Laughing, she put her hand on her hip as he glanced over his shoulder at
her. “Whatever!”
She backed up, pulling the door open.
“I guess I can invite you in, since you’re not a vampire.”
She whispered loudly in his direction.
He raised an eyebrow, “Lack of an invitation won’t keep them out.”
He said, patting her head.
“Well,” she said,
shutting the door behind her, “The people that made “Lost Boys” messed up
then.”
He dropped his bag in the foyer, “Hmmm…imagine Hollywood making a
movie short on fact and long on imagination?”
He smirked, “I hope you’re not counting on getting information about
your brother’s condition from popular movies.”
“Yeah, they do tend to mess up stuff, don’t they?”
She mused. She then turned
toward the kitchen, “Mom!! Mr.
Jones is here!” She yelled.
Within moments Diana stood before him, her face in a similar state as her
daughter’s, “What are you doing here?”
She asked, wiping her hands on her jeans.
“Why do I get the feeling I’m not welcome here?”
He asked, cocking his head and crossing his arms over his chest.
“You may as well not bother denying that he’s here.
Beatriz’ car is sitting right there.”
He said, pointing out the window.
Diana went to the window, “Where?”
She then turned to face him, “How did that get here?”
She asked.
“Your slovenly son left it parked, more or less, on the road outside
your gate. I suppose farmers have
no need of fancy hubcaps or expensive car stereos.”
He said.
She shot him a look. “Yes,
well, I prefer farmers to those people you live with.”
She said.
“Point taken.” He said.
“In any event, I’m sure you can imagine why I’m here.”
Her shoulders sunk as she and Jessica exchanged a look, “I can imagine,
yes.” She said.
“So, is he here, or not?” He
asked.
“Well, not at the moment.” Diana
said, softly.
His face softened, “Has he seen the babies?”
He asked, already knowing the answer to the question.
She nodded. “Yes.
Isabella decided to cry just as we discovered he was here.”
He sighed, “Well, it’s not like you could have hidden them from him
anyway.” He said.
They looked up as Isaac came down the stairs, “Man, that car is—“He
started, but he stopped when he saw Mr. Jones.
“Yes, it is.” The man
said. “I guess you were expecting
your brother?” He said.
Isaac just glared at him, “Why can’t you all just…”
He didn’t finish his sentence.
Mr. Jones shook his head, “Because we just can’t.
It’s not the way things are done, as you know.”
He looked back at Diana, “How did it go?”
He smiled, thinking of Taylor and what his reaction was probably like.
Tears formed in Diana’s eyes, “He was very surprised, and very
happy.” She said.
“Here, I can’t believe we’re just standing here like this.
I’m sorry…” She
gestured for him to go into the kitchen.
Once there, they all sat at the table, “Jess, how about
some iced tea for Mr. Jones.”
“Thank you.” He said as
the girl handed him a glass. “So,
there were no hissy fits or angry rages?”
He asked, looking at Walker, leaning against the counter, his arms
crossed over his chest. He
took a long drink, glad to finally be out of the car.
“I was asleep.” Walker
said, turning back and washing his hands. “But
it must not have been too bad, the roof is still on the house.”
Isaac and Jessica sat down at the table to listen in on the conversation.
Upstairs, Zac was closing the door to Zoë's room and checking that
Mackenzie was asleep as well.
Avery sat in her own room, watching out the window, wondering
when Taylor would come home. She’d
seen the car pull in, but Taylor hadn’t been the driver.
It would probably be late, but she knew she could stay awake.
Zac stepped into the kitchen and looked at them, “What’s he doing
here?” He asked.
“Everyone keeps asking that.” Mr.
Jones said, his brow furrowed. “Taylor’s
not some man on the street that no one takes notice of.
He is…” He looked at
Jessica and then back to Zac, “…what he is, and his leaving comes at a
rather inconvenient time. And of
course, there’s the situation with the children.”
Zac sat down at the table, “They’re his,
he should have some say in how they’re raised.”
“I agree.” Mr. Jones
answered, “But you have to know, it may have been better if…maybe he
wouldn’t have known about them.” He
finished.
“Maybe.” Diana said.
“But that’s beside the point now.
He’s here, he knows. Now
what?” She said.
“Now, I’d like him to come back to New York with me.”
Isaac laughed, “What makes you think he’s gonna do that?”
“Well, technically, he has no choice.
The Lady wants him back.” The
man answered.
