Previous Chapters
Recap of the Beginning and character summary

CHAPTER NINETY-ONE

Sunday — 11:16 A.M.

“Heather!”

Blane yelled as he ran in the house. Slamming the door, he ran toward where he could hear her voice.

“Heather?”

“We’re in here,” she said.

He jogged toward the den off the kitchen. Heather was sitting in a rocking chair with Mack on her shoulder.

“Hi,” she said. “How are you?”

“Missed you guys,” Blane said. “Can I?”

“Sure.”

Standing, Heather held Mack out to him. Impulsively, Blane hugged them both. Heather laughed. He kissed her cheek then took Mack from her. Mack made a happy sound in recognition of Blane. He kissed Mack’s face then settled him on his shoulder.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“I’ve been at the hospital with Sam and…. I’m just happy to have you guys.” He smiled at her. “That’s all.”

She hugged him.

“Sorry you missed church,” Blane said.

“Mack and I went with the girls. We just got back,” Heather said. “He was an angel.”

“You fed him before you went?”

“In the car. Like his Mama, he’s happy with a full belly,” Heather laughed. “Can I get you something?”

“No, I’m just home for a shower. I have to help Jake today. Does that work for you?”

“Of course,” Heather said.

“Jake’s has a big mess today. The sites were closed yesterday and the Castle’s falling down and… Oh it doesn’t matter.”

Blane kissed Mack’s cheek and held his arm out for Heather. She tucked herself into him.

“How’s Delphie?” Heather asked.

“She still thinks she’s dead,” Blane said. “If we weren’t so freaked out for her, it would be pretty funny. She comes home tomorrow.”

“Are you working at the Castle?”

Blane nodded. Shifting away, he gave Mack back to her.

“I should keep moving. Let’s have dinner tonight,” he said. “Just us. I’ll make something yummy.”

“It’s a date,” Heather said.

“You’re sure you’re all right? You seem a little blue.”

“There was a note from Enrique when I got back,” Heather said.

“Oh? What did it say?” Blane asked.

He pointed up the stairs to the shower. She followed him up.

“I didn’t open it,” she said.

“Go ahead.”

While he got ready to shower, she and Mack went back downstairs to get Enrique’s note. He was in the shower when she returned.

“He says that he’s been sober for four days. He moved out of his house and Calvin is moving out at the end of the month. He starts with a therapist tomorrow.”

“Anything else?” Blane asked.

“He loves you,” she said.

“Why would a note from Enrique make you blue?”

“Oh,” Heather said. “What am I going to do when you and Enrique get back together?”

“You’re my wife,” Blane said. “He’s my past. I don’t get the conflict.”

“You wouldn’t,” Heather said. She was halfway down the stairs when he caught up with her.

“Hey! Don’t do that,” he said. “Please. We don’t do this. We’re honest, say what’s on our minds. We don’t play these games.”

She nodded. Naked and dripping water, he took her hand and led her back to the bathroom. He pointed to the toilet and she sat down. She settled Mack in her arms while he finished showering. She gave him a towel when he stepped out of the shower.

“What’s going on?” Blane asked.

“I’m feeling sorry for myself,” Heather said.

“The doctor said we should watch for post partum depression because you’ve been depressed before. Is this the same?”

“I just…”

Blane wrapped the towel around his trim waist. Heather fussed with Mack to keep having to admit her sadness.

“Delphie told me today that you and I are soul mates,” Blane said.

Heather’s head jerked up.

“It sounds crazy,” he said. “But she says there are types of soul mates that aren’t lovers or romantically involved or whatever we’re doing. She said your soul and my soul are linked. We’re supposed to be together, to make a family together. That’s why it took one conversation on a plane and we’ve been happy ever since. You’re happy, right?”

“Very happy,” Heather said. “That’s the problem. I’m terrified it will go away. You’ll get together with Enrique and I’ll…”

“I’m not going anywhere. Do you want to go anywhere?”

Heather shook her head.

“I’ve never been this happy,” Blane said. “I’ve been at that hospital all weekend. Before you and Mack came along, I was completely alone. Even with Sam and Val and Jake and everyone else, you make my family. If I get involved with someone else, he’ll just have to deal with that. You and I are soul mates. Does that feel true?”

“Delphie told me we were meant to be together on the plane,” Heather said. “She just seemed so odd that I…”

“She’s much odder now that she’s convinced that she’s dead. She won’t speak directly to anyone but Sam and Jake. She makes commentary to the rest of us. ‘Oh Jake, you know Blane and Heather are soul mates.’ It’s pretty odd.”

Heather nodded.

“Are you depressed?”

“I don’t think so,” Heather said. “I’m tired.”

“It’s a lot – a newborn and all this drama. Do we have Molly’s kids again today?”

“No, Pete and Aden are moving to Canon City this afternoon. Molly’s home with them.”

“I can stay home today…”

“No, go. Jake wouldn’t ask for help if he didn’t really need it,” Heather said. “They’ve been really amazing since Mack was born.”

“Why don’t I make some brownies before I go?”

“On the diet again,” Heather shook her head. “I’m still have twenty pounds to lose.”

“Tell you what,” he said. “Tomorrow, we’ll workout together. Running, lifting, only healthy food. But today I’ll make you…”

“Chocolate cake?”

“Coming right up,” he said. “Can you take it easy today? Watch movies and hang out with Mack?”

“He’s not too much work,” she nodded.

“Should I call the girls?”

“No, you’re right. I just need a break.”

He nodded. Sitting on their bed, she followed him into their bedroom and watched him get dressed.

“Do you want to move back into your bedroom?” she asked. “You’re not sick anymore and Mack…”

“No,” Blane said. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life. Do you want your own bedroom?”

She shook her head.

“Let it rest, Heather,” he said. “Everything is fine. Come on, let’s make a cake.”

He picked up Mack’s bassinette and carried it to the kitchen. They settled him on the counter and laughed their way through making a cake. Blane frosted one layer of cake in the pan. He gave her the frosted warm cake.

“I never did this for Enrique,” he said. “I would only let him have a completed project. No samples. You get anything you ask for. Ask me and it’s yours.”

“Do you love me?”

“I do,” he said.

“Oh, really?” she blushed.

“Yes,” he said. “Do you love me?”

“Yes, a lot,” she said. Her eyes welled with tears.

“And sex?”

“Not since we tried it that time,” she gave him a watery smile. “Too weird.”

“Weird is a word for it,” he laughed.

“But…”

“No buts. Let’s just enjoy it.”

“No buts.” She nodded.

He held her tight, kissed her cheek, squeezed her hand then went out the door. Heather smiled.

Everything was fine. She was loved. She was happy. He was happy. She’d just have to get used to it.

~~~~~~~~

Sunday — 1:35 P.M.

Jill looked across the kitchen table at Sandy and Honey. Valerie sat down next to her at the table.

“I asked you guys…”

There was a crash from the living room where Jake, Blane and a crew of men worked to clear the wreckage from the incident with Levi Johansen. The women looked toward the kitchen door. They were filling a second roll off dumpster with debris and furniture.

Honey, MJ and Sam had moved out of their wing of the Castle. With the Chapel destroyed, a portion of the Castle was no longer structurally stable. Sam had moved into an apartment on the second floor while MJ and Honey had moved into an apartment in the basement. Jacob had installed a stair lift so Honey could get to the gym. She would be able to get up and down the stairs to the basement when MJ wasn’t home.

Valerie got up to switch off the screaming tea kettle.

“Tea?” Valerie asked.

The women shook their heads. Valerie made herself some peppermint tea and sat back down.

“Why did you want to talk to us Jill?” Valerie asked.

“Delphie usually cooks all our meals,” Jill started.

“She puts groceries in our refrigerator,” Sandy said.

“Ours too,” Honey said. “I haven’t been to the grocery store since we moved in here. Delphie has taken care of all of that.”

“Right,” Jill said. “I think we need to assume she won’t do that for a while.”

“What do the doctors say?” Sandy asked.

“Her brain damage, plus her psychic predisposition, have precipitated in a mental state…” Valerie stopped. Her eyes welled with tears. “She thinks she’s dead. They don’t know if she’ll get better. There isn’t a med or a therapy or…”

Overwhelmed with sadness, Valerie stopped talking. A fat tear slid down her beautiful face. Jill put her hand on Valerie’s shoulder. Valerie wiped her face.

“We need to start taking care of some of the things around here,” Jill said. “Like the dogs, the house cleaning, the cooking, the shopping, and eventually the gardens. Did Mike turn the beds yesterday?”

“He’s doing it now. He’s worried about me and Delphie… He’s nervous about tonight’s art opening,” Valerie wiped her eyes. “We need to find someone to take care of the bees.”

“Is Nash still taking martial arts?” Honey asked Sandy.

“I was just thinking I could ask Colin about the bees,” Sandy said. “Good idea Honey.”

“What should we do about dinner? Do we still want to eat together?”

“I really like it,” Honey said. She blushed at her own exuberance. Valerie squeezed Honey’s hand. “It’s the best part of my day, especially since I’ve been doing this trial or when MJ’s gone.”

“I like it too,” Jill said. “Sandy?”

“Absolutely,” Sandy said. “It’s nice not to have dinner to worry about. Honestly, I don’t know if I can afford groceries for us. We still don’t have Aden’s money and probably won’t.”

“I can cover it,” Jill and Valerie said at the same time. They smiled at each other.

“We’ll get it covered,” Valerie said. “You need groceries for…”

“Breakfast, lunch, baking and dinners for nights Nash has soccer or Noelle has art class,” Sandy said. “With the kids, it’s probably a thousand, fifteen hundred a month, maybe more. These kids aren’t used to American cheese and hot dogs.”

“Ok, so someone needs to do the household shopping or organize a list if we want it delivered,” Valerie said.

“I don’t think the delivered stuff is as good,” Honey said.

“It’s expensive and you don’t get to pick your own vegetables,” Jill said.

“I’ll shop,” Honey said. “I think it would be fun.”

The women gawked at her. Sandy shifted uncomfortably.

“What?” Honey asked.

“Can you shop?” Valerie asked.

“Of course I can shop!” Honey said. “At least I think I can. Just because I’m in this wheelchair and have limited use of my hands doesn’t mean I can’t do it.”

“How about this?” Sandy asked. “Honey organizes the shopping and Jill or I will go with her to help.”

“I can go,” Valerie said.

“You and a billion photographers,” Jill said.

“I can still go,” Valerie said. “The photographers can’t go in the store.”

“Ok, one of us will go with Honey to help,” Sandy said. “Does that work?”

“I wonder if we could get Blane to cook dinner for us,” Valerie said. “He’s an amazing chef.”

Jill and Sandy gave Valerie a puzzled look.

“He went to Chef’s school. He used to be a Sous Chef at the Capital. He’s really amazing. Have you had his chocolate cake?”

“To. Die. For.” Jill said. Sandy nodded.

“He’d probably do it,” Valerie said. “But with Mack and everything, it’s kind of a lot to ask.”

“I can cook,” Jill said.

The women looked at her with doubt.

“Really,” Jill said. “I used to cook all our meals when I was a kid. That was my household job. I’m not a Chef, but I can cook. With school and working for Jake, I have time to do it.”

“I’ll make bread and pastries,” Sandy said. “That would be fun for me.”

“I’ll work out a menu for the week,” Honey said. “I’ll coordinate everyone’s contributions into a schedule and do the shopping.”

“Wow, that’s a lot Honey. Are you sure?” Valerie asked.

“I want to do it,” Honey said. “MJ and I… We really like living here. It’s the least I can do.”

“What will I do?” Valerie asked.

“You’re going back to Prague, right?” Jill asked.

“Next Sunday. But I’ll be home in four weeks. Then I’m here until we have the baby.” Valerie’s face clouded again. “If we have the baby.”

Jill hugged Valerie. Valerie sighed then pushed her sadness away.

“When I get back, I can help run the household. If Delphie’s not better, we’ll need to plant the gardens, mow the lawn, take care of the maintenance, and…”

“Delphie does a lot for us,” Sandy said.

The women nodded.

“We need to do this for her,” Jill said.

“We can do this,” Honey said. “I’ll get everything organized. Maybe I’ll ask Blane if he could cook Sunday dinner.”

“That’s a great idea,” Sandy said. “We can have everyone here for Sunday dinner. I’d like that.”

The women nodded in agreement to Sandy.

“We can do this,” Jill repeated.

“I wish we didn’t have to,” Honey said.

~~~~~~~~

Sunday afternoon — 2:45 P.M.

“You know you’re alive,” Celia chided Delphie.

“I know nothing of the kind,” Delphie replied.

They were sitting outside on a small patio. Delphie had begged for some time to herself. Sam had helped her to the patio then left her to her self. She’d spent most of her meditation arguing quietly with Celia.

“Can you feel pain? Sadness? Rage?” Celia asked.

“Yes,” Delphie said.

“Then you’re alive,” Celia said. “Why would you want to be dead?”

“I’m dead like you,” Delphie said.

“Then why can Sam see you?” Celia asked. “Talk to you? Hold your hand?”

“What are you? The alive or dead police?”

“I’m your best friend,” Celia said. “I want you to live every moment of this life to its fullest. It’s a miracle that you’re still alive.”

“No, I’m not.”

“It’s unlike you to be so stubborn. What’s going on with you?”

Delphie looked at the apparition of her best friend, her beloved Celia. She had no logical response to Celia’s sincere and loving question. Delphie’s mind drifted to the crushing moment she felt completely alone. Lying on the Castle living room floor, Delphie knew she would be alone for an eternity. Losing everyone was the most horrible thing that had ever happened to her. Delphie shook the loss from her head.

“Why is it better to be dead?” Celia asked.

Like a tiny spark, her mind replied: ‘I can’t lose them again.’ The spark was gone before Delphie was even aware it.

“It’s not better. It just is,” Delphie said.

Celia laughed.

~~~~~~~~

Sunday evening — 5:15 P.M.

“But why can’t I take out Melinda?” Nash whined. “Dad would let me date.”

Nash had returned from snowboarding angry and ready for a fight. He’d been needling Sandy for weeks about dating. Tonight he would not let up. Noelle had tried to intervene, but finally gave up and went to her room.

“Your father is not here,” Sandy said. “Get dressed. We’re leaving in a few minutes.”

“You think of me as a child!” Nash shifted into a full blown rant. “You want me to be a little itty baby. I’m not a baby. I have a job! I want to have a girlfriend! How hard is that?”

“Nash,” Sandy touched the boy’s shoulder. He shrugged her off. “Why are you so angry tonight?”

“Why do you care? You just want me to do what I’m told and shut up. Well, I’M NOT GOING TO SHUT UP.”

With all her might, Sandy wished Delphie was here. Delphie always knew how to handle Nash when he was angry.

“Good to know,” Sandy said.

“I HATE you” Nash gestured at her with his cast. “And I HATE this!”

He stomped down the hall to his room. The apartment vibrated when he slammed his door. Sandy plopped down on the couch. She heard Noelle try to talk to Nash. He screamed at her. Dressed in her best dress, Noelle came out to sit on the couch next to Sandy. The little girl and the woman sat on the couch staring at nothing for few moments. Sandy sighed.

“I better go talk to him,” Sandy said.

Sandy went down the hall and to Nash’s bedroom. Opening the door, she found him lying face down on the bed. She sat next to him on the bed and softly stroked his back.

“Nash,” Sandy said. “Dating is a big deal. If you want to take Melinda, or any girl out, you have to have the skills to do it well. Otherwise, it’ll just be hard and awkward.”

“Why do you think I don’t have the skills?”

“I don’t know if you do or don’t,” Sandy said. “We need to figure out what you need to learn. When you’re ready, you can ask Melinda out. You didn’t give me a chance to say that before you got so upset.”

“She probably hates a loser like me anyway,” Nash said.

“She’s going to Mike’s art opening tonight,” Sandy said. “You could see if she hates you there.”

Nash didn’t move or say anything.

“I know this has been really hard on you,” Sandy said. “It’s hard for all of us. But it only works if we’re a team. When you’re upset, we’re upset. Do you really hate this?”

Sandy leaned forward when she heard a ‘No.’

“We’re all heartbroken about Delphie,” Sandy said.

Nash’s back began to heave.

“She’s coming home tomorrow.”

Nash rolled over. He threw himself into Sandy’s arms. Sandy held the crying boy.

“I should have done something,” Nash said. “I didn’t do anything for Dad and I didn’t do anything for you and I didn’t do anything for Delphie and…”

“You did something for all of us,” Sandy said.

“No I didn’t,” Nash said. “I let you get hurt and…”

“You loved us,” Sandy said. “That’s all that matters to me, your Dad and Delphie.”

“It’s not enough,” Nash said. “Dad’s in a coma and Delphie’s in the hospital and…”

Hearing a noise, Sandy turned to see Noelle standing in the doorway. Crying, Noelle ran to the bed to join their hug. She held the weeping children.

No amount of cookies or brownies would fix this situation. Sandy was at a loss for what to do to make things better. She just hung on for dear life. After a few minutes, she sighed.

“We need to get ready to go,” she said. “This is a big day for our friend Mike. He’s asked us to be there with him. He’s pretty nervous. I think we would be crummy friends if we let our own problems keep us from being there for him.”

Nash and Noelle nodded.

“Sometimes, we have to just put away what we feel so we can be there for someone else,” Sandy said.

“Is that what you do with us?” Nash asked.

“Sometimes,” Sandy said. “Sometimes I feel sorry for myself and eat Girl Scout cookies.”

“What kind of Girl Scout cookies?” Nash asked.

“Any,” Sandy smiled. She stroked his hair then hugged him. “Are we all right?”

“Yeah,” he said.

“Are we all right?” Sandy hugged Noelle.

“Of course,” Noelle said. “Nash, you have to get dressed. Fancy dress.”

“I do?” Nash returned to whining.

“Dating skill #1,” Sandy said. “You have to be able to dress up even when you don’t feel like it. And fast. You have five minutes.”

Nash hopped off the bed and began rifling through his closet. Chuckling to herself, Sandy led Noelle from his bedroom. Five minutes on the mark, Nash arrived from his bedroom in dress pants, a nice shirt and a jacket. Sandy helped him with his tie.

They jogged down the stairs and out to the driveway where they joined Jill, Jacob, Katy, Honey, and MJ in the back of a limousine.

“Everything all right?” MJ asked Nash. “You seemed a little upset.”

“I need to learn dating skills,” Nash said.

“Don’t we all,” Jacob said.

At that moment, the driver took off from the Castle. They were off to Mike’s big event.

~~~~~~~~

Denver Cereal is a serial fiction set in Denver, Colorado.
You can get your daily dose of Denver Cereal at DenverCereal.com
Chapters are posted on Saturdays on this blog.
Download your free electronic copy of Denver Cereal, the beginning, and Celia’s Puppies.
Like printed books? Go here or Amazon for a print copy of the Denver Cereal;
Go here or Amazon for the recently released Celia’s Puppies.
Claudia Hall Christian is a novelist.

Previous Chapters
Recap of the Beginning and character summary

CHAPTER NINETY
Saturday morning — 1:20 A.M.

Sandy opened the door to her condo apartment and took a deep breath. She’d always loved the smell of her very own home. Even after being closed up for so many weeks, her home still smelled safe. That’s how she had felt first time she’d stepped into the condo – safe and at peace. She sighed. She needed safety and peace this morning.

Tomorrow, her Godfather’s daughter would move into the condo for the summer. Seth hadn’t asked. Instead, his daughter Elizabethe (not Lizzie like she used to be called) had telephoned and begged her for a room in her condo. Now eighteen years old, Seth’s second daughter from his second marriage wanted to see if she could forge a relationship with her father the summer before she started college. Sandy had agreed to let her stay for three hundred dollars a month. Of course, Sandy had set the terms when she thought she had access to Aden’s money to help cover their expenses.

Luckily she liked to work. But not today. At the hospital last night, she’d called all her scheduled clients to cancel their appointments. Today, she would sleep until two, maybe three.

Sandy checked the guest bedroom where Lizzie, no Elizabethe, would stay. She put fresh sheets on the bed and made sure all of the kids’ stuff was out of the closets and cabinets.

Delphie had been to the condo when Sandy was in the hospital after getting shot by her father. Delphie had packed up Sandy’s clothing, cleared out the refrigerator, and got the flat ready for Sandy’s stay at the Castle. She’d even arranged for Rosa and her team to clean the condo top to bottom. Looking around her home, Sandy saw tokens of Delphie’s usual love and care.

Delphie. Beloved Delphie.

Sandy felt too tired, too raw, to continue thinking about the woman. Instead, she checked the refrigerator out of habit. She took a box of Girl Scout cookies from the freezer and sat down on her couch. She was already late to see the kids. They would have to wait another fifteen minutes while Sandy ate a few frozen Tagalogs in peace.

For a moment, Sandy missed her old carefree life. A year ago, she was single, able to do what she wanted, and unencumbered. She hadn’t met Noelle or Nash, the children who now thought of her as their mother. She hadn’t been on even one date with Aden, her baby’s father, current resident of the Colorado Department of Corrections hospital ward. She wasn’t a business owner and she had plenty of spare money. She was free last year.

On a night like tonight, Sandy might have gone clubbing or spent the evening with a handsome man for dinner, drinks, and an uncomplicated romp. She might have had a girl’s night of drinks, make up, and laughter with Jill, Heather and Tanesha. Or she just as easily could have spent the entire night trying to perfect the flaky crust of a delicate French pastry.

