Lost in Flight (19 page)

Christina grimaced.  “I’ll try, but I’ve taken a lot of time off work, Gabby and I need to get back.”  She decided a change of subject was in order and said, “Did you know Dad has a girlfriend?” 

Gabby’s eyes widened in shock.  “Nooooo.  NO!  Who is it?”  With that, all the fake tears were gone and the two sisters were gossiping like crazy.

Jed was waiting for a break in the conversation to ask the Martin girls some questions.  He waited for the shrieks and “ewwwwws” to end and when they’d finally finished laughing, he cleared his throat.  Christina was the first to look up and he said, “Can I ask you something?”  He noticed the shadow that crossed Christina’s face, but she nodded.  “Do you have Irish ancestry?” 

Gabby and Christina looked at one another, and Gabby said, “We do – don’t we, Dina?”

Christina nodded.  “On our Dad’s side.  His mother was Irish, but they moved to England when she was a child.” 

“Do you know which part she was from?”  Jed asked.

Christina frowned.  “Derry?  I’m pretty sure it’s Derry.” 

Jed’s eyebrows knitted together, “Catholic or Protestant?”

Christina and Gabby looked at each other, and Gabby shrugged.  Christina answered. “Catholic,” which made him smile and Gabby say, “Really?”

Christina nodded. “Ye-ah.  Dad’s Catholic, or he was raised Catholic - not a very good one, but still…” 

Gabby turned to her.  “Why aren’t we?” 

Christina grinned.  “Mom.”  The two sisters giggled.  Mom had been brought up in some happy-clappy religion that was highly suspicious of Catholics.  In actuality, their parent’s real religion was music and dancing. 

She stood behind her sister, grabbing a comb, and hairbrush making Gabby protest.  Christina gave her the “big sister” look and started dragging the brush through her sister’s long, dark, curly hair.  Gabby hated having her hair done, especially when she had a story to relay to an audience. 

Gabby grimaced as Christina started working on the knots and tried to get away from her by sitting forward.  “But it’s Mom’s family that has the most interesting history, isn’t it Dina?” 

When Christina mumbled, “Mmmhmmm.”

“How come?”  Jed asked curiously.

Gabby sat herself up, saying dramatically.  “There’s Native American ancestry in there AND African-American heritage, too.” 

Jed looked from one sister to the other and then asked Christina.  “Truly?”

Christina nodded and Gabby puffed herself up saying authoritatively.  “We have Native American on both sides of Mom’s family.” 

When Jed looked suitably impressed, Gabby continued as if addressing an audience for a presentation:  “Our maternal grandmother was Iroquois and white.  Dad thinks that’s awesome because Winston Churchill was supposed to have Iroquois ancestry too and he thinks maybe we’re related.  And then, our maternal grandfather was Cherokee.  He’s where we get the African-American heritage connection.  He had some white as well, but Dad and I think he probably got that from his former slave owners, and maybe through – you know – forced dubious means.”

Christina made eye contact with Jed and like him she was trying not to laugh.  She bit back the giggle that was making its way out of her mouth and concentrated on the knots in Gabby’s hair.  She doubted their father agreed with Gabby’s master/slave version of their ancestry.  More like he mumbled agreement to shut her up so she wouldn’t go into any further detail about speculative historical plantation sex. 

Like all the Martins, Gabby could sing, but Christina thought her real calling might be writing fiction.  Hopefully not down and dirty fiction, but there were always nom de plumes.  It might also keep her out of protests and trouble.  Christina doubted it, but one could always hope.

Jed put on his serious face and focused on Gabby who was in full disclosure mode.  “They mainly had to pass as white – you know,” Gabby said, making her eyes fill with tears and her mouth turn down.  “It was because of all the racism and oppression.  People can be so racist and oppressive.  According to Dad, Mom never really spoke about it until it was okay in the 1980s.  It was too painful for her.” 

Turning to Christina for confirmation, Gabby said, “She never talked about it much to us – not really – did she?” 

With Gabby’s hair in her hand and a comb in her mouth, Christina could only nod her agreement.  Sighing mournfully, Gabby said, “We knew, but most of our information came from Dad.  It seems so sad and kind of romantic, but also really, really tragic.  Then Mom died so young so we couldn’t really ask her for more information - so, so sad.”

