Crossroads

by Alexie Aaron [Aaron, Alexie]

  Big tears fell from the man’s eyes. “I prayed to St. Michael for forgiveness and to keep you from harm.”

  “I’m sure he heard you. As you can see, I’m well and my daughters are happy and thriving.” Mia stood up and held her hand out, and the man took it and rose.

  “You have a kind heart. My wife is still making me sleep on the couch.”

  “We can’t have that. Give me your number, and I’ll call her.”

  “A beautiful woman calling my home is going to put me on the couch for a year.” He looked around. “What happened here? I came up here on a whim to see if I could trace the moment I lost control of the truck. But there’s a big hole in the ground where a well and many trees used to be.”

  Mia heard Burt’s car pull up. “If you like, I’ll let Burt Hicks tell you what he thinks happened here. He’s with the young lady who may have been pushed in the river by the same ghost who took control of your truck.”

  “I’m not supposed to talk with her. According to the insurance company, I’m not supposed to talk to you either.”

  “Don’t talk then. Listen,” Mia advised.

  Burt looked over and saw a shoeless Mia conversing with a stranger. He hoped it was a human and not some wood Ent she’d befriended while she was waiting. When the man turned, and the massive crucifix swung free, he worried even more.

  Mia waved a hand as if sensing he was concerned. They walked over to his car, and Mia introduced them.

  “Burt Hicks, Mr. Klein.”

  “Ernie,” Klein said.

  “Where’s Stephanie?” Mia asked.

  “She didn’t want to go over the bridge in my car. Enos is walking her over. I decided to play it dangerously.”

  “Ernie is the truck driver whose vehicle was taken over by you-know-who,” Mia said.

  “I didn’t know you were going to have a meeting, sir. I was just looking around when Mrs. Martin…”

  “Almost fell in the river. He saved me.”

  “Mia doesn’t like to get wet,” Burt said. “I can’t help but notice your cross.”

  “It’s rather big, but it’s a gift from my mother.”

  “You could hang it on the wall,” Mia suggested.

  “I like it,” Sariel said, walking up behind Mia. “I like a man who shows his faith.”

  “Gentlemen, Sariel,” Mia said, hoping he wasn’t dressed in angel weaves. She turned, and he was in blue jeans and nice cotton polo.

  “I’m Ernie Klein.”

  “Nice to meet you. Mia, may I have a moment of your time?”

  “I’ll be right back. Don’t start without me,” Mia said and followed Sariel out of earshot. “Um, did I forget a meeting?”

  “No. Michael wants to yell at you for a while.”

  “Oh joy.”

  “It can wait. Finish your meeting, and then I’ll meet you at the aerie.”

  “K. You may want to warn Michael that he can’t pull off my wings anymore, so he’ll have to curb his childish tendencies.”

  “Mia Cooper Martin!” Sariel said, shocked.

  “It’s an early sign of a child being a psychopath when he starts pulling wings off butterflies. I read it in one of Altair’s books.”

  Sariel was at a loss for words. “How can you be so powerful and immature at the same time?”

  “It’s a gift.”

  “I’ll be waiting. No going to another planet, or I’m going to be pissed.”

  Mia walked back to Burt. Stephanie and Enos had already joined him. “I’m sorry. Good to see you again,” Mia said.

  Stephanie just nodded.

  “Stephanie, I thought that I’d bring you here and do my best to tell you what happened. As you know there was…” Burt proceeded to go over old ground.

  Ernie listened intently. At one point, he was going to identify himself to Stephanie, but Mia anticipated this and asked, “Stephanie, what are you hoping to get from this explanation?”

  “I want to sue the loser who forced me off the road.”

  “Are you interested at all in why all this happened?” Mia asked.

  “Not really. I only came because my mother thought it would be rude, considering all that Burt and Enos did for me.”

  “I thought initially you were doing a piece on the environment and lumbering up here,” Burt said.

  “Yes, but blogging about the environment really doesn’t pay. A girlfriend from college is an influencer for a cosmetic company. I thought I’d get into that.”