But this morning, she was pregnant, exhausted, and late to get her boyfriend’s children from her best friend’s mother. Sandy put her sore feet on the table and leaned into the couch’s comforting embrace.

She’d spent the last two nights at a hospital. One night at Aden’s bedside and last night waiting for news about Delphie. Tonight, Aden was still in a medically induced coma. He and Pete would be moved to Canon City hospital ward in the morning.

And Delphie…

Sandy’s eyes welled with tears.

Somehow, Delphie had survived the horror of yesterday. Dr. John Drayson came to tell them that the surgery had gone well. He said there was extensive bleeding but somehow there was only minor brain damage. He gave Jacob a lingering look then shrugged. Dr. Drayson knew there was some funny business going on, but he was too polite, too British, to ask. He went on to explain that the doctors had filled the aneurism with platinum coils. The coils protected the area from breaking or leaking. Delphie would need follow up care for the rest of her life but she was healthy overall and should recover with minimal lingering effects.

Only Delphie’s immediate family, Jacob, Valerie, and Sam, were allowed in the ICU. They were each given five minutes before they were escorted back to the waiting room. There was nothing anyone could do for Delphie now.

Or Aden for that matter.

Except wait.

And pray.

Jill and Sandy promised each other they would go to the Cathedral today to light candles for Delphie and Aden. Maybe the Holy Mother would save them. Sandy never felt all that confident in the Holy Mother’s abilities. Still, she felt better when she asked Mary to help her. Maybe Mary would help Delphie and Aden if Sandy got Jill to ask.

Sandy sighed again.

She needed to get to the Castle. Noelle and Nash were waiting for her. She was supposed to follow Jill home when she took this detour. She had needed a moment to herself in her wonderful home.

And some Tagalogs.

Sandy looked inside the box hoping there were twenty hidden cookies inside. She shook the empty box and set it down.

“Mother Mary,” Sandy said out loud. “Please help the ones I love to recover.”

The peaceful silence of her beloved condo echoed back to her. She almost expected Cleo, her black and white cat, to jump up on her lap.

But Cleo, and the children were at the Castle, where Sandy should be. She was grateful for a moment of peace.

“Mother Mary, thank you for sparing Delphie and Valerie and Aden and Pete. Thank you for helping me survive to see these busy days.”

Sandy felt a little better. She was grateful Delphie, Valerie, Aden and Pete survived. She was grateful she survived everything. She just wished she had a few more cookies. Her cell phone rang with the latest Miley Cyrus ringtone courtesy of Noelle. Shaking her head at the ringtone, Sandy answered.

“Hey Jill,” she said. “I wanted to change the sheets before Lizzie comes tomorrow. I know when I sleep, I’ll sleep all day. She’s supposed to be here in the morning.”

“Elizabethe,” Jill exaggerated the ‘beeth’ then laughed.

“Yeah,” Sandy said. “Her.”

Standing from the couch, she gave her condo one last look. She shoved the empty box of cookies and moved toward the door.

“The girls are here,” Jill said. “Heather brought the lovely Mack. He’s sound asleep. Can you believe it? He didn’t wake up in the ride over. Remember how Katy was when she was this age?”

“She didn’t sleep more than an hour until she was almost two,” Sandy laughed at her own memory of Katy’s infancy. “Didn’t want to miss anything. That’s Katy.”

“Heather says after the evening run, he sleeps until 3 A.M.”

“Wow,” Sandy said. “Maybe I’ll get lucky like that.”

“What?” Jill said to the voices in the background.

“We’re wondering if you will make us some…”

Jill put her hand over the phone. Sandy heard her ask, “What do we want?” She heard Heather and Tanesha say something. Jill laughed in response.

“Mostly we just want you to come home,” Jill said. “We’re in the loft. Noelle and Nash are crashed out in the guest bedroom. Cleo’s looking for you.”

“I’ll be right there,” Sandy said.

She closed the door to her home and went down the hall.

~~~~~~~~

Saturday morning — 3:45 A.M.
The Castle

Jacob crept across the open loft space. Jill and her friends were asleep in the sitting area near the fireplace. The empty wine bottle and pan of brownies indicated that they had a girl’s night. Jill and Sandy were so grim when they left the hospital; he hoped the wine, brownies and company helped.

He smiled. Sound asleep, the women were draped around each other like some romantic oil painting. Jill was sitting near the end of the couch with Sandy’s head in her lap. As he approached, Sandy’s eyes opened. When Sandy shifted off Jill’s lap, Jill opened her eyes. She turned to look at Sandy and Sandy pointed to Jacob.

Jill stood to hug Jacob. Sandy gave them a wave and lay back on the couch.

“Come to bed,” Jacob whispered in Jill’s ear.

Jill nodded. He took her hand and led her across the loft. He closed their bedroom door.

“Bath or bed?” he asked.

“Bath,” she said. “How’s Delphie?”

He gave her a soft smile. He led her through their bedroom to their master bathroom where he filled the tub. He gave her the bath salts then went out. When he returned, she was waiting for him in the tub. He plucked off his clothing and stepped in across from her. His knees pressed against the tub and hers rested against his knees. He smiled. For that moment, sitting in the warm scented water with his love, everything in his world was right. He kissed the palm of her right hand in thanks.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“Dad, Blane and Valerie are staying at the hospital,” he said. “I’m home to close Lipson for the day. I have about an hour before I have to work.”

Jill reached back to get a washcloth.

“I’d like to spend the time with you,” he said. “If that’s all right. I know your friends are here but…”

“I’d like that.”

Jill smiled one of her beautiful smiles. A flush ran all the way through him. She giggled at his reaction.

“How… I mean, when…?” he asked.

“The healing thing?” Jill asked.

Nodding, his eyes tracked the washcloth moving across Jill’s skin.

“I’ve been able to do it all my life. Everyone in my family has some healing in them. I’m the strongest or at least stronger than Mama. Mike’s not as strong as Mama, but he was able to keep those soldiers alive when they were hostages.”

“Mike?” He took the wash cloth from her. He indicated for her to twirl around. She slid between his legs. “That’s just weird. When did Mike get any healing power?”

“Ever notice how Mike never really gets hurt?” Jill asked. “He plays hockey hard, but he’s never injured. He even has all his front teeth. How many hockey goalies have all their teeth?”

“He has those scars on his head and face,” Jacob said.

Jill nodded.

“Oh, you mean, the injuries must have been very severe for him to have those scars,” Jacob said.

Jill nodded.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Jacob said. “Why didn’t you heal me?”

“When you were injured?” Jill asked. “I did. I mean, I did what I could for you. Remember the compression dressing?”

“The doctors said it saved my life.”

“It was kind of an accident with you, Honey and Katy. Today… no yesterday was the first time I’ve done it intentionally since my Dad died.” Not wanting to talk about her father, she rushed on, “It’s some genetic thing. It’s why my grandfather rose so fast in the Russian Mob. He’s supposed to be gifted. Mama thinks I’m stronger than he is, but I’ve never met him. We used to do it as kids. When my Dad went… crazy, we’d heal the bruises, broken bones and stuff. On Mama too. Sometimes I think he allowed himself to get so crazy because he knew we could heal it.”

“And the little prayer?” Jacob caressed her with the washcloth.

“Take in this healing with love, for the best use of your soul and body,” Jill said. “It’s something we said as kids. We did it yesterday out of habit, mostly.”

She tipped her head back and he kissed her lips.

“You’ve said that your powers are stronger when I’m around,” Jill said. “It’s probably this thing. Or that’s what Katy said when we were in the Chapel.”

“Katy,” Jacob said. “How is Katy?”

“Asleep, but happy. She and Paddie ate all kinds of cookies and cupcakes and chocolate. Mama said they kept everyone entertained by running in circles and giggling. They’re very happy right now.”

“So am I,” Jacob said.

For a brief moment, his heart filled with the joy of Jill. Reality dropped in a moment later. He sighed.

“Tell me about Delphie,” Jill said. “It was awful to come home and not have her here. The downstairs is a wreck. I… Tell me about Delphie.”

“She’s stable,” Jacob said. “She seems to have turned a corner or that’s what John said. There is some brain damage but they aren’t sure it wasn’t there before. It’s centered around areas of reality testing. They asked us if Delphie ever thought she ‘saw things like ghosts or spirits.’ We laughed after they left.”

“Sounds like good news,” Jill said.

“I guess so. They’ll keep her a couple days, but she should be home by Monday or Tuesday,” Jacob said. “Dad’s a wreck. He’s sure the whole thing is his fault. He says he should have killed Johansen when we saw him in Leadville.”

“He wouldn’t have survived,” Jill said.

“Probably,” Jacob said. “Do you think we’re together because…”

“Delphie told me once that people like us are drawn to each other,” Jill said. “When I was helping her, I heard her say that she tricked you into creating Katy.”

“Huh,” Jacob said. “She probably did.”

“What does that mean?”

“She was the connection to the project in California. She had a friend who wanted an ashram or something like that,” Jacob said. “Totally out of our scope and place. Val and I had to go to see it to vote against it. That’s how I got to California.”

“We should go back,” Jill said.

“We should,” Jacob said.

Standing from the tub, he grabbed a towel from the rack.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“I only have a half hour more…” he said. Still damp, he pulled the sheets back on the bed and wagged his eyebrows at her. “You promised to heal me.”

Laughing, she hopped from the bath to follow him to the bed.

~~~~~~~~

Saturday afternoon — 3:45 P.M.

“Are you all right?” Mike asked.

They were walking down Eighteenth Street. Delphie was still unconscious. Jacob was sitting with her while Sam went home to shower. Blane was holding down the fort in the waiting room. Mike had been bugging Valerie to eat for hours. After Blane promised to call if anything changed, she finally agreed to leave the hospital for food.

“I’d rather have dessert,” Valerie said. “If I have to eat, I’d rather have dessert.”

Valerie felt as if the roots of her very existence had been ripped from the ground. Delphie was her anchor, her long roots into the soil allowed Valerie to take risks and live. They turned down Humboldt Street toward Seventeenth Street.

“There’s a place here,” Mike said. “Next to Strings. D Bar. Oh crap.”

A car screeched to a halt beside them. Four paparazzi photographers jumped from the car. The camera’s whirred and the flash popped. Mike put his arm around Valerie to protect her.

“Where you going Val?”

“What’s going on Val?”

“How are the babies, Val?”

“Hey Mike, is she wearing your pants? They’re pretty big.”

“Show us your baby bump, Val!”

“Why are you in Denver, Val”

The questions flew as fast as the flash from the cameras. She smiled and waved.

Turning on left on Seventeenth, they scooted into the D Bar.

“Are they for you?” the Maitre d’ asked about the photographers.

Valerie nodded.

“Do you want them in?”

Valerie shook her head.

“Easy.”

The Matire d’ informed the photographers that they should leave. As if to accentuate her point, a Denver police cruiser pulled up in front.

“Thanks,” Mike slipped the woman a twenty dollar bill.

They were escorted to a two person table near the back. Mike held Valerie’s seat then came around to sit across from her.

“Sit next to me,” Valerie said. “Please.”

Mike moved next to her on the bench. She held his hand.

“I’m so sorry about the baby, Mike. I wanted to give you babies… a boy to play hockey with and… I….”

Her large hazel eyes filled with tears. Mike put his arm around her. He kissed her cheek. Retrieving a clean handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped her eyes. She took the handkerchief from him.

“Where did you get this?” she asked. “I made a mess of your other one.”

“Jake brought me two clean handkerchiefs,” Mike said. “Just figured I’d need them.”

Valerie gave a soft smile for her brother’s lie about his psychic abilities.

“I’m sorry about our baby too,” Mike said. “Feel caught between gratitude for the miracle that you’re alive; joy that we still have a baby girl to look forward to meeting; and heartbreak over losing our boy, our son.”

“Feels crazy,” Valerie said.

“Feels crazy,” Mike said.

“I called the producers. They are giving me next week off to be with Delphie and get checked and stuff. They want me back, but are being nice about it. My agent said they are really happy with my work.”

Mike’s big rough hand cupped her soft cheek. He smiled into her face.

“We need to sleep, recover. We’ll see our doctor on Monday,” Mike said. “I say we celebrate the short life of our son, our daughter on the way, and your precious life.”

“I need to grieve, Mike,” Valerie said. “And eat some chocolate.”

Mike signaled the waiter.

“Please bring us every chocolate dessert you have in the house,” he said. “And some water. Hot tea for Val. Something herbal. We’re pregnant.”

“Congratulations sir, ma’am. I’ll bring that right away.”

Valerie smiled.

“What?”

“I love it when you take charge,” she said.

~~~~~~~~

Saturday evening — 5:45 P.M.
St. Joseph’s Hospital

“Sam.”

Or at least that’s what he thought he heard. Sam moved from the chair by Delphie’s bed to sit on the bed.

“I’m here,” he said.

Delphie opened then closed her eyes. Hoping she might wake up, he waited for a moment. The doctors thought she’d be awake by now. Every passing minute she remained asleep, her prognosis got worse. He sighed and moved back to his chair. He must have imagined her voice.

“Sam?” He heard five minutes later.

He moved back to the bed. Delphie’s eyes were open and she seemed alert.

“Where am I?” she whispered.

“St. Joe’s,” he said. “Do you remember what happened?’

“I remember Levi.” Delphie shivered and closed her eyes. “Awful.”

“He’s dead,” Sam said.

Delphie looked surprised.

“I’m sorry. I know how much he meant to you.”

“Did Jacob kill him?” she asked.

“Jill,” Sam said. “Although the coroner said he was riddled with cancer. He probably wouldn’t have survived the week. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you. We still haven’t figured out how the security system failed.”

“I doubt it did,” she said. “He would have been able to get around it. Everything but the dogs. Can’t trick a dog. They would have kept him away. I should have remembered that. I thought they’d be happier if they went to the groomers all together than if they went by themselves.”

“They’re at home waiting for you,” Sam said.

“Home.” Delphie’s voice echoed with longing. “I’d like to be home.”

“Tomorrow or the next day,” Sam said. “You’ve been very ill.”

“I died,” she said.

“Listen,” Sam said. “I’ve had a lot of time to think and I’d really like to marry you while we still have time left.”

Delphie laughed.

“Why is that funny?”

“Because you’re Celia’s husband. What would Celia think?” Delphie asked. “Plus I like the idea of you being my super hot boyfriend. Gives me a little thrill.”

“Celia would want us to get married. You’ve told me over and over again that she wants us to be happy.”

“You are a sweet man,” Delphie said. “What I can’t figure out is why you can talk to me. Did you gain some psychic skill?”

“Me? Psychic skill? Not a chance,” Sam laughed.

“You must have gained some,” she laughed.

“Why?”

“Because I’m dead!”

Denver Cereal continues next week…

~~~~~~~~

Denver Cereal is a serial fiction set in Denver, Colorado.
You can get your daily dose of Denver Cereal at DenverCereal.com
Chapters are posted on Saturdays on this blog.
Download your free electronic copy of Denver Cereal, the beginning, and Celia’s Puppies.
Like printed books? Go here or Amazon for a print copy of the Denver Cereal;
Go here or Amazon for the recently released Celia’s Puppies.
Claudia Hall Christian is a novelist.

Previous Chapters
Recap of the Beginning and character summary

CHAPTER EIGHTY-NINE

Friday evening — 6:15 P.M.

Delphie almost collapsed with relief when Johansen released her. In the last few hours, he had been brutal with her. She wasn’t sure if the old man was getting careless or simply didn’t care if he hurt her. At one point, she wondered if he wanted to destroy her psychic capacity. Her mind and body felt battered and bruised.

Jacob’s vortex, the vortex she’d taught him to make just two month’s ago, brought further relief. She was safe! She was finally safe! Like standing behind an opaque crystal, she could only make out the vague, blurry images of Jacob and Johansen fighting.

Then BAM! The explosion in the Chapel rocked the very foundation of the Castle. Her heart pounded with fear. The Chapel had been her spiritual home since Celia bought the Castle for her. Even though Celia assured her that Katy was not inside, Delphie couldn’t calm her racing heart.  Something awful was going to happen. She just knew it.

Watching through the opaque vortex, she made out Johansen and Jacob fighting. She’d never expected Johansen to be so out of control. For the life of her, she couldn’t understand what he wanted.

“That’s because you refused to believe he wants to kill every Marlowe,” Celia said. “You have to believe there’s some good inside him.”

Delphie nodded. She had to believe there was some good inside him. After all, he’d been her protector, the only father she’d had from the time she was six years old until Celia saved her when she was sixteen. In some ways, she loved him. If he was pure evil, what did that make her? Was she evil of her connection to him?

Delphie saw the short blurry person moving carrying the enormous stick move toward Johansen.

“That’s Jill,” Celia said. “You must have gotten through to Jill.”

“Not me,” Delphie said. “Must have been Katy.”

They watched Johansen fall. The blurry figure bent over Johansen and the vortex collapsed.

At that moment she felt a tearing, ripping sensation in her mind, her eyes filled with the most spectacular light.  The beautiful orange, yellow and white light consumed all thought and feeling.

She heard herself scream. The light blocked out the figure of Celia. She vaguely heard Celia calling for her. She felt her body fall to the floor.

Surrounded in the gorgeous light, Delphie felt no pain, no loss, only joy. She was enraptured. Life slowed to a stand still and the light grew from within her and around her.

She felt soft hands on her head.  And Jill entered the light.

She smiled at Jill. She even said hello. But Jill couldn’t hear her. Jill looked worried, frightened even. Delphie tried to tell Jill not to be afraid of the light.

“Please don’t leave.”

Jacob. She heard his voice. She’d said those words to him when he was inside his mother. Don’t leave. She’d repeated them all of his life and now he was saying them back to her.

Couldn’t he see the light? Why wasn’t he with her inside the light?

Jacob was her child. The one she loved the most. The child she’d saved from certain death. Even Celia, who loved him completely, said he was really her child, her son, her prodigy.

Why couldn’t he see the light?

From her position in the light, she watched Johansen’s soul leave his body. Unnoticed and unloved, he simply moved on. No one would miss him. No one would even know he’d lived. There were no bee hives to tell that he’d died. No garden that would go to seed. No tears, no grief, no loss. He was simply there one moment — alive and evil — and gone the very next moment. Like dust, his soul dissipated on the wind.

Filled by the joyous light, she waved to him. Good-bye old man. May your next life be filled with joy.

Where was Celia? Why couldn’t she see Celia? She called for her best friend by her earth name – Celia! She called for her by her soul name – Naomi. Come join me in the light.

She felt a desperate longing for Celia.

And for Sam. Where was Sam? Sam would love this light. Sam would tell her all the colors and laugh at her confusion. Where was Sam?

And Katy? Where was the child she thanked the Goddess she lived long enough to meet? The baby she’d tricked Jacob into creating. Katy would never exist if not for her intervention. Where was her Katherine?

Alone.

She was desperately and completely alone.

Even the beautiful joyous light couldn’t take away the horrible knowledge that she was completely and totally alone.

Where were her dogs? She longed for the touch of Scooter’s fuzzy ears or to hear Sarah big bark or to feel Buster’s wet nose. They should be here, right here, with her.

In that moment, longing for the touch of the dogs, Delphie realized that she was dead. She’d died on the floor of the Castle. Delphie was overcome with grief.

She had loved life more than anyone else she’d ever met.

And she was dead.

There would be no one to pray for her transition. She’d have to make it on her own.

Alone.

Forever.

Until life or good will or some beautiful Goddess or powerful God would allow her to know Celia, Sam, Jill, Katy, Jacob, Valerie and Mike again. She keened with grief for the loss of her own precious life.

A figure appeared on the horizon.

Who are you?

Are you an angel?

Can I stay to say one last good-bye?

Please.

I haven’t seen Valerie or Mike. And my dogs will miss me. And I need to visit my bees. They will disperse if I don’t go and say good-bye.  And what about my gardens? They haven’t been turned for the early spring. The grass will overtake them and in a few months time they will disappear.

Please. May I spend one day or one month or maybe a year in my Castle?

Don’t make me leave the Castle and all the people I love.

Please don’t make me leave.

The angel laughed. The laughter was like crystal bells on some far away church. The sound shattered the light like loud sound waves through glass. The world came into view.

“Sleep now,” the angel said. “You are safe.”

