“Look, Brian, there’s a mommy duck and her babies. They are almost her size right now. Birds grow up fast.”
Brian babbled and laughed. Mia enjoyed his delight with every new thing he saw. He cooed and burbled. His eyes danced with joy. Rarely was he in a bad mood. Sure a wet diaper could send anyone to tears, but aside from creature comforts, the boy was very good natured.
“I wonder, if I was more like you, maybe my mother would have loved me,” she pondered.
“Ooh ooh,” Brian said, pointing.
Mia looked and saw a lone Native American paddling a canoe through the water. The late afternoon sun shimmered along the disturbed water. “He’s moving water, Brian. He’s an active haunt. I wonder if he can see us.”
“Who can see you?” Ted asked, approaching them.
“There’s a Native American paddling a canoe fifty feet off shore. Can you see the water displacement?” Mia asked.
“Yes. If you hadn’t told me, I would have assumed that a large fish was moving just under the surface,” Ted admitted.
The canoeist passed by them without a second glance.
“I think he is focused on something we can’t see,” Mia said. She looked at Ted and felt something. “What’s wrong?”
“Sam told me of the family’s situation. It’s sad, Mia. I don’t want to talk about it right now. Let’s enjoy Brian and talk later.”
She smiled and swiped her foot across the water to splash Ted.
“Oh, you’re going to get it.”
“I have Brian,” Mia said, holding Brian close. Brian was giggling.
“You wait, Cooper. You can’t hold on to Brian forever, and when you let go, you’re going in head first.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“I would and will.”
“I’m hungry. Let’s see if I can figure out Cid’s chicken-scratching and feed us,” Mia said, getting up. She waded to the shore. She slid on her flip flops and walked up to the cottage beside Ted.
She heard the canoe as it made the shore. She stopped a moment and watched as the brave stepped out and walked through the yard two houses down before disappearing into the woods.
Lone Deer moved just inside the tree line, watching the new residents of the large wood house. He was aware that he was being watched by the woman and child. He didn’t perceive them as a threat, but he would be watching them.
~
Murphy roared with laughter. Cid had come out of the master suite covered in plaster dust. He removed his goggles and tried to shake off some of the dust.
“You look like a ghost with googlie eyes.”
“Hey, explain googlie,” Cid asked.
Murphy moved his irises to the opposite corners of his eyes.
“Stop it. I do not,” he said, sticking his head into the guest bath. He stared at his plaster-white face and tan circles where the goggles had protected his eyes. He lowered the mask, and it made the effect worse. “Alright, have your fun, but you’re going to appreciate the soundproofing when those two get back.”
Murphy nodded. He moved through the house and out the back where he opened the gate so Maggie could go out and have a run on the hillside. He moved up to the top of the hill and waited for the dog. He sensed he wasn’t alone. He turned and saw the flit of something black moving overhead.
“She’s not here,” he said and waited for Angelo to land.
Angelo kept to his bird form and landed on top of Murphy’s axe.
Murphy shook him off. “Get off, you.”
Angelo transformed into his human winged form before speaking, “Where is she?”
“On vacation with Ted and Brian.”
“Where?”
“Don’t know. She doesn’t want to be disturbed.”
“Why?”
“Things have been tough for her and Ted. She wants to have the time to work on their problems.”
“Like you?”
“I’m not a problem. You are,” Murphy countered.
Angelo looked uncomfortable. “You’re the second being to point that out to me.”
“She doesn’t want to lie with you.”
“Nor you.”
“Yes, we have that in common.” Murphy pushed his hat back on his head. “She has a new teacher.”
Angelo winced. “Sariel.”
“I’ve never met him.”
“I have. I don’t like him.”
“Why?”
“He’s an angel, and I don’t like angels. Sneaky creatures. Always butting in where they’re not wanted”
“They are needed,” Murphy pointed out.
“So where does this put you with Mia?”
“I’m her friend.”
“At least you have that. I have nothing.”
“Mia cares for you, Angelo. She just doesn’t want to be ruled by you.”
“I want her to fight beside me.”
“She might.”
Angelo looked encouraged.
“Why all the fighting? Is there going to be a war?”
“Looks that way. Trouble has been brewing, and the signs are all there. I must recruit as many birdmen as I can.”
“Then don’t waste your time with Mia. She’ll fight alongside whichever side is right.”
“She is too compassionate to the demons. This will be her failing. If she chooses their side, I will have to kill her, Murphy. I cannot bear the thought,” he said. “Counsel her. She listens to you.”
Murphy nodded and watched Angelo become a black bird again and fly off.
Maggie barked.
Murphy looked down at her. “Our Mia has another problem on her hands.”
Maggie whined.
“Don’t worry, girl. Murphy will look after her.”
~
“They say he’s experiencing locked-in syndrome. He opens his eyes, but he doesn’t move or speak,” Ted said. “He was a captain in the reserves when he was recalled. He was on his third tour when the building he was working in blew up. He was evacuated to the states, but he hasn’t fully come back yet. It’s been a few years. Mark’s mother returned to working full time, so Mark’s alone most of the time.”
“The poor kid. I saw the man when I touched Mark’s hand. He is very angry with his father. I think he needs help, Teddy Bear.”
“What can we do?”
“Listen to him. He’s also being haunted.”
“If it doesn’t rain, it pours,” Ted said.
“Sabine