  “What does an influencer do?” Enos asked.

  Stephanie went into a long-winded explanation having to do with social media and using her good looks, modeling in beautiful surroundings to catch the eye of the consumer. “That’s why I want to sue. I think I’ll kick off my campaign in Barbados.”

  “Good luck with that. Mr. Klein, can you give me a lift back?” Mia asked. “It was nice of you to show me your favorite fishing spot. I plan on bringing the boys up here on the weekend.”

  Mia walked away quickly. Ernie Klein had parked on the other side of the bridge. Mia declined the ride once they got to his car. “Mr. Klein, if you want my advice, take your family on a vacation until the insurance company gets this settled. If you have a problem getting another position, I may know a guy…”

  ~

  Mia landed on the aerie and waved at the camera to alert Jake she had made it home. She entered the building and trotted down the stairs and used the bathroom. She never knew what kind of mood Michael was in. If it was going to be a long lecture, she didn’t want to have to dance from foot to foot because she had to pee. She texted Ted to tell him of Sariel’s request. He seemed fine with her staying out as long as she was enjoying herself, but he asked that she return in time for supper because Cid had planned a nice barbecue. He added that baked beans were on the menu.

  She walked back up the stairs and out onto the deck. She noticed that Enos had a few pots of late tomato plants set out to catch the sun. Enos seemed to be enjoying his private space and also the deck that accommodated the arrivals and departures of the winged guests.

  Sariel landed. He took Mia’s hand, and the two shot upwards. They traveled west. Mia winced when they landed where Enos, Andy, and she had settled the convicts the day before.

  “What did they do?” she worried.

  Sariel laughed. “I thought this was as good a spot as any. The creatures are behaving themselves, and Cecil found a nugget. How’s your angel sight going?” Sariel asked.

  “I really haven’t had the time to figure out how to use it without getting nauseated,” Mia said. “It’s a whole new way of looking at things.”

  Sariel laughed. His laughter was covered up by the thunderous beating of wings. Mia looked up to see Michael arrive.

  “Damn, he knows how to work it. He’s no you, but damn!”

  “You just swore twice in front of me,” Sariel said, appalled.

  “Sorry.”

  Michael drew in his wings and wiggled his finger at Mia.

  Mia walked slowly over. “Hello, Michael, we have much to discuss.”

  “Are you reading my mind, Mia? How are you?”

  “I’m feeling good, and you?”

  “I’m a little annoyed.”

  “I’m sure that has something to do with me.”

  Sariel clenched his fist. Why did Mia push at Michael this way?

  “Actually, no. I have heard a few rumors. Sariel has filled me in on your antics as far as he’s been involved.”

  “Since the birth of my children, I have been going nonstop. Not that that’s an excuse, and I am sorry that you’ve had to hear things second hand.”

  “I hear Gabriel erred,” Michael said with a twinkle in his eye.

  “I’m sure that everyone who was involved thought that Beverly Cooper was done and dusted,” Mia said graciously.

  Michael looked down at Mia. “You know I can’t read you anymore. This is why we are having a c
onversation.”

  Mia looked up and patted the boulder beside her. “Do you mind sitting down? I have this great view of your nostrils, and although magnificently trimmed, I’d rather look you in the eyes.”

  Michael did sit down.

  “Why are there so many fallen?” Mia asked, trying to take control of the conversation.

  “In general, or…”

  “I’ve run into two in the last few weeks alone.”

  “Maybe they are curious about you, or maybe it’s just that you live in one of the high-powered areas of the world.”

  “I have had a revelation.”

  “Go on.”

  Mia told Michael and Sariel about Amanda killing her and that her father saved her. “You see, my memory started after he brought me back. When I opened my eyes, it was Abigor I saw. In my young mind, I assumed he was my savior.”

  “How do you feel knowing the truth?” Michael asked.

  “Fortunate and a kind of duality.”

  “I don’t understand. What you mean by this answer? Please expand,” Michael asked.

  “Am I a child of God or am I a child of fate?”

  Sariel paled.