And Delphie slept.

~~~~~~~~

Friday evening — 6:55 P.M.

Jill shook her head.

“I can’t… She’s having a stroke. I can’t stop it.”

Jacob wrapped himself around Delphie’s body and whispered in her ear:

“Please don’t leave.”

Jill did the only thing she could think of doing. She put Delphie’s head in her lap and placed her hands around Delphie’s ears. Maybe she could keep the damage from getting too severe. She blew light and love into broken and bleeding arteries. Jill didn’t have the heart to give up.

She couldn’t give up.

She wouldn’t give up.

Her entire focus was on Delphie’s brain and the blood seeping from her arteries. Out of a corner of her eye, she saw Jacob shift, then felt hands on her shoulders. Her brother Steve and sister Megan put a hand on each of her shoulders. With their touch, they pumped their meager healing energy into Jill.

Her capacity rose. And still it was not enough to save Delphie. This precious woman was beginning to fade.

Jill felt the jolt of her sister Candy touching Megan’s shoulder and Mike joining Steve. The siblings funneled all of their capacities into Jill.

And it still wasn’t enough.

“Are you ready, Jilly?” Jill heard.

She nodded. Her mother, Anjelika grabbed Delphie’s feet. Mike and Candy touched her mother’s shoulders. The family made a healing circle around Delphie’s prone body.

The power surge was tremendous. Jill could almost smell her senses burn like bread left too long in the toaster. Her ears roared with the sound of Delphie’s blood and the power pouring through her body. Jill held on tight.

She felt the tide shift. The blood began to seep backward. The torn artery began to heal.

“We must stop,” Anjelika yelled. “The police are on their way.”

Two at a time, her siblings let go. Mike and Candy first. Megan and Steve next.

“1-2-3,” Anjelika yelled.

Anjelika and Jill let go at the same time. They rose to standing. Anjelika took Mike and Candy’s hands. Jill took Steve and Megan’s hands. Steve took Mike’s hand and Megan completed the circle by taking Candy’s hand.

“Take in this healing with love, for the best use of your soul and body,” they said in unison.

Crying, Valerie took Jill’s place at Delphie’s head. Valerie caressed Delphie’s head and hair. She kissed Delphie’s cheek and pressed her own face to the cool skin.

“She’s breathing,” Valerie said through her tears. “Oh God, she’s breathing.”

“What are we going to do with…?” Jacob said over Johansen’s body.

“Children,” Anjelika said.

Jill moved to Johansen’s body. Sitting down, she placed her hands on his head. The wound, created by the hockey stick, diminished leaving only small gash where he’d hit the floor. His shoulder healed to full use.

“Go,” Anjelika said.

Steve and Candy touched Johansen’s body. Mike and Megan followed.

“What are you doing?” Jacob asked Jill.

“We’re releasing the negative effects of the healing into his body,” Jill said. “For every positive energy, like healing, there is a negative energy, like illness. If we dabble in one, we get the other. Rather than take it into our own bodies, we are releasing it into his.”

“Your turn, Jill,” Anjelika said.

Jill put her hands on Johansen’s abdomen.

“You will tell them that this man entered your home and took Delphie hostage,” Anjelika said to Jacob. “You believe he’s a friend or old friend of Delphie’s but you don’t know. You confronted him. He fought with you, breaking everything, then blew up the Chapel. Startled by his own explosion, he collapsed and hit his head. When he did, Delphie screamed that her head hurt and fainted. He might have done something to her, but you’re not sure.”

“That’s it?” Jacob asked.

He bent down to help Jill to standing. He wrapped her in his arms.

“Yes,” Anjelika said. “Delphie will need a hospital and surgery.”

“And Val?” Mike asked.

“She should be all right, but you need to do what makes sense to you.”

“I’d rather stay with Delphie,” Valerie said.

“Get cleaned up,” Anjelika ordered. “Go now.”

Mike helped Valerie to her feet. They ran toward the door and up the stairs to Jacob’s bachelor studio. Not two minutes later, the Denver police ran into through the Castle through the side entrance. The paramedics arrived moments later. After stabilizing Delphie in the living room, she was off to St. Joseph’s with Valerie at her side.

The Police department’s noise and confusion brought Sandy and the kids from the tunnels. Jill and Sandy took Noelle, Nash, Paddie and Katy upstairs to the loft. Jill’s family arrived moments later. Anjelika and Sandy set to work on a pot of chili and corn scones. Dinner was almost ready when Valerie called from the hospital.

Mike had asked their friend Dr. John Drayson to act as their liaison. Dr. Drayson said the doctors had diagnosed Delphie’s aneurism. The aneurism was significant and on the verge of bursting. They must operate immediately or Delphie would surely die. As it was, her chances of surviving the surviving were limited. Dr. Drayson agreed to attend the surgery to keep them apprised on what happened.

When Anjelika agreed to stay with the children, the rest of the group left for a long night at the hospital. Sam arrived just after they descended on the OR waiting room.

Unaware of all that had gone on that day, Sam said: “I told her to take care of her blood pressure”  then broke down. Jacob and Valerie held their father until Sam was able to regain some control. Blane arrived moments later with warm turkey sandwiches, fresh chocolate chip cookies, and coffee. The group ate and waited.

No one dared mentioning the obvious. Delphie had always waited in these rooms for them. Delphie was there for every operation, broken bone, or illness. With her prayers, spells and incantations, Delphie was their cornerstone of hope for every hospital visit. With her crazy bottle red hair tied up in a knot, Delphie would say, ‘No need to fret. The Goddess loves us.’

Now Delphie’s life hung in the balance.

Together, Jacob, Jill, Sam, Valerie, Mike, Blane, and Sandy waited through the night for news from the surgery suite.

~~~~~~~~

Denver Cereal is a serial fiction set in Denver, Colorado.
You can get your daily dose of Denver Cereal at DenverCereal.com
Chapters are posted on Saturdays on this blog.
Download your free electronic copy of Denver Cereal, the beginning, and Celia’s Puppies.
Like printed books? Go here or Amazon for a print copy of the Denver Cereal;
Go here or Amazon for the recently released Celia’s Puppies.
Claudia Hall Christian is a novelist.

Previous Chapters
Recap of the Beginning and character summary

CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT

Friday evening — 5:45 P.M.

Jacob stepped through the doorway and listened. He could hear Valerie screaming in the kitchen. Valerie’s pain and terror threatened to overwhelm his little brother self. He had to stay focused. He pushed away everything other than his singular focus – Johansen.

Cloaking his mind, he slipped off his boots and jacket. He knew he had only a few minutes before Johansen would be on him. He had to be ready for whatever came in his direction.

Then, as if placed there by some friendly god, he saw Mike’s hockey gear. With his eyes on Johansen, he picked up Mike’s hockey stick. He crawled forward to the bag. When Valerie screamed again, he opened the front pouch of Mike’s bag. He breathed a sigh of relief. Three pucks. With a silent prayer of thanks for Mike’s compulsive nature, he slipped a puck into each of the back pockets of his jeans.

Johansen sniffed.

“SHOW YOURSELF!”

Jacob hopped to his feet. In one fluid movement, he tossed the puck up and hit it hard with Mike’s stick. The puck flew through the air and hit Johansen in the forehead. When Johansen fell backwards, Delphie crumpled to the ground clutching her head. Johansen’s hold on her tore at her mind.

Rooting himself into the foundation of the Castle, Jacob used his power to push Valerie deeper into the kitchen. As Mike scrambled after her, Jacobslammed and locked the kitchen door. Slowly moving his right hand, he attempted to create a shield vortex around Delphie to protect her. Johansen asserted his hold over Delphie and she began to scream in pain. Jacob’s vortex collapsed onto itself.

“Mom!” Jacob called to Celia. He pointed to Delphie. “Go!”

Celia went to comfort Delphie.

Johansen was on his feet. He sent energetic tendrils around Jacob. Johansen’s mind searched Jacob’s body and soul for any weakness. Sloughing him off, Jacob dropped the hockey stick. He fought back with his mind.

Their battle began.

~~~~~~~~

Friday evening — 5:45 P.M.

“Mommy?” Katy asked.

“Yes, Katy-baby,” Jill said.

They were snuggled together in the pillows near the back of the chapel. Paddie was curled up next to Jill. With Katy’s head lay on Jill’s lap, they spoke in quiet, intimate tones.

“Do you have a special power?” Katy asked.

“No, baby, I’m hopelessly normal,” Jill said.

“How come Naomi says you have a special power?” Katy asked.

“Naomi must be mistaken,” Jill said.

“But she says when you were my age you could heal things,” Katy said. “She told me when I was sick. She said you didn’t heal me when I was sick because you forgot you could do it.”

“Do what, Katy-baby?”

“Heal people. Animals. Stuff like that,” Katy said. “That’s what you’re doing when you help me with the dreams. You heal me. Daddy too. That’s why he’s gotten so strong.”

“I just love you Katy-baby. Daddy too,” Jill said. “When you have a dream, I love you back to me. I loved you when you were sick too.”

“Are you sure you never loved little animals, birds and squirrels the same way?” Katy asked. “Even when they were dead?”

Jill didn’t respond. Instead, she caressed Katy’s head hoping she would fall asleep.

“Mommy? Why won’t you tell me?”

“Oh,” Jill sighed. “It was a long, long time ago and I did something really bad. I promised myself I would never do that again. Never ever.”

Katy was silent for a while. They heard a something crash against the floor upstairs.

“Mommy?”

“Yes, Katy-baby,” Jill said.

“Why won’t you do it now? You did it when I had the bee sting. Remember when we were at that store and I was really sick? You did it for Auntie Honey. By her bedside.”

“If it happens now, it’s just a mistake or an accident.”

“But you would do it to save me?”

“I don’t think I can do it by choice. When you grow up Katy…”

“Naomi says you can. Would you do it to save Daddy?”

“Katy…”

“Would you do it to save Delphie? Or Auntie Valerie? Or Grand Mommy? Because Naomi says that you’re the only one who can save all of us.”

~~~~~~~~

Friday evening — 5:55 P.M.

When the kitchen door slammed closed, Mike jumped to his feet. Pulling and tugging, he dragged the solid maple kitchen table to block the door.  He closed and locked the door to the apartment stairs.  He pulled an armoire over to block the door. Certain they were safe as safe as he could make them, he turned to Valerie.

Valerie writhed on the floor. Unsure of what to do for her, he wrapped himself around her. He closed his eyes and willed his strength into her.

Until he saw blood.

“You’re bleeding,” he said.

“Babies, Mike. Babies are dying.” Valerie grunted.

Mike scowled. Picking up his cell phone, he dialed 9-1-1. No response. His phone wasn’t working. He shattered the phone against the wall. From his position on the floor, he snatched at the kitchen phone on the wall.

One try. Missed.

Another try. Miss.

Finally, he had the phone in his hand. No dial tone.

“Mike save my babies,” Valerie said. She passed out.

Mike lifted her into his arms. He carried her to the security panel. With his precious bundle in his arms, he was able to open the tunnel door. There was only one person who could fix this now. He only hoped she was hiding in the Chapel.

He carried Valerie into the tunnels.

~~~~~~~~

Friday evening — 6:06 P.M.

Sandy pulled into the Castle driveway. Always vigilant, Sandy noticed the dogs didn’t come to greet her. Uneasy, she pulled forward to park behind Jill’s Lexus. At least everyone was here.

“We must be late,” Sandy said.

“Nah, dinner is at seven,” Nash said. “Bet Mrs. Valerie is already here. They’re probably already celebrating. She makes the party.”

“I don’t mind being late! I love love love love ice cream!”

Laughing, Sandy got out of the driver’s seat. She scanned the backyard for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing stood out. She went around the car to where the kids waited for her. They moved across the driveway toward the Castle.

“Sandy!” Jill called. “Sandy!”

“Sandy,” Noelle stopped and pointed to Jill.

They could just see Jill’s face over the edge of the building. She was peering out of a broken window in the chapel. Jill waved for them to come over to her. Sandy ran over to Jill. She dropped to her knees.

“What’s wrong?” Sandy asked. “What’s happened?”

“I don’t know,” Jill said. “Something is happening. Jacob made us go down here. He said we were in danger. We keep hearing crashes upstairs and people crying and screaming.”

Without hesitation, Sandy helped the kids into the Chapel. Noelle went over to Katy and the girls hugged. Noelle pulled a doll out of her backpack for the Katy to play with.  Not sure what to do with himself, Nash reached for Sandy’s hand. Sandy smiled at him.

“Would you mind checking on Paddie?”  Sandy asked Nash.

“You want to talk to Jill alone,” Nash said.

“I want to talk to Jill alone.”

Nash wandered over to Paddie.

“What’s going on?” Sandy whispered.

“I don’t know,” Jill said. “Katy says I have to… you know. She says it’s the only way to get through this… without everyone dying.”

Sandy nodded. The two close friends shared a long look. Jill shook her head.

“I can’t. Never again,” Jill said.

“Just because you didn’t save your father doesn’t mean…”

The women looked up as Mike carried Valerie into the Chapel.

“Please Jill, Valerie’s losing the babies. She’s dying,” Mike said. “Please. Please.”

~~~~~~~~

Friday evening — 6:15 P.M.

Johansen was weakening. To distract Jacob, Johansen began flinging random furniture and heavy objects at him. But Jacob was an expert hockey player. Avoiding a flying Tiffany lamp was no different than avoiding a hockey puck. Jacob jumped and weaved around the flying objects.

Johansen worked to open the kitchen door while holding onto Delphie. The three focuses – Jacob, Delphie and getting Valerie – were too much for him. The demon had to let go of Valerie but refused to let go of Delphie. Jacob heard Mike unlock the door to the tunnels. With any luck, Mike and Valerie were on their way to the hospital.

Jacob pressed his energy forward and Johansen stumbled. For a brief moment, Johansen let go of Delphie. Jacob to create a power vortex around Delphie. Celia flew at Johansen to distract him long enough for the vortex to solidify. The energy spiral burned bright white in the Castle living room. Delphie was safe from any energetic intervention. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Celia join Delphie inside the vortex.

Johansen screamed with rage.

“SHE’S MINE!”

He blew Jacob off his feet. Jacob flew backward. He hit the wall hard enough to knock a hole in the plaster. Johansen flew across the room at Jacob. Taking Johansen’s cue, Jacob took a hockey puck from his back pocket and energetically threw it at Johansen. The puck hit the man on the shoulder. Johansen’s shoulder broke with a satisfying crack.

Johansen reached out his energy to grabbed Jacob’s heart. Jacob deflected him.

“Smart enough to protect a weak heart!” The man gave a maniacal laugh.

Johansen tried to wrap his energy around Jacob’s heart again. Jacob threw the other puck at him. The puck went wild and bounced off the kitchen door. Johansen asserted his will. Decades of rage and prison induced hatred flew at Jacob. Tendrils of the man’s energy wrapped around Jacob’s heart.

Jacob gasped for breath. He fell to the ground.

“NO Marlowe will survive this day!” Johansen yelled.

Jacob reached up his hand. He crashed through ceiling into the second floor breaking Johansen’s hold on him.

“No matter. Time to kill the Marlowe child,” Johansen yelled after Jacob.

~~~~~~~~

Friday evening — 6:15 P.M.

“I haven’t done it since…” Jill started.

“You have to try,” Mike said. “Valerie won’t make it to the hospital. The babies won’t make it. Please. Try.”

Jill felt motion next to her.

“You can do it, Mommy.” Katy’s words resonated inside her.

Jill dropped to her knees. Envisioning the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen, sunlight through of the archangel Raphael stained glass window, Jill let the light fill her. She rubbed her hands together.

“I…”

“Please try,” Mike begged.

Closing her eyes, Jill placed her hands on Valerie’s belly. Her mind flooded with images. She saw that one child was already dead. The other was alive and hanging on through the contractions. Jill used her breath to blow her healing light into Valerie’s womb. The contractions slowed. Jill directed the healing light to the dead baby but no spark of life was left to receive it.

Another Marlowe male had been killed by Johansen.

When the contractions and bleeding stopped, Jill let go. Looking up, she was surprised to see everyone standing around her. Little Paddie put his arm over her shoulder. Katy kissed her cheek.

“I’m sorry, Mike. You’ve lost a baby,” Jill said. “I couldn’t revive him.”

Valerie woke with a gasp. Clutching to Mike, she began to sob.

“She should be all right now,” Jill said. “I think I need to go.”

“Go Jill. I’ll stay with the kids,” Sandy said. “You can do this.”

Jill turned to run out the door.

“Mommy?”

Katy ran into her mother’s arms. For just a moment, all movement in their world slowed to a stop. The mother and child held each other tight.  Feeling pressure to leave, Jill let go. She set Katy down.

“Love you, Katy-baby,” Jill said at the same moment Katy said, “Love you, Mommy.”

Jill touched Katy’s hair one last time then ran out of the room. Jill ran down the stairs and into the tunnel. She made a sharp turn and jogged up the stairs to the kitchen door. She unlocked the security for the door. Running into the kitchen, she saw that Mike had blocked the doors to the living room.

Just then there was a crash in the living room. Something bounced off the kitchen door. Jill tried to move the table. She pulled and pushed but the table was too heavy for her. There was no way she was going through either of those doors.

She couldn’t get to the stairwell to go through her loft apartment. She couldn’t gain access from the second floor. She spun in place. She’d just have to go around. She pulled a key from a hook and unlocked the back door. She ran across the deck and around the house.

~~~~~~~~

Friday evening — 6:25 P.M.

After looking around the Chapel, Sandy shook her head.

“We’re not safe here,” Sandy said.

“What do you mean? No one knows we’re here,” Mike said.

“There’s only one entrance that we can’t really lock. We can’t close off the window and if we did, there are other windows. No, we’re not safe here,” Sandy said. “I can feel it in my bones. Trust me. I’m no psychic. I’ve just been in this type of situation. A lot. Can you carry Val?”

Mike nodded.

“Anyone know of a better hiding place?” Sandy asked.

“There’s a wine cellar,” Nash said. He blushed deep red. “I’m not supposed to know anything about it.”

“I don’t know anything about it,” Mike said.

“Delphie wanted to get something from the tunnels. I told her I would get it but she said no. She was so weird that I… watched on the security tapes,” Nash said. “We were making dinner together a few months ago.”

“Have you been there?” Sandy asked.

Ashamed, Nash hung his head and nodded.

“Why don’t I know about it?” Mike asked.

“Do you ever cook?” Sandy asked.

“Never,” Mike said.

Sandy dug around in her purse and gave Mike some pills.

“Tylenol,” Sandy said. “Do we have water?”

“In the wine cellar,” Nash said. “Delphie keeps everything there. Cheese. Wine. Chocolates. Champagne and fancy water.”

“Let’s go,” Sandy said. “Nash, help Paddie. Noelle, help Katy. We have to move…”

The children ran from the Chapel.

“Fast.”

Mike lifted Valerie and carried her out the door. Feeling a little sheepish, Sandy closed the chapel door and followed the children into the tunnels.

~~~~~~~~

Friday evening — 6:45 P.M.

“No matter,” Johansen. “Time to kill the Marlowe child.”

“NO!” Jacob yelled. He jumped from the second floor on top of Johansen. But he was too late.

The Castle rocked with the explosion. The entire wing bowed forward then backward. The hallway broke open exposing a doorway at the end of Honey’s rooms.

“The Chapel!” Jacob yelled.

Johansen gave another maniacal laugh.

Enraged, Jacob flew at Johansen. But Johansen was ready for him. Johansen threw a massive attack at Jacob’s injured heart. Johansen gave another maniacal laugh. Clutching his chest, Jacob fell to the ground. Johansen stepped closer to Jacob. The man’s entire attention was focused on destroying Jacob Marlowe.

“Stop that,” Jill said.

She swung the hockey stick with all her might. The stick hit Johansen in the back of his head. He stumbled and fell but did not release his focus on Jacob.

“Crazy old man,” Jill said.

Jill reached down to put her hand on the back of Johansen’s neck. She thought of the love that surrounded her from her circle of friends, her Katy-baby, Jacob, his family, her family, their family. She forced the healing light into Johansen.  She watched his anguish, black despair and desperate need for power wilt and turn to dust.

She searched for the good inside the old man. Somewhere deep inside, she found a tiny kernel of love. The rest had slipped away a long time ago. She opened her eyes to find herself touching a husk.

Johansen was gone.

Jill rushed to Jacob’s side.

“Katy.”  Clutching his chest, Jacob gasped.

“She wasn’t in the Chapel,” Jill said. “I looked in when I came around. The room was empty when he blew it up.”

She moved to touch his heart when Delphie let out a terrible scream. Delphie writhed on the floor.

“Go,” Jacob said. “I can wait.”

Jill ran to Delphie. When she reached for her, Delphie began to have seizures. Jacob rushed to Jill’s side. He held Delphie while Jill tried to soothe Delphie’s brain.

Jill shook her head.

“I can’t… She’s having a stroke. I can’t stop it.”

Jacob wrapped himself around Delphie’s body and whispered in her ear:

“Please don’t leave.”

~~~~~~~~

Denver Cereal is a serial fiction set in Denver, Colorado.
You can get your daily dose of Denver Cereal at DenverCereal.com
Chapters are posted on Saturdays on this blog.
Download your free electronic copy of Denver Cereal, the beginning, and Celia’s Puppies.
Like printed books? Go here or Amazon for a print copy of the Denver Cereal;
Go here or Amazon for the recently released Celia’s Puppies.
Claudia Hall Christian is a novelist.

Previous Chapters
Recap of the Beginning and character summary

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN

Friday morning — 5:25 A.M.

Dressed in her pajamas, Jill ran down the stairs from the loft. Her bare feet made a tight drumbeat as she pounded past the landing. Slipping around the corner, she almost ran over Honey. Honey had been wheeling at top speed toward the stairs. Jill caught Honey’s chair before they fell over.

“The jury returned!” the women said together.

“Ann just…” Jill started at the same time Honey said, “I got…”

They both gave a nervous laugh.

“You first,” Jill said.

“The jury insisted on staying all night.” Honey’s voice was fast and excited. “The victim’s advocate said they reviewed every bit of evidence, everything. She got the call this morning. The jury has reached a decision. That’s what she said. ‘The jury has reached a decision.’ What did Ann say?”

“Pretty much the same thing. Ann said she was sure they would stay the weekend. After all the befuddling counter testimony and everything else, she and the DA thought the jury was confused and would want the weekend. But…”

“The victim’s advocate said this was good news.”

