Chap3:The Ceiling of Stars (1st revis)

We drove endless back roads,as we headed home.  I was not the girl , I had been when I left in so many ways. She was left standing on a brightly lit beach, waving goodbye to me. I had slipped into a world of increasing shadows which  ran all the way to darkness , new experiences and opportunities.
I was Alice gone through the looking glass and the rabbit hole at the same time. Everything was so new to me.

Henri's voice broke the silence. “ You bring to this life who you were before you changed. I am sure you see yourself as much more different than the world will see at its glance. Let them keep the illusion of the girl  you were and you will be moderately safe most of the time. People see what they want to see. Your uncle changed late, you knew him before it happened. Did you see him as something strange and sinister or as he had always been. The man who nursed you through the measles , your broken arm when you fell from your bike, who wiped your tears when he had to tell you your parents were gone.  You were coming to live with him. I noticed  you came with him , even when he let you backstage and told you about his real life since the change. You don't seem the worse for it. “

The car turned into his driveway. Henri parked outside the garage. He looked up.” Jean Paul is back. I suspect that your uncle is frantic over you. Jean Paul does not usually wait for me anymore. “ Henri looked at me. “ Normally , I would have you clean the car with me tonight. Next time, there is no getting out of it.  I suspect  Big Bud and Sheila's friends are not the type to go to the police , asking lots of questions.  But there will be questions tonight. Can't be helped. I am putting it in the garage dirty and will take care of it first thing tomorrow afternoon. “ He pulled the Buick into the garage, then got out. He walked around the car and opened my door. “ I am still with you every step of the way. The 'grownups' seem more fierce than they really are. They are the same troublesome parents  they were in their past lives.” He pulled the garage door shut and locked it. Together , we walked across the driveway , and up the backstairs.

Jean Paul  wore a burgundy Izod sport shirt over a pair of well tailored charcoal gray slacks. He padded on bare feet between the stove and the cupboard as he fussed with a cup of spice tea. He looked at his son, who had stepped in front of me,standing in the doorway. His face was disapproving.

“ Are you planning on returning Arina ? Andrew has been calling. I suspect  he is less than pleased with both of you.” Jean Paul directness startled me. I shivered behind Henri. Jean Paul sniffed in disgust,
“ You really need a shower. You stink of a stockyard.”

Henri walked past his father , pulling me with him.“ There is something  you should know. We had to alter our plans tonight. There was no other way.” I stepped into the kitchen, gingerly. Jean Paul's eyes widened.

“ Oh my. This was unexpected tonight. “ Jean Paul turned to his son. “ And you handled it.? “ He clasped his son  tightly. “ Good man. I always knew  you would step up if called. “ Russian bear gruff, he released Henri . He turned to me , and hugged me as if I would break. I felt safe there. “ Welcome fledgling. Your uncle will be so pleased you have made it through your First Night. “ He placed the ceramic cup on the counter. “I  will call Andrew. “

A gentle smile filled his face and leaked to shine in his eyes. He guided me from Henri , directing me to the hall. “ In the meantime, a lady friend of mine has left some toiletries here. I sure  she would not mind. They are in the cabinet in the bathroom. I think that there is a bubble bath. Have a soak. Henri will get you a clean outfit . Put the dirty ones into a plastic bag. Henri and I will scan them . See what is salvageable.”

Jean Paul clapped as he rubbed his hands together .” Will Andrew ever be surprised! Heh Heh, heh. Sent out a little human girl . Got a beautiful fledgling in return. Oh yes, oh yes, quite a nice surprise indeed! “

He hummed merrily as he dialed the black phone on the table. Then he said in a solemn tone,
“ Andrew, they are here. I suspect  you want to speak with them both.”  He listened a few minutes , then placed the receiver back into the cradle.  He was delighted with his plan.

“ That was mean. “ teased Henri

“ Wasn't it though.? “ laughed Jean  Paul . “ Oh my, a beautiful little fledgling . He will never guess.  “

I scampered  down the hall into the bathroom . I found the bubble bath as promised.. As the tub filled. I washed my hair over the sink. I cleaned my face with a cream based wash  I found. I sunk into warm rose scented bubbles. I slid forward , warm water covered my shoulders. What a strange world I inhabit, I mused sleepily. I looked at my hands . They were my hands . No claws,no ragingly long killer nails. Just my hands as they had been my hands this morning. So much had changed. So much hadn't . It was all so new and confusing.