“Oh.” Zac said, mocking.
“Well, let’s say that, technically, he doesn’t want to
go back.” He cocked his head,
“Then what?”
Mr. Jones sighed, “At the time I was sent here, I believe she just
wanted me here in case he…well, you know, his reactions to things can be a
bit…over the top, at times. And
we were relatively certain this was where he’d come and we knew if he saw the
twins, he’d be affected, to say the least.”
Zac looked at him, “You still haven’t said how you’re gonna get him
to go with you if he doesn’t want to go.”
“I was hoping you’d all help me.”
He said. “You already know
he can’t live here with you. And
he does, too. I think he reacted to
the incredible situation in New York by coming here where he’d feel safe and
loved by his family. I don’t
think anyone could remain unchanged by what he saw and experienced.”
“You’re not close to the Towers, are you?”
Jessica asked.
“No, but Taylor and the girls went there that night to see if there
were survivors or anything like that. Of
course, we pretty much know now that there just weren’t any.
But at that time, we really thought maybe they could be of some help.
You know, his kind can sense a beating heart or smell certain things much
more easily than you or I.” He
replied.
“Oh wow…” Jessica’s
eyes were wide, “so, he went down there that night?
What happened?” She
scooted over so her father could take the seat next to her.
Mr. Jones sighed, “Well, not a lot.
They’d detect something and it would turn out to be a corpse, or
sometimes, just a piece of a person. He
was very upset by it. If we’d
known what it was going to be like, we never would have allowed it.
There were too many dogs and uniformed persons—they had to give up.
But, already, he’d seen too much.
He just really wanted to help so badly…”
“So, you think he’s just
homesick.” Diana said.
“Yes, but of course, now that he’s seen his children…”
He put his hand on his forehead and leaned on the table.
“He just really needs to come home.
And you must know that New York is no place for Elijah or Isabella.
We need him to come home, and to leave the children here.”
He shook his head, “The only way he’s going to agree to this, is if
you are on our side.”
Diana leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest, “Couldn’t he
just stay here? I mean, he
wouldn’t have to go out or anything—“
“Honey…” Walker
started.
“That sounds like a wonderful plan, but it’s been tried before, if
you remember.” He said, looking
at both of them sadly. “Besides,
it seems to have become urgent that he come back.
The Elders want to see him and they’ve given him 2 days to come to
them.” He said, softly.
“And, it doesn’t sound like a request.”
“Aren’t they like, the enemy?”
Isaac said, sitting up.
“Not necessarily. They
don’t know, hopefully, that there’s any plot against them.
I believe they’ve just finally noticed that he is a bit different from
the others. They like to keep tabs
on those sorts of situations. In
any event, if he goes, it could be nothing.
But, if he doesn’t, then who knows what they might do?”
The man answered.
“So, you’ve come here to take him back to face the elders, and to get
him to agree that the twins should stay here with us, while he goes back to live
in New York, right?” Zac asked.
“Yes.” Mr. Jones
answered.
Zac snorted, “Good luck.” He
said, and he walked out of the room.
~~~~~
Melanie and Camille stood in front of Beatriz as she tossed two bags
towards them, “Here are your clothes. I
just packed what was on top of your dresser, so I assume that is what you wear
most. Also,” She said, handing an
envelope to Melanie, “here is some money.
If you need something, buy it.”
Melanie took the envelope and stuffed it in the pocket of her jeans, and
gave Camille a sideways glance.
Beatriz took a deep breath, “Now, Taylor is more than likely not going
to want to come back, but it is imperative that he does.
I’ve managed to get the Elders to give him until Friday to be
there—“
“You’re just handing him over like that??!!”
Camille exclaimed.
“No. I’m not just handing him over.
I’m trying to keep him from having a bounty on his head the size of New
York City. I assure you, if he
doesn’t show up, he will be on a Vampires Most Wanted list and, as you know,
we always get our man.” She said,
sadly. She sat down in a large
chair, “Camille, I know that you care for him, and that is why I’m sending
you two. I don’t care how you do
it. If you have to lie to him, or
tie him up and drag him here, then you do it.
Of course, you’ll have to be careful, I’m sure it wouldn’t be an
easy thing for you to lie and to have him believe it.
Unfortunately, the three of you have exchanged blood and therefore, he
can most likely read your minds very easily.
It’s gotten harder and harder for Sonya and myself to block him.”