  “If my father hadn’t left after saving me, then Abigor wouldn’t have been drawn into the Cooper curse…”

  “There is no curse,” Michael said.

  “But?”

  “Not for you. You died, and that’s when Azrael joined your struggling soul with Euthymia’s. That is why your memory starts then. The consciousness that went into the darkness was gone.”

  “Then the light I saw…”

  “Was Euthymia arriving.”

  Mia forgot herself and hugged the archangel Michael. She had tears streaming down her face by the time she released him. “You have no idea what it’s like to be in this manufactured constantly-recalled nightmare of a body. If it weren’t for the quirky little human who still resides inside, I don’t think I would want to continue to exist.”

  “Abigor wasn’t tied by a curse but by the love you emanate towards all beings, except for Lisa Lane-Cordoba - and I believe Whitney Martin is on your bad list too,” Sariel said.

  “Why didn’t anyone tell me sooner?” Mia asked. “I remember being told that, first, I was tied to Murphy, and I worked really hard to untie us. And then, lo and behold, I’m supposed to be bound by this curse to Abigor.”

  “We didn’t know. We’re just a half-step ahead of you,” Sariel said.

  “You’ve certainly cleaned your house. I was a little worried that you were planning on leaving us,” Michael confessed.

  “I’m just trying to simplify my life. It’s very hard to live up to one’s obligations when one is in an abject state of chaos all the time.”

  “Why did you take on the primal demon genes? I know you gave Sariel an answer, and I suspect you only told him the answer he wanted to hear.”

  “Balance. I know you guys have tried. I respect and thank you for all the hours you have worked on me, even when I didn’t appreciate it. I needed something that couldn’t be taken away from me.”

  “Like your wings. I believe you called me a little psychopath.”

  Mia turned to Sariel. “You spread gossip faster than a farmer spreads hog manure on a 100-degree day.”

  “Mia…” Michael warned. “Be kind. He has no other choice.”

  “I want to be able to look the big boys in the eyes and not be afraid.”

  “You don’t have to fear us… Oh, Lucy, Abigor, and Roumain.”

  “I will not be seduced by the orange-eyes club. I will be respectful when needed and turn my back when they are being… themselves?” Mia said, scrunching up her face. “I want to be respected, and before you say it, I know I have to earn it.”

  “Sariel, Angelo’s little bird has grown up.”

  Mia balled up her fist and caught herself before she punched Michael in the side. Instead she said, “I’d appreciate if you didn’t call me Little Bird.”

  “Misfit?” Sariel asked.

  “Fine.”

  “I’ll stick with Mia if it’s all the same to you,” Michael said, standing up. “Next month, come for a meeting of the minds. Sariel will give you the particulars.”

  “I will. Thank you. Are you going to keep the tattoo on my neck? I may not be able to see it, but I can feel it.”

  “Oh yes. I’m not stupid. I may not want to know what you are up to, but I will know where you are up to it.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Michael took off. Sariel took his place on the boulder. “I’m going to see you home because, otherwise, you’ll just end up in Guam, and then I’m going to go off duty. No more Misfit sitting. If you need me, call.”

  “You do the same,” Mia said.

  Chapter Forty-eight

  Cid had the barbecue up and running by the time Mia arrived home. She checked on her kids, took a shower, and put on some comfortable clothes. She wandered down into the kitchen and found Lazar there sorting out what looked to be several casseroles of baked beans.

  Mia lunged for one but was pulled back by Cid who tossed her over his shoulder, opened the door to the patio, and tossed her out.

  “What’s going on?” she asked Nanny Berta who was enjoying a spirited game of pickup sticks with Adam and Varden.

  “Burt was offered a grant for paranormal research and a generous stipend to boot.”

  “Whoa!” Mia said. “I guess that’s a good enough reason for celebrating.”

  “Wait, there’s more,” Nanny said. “Dieter got a dollar-an-hour raise.”

  “OMG! He’s in the money,” Mia said. “Where are my girls?”

  “Our girls,” Ted said, pushing the carriage up on the decking. “They’ve been fed, burped, and rediapered. Andy is still learning that the diaper needs to be snug.”