“Ann said a quick verdict is usually a guilty verdict.”

The women beamed at each other.

“We made it!” Jill exclaimed.

Honey nodded.

“Ann said that sentencing would be in a couple weeks.” Jill bit at the skin on the edge of her thumb. “She said that the jury may make a recommendation but since it’s not a capital case, the judge decides on a sentence.”

“I hope she’s put away for life.”

“At least,” Jill said. “We’d better get dressed! We’re supposed to be there at seven. They want Katy and Paddie there too. Oh, I need to call Colin.”

“Jill?”

“Shoot I don’t know if they’re in town,” Jill continued her nervous chewing on her thumb.

Honey put her hand on Jill’s arm. She pulled Jill’s thumb from of her mouth. Jill looked down at Honey.

“Congratulations!” Honey beamed. ”We made it through three weeks of hell!”

“Congratulations to you,” Jill said. “You’re amazing!”

“I’m so excited to get back to work and my regular life,” Honey said. “Oh and guess what?”

“What?”

“The doctor said MJ and I can try for a baby again next month,” Honey beamed. “Can you imagine? Done with this crap and a baby. I hope I get pregnant right away.”

Jill leaned over to hug Honey. She kissed her cheek.

“Now let’s go get dressed!” Honey said.

Honey spun in place and wheeled off before Jill could say another word. Jill took the stairs to the loft two at a time. Leaning against the door, she couldn’t help but smile.

The trial was almost over.

~~~~~~~~

Friday morning — 8:25 A.M.
The Castle

Delphie wandered through the main Castle living room. Today, by some act of the Goddess, everyone would be gone from the Castle until after dinner time. After her miserable night, Sandy was working today. Noelle and Nash were at school and work until they went to see the baby this afternoon. Honey, MJ and Jill plus Jacob, Katy and her little friend, Paddie, were at the trial. Delphie even thought most of Jill’s family was going to be there to hear the verdict. Sam was covering for Jacob, and Aden. He left early and would be home late. Valerie and Mike weren’t due in from Prague this evening. Rosa and her cleaning team had arrived early and finished their weekly scouring of the Castle. Even the dogs were at the groomers today.

Tonight, they would have a lot of celebrating to do – Valerie was home; Mike’s art show opened on Sunday; the awful trial was over; Aden and Pete had survived the night and seemed to be gaining strength; and a new baby to love for Sandy, Noelle and Nash. As always, dinner would be a loud, laughing party.

But for now, Delphie had her Castle all to herself.

After months of longing for the solitary peace and quiet of the empty Castle, she felt a little lonely. She straightened a pillow on the couch. Patting the cushion, she decided to take a bath in Sam’s big tub. She was almost to the hall when she heard a noise. Turning, she gasped in horror and stepped back.

Levi Johansen stepped into the living room. The demon from her childhood had arrived to take her back.

“Hello Chastity,” he said.

Raising his hand, he used his psychic powers to grip Delphie’s mind. She fought him off as she and Jacob had practiced since Christmas. She was barely able to defend herself. Invisible to the naked eye, the two powerful psychics were locked in a battle of will and mind. Feeling a burst of his energy, Delphie panicked. She forgot all she’d learned and took off running toward Sam’s room. Johansen caught her at the door.

He wrapped his hands into her bottle bright red hair. He smashed her forehead against the door to stun her. Using both of his hands, he pressed his will into her mind.

“You’re mine,” he said.

~~~~~~~~

Friday mid-day — 12 noon
York Street Club

“My name is Enrique.” His anxious voice came out in a croak.

“Hi Enrique,” the men in the room said.

“Among other things, I am an alcoholic. It’s been two days since my last drink.”

Sitting outside in his car, he’d almost thrown up from the terror of simply walking into this AA house. Now that he was here, he felt all right, nervous, but almost as if he belonged. Enrique sighed with relief when the man next to him introduced himself.

One day at a time.

That’s all he had left.

~~~~~~~~

Friday early afternoon — 1:15 P.M.

“Mr. Blanchard, are we ready to hear the verdicts?” the Judge asked.

After arriving early, they had spent the morning waiting for the defendant. She and her attorney had attempted to renegotiate her plea bargain. Today! After three weeks of nonsense, she’d decided she wanted the plea. The victim’s advocate said she was abusing the victims. Their office filed some special form on Jill, Katy, Paddie, and Honey’s behalf. The District Attorney was furious. Listening to the Judge, Jill could tell that the Judge was angry too.

“Let us proceed,” the Judge said. “Have you reached a verdict?”

“Yes, your honor,” the jury foreman stood. He gave a piece of paper to the bailiff.

Jill watched the tiny slip of paper move across the room. Jacob grabbed her hand. Sucking her thumb for the first time since last summer, Katy snuggled further into Jill’s lap. The little family braced for the verdict.

The Judge’s dark fingers made the piece of paper seem bright white. The Judge gave a small nod.

“I’d like to poll the jury,” the Judge said. “Do you agree with this verdict?”

One at a time, the jurors stood to say, “Aye.” When the last juror sat down, the tension in the courtroom raised a notch.

“To the charge of assault with the intent of murder, the verdict is…”

Jill thought she would pass out.

“Guilty!”

Jill wanted to cheer and scream but she knew she’d get thrown out of the courtroom. Breathing deeply to control her excitement, she heard:

“Guilty.”

“Guilty.”

“Guilty.”

“Guilty.”

“Guilty.”

“Guilty.”

The step-sister was found guilty on every single charge!

EVERY CHARGE!

MJ covered Honey in a hug. Jill and Katy hugged Jacob until Paddie begged to come up. With Katy on one hip and Paddie on the other, Jill hugged her brother, Steve, and sisters, Megan and Candy, and mother, Anjelika, until she ended up back in Jacob’s arms.

The Judge pounded her gavel to gain order. Finally, everyone sat back down.

“The jury has requested special circumstances,” the Judge said. “Even though I am not a fan of the death penalty, I’m sorry to say that special circumstances are not allowed in this case. Somehow Honey Lipson managed to survive, so we are unable to entertain the death penalty in this case. That said, I will determine sentencing in two weeks.”

With another pounding of her gavel, the Judge adjourned the court.

“Let’s celebrate,” Honey said.

“Let’s!” Jill replied.

“I guess that’s our cue,” Jacob patted MJ on the back.

The happy group left the courtroom to celebrate their victory.

~~~~~~~

Friday afternoon — 2:35 P.M.
The Castle

Sitting on the edge of Sam’s bed, Delphie conserved her strength. She’d endured hours of psychic interrogation as a young child. She could endure it now that she was strong, well loved, and experienced.

But she was starting to lose track of her answers. His questions had become wild, crazy and off centered. She said whatever came into her mind. If her answers were vague or unclear, he would hurt her either use his psychic powers to squeeze her mind or hit her.

She’d do almost anything not to be hit. She had hated being hit as a child. She hated it now.

Why hadn’t he taken her back to Leadville? What was he waiting for?

When he was hungry, he dragged her into the kitchen by her hair to demand that she make his lunch. He used to only like restaurant food, expensive fancy food. But today he only wanted a sandwich. That was all a sandwich. They ate and he returned to his crazy interrogation.

Thank the Goddess that age had taken any sexual urge from him. While she was certain she would survive whatever he dished out, she just didn’t want to have to endure him today.

She’d become so accustomed to being loved, respected, and cared for. These hours with Johansen were almost more humiliating than when she was a child, when she didn’t know better. Every time she was ready to give into her despair, she saw Celia near her. Celia’s support helped her through the worst of the day.

“I need a glass of water,” she said.

“You may get one from the bathroom, Chastity,” he said. “I’m going to take a nap. If you leave, you will die. Your mind will break into pieces. You know this. No Marlowe can save you now.”

“I will take a bath while you nap,” she said.

“Fine,” he said.

Taking off his ancient dress shoes, he lay down on Sam’s bed. His scarecrow limbs made him look like more like a coat hanger person than the demon he was. When he closed his eyes, she went into the bathroom. She filled the tub with warm, rose scented, foamy water then stepped in. When her entire body was in the tub, she dared to reach for the bathroom telephone. As silently as she could, she picked up the receiver.

No dial tone. Johansen must have cut the lines. She’d never used a cell phone. Jacob bought her one but she couldn’t figure out how to use it. It sat, uncharged, on her dresser. She cursed her stupidity.

For the first time, Delphie gave into her hopelessness. She slipped below the suds and wept.

~~~~~~~~

Friday afternoon — 3:40 P.M.
Lipson Construction

“Sorry, honey, I can’t join the party,” Tres yelled to Tanesha over the loud music in the background. “It’s awesome, really wonderful news.”

“So why aren’t you joining us?” Tanesha asked. “Heather and Blane are taking care of Molly’s kids today. She won’t be there.”

“It’s not that,” Tres said. “My brother needs some help moving in. He’s going to stay with me for a while.”

“Enrique?”

“Yeah,” Tres said.

“But I thought he owned his house,” Tanesha said.

“He does,” Tres said. “He’s ending it with Calvin. Calvin said he’d move out at the first of the month. Enrique doesn’t want to throw him out…”

“Like he did Blane?”

“Well, yes, that’s exactly what he said,” Tres said.

“Huh.”

“Huh is right,” Tres said. “He quit his job today too.”

“Wow, better find out what’s going on with him.”

“That’s what I thought,” Tres said. “Sorry I’ll miss the party.”

“It’s all right,” Tanesha said. “I have to work at seven anyway. I think they have a family dinner this evening. I just thought you’d have fun if you came.”

“I would have,” Tres said. “Thanks for the invite. I’ll be with Enrique the rest of the night.”

“Ok, I’ll catch you tomorrow,” Tanesha said.

“Tomorrow.”

Tres smiled when he set down the phone. Since they’d had their big talk, he and Tanesha seemed to be closer, more honest. She was becoming his best friend, maybe the best friend he’d ever had. Grabbing his coat, he went out to his car.

What the hell was going on with Enrique?

~~~~~~~~

Friday afternoon — 4:45 P.M.
19^th Avenue Medical Building

“I told you, Nash! I’m going to have a sister,” Noelle’s loud voice echoed off the elevator.

“No!” Nash yelled back. “We just didn’t get to see. He’s shy. Like me!”

The kids had gone back and forth since they left the doctors office.

“You tell her Sandy. I’m right aren’t I?” Nash said.

Not wanting to get in between the arguing kids, Sandy put one hand on Noelle’s shoulder and the other on Nash’s shoulder.

“Sandy?” Noelle asked.

“I don’t know,” Sandy said. “I was so excited that the baby was healthy. Did you see its little fingers?”

“The baby was sucking his thumb,” Nash said.

“Her thumb, Nash,” Noelle said.

“I’m kind of glad we don’t know,” Sandy said. “Will you be terribly disappointed if she’s a girl, Nash? Will you be terribly disappointed if he’s a boy, Noelle?”

“No, but…” Nash said at the same time Noelle said, “I’m still right.”

“You are not!” Nash said.

“What if you’re both right?” Sandy asked. Laughing, she added, “What if it’s a girl AND a boy?”

“Ewwwww!” Nash said while Noelle screamed in horror.

Sandy laughed. The elevator came to a stop in the lobby.

“Can we get ice cream?” Noelle asked as they left the elevator.

“Of course,” Sandy said. “But not a lot. Just a single scoop. Ok. Remember we have a big dinner tonight?”

“Mrs. Valerie’s coming home and Mike too!” Noelle said.

“Mr. Mike?” Sandy asked.

“He just likes to be called Mike,” Nash said.

“Ok,” Sandy said. “Ice cream, then we get ready for our dinner party.”

The children burst from the building and ran to the car. Sandy trotted after them. Smiling, she drove to Liks for ice cream.

~~~~~~~~

Friday evening — 5:25 P.M.
The Castle

Valerie stopped walking when she reached the side door of the Castle. Tipping her head to the side, she puzzled. Mike came up behind her carrying their bags and his hockey gear.

“Would you like me to carry you over the threshold, my bride?” he asked. Setting their bags down, he moved to lift her into his arms.

“No,” Valerie said. Her hand touched the glass of the security door. “Something’s wrong.”

“What do you mean?” Mike asked.

“Delphie always meets me at the door. I’ve never come home and had her not open the door when I’m standing right here,” Valerie said. “Something’s very wrong. I can almost smell it.”

“She probably burned dinner,” Mike said. “Come on.”

Mike used his key to unlock the security door, then the original solid oak door underneath. He held the door for Valerie. Still unsure, Valerie hesitated. He gave her a little shove and she stepped inside. He set their bags next to the living room closet.

He followed Valerie as she meandered through the silent living room and into the kitchen. By the time he reached the kitchen door, Valerie had turned. She was shaking her head.

“No cheesecake? No dinner?” Valerie asked. “My heart is pounding. I’m terrified something awful has happened to Delphie.”

Mike spun in place. He took the stairs two at a time. Running down the hall, he burst into Delphie’s apartment.

Only settling dust and silence.

He was almost to the stairwell when he heard Valerie scream. He pounded down the stairwell to find Valerie slumped against the kitchen counter.

“Babies,” she gasped. “Contractions.”

Sensing movement, he turned to see a tall thin man dragging Delphie by her hair. He was ready to jump the scrawny man when Valerie screamed again.

“No, Mike! Don’t do it, Mike!” Delphie screamed. “Stay with Valerie! He will kill us all!”

Mike dropped to Valerie’s side. Valerie screamed again.

“NO Marlowe will survive this day,” the man said.

~~~~~~~~

Friday evening — 5:40 P.M.

Jacob helped Jill out of the back of MJ’s SUV. When Jill turned to get Katy and Paddie from their car seats, Jacob went to the driver’s window to talk to MJ.

“We’ll see you Sunday?” Jacob asked.

“SUNDAY!?” Honey leaned over to ask Jacob.

“I have a little surprise,” MJ said. “Jake helped me find a little place in the mountains. I thought maybe a weekend away.”

When she didn’t respond, MJ got nervous.

“J-j-j- just us. I th-th-thought i-i-it would b-b-be nice.”

Honey gave a little cheer. She kissed his cheek and MJ looked relieved.

Feeling movement, Jacob leaned down to pick up a tired Katy. He looked over at Jill as she lifted a sleeping Paddie into her arms. Their eyes held for a moment. They were a little loose, happy and looking forward to spending naptime in each other’s arms.

“Have a great time,” Jill said.

She leaned in to kiss MJ’s cheek. Honey blew her a kiss. Standing in the driveway, they waved to Honey and MJ as they drove off. Jacob leaned over Katy to kiss Jill’s lips. They began to walk toward the Castle.

“You think we…” he said.

Jacob stopped walking. His face stiffened from smiling to serious, almost deadly. Jill touched his arm to make sure he was all right. When he looked up, he gave a terse whisper:

“Wake up Paddie. Jill! Do it now.”

Jacob ran around the back of the Castle to the foot high stained glass windows of Delphie’s chapel. Without hesitation, he kicked out the antique glass from one of the windows.

“Jacob! No,” Jill said. “Those are irreplaceable!”

He nodded to her then went back to work kicking out the window. When the window was gone from the space, he laid his coat over the ragged edges of the frame.

“Go down there,” he said to Katy.

“I don wan to, Daddy,” Katy said. “I’m really tired.”

“Katherine Marlowe, you will get down there this instant,” he said.

Stunned and terrified by his tone, Katy began to cry. She squirmed out of his arms and hid behind Jill’s legs.

“You’re scaring her,” Jill said. “What’s going on?”

“Something terrible. That’s what’s going on,” Jacob said, his voice somewhere between despair and rage. “Katy and Paddie are in danger. Katy in particular.”

“Let me go with them,” Jill said. “Get them settled.”

Jacob nodded. He hadn’t thought of Jill going with the kids. That was a better plan. She would be safe. If he died…

Rather than finishing the thought, he took a groggy Paddie from her. He set Paddie on the ground. Holding her hands, he guided her through the tight space. He dropped her to the ground. She ran to a pew and dragged it under the broken window. Standing on a pew, she took Paddie from him.

He picked up Katy and kissed her cheek.

“I’m sorry, Katy,” Jacob said. “I got scared and…”

“You scared me when you were like my old Daddy,” Katy said. “I thought you hated me.”

“Never,” Jacob kissed the girl’s cheek. “I can only, always, love you. Even if I’m scary.”

“Don’t worry, Daddy,” Katy said. “Your Mommy explained everything.”

“Celia?”

“I call her Naomi,” Katy said.

The little girl threw her arms around Jacob.

“I love you, Daddy,” Katy said. “Just remember, you’re stronger than him because you can love. Love will kill him. I don’t know what that means but that’s what your Mommy said to tell you.”

Jacob kissed Katy’s head. He helped her through the opening to the chapel and into Jill’s arms. Jill set Katy down then returned to the opening.

“I love you, Jacob Marlowe,” she said. “You come back to me.”

He leaned down to kiss her.

“I love you,” he whispered.

He stroked her cheek then watched Jill take the kids toward the pillows near the back of the chapel. With one last look, he ran toward the side entrance of the Castle. Holding open the security door, he let out a breath.

This was it. This was the moment he’d spent the last months preparing for. He was fit and strong. His mind was clear. His mental and psychic capacities had grown with steady practice. He was as ready as he would ever be.

For a moment, he wished he was somewhere else, someone else. He wished he didn’t have to open this door and fight to the death with a man he barely knew. He wished for a hundred more quiet mornings and sunlit summer evenings. He wished for the children, his children, he might never meet. He longed to see Katy married and happy.

But Jacob was never one to waste a lot of time on wishes. The moment passed and he was ready again.

Nodding to himself, he opened the oak door and walked inside.

Denver Cereal continues next week…

~~~~~~~~

Denver Cereal is a serial fiction set in Denver, Colorado.
You can get your daily dose of Denver Cereal at DenverCereal.com
Chapters are posted on Saturdays on this blog.
Download your free electronic copy of Denver Cereal, the beginning, and Celia’s Puppies.
Like printed books? Go here or Amazon for a print copy of the Denver Cereal;
Go here or Amazon for the recently released Celia’s Puppies.
Claudia Hall Christian is a novelist.

Previous Chapters
Recap of the Beginning and character summary

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX

Thursday Night — 7:15 P.M
The Castle

“I made dinner.” Sandy rushed around their apartment. “Delphie will be here…”

Sandy ran to answer a knock at the door. Delphie came in and hugged Sandy. Seated at the dining room table, Noelle watched Sandy run through the apartment. Her mouth hung open and her eyes tracked Sandy from room to room.

“Come on Nash,” Sandy yelled down the hall. “You have to get up.”

“NO,” Nash yelled. “I told you before. I’m sleeping. I’m tired. I don’t know what your problem is but I worked and worked and worked and…”

“I’ll get him,” Delphie said.

Sandy nodded to Delphie.

“Sandy?” Noelle asked.

Sandy had run into the bedroom to change into something warmer.

“Sandy?”

Sandy didn’t respond.

“SANDY!”

Dressed in her underwear, Sandy poked her head out of her bedroom. Noelle blushed at Sandy’s puzzled eyes.

“What’s going on?” Sandy pulled a long sleeved T-shirt over her head.

“Where are you going? You haven’t said. You just got of the phone and started running around!” Noelle began to cry. “I don’t know what’s going on and…”

Dressed just in the T-shirt, Sandy pulled the little girl close to her. She held her arm out for Nash when he came into the room. He joined their hug.

“Your father and his friend, Mr. Pete, have been injured. They’ve been airlifted to a trauma hospital in Colorado Springs,” Sandy said.

“What?” Nash and Noelle broke into tears.

“Uncle Seth is coming to get me. We’re dropping Jake off to take care of Mrs. Molly’s kids. She’s coming with us. I don’t know any more than that.”

Sandy held them. Delphie peeled Nash then Noelle off her.

“Sandy has to run,” Delphie said. “It’s a two hour drive and Seth is almost here.”

“Are you coming back?” Noelle’s face was wet with tears. Her partly healed cheekbone left the little girl with a black eye and a yellow streak of a bruise on her face.

“Of course,” Sandy mussed Noelle’s hair. “We’re going to see the baby tomorrow afternoon.”

“We all are going to meet him, right?” Nash asked.

“Her, Nash. She’s a girl,” Noelle said.

“We are all going to meet your new brother or sister for the first time tomorrow,” Sandy said. “I only get a half hour to see your Dad. And I only get that because of Seth and my Uncle Howard. I guess the prison screwed up or… I don’t know. You know what I don’t have any idea what’s going on.”

Sandy shrugged.

“I should know more when I get back,” Sandy said.

“But you’re coming back,” Nash said.

“I’m definitely coming back,” Sandy said. “Definitely.”

“I’m sorry I was…” Nash’s wet, sorrow filled eyes tore at Sandy’s core.

“We’re fine,” Sandy said. “I need to get dressed!”

Sandy ran into her bedroom. Delphie asked Noelle to clear her school work off the table so they could have dinner. Nash went to get the silverware and set the table. By the time Sandy returned, the kids were seated at the table. Delphie was serving them Sandy’s spaghetti and meatballs. Sandy kissed Noelle and Nash’s head. She took Noelle’s right hand and Nash’s left hand.

“I will be back tonight,” she said. “Should I wake you?”

The children nodded.

There was a knock at the door and Seth stuck his head in.

“Sandy, we have to go,” Seth said.

She kissed the children again then ran out the door. She was just about to close the door when Noelle ran up to her.

“Give these to Daddy,” she said. “Please.”

Sandy looked at the pictures Noelle and Nash had drawn and smiled.

“I will,” Sandy said.

With a wave, she was out the door.