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Riley

Riley waited outside Gabby’s room listening to her theatrical account of the Martin family history.  He didn’t want to interrupt her because it would have been rude and also, he wanted to listen.  He knew the Martins had Native American ancestry, but he didn’t know they had African-American as well.  It was pretty cool.  He didn’t know much about his ancestry just it included, English, Scots, possibly French, and Irish from all sides.  He guessed you really did learn something new everyday.  Taking a large sip of his coffee, he walked into the room and nearly choked. 

********************

Christina

Christina had finished combing and brushing Gabby’s hair when she started a fishtail braid.  She always loved playing with Gabby’s hair and it was even better when she was distracted, and not complaining.  She put the brush down and still had the comb between her teeth, tying the end of the braid when Riley walked into the room. 

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Riley

Riley was literally choking and his eyes were watering.  The coffee had gone down the wrong way and he couldn’t catch his breath.  He made wheezing, rasping sounds trying to expel the stuff out of his lungs.  His hands were full, which meant he was spraying liquid onto the floor. 

Jed came over and hit him on the back.  “Are you alright, mate?”  When he didn’t respond, Jed took the coffee and food off him, handed it to Gabby and then went back to help his friend. 

********************

Christina

Christina didn’t fare much better.  She drew in a sharp breath, which brought the comb further into her mouth and made her drool.  She made a slurping, choking, gargling noise as the saliva started running down her chin.  She pulled the comb out of her mouth and wiped the excess slobber away with her sleeve as quickly as she could, hoping no one saw. 

Gabby looked at her with feigned innocence asking, “Dina, are you okay?” 

Riley and Christina stared at each other in horror, and barely concealed loathing with:  “what the hell are you doing here” type looks.  No one said a word until a grinning Gabby shrieked, “AWKWARD.”  It made Christina flinch and they both dropped eye contact and looked away. 

Even Jed seemed uncomfortable and at a loss for words.  He looked from Riley to Christina, like they were two big dangerous dogs that had wandered onto his property.  He went to say something and then thought better of it.

Unfortunately, Gabby wasn’t lost for words.  Leaning forward she looked first at Riley then Christina.  Gabby’s eyes narrowed in concentration then an evil grin stretched her mouth wide.  Blurting at what seemed like a 100 decibels in the close confinement of her room, Gabby screeched, “OH MY GOD.  You two slept together.  Didn’t you?”

Christina and Riley both yelled, “GABBY” in unison, making Jed burst out laughing.  He tried to turn it into coughing, but failed.  Taking his coffee and food, Jed headed out into the hallway to get away from them all.  He was paid to protect Gabby and he wasn’t getting in the middle of this.  Strangely, the Martins were turning out to be his most favorite assignment ever. 

********************

Riley

Riley tried not looking at Christina and she followed suit.  It didn’t happen often, but he felt himself go red.  Glancing up he saw Christina had her arms folded as was looking out the window.  Her face was bright red in large circles on her cheeks.  As she turned her head toward him, he looked away and down at the floor.  All he could think of was getting out of here as fast as possible.

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Christina

When Christina looked at Riley, she was surprised to see that he was as embarrassed about the situation as she was.  She’d always thought he’d missed the shame gene because nothing much bothered him or he just shrugged it off.  She was the one that descended into shame spirals, not him, but not this time.  He was looking down at the floor and he was red along his cheekbones. 

He looked up at her and they briefly made eye contact, until she turned her head away.  She kept as far away from him as possible and he did the same.  He didn’t even come near Gabby in case it brought him too close to Christina.  She decided this was too uncomfortable and she would make her excuses to leave.  Just as she was about to say something, Riley beat her to it. 

Ignoring her and focusing on Gabby, Riley said, “I, agh, gotta go.  I’ll catch up with you later, Gabby” and left the room.  Christina breathed a sigh of relief. 

“Wow,” Gabby said.  “That’s really interesting.”  Christina ignored her, but Gabby was on a roll.  “I like the way he won’t look at you, except when you’re not looking at him and vice versa.  I also like the way you two won’t go anywhere near each other in case bad Voodoo things happen – right there - on the floor.” 

