Black Cloak Ch 2

    It had been two months since the move. Two short summer months. During these months, I became acquaintances to Wade R. Walker, who I shouted snide comments with him returning with his own, and founded a new friendship with Mina Tekvo, who had become a very close friend. I never said it aloud, but I felt as if Mina had replaced my friend back in Maine. I started to take more walks with her instead of begging Mum to let me take the car to meet up with my friend. In all honesty, I think I started to change for the better thanks to Mina. I stopped constantly saying I hated North America, and I started being more resourceful with my time, juggling my new job at a bakery, Vlad’s needs, and taking time to spend with Mina. She even walked Vlad when I was at work in the mornings.

    It was at the closing of the summer that I asked her. She had walked into the store a half-hour before closing time, as usual, with Vlad outside waiting patiently. We sat at one of the tables in front of the window and chatted for awhile, and the next time I checked the clock, it was already closing time. I hung up my flower-covered apron, told Mina to wait for just a sec, checked out, and grabbed the door keys. I had to close up shop today as I usually did on Fridays, due to Mrs. Meili having some back problems, and went upstairs early to rest. I came back out, keys jingling in hand and told Mina to follow me. I locked up the shop, and went upstairs to drop the keys off.

    “So,” I said, starting up a conversation as we walked back to my place. “It’s almost the end of summer.”
    “Yes. It flew by quite quickly, didn’t it?” Mina said, keeping in step with me, Vlad trotting just a bit ahead.
    “Yeah.” I looked down at the sidewalk, watching our feet step in sync. “So, my family always goes on a trip to Grand Manan every August and--”
    “Would you like me to babysit Vlad while you’re gone?”
    “Uh. No. My Uncle is gonna watch him. I was wondering if-- well, if you wanted to come with?” I looked over to her and noticed her looking at me like a deer headlights. “If you don’t want to--”
    “I’d love to!” She smiled wide and hugged me on the spot, jumping up and down.
    “Awesome!” I said, laughing at her excitement, hugging her as well. I could’ve stayed like that all day, and I felt the need to run a hand through her red curls.

    “Oh! You’ll have to come over and help me pack!”
    I blinked twice at her smiling face. All this summer had gone by, and I had not set one foot foot in her house. Hell, I hadn’t even asked her why she always wore that cape, or where she was originally from.

    Sadly, in my shock, my hands had loosened my grip on her, and Mina slid away from me, her hands placed properly again. I really didn’t think she needed the proper little English girl with me. “S-so sorry for the outburst. Violet.”

    I decided to leave my questions for later, but I had to address this. “Mina,” I said somewhat sternly.
The redhead snapped her head up at my tone, a light pink dusted her cheeks. “Yes?” She squeaked.

    “Don’t get so mannerable around me. I’m not the Queen of England; I don’t need or want you to be all mannerable for me.”
    “Sorry.”
    “Up-bup-bup-bup. I’m not finished.” I waved a finger, acting a lot like how my father’s grandmother treated him. I was smiling, so I hoped that told her I wasn’t mad. “The name’s Vi. Only people I dislike call me Violet.” I said my full name like a preppy girl back in Houlton used to. “Secondly, I loved your “outburst” as you called it.” Nevermind the fact of how awesome it felt to hold you, I thought.
Mina stared at me for a few seconds, her cheeks becoming more red, until she slowly returned my smile. We both stood there, grinning from ear to ear, and I put my elbow out.

    “Shall we, madam?” I joked, the smile still on my face as I held out my elbow for her.
“We shall,” she said, and placed her arm within mine, as we started of yet again.

    ~

    “So we need clothing, a bathing suit, sandals, sunglasses,--” I went on, listing the items Mina needed for the trip my mum had told me to write on notes in my phone. I lugged my duffel bag as we both trekked up the hill to her house, and I looked over to the cemetery to the side. I stopped. “Hey, Mina.”

    “Hm?” She turned to me, stopping in her walk.

    “Why is that gravestone-- so far over there.” I pointed to said gravestone. It looked like it was about to fall over, it was so far out.

    “Oh. Ol’ Trepes. Yes, he’s about to fall. This hill is eroding into the St. John River, so all the graves are ending up in the water. Some people have found pieces of coffins around the shore.”

    “Jeeze. They still don’t bury people here if they know this do they?” I said, wanting to give the impression of sorrow to hide my wonder as we started up the hill again. I just couldn’t get the image out of my head of finding a full intact coffin on the shore, hiding a creature that had not decayed over the centuries of burial. Talk about a good story idea.

    “No. They don’t. They stopped after my father notified the mayor of the trouble, he really didn’t want others to feel unrest.”

    We were higher up on the hill now, the trees blocking the view of the graveyard of the inevitable. I saw a pole on the hill, possibly used for a car or carriage to back out. It didn't look as interesting as the graveyard, which I still couldn't stop thinking about, so I didn't ask Mina.

    "Your dad seems nice then; if he cares about the bodies of those who passed on." Or he just didn't want his house to be haunted. I kept that nasty thought to myself because I sure as hell did not want to ruin a friendship just because she had what I did not have. I just had to get used to-- it.