~~~~~~~~

Thursday Night — 8:12 P.M.
City Park

Blane and Mack rounded the Martin Luther King monument circle and turned toward the tennis courts. Dressed in his fleece suit, Mack was strapped into the three-wheeled jogging stroller. Usually, Blane and Mack met Jacob and Sarah for an evening run. But tonight, Jacob was caring for Molly’s kids. They would catch him in the morning.

Mack liked to eat about every four or five hours. They found that he was restless and irritable after his evening breast milk meal. One night, Blane took him out in the stroller and Mack settled down. Walking was good, but running was better. Their evening runs had become a part of their regular routine. Heather dressed them up in warm reflective gear and out the door they went. Jacob and his yellow Labrador, Sarah, often joined them to spend some time with Blane.

The last few weeks had been sheer heaven for Blane. He could only describe them as falling in love. He was absolutely in love with Mack and Heather. Every cell in his body vibrated with real happiness. Everything that mattered before – acupuncture, work, hockey, money, status – took a second place to Heather and Mack. He was positively swept off his feet by his own happiness. While he knew he wasn’t ‘in love’, he had no other way to describe the intoxicating feeling of holding his son and being around his son’s mother.

‘In love’ would have to do.

Blane and Mack ran the circle near the tennis courts. As they crossed Twenty-First Avenue, Blane saw a man run toward them. Not thinking anything of it, he continued around the circle. They were almost to the Graham-Bible House when the man caught up with them. The man slowed to run next to Blane.

The man said something that Blane didn’t understand.

“What?” he asked in English.

Turning toward the man, Blane groaned. Enrique. He stopped running.

“What do you want? My life is really happy right now. Are you here to fuck it up again?” Blane asked in Spanish.

“Whoa,” Enrique said in Spanish. “I deserve that. I do. But, whoa.”

Mack let out a sound somewhere between a squeal and a cry.

“I have to keep moving,” Blane said. “He likes to keep moving.”

“Keep moving, Daddy?” Enrique asked.

“He likes to keep moving,” Blane began jogging again.

Enrique fell in next to him. They ran down the road then turned East toward the Thatcher Fountain.

“Why are you here?” Blane asked.

“I miss you. I want to make things right between us,” Enrique said. “And I’m really sorry. You’ve heard me say this before. I’ve said it before, but you really have no idea how sorry I am. I totally fucked up.”

“Why did you do it?” Blane asked. “Why did you smear me everywhere? I lost my career! I couldn’t find another job because the entire city knew I had AIDS. I lost everything – my home, my career, my friends. If it hadn’t been for Jake, I would have killed myself.”

“I freaked out when I found out I had Hep C.”

“You mean, you freaked out when you found out you infected me with Hep C that you caught at a bathhouse while you were whoring around the city.”

“That’s a way to put it,” Enrique said.

“Let me get this straight,” Blane said. “Instead of telling our friends that you were a cheating lying whore that almost killed me with Hep C, you told them I used to prostitute for money when I was a starving drug addicted homeless orphan.”

“Yes. That’s what I did,” Enrique said. “But I left out the starving part.

“And the homeless orphan part.”

“And the homeless orphan part. Yes, I left that out too.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know,” Enrique said. “I told everyone. Your boss. Our friends. Everyone.”

“I don’t know doesn’t cut it, Enrique,” Blane said.

“I know.”

They ran in silence through the circle and past the Thatcher fountain. Blane turned toward Ferril Lake.

“Let’s start with lying cheating whore,” Blane said. “After you promised to stop, you kept going to the bathhouses and book stores. Why?”

“I have a sexual addiction,” Enrique said.

“That’s honest.”

“I cover my addiction by saying this is how gay men behave. But I know better.”

“You should. We knew plenty of men who don’t whore around,” Blane said. “Why did you come around pretending to be single when you’re with Calvin? My God, you came to my home, had dinner with Heather… You hung around like you were available. But it’s just another lie from the cheating whore.”

“Calvin and I have a complicated relationship,” Enrique said. “We weren’t together when I came to the clinic. He found out I quit smoking and wanted to start again. I…”

“You were living together entire time, right? Still having sex?”

Enrique was silent.

“Just another lie,” Blane said. “How do you live with yourself?”

“Not well,” Enrique said.

They ran to the path in front of the Natural History Museum, they were almost to the road before Enrique spoke again.

“How’s your Hepatitis?”

“I no longer have virus,” Blane said. “I’m very healthy. My liver seems to be healing with acupuncture and diet. You?”

“I’m still sick.”

“Why not do the ribavirin?”

“Who would take care of me? Calvin?” Enrique snorted. “I’m a lying cheating whore. I’m surrounded by liars, cheaters, and whores.”

“What did the doctor say?”

“I need a liver replacement but I won’t live long enough to get one,” Enrique said. “I’m rotting on the inside… dying the way I deserve.”

Blane stopped short to look at Enrique. Enrique nodded. When Mack cried, Blane went around the stroller to pick him up. Under the moon and stars, the two men stared at each other.

“Why are you doing this to yourself?” Blane asked.

“I’d think you’d be delighted,” Enrique said. “I’m finally getting my just deserts for being such an asshole.”

“I don’t want this,” Blane said. “I don’t wish you harm. If anything, I’m grateful for you. If you hadn’t done what you did, I would still be cooking and trying to fix you. I’d never have gone to acupuncture school or worked at Lipson. I own shares in that company now. Me! I’m an owner. I’d never have met Heather or have had Mack.”

The men looked at the tiny bundle nestled in Blane’s arms. Mack yawned. His fluorescent lime green fleece cap shifted to the side. Blane put the cap back on his head.

“He looks just like you, Blane,” Enrique said. “You’re sure he’s…”

“His biological father has dark hair and hazel eyes. It’s fairly common. We don’t know if his blue eyes will change. I like them like this.”

Enrique gave a curt nod.

“You’re life has really taken off,” Enrique said. “If I had a dying wish, it would be that you were happy.”

“You’re not dead yet,” Blane said. “Why give up?”

“I don’t see any other way,” Enrique said. “You and I tried everything to break my addiction. I…”

“Go to therapy. Get honest. Clean up your life, your diet and your mind. Hell, join a 12 step program. You belong in any of them,” Blane said. “God, I can’t believe you never went to therapy.”

“I didn’t,” Enrique said. “I think about going but then… Why bother going now?”

“Because you’re young and strong,” Blane said. “You can beat this thing.”

“Come on. I’d like to run while I still can.”

Blane settled Mack back in the jog stroller and they took off down the road toward the Duck Lake. They were almost to the tennis courts again when Enrique broke their silence.

“I’m scared, Blane.”

“I know,” Blane said.

“If I go to therapy, will you go with me?”

“Not until you clean up your life,” Blane said. “Get honest. Either commit to Calvin or get out of that relationship. Quit the job you hate. You can freelance and you know it. You gave me such a gift by throwing me out of my comfortable, horrible old life. It was awful, terrifying, and very liberating. You need to give yourself the same gift.”

Without saying another word, Enrique ran down Twenty-First Avenue back toward his house. Blane shook his head at Enrique and continued toward home. By the time he arrived, Mack was sound asleep. He helped Heather bathe Mack and put him in his bassinette.

“What happened?” Heather whispered over Mack’s sleeping form.

“A lot.”

He told her the entire story. When he finished, Heather hugged him.

“What can we do?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he said. “He has to do this himself.”

“What if he doesn’t?”

“Then there’s nothing we can do,” he said.

“That boundaries thing again,” Heather said.

“Boundaries,” Blane nodded.

~~~~~~~

Thursday — 10:20 P.M.
Memorial Hospital Central, Colorado Springs

Aden shifted in the bed and Sandy jumped to his side. She took his hand then sighed. He was still out. He had a turban of bandages around his head from his brother’s boots and the surgery to relieve the pressure in his brain. His nose was splinted. He had a dozen broken ribs. The fingers on his right hand were all broken as well as a few bones in his hand.

And according to the nurse, he was better off than Pete.

Poor Pete. He’d covered Aden with his body to protect him from his brother’s kicking feet. Pete was still in surgery. Molly was a complete wreck. Caught between guilt and outrage, she’d wept in the surgery waiting area. To make matters worse, Pete had spent all their savings on his last drug binge. They were broke and didn’t have enough insurance to cover everything. Sandy assured her that she would help. But Molly was inconsolable.

Aden was lucky.

Sandy was about to return to her chair when he stirred again. The nurse said that he should wake up, just for a little while, before they put him in a medical coma.

“Pleee…” Aden’s voice came softly. Sandy bent down toward his mouth. “Dooonnn leee go.”

“Don’t let go of your hand?” Sandy said. “I won’t.”

Aden’s mouth shifted to a kind of smile. He’d lost two teeth in the front and a few molars were broken.

“Miissss,” Aden gasped a breath. “you.”

She kissed his cheek. Keeping her voice light and cheerful, she told him about their lives.

“The kids made you these pictures.” Sandy held up Noelle’s then Nash’s. “They do them every day. It’s kind of their letter to you. We’ve been waiting to find out where you would be so we could mail them to you.”

“Hoowww?”

“Nash’s arm is still in a cast. We had to get a new cast because he broke the old cast on a job. He was using the old cast as a kind of lever. Anyway, the new cast is smaller and more manageable. He’s been working at Lipson every day. They put him on Jerry’s crew. He and his friend Teddy. He likes it and he’s making some money. Do you remember Melinda? The daughter of my client? He wants to take her to the movies now that he’s rich. I think he’s too young. But, we’ll see.”

Aden gestured toward his face with his bandaged hand.

“Noelle’s face is still healing. It seems like forever, but the doctor says she’s healing well. It’ll take a couple more months for her eye to clear, but her sight is almost normal. We’ve been looking at some cool glasses for her. The ophthalmologist says that she may have needed glasses all along. You know Noelle, she’s happy to have something new.”

Aden’s eyes closed but his hand held hers.

“The kids are lost without you, but overall they’re doing well,” Sandy said. “They’re such good kids that it’s not surprising. Noelle and Katy play a lot in the afternoons. Noelle is really patient with Katy. I think Noelle’s so overwhelmed with grownup stuff that it’s nice, healing even, to play little girl games. Nash and Teddy are still doing martial arts. Teddy’s dad, Zack, is taking them skiing next weekend. They’re both really excited about learning to snowboard. You know, since they’re rich.”

She laughed at Nash’s riches. Aden’s hand moved up and down.

“Me?”

He seemed to sigh.

“Drama central. I got shot at but Alex Hargreaves saved the day, of course. I still have to deal with my father’s crap. At least once a week, I meet with the Feds or the police to look at photos or whatever. Drama. But Jake set up a salon for me. I’ve been working Tuesday through Saturday. It’s really nice to work and we need the money. The Feds are keeping the millions in my father’s house and…”

His hand pointed to him.

“We can’t use your money,” Sandy said. “Something wrong with the signatures or something. And we’re not married. It’s one of the things I thought we’d work out when you get settled. That’s all right because I’m making enough money to cover expenses. Delphie over fills our refrigerator and Sam’s taken the kids shopping a couple times. We eat dinner with them most nights. So, we don’t really need a lot of money.

“I’ve been driving your car.”

He patted her leg.

“I know. Good thing because it’s been dumping snow. March in Colorado,” Sandy said. “Crazy weather. When you get back, you’ll find that the stations have been reset. But I figured you could change them back.”

His hand moved toward her belly.

“Baby?” Sandy asked. “We’re going tomorrow to have the first ultrasound. Hopefully the baby only has two legs and two arms. The kids are coming with me. They want to be involved and I don’t see any reason to keep them out.”

Aden collapsed back against the bed. It was almost as if his desire to know about her and her news drove him to consciousness. Now that he had an update, he could rest. Sandy held his left hand until she was sure he was out again. She went to get the nurse.

A doctor came in and woke Aden again. Sandy winced when Aden yelped with pain. They tested his reflexes and made sure he could move his limbs. Finally, an anesthesiologist put Aden into a medical coma.

The doctors told her Aden would be under until his brain had time to heal. Once Aden was stable, he would return to Canon City’s hospital ward. He and Pete might spend their entire prison sentence in that hospital ward.

Sandy watched the doctor’s mouth and hands move as he talked. Aden owned that same Tag Hauer watch. Aden used to have the same manicured nails and perfect haircut. Her eyes flit back and forth from the doctor to the man in the bed. When the doctor stopped talking, she nodded because she knew he expected her to. The nurse escorted her back to Molly.

Molly looked up at Sandy and took her hand. Together, the two women waited for news about Pete.

~~~~~~~~

Friday early morning — 2:30 A.M.
Between Colorado Springs and Denver

“I’m worried about you,” Seth said as they sped along I-25 back to Denver.

“Why?” Sandy asked.

“You have a lot on your plate,” Seth said. “Most of it has nothing to do with you. Aden’s kids, Aden’s problems, Aden’s injuries, your father’s legal issues, your mother’s horrible greed, your father’s estate. The list goes on and on. Here we are at 2:30 in the morning trying to get back to your temporary home because?”

“The kids need me at home,” Sandy said.

“They aren’t your kids, Sandra.”

“Whose kids are they? Come on, Seth. They have no one. Their psychopath mother’s in prison. Their father’s in the hospital or prison or hospital-prison. They have no grandparents. They just have me.”

Seth’s silence spoke more than any words he could have said.

“And who do I have?” Sandy asked. “I have you, the girls, and them.”

Seth glanced at Sandy then nodded.

“We need each other.” Uncomfortable, Sandy changed the subject. “What did you find out about what happened to Aden and Pete?”

“Aden has a brother,” Seth said. “According to his records, he didn’t list any family in prison.”

“I doubt he knew his brother was there.”

“I did his background check,” Seth said. “His story checked out. He arrived at home from school and his family was gone. He was fifteen years old. Youngest of seven kids. He was the only Norsen, of those still living, who is not in prison.”

“Until now,” Sandy said.

“I supposed it’s my fault for not telling him about his sibling. It just never occurred to me. Anyway, Aden’s brother should never have been at minimum security,” Seth said. “Canon City is overcrowded. There’s no room for the hard cases. Aden’s brother has done well in with the structure of prison. They thought it was a safe risk.”

“What is he in for?”

“Murder. He’s a lifer.”

“Murder!? A murderer was in minimum security!?”

“The overcrowding is really horrible. They built a new prison for the hard cases but the state can’t afford to open it. These guys are scattered around the system. There’s been five or six murders by these hard cases this year alone. Aden was lucky he wasn’t killed.”

“What happened?” Sandy asked.

“According to the tapes, Aden and Pete walked into the exercise area and were attacked by Aden’s brother. It was frenzied attack – quick and deadly. Aden was out with three punches. When Aden fell, he was kicked and stomped on until Pete jumped in.”

“Where were the guards?”

“Another great question,” Seth said. “They were in the middle of shift change. Something Aden’s brother would have known, but no way Aden could have known.”

“How did it end?”

“A couple prisoners had worked for Lipson Construction. Big black guys. One held Aden’s brother while the other got in the way. As soon as they intervened, all the black guys got involved. It could have been a riot. But one of the guys, the first guy, kept repeating, ‘Dis man’s gonna hire me. Promised me when I went in. Alls I gots to do is stay off drugs. Can’t hire me if he’s dead.’ If it wasn’t so horrible, it would be pretty funny. They had everything under control by the time the guards showed up.”

Digesting the story, Sandy fell silent.

“How’s Pete?”

“They did what they can do,” Sandy said. “It’s 50-50. One of his ribs punctured a lung, he had multiple brain injuries and his heart is messed up. I don’t really understand it. Pete’s a drug addict. They think his heart was damaged by the drugs. The doctor said he would either improve tonight or they’d need to talk about when to terminate care.”

“Terminate care?”

“Pull the plug. Delphie’s having one of her transition ceremonies for him tonight.”

“Oh,” he said. “Is Aden that bad?”

“I don’t really know. He has brain injuries too. The doctors said they would put him out for a few weeks to see how he does. I… I have to believe that he’s strong enough to get well.”

“You wish you could stay with him.”

“Yes, I wish I could stay with him,” Sandy said. “But I wish a lot of things. I wish he hadn’t gone off at my father. I wish he wasn’t stupid enough to believe my father had molested Noelle. I wish Dad was still alive. Every day, I wish that. I wish my mother hadn’t lost her mind or could see that I was the one victimized. Not her, me. I wish…”

She stopped talking when Seth patted her leg.

“I have to focus on what’s right in front of me, Seth. I have two frightened traumatized kids to deal with. Whatever else, including Aden, has to come after them. He made his choices. He takes his consequences. That’s what he always says.”

“He fails to see that you have to deal with the consequences of his actions.”

Sandy patted her belly and Seth smiled.

“How’s the baby?” he asked.

“The one thing I’m doing right,” Sandy said.

“Wait until it’s born,” Seth said. “The moment it’s born, you cease to feel like you do anything right.”

“Good to know,” she said.

“We have another hour,” he said. “Why don’t you rest? I’ll make sure you’re updated if anything happens with Norsen or Pete.”

“The doctors said I could call. We left Molly there. She’ll need…”

“Just rest for a while Sandy. You can take care of the world later.”

Sandy smiled.

“Plus, there’s donuts at the end of this journey.”

Sandy drifted off with a smile on her face and lingering thoughts of donuts in her dreams.

~~~~~~~~

Denver Cereal is a serial fiction set in Denver, Colorado.
You can get your daily dose of Denver Cereal at DenverCereal.com
Chapters are posted on Saturdays on this blog.
Download your free electronic copy of Denver Cereal, the beginning, and Celia’s Puppies.
Like printed books? Go here or Amazon for a print copy of the Denver Cereal;
Go here or Amazon for the recently released Celia’s Puppies.
Claudia Hall Christian is a novelist.

Previous Chapters
Recap of the Beginning and character summary

CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE

Two weeks later
Thursday — 3:25 P.M.

After getting a bite to eat, and checking that Katy and Noelle had snacks, Delphie sat down at a small table in her apartment. She usually took care of the kids after school, but Jill had taken the day off from lingering trial. Jill had offered to take care of the kids. Jill, Katy and Noelle were upstairs playing Barbies. Delphie looked up when she heard Katy’s high pitched squealing giggle. It was nice to have children around again.

She needed to work on her garden plan. Mike would be home this weekend. He and Jacob would make quick work of the early spring bed turn over. Reaching for her companion planting guide, her eyes fell on her Tarot deck. Maybe a few quick family readings would settle her mind.

She started with Jill. She focused her mind on Jill while she shuffled the cards. With her left hand, she split the deck into three piles then put them back together.

She turned over the top card – Lovers. Of course, Jill and Jacob. The figures on the card almost looked like them. Their union was blessed. No matter what happened they would work through it with love.

Turning over the next card, she saw the two of cups. Another card about love. Jill was really happy and in love. Delphie’s mind flashed to Jill and Jacob kissing in the kitchen. They had been cleaning up after dinner. Jacob was handing her dishes. A dish, a kiss. She smiled. They were really cute.

Without thinking, she turned over the next card – The Tower. Delphie gasped. The tower? How could that be true? The tower represented a sudden or catastrophic change. Jill will be blind-sided by a dramatic change.

Shaking her head, Delphie would have to be certain to pay special attention to Jill. Jill would need her help when everything came down.

Turning her mind to Jacob, she shuffled the cards and split the deck. When she was sure the cards were well mixed, she pulled the first card for Jacob – the Ten of Pentacles. Jacob certainly had achieved success. The sale of Lipson construction was going well. The employees were buying shares and participating in decisions. Yes, Jacob deserved that success.

The next card she pulled was the King of Cups. Yes, Jacob was the becoming a wise leader like his father. With Jill here, he was calmer, wiser, and happier. She was glad to see Jacob step into himself.

She flipped over the next card – The Tower. Delphie shook her head. The catastrophic sudden change must them both. Poor kids.

She turned her mind to Valerie. Valerie called every other day to talk to everyone. She was making such a special effort to stay involved in the family. Delphie loved hearing her happy voice. Delphie mixed the card with shuffling and splitting.

First card, Eight of Pentacles. Yes, Valerie was hard at work on her film. She was also having a great time. This film must be really important in her career.

Delphie turned over the next card – The Tower. Again!

Frightened, Delphie turned over the next card. Oh Goddess, the five of Cups. Grief, loss or bereavement. What was in store for them?

Moving at rapid pace, Delphie mixed the cards and did a reading for Mike. The Tower appeared again. Sam’s reading had the same Tower.

The card must be dirty. Sticky. She went to the kitchen to get a towel and some diluted ammonia. After cleaning the card, she shuffled again.

The Tower appeared for Katy, Nash, Noelle, Honey, MJ and Sandy.

She decided to do a reading for herself. She shuffled and split until she was certain the cards were well mixed.

Turning over the first card, she had the Seven of Pentacles. Yes, she was happily assessing her life. All these years of hard work were paying off. With everyone around, she was happier than she’d ever been.

The next card was the Tower. Good Goddess. The Tower again!

With great trepidation, Delphie turned over the next card. She gasped and dropped the card. Death. Something in her life would die. She knew in her heart that this card never meant physical death. Still, combined with the Tower, the loss would be caused by a powerful force and have sweeping ramifications.

Biting her lip, she shuffled the cards to do her reading again. And pulled the same cards.

In her mind, she heard the assertion she said thousand of times to clients: ‘The cards never lie. We can misinterpret them, but they are never wrong.’ There was no misinterpreting this omen. Something was going to happen that would affect everyone she loved.

What was coming?

The cards had no answer for that. Something was coming, something real, something hard, and she had idea what.

