Chapter 13 –Signs
Gavin and Cassie decided to celebrate their wedding with a dinner at the Bistro where Cassie worked as the five-star Chef. Throughout the delicious meal, Cassie’s staff congratulated her enthusiastically and it was obvious that she was highly regarded by the entire staff, from the Kitchen Scullion upwards. Over the course of the evening, I learned that Cassie arrived in Appaloosa Plains as a Pastry Chef and worked her way to the top. I was yet to figure out why Cassie had no memory of how she acquired her many skills or about her rise in the Culinary profession before arriving in Appaloosa Plains.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
We also learned a bit more about Dr Gavin Pinkerton. He had been a big city doctor in Bridgeport before he decided to give up the limelight and get back into real medicine. Something in his short story didn’t ring quite true to my ears. He had a secret he wasn’t telling. Not that I blame him for that. I had far too many of my own to be critical. So long as his secret wasn’t that he had a wife and six kids back in Bridgeport, I didn’t care. For Cassie’s sake, I wanted his passionate speech to me earlier to be the real thing.
After the dinner the newlyweds went back to Gavin’s house next door to mine on Sweetapple Ridge Way. We drove directly behind their car and watched as Gavin and Cassie walked into their house together. I know Gavin intended to carry his bride across the threshold, but from our angle we wouldn’t see it unless we trespassed.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
As we walked toward our house my Charity lost her footing and fell into the snow. I leaned down to help her up but she was giggling too hard and inadvertently pulled my arm so that I too fell face down into the snow. Rolling over I saw that my Charity was making a snow angel. I made one too. Soon I was soaked through and freezing my tush off. My Charity’s teeth were chattering. As we stood up to go inside I looked down at our snow angels. They were so close together it looked as if their hands were touching.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
As I closed our front door I noticed that my Charity was overtired. To be totally honest so was I. I’d had no more than a few naps since we’d left Sunset Valley two nights ago.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
My Charity looked shyly at me and quietly said goodnight in her little girl voice. I guessed that she felt awkward and unsure given the fact that she’d flung herself into my arms earlier. I said goodnight and went to my childhood bedroom. As I firmly closed the door, I resolved to talk things over with her in the morning. I didn’t want her feeling uncomfortable around me. I didn’t need or want that complication.
I could smell her fragrance on the pillow that she’d slept on only hours before. I liked lavender. It had a fresh clean scent and it was very soothing. Despite feeling very conflicted about the two of us, I fell asleep easily.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
But my dreams were those long torturous exhausting dreams which, thankfully, by dawn, evaporated into nothing. I don’t remember them, only that I awoke feeling relieved to know they were just dreams.
I looked at the clock to see that it was nearly 9:00 AM. I’d slept ten hours! Listening carefully, I couldn’t hear a sound in the house. Not wanting to disturb my Charity, I showered quickly.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Back in my room, I pulled out my phone to take it off silent mode and check for messages. I had received one new message from Joe Huebner that my will was ready for signing. Good, I thought, we can leave Appaloosa Plains later today if my Charity was ready to move on.
Before we left we needed to talk things through. I was no longer just content to go with the flow. I needed boundaries. I wanted to know what she expected from me. One minute she was in my arms and the next, retreating behind poignant little girl voices. I suspected that she didn’t know what she wanted. If she wanted any sort of relationship beyond friendship, it might have to wait. Even though the temptation to allow her attachment to develop to the next level was all too real, I was a Sim on a mission, I told myself.
That was the normal and rational side of me speaking. Any relationship between my Charity and I would be inherently complex and my life was already far too complicated as it was. Moreover, I was planning to make my life even more difficult. I needed to find out what happened to the real Charity and why clones of her were popping up all over the place. If Myles Kyrios was involved in all this, danger was a given. Probably even mortal danger. I feared that my Charity’s continued association with me could put her in jeopardy. The risk of Myles finding her and the fear of what he may do to her, may destroy any attempt I might be able to make at rescuing the real Charity.
But my Charity knew things. Whether it was just intuition or some suppressed memories drifting to the surface, I was yet to establish. Her use of Charity’s chess phrase, “be prepared to be clobbered”, indicated that it was more than likely that she had played chess with the real Charity. She may even know of the real Charity’s whereabouts buried deep within her suppressed memories. Also the lip reading skill, where had she learned that and why? My Charity could certainly be of invaluable assistance to me in my search. But my concern for her welfare would seriously hinder me if things go pear-shaped. I was prepared for and expected a certain degree of danger for myself. My Charity needed to know the risks of my quest. Then it would be up to her whether or not she accompanied me in my travels.
The other issue was her growing attachment to me. Until now, I’ve tried to appear as if I hadn’t noticed her romantic gestures. But if I allowed those to persist, I might unwittingly find myself in a relationship I hadn’t anticipated. Not that a romantic relationship with her would be a hardship, but it would just unnecessarily complicate things.
