Away (19 page)

“I'll get it,” said Vivian, but she was silenced by a look from Ms. Moore.

Rachel followed Vivian into the parlor and sat on the couch with her. Ms. Moore returned with a third china cup, and poured kalitea for all of them. Vivian just kept staring at Rachel, and touching her hair. Rachel didn't mind.

“Well?” Ms. Moore could not contain herself any longer. “Is my son—is Malgam alive?” She laughed, a slightly hysterical laugh. “I mean no disrespect, of course, Vivian. But we see Rachel is fine, and thank goodness for that. I just need to know . . .”

“It's all right.” Vivian leaned across the table and patted Ms. Moore's hand. “I understand completely.”

“He's okay.” Rachel smiled. “He took the antibiotics and he got better. They have a healer there, but she couldn't help him. The medicine you sent did. And he's okay.” She turned to Vivian. “Mom.” She couldn't go on.

Vivian's joyful expression turned grave in an instant. She took both of Rachel's hands in hers. “Rachel. No matter what happened to you, you're here now, and you're safe. We can get you through whatever it—”

“No, Mom.” Rachel squeezed Vivian's hands. “It's nothing like that.”

She wasn't sure how to tell Vivian that her husband, the man she thought had been dead since Rachel was three, was sitting on the couch in the guesthouse right that moment. She wasn't sure how to tell Ms. Moore that the man she lost so many years ago, the father of her child, Malgam, was probably sitting on the same couch, along with her grandson. She decided to just blurt it out.

“Dad and Indigo and Pathik are in the guesthouse.”

Vivian said nothing. Ms. Moore said nothing. Rachel waited. She knew it was a lot to process. While she waited for the questions she was sure would come, she noticed the sugar on the kalitea tray and helped herself to two spoons of it. She stirred it up and sipped. Sugar. It seemed like she hadn't had any sugar forever. It made the kalitea syrupy and smooth on her tongue. It was heavenly.

She realized it was still silent in the room, and glanced up. Her mother and Ms. Moore were staring at her as though her ears were flapping back and forth.

“Did you say
Dad
?” Vivian's mouth was open. Rachel nodded. She had never seen her mom so shocked, and she was almost afraid to say anything more.

“Your father is alive?” Vivian touched her own hair unconsciously—the red hair Daniel had always loved, the hair she had refused to cut or color even when she knew it would be wise to alter her appearance, back in the days right after they fled to The Property. She had always thought, in the back of her mind, that he might see it, might find her, even though she knew, all those years, that he was dead.

“He thought we were dead, Mom.” Rachel wasn't sure what the expression on Vivian's face signified. “He had someone check. They couldn't find us, and they assumed we had been Identified and hauled off. That's what they told Dad.”

Vivian was up and out of the room before any more could be said. Rachel started to go after her, but Ms. Moore motioned her back to her seat.

“Let her go to him.”

“Indigo's there too.” Rachel wasn't certain Ms. Moore had heard.

“Yes. I'm certain your mother will bring him along.” Ms. Moore's tone didn't invite more discussion on the subject. “Are you all right, Rachel? Nobody hurt you, did they?”

“No. They didn't.” Rachel felt so tired. She was here. Safe. With her mother and Ms. Moore. She wanted to sleep. For hours. And then shower in hot, hot water. Instead, she drank her sugary kalitea. She knew it would be a long time before she slept.

“What's going on?” Jonathan came into the parlor, pushing back the brim of his hat. “I just saw Ms. Quillen running to the guesthouse like—” He broke off, and stared at Rachel, shocked. “Child!” His chin began to tremble in an odd way, and Rachel realized he was holding back tears. She went to him and hugged him. She wasn't surprised at how glad she was to see him. He had been like a grandfather to her in so many ways while she grew up on The Property.

“I'm okay,” she whispered in his ear. He hugged her back, and then held her at arm's length for inspection.

“My dad's here. And Indigo.” Rachel hugged him again. She didn't see how Jonathan's smile faltered slightly.

“Well,” said Jonathan softly. “It sounds like you have a story to tell.”

They sat down on the couch together and talked. Ms. Moore went for another cup, and poured Jonathan some kalitea. Then Rachel told them about Away.

 

 

WHEN THE DOOR to the guesthouse burst open, instantly four knives were drawn and at the ready. Vivian didn't hesitate at the sight of the blades pointed in her direction. She scanned the faces of the people before her. In three of them she saw many things: fear, curiosity, fatigue. But there was a fourth, and in the fourth face, Vivian saw her life.

He looked so old. But she could see him so clearly, through the scars and the roughened skin, the lines and the shadows. There he was. Alive.

“Daniel.” She meant to say it out loud, but her mouth formed the word without sound. She saw one of the others—an old man—gesture to the two boys to retreat.

He came to her, like she had imagined so many times that he might. But his hand in hers was warm, and his tears wet her cheek when he kissed her. This was real, not a dream. And she knew she would never be parted from him again.

 

 

RACHEL FIELDED QUESTION after question. Ms. Moore and Jonathan wanted to know every detail of the past weeks: how Away was, what the Others' camp was like, how many survivors there were. After what seemed like a long time to Rachel, they heard the front door open quietly. Daniel and Vivian walked into the parlor arm in arm, followed by Indigo, Pathik, and Fisher. Vivian's eyes were red, but her face was filled with light. She could not stop smiling. Daniel seemed to be having a hard time taking his eyes off her.

The two boys gawked like tourists, their curiosity overcoming any sense of caution. Indigo looked around too, but his eyes halted at the digim on the mantel. It was of him, as a young man. His gaze went from the digim to Ms. Moore.

“Elizabeth.” He whispered her name. She got to her feet, somewhat unsteadily. Rachel stepped around the table and took her arm.