  “Teddy Bear, just how many people are wandering around?”

  “I don’t know. I lost count.”

  “You’re a mathematical genius, try,” Mia insisted.

  “Martins: five kids, two very attractive adults, Nanny, Lazar, Cid, that’s ten. Coopersons: four, that’s fourteen, your dad, fifteen. Bravermans: three, plus Ethan, that’s nineteen. Burt, Paula, Noah, Mike, Gates, Andy, and… Glenda. That’s twenty-six.”

  “Twenty-eight, Murphy and Jake,” Mia reminded Ted.

  “My mom and dad are stopping here on their way back to Kansas tonight. Orion, Audrey, Luke, and bump, thirty-three and three quarters,” Ted finished.

  “Do we have enough beer? We barely have enough beans,” Mia said.

  “I heard that,” Cid said, bringing out enormous racks of ribs. “Ribs for the adults and hotdogs for the kids.”

  Jake put on some lively music, and Brian ran over and dragged Mia out onto the lawn.

  Nanny laughed. “Look, he’s bowing.”

  “Someone must teach Mia to curtsey,” Charles said, picking up one of his granddaughters. “May I have this dance, Genevieve?”

  She burbled and smiled.

  “Come on, Nanny,” Varden said. “Adam steps on my toes.”

  Burt arrived, slowing his car to a stop as Orion did his best to haul Audrey out of the car. Paula and Noah got out. Noah ran to Orion’s car, crawled through, and he and Luke pushed on Audrey’s bottom to help.

  Audrey got to her feet, looked at Ted, and shook her finger. “If you say a word, Martin, so help me, I’ll break that noble nose of yours.”

  Mia had switched partners. She had step-on-your-toes Adam leading her in something resembling a tango.

  Maeve let out a little cry. Ted picked her up. “Are you feeling like a wallflower?” he asked her. The baby smiled and hugged her daddy close.

  Enos arrived with Acalan and the new history teacher, Scott, in tow. They were each carrying a keg.

  Ted looked at Acalan and said, “Thirty-five and three quarters.”

  “Thirty-eight and three quarters, Mom, Dad, and Babcia are coming,” L
azar called out. “They are bringing a tub of goulash and desserts.”

  “All this because of Burt’s news and Dieter getting a dollar raise?” Mia questioned the sanity of her family and friends.

  Mark walked up the drive with his bike. “Did you guys know there is a backup of four cars?”

  “Hello, Mr. thirty-nine and three quarters,” Ted said, handing him Maeve. “She needs a diaper change.”

  Mark held her out at arm’s length. “Come on, stinky pants.”

  Audrey waddled past the patio and walked in the house and right into the bathroom. Orion walked right to the keg. “I’m getting too old for this.”

  Acalan tapped Adam on the shoulder. “I would like to dance with your date.”

  “No funny stuff,” Adam said.

  “Adam’s a good judge of character,” Mia said. “It’s so good to see you. How’s your grandmother’s sister?”

  “Grandma Z says she’s full of chemo, piss, and vinegar, but her blood count is good. I want a sitting soon.”

  “Um.”

  “Tomorrow. My new assistant manager is opening the shop.”

  “Who?”

  “Paula Glynn. Dieter gave her an excellent recommendation.”

  “You know she’s Noah’s mother.”

  “I hired her anyway.”

  “If I can get my butt out of bed after tonight, I’ll be there. A bit of a warning, there are a lot of baked beans on the serving table.”

  “I’ll bring in another fan,” Acalan promised.

  There was the whoop of a police siren, and Chambers pulled in the drive. John Ryan and his wife, affectionately known as The General, got out.

  “Forty-two and three quarters,” Mia said.

  “What is it with you and Ted giving everyone numbers?” Acalan asked.

  “We’re keeping track of how many people we have here.”

  Glenda’s motor home pulled up. Mike helped Glenda out. Gates helped Ralph down the steps. He was carrying a tray of appetizers. Bernard and Father Santos followed carrying trays of like treats.