Christina felt herself go redder, trying to tune out Gabby’s running commentary about star-crossed romance, true love and destiny.  When she got a chance, Christina was going to take the iPad off her so she’d stop filling her head with romantic nonsense, porn, and Country-Western music.  If Gabby needed aversion therapy:  Christina would happily administer the medicine.

********************

Riley

As Riley passed Jed, he shook his head.  Jed said, “Brother, you’re a hold out.  You told me about the fight, but not the most interesting part.  All good sagas need some decent sex scenes” and then he laughed until his shoulders shook. 

Riley rolled his eyes and kept walking to the elevator.  He ignored Jed’s shout of: “wait” and got into the lift.  As Jed made it to the elevator, Riley flipped him the bird and hit the doors closed. 

Jed watched the elevator doors close and shrugged.  He’d tried to tell Riley that Christina would be staying tonight, but he hadn’t given him a chance.  As far as Jed was concerned, his conscience was clear.  He supposed he could text him, but that would just spoil the surprise.  Besides, Riley had given him the finger.  So right back at you, mate.

Chapter Twelve – Flight paths

Christina, Seattle, The Present, Monday 8 October 2012

Christina felt like the top of her head was going to leave her body.  She knew Gabby was recovering from life threatening injuries, but she was really tempted to smother her with a pillow.  If she said:  “Oh my” or “oh wow” or “oh fricking anything” - one more time - Christina was going to stuff a sock in her mouth.  She came to the foot of Gabby’s bed and stared at her until she went quiet.  It was like watching the batteries run out on a wind-up toy.

“He’s like my second favorite big brother in the world.  You know – the first time I ever got drunk and threw up Riley came, and got me.  No one picked on me at school, because everyone knew Riley would beat the shit out of them.  I love Riley, Dina.  I wish you two could work it out… I’m just going to shut up now.”

Christina glared at her saying through gritted teeth, “THAT would be EXTREMELY wise.” 

Straightening herself up and smoothing her covers down, Gabby adopted a wounded persona saying stiffly, “Well there’s no need to be uncivil.”  Silence had never been Gabby’s friend and after a bit she said, “I’m sorry, Dina.  I didn’t mean to embarrass you or Riley.” 

Christina held eye contact with Gabby until her little sister looked down.  Putting some menace behind her words, Christina retorted.  “Yes-you-did and you better not blab to Johnny or anyone else.” 

Gabby started looking at her bed covers as if they held answers to the universe.  Giving Christina surreptitious looks out of the corner of her eye and realizing she was in no immediate danger, Gabby put on her best innocent baby-face.  “It’s just that, well, I don’t know what happened?”

Christina snapped.  “Well, it isn’t rocket science, Gabby, more like human biology.” 

Gabby groaned.  “I don’t mean this weekend.  I kind of figured what that involved.  I mean about you and Riley.  No one ever speaks about it.  It’s taboo.” 

Christina was actually pleased to hear that and just as she was about to respond Jed came back through the door.  He noticed her hesitation and smiled sympathetically.  “If it’s alright with you two, I’ve got a couple of things I need to take care of.  Since you’re here Christina, can I leave Gabby in your hands?  I should be back in an hour or so.” 

Christina smiled at him and mouthed.  “Thank you.”  He gave her a wink and left the two sisters alone.  Looking at Gabby, Christina glared at her sister. “What do you want to know?  This is a one-time only opportunity.  So hit me up.”  

Gabby glanced up at her.  “Can you not look at me so intensely?  How about sitting down in the chair?  You know to get comfortable or something?”  Christina almost snorted.  This conversation would be the opposite of comfortable, but she grabbed a chair and softened her death stare.

Clearing her throat Gabby started.  “There were just so many rumors about you two, you know.  I didn’t know what was fact or fiction.” 

Christina could imagine, but she kept her face passive.  “Like what?” 

“Did you, two, um, have a suicide pact like Romeo and Juliet?” 

“A suicide pact?  Seriously?  No,” laughed Christina.  “If we did, we failed didn’t we?  But, the police did suspect me of killing him once.  I was questioned and everything.”