    We finally made it to the top of the hill, and I got a good look at the church-gone-house. It looked exactly like what one would imagine when told of a church in a town that had sworn allegiance to England all those centuries ago. The bell tower to be more specific. It towered above, and I had to wonder if that was where some of the bats that were around here slept.

    We placed our shoes by the door, and, since Mina didn’t take her cloak off, I kept my jacket on. Not only did it help to keep my hands somewhere so I could mess with the two marbles I kept in there to ease my tension, but it was also a way to talk to Mina about her cloak later. There would be a better time for twenty questions instead of at her front door.

    The inside looked as white as the outside, and the kitchen we stepped into reminded me of my great grandmother’s, with dated appliances and cupboards as white as the floor and the walls. There was an old wooden table in the middle of the room that seemed to have a shorter leg on one side. Papers were piled onto this table, leaving but a little room to place one plate in front of each of the three chairs. I questioned if they actually sat here for their meals, as they would have to lean over the stacks of paper to see and talk to one another.

    At the table, with his back to us, was a humming man, leaning over his work. Without even acknowledging our presence, the man spoke.

    “What is six-fifty divided by four?”

    “One hundred and sixty-two point five, papa.” Mina responded.

    “Oh. Yes. Thank-you.” He turned in his seat, leaning back on his chair. “Oo. A guest. A friend, Mina?” He smiled, and in seconds, I looked the man over.

    His hair was a thick dark black, with calm grey sideburns. His eyebrows were tuned to a questioning gaze, and his eyes were the color of warm caramel tea given to a detective working on a case. His skin was a light tan brown, but incredibly dark compared to Mina’s cream white skin. I was grateful that he was not wearing a cape as well, so maybe Mina’s fashion sense was her own.

    “This is Violet. Vi, this is my papa, Antanese.” Mina said, snapping me out of my gawking.

    I felt as nervous as if I was a boy she had brought home. I even held my hand out, and said it was a pleasure to meet him.
He held my hand softly, but shook it firmly. “So, you’re the gal Mina has been talking about. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.”

    I gave a hum and a smile in return, not really ever knowing how to respond to compliments. “Well, thank you for letting her come with us.”
    “Ah. You should thank my wife for that. She’s the one who told me about it the moment I came back from Romania last night.”

    “Romania?” I asked, unable to mask the interest in my voice. This just solved one of my questions. Antanese’s name, looks, and accent screamed it; though Mina’s accent was no different than your average Canadian/Mainer.

    “Yes. There were some…. pressing family matters to be dealt with.” Even with the sadness in his tone, he gave a warm smile, and I could tell family was important to him. Yet he didn’t give a stand-off aura many residents back in Maine did. I could see him caring and loving his family, while also happily helping a hitchhiker. That was something that was a rarity around this place.

    “Well, we’ll start packing up my things for tomorrow,” Mina said. “Have fun with your work, Papa."

    "I'll try," he said as we headed down the short hallway and some white wooden stairs.

    I gazed at the pictures along the wall, with so many faces I didn't know. I stopped on the steps at a picture of Mina, Antanese, and another woman who I assumed was Mina's mother, what with the woman's red hair and all. I didn't take too long to gaze at it, and sped up the last of the steps. I'd guessed I'd be meeting her soon anyways.

    "Here's my room," Mina said, opening an old wooden door. "I'll go get us something to drink. Make yourself comfortable." She headed down the stairs once again, and I was left to myself.

    I walked in and set myself on her bed. Mina's room was small, but it held a timeless feeling that made even the small space comfortable. Her closet door was closed, but I could tell it was full, due to many dresses being placed upon racks on the walls. The dresses covered any space where she could have placed posters or decorations, except for three photos above her twin-sized bed. That's when I noticed her desk. Stacks of books took up all the room on the little wooden desk, and even some on the sill of the window in front of it. I reached over, as the desk was right next to the bed, and took a book from the top.

    "Around the World in 80 days." I read aloud. Hm. A classic book for a classic kind of girl, I guess. I had actually recalled reading this for English class during school back in Maine. Alright book, but nothing I'd wish to read again.

    “I never expected you to the the classic type, Vi.” Mina’s voice startled me, making me nearly drop the book.

    “Hey! Didn’t hear you come in,” I said sheepishly, sort of embarrassed for being caught and jumping like a cat.

    Mina smiled, setting the two drinks down of what I assumed was strawberry lemonade. “That’s actually the book I’m reading as of right now, but I can let you borrow it after I’m done if you want.”

    “Nah, that’s fine. I’ve already read it anyway.”

    “Oh, then don’t spoil it for me!” She giggled.

    “Didn’t plan on it,” I chuckled, setting the book back in it’s original place.

    “So, while I got the drinks, I grabbed my things I’ll be needing from the bathroom.” She zipped open the duffel bag, pausing and noticing I had some of my things within.

    “Here, pass me my stuff. And there should be a plastic bag in there too. Now put your things in.”