I knew why I had to sort my own feelings out. I didn’t know myself what I wanted either. If she threw herself into my arms again, who knows where that might lead? She may be the hopeless romantic, but I am a normal Sim. Not a saint or a monk. What sort of a cad would I be to follow through on that when I always thought that I would love the real Charity Kalamia until my dying breath?
Yet here I was, wondering about, and to be absolutely truthful, not averse to engaging in a liaison with her clone. I decided that I had better be more careful. I resolved that I had to play the gentleman card and stop this before it goes further. Until I knew my true feelings, I should leave that problem strictly alone. Words and deeds, once out there, can never be recalled. Regretted, yes; but never unsaid or undone.
Frustrated at the merry-go-round that my foolish and idealistic thoughts were taking me, I decided to check the weather the old fashioned way; by looking outside. I looked through the bedroom window. It was snowing heavily. Through the snowflakes, I saw both Gavin Pinkerton and Tate Curley standing near a strange whitish light in the sky.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
I’d never seen such a bizarre light before. I didn’t know what it was. This wasn’t the multicoloured lights typical of an alien abduction. Anyway this was broad daylight. To the best of my knowledge, alien abductions only happened at night. I rushed outside to get a better look but the light had vanished. Instead I greeted Gavin and Tate.
“Hi guys,” I said looking skywards. “What do you make of that strange light?”
“What light was that?” inquired Gavin.
“I’ve no idea. I’ve never seen anything like that before. You were closer. What do you think it was?” I asked. Gavin and Tate looked at each other.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
“What strange light?” Tate asked.
“What do you mean what strange light? The one that was in the sky just moments ago,” I said puzzled.
“I ain’t seen no light,” replied Tate looking at Gavin who just shook his head.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
“There was a dazzling beam of vertical light shining right here not more than two minutes ago. Surely you saw it?” I said totally perplexed. I examined the ground. I think I recall seeing the light touch the ground but now I wasn’t so sure. There was no disturbance in the snow at all.
“I didn’t see any light either,” replied Gavin. “Gobias how much sleep have you had recently?”
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
“Gavin, I’ve just slept ten hours straight. I’m not hallucinating and I’m not delusional. I did see a strange beam of light just moments ago. What are you both doing in my front yard if not to look at the light?”
“Esme just dropped me off. I was here to tell you that Joe Huebner has our new wills ready to sign,” replied Tate. I looked at Gavin.
“I’d just set out for a walk when I saw Tate arrive. I walked over to greet him,” Gavin said casually.
“A walk... in the snow... in an open necked shirt?!” I asked incredulously.
“I wasn’t planning on taking a long walk. I like to walk while I think things through in my head,” replied Gavin. I couldn’t fault him for that. I did that often enough myself.
“Okay. Here’s something else to think about. I saw a strange beam of light in my front yard not more than fifteen feet from either of you. But neither of you saw it. What does that mean?”
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
“I think it means that we’re dealing with some really weird stuff,” said Gavin carefully.
Tate looked worried. “Do you remember them folks that said there was a strange light in the sky the night that Cassie arrived? Maybe them fairies travel like that?” mused Tate.
“No they don’t,” I said. “They travel by planes, trains and automobiles just like we do.” Gavin and I looked at each other instantly alarmed.
As I raced back into my house, I’m pretty sure Gavin was running back to his. “Charity!” I yelled, my heart beating fast from fear. She didn’t respond to my call. I swung her bedroom door open so hard it nearly broke off its hinges. Charity was no longer in the bed.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Then I heard the shower. I listened at the bathroom door. I could hear her singing. My Charity had not been whisked away on that beam of light. The sheer strength of my relief was enlightening. Enlightening and frightening. I cared more about her than I thought I did.
I texted Gavin, “Charity is still here.”
“Ditto Cassie” was his reply.
“Thank God.”
“Amen!”
“Take care,” I texted back.
“That’s a given. You too. Keep in touch!”
“Will do.”
I went back to the front door. All that time, Tate just stood quietly in the snow looking at the ground where I had been sure the light touched down.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
As he saw me he walked over. Stomping his feet to get the snow off his boots as he walked inside, he said, “Somethin’ funny’s goin’ on here, ain’t it?”
“Not everything that happens in the Simverse is logical or explainable,” I said.
“Ain’t that the truth!” he replied. “I figured with them two fairies appearing like that... outta thin air... with the same face... no memories... somethin’ really strange is happenin’. The air is different. I can feel it in my bones.”
“Have there been many strangers in town lately?”
