Chapter 2
The Inquisition

Rhapsody was edgy as she sat on the old couch. She was not reading, her mother was doing that, reading an excerpt from Tales of the Arabian Knights. Instead she was staring off into space, toying with the material between her fingers. She was supposed to be making a silk rose, but her mind was not with it.

The phone had rung twice already this afternoon, but it had not been the one she expected, and thankfully so since both times Gryta had answered it. She hoped that when he did call, if he did call, she could make it to the phone this time. She had strategically placed herself on that side of the couch so that she could run into the hall when it rang. There was no danger of her tripping or falling. Her father was very strict that the house be completely neat and tidy so that she or her mother would not be in any danger.

When the phone did ring she popped up from her seat, nearly causing her mother to drop the book on the floor and her sisters to stab themselves with their scissors. Never had she felt anything akin to the excitement she felt just then as she quickly plucked up the receiver. "Hello?" her voice was almost trembling. She immediately recognized the voice on the other end. "Just a moment," she said in a quiet, almost timid tone. She ran through the kitchen into the pantry, leaving her sisters and mother to wonder at the speed in which she was running. Without a second's thought she plucked up the trap door to the cellar and descended the stairs.

"Rhapsody!" her father's voice was almost abashed. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"Papa," she said, excitement trilling through her as she tried to contain it. "There is a gentleman on the phone who wants to call on me. What shall I say?"

She had not expected such a long pause from him. She had expected him to be happy that there was someone interested in one of his daughters. "Where did you meet this gentleman?" he demanded.

"At the flea market," she felt disappointment rising with in her.

He was silent again for some time. "All right," he said finally. "Tell him he can come for dinner tomorrow, at 1," he emphasized his last words. Raven Davis was a man who demanded punctuality of everyone. So when she returned to the phone and picked up the receiver she told Major Healy to be there no later than 1, and if he got there a little early it would be even better.

She didn't tell him why it would be better. She didn't want to frighten him off. She recalled one of Gryta's beaus. Well actually, he was Gryta's only beau, who left running and did not even stop to look back. She had felt sorry for her sister then and still did even though Gryta pretended that it did not bother her that men seemed to avoid her completely. Rhapsody knew that her sister was beautiful. Others just didn't look at things the way she did.

All was set and Rhapsody felt a tinge of fear, because this meant change. She had never really liked change, even though she wouldn't have been so strict about moving around furniture if it were not for her mother. But yet she was excited. She had always assumed that since she was blind no one would ever be interested in her, never mind that her father had not only been interested in her mother who was also blind, but had married her!

Even so, it had never occurred to her that it would be possible. She had contented herself with making the silk flowers, reading books to her mother and sisters and spending quiet Saturday mornings on the park bench. But it was that park bench that had led her to Major Roger Healy.

The next morning seemed to go by slowly as Rhapsody helped her sisters in the kitchen. She knew the kitchen as well as they. She often teased them that she could find her way in the kitchen with her eyes closed. But today she was jittery. She could tell Gryta's demeanor. She was not happy. She had not spoken to her since the day before except necessary comments such as: "pass me the bowl" or "where is the blender?" The latter she had said in general, a comment in which either their mother or Periwinkle would have been able to answer.

Periwinkle seemed as excited as Rhapsody about the arrival of their guest and her mother had a quietness about her that told Rhapsody she was pleased with the arrangement. What her father thought, she did not know. She had hoped he would be pleased, but she questioned his hesitation the day before about agreeing to Major Healy being present. She knew very well that her father had very strict ideas about courtship.

Delicious smells tantalized her stomach as she hurried about preparing her portion of the meal. It was noon before everything was far enough along their mother was able to handle it all and the girls retreated upstairs to their room to shower and dress. Rhapsody had let Periwinkle choose the color of her dress. It didn't matter to her what color she wore, but Periwinkle always liked to make things match so she usually chose Rhapsody's clothes.

She was told that there were many shades of blue among her clothes as well as a few greens and lighter colors such as beige and white. Periwinkle liked blue because she said it matched Rhapsody's eyes. "Do you really think my eyes are pretty?" she asked her sister as the two of them waited for Gryta to finish showering so that they could wash and change.

"They're more than that, Sody," she patted her sister's shoulder and gently brushed her hair. "They're beautiful. I can remember growing up thinking that surely, eyes as pretty as yours could see something. Beauty at least."

Rhapsody smiled coyly and turned to face her baby sister. She could vaguely remember when she was small enough to hold in her arms. How pleased she'd been to be the big sister then! "But I can see Periwinkle. Just not the way everyone else does."

"I know," Rhapsody could hear the smile in her voice. "You can see what no one else can see, just like Momma." They heard the shower turn off and Periwinkle herded her into the bathroom almost before Gryta had time to dry off.

It was a quarter until 1 when Roger rang the door bell. He hoped it was the correct house. It was rather old, but fairly well kept as if the owner of it did what was necessary to maintain it, but no more. It was a narrow lot, two-story house painted a sickly green, and in some places the paint was peeling. The porch was small and was only decorated with a metal glider chair.

