Days of Darkness

Chapter 44

She'll be down in a minute," I said, "she's looking forward to meeting you." I wondered why we never told the truth in these matters. We throw around white lies thinking everyone would be better off not knowing how nervous everyone is.

"I was thinking," mom whispered as she leaned close to me, "maybe Natalie doesn't want me intruding. Maybe my coming here isn't a good idea." I was shaking my head, trying to make it look like it was a silly idea with my smile, "she may not want a woman like me near her children. I wasn't exactly a good mother."

"Nonsense," I said.

"I wouldn't blame her," my mom continued, "she's educated and probably thinks I'll be a bad influence. I don't want to ruin things for you."

"Natalie doesn't..." I started to say.

"She's a lawyer," my mother rambled on, "I dropped out of high school." She put a lot of thought into her argument. "Maybe if I just visit once in awhile and keep my distance." I could see water forming in her eyes. I wanted her to stop. "No one wants an old drunk around their family."

"Mom that's silly..." I started to argue, but my eyes caught Natalie off to the side. Her hand was covering her mouth, and there were tears in her eyes. She must have heard most of it. My mother turned to Natalie, and they both started crying. I had no idea what to do.

The two women faced each other for a moment, then collapsed into each other's arms crying.

"Children need their grandmothers," Natalie sobbed.

"You're so pretty," my mom cried.

"What just happened?" I whispered to Teegan. My two favorite woman were hugging and crying as if I wasn't in the room. I could have sworn they were afraid of each other just a moment earlier. In unison, they opened their arms and beckoned me to join the hug. To be honest, I was hesitant to join. Their faces were still distorted with the crying, and I think they expected me to cry also. I was confused, not tearful. It wasn't as if they gave me a choice, so Teegan and I squeezed in.

Their tears had made me forget about Teegan's new past time. She had gotten into the habit of kissing cheeks, mostly because the affection would make us smile. I didn't have time to warn my mother when Teegan pressed her lips to mom's cheek. Mom's expression changed and her teary eyes widened as the link flowed into her.

"Oh my," Mom said as her smile appeared. She took a step back, separating from us. "The way you described it, I thought it would be more subtle," she said to me, "she really is your daughter."

"She does love him so," Natalie said, wiping her tears and adding a smile.

"How does she do that?" Mom asked, "for a moment, I could see everything so clearly. The love you two share, the problems I thought I had aren't problems at all."

"We don't know," I replied, "we just accept it."

"How come I'm not bleeding like you were?" my mom asked, wiping her nose to make sure.

"Feelings are free," Natalie said almost laughing.

"It's anger and forcing the link that takes a toll," I clarified, "there's no cost in just loving her."

"She must be an angel," Mom said with a big smile. Teegan laughed and reached out for her. Mom took her in her arms without hesitation. Now my eyes teared. Memories from deep in the recesses of my mind awoke. The early years with my mom, before the drinking, when happiness was the order of the day. I saw it on her face again as she held Teegan. Natalie moved next to me and circled her arm around my waist. She sensed my need for closeness, even without Teegan spelling it out. I pulled her close as I enjoyed the mother I remembered.

At that moment, life was perfect.

.31 - Epilog

The room was cased in old wood paneling that was hand planed 150 years ago by a master craftsman. It had been well preserved with oil keeping its luster, a source of pride for the owner. Shelving, a little darker than the walls, lined the bulk of the perimeter holding leather-bound volumes that may have been as old as the walls. The trim along the top of the shelving displayed hand carved rose blooms that further enhanced the wood.

Four exquisitely detailed reading tables were laid symmetrically in the center of the room, each with two antique green glass shaded lamps. Plush claw foot chairs, four surrounding each table, completed the luxurious functionality.

Seated at the front table on left were two elderly men. Both long in years, but rigid in stature. Before them lay many pictures scattered beneath the lights. One wore an Italian tailored gray suit that seemed to fit the decor. The other, simple jeans and a sweater. Both were waiting patiently in silence with a stilled confidence that extruded power.

The door to the room opened on silent hinges. A middle-aged man in butler livery led in a tall, well dressed, black man. The butler left with the same silence with which he had entered.

"You lost it, Anthony?" The suited man asked the man who had entered. It was plain that he already knew the answer. It was more of an accusation.

"I assumed I had more time, Mr. Blackstone," Anthony said after he stopped before the table with a small bow. "They recovered her quickly. I was misinformed about the man's skills. I was led to believe he was uneducated and untrained. That was not the case."

"You had no opportunities?" The man in the sweater asked.

"I passed on one, thinking another less risky opportunity would arise," Anthony replied. He bowed his head lower in shame. "Poisoning its food would have identified me immediately. I'm sorry I failed you, Mr. Sabbatini."

"You failed yourself," Sabbatini sighed, "and humanity as well."

"It's done," Blackstone added, "and can't be undone. How was she removed so quickly?"

"The woman, Natalie," Anthony said, "she turned both of the guardians and somehow impaired Corbett."

"Or it did," Sabatini spat, lifting a picture of a small child from the table, "demons can be very tempting. We won't underestimate it again."

"I have had hints that General Podgorski may have involved himself," Blackstone said.

"That Jew!" Sabatini said, waving the picture at Blackstone, "first they stake our Lord to the cross, and now they work for humanity's ruin."

"Calm yourself, Nicholas," Blackstone said, "we will find it again. Then Anthony will redeem himself." He looked at Anthony as if it were a question.

"I shall, sir," Anthony said, "even if God calls for my life, I will rid the world of the hooved one."

"Then find it and kill it," Sabatini ordered as he ripped the picture in half.