offering.”
He watched her leave. Ted came walking down the hall, hitting both sides in his fatigue.
Burt jumped up and led the technician to the kitchen table. “Sit,” he ordered.
“Where’s Mia?”
“Taking a thermos of coffee out to Dave.”
“Whew! I thought she was downstairs finishing my grave. I mean Murphy’s grave,” Ted said quickly. He laid his head down on the table.
“You may have overdone it.”
“I know I have. But time is of the essence. My father-in-law is coming at four and expects to see an eight by four by six foot grave dug.”
“I think he’ll forgive you if you don’t make the deadline. I’ll help dig. Maybe you want to spell Dave and let him dig a while. It wouldn’t hurt that kid to do some physical work.”
“You weren’t Mia’s first were you?” Ted blurted out.
“Whoa, where did that come from?”
“Mia.”
“I’m sorry, Ted, but I’m not talking about the personal time between Mia and myself. It’s private.”
“You don’t have to. I’m talking about before you.”
“I’m not sure what you’re asking?”
“Was Mia a virgin when you, you know…”
“Oh, that you’ll have to ask her,” Burt said stubbornly.
“I’m just reeling from the idea that there may be a first love out there.”
“Oh.”
“That never bothered you?”
“Ted, Mia wasn’t a school girl when we met. I wasn’t a virgin; I didn’t expect her to be either. Just because she didn’t mix much with people, I don’t suppose she led the life of a novice either.”
Ted moaned and set his head down again.
Burt got up and took the prescription bottle out of Ted’s hand. He read the contents and asked, “How many of these did you take?”
“None, yet.”
“Good because these are Mia’s.”
“I can have some of Mia’s medicine,” Ted snapped.
“But these aren’t going to do you any good. They’re for a urinary tract infection.”
Ted raised his head. “Is that for an STD?”
Burt hit him Gibbs-style on the back of the head. “No, idiot, plus they’re five years old. Let me go look. Didn’t you read the label? And you’re supposed to be the smart one.”
Burt walked over to the hall closet that Ted left open. On the top shelf was a shoebox full of medical bottles. “The new mommy and daddy are going to have to get a lock box,” he said as he rummaged around and was surprised to see an old prescription of his. He laughed remembering when Mia may have gotten a hold of, as she called it, the good stuff. It was after the first battle in the hollow. He walked back in the kitchen and found Ted fast asleep. He put two tabs by his hand and pocketed the bottle.
He picked up the work gloves Ted left on the counter and put them on as he walked down the stairs to finish the grave.
~
Dave was regaling Murphy with his latest foray into Dungeons and Dragons online. Mia watched as Murphy valiantly tried to keep up with the young man and his pretend world of sorcerers and thieves.
“Coffee!” she announced.
“I’m so happy, I could kiss you!” Dave said.
“Get in line,” Mia said as she shoved the thermos at the sensitive. She walked over to Murphy and studied him a moment before suggesting, “You may want to be elsewhere when my father and mother arrive.”
Murphy nodded. He put his hand on the broken marble and said, “I remember when you and Ted built this for me. I watched him look at you.”
“It seems you and I are riding the same memory train today,” Mia said. “I think in the spring we can move some of this marble to the cellar. Maybe make a
marker and lay it over your grave.”
“I know a guy that is apprenticing as a stone carver,” Dave informed them. “Remember Richie? It’s his cousin. I could have him come and help you out.”
Mia smiled. “I’d like that. Maybe Richie could come too. I like Richie.”
“He’s alright. Don’t go and get mushy. He’s just a moron wrapped in bacon.”
Maggie’s ears perked up, and she trotted over and looked at Dave expectantly.
“Now you’ve done it. Why don’t you take her inside and fry up some bacon?” Mia suggested. “I’ll stay here with Murphy. My dad should be here soon.”
“Your funeral,” Dave said and patted his leg. Maggie fell into step beside him. Mia waited until he was out of earshot before speaking again.
“There’s something going on. I felt it for a while now. Little things by themselves meant nothing much, but as I add them up, I have to admit to being concerned.”