“Um…” Melanie started,
thinking it would be next to impossible to do what Beatriz was asking, “how
the heck are we going to do that? He
can hold both of us down with one hand. I
hate to admit it, but it’s true.”
“Well, if it were me, I think I’d put him in a box.”
Beatriz said. The two girls
exchanged glances right away, wondering if the woman had lost her mind.
“A box?”
Camille asked.
Beatriz looked at the fireplace for a moment, “Yes, I’d think
something made of metal. Just your
regular old garden variety lock is not going to work, as we all know.”
She smiled. “Just
make sure that whatever you do, it can’t be easily unlocked or manipulated by
him. I’d think if he wakes up in
a box, he’ll be rather angry, you don’t want him able to get hold of you.”
“Lady, respectfully, I think you’re asking us to do something that
maybe it would take you and Sonya to do. And
Kirk.” Melanie said.
“I’m not stupid.” Beatriz
said. “Mr. Jones is there
already, he’s called me from the Hanson’s house.
He has a little something there that should help.”
She added. “And I agree,
it would be much better if Sonya and I could be there, but it’s just not
possible right now. The Elders
already are a little dubious about Taylor’s whereabouts, and if I disappeared,
we’d be tipping our hand a little too much, I believe.
And Sonya is needed elsewhere, not only for what we’re trying to
accomplish, but in a little meeting with some of the runners—which of course,
will be monitored by the Elders as well. Taylor’s
timing, as always, is impeccable.”
Both girls stood, looking at her for a moment. “I just…how is
this—“Camille’s brow was furrowed.
“You’ll do it because you love him and you don’t want to see him
dead. You’ll find a way.
I trust you. Now,
chop chop!!” Beatriz clapped her
hands. “Take Sonya’s car,
it’s got that big area in the back. I’ve
got you a driver and he’ll drive my car back.
Don’t stop come daylight, sleep in the back, he understands.”
She stood, and pushed them towards the elevators, handing
them their bags. Call me at the
least bit of problem you have.”
As the elevator doors closed and started their descent, Melanie looked
over at Camille, “Y’know, this is probably how Sonya started out.
I never asked for this job—this is bullshit.
He’s probably going to kill us and then go about his business.”
Camille shook her head, “Taylor would never kill us.”
Melanie snorted, “You, of all people, should know that Taylor might do
anything at any time. Why do you
think she sent Mr. Jones ahead of us? She
thought maybe he’d be able to talk his little boy down from the ledge.”
She looked up as the elevator signaled the first floor, “Guess it
didn’t work, huh?”
~~~~~
Avery watched her brother step out of the trees and into the moonlight.
As he approached the house, he looked up to see her sitting there at her
window. He waved, then jogged over
to the tree, jumping up to grasp the lowest branch.
She marveled as he pulled himself higher.
Within moments, he was standing on the roof in front of her window.
She unlatched the screen and slid it up so that he could climb in.
“Who moved the car?” He
asked.
“Mr. Jones.” She
answered, throwing her arms around his waist.
“Wow. He was quicker than
I thought he’d be.” Taylor
said, pulling her up onto his hip. “My
Lord, you’re almost too big for me to do that anymore.”
“I know.” She said,
laying her head on his shoulder. “He’s
gonna want you to go back.”
Taylor took in a deep breath, “Yeah, probably so.”
“Are you going?” She
asked, touching the silky hair on his collar.
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do Avie.
I don’t want to.” He
answered. He sat her down on the
bed, then lay down on it himself. “I
just never imagined I’d get here and have these two babies…”
He sat up and leaned on his elbow, looking at her.
“I never thought I’d ever
have a child.” He smiled.
“Ave, do you think…do you feel anything different about them?
I mean, they’re mine, right?”
Avery shook her head, “What do you
think?”
His smile told her he was a believer.
“Let’s go see ‘em!”
“They’re finally asleep!” She
laughed.
“I’m not gonna pinch ‘em or anything!
I just wanna look.” He
said, standing. “We’ll be
quiet, come on.” They tiptoed
down the steps, stopping as they got near the bottom.
Taylor flattened himself against the wall, listening.
He looked over at Avery and rolled his eyes.
Then, he put his finger to his lips, took her hand, and
waited ‘til he thought it was safe and they hurriedly went down the remaining
steps and past the doorway to the kitchen and into their parents’ room.
Silently, they made their way over to the crib and looked in.