“Some,” he paused obviously thinking. “A few months back we had one paparazzi guy who had fish scales on his legs. From time to time, not often mind, we been seein’ folks with skin of all different colours. I mean all colours... green, blue, even purple.” Tate said shaking his head.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
That was itself unusual. Most tourists or paparazzi who show up in any Sim town, generally have the same skin colours as the townies. Rainbow skinned tourists or a merman paparazzi in Appaloosa Plains was definitely not normal.
We heard my Charity come out of the bathroom, and both Tate and I turned to look at her. She looked refreshed. Her hair was still slightly damp so that blond tendrils curled softly around her face. She was breathtakingly beautiful and when she smiled at us, time stood still for me. With one smile she had just reduced all my fine gentlemanly intentions to dust.
Tate stepped forward and said, “Good mornin’ Miss Charity. I hope you slept well?”
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
“I did, thank you Uncle Tate” she replied cheerfully. “I slept like a log. Are you joining us for breakfast?” Giving Tate the courtesy title of ‘uncle’ obviously pleased him. He stood taller with his stoop much less pronounced. She had a way with words.
“No, but thank ye Charity, I already ate. I come to collect Gobias to sign our papers.”
“Do you want breakfast before you go Gobias? It won’t take me long to whip up something you can take in the car.”
“No, thank you. I’ll come right back and we can have brunch then,” I replied. “Why don’t you have a look around the house and see if there is anything you want to take with us to Twinbrook?”
“Okay, I’ll throw something together for brunch and we’ll eat as soon as you’re home.”
“Thank you. That sounds good. I won’t be long.”
Tate and I drove away in my hired car. At the lawyer’s office, it was Joe’s associate who handled our appointment. Jay Schreckengast explained that Joe was in court unexpectedly. Jay then went through our wills which were a little more complicated than I expected. Joe had built in contingencies that I hadn’t foreseen, including that if I should have children of my own, they would also inherit in equal shares with my two named heirs. The rest of the will was straight forward and contained the clause I wanted, that should all my heirs predecease me, a trust fund would be established to help homeless NPC Sims find accommodation.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Our duty to Alva’s estate now finally done, I dropped Tate back to his house and went inside briefly to say my goodbyes to Miss Esme. I explained that my Charity and I would leave for Twinbrook, possibly as early as that afternoon. Esme asked me if I wanted to see my grandmother’s grave before I left. I looked at my watch. I had a little time so I said yes. Tate excused himself, he had other business so Esme and I went. As we drove to the cemetery, Esme told me that Tate had issues with his mother’s abandonment. That was not surprising. If I’d known my mother was alive, I might have developed the same issues. After all, she had obviously left me with my father and probably never looked back. Although she did name me in her only will, so she obviously thought of me at least once.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
At the cemetery Esme showed me Alva Doris Curley’s grave. She was buried beside Billy-Bob Curley. I didn’t have any words to say to my mother. I felt like I didn’t know her at all anymore. I stood quietly and respectfully and hoped words would come. Nothing did. Then we looked around the little cemetery which had a section for the graves of pets. But walking around, I noticed that, except for some pets and Tate’s parents, there was only one other named grave. How curious? Why all the tombstones without any Sim ghost to go with them.
Esme didn’t say anything on the drive back to her house. Saying my goodbyes, I shook hands with Tate and after I gave Esme a nephew-like kiss on her cheek, she handed me an envelope. I said I would keep in touch.
Outside in my car, I opened the envelope which contained notepaper with her and Tate’s phone numbers, and home and email addresses written down in neat handwriting. Clipped to that was the card from the Twinbrook police officer who Esme and Tate had made contact with when they first began looking for me all those years ago. I looked at his card. I had heard of the name but never knew the person. If he was still in the force I will tell him that I am no longer a missing person. A police contact was always good. He might be able to help me locate certain individuals.
I drove back to the house in a happy frame of mind. As I entered I could smell the scent of fresh flowers mingled with cooking smells. While I had been out, Charity had picked some wildflowers. I remembered that the real Charity had loved wildflowers. After she had died, Faith and I had often picked wildflowers to put on her grave.
Faith said Charity preferred wildflowers because they often sprang up in such unexpected places adding beauty to an otherwise drab location. To Charity the wildflowers represented hope. That any place, no matter how dreary, was capable of producing beauty, you just had to look for it. That sentiment mostly summed up Charity’s attitude. She looked for beauty of spirit in a Sim, not simply beauty of face or figure.
So over our brunch I said, “Thanks for preparing brunch for us. These egg rolls are delicious. Why did you pick the wildflowers?”
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
“I was feeling so lost and confused when you left this morning. I did as you asked but there are only the instruments that I would like to keep but they’re difficult to manage when travelling. Perhaps when I’m settled, I’ll get some of my own. I did find a little cowboy blanket with the name ‘Gobias Koffi’ written on it. It must have been your father’s. Did you want to keep it?”