Murphy nodded. “Spirits waking, and others walking.”
“You would think that all this would’ve calmed down when we neutralized Cold Creek Hollow,” Mia complained.
“The three who attacked me aren’t from here,” Murphy told Mia. “They have traveled from across the sea. They smell of salt and smoke.”
“How is that possible?”
“How am I possible?” Murphy asked.
“You choose now to ask a question like that?” Mia grumbled. “Can we table that discussion until after the burial?”
Murphy nodded. “I’m worried.”
“Me too, my friend, me too.”
The sound of a large vehicle approaching the farm alerted Mia to the arrival of her father. She looked at her cell phone and said, “Right on time.” She excused herself and walked towards the drive.
Murphy watched her, amazed at how light on her feet she was, considering the child she carried within her. The only weight Mia carried with difficulty was the responsibility of the gift she was given. He wished things were different for her, but God chose the Cooper clan to help keep the balance and help the lost.
Murphy’s living years were spent in constructive toil and the last year in turmoil. When he rose from his grave and picked up his axe, he decided to spend his eternity taking care of his farm. It wasn’t until Mia came along that he wanted more than simply to exist. She showed him that, even in death, he too could make a difference for not only the living realm but the one he existed in also.
He watched the approach of the Coopers. Charles looked over and nodded a greeting while Amanda got right to business. Mia walked over to the mausoleum and showed her parents what needed to be done. Amanda made some notes and directed the four sizable young men they had brought with them on the safe removal of the large marble pieces.
Charles walked over to Murphy and whispered, “You and I have a little business to discuss. Follow me to the house.”
Curious, Murphy did so. When they had made the drive, Charles stopped. He encouraged Murphy to come closer.
“On the drive in, I saw spirits on the side of the road. Three large blokes dressed in European clothing, I’d say, of the Victorian age.”
“Attacked me. Dave and Burt fought them off,” Murphy reported. “Salt and iron, only small deterrents.”
“Do you know what they want?”
Murphy shook his head. “I’m of no value but Mia…”
“You and I are on the same page. I think we need to get my daughter out of here for a while.”
“I’m not leaving,” Mia said from behind them. “This is my home.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Charles scolded. “You are in no condition to deal with another hollow uprising.”
“You saw for yourself, these spirits aren’t from around here,” Mia argued. “I’ll keep my eye out for them, and I’ll not venture far on my own,” she promised. “But no one is going to frighten me from my home. Don’t you see, Father, I have a bevy of ghost hunters here, hunters that handled two gangs of violent ghosts and lived to tell the tale. My husband’s inventions and my talented coworkers are the best chance I have. I know the hollow. If I leave here, I’m at a terrible disadvantage.” Mia waited until what she said sunk in. “There may be another reason Murphy was attacked.”
Charles listened while she described the half-formed spirit.
“I think his remains aren’t far from here. But even as the last snow fall melts, I don’t think we stand a chance of finding him.”
“If you want me to return and take a look around, Mia, I’ll make myself available.”
“I’d like that, Father. There’s no one better at spotting a disturbed grave than you.”
Charles laughed. “Well, we all have our talents. Speaking of which, I better get back before your mother has Murphy’s remains classified and boxed up for shipment. She’s on automatic right now,” he explained. “Why don’t you take our friend here back to the house. He looks like he could use a change of scenery.”
Mia nodded. “Come on, Murph, you heard the man.”
Murphy looked back at his grave and then at Mia and nodded.
Charles watched his daughter and her friend move slowly towards the house. The ghost extended an arm to help Mia keep her footing on the slick easement of the driveway. “You’d think they were an old married couple the way they relate to each other,” he mused aloud. “Speaking of married couples, I better get back to Amanda.”
Chapter Twelve
Dave shushed Mia as she entered the kitchen. He pointed to Ted’s sleeping form. Mia walked over and put her hand on Ted’s forehead and was pleased to find there was no fever. She was, however, puzzled by the two tablets sitting by his cold coffee mug. She bent down and softly spoke as she gently shook her husband, “Ted, wake up, honey. You’re late for school.”