Elijah slept on his stomach, his diapered butt making a lump under the
soft blanket. Gently, Taylor lay
his hand on his back, feeling his warmth and the beat of his heart.
Then, he touched the dark waves of hair on Isabella’s head, careful not
to wake her. He looked over at
Avery and smiled, “They’re so
perfect…” He said, silently. She
smiled back and nodded, then followed him as he stepped back out of the room.
Once in the hall, he looked at her, “Well,” he whispered, “I guess
I may as well go in and face the music, huh?”
She shrugged, “I guess.”
He took a deep breath, then stepped into the kitchen.
“You sure didn’t waste any time getting here.”
He said to Mr. Jones.
“Yes, well, you didn’t either.”
The man answered.
Taylor cocked his head, “Yeah, well, I haven’t been here for a very
long time, but you were here pretty recently.”
“I was.” Mr. Jones
admitted.
Taylor backed up against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest,
eerily like his father, “And I guess no one thought I deserved to know
anything about what was going on—so you and Zac delivered these two babies of
mine, while I was in New York having my ass kicked every night for them.”
“Do we need to go into this in front of your family, or could we retire
to your room, Master Taylor?” Mr.
Jones said, standing.
Taylor wrinkled his brow and threw his hands out, “What’s the
difference? They already know a lot
more about it all than me!”
“Very well.” Mr. Jones
said, stepping towards him, “I actually believe that you did deserve
to know. As does the Lady.
However, we also believed it was in your best interest, as well as the
best interest of the children that you remain unknowing.”
“It was in my best interest to not know that I’d fathered two babies?
I would have liked to have been here for her and to have experienced
their birth.” Taylor snapped.
“Of course you would!” Mr.
Jones retorted. “I’m sure Michelle would have been delighted to have seen
her dead lover appear at her side.” He
said. “And what would you have
done? Gone to the Elders and asked
to leave the city to be present at the birth of your children?”
“I don’t have to ask them. And
they wouldn’t have had to know anything.”
Taylor said.
Mr. Jones shook his head. “They
know things, Taylor. Do you know
that you could have been followed here?”
“I wasn’t.” Taylor
said, standing up straight.
“How do you know that? And
how do you know those two characters you ran into earlier aren’t working for
the Elders and reporting everything that goes down here to them?”
The man asked.
“They work for Beatriz.” Taylor
said.
Now Mr. Jones was the one to put a disgusted look on his face, “They
work for whoever is in charge. The
fact that Beatriz opposes the Elders is not common knowledge.
Why do you think we try to be so careful?
If they found out what is going on, they’d have her head on
a stick displayed in Times Square to make sure everyone knew she’d betrayed
them and paid the price.” His
face softened, “And I’m sure they’d think yours would look good right
beside hers.”
Taylor glared at him. “You
know this is fucking unfair, don’t you!?
Do I have NO rights whatsoever!?”
“Life is unfair—“the man started.
“Fuck you! Don’t give me
that shit! I’m treated like a
prisoner, or a slave or something!” He
narrowed his eyes, “You know what I think I’ll do?
I think I’ll go public. I’m
going to my senator or a lawyer or something and I’m going to tell every
little thing I know, so that I can have my civil rights.”
“You’d be killed before you got to speak a word.”
Mr. Jones said.
Taylor smiled at him, “What makes you think that?
I got here and I can go anyplace I feel like.
If I get killed, so be it.”
Diana gasped, “Taylor, don’t say that!”
He looked at her and sighed, “Mom, I’m already dead.
I’m dead to you guys, even.” He
turned to the members of his family sitting there.
Zac stood in the doorway now.
“I don’t know why I came here. I
mean, I know it’s wrong to keep walking back in when I know I can’t stay.”
“The Lady never said you couldn’t see your family.”
Mr. Jones reasoned.
Taylor’s eyes went steely again, “Oh, and I’m just supposed to
ignore the fact that those witches attacked Ike and Zac?!
I’m sorry if I’m uncomfortable endangering my family.”
Mr. Jones threw his hands out, “Taylor, listen to yourself.
You’re arguing with yourself; you say you should be able to
see them whenever you want, but then you say you can’t stand to endanger them,
then you can’t stay, then you can’t leave…”
He shook his head, “Son, I understand everything you’re saying.
But please, you know that you can’t stay here and that you can’t run away.
Visit your family for a day, then we’ll drive back.
Between the two of us, we should make pretty good time.”