“Yes, thank you for finding it.” It had been my blanket when I was little. My mother wrote my name on in because I’d take it everywhere and sometimes leave it behind. I remember crying about it when dad and I arrived in Sunset Valley but dad refused to go back and get it or arrange for it to be shipped. I think I had more separation anxiety about the blanket than my mother.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
I shelved my thoughts as my Charity began talking again but very softly. “Sometimes I feel like I’m living in a crazy storybook like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I’ve landed in some mysterious place and I don’t know if following the white rabbit will ever get me home. But what choice do I have? I don’t even know where home is. When I saw the flowers in your back yard, I began to feel better. They looked so brave poking their heads above the snow. It’s like they’re saying “spring is coming, hold on, you can make it through and something good is just around the corner”. I like to think the wildflowers are little signs of optimism.”
Her view on wildflowers so cleanly aligned with the real Charity’s that I wondered if that was my Charity’s own opinion or she’d once heard the original say it and adopted it. I now wondered if Cassie also had a predilection for wildflowers.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Was now the time to mention the dangers she could face following me on my mission? I was concerned that she’d felt confused but comforted by the rise in confidence seeing the wildflowers gave her. I guess there never would be an ideal time to discuss this, but I decided to leave the relationship issues unresolved. I didn’t want to confuse her anymore than she was already. Also I realised I didn’t want to lose her companionship.
“Well I hope you’re right that better things are coming because from my point of view, things may get dangerous.”
“Why would things get dangerous?” she asked more intrigued than alarmed.
“Because I want to find out what happened to the real Charity Kalamia. That’s what I want to talk to you about. I want you to know that if you stick with me, there may be danger, maybe even grave danger. Are you prepared to face that?”
“I don’t know. I guess that depends on what the danger entails.”
“Well I can’t really be more specific because I don’t know myself. I believe a wizard is involved. The danger may simply be an unpleasant spell but since he’s an evil Great Wizard, the danger may equally be to life and limb.”
“So it’s an evil Great Wizard who is making copies of Charity Kalamia and then sending us to all corners of the Simverse. For what purpose?”
“I have absolutely no idea. I don’t know for sure that he is involved, but if he is, it will be dangerous for me and it’s probably not going to be pretty for whomever I’m with.”
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
“Why?”
“He hates me.”
“Does he have a name?”
“Myles Kyrios.”
“Who is he to you?”
“He was the Sim who married the real Charity Kalamia. He was a libertine in the old fashion sense of the word. He seduced her with a love charm. They were married. Then he broke her heart and her spirit.”
“Then what happened?”
“She died.”
“How?”
“She drank an elixir to forsake the Fae and tried to repair a broken dishwasher. She had no handiness skill. She was electrocuted.”
“Did you ever see her ghost?”
“No.”
“Then you can’t be sure she was electrocuted. She may have died another way.
“Her family was informed that she had died of electrocution. I hardly think the coroner would get that wrong.”
“And you think that somehow you are to blame, don’t you?”
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
“Yes.”
“So now you think you have to rescue the real Charity.”
“I have to try.”
“Well maybe I can help you. Two heads are better than one, surely? I could come back here if things get as dangerous as you say. Oh! If it’s dangerous for me, does that mean Cassie may also be in danger?”
“I doubt that. It would only be the Sim who accompanies me who may be in danger.”
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
“So let’s go find Charity Kalamia! But before we do, I want my own name. What do you suggest?”
“That should be up to you Miss Alice in Wonderland.” I don’t know why I mentioned to her little allegory.
“Oh I like Alice. I shall be Alice White after the white rabbit.” I looked at her and wondered if she thought that I was the white rabbit that it wasn’t sensible to follow. I’m certain it’s not sensible to follow me.
“Miss Alice White? At least you won’t have to eat cake to shrink down. How about we go and register your new name right now. Then we’ll get the afternoon flight to Twinbrook.”
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
“Why Twinbrook?”
“How about because I’ve never been there before?” I could see she didn’t believe that was my only motivation. “Okay it’s because Tate and Esme and someone else I knew had been misdirected there. Perhaps there is a clue there.”
“What type of clue?”
“I don’t know.”
“Okay. It’s going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack. By the way, did the real Charity die or one of us clones?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you check her tombstone?”
“It’s gone. It could be anywhere or nowhere.”
“So let’s go find out!” she said impatient to be gone now.
We washed up our plates and headed out the door. My Charity, oops, Alice had already arranged that Cassie would clear out the fridge and see that the house was made ready for the next tenant.
As we drove away, I thought I saw a flash of light. Not the long beam I saw earlier, just a quick flash. I felt the chill of evil eyes watching me. I saw Alice give a little shiver too.
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