Ted popped up so fast, Mia nearly received a broken nose for her teasing. She just managed to move out of the way. Ted narrowed his eyes. “Hey, you’re not my mom, and it’s Saturday.”
Dave couldn’t resist. “Son, do you want some bacon?”
Ted kept blinking, trying to make sense of the strange world he found himself in. “Wait, who?” he said, looking from Mia to Dave.
“Ted, I need you to come with me upstairs. Have you taken any medicine yet?” Mia asked, palming the pills.
“No, Burt said that I had a urinary…”
Mia watched as Ted sorted out his memories.
“No, and I can’t lift my arms,” he confessed.
Mia went over and got a glass of water. She helped him take the pills and winced as Ted screamed when she assisted him to stand.
“Oh, I’m going to regret this tomorrow,” Ted said.
“Hey, dude, do you want any bacon before Maggie eats it all?” Dave asked, waving a crispy strip in front of him.
Ted turned a little green.
Mia snatched the piece of bacon out of his hand. “Honestly.” She tossed it over to Maggie who absolutely could not believe her luck.
Murphy moved by the three and headed downstairs where Burt was finishing up on the grave.
“There you are. I expect Mia’s parents have arrived,” Burt said.
Murphy was flabbergasted that he could see him.
“Yes,” Cid replied, moving around the stunned ghost. “They’re making good time.”
Burt was talking to Cid, not him.
“Murphy’s watching you from the stairs,” Cid notified Burt.
Burt directed his gaze before speaking, “Ted did a bang up job. He ran out of steam at four feet. I had the easy job. What do you think?”
Murphy moved to the edge of the hole and nodded at the neat lines of the excavation.
“Charles has a liner we can use until this spring when we’ll pour a nice vault to house your coffin,” Ted said from the top of the stairs.
“Thank you,” he said softly.
“Hey, all in a day’s work for PEEPs. I’d shake your hand, but I can’t move my arms.”
“Shame Mike lives so far away
, I’m sure he’d like to be in on this,” Burt said.
Murphy pushed his hat back, lost for something to say.
“He’d probably drop a whoopee cushion in the casket before the bones went in,” Cid said. “After all, Murphy, he’s a few jokes behind.”
Murphy nodded. Cid had broken the somber mood. Murphy walked over to the well and ran his axe along the top that Ted and Cid built to secure it.
Burt and Ted started laughing. Cid looked confused.
Ted explained, “Mike, in a flair of being dramatic, had me film him going down the ladder the first time we entered the basement. He stepped off the last rung and right into the well.”
“He still thinks that Murphy dug the well just for him to fall in,” Burt added.
The two continued to tell other tales of Mike and his camera obsession. Murphy seemed to enjoy listening to the conversation. Cid noticed that Murphy seemed a bit more himself. Mia had called him over to see if he could settle Murphy down. He took pride that of all the people here, Mia depended on him to manage the situation.
“I’ve never met anyone that, aside from a few quirks, was so down to earth and instinctively handled matters of the heart so well,” she had told him. “Ted’s been very lucky to have you to enjoy and balance his lunacy.”
“Heads up,” Dave called down before he tossed a few bundles of tarps with “Property of the Field Museum” stamped on them.
Cid walked over to Murphy. “I think it’s time for you and me to go for a walk for a while. Let’s see if we can suss out what those foreigners are up to.”
Ted watched the two leave. He turned to Burt and confided, “I always thought, I’d like to be around for my funeral, but I think I’d prefer not to be there for an exhumation and reburial.”
“I don’t think that’s something you or I will have to worry about,” Burt said, patting Ted’s back.
“Ouch! Dude, are you trying to kill me?”
Burt laughed. “Pills haven’t taken effect yet?”
“No, I just took them.”
“I suggest then, you have yourself a nice cup of coffee and let the professionals handle the interment.”
“I’d like to be involved,” Ted said.