Subject:  Chapter 22 |
Author:
JennS & Loveroy
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Date Posted: Thursday, May 05, 06:17:58am
In reply to:
Loveroy & JennS
's message, "Sanglant - Beyond the Thrusts - Chapter 21" on Friday, April 01, 06:48:18pm
Adrian took a few seconds by the tea cart to find her composure after learning that Michael and Nikita had discovered the similarities in the matching rings. The gentile woman knew that the always persistent Nikita would want to get to the source of the parallel jewelry. She was also quickly reaching an understanding about Michael and his astute and one-track minded ways.
Adrian spoke with her back to the couple and thus allowed herself the necessary time to formulate a plan, “I am sorry that we have to use canned milk for the tea, but the electricity was off during the hurricane.”
Nikita was already standing by the white refrigerator and her nose was close to the open milk container as she reported, “Adrian, the milk is still very cold and it doesn’t smell spoiled.”
Michael watched from his position by the kitchen window the comings and goings around him and he stopped his thoughts to comment almost inaudibly as he tasted a glass of fresh water, “I feel so alive here.”
After hearing the stoic man’s impromptu comment and the curious blonde’s observation, Adrian answered quickly trying to divert the conversation and gain control of this first meeting, “Jurgen must have put the milk back after he took the stuff from the icebox.” Approaching Michael she said, “Antiques sometimes do come in handy… as for you young man, I feel more alive right there standing by that kitchen counter than any place else on earth, look at that spectacle.”
Nikita joined the duo by the kitchen sink, and barring the downed trees that were already being removed by uniformed islanders, the calmness of the sea, the roundness of the setting sun and the shades of reds, pinks and blues in the horizon, the view did appeared as postcard-perfect. She shimmied between Michael and Adrian putting an arm around each one’s shoulder as Adrian reached to hold her hand and Michael wrapped his arm around her waist. The trio silently took in the splendor of the sight and both Michael and Nikita’s sepia memories suddenly developed an intensity of color.
Nikita spoke first, “You know Michael, since I arrived at VanDamn Island, I have had the feeling that I have been here before.”
Nikita rested her head on his shoulder and sighed, Adrian squirmed a bit and Michael, even though he was in his own trance, noticed the reaction, smirked and answered Nikita, “I have also stood here at some point in my life.”
Adrian broke from the group, grabbed the milk bottle off the counter and walked to the living room of the shabby chic cottage. Both Michael and Nikita watched her move away, there was visible tension in her shoulders. Michael played absentmindedly with the chain that held the ring and hung around Nikita’s neck, his eyes riveted to the older woman’s reflection on the pristine kitchen window pane.
It was Nikita who realizing the woman’s discomfiture joked to save the tense moment, “We know how you feel about free-will and all that other stuff Michael, so tell me what your position is on previous life experiences.”
Michael was assimilating the fact that the window was spotless just after a hurricane and rejoiced when he saw Nikita stroke the glass with one finger and then showed him the clean digit, a wordless comment that spoke volumes. The corners of Michael’s mouth bowed and she saw the expression reflected on the glass and winked at him.
Adrian called to them, “Come children, let’s enjoy a spot of tea and these wonderful goodies before they go bad.”
The couple hand-in-hand moved to the sitting room, Michael was now bent on finding out more about this mysterious woman and this equally mystifying place. Nikita on her own was glad that she seemed to have found an ally she could share all the questionable issues she had compiled during her stay with Adrian. As far as Adrian was concerned, sitting there next to each other while being served the tea, the couple made a formidable and intimidating pair.
Adrian more anxious than before replied, “Previous lives Nikita? Don’t tell me you are into that hocus pocus.”
Michael smiled, took a sip of the tea and commented. “Now Adrian do not tell me that a woman that believes in coincidences doesn’t think that perhaps we should consider the possibility of former existences?”
Adrian grinned and said, “Don’t think that I am a fuddy-duddy not opened to all kinds of ideas Michael, what I can’t believe is that everyone that thinks that they had a previous life is a reincarnation of Jesus or King Elvis or some other person with a fabulous life.”
Nikita laughed out loud and moved to kiss Adrian who sat across from her and commented, “Well Queen Priscilla, oh wait – she’s not dead, can you explain why the windows in the cottage are so clean if we just suffered through a destructive hurricane?”
That question came out of left field and Michael realized that Nikita was as sharp as he had previously deduced and he took another sip of the tea that he wished was coffee, while he waited for a response. Adrian hesitated, she needed to get her ducks-in-a-row if she was going to play hard ball with these two. Both Michael and Nikita noticed the hesitation and again Nikita’s sarcastic nature took the lead.
Smiling broadly while standing by Adrian, Nikita said, “Oh yeah, it must have been that eager beaver Jurgen who cleaned the windows after emptying the antique ice box.”
Adrian went to comment on the palpable irony but was interrupted by a voice surprisingly familiar to all three, “Sugar, I am so glad you are okay, we worried about you during the hurricane.”
Adrian was glad that Walter had been summoned by higher powers to appear at this distinct time at the cottage and hopefully his presence would derail the couple’s barrage of questions. He was the perfect person to appear, the older man knew everyone, even the newly arrived Michael who had previously lunched with the bandana wearing man. Michael politely stood and shook the man’s hand, while Nikita moved to Walter’s side as did Adrian, both women kissing him on either cheek.
Walter spoke again, “I overheard you discussing the clean windows… this lovely lady has her priorities in a twist. Imagine telling Moi, the Mayor, that she wanted clean windows before anything else.”
Adrian followed suit, “Of course, I just told Michael here how alive I feel standing by those windows. By the way, have you two met? Walter Jones this is Michael Samuelle.”
Walter answered as they all moved to sit down and he walked to the kitchen to make coffee, making himself at home, “Yes we had lunch together a few days ago.”
Michael saw the opportunity to abandon the tea-drinking and followed Walter to the kitchen to assist in the coffee-brewing. Michael also wanted to give Nikita a moment alone with her charge, the blonde woman had been anxious about Adrian’s health while they were in the mainland. Adrian whispered to Nikita asking her if she ‘dug’ Michael and Nikita laughed even louder.
As Nikita hugged Adrian she whispered, “Well I would know how much I dig him if I could remember how he was in the love-making department.”
Adrian froze, things were about to become yet more complicated in the VanDamn world and she managed to ask in a low voice, “You SLEPT with him?”
By now Michael and Walter were returning with steaming cups of coffee in their hands and they both heard the woman’s not so whispered murmur. Nikita blushed, Michael faintly smiled and Walter rolled his eyes, while Adrian swallowed a gulp of tea loudly.
Nikita exchanged a pleading look with Michael who came to her rescue – well sorta.
Michael spoke now from Nikita’s side, and as he tenderly held her chin and lingered in her blue gaze, “I believe that is something that should be kept private between Nikita and I.”
Walter interceded on the older woman’s behalf saying, “Now don’t be so tough on her Michael, but Adrian you did deserved that answer. Now can you please help me find some real sugar and none of that fake stuff you ladies seem to prefer instead?”
Adrian followed Walter explaining the reality of preferring sugar as opposed to sugar-substitutes and Michael leaned in closely and whispered to Nikita, knowing what the answer was, but curious as to what her answer would be.
“How does Adrian know my last name?”
Nikita smiled, boldly kissing Michael’s mouth and said, “Yes another unsolved mystery.”
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