~~~~~~~~

Thursday — 4:30 P.M.

Standing on the elevator, Sandy smoothed out her top. She’d just started wearing maternity clothing and she hated it. How did celebrities always look so elegant while she was starting to look like an elephant? Even Heather looked better than Sandy did. She rubbed her hand over her belly. The baby was growing and healthy.

At least she was no longer in danger. Max has been right. Just one public photo of the back of Alex Hargreaves’s head caused the contract to be canceled. Good thing. She simply could not deal with a bodyguard tagging along today. She had way too much to do.

Stepping off the elevator, she looked around then wandered down the hall. She would learn about her father’s estate today. Her Godfather, Seth, hired this attorney to deal with the Feds and sort out the estate. Today, she would find out what, if anything, she would inherit from her father’s estate.

Her mother would be there. Her mother hadn’t spoken a word to her since she flipped out at the hospital. Jill and Heather had gone to her mother’s house to tell her that Sandy was pregnant. But her mother told them, ‘That slut was on her own.’ Of course, Jill wouldn’t tell her what her mother said. Jill just said that her mother had finally lost the last piece of her mind. Sandy had weaseled it out of Heather.

Anjelika had offered to go with Sandy today, but Sandy had refused. She needed this appointment to be short and simple. Otherwise she’d be late to pick up Nash from martial arts practice.

Entering the office, she gave her name to the receptionist and was told they were ready for her. She followed the receptionist down a dark hallway to a large office. An elderly man sat behind a huge mahogany desk. He stood up when she entered the room. Seeing her mother sitting in a chair, Sandy stopped in the doorway. Taking a breath for courage, Sandy held out her hand to shake the lawyer’s hand.

“Thank you both for coming,” the lawyer said. “This shouldn’t take too long.”

Sandy sat down in a leather chair next to her mother. Her mother didn’t look at her. Glancing at her mother’s face, she saw that her mother’s lips were set in a thin angry line. In the last month, her mother had aged. Her hair was uncombed and oily. Sandy wondered if her mother had been drinking.

“As you may know, over four million dollars was found in the walls of the house,” the lawyer said.

Sandy watched her mother’s interest peak.

“The Federal government has claimed that money. The money was collected in the process of committing felony child abuse.”

“What does that mean?” her mother asked.

“The money was from the proceeds of your ex-husband’s child pornography business. Sexually abusing a child then creating child pornography is a felony. It’s illegal to profit from a felony.”

“But that money belongs to me,” her mother said. “I had to feed, cloth and provide shelter for the child. Doesn’t that make the money mine?”

Sandy watched the interaction between her mother and the attorney with a kind of sick fascination. Jill was right. Her mother had lost her mind.

“No, ma’am,” the lawyer appeared horrified as well. “The money belongs to the Federal Government.”

“But I thought parents controlled the rights to money earned by minor children,” her mother pressed.

“Not when the minor children are being victimized in the course of a felony,” the lawyer said. “Sandra? Do you have any questions?”

“No sir,” Sandy said. “I expected this.”

“Good,” the lawyer said. “The next matter is the house. As you know, the house was sold quickly to pay your father’s estimated legal fees. The city assessed the house at $278,000 and it sold for an even $250,000. Your father’s legal fees amounted to five thousand dollars. He also had a $10,000 government service life insurance policy which names Sandra as the beneficiary. He had some savings…”

“Five thousand in savings and two thousand in checking,” her mother said.

“Yes,” the lawyer said. “A will was found among the money. He stipulated that Sandra was the heir to his estate.”

“What does that mean? You mean she gets everything?”

“Wait,” Sandy said. “Slow down. Tell Mom why she’s here.”

“Don’t you dare call me ‘Mom,’” her mother said. “You ungrateful, spoiled child.”

“Sandra asked if you would be here…” the lawyer started.

“You set this up to humiliate me again!” Her mother jumped to her feet.

“Please sit down,” the lawyer said. “Sandra wanted everything to be clear. So there aren’t any uncertainties or confusion.”

“Mom…” Sandy said.

Her mother gave her one last look and stormed out of the lawyer’s office.

“Why didn’t you tell her I was going to split the estate with her?” Sandy asked.

“Sandra, I reviewed your parents divorce decree,” the lawyer said. “They were divorced for more than twenty years. When they divorced, she received everything – all the bank accounts, their house, the car, everything. She also received generous child support and alimony, which you generated for her, until your step-father married her. She is not entitled to anything from this estate.”

“I wanted her…”

“I’m sorry, Sandra. You can’t buy her love anymore,” the lawyer said.

Sandy’s eyes went wide with the shock of the simple truth. She sat back in her seat for a moment.

“I apologize for my frankness,” the lawyer said.

“No, it’s all right. What’s next?”

“We have a year to settle the estate. We’ve found another bank account for your father, but haven’t received the records. We’ve paid off his debts and will file taxes.”

“You’ll let me know?” Sandy asked.

“I will,” the lawyer said.

Sandy stood to leave the office. The lawyer walked her to the lobby. She was almost out the door when the lawyer said: “I am truly sorry.”

Sandy nodded and left the office. Walking down the hall, she turned toward the elevator where her mother stood.

“Mom, please,” Sandy said.

Her mother wouldn’t look at her.

“I invited you there because we planned to split the…”

“You are dead to me,” her mother said.

“What about my brother and sister? I miss them. And…”

“You are dead to them as well,” her mother said. “You ruined my life, humiliated me and…”

The elevator opened and her mother stepped on.

“I don’t ever want to see you again. Ever. In my entire life.”

Dumbfounded, Sandy watched her mother step on the elevator. The elevator doors closed leaving Sandy staring at the space where her mother once stood. She felt nothing – no sadness or grief. She felt a kind of blank emptiness. She was sure she should cry. She was confident someone else, a normal person, would scream or yell. For a moment, she pondered calling Jill or Heather or Tanesha. In her mind, she heard what they would each say about her mother’s behavior.

When the elevator opened again, Sandy stepped on it. She was done lingering in the hardship and drama of the past. After all, her present was full enough.

Plus, Nash was waiting for her.

~~~~~~~~

Thursday — 4:45 P.M.

“I realize this has been a long trial,” Ann Campbell addressed the jury. “You’ve heard witnesses confirm that evidence is true and other witnesses who say that it’s false. The defense will argue that you’ve spent the last three weeks listening to witnesses who made up stories, and evidence, designed to convict their innocent client. My job is to help you understand that given the concrete video footage, biological data, as well and long history of behavior, this woman is a danger to our community.”

“After three weeks, I’m confident you are aware of the danger the defendant poses to those around her.”

“Rather than run through the evidence for the forth or fifth time, I’d like to leave you with this. This is a video of Honey Lipson dancing at the party.”

The Assistant District Attorney played a tape of Honey dancing. Waltzing, she swirled around the room on the arm of a famous movie star. Her fluid blue evening gown blew around her as she danced. The video stopped with an image of Honey’s laughing face.

“This footage was taken merely ten minutes before she was attacked.”

The video replayed the attack on Honey. The next images were of her in the hospital fighting for her life.

“Her father took these photos,” the Assistant District Attorney said. “She barely survived. No one expected her to survive. Yet, here she is.”

The next images were photographs of Honey’s naked back. Surgical scars ran from the base of her scull to her sacrum. The scars from where she was stabbed looked like steps on some ancient ladder. The area where her spine was severed showed the fusion marks. The scars were bright red against her pale white skin. The entire courtroom sat in stunned silence.

“To us, this case comes down to this: Honey Lipson looked like this.”

The video showed Honey laughing and waltzing.

“Ten minutes later, Honey fought for her life.”

The video showed Honey crumpled on the stairwell while MJ fought to save her life.

“Thank you for taking the time to review the facts in this case.”

Walking back to her seat, Ann Campbell looked at Honey. This amazing girl smiled at Ann then nodded. No matter what happened in this trial, Ann was certain she had never met a stronger, better person than Honey Lipson. Certainly she’d never forget her.

~~~~~~~~

Thursday — 5:45 P.M.

Tanesha leaned back in her chair. Tres smiled at her. Just a smile, no more, no less. He’d already ordered drinks and appetizers. God knows he was the perfect gentleman. But…

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing,” Tanesha said. She leaned across the table to take his hand. “Everything.”

“Yeah,” Tres replied. “Listen, before you…”

“I’m not dumping you,” Tanesha said. “Don’t make that face.”

Tres laughed. He kissed her hand.

“I’ve had a great time,” Tanesha said. “Really great.”

“But?” Tres asked.

“I don’t know,” she said. “It’s like there’s something missing.”

“I know,” he said. “I’ve had a really great time. You’re funny, smart, charming, so… so sexy…”

Tanesha blushed. He stroked her cheek.

“We’re very compatible,” she said.

“Compatible, yes, that’s the word,” he laughed.

“I really like you,” she said. “But I don’t…”

“Yes,” Tres said. “I’ve thought the same thing.”

“I’m starting med school in less than six months.”

“And?”

“I see Jill with Jacob or even Sandy with Aden, when Aden wasn’t in jail, and I want that.”

“Me too,” Tres said. He leaned forward to kiss her lips. “Do you think it will grow?”

Tanesha shook her head.

“I didn’t think so either,” Tres said. “It’s like we were meant to be really good friends.”

“With benefits.”

“I’ve never had that work out well,” Tres said. “Someone’s heart gets hurt, usually mine.”

“Yeah, it’s never worked for me either. Are you…?” Tanesha shook her head and stopped talking.

“What?” he asked.

“Are you in love with Heather?”

“Oh, Heather.” Tres shrugged. Picking up his beer, he added, “Love? No. I’m excited to be Mack’s Godfather.”

“I’m excited to be Mack’s Godmother,” Tanesha said.

“Let’s do this,” Tres said. “You start school in August. Let’s have some fun this summer, enjoy each other’s company, when August rolls around, we can see where we are.”

“That works for me.” Feeling a sense of relief, Tanesha nodded.

“I’m glad,” Tres smiled.

“You won’t feel like I used you? I mean you pay for everything. I don’t want to use you like a summer fling.”

“Use away,” he said. “Let’s have a summer fling. When you start school, you’ll need to focus and won’t really have time for me. That’s all right. I was thinking about playing hockey this winter with Jake and Mike.”

“We’ll still be honest with each other, right?”

“Of course.”

“If you change your mind or realize you’re in love with someone else…”

“You’ll be the first to know,” Tres said.

“Me too. I’ll tell you first.”

“You think I’m in love with Heather.”

“I do,” Tanesha said.

“What would that be like? That feels too weird,” he said. “We’d be around each other all the time and…”

“We’d be honest and talk about it as we go,” she said. “No drama.”

She held out her hand.

“No drama,” he said. He shook her hand in agreement. “You’re really a great friend.”

“With benefits.” Tanesha laughed.

“With benefits,” he said.

~~~~~~~~

Thursday — 6:20 P.M.
Canon City, minimum security

Aden and Pete had waited at DRDC for almost two weeks before a placement was available at Canon City minimum security. Two lonely weeks. Except for the one phone call, Aden hadn’t been able to speak to Sandy or the kids. They hadn’t passed the security clearance yet either. Aden wrote them letters every other day. But since he was in diagnostics, the letters wouldn’t be sent until he was moved to Canon City.

God he missed them.

Aden and Pete arrived at Canon City around dinner time. They had dinner, some mushy mass of inedible pseudo something, and were sent to their cell. Outside of workouts, Aden had planned spend the next three months in this cell.

But Aden did needed to workout. Lifting weights was a cornerstone of his sobriety. Aden worried that Pete would relapse now that they were in the general population. They had been here less than two hours and had already turned down two offers for drugs.

“Come on, let’s get a workout in,” Aden said. “We have a couple hours until lights out.”

Pete nodded. So far, Pete had done everything Aden had told him to do. His head was just clearing enough for him to want to be sober.

They walked past the open cells, down the stair well and through the main area until they got to the workout area. Overcome with the noise, smell and buzz of activity, they stood in the doorway for a moment. Aden took a step forward when he heard:

“Well, if it isn’t the little brother.”

Turning toward the voice, he stepped into a fist coming in his direction. Before he could respond, another rapid fired fist broke his nose. The third fist finished the job. Aden crumpled to the floor.

Denver Cereal continues next week…

~~~~~~~~

Denver Cereal is a serial fiction set in Denver, Colorado.
You can get your daily dose of Denver Cereal at DenverCereal.com
Chapters are posted on Saturdays on this blog.
Download your free electronic copy of Denver Cereal, the beginning, and Celia’s Puppies.
Like printed books? Go here or Amazon for a print copy of the Denver Cereal;
Go here or Amazon for the recently released Celia’s Puppies.
Claudia Hall Christian is a novelist.

Previous Chapters
Recap of the Beginning and character summary

CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR

Friday morning — 8:24 A.M.

Sandy stood inside the doorway to admiring her salon. One wall was painted a burnt orange color similar to a Colorado sunrises. There were four stations set up along the exposed brick side of the studio. A changing room and a bathroom created the barrier between the open space and three sinks in the back. Under the counter in the back, Jacob had set up a front loading washer and dryer. There were even two small offices upstairs and a basement room that ran the length of the small storefront. The space was well laid out, clean and beautiful.

Of course.

Jill had used money from a foundation Celia set up. The foundation’s mission is to help women get started in business. Jill took the reins around the first of the year and Sandy was their first recipient. The foundation also loaned her money at a low interest rate. With the loan, she received a bevy of financial advisors, mostly Lipson Construction employees. Tres Sierra was going to help her set up her finances on QuickBooks. Sam gave her a template for her business plan and would review it when she was ready.

Jacob offered to sell her the storefront but, in her first decision as a business owner, she said she’d rather rent. For now. When the business was successful, she would look at buying the space. Plus it looked like the Feds were going to hang onto the money from her father’s house. She didn’t want more debt than absolutely had to have. Jacob set up a reasonable rent which she could easily afford.

Because her life was in danger, Jacob had called the business ‘By appointment only.’ He tinted the front window so no one could see in during the day. There was a combination lock on the door. Only legitimate clients could get in. Last night, Jill had painted ‘By appointment only’ in script letters on the window. Sandy now owned the most exclusive salon in Denver. No walk-ins. No online appointments. Her clients were either regulars or came by named referral.

Luckily, her expenses were low enough that she could afford to be the only hairdresser at the salon. Someday, she’d invite some of her hairdresser friends to join her. But for now, while there was a threat to her life, she could afford to work by herself.

And work she did. She had as many clients as she did during the busy Holiday season. Everyone who’d heard about Aden or read the story on the front page of the Denver Post, figured out what happened to her. The phone rang off the hook. Of course, she had to stop at five now. No late nights when you have kids.

Luckily, Nash and Noelle were used to a working parent. They didn’t expect her total attention. Of course, they were up all night finishing Noelle’s semester project. This morning, the little girl had beamed over her project. Sandy got the kids fed and ready then sent Noelle off to school with Jill. Sore, but willing, Nash went with Sam to work.

Sandy was dropped off by MJ and Honey on their way to the trial. She would spend the day styling MJ’s team finishing with Alex, Raz and maybe Max, if he could make it. For the first time, most of the team were bringing heir wives and children today. She was excited to meet the families.

Humming, Sandy flicked on the music and waited for her first client, Troy. Today was going to be a good day.

~~~~~~~~

Friday afternoon — 4:35 P.M.
Prague, Czech Republic

Valerie’s eyes scanned Mike’s face. She was off early from the set with orders not to return until tomorrow afternoon. She thought he’d be delighted. Bud he’d barely looked at her since she got home. His entire attention was focused on the angry painting in front of him.

“I thought you’d be happy that I didn’t have to work tonight or tomorrow morning,” Valerie said.

Mike’s head jerked up to look at her. Transitioning from painting to Valerie, he sighed out his anger.

“I’ve had a rough day,” he managed.

Valerie slipped her hands around face. She kissed him and moved to hold him. He caught her hands. Stepping back from her, he kissed her hands and turned away from her.

“Wow, you’re really angry.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with you.”

“If it has something to do with you, then it has something to do with me,” Valerie said. “Talk to me, Mike. Tell me what’s going on. Maybe I can help.”

Mike set his brush down. He wiped his hands on a nearby towel. Stretching his neck, he took a drink of water then nodded to her.

“I do love the way you smell after work,” he said. “Sweaty and sexy. How are you feeling?”

“Great,” she said. “Did you notice that I’m getting a pooch?”

Mike put his hands on what Valerie called her ‘pooch’ – a tiny bulge in her flat stomach between her protruding hips.

“You look radiant,” he said.

While her eyes scanned his face, his paint stained fingers touched her hair, forehead, and chin before pulling her to him.

“What happened Mike?”

“Yesterday, Mom told me that Otis is actually her father, my grandfather.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Valerie asked.

“I’d rather be preoccupied with you than deal with more family crap.”

“Ok.” Valerie stepped back from him. “Why are you angry today?”

“I asked him about it this morning and we got into an argument,” Mike said. “His ‘friends’ are actually his bodyguards. He’s lied to me about everything and I…”

“Can’t trust him,” she said.

“Don’t want to have anything to do with him,” Mike said. “Guess who the new producer on your film is? The one who stepped in at the last minute when they got rid of other guy?”

“Your grandfather.”

“Good guess,” Mike said. “He said he did it to bring us to Prague. He said he wanted to meet me, get to know me again, he even said he taught me to play chess when I was a toddler. He and I played together every day when we lived in Russia.”

“It sounds very sweet. Why are you angry?”

“I don’t like being lied to. I don’t like that you got this job because of some mobster. I don’t like…”

Valerie smiled at him. She took his hand and led him to the couch.

“I feel trapped,” Mike said.

“By what?”

“Family history I can’t understand, don’t understand. I’d never ever be friends with a mobster,” Mike said. “But I love the man. Have from the moment I met him. I don’t know if I remember him or what. He’s funny, smart… We have the most interesting conversations about people, philosophy, life… I enjoy talking to him. And he kills people.”

“So does your father.”

“That’s a whole other story,” Mike said. “He told me I was behaving like a child, a spoiled American child. I grew up with food, shelter and safety. Maybe it wasn’t perfect, but I never wanted for basic necessities. I had no idea what I would do if I had to make the choice for myself and my family. If my family was starving, no heat in the bitter winter, no education, no opportunity, would I join the bratva? Or would I sit in judgment like I am now? It’s easy to judge when your belly is full. That’s what he said. Easy to judge when your belly is full.”

“My belly’s fully of babies.” Valerie’s attempt to defuse Mike’s self loathing fell flat.

“I feel dirty and stupid,” Mike said. “You’re a talented actress. And you’re doing a great job. The director says you’re fabulous in this role. He’s thinks you might become the next action babe. And you should be the next action babe. I just hate the idea that you got this job because of him.”

“I don’t care how I got this job,” Valerie laughed.

“You don’t?”

“No. It’s one of life’s opportunities. I’m going to do my very best and hope that it builds my career. I’m grateful for take the opportunity. Plus, what’s the difference? Hollywood is like it’s own bratva. Russian mob, Hollywood mob. They aren’t that different.”

“Oh,” Mike said.

“What’s this really about? It’s not about me or the film or even…”

“I don’t want to love a monster,” Mike said. “When I got home, I looked him up on the Internet. There are a bunch of websites about the things he’s done – arms sales, drugs, money laundering. I guess he’s not into prostitution or people trafficking… slavery, that’s one of the Russian mobs specialties. But if that was true how did he know about Jill and Katy?”

“You’re not him, Mike,” Valerie said. “By luck or good fortune, you don’t have to make the choices he’s made. You can love him and not be him.”

Mike dropped his head against her shoulder. She could barely understand his words.

“I want to be a good person.”

She tilted his head up so he was looking into her eyes.

“You are a good person,” she said.

“How can I be when I come from such… filth?”

“Maybe it’s not filth. Maybe it’s just different,” she said. “And I understand what you’re saying. I felt like that for a long time. How can I love when my father betrayed my mother? How could I be an actress when my family digs holes for a living?”

He shook his head.

“Let’s invite him over for dinner,” Valerie said. “Whatever he is or isn’t in life, he is your grandfather. You’re an amazing human being. Your grandfather must be as well.”

“He told me that he helped Alex find me in Afghanistan. Turns out the Afghani’s get their weapons from the Russian mob. He found out I was missing from one of those people you hired. He worked his contacts until he found Alex looking for me. Together, that’s what he said, together they convinced the Afghani’s to give us up,” Mike said. “I owe him my life.”

“Then we do need to have him over,” Valerie said.

“He owns this place,” Mike said.

“Ok.” Valerie shook her head. “I really hate him more now because he saved your life and let us stay in this beautiful apartment while I work. And that chess thing, boy that really pisses me off.”

“Valerie, he’s a mobster.”

“And you’re a painter,” she said. “Make the call. I’ll make my world famous Green Chili Stew…”

“We have Green Chilies?”

“Delphie mailed me a box of supplies. They’re canned chilies but we’re desperate,” Valerie said. “I was going to surprise you.”

Valerie kissed him. She was almost to the kitchen when he said:

“You don’t think I’m bad because he’s so… evil?”

She skipped across the apartment to him. Holding him in her arms, she said:

“You’re the best person I’ve ever met. I think people make choices. I’m glad we haven’t had to make the choices he made. We should thank your mother for that.”

She stepped back and took his hand.

“Come help me make this stew. We need to get some pork. Did you say you found a butcher? We probably need…”

He lifted her off the ground in a hug. Valerie squealed and laughed. When he set her down, she kissed his wet face. She held him while he called his grandfather to invite him to dinner. Together, they went into the kitchen to check for supplies. Together, they went shopping for what they needed. Together, they made dinner. And when the time came, they opened the door to his grandfather, together.