“Thank you, Rachel.” Ms. Moore sounded steadier than she looked. “I wonder if you and your mother could show the boys and Daniel where they can clean up a bit. I'd like a moment with Indigo.”

“Certainly.” Vivian exchanged a glance with Rachel. It was not a simple reunion for Ms. Moore. “Perhaps we should all go back to the guesthouse.”

“No,” said Ms. Moore. “I think we had all better stay in the main house, don't you? There are plenty of bedrooms, and it's better if we don't have to go back and forth—less chance of being seen. If there's anything you need from the guesthouse, best go and get it.”

“I can go later, once it's dark. I'll turn on some lights so it looks like I've settled in for the night as usual, and then come back.” Vivian held Daniel's hand in hers. “For now, if you'll follow us upstairs, boys?” She motioned to Pathik and Fisher. “Rachel and I will show you around.”

“I've got some things to see to in the greenhouse,” said Jonathan, his eyes on the floor. He left without another word.

There was silence. Indigo and Elizabeth stood, awkward and shy. Elizabeth stared at the floor. She couldn't bring herself to look at him.

“A rather handsome fellow, there.” Indigo smiled. Elizabeth heard the smile in his voice and looked up. He pointed at the digim on the mantel.

“Isn't he, though?” Elizabeth smiled too. “I made a huge mistake when I let him go.” She closed the distance between them, holding out her hands. Indigo took a deep breath, as though he were about to dive into water, exhaled, and clasped her hands in his own. His eyes lit on her necklace—on the band suspended there.

“You still have the ring.” He smiled again.

“Of course I still have the ring.” Elizabeth swallowed. “I've learned from my mistake. I've paid for it. I won't make another like it.” Elizabeth sought his eyes, hoping to see forgiveness there.

She did. They walked together to the sofa, and sat down. There was so much to say. Elizabeth hoped they had forever, now, to say it.

 

 

FISHER'S EYES WERE as round as moons. He was watching the warm water fill the sink in the guest bathroom.

“How does it get up here, inside the house?” He ran his fingers along the faucet, tracing it to its base, eyeing the cabinet the base disappeared into.

“It comes from the water condensation unit and then it goes through the heating unit and then . . . it's a long story.” Rachel chuckled. “We don't have time.”

Fisher smiled. He put his hands under the water. He watched as it slid along his fingers and dripped off into the sink. “You're probably right.” He pointed to the dispenser on the countertop. “Is that soap, then?”

“Yes.” Rachel opened a cabinet and took down several thick cotton towels. “There are more in the hall if you need them. Just let me know.” Rachel wanted to check on Pathik.

She found him sitting on the guest bed in the third guest room. The door was ajar. Rachel sat in the chair next to the window. “Do you think they'll be all right?”

Pathik knew who she meant. He shrugged. “I hope so. I know he's always had a hard time, being without her. He's been so lonely.”

“What do you mean? He's got a lot of friends. He has his family.” Rachel didn't think Indigo seemed lonely. From what she had seen of him at camp, he was busy, and kind, and respected. He always had at least a few people around him.

Pathik looked away. “It's different. He had his one love. To lose that would . . .” He fell silent. When he looked back in Rachel's direction he wouldn't meet her gaze.

“I'm all done in that room.” The door swung open all the way, propelled by a shove from Fisher, who squinted at Pathik when he saw his face.

“You all right, Path?” The squint turned into a smirk.

Pathik glared at Fisher and stood. He pushed past him without another word and left the room.

Rachel glared at Fisher too.

“What?” His smile got wider. “I just asked if he was all right.”

“It's time to eat.” Vivian leaned in the doorway. “We have a feast downstairs.”

“Pathik's still in the bathroom,” said Rachel. “I can wait for him.”

“Never mind that,” said Fisher. “You ladies go on ahead. I can fetch Pathik down when he's done preening. We'll find you fine.”

“Come on, Rachel.” Vivian held out both hands. “Your dad is waiting for you.” Her smile was like a sunlit bloom, warm and beautiful. Rachel stood and took her hands, but she shot Fisher a look over her shoulder.

Downstairs the dining room table had been set with all the best china and glassware. Either Ms. Moore or Vivian had set out candles and lit them; Rachel grinned at the irony of that. The Others would be much more impressed if they just left all the electric lights on. Rachel thought of all the forced employee holiday meals she had endured here, when she was still afraid of Ms. Moore, and thought of her as a mean old woman. The same translucent plates and delicate crystal goblets, but Rachel felt no fear of breaking them. She only felt tired, and happy, and home.

CHAPTER 17

I
NDIGO SAT AT the head of the table, with Ms. Moore to his right. Dinner, for something thrown together more hastily than Vivian was used to, was a fine affair. There was grilled salmon, homemade biscuits and honey, fresh greens, brown rice steamed tender with butter and salt, wine, and orange juice from the last can Vivian had been able to find in Bensen. She'd been saving it in the freezer for something, since long before Rachel Crossed. She thought maybe tonight was the something.

The men fell silent as the dishes were brought out and set on the table, as though something holy was occurring. Rachel knew why. Food wasn't exactly scarce Away, but it wasn't plentiful either. And spices like the ones Vivian had used on the salmon didn't exist there. There was salt. The Others used small peppers and onions to flavor other foods. But they didn't have cayenne, or nutmeg, or brown sugar. Vivian used those in a marinade she brushed on salmon steaks; it was one of Rachel's favorites.

At first, there was very little talk. Vivian and Elizabeth seemed content to just watch the men eat. Rachel was busy eating, herself. Soon, though, appetites were blunted. Indigo was the first to sit back and heave a deep sigh.