    The rest of the afternoon was easygoing, and I was graced with seeing the many dresses and outfits Mina had. I also assumed that some clothing she had packed had been secret, because I had gone to the bathroom and come back to a full duffel bag.

    “Mina! Your mother is home with supper!” I heard Antanese call from the bottom of the stairs.

    “Sweet,” I said. “I hope to god it's pizza.”

    “Smells like it,” Mina chimed as she headed down the stairs.

    As I turned the corner to the hallway, I heard another woman's voice. “Hey dearie!” I saw Mina hug her fellow redhead, the mother still holding a black bag and the pizza in her left hand. I kept my distance for now, standing at the doorway to the hall.

    She looked like a carbon copy of Mina, with her tamed red hair and sparkling green eyes. Yet what struck me as the biggest thing was the ruby jewel that matched Mina’s on her broach. My eyes widened, and I tried my best to not jump to conclusions. Pondering what the meaning behind these rubies was at this time wouldn't be my best choice, since Mina’s mum was already headed my way.

    “Hello there Violet! Nice to finally meet you!” She spoke with less mannerism and more cheer than her husband, but I was more grateful for the usual way adults greeted me.

    “Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Tekvo.” I smiled as I offered my hand.

    “Oh please, call me Chandra!” she exclaimed, giving my offered hand a quick shake. “Now that those formalities are out of the way, I say we dig into some Greco's pizza before my stomach turns in.”

    Antanese had already gotten each of us a plate, and Chandra set the pizza down to nab four slices for herself.
    “Honestly, honey. Save some for our guest!”
    “But I’m starving from work, and this half is pineapple!” Chandra countered childishly, turning to me in heartbeat. “I met up with your mother on my lunch break at Timmy’s, and I asked her what you would love best for supper! She said ‘Pizza with anything on it, just not pineapple!”

    I smiled and automatically hummed as I usually did to people I had just met. “Finally, my mum’s Tim Horton addiction comes in handy,” I responded as I nabbed three slices of pepperoni.

    Chandra outright laughed at that. “Oh good! A Mother with similar tastes!”

~

    “So this child is… Magical?” Mina spoke, breaking the silence that surrounded us in her dimly lit bedroom; the only lights being her lamp on the far corner of her desk and my computer screen in front of us.

    “Well, ‘part’ magical. His mother gave up her form so he could be born, thus he inherits his mother’s magic,” I explained, tapping my space-bar to pause the episode. “I know it looks a little off, but the farther you are in the series, the deeper the plot and characters get! It’s so awesome!” I clenched my fists, wishing I could make my eyes look like stars in that moment. I totally felt filled with determination.

    “Alright then, shall we continue?” Her pointer finger paused on top of the space-bar, and she gave me a small smile. Her amulet glittered in the computer’s light. I had meant to ask her…

    “Shouldn't I be allowed a question after you’ve asked me one?” I said, and saw from the corner of my eye her finger pausing.

    “What?”

    “Well, you asked me a question, can’t I ask you one in return?”
    Mina paused, and if this were a video-game, some ellipses would have popped up next to her name and profile image. Finally, she piped up, “Er-- sure…”

    I then took a second to pause. First, she said yes, and secondly, what question should I ask her? There were the amulets, the accents, the clothing…. “So, where did you guys gets such cool jewelry?” I spoke, quickly putting on my best smile and tone that I used for strangers. At least with these two uses no one could really read me.

    “O-oh. My mother’s and my brooches are family heirlooms,” She replied, looking down to where I was looking: her ruby brooch.

    “Neato. I wish I had an heirloom like that; all I got is this old metal key from my great-grammie’s house after she passed away. I literally have no clue what it’s used for.” I shrugged, recalling that I had put the key on one of Mum’s drawers in her scrapbooking room. Oh well, like I’m ever gonna use it. You can’t wear a huge key around your neck for aesthetics, unlike a brooch.

    “I see,” Mina smiled, “So your family has always lived around this area?”

    “Yep. Ever since my great-great-great grandfather came over here as an orphan from World War Two. I am purely English, since nearly all my relatives live in Canada. Your family line purely Romanian then?”

    “Uh-- no, my mother is from Ireland, actually, if you could not tell.” She raised a lock of her red hair to get her point across.

    “Heh, nope not at all,” I chuckled.

    “Also, I was wondering: All of your relatives? Including on your father’s side?”

    I swallowed, putting on my strained guise. “Yep, my dad’s mother was Canadian.” Don’t think about it too much again, I tell myself. “By the way, is your fashion sense all your own, or did your mum used to dress up in fancy capes too?”

    Mina all out blushed, and I reminded myself to mentally photograph that to save for later, and blinked twice. “Er-- well-- I bought my cape, but many of my other clothing I actually made myself, or at least adjusted. This style just seemed the most elaborate to make and well-- I rather like the victorian style.” She smiled bashfully, also another mental photo keepsake.

    “Heh, cool,” Awesome. “But uh, why don’t we get back to this? I think one of the characters may have an outfit change you might like.”

    “Ooo really! On with the show then!” Mina beamed.