The ghost of a smile crossed his face, “That car is fast.”
Taylor said. He
looked at Zac, then back to Mr. Jones. “Fine.
But why do I have to go back so soon?
I just got here.”
In Isaac’s mind, he heard his brother’s voice, “What
isn’t he telling me?” Isaac
shrugged.
“There’s no reason to prolong the inevitable.
You have things to do there. And
I’m sure Camille is beside herself with worry.”
The man answered.
“She’ll live.” Taylor
said, eyeing him.
“Indeed she will.” Mr.
Jones agreed. “So, we’ll leave,
bright and early—well, as soon as the sun goes down, day after tomorrow.”
“Yeah, bright and early.” He
walked toward the table and pushed the glass of tea away, “Stay out of my
seat.” Taylor grumbled.
Mr. Jones bowed to him, “Yes, I certainly will, now that I know which
one it is.” He turned to Diana,
“I’ve had a long day, I believe I shall retire.
Same room as last time?”
She nodded, and he went passed Zac and up the stairs.
~~~~~
“Well, that was genius.” Melanie
said. “Are you sure he won’t be
able to get out of it?”
Camille looked up, “I don’t think
so. I mean, it’s a safe.
It has a combination. As
long as he doesn’t know the combination, and we don’t know the combination,
how could he get out of it?”
“Just don’t lose that envelope.
Beatriz will kill us if we can’t get him back out of it.”
Melanie said.
“I won’t.” Camille
said, placing her hand over her chest, “It’s perfectly safe, right here.”
“Uh-huh. Whatever you
say.”
Melanie answered. “Still,
I hope we don’t have to do it. I
don’t trust him and when he gets out, he might kill us or something.
And of course, that’s all assuming we’re able to get him into
it.”
“You’ve got him down before.”
Camille said, pulling a nail file out of her purse.
Melanie scooted down in the seat and threw her feet up on the headrest in
front of her, “Yeah, but that was a while ago.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but once Robert and Beatriz started
abusing him, he’s gotten a little mean.”
“Well, you can’t blame him for that!”
Camille exclaimed.
“Who says I’m blaming him? All
I’m saying is, I used to be able to
get him down, but I don’t think I could now.
I’ve sort of avoided wrestling with him lately.
The last time, he about broke my arm.
I just didn’t let on. Jerk…”
She said, picking up the CD player beside her and putting on the
headphones. “You’re gonna have
to get in there and help big time, if we’re gonna shove him in that box and
get the door shut. And you might
have to hurt him. So, don’t wuss
out on me or I’ll kick your ass into next week—that is if we survive.”
Camille rolled her eyes and picked up the nail polish bottle from the
seat beside her. “Whatever.”
Melanie hit the “play” button, “And roll down the window—the
smell of that stuff seriously makes me want to puke, and you know we can’t, so
hurry up and close it.”
They were four hours into their drive; eleven to go…
~~~~~
Sonya walked in and looked up at
the clock. “It’s four fucking
o’clock and they’re just letting me out of there and I still have to go get
rid of some nasty body in some nasty place on 139th St.” She said,
throwing her bag down on the floor.
Beatriz looked at her
sympathetically, “At least you’re paid well.”
She said.
“Not well enough.”
Sonya spat, throwing her shoes off.
“I guess I’ll go put my cat burglar clothes on…”
Beatriz stood, “Did they say
anything about Taylor?”
“Well, not a lot.
But they’re definitely trying to find out.
Are you the only woman that works for them?
It just seems like they’d use a woman to try and dig around someone’s
mind, y’know?” She said,
pulling her tights off and rubbing her feet.
“I’m sure they know you’d
know and wouldn’t appreciate being read like that.
But their cleverness and their stupidity never cease to amaze me.
Always assume they’re ahead of you—that way, you won’t let your
guard down.” Beatriz said.
“Don’t worry.
I don’t trust them any farther than I could throw them.”
Sonya said, standing. “They
just asked if Taylor would be there on Friday, and I said I had no reason to
believe he wouldn’t be.”
“Hmmm…well, we shall see.
I hope between the girls and Mr. Jones, he does show up.”
Beatriz said, flipping her cell phone open.
She looked at Sonya, “Perhaps he’ll surprise us and just come
willingly?” She said, brightly.
Sonya laughed and walked toward
her room, “Yeah, it could happen!” She
said, shutting the door behind her.
~~~~~
When Isaac stepped into Mr.