A soft knock . Henri called from the other side of the door. “ I am leaving something clean for you to wear out here. “

“Thank you , for everything.” 

I heard him chuckle  “ Your uncle will be here in fifteen. “

I climbed from the tub, and watched the last of the water drain away. I opened the door . A light gray sweat suit and pants as well as  my purse sat on the floor. The suit was soft as flannel pajamas. I reapplied my make up . After cleaning the bathtub and sink, I went to join the others.

Henri patted the couch  next to him. I sat down.

“ This feels like one of those  bad brat pack movies where we are planning to tell my uncle  I am pregnant  with quints, have to quit  high school ,  you don't have a job because you want to play professional football, “ I laughed “And leaving me to go to college across the country.”

“Gets worse. Jean Paul did not tell him over the phone. So don't get upset when he gets here. Papa is a huge joker. “

“He is here.” Jean Paul smiled. “ No one give it away. “ He rubbed his hands in glee again. I watched as  he stepped into the front alcove as the doorbell rang, looking stern, parental and disapproving. I could hear my uncle's worried  angry voice from the entryway.. I heard Jean Paul sooth him . I heard him as he said” They are both fine. I have spoken with them . Of course you will have to decide what is to be done . I have already expressed to Henri my thoughts on the matter. “ He led my uncle into the living room , who looked like a man who could kill someone. Jean Paul blocked his view of the couch. “ I ask only one thing, Andrew. Be reasonable. “  He laughed and moved aside.

“ This is hardly a laughing matter, Jean Paul.” My angry uncle turned toward Henri to challenge him. He saw me. It stunned him. He drew a breath. He flopped into a nearby overstuffed chair. “When?
Wow. “ He looked at Jean Paul. “ You son of a bitch, you let me suffer all the way over here. “ He looked at me. “ You are lovely. Have you eaten, have you fed? What do you need? “

“ Henri took care of everything. He was wonderful. My head is spinning from all of the things  he told me tonight. “

Henri recounted the events of the evening. I was surprised the amount of detail that he gave. Both older  men listened to the story about Sheila and Big Bud.  “Sorry about the car. We put it up dirty but I will take care of that tomorrow afternoon. Garage door is locked.”

Jean Paul waved it off. “I agree with you , the car can wait this time . They don't sound like anyone with many friends that will ask too many questions. “

Curious, I turned to Henri. “ I have something to ask you. About Big Bud , would you have let him rape me if there were no other way? “

All three men said in chorus” Would not have happened. “ I looked up startled.

“ Henri was in control of the scene as soon as you both got to the car. It eliminated witnesses. If they had not been tempted into bigger and better things, It would have been messier. Probably have to dispose of the car in that case. But you were safe. You were just bait to keep them distracted.” Jean Paul lit a cigar , and settled into the chair on the other side of the couch. He listened lost in thought  as his son moved to face me .

“ I needed your fear to fuel their desire. You can't fake fear, they can smell it. That's why I could not tell you,” explained Henri. He reached into his wallet. He handed me fifteen hundred dollars in an envelope. I picked it up . I could smell Big Bud and Sheila. Jean Paul was right. They did not age well,The money smelled of a stockyard.

“ I don't get it?”

“ Our habit is  , we don't take the money from the marks. Throws the police off. But , in their case. It probably was not really their money but stolen . You needed money to set up. I kept just enough to replace supplies. “ Henri leaned forward . “You were always safe. Its why I didn't pick up the gun. If anyone cares to look for them , they will find the bodies , the gun and their wallets in the bushes. Possible drug deal gone wrong.”

“So now what? What do I do now? “ I hadn't a clue .

Andrew stood up.”Well, tonight you come home with me. We both get some rest. I think, if he is willing, you come over and learn how to clean a car. Do you want me to get her set up or can you stand shopping tomorrow? “

Henri thought a minute “ If she is coming over to clean the car with me, why don't I take her?

Andrew nodded. “Will it work for you?”

“Yes. Now I have a question . How did you all know  I had changed? “

“Scent “ chorused the men. “It will continue to change for awhile”