~~~~~~~

Friday afternoon — 4:30 P.M.
By appointment only

“So I’m sitting on the witness stand…” Raz said.

“I’m done back here,” Sandy said. “Would you like a shave?”

Laughing, Alex was standing next to the chair. Arthur “Raz” Rasmussen was giving a hilarious rendition of his testimony in the step-sister’s trial. Nash was cleaning the bathroom while Teddy was washing the towels in the back. Alex had cranked the music to her favorite Alternative Metal. They were all listening, and laughing, to Raz’s rendition of the trial.

“Yes please,” Raz said. “You know I love your shaves. They’re one of the reasons I live in Denver.”

Sandy blushed as the handsome man’s gray eyes danced across her face.

“Where was I?” he said.

“Moronic defense attorney,” Alex said.

“I’ve been on the witness stand countless times as a cop. I’ve never seen a more moronic defense attorney.” Raz closed his mouth so Sandy could shave his top lip. “I mean, he tried to get me to say that the tape was actually an acted rendition. A fake. How stupid can you be? We went through the tape one frame at a time where I showed how it couldn’t have been staged. Poor Honey had to watch the whole thing.”

“Honey is so tough,” Alex said. “Who would have thought such a tiny person could endure so very much? She’s amazing.”

They nodded.

“Jill had the same experience with the defense attorney,” Sandy said. “But Jill thought he was gaining ground with the jury.”

“Then they’re morons. I don’t think anyone is that stupid,” Raz said. “He was a complete asshole to me. The judge was furious. But he kept trying to trip me up.”

“He didn’t know you were a cop,” Alex said.

“Probably thought I was just some paper pusher…”

Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! The sound of gunfire echoed through the salon. Nash and Teddy ran out from the back. Sandy screamed and dropped to her knees.

“GET DOWN!” Alex yelled.

Raz jumped to his feet to stand beside her. They both drew their handguns and pointed them at the outline of the man staring at the tinted window.

“Bullet proof glass,” Alex said. “We set it up for Jacob. He can’t shoot through it.”

They watched the man walk to the door and shoot out the lock.

“Lost that bet,” Raz said.

“Sandy, take the kids to the back,” Alex yelled. “Do it. NOW!”

Sandy grabbed Nash and Teddy’s hand and ran to the back of the shop. Alex and Raz ran to the door.

“We have to wait until he crosses the threshold,” Raz said. “We won’t have a straight link to the shooting otherwise.”

“Nice to have a cop around,” Alex said.

The shooter opened the door. He stepped right in front of Alex’s raised handgun. Turning in place, the shooter ran out the door. Alex and Raz ran after him. They skid to a stop at the corner of Colfax and Marion where they both had a clear shot.

“Knee? Stops movement, non-lethal.” Raz raised his handgun to shoot.

“Shoulder. More memorable,” Alex raised hers.

Bam. The sound of a handgun came from behind them. The shooter fell screaming to the ground. Alex and Raz turned to see Max.

“Achilles Tendon,” he said. “Stops him fast and never heals right. Why are we shooting this guy?”

“He shot at Sandy,” Alex said.

While the Denver Police cruisers squealed toward their location, Alex and Max swapped their identical Glock 9 mm handguns. Alex and Raz ran to the shooter. Max went back to the salon where he found Sandy and the kids shivering with fear in the back.

“I told them about that lock,” Max said. “We were waiting for the other one to come in. Jake’s going to be furious.”

“I’m not safe here,” Sandy whispered.

“Of course you are!” Max laughed. “Especially now. You won’t believe the international fracas created by Alex being involved in this shooting. I bet that contract will be canceled by the tomorrow morning.”

“What about…?”

“The cops will be here with their drama. Are you hungry boys?”

Eye’s wide with fear, Nash and Teddy shook their heads. Max laughed. He pulled them up off the tile. He helped them to a comfortable love seat in Sandy’s waiting area.

“We may as well get comfortable,” Max said. “It’s going to be a while. I’ll order food. Does Chinese work? Where’s Noelle?”

“She’s at the Castle with Jill and Katy,” Sandy said.

“I’ll call Jill,” Max said. “Don’t worry. You’re with friends.”

“It’s good to have friends.”

Max smiled.

Denver Cereal continues next week…

~~~~~~~~

Denver Cereal is a serial fiction set in Denver, Colorado.
You can get your daily dose of Denver Cereal at DenverCereal.com
Chapters are posted on Saturdays on this blog.
Download your free electronic copy of Denver Cereal, the beginning, and Celia’s Puppies.
Like printed books? Go here or Amazon for a print copy of the Denver Cereal;
Go here or Amazon for the recently released Celia’s Puppies.
Claudia Hall Christian is a novelist.

Previous Chapters
Recap of the Beginning and character summary

CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE

Thursday — 1:05 P.M.
Denver County Court Building

Jill moved across the court room to retake her seat in the witness box. She had been on the stand since they showed the horrible videos of Honey’s attack. Jacob and her mom, Anjelika, had been with her all day. She smiled at them after she sat down.

This morning, the Assistant District Attorney had led her through her testimony. Yes, she found the apartment ransacked. Yes, she threw away the dead cat. Yes, that was her police report. Yes, she had a restraining order against Trevor. They had showed the video of Trevor hitting her just before Honey was attacked. She explained that she was coached to behave as if she wanted him. She believed her little act may have saved her life. Without ever mentioning MJ or his team, Jill talked about Trevor and his wife, the defendant, trying to take Katy and Paddie on that horrible night.

She and Jacob had practiced her testimony for days. She’d hoped to be helpful and unemotional. But when she saw the video of Trevor hitting her then taking her Katy, she broke down. The Judge had to ask for a recess so she could get control of her emotions. It had been such a terrible night. To have to relive it here, in a courtroom, for that woman, was torture. She stumbled through the rest of her testimony until the court finally went into lunch recess.

While her mother checked in on Aden’s kids, Jacob took her to the Downtown Aquarium for lunch. After wandering around the fish, tigers, and other exhibits, they had the most amazing meal. Jacob laughed and talked about nothing. With Aden in jail, and Blane on Daddy duty, Sam was covering Lipson Construction today. That meant no interruptions. In Sam’s world, all problems can always wait until tomorrow. Jacob kept her entertained the entire lunch. They had a wonderful break.

Jill swallowed hard. The defense attorney, Miles Blanchard, was going to cross examine her today. He had been brutal to Honey. Jill had never thought that someone could be so mean and so calm at the same time. Honey wasn’t fazed at all.

But Jill was not Honey. When the Defense Attorney opened his mouth, she panicked. Glancing at Jacob, she could feel his hand in hers. His psychic thumb stroked her hand like he did when they were at a movie or a play. She smiled.

“I’m sorry I don’t understand your question,” Jill said to cover the fact that she hadn’t heard his question.

“Let’s face it, Ms. Roper, you had it in for my client,” Mr. Blanchard said.

“How did I have it in for your client? It seems to me like she had it in for me.”

“You ruined her engagement party. You tried to seduce her fiancé. You stole her step-daughter from her. You create legal and emotional havoc every where you go!”

“Objection! Conjecture!” The assistant DA, Ann Campbell, sprang to her feet.

“Sustained.”

Mr. Blanchard leaned against the table with a calm confident air.

“Tell us about crashing the defendant’s engagement party,” he smirked as if he would be proven right.

“I was invited to the engagement party,” Jill said. “I don’t know why was invited. But I was invited. Trevor’d told everyone that Katy, our daughter, was from a one-night stand. I’ve been told that his future mother-in-law thought it was polite to invite the baby mommy. I don’t know that for a fact. Maybe Tiffanie hoped I would bring Katy. But I had an invitation.”

“And your show?”

Jill flushed. She was sure no one in the courtroom could see the cruel look on the man’s face. She cleared her throat and tried to speak but found her voice gone.

“Mr. Blanchard! You are cautioned!” the Judge said. “I will not tolerate your intimidation of this or any witness.”

“But your honor, I would never…”

“You just did! I saw that look!”

“But your honor you cannot caution over a look…”

“My court room, my rules. You are cautioned. Continue that behavior and you’ll experience the hospitality of the Denver Police!”

Jill was able to collect herself when the defense attorney and judge argued back and forth. She was surprised at how angry the Judge seemed. Clearly, the defense attorney wanted Jill to screw up. No matter. She was going to tell everything.

“You may continue, Ms. Roper.”

“My husband and I had been married nine years. We had a three year old little girl. He divorced me, took all our money, my car, everything of any value, and left me and our daughter with his loans, his credit card debt, and… well… nothing.

“I had three one-hundred dollar bills that I got waitressing. That’s what Katy and I used for food for two months.”

Jill swallowed hard.

“I went to the engagement party to tell my side of the story. He wasn’t very smart in setting it up. He knew that all our friends work those parties. They even hired my brother-in-law’s friend’s band.

“Anyway, that’s what happened. I went and told my side of the story. I wasn’t a one night stand. I’d known Trevor since we were kids. We had a family, a life together before he met…”

Jill couldn’t bring herself to say her name.

“The, um, defendant,” Jill said.

“You’re saying it’s all right that you disrupted a twenty thousand dollar engagement party with your…” the defense lawyer raised his eyebrow in disgust. “Event.”

“Define right,” Jill said. “Is it right that she stole my husband? Is it right that she tried to steal my daughter and her friend? Is it right? Is it right that she tried to kill her own sister? Is it right…?”

“Objection, your honor. Please this witness is hostile and uncooperative.”

“Fine Mr. Blanchard. Objection sustained,” the Judge said. “This is a hostile witness. The jury will disregard Ms. Roper’s last statement. Let’s move on.”

“Tell us about trying to seduce your ex-husband.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Jill said. “I had sex with Trevor then he divorced me. That was… January 3^rd… last year. He gave me the papers right after we finished. I signed them. He filed them that day and I threw his stuff out of our apartment.”

“You’re saying that you don’t remember attempting to seduce your ex-husband in July? Last year?”

Jill shook her head.

“Oh come on, Ms. Roper. You swore an oath to tell the truth! You tried to seduce your ex-husband and when he wouldn’t fall for your ploys you sicced your dogs on him. He had a laceration on his forearm.”

“What?”

“Your honor, the defense would like to enter photos of dog bites on Trevor Mc Guinsey’s arm. You’ll note the dates.”

“He tried to rape me!” Jill exclaimed. “He hit me, scratched up my back, ripped my jeans. He said we’d been tricked by these rich people. We should continue our relationship but he was getting married a few days later.”

“Rape?” Mr. Blanchard sneered.

“Mr. Blanchard I will not warn you again,” the Judge said.

“Your honor, may I address the witness?” the assistant District Attorney stood. “Ms. Roper has her own set of photos.”

The judge nodded to Ann Campbell.

“Did you bring the photos?”

Jill nodded toward Jacob. Jacob held out photos for the assistant District Attorney. She took the photos and brought them to Jill. The photo showed the bruise on Jill’s cheek, hand marks on her arms, scratches along her back. She was wearing the jeans Trevor ripped trying to get them off her.

“My brother, Mike, took these pictures right after Trevor left. The dogs brought all my neighbors out. Mr. Wilson and Ted from across the hall and Marena from the down the hall and Mr. Rodriquez and …”

“Your neighbors witnessed this?”

“My neighbors witnessed a lot. I don’t think they saw him hit me or rip my pants. They saw Trevor do a lot of things to me,” Jill said. “They came out when the dogs barked. Mr. Wilson chased Trevor out of the building with a baseball bat.”

“Why did you take these pictures, Jill?” the assistant District Attorney said.

“Mike made me take them,” Jill said. “I don’t know why. He’s in Prague. That’s why he’s not here. But, if he has to, he’d come back to testify.”

“Thank you,” the Assistant District Attorney said. “Your witness.”

“Plus,” Jill was so upset she couldn’t keep herself from talking. “We just saw the video where he says, ‘You’ll fuck the rich boy, but you’re too good for me.’ If I’d tried to seduce him, why did he say I thought I was too good for him?”

The defense attorney stared at her.

“Watch it! It’s right at the beginning.”

“Your honor,” Mr. Blanchard said. “I don’t see the relevance.”

“You brought it up, Mr. Blanchard,” the Judge said. “Bailiff, play the video tape again.”

The camera came on when Jill whirled around the corner with champagne and chocolate strawberries in her hands. They watched Trevor hit her then repeat what Jill had just said. Jill felt very smug when the Bailiff shut off the tape.

“Why did you keep your daughter from my client?” the defense attorney changed tact.

“I didn’t,” Jill said. “Trevor signed over full custody to me. He never really had anything to do with Katy. She was a girl and he wanted a boy. I didn’t know your… client wanted to see Katy. Trevor didn’t.”

“As a concerned parent, he went to the hospital when your mothering skills put Katherine in grave danger.”

“You mean when Katy got stung by the bee?” Jill asked. “He blew up there. He had to be escorted out. That’s when I got the restraining order.”

“It’s only natural a father would be concerned…”

“Concerned?” Jill cut in. “He went ballistic. If you don’t believe me, look at the record. We brought that too. There’s a tape of his freaking out. They thought he’d kill Katy or me.”

“Oh please…”

“All right, that’s enough,” the Judge said. “Mr. Blanchard, do you have anything of value to ask Ms. Roper?”

“Ms. Roper’s malicious deeds provoked my client into justifiable action.”

“Yes, I certainly heard that.”

The courtroom tittered with the Judge’s sarcasm.

“Your honor, Ms. Roper harassed my client. She attempted to seduce her fiancé, ruined her engagement party…”

Bang. Bang. Bang.

“I heard all of that before,” the Judge said. “Do you have more questions for Ms. Roper?”

The defense attorney opened his mouth.

“I didn’t think so,” the Judge said.

“I ask the right to recall this witness,” Mr. Blanchard said. “We still haven’t gotten to how she is responsible for my client’s husband’s death.”

Startled, Jill blanched white.

“Fine,” the Judge said. “Ms. Roper, you’re dismissed. This court is adjourned for the day. We will start bright and early tomorrow morning with the testimony from Homeland Security. That means we will have a closed courtroom tomorrow. If you’re not family or government, don’t come.”

Jill got up, wobbled, and then sat down again. She felt as if a gust of wind had pressed her back into her chair. She steadied herself on the railing then was able to stand. When she looked up, she saw the step-sister give her the darkest, most evil look. She staggered but made it into Jacob’s safe arms.

She’d done it! She’d survived a day of reliving Trevor and all this madness! Smiling, she was very relieved. This trial was almost over!

~~~~~~~~

Thursday — 4:30 P.M.

“So how did it go?” Mike had been waiting for her call. It was just after midnight in Prague.

“Horrible. Really awful,” Jill said.

“Ah Jilly, I’m so sorry,” Mike said.

Jacob had set up Skype on all of their computers so Jill could talk to Mike at least once a week. She called Mike the moment she walked in from the trial. As always, she delighted in the Jetson’s like technology that allowed her to see her brother’s face via webcam. Sitting in her safe office in their lovely loft, she couldn’t bring herself to review the horrible day.

“You’re growing your beard out,” Jill said.

“It’s damned cold here, Jilly,” Mike said.

“Are you feeling uncomfortable? Anxious?”

“Maybe,” Mike said. “Val doesn’t care and there are lots of hairy guys here.”

Jill laughed at his excuse for his anxiety, his cover up.

“You don’t want to talk about the trial,” Mike said.

Jill nodded.

“Must have been bad,” Mike said. “What happened? Just give the highlights.”

“They’re saying the step-whore’s actions were justifiable because I provoked this poor fragile girl.”

“How did you provoke her?” Mike glared into the webcam.

“I tried to seduce Trevor and I ruined her party and…”

“That’s just crap!” Mike said.

“Lucky we had those pictures,” Jill said. “Without them, we had no proof that Trevor tried to rape me. Thanks.”

“It’s the least I can do.”

“The defense seems to be looking for someone to blame.”

“That’s so like her,” Mike said.

“So like Trevor. You should see the witch and her lawyer. I wonder if he’s Trevor’s replacement,” Jill said.

“That’s a disgusting thought.”

“You know they’re going to blame MJ for Honey’s injuries. Next week. Anyway, I’m sick of this trial. How’s Prague?”

“Wonderful,” Mike said. “Val’s having a great time. She’s really happy to be working. The babies are doing well. And I’ve met a bunch of great guys here.”

“You have?” Jill couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice.

“I know, Mike the hermit enters the world,” Mike laughed. “I drop Val off at work every day then go drawing. I met this guy on a bench at the park. He introduced me to a bunch of his friends. We hang out in the mornings and play chess. I have lunch with Val. I come back here to work in the afternoons. Wanna see some of my stuff?”

“I’d love to,” Jill said.

Hearing a noise, Jill turned to pull Katy onto her lap. Following Katy, Anjelika stood in the doorway.

“Mom’s here,” Jill said. “Say hi to Uncle Mike, Katy.”

“Hi Uncle Mike,” Katy said. “Are you coming home soon? ‘Cuz we miss you.”

“I’m coming home for a visit in a couple weeks,” Mike said. “Hi Mama.”

“You look good Mikhail,” Anjelika said. “How is Prague?”

“When are you coming back to live with us?” Katy said. “I like it when you live here.”

Overcome by Katy’s sweet statement, Mike flushed red. He stammered a little. He shifted his attention to his drawings to gain control.

“I’ve been working in pencil,” Mike said.

Anjelika moved closer to Jill’s laptop to see the drawings. Mike held up an intricate drawing of the outside Prague Castle.

“I spent a couple days at this Castle. It’s the seat of their government,” Mike said. “I usually paint people. I thought it was good practice to work on a building. Plus, it inspired Kafka’s story the Castle. I figured I should hang out there.”

He flipped through drawings of a long hallway, intricate drawings of a column, then pictures of a few of the rooms. He was flipping so fast that they leaned forward to get a better view.

“Wait,” Anjelika said. “Who was that?”

Mike flipped back a page to a drawing of a man working to clear a garden at the Castle.

“That’s a gardener,” Mike said.

“No back farther,” Anjelika said.

Mike flipped through drawings.

“One more,” Anjelika said. “That’s it. Who is that?”

“That’s a drawing of the man I was just telling Jill about,” Mike said. “I met him the second day we were here. We play chess every morning. His name is Otets or Otits or something like that. I call him Otis, like Otis Redding. He thinks that’s funny. Why?”