Jones’ room, the clock read 2:10 a.m. For
a moment, he stood, watching the man sleep, wondering if he should wake him or
not. Finally, he reached down and
touched his shoulder.
Mr. Jones awoke to see Isaac
looking at him in the darkness, his face barely illuminated from the light in
the hallway. “What’s wrong?”
He asked, sitting up.
“Isaac sighed, then whispered,
“Nothing. I just…I just thought
I should tell you something.”
The man looked at the clock, then
back to him, “Where’s your brother?”
“He’s downstairs, feeding Izzy.”
He smiled. “It’s kinda
nice to have him here.”
“I’m sure it is.”
Mr. Jones answered.
“Um…I just thought you should
know…Taylor told Zac he’s not going back.
So, I don’t know what that means, but I just thought you should know
it.” Isaac said softly.
“I was afraid that was the
case…” Mr. Jones sighed.
“What does he plan on doing?”
Isaac shrugged, “I don’t know.
Zac doesn’t know either. Hell,
I don’t think Taylor knows. I
don’t think the babies were a part of his plan—but I can’t see him just
letting go completely now that he’s seen ‘em.”
He looked out the window, “What happens if he doesn’t show up when
he’s supposed to?”
“That’s not an option.”
Mr. Jones answered.
“Yeah, but, what if?”
“The Elders would contact others
all over and he’d be brought in anyway.”
The man’s face was grim, “This isn’t a game or some story dreamed
up in Hollywood. If his head was
the only thing that made it back to New York, they would be satisfied.”
“Why do they hate him?”
Isaac asked, getting frustrated.
“They don’t.
They fear him, and at last, I believe they value him.” The man
answered.
Isaac raised his eyebrows, “Why
would they fear him? Or
value him?”
“Fear because they don’t know
what he’s capable of. They’ve
only heard stories, which may or may not be blown out of proportion.
They’re probably kicking themselves for ignoring their initial
warnings.” He said.
“And value—well, it’s become apparent to them, I’d think, that
Taylor is something of a leader to the young ones, whether he wants to be or
not. And that he’s a bit different. I’m
sure they’d like to have that on their side, whatever it may be.”
Isaac shook his head, “So, in
short, you think it’s very important that he go back with you?”
“I do.”
Mr. Jones answered gravely.
“And quickly.”
Isaac just looked at him, then he
stood up. “Well, I don’t know
how you’re gonna do it. He’s
awfully into those babies already. If
they’re awake, he’s looking at them, or feeding them, or holding them.
And he’s only known about them for a day and a half.”
“Exactly.
And the longer he stays, the harder it will be to get him to
leave them. You’ve simply got
to help me convince him to go back.” The
man said.
Isaac snorted, “I’ve never
been able to make Taylor do much of anything.
Especially now.”
Mr. Jones sighed, “Well, the
Lady has sent Melanie and Camille here. They
should be here sometime tomorrow. I
don’t know that that’s a good idea, but I just do what I’m told.
I don’t want him to get spooked, or…feel trapped.
I’d just rather he go with me of his own free will and we can avoid any
unpleasantness.”
“Hmmm…well, I guess that’s a
possibility. We’ll see.”
Isaac said. “Well, I guess
I’m gonna go see what’s going on.” He
smiled, “I sure miss him sometimes…”
“I’m sure you do.”
Mr. Jones said back. “Good
night.”
Isaac turned and pulled the door
closed behind him.
~~~~~
Walker watched Taylor change his
son’s diaper. “They don’t
need diaper rash cream or anything, do they?
I remember Avery always had a red butt and I thought Mom was gonna start
buying Desitin by the case.” He
said, over his shoulder.
Walker smiled, “No, so far,
we’ve been lucky. With two of
‘em, diaper rash could be a nightmare.”
He looked down at the little girl in his arms, drinking the last of her
bottle. “Especially this one,
she’s a handful as it is.”
Taylor snapped the bottom of the
sleeper Elijah wore, then picked him up onto his shoulder, “Yeah?
How so?” He asked, patting
the boy’s back gently.
“Well, she doesn’t like to
sleep—anytime. She takes little
cat naps. It’ll be a miracle if
anybody around here gets a full night’s sleep anytime soon.”
Walker answered.
Taylor sat down beside him on the
couch and placed Elijah on his knees, watching him pull his hands up to his
face. “He’s gonna be a thumb
sucker, isn’t he?” He asked his
father.
“Just like you.”
He answered.
Walker sighed, “What are you going to do, son?”
Taylor shook his head sadly, “I
don’t know. I know I can’t stay
here…” Elijah caught the eye of
his father and smiled a crooked, toothless smile.
“Oh God, don’t do that!” He
exclaimed. “Did you see that?”
Walker smiled, “Yep.
He’s a pretty happy guy. He’s
the easy one.
Zac was a lot like that as a baby.”
He looked at Taylor. “You
know, the best thing for them is for you to leave them here with us.”
Taylor looked at the room around
him. There were toys on the floor
and an old blanket thrown across the back of the couch, made by his grandmother
before he was born. On the walls,
family pictures tracing years of happiness smiled back at him.
“I know that, Dad.
But, it doesn’t make it any easier.
I wish I could just take them with me and move down the
street, y’know? And have
breakfast here every morning, and call Mom when one of ‘em won’t stop
crying…”
“Tay, we’d all love for that
to happen, and it’s a great wish. But
the reality of it is, you’re different now, and the best thing would be for
you to make the best of what you have there in New York.
I don’t think these people are just going to let you go.”
He wiped Isabella’s chin and put her up on his shoulder.
“What’s it like there? Are
you in danger?” He sighed, “I
don’t know, maybe I don’t need to know any of this.
I’m sure it would keep me awake, worrying about you.
Not that I don’t do that now.”
“I don’t know that I’m in
danger, really. I can hear
people’s thoughts sometimes, and sometimes, I can move stuff without touching
it…for some reason, that’s special and a bunch of them have just sort of
latched onto me. It’s just weird,
really. I mean, it’s almost like
having fans—they want to give me stuff—only instead of a teddy bear, it’s
the girl that works at the deli down the street.”
“Well, what about these
“elder” people? What’s up
with them?” Walker asked.
“You know, for a long time, I
thought they were like, the Boogey Man that Beatriz made up to keep everybody in
line or something, y’know? But
they’re real. There’s only like
five of them in the city, but they must have scared the crap out of some of
‘em, cuz they treat them like they’re kings or something.
And they definitely have like, ordered people killed…”
He shuddered, thinking of Nikki’s head in Beatriz’ hand.
“I guess they don’t like me because some of the younger ones treat me
like I’m one of them—and I’m not.
I guess it’s just jealousy, or a power trip or something.
Women don’t really get a lot of respect or something because, really, I
think Beatriz could probably kick their asses.”
Walker shook his head,
“Unbelievable. I still can’t
believe it sometimes. I think I’m
going to wake up in the morning, and we’ll be in Chicago for a show or
something.”
“God, I miss it.
Sometimes, Kirk’ll play with me and stuff.
And he’s good, he is. But,
it’s just not the same as Ike and Zac. I
could read their minds sometimes even before
all this happened. I just wanna sit
around in the studio all day some day and churn out some demos.”
Elijah closed his blue eyes and he seemed to get heavier on Taylor’s
legs. “I think he’s asleep.
Wanna trade?”
“Sure.”
He said, handing Isabella to his son.
“Good luck—sometimes we just have to let her cry herself
to sleep, which of course, makes your Mom crazy.
Poor Michelle, she was so exhausted—I hope she’s gotten home
alright.”
Taylor took Isabella from his
father and looked at her eyes. They
were dark and bright at the same time. Walker
took Elijah from Taylor and stood.
“I’m gonna run him in there
and put him in his crib.” He
whispered. Taylor nodded.
Stepping closer, he reached down and kissed Taylor on top of
his head, “God, I love ya so much.” He
said. “No matter how long I go
without seeing you, or what happens in between.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
Taylor sighed.
“Night, Dad. Night
Elijah.” Taylor smiled.
“Good night son.
I’ll see you…well, sometime tomorrow.”
Walker said, and he stepped out of the room.
“You sure look like your
mother…” He said softly to the
little girl. “Of course, I only
really met her a couple times, and then, I can remember seeing her though, with
some of the other girls…” He
shook his head, still finding it hard to believe that he was a father.
He hugged her close to his chest, “I wish I could stay with
you.” He said into her tiny ear.
He began to hum a tune to her, soft and sweet, and then the words he’d
sung so many times before, “You
have so many relationships in this life, only one or two will last…”
In the hallway, Isaac sat on the
steps, listening, worrying about what would happen the next day...