“That’s my father, your grandfather. Otets means father in Russian.”

~~~~~~~~

Thursday evening — 7:00 P.M.

Sandy heard the landline ring, but didn’t respond. She’d never owned a landline. Her ears were used to picking up her cell phone. Her cell phone had a distinctive ringtones for everyone who called.

This phone just rang. Until it stopped.

It wasn’t until the phone rang again that she realized it was ringing. She ran to the phone.

“Hello?”

“Will you accept the charges from Aden Norsen?” a tinny electronic voice said.

“Yes,” Sandy said. “ADEN!”

“Hi honey,” he said.

His voice was strong and confident, but she could hear the sorrow as well.

“I only have a few minutes. There’s a line of guys waiting for the phones. I’ve been waiting for more than an hour.”

“You must really want to talk to us,” she said.

“I really wanted to talk to you,” he said. “God, I miss you so much. I feel like such an idiot for bringing all of this down on you and the kids.”

“I miss you too,” Sandy said. “But sometimes people spend time apart so they know how much they mean to each other.”

“You’ve been talking to Sam,” Aden said.

“He’s been really great,” she said. “He stopped by this morning and made us get going today. I think it was good for everyone. How are you?

“I’m all right,” Aden said. “Pete’s my cellmate.”

“Pete? Molly’s Pete? He went in a couple months ago,” Sandy said. “Missed Christmas and everything.”

“Yeah, he’s been here for a while. They put us together because we knew each other. I guess I have a reputation.”

“Why?”

“Beating up a pedophile is a big deal in prison,” Aden said.

“But you’re okay? No harassment or getting beaten up or…”

“I’m okay. I miss you and the kids so I’m miserable company. But I’m okay,” Aden said. “How are the kids?”

“Noelle is frantically working on her semester assignment. She’s way behind because she was off for so long. And Nash is asleep.”

“Nash is asleep?”

“He went to work with Sam today,” Sandy said. “They really worked him and his friend, Teddy. Made them shovel and clean up all day. When they were done, Sam dropped them at my salon. Sam made them clean up the place. He ate dinner then went to bed.”

“Your salon?” Aden asked.

“It’s a long story,” Sandy said.

“I want to hear all about it. Every detail. But I…”

“You want to talk to the kids.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I understand. Here’s Noelle.”

”Daddy?” Noelle asked.

As Sandy left the room to get Nash, she heard Noelle talk about her project and how far behind she was. When she returned with a sleepy Nash, the little girl was weeping on the phone.

“I miss you so much, Daddy,” Noelle said. “Sandy and me didn’t sleep one wink because we were so lonely.”

Sandy put her arm around Noelle. The little girl leaned into Sandy while she listened to something Aden said.

“Nash is here,” Noelle said. “Love you too Daddy.”

She gave the phone to her brother and pressed herself into Sandy. Sandy held onto the heartbroken little girl. They listened to Nash’s excited and proud talk about working.

“We met this guy named Jorge,” Nash said. “He showed us how to use a shovel and how to write our names in our gloves so no one steals them. He helped us get lunch from the roach coach. Did you know they call them that? So funny. But there aren’t real roaches there. And you know what, Dad?”

They could almost hear Aden say ‘what?’

“It’s not horrible. Even with my broken arm, you know,” Nash said. “But I’m going to college. No way I’m spending my life with a shovel in my hand. Sam says we’re working for him until he and Sandy figure out what to do about school. And that’s all right. After I get back in school, I think I’d like to work a little bit.”

Sandy watched Nash listen to his father. For a moment, the image of the man he would become appeared like a shadow in the boy’s face.

“Ok, bye Dad. Love you too.” Nash gave the phone to Sandy.

“I only have thirty seconds.” Aden spoke in a rush. “There’s nothing I can say that would express how much I love you, how sorry I am, how grateful I am, and how much I miss you. I can’t believe you already transferred money and the kids seem so happy. And…”

The phone went dead. Sandy looked at the phone then set it down. Using her hands, she herded the children to her. They held onto each other for comfort against awful hole Aden’s voice had left in the now silent apartment. After a moment, Noelle stepped back.

“Let’s put some music on,” Noelle said. “Miley?”

“Slayer,” Nash said. “Let’s make cookies.”

Sandy smiled at the kids.

“Cookies and Miley.”

“Ah, man…” Nash said.

“She called it first,” Sandy said. “We’ll listen to Slayer next. Then Bare Naked Ladies to dance too.”

“Let’s dance!” Noelle said.

For a moment, they stood together as each person was lost in their own sad thoughts. Sandy touched Noelle and she ran to put the music on. Nash followed Sandy into the kitchen to make cookies.

At first, they moved like ice skaters, in practiced ways that created predictable responses. No one wanted to scratch the surface of their sorrow. Within minutes, they were dancing their way through the cookie recipe. Sandy and Nash cheered to Noelle’s impressive solo on a wooden spoon microphone. Nash tried to teach “the girls” some of his break dancing moves.

By the time the first batch of cookies was out of the oven, they were in the rhythm of life without Aden again. Noelle settled down to her project and Nash napped on the couch. Sandy sat back down at her computer to work on the business plan for her new salon.

The three survivors were becoming a family.

Denver Cereal continues next week…

~~~~~~~~

Denver Cereal is a serial fiction set in Denver, Colorado.
You can get your daily dose of Denver Cereal at DenverCereal.com
Chapters are posted on Saturdays on this blog.
Download your free electronic copy of Denver Cereal, the beginning, and Celia’s Puppies.
Like printed books? Go here or Amazon for a print copy of the Denver Cereal;
Go here or Amazon for the recently released Celia’s Puppies.
Claudia Hall Christian is a novelist.

Previous Chapters
Recap of the Beginning and character summary

CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO
Wednesday evening

Aden spent most of the day waiting. After the hearing, he had waited in a holding cell at the courthouse. It wasn’t awful. It wasn’t even all unexpected. He’d simply forgotten what it was like. He’d started the day as a President of a large construction company. Everything he said or did was important.

Now, his time no longer mattered. What he thought no longer mattered. What he said or did no longer mattered. The only thing that mattered was his compliance and the passage of time. Some hours later, he was taken to the main Denver Police station.

The policemen who processed him couldn’t have been more polite. Oddly, Aden was a bit of a celebrity. Everyone knew he was the guy who beat up the pedophile and embarrassed the DA. They didn’t make him change or do anything humiliating. Instead, they put him in another large holding cell. A tall Hispanic policeman told him that the DA wanted him moved to DRDC, the diagnostic center, right away. People can wait months to get into DRDC, but Aden would go today.

“Out of sight, out of the voter’s mind,” the police officer had laughed.

The other prisoners gave him wide berth. For the first time in a more than a decade, his senses were inundated with the scent of unwashed human bodies, alcohol detoxing through pores, industrial cleaners, filth, and despair.

How had he ever been used to this life?

Why had this been so normal for him?

He tucked his emotions away. He would have time enough to think about them later. Instead he tracked time against his old life. He always called Sandy at twelve-thirty on her lunch break. His heart squeezed with panic around three. He’d forgotten to pick up Noelle from school. With a sigh, he realized he wouldn’t pick her up today or any of the next ninety days. Nash usually went to soccer practice at six o’clock.

What had been his regular, boring, uneventful routine only a week ago seemed like a dream right now.

As he waited, his mind jumped from one vague worry to the next: what would happen to his car? Would Sandy dump him? He would dump him. How stupid could he possibly be? He was the dumbest man in the world. Why had he given his Blackberry to Samantha? He could work now. Would his kids survive the next months? Why hadn’t he prepared for this? God, poor Sandy was going to have to deal with all his crap. And on and on.

Under the cover of darkness, they were escorting him to DRDC. Once there, they took the Tag Hauer watch he’d bought when Jake had offered him a job. They took his sobriety ring, his wallet, his keys, the gold chain bracelet Sandy gave him for Christmas, and every other symbol of his former life. They stripped him down, made him shower and redress into an orange prisoner jumpsuit. They gave him a blanket then escorted him to a cell.

No one was happy to see him. No one made jokes. It was all business, all prison. He was just another one of the livestock housed in this barn.

The guard opened the cell and he stepped inside. He barely had time to clear the gate when the door clanged closed. The lock made an ominous ‘click’ when it closed. Aden stood at the bars staring out into the prison.

“It’s hard to get used to at first,” a man’s voice came from behind him. “But you’ll do fine.”

Aden turned around to see who spoke to him. A man stood from a bunk on the right side of the room. Aden blinked. That’s Molly’s husband. Jacob’s bookkeeper Molly’s husband. Pete.

“Pete?” Aden asked. “What?”

“Hi Aden,” he said. “They told me they were putting us together. They thought since we knew each other, I wouldn’t be influenced by your fame.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Drugs,” they said together.

“I thought you kicked it,” Aden said. “You’ve been driving for us for a year. And I know they pee test you every time you step into a truck. Hair follicle test every three months.”

“Yeah, I had a year and three days,” Pete said. “Then… I don’t know what happens. I miss the life, I guess. Molly’s been working a lot for Jake. They’ve gotten really busy. She’s making great money.”

“Too much of a good thing?”

“Nah, I swear she and Jake have a thing.”

“Molly and Jake?” Aden shook his head. He sat down on the bunk across from Pete. “Have you seen Jake with Jill?”

“I was at the wedding reception. But otherwise, I haven’t.” Pete shook his head. “I went to high school with Jill. She and Trevor were always a thing. It’s hard to believe she could be with someone else. But Molly says I’m a fool to think that she’s with Jake. Anyway, I got pissed off and stupid jealous.”

“Started using again,” Aden said. “I’ve done that. Rewarded myself. I deserve a little….”

“Right, that’s exactly right,” Pete said. “Fuck this, I’m going out. I was gone for three days. When I got home, Molly was mad. I’ve never seen her that mad. We argued and the neighbors called the cops. I was angry, high, drunk, obnoxious, and on parole.”

“Revoked your parole?”

“Yeah,” Pete said. “I either get three years community corrections or three years in Cañon City. Depends on what they say here.”

“Wow, I guess that was worth it.”

Aden got up to review their space. Two bunks, sink and toilet. Nothing fancy. At least it was clean. Pete watched him look around.

“Why am I famous?” Aden asked then sat down again.

“You beat up that chester,” Pete said. “It’s not such a big deal here at DRDC, but in the general population, you’re a hero.”

“Lucky me.”

“I guess that was worth it,” Pete repeated what Aden has said.

“Not so much,” Aden said. “I haven’t done this in a while.”

“Don’t worry,” Pete said. “I’ll walk you through it. It’s pretty easy.”

“Thanks.”

“There’s something you could do for me,” Pete said. “In return. If you don’t mind.”

“What?”

“I have three kids. And Molly. I love them. And when I sit here, I know they’re the best thing in my life, the only thing that matters. Without them, I’m nothing.”

“But getting high takes all that away?”

“I love getting high,” Pete said. “I can’t have both. Molly says she’s done. I either get high or have a family. That’s what she said. And I believe her. I’ve put her and the kids through too much. She’s doesn’t deserve to have a drugged out husband.”

Aden nodded.

“Can you help me get straight?” Pete asked. “You did it. You’ve been sober for…”

“Five years in March. Six years off and on before that.”

“How did you do that?” Pete asked. “The longest I’ve been clean is a year and three days. I don’t think I can do it.”

“If I can, anyone can,” Aden said. “But the question isn’t how I got sober. The question is how are you going to get sober? What’s it going to take?”

The lights in the prison shut off. Hoping for some sleep induced oblivion, Aden got under the covers of his bunk. He lay staring at the ceiling.

“But you’ll help me, right?” Pete whispered.

“I’ll help you help yourself.”

“Good.”

~~~~~~~~

Thursday — 12:13 A.M.

Sandy shooed away Tanesha and Heather around nine. She had to force Jill to leave. After receiving a firm promise that Sandy would call her, Jill made Sandy another cup of Tension Tamer tea and left around eleven.

Sandy had laid down to sleep. But the tears seeped out of her eyes.

Overwhelmed, she tossed and turned for what felt like an age before she got up. Sitting at the antique dressing table Aden had bought for her, she peered at her image in the mirror. She could see why Jill was worried.

Her hair was clean but messy. Her skin looked pale and her face drawn. She smiled at herself in the mirror. Even her smile looked faded. She had the stunned look of someone who’d just seen a ghost or witnessed something horrible. Her eyes were blood shot and puffy from unshed tears. Wrinkles sprouted along her forehead.

Looking down at her left hand, she slid off the engagement ring Aden had given her. No point wearing it now.

There was little point to anything anymore. She hadn’t worked in forever. She was sure her clients had moved onto other hairstylists. She couldn’t go back to her home, the condo that her father bought for her. She couldn’t go out and get drunk because of the baby.

And her knight in shining armor was in jail.

And her knight was in jail.

In jail!

Tears seeped again.

Cleo walked across the dressing table. She rubbed her face against Sandy’s tears. Sandy picked up her black and white cat then set her in her lap. The cat kneaded Sandy’s lap with her nails before jumping off. Cleo hopped onto her favorite perch on the mantle in front of the fireplace.

Sandy and Aden hadn’t talked about him going to jail. It was stupid. She was an idiot for not making him talk about it. But with everything else going on, and two traumatized children to care for, they just hadn’t gotten around to talking about it. She had no idea what he wanted to do with his house, what he wanted to do about the kid’s school, what he wanted to do about… almost everything. Not only was her knight in jail, she had no idea what he wanted her to do with his life.

She only knew she was responsible for his entire life. Samantha Hargreaves gave her Aden’s checkbook and his power of attorney.

No. There was no point in wearing his diamond now.

If he got out of jail, they would decide what to do next. But for now, she needed to focus on all of her responsibilities – Noelle, Nash, her obligation to her father’s crap, Aden’s financial mess, and the baby. That’s assuming she never worked again.

Sandy dropped her head into her hands. It had been a long time since she’d felt this sad and overwhelmed. She wanted to wail, beat her fists against the floor and kick her heels. But that wasn’t going to change anything.

For the next ninety days, she was on her own. That’s assuming everything went well. And Aden did easy time. And he got through testing. And community corrections had space. And a whole bunch of other things she didn’t understand.

She heard a floorboard creak in the hall. There was a sound of a small knuckle against the wood. Sandy got up to open the door.

Noelle stood on the other side. Her hair was sleep-tangled and her face wet from tears. Her eye filled with ointment and her bruise covered in cream. She was a vision of sorrow and pain.

“Oh, you’re awake.” Noelle’s face shifted to a detached cool girl look. She moved her weight onto one leg to stand more casually. “What are you doing?”

“What are you doing?”

“Oh. Well.” Noelle’s face dropped its cool mask. She began to weep. “I miss Daddy. Except when I had to stay with Nuala, I’ve never slept without Daddy. Even sleepovers, Daddy usually comes to get me after everyone goes to sleep.”

Sandy hugged the broken-hearted little girl. She was about to invite Noelle inside when they heard a door open in the hall. Nash stuck his head out. He ran down the hall to join their hug.

“Can we sleep with you?” Noelle asked. “Would that be okay? We sleep with Daddy sometimes when we get scared or really sad.”

“Like when we made him let us watch the Shining,” Nash said.

“Or when Nuala didn’t show up for a visit,” Noelle said.

“I’ll tell you what,” Sandy said. “There’s some of his undershirts in the laundry. Why don’t we change into them then cuddle up?”

“We could smell like Daddy!” Noelle brightened.

She ran into their closet. Nash followed her. The children dug in the laundry bag until they came up with three white t-shirts. While Sandy watched, they changed into the shirts then climbed into bed. Turning away from them, she changed into as well.

“You go in the middle,” Noelle said.

Sandy climbed onto the bed. She used the remote control to shut off the lights. With Noelle on one side and Nash on the other, she settled in the middle of the bed. She had just laid down when there was a yip at the door.

“BUSTER!” Noelle said.

Noelle jumped out of bed to let the dog in. Buster the ugly dog hopped on the bed near their feet. Not to be out done, Cleo wandered across the tops of their pillows until she found a spot near Sandy’s head. Snug in the bed, the children let out a collective sigh.

“Sandy?” Noelle asked.

“Yes, honey.”

“Are you going to stay with us?” Noelle said.

“Yes, honey.”

“Until Dad gets out or forever?” Nash asked.

“I don’t know what forever holds. I don’t know what forever even means. What I know is that I’ll be here with you for as long as it works for us.”

Nash stretched up to kiss Sandy’s cheek. He nestled into his pillow and fell asleep. Sandy could almost hear Noelle’s mind hop from worry to worry.

“What would help?” Sandy whispered.

“I don’t know,” Noelle said. “I wish Daddy were here.”

“Me too.”

~~~~~~~~

Thursday — 8:20 A.M.

Hearing a knock, Sandy wandered from the kitchen toward the door. The kids were still sacked out in her bedroom. After such a rough night, she had let them sleep. Sleep was better than waking up to the reality that Aden was gone and not coming back. After checking in with Jill, Sandy had spent the morning reading the corrections website.

It looked like she might be able to visit Aden but only after she’d been approved by the prison system. And that took at least ten days. While she doubted that she would be approved, after all there were still death threats against her, she filed applications for herself and the kids. She had just finished transferring money into an account for Aden when she heard the knock.

She trotted to the door after hearing another knock. Looking through the eyehole, she saw Sam Lipson on the other side. She pulled her bathrobe closed then opened the door.

“Hi Sandy.” Sam stepped into the room. “Where are the kids?”

“They had a rough night. I was letting them sleep.”

“Well, it’s time to get going.” Sam beamed a bright smile in her direction. His kind eyes took in her sorrow filled face.

“Going, sir? We don’t have anywhere to go.”

“Ah, that’s the problem,” he said. “You lot have been sitting around for way too long. Certainly the kids needed some convalescing but enough is enough.”

“Sir?”

“Let’s get the kids up,” Sam said. “Noelle needs to be back in school. Nash can come with me to work today.”

“Sir, they’re exhausted, heartbroken, I…”

“They need to get moving,” Sam said. He touched Sandy’s arm. “You need to get moving. This moping around is killing all of you. Noelle can go back to school. Nash can come with me.”

“Oh.”

Sandy’s face went blanch white. She dreaded the idea of spending the day alone.

“And you need to be doing hair. My secretary is sick of getting calls for you.” Sam walked across the apartment. “Are they in with you?”

Sandy nodded.

“Well, that’s not true. She’s not sick of you or getting your calls,” Sam said.

“Who, sir?”

“My secretary,” Sam smiled. “Please just call me, Sam. I know this has been an awful time for you. We’ve got to get through these months together. That makes us a kind of family. I’m Sam. People call me Big Sam.”

“Why do people call you Big Sam?” Sandy asked. “I always wondered.”

“That, my dear, is a long story,” Sam smiled. “There’s a guy from Brazil, I never remember his name, anyway, he says, ‘Life sometimes separates people so that they can realize how much they mean to each other.’ I get that one right because I have it written down in my wallet. That’s why Aden’s gone, Sandy. That’s all.”

He moved into the hall toward her bedroom.

“I know you’ve had your fair share of troubles, more than anyone deserves. I’m not discounting that. But it’s time to get moving.”

“But sir, I mean Sam, I can’t work. The FBI says my life’s in danger and…”

“It’s not who you know, Sandy, it’s who you know!” Sam beamed. “Let’s get the kids up. Delphie’s making breakfast. We’ll take Noelle to school, where she’s sorely missed. Then I’ll take Nash and you can go to work.”

“I can’t go to work, Sam! I just said that. The FBI…”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” Sam said. “Jill didn’t say anything?”

“Say what? Jill’s at school today.” Sandy looked around for her cell phone.

“Life with psychics. I’m so glad to have another person on my side. You can’t imagine all the years I was alone. Now there’s Jill and Val too. But we still feel outnumbered. Maybe with you here…”

Sam stuck his head in her bedroom.

“Noelle? Nash?”

The kids gave him a groggy look.

“Time to get up. Let’s get dressed. We have to hurry to make sure we get some of Delphie’s waffles while they’re hot.”

Nash jumped out of bed. He hugged Sandy then went down the hall to the bathroom he shared with Noelle. Noelle went into Sandy’s master bathroom.

“Delphie makes the best Pecan waffles. Have you tried them?” Sam asked.

“Sir, you were talking about me working?”

“Oh, right, sorry. Jake found a building a couple months ago. Well, not a whole building. The owner of an established commercial building on east Colfax decided to sell individual storefronts. He basically gave one to Jake in return for helping him fix up the place for the sale. Jake’s figured it would be great place for a hair salon, so he rehabbed the bones of the building last month. Jill didn’t tell you?”

“No, she didn’t say a word.”

“She was there all night painting it,” Sam said. “Tanesha helped after her shift at the hospital. I was just there. It’s gorgeous. The plumbing was finished last week. You’ll have to take a look.”

Sandy’s heart beat quickened. She’d always wanted her own salon. Salon owners make really great money. She’d dreamed out loud with Aden. He could take care of the business stuff and she could do hair. Maybe this dream could come true!

Then she remembered the whole ‘life in danger thing.’

“I can’t go there,” Sandy said. “Someone might kill me.”

“Well, someone might,” Sam said. “MJ and Honey are taking the day off the trial too. I guess they’re showing the films of the attack. Honey didn’t want to see that. They’ll spend the day with you.”

“Oh,” Sandy said.

“We’ll work something out for tomorrow. Maybe Anjelika can stay with you. She can be pretty scary. But MJ will stay with you on Saturday. My secretary has set up your schedule for today, tomorrow, and Saturday,” Sam said. “She also has a cousin who just finished hair school. She’s going to help out as your assistant so you don’t have to mix colors, clean up, or whatever. We didn’t want to affect the baby.”

Sandy blinked.

“Hey kids, the waffles are getting cold,” Sam yelled.

Nash came out of his room dressed in a hooded sweatshirt and jeans. He made a slow, sleepy progress to Sandy. He latched on to her.

“Your friend Teddy is coming to work today as well,” Sam said.

“Really?” Nash brightened. He let go of Sandy.

“Really. You boys are working the roads until we figure out what to do about your school,” Sam said. “Fighting at school. You don’t get to hang out and play video games all day because you’re kicked out of school! You’re going to work.”

“But Dad didn’t…”

“Your Dad set this up,” Sam said. “He picked the crew and talked to the boss. He even arranged everything with Captain Jakkman so Teddy can join you today.”

“Yes, sir,” Nash said. “May I go to breakfast?”

“Go on,” Sam said. Nash skipped out of the apartment. “And you, Noelle…”

Noelle came out of her room wearing a short skirt and a low cut blouse.

“Did you forget your semester assignment is due tomorrow?” Sam asked.

“My… oh… oh goodness!” Noelle said. “I read all the books but…”

“You need to be in school,” Sam said. “But after you change! Ten year old girls don’t get to dress like they’re going out to bars. Your Dad wouldn’t let you go to school like that and I won’t either.”

“I’ll help,” Sandy led Noelle back to her room.

She coaxed Noelle into jeans and a pretty top then sent her on her way to breakfast. Sandy took a quick shower then changed into her work cloths. She smiled at herself in the mirror.

Maybe, just maybe, they would make it through this mess.

Denver Cereal continues next week…

~~~~~~~~

Denver Cereal is a serial fiction set in Denver, Colorado.
You can get your daily dose of Denver Cereal at DenverCereal.com
Chapters are posted on Saturdays on this blog.
Download your free electronic copy of Denver Cereal, the beginning, and Celia’s Puppies.
Like printed books? Go here or Amazon for a print copy of the Denver Cereal;
Go here or Amazon for the recently released Celia’s Puppies.
Claudia Hall Christian is a novelist.