In one hand Roger held a small bouquet of flowers. Real flowers. He knew that Rhapsody made elegant silk flowers. He'd seen them at the flea market and bought a bunch of them for Jeannie. He had not told her or Tony about Rhapsody since the day after he'd thought he'd lost her forever. He wanted to be sure this time.

The door was answered by a very tall, well dressed man. His hair was slicked back and he appeared rather old fashioned. He opened the door wider and waved for Roger to come on in to a foyer, directly across from the door was a staircase leading to the second story. "I presume you're Major Healy?" he asked.

"Y-y-yes I am," Roger responded blinking his eyes, trying to remain calm. He could do this, it was just like talking to Dr. Bellows, only he had nothing to hide from this man.

"I am Raven Davis, Rhapsody's father."

"I'm pleased to meet you, sir," Roger couldn't help but toying with the collar of his shirt. He felt like a high schooler taking a girl to the prom.

"Follow me," he motioned towards a room to the left. It was a neatly furnished living room, even if the furniture was a little old. Not necessarily old fashioned, but rather well used. He noticed several books on side tables and a coffee table that were in Braille. He'd have to remember that the next time he had the opportunity to peruse a book store. He'd have to find out what kind of books Rhapsody liked to read. He couldn't tell from the ones lying around.

"So you are an astronaut," Mr. Davis cut right to the point when they had seated. "Does that pay well?"

Roger felt a little surprised by the directness of the question. He had expected small talk about what he did, the weather, that sort of thing. Instead this was very…well direct. "It…it pays well enough," he said finally.

"Enough to support yourself?" Mr. Davis had barely let the words leave Roger.

"Yes, of course, and…"

"Could you support a family?"

"Well…yes," he could feel sweat begin to bead his face. The man's eyes were the same color as Rhapsody's, but they were not warm and inviting like hers. They were piercing right through him! He knew there must be a hole in his jacket by now. He felt uncomfortable under that gaze that held him captive. He desperately wished he was being questioned by Dr. Bellows right now!

"What are your intentions with my daughter?" his face was grave and unreadable.

Roger wasn't sure how to respond. He was held by that man's gaze. But as he sat there he began to grow a little angry. Wasn't Rhapsody old enough to decide for herself what she wanted in life? Why was her father interfering in this way? He had agreed to meet her family before taking her out on a date. What more did this man want?

But before Roger had the chance to answer the question or attempt to vent his anger Rhapsody was in the doorway and he instantly stood. "Papa!" her tone was a mixture of surprise, mortification and almost a reprimand. "Dinner is ready," she said in a tone that was unreadable. Roger crossed the room and took her arm, gently, but she led the way across the foyer into a narrow dining room. A table was set with a set of rosebud china and delicious smells that could have easily rivaled Jeannie's own "blinked in" meals or Mrs. Bellows.

Two young women were standing behind their chairs on the side of the table opposite the entry. They both looked similar to Rhapsody, but each with their own differences. "These are my sisters, Gryta," the elder of the two held up her hand so he would know which Rhapsody was speaking of. "And Periwinkle. She is the one who enjoys reading about astronauts."

Before she could say more, or Roger respond another woman came from a door that led to a room in the back of the house which he presumed was the kitchen. Her beauty was comparable to that of any of the three younger women, though Rhapsody looked most like her of them. Her eyes were a dark shade of green that both Gryta and Periwinkle shared, but they did not focus on anyone, or anything, they simply stared into space, like Rhapsody's.

"This is my mother, Djinna Davis," Rhapsody introduced as the woman placed the dish she carried on the table and wiped her hands on her apron. She held out a hand towards Roger and greeted him warmly.

"Please sit," Mrs. Davis said. Once they began eating, it was fairly silent, but finally Periwinkle spoke up asking about astronauts and such. She kept the conversation going with occasional questions from Mrs. Davis and Rhapsody, but it was noticeable how quiet both Mr. Davis and Gryta were. Not to mention the occasional glares Roger got from the latter.

He was slightly puzzled by the reaction of the Davis family to his appearance at their table. He had expected it to be slightly uncomfortable with Mr. Davis, and possible with Mrs. Davis, but it was apparent to him that at least the older sister had misgivings about his motives for the attention he paid Rhapsody.

After the meal the entire family gathered in the living room, Rhapsody choosing a two seater chair off to a corner. Roger was right at her side and took the seat next to her before Gryta, who was trying to intercept them could take the seat before him. Instead she took a small chair that had been up against a small table in the corner. There were scraps of cloth strewn over the table so he assumed that this was where they worked on the silk flowers.

He noticed that Rhapsody directed a kind of glare towards Gryta, though he wasn't sure how she could have known that her sister had tried to take his seat. He also noticed Mr. Davis's carefully watching expression directed at him, so he was very careful not to even accidentally brush up against Rhapsody.

Deciding that he needed a plan of action he turned his attention back to the table and asked about their procedures of making silk flowers. Rhapsody showed him her box of precut fabric and one of the flowers she'd been working on. He admired it and those that Gryta and Periwinkle had made and tried to get through the next thirty minutes by joking around.

After the time had passed Mrs. Davis and the two other girls rose to take care of clearing the table and after a moment Mr. Davis insisted that Rhapsody join them. Roger could feel the sweat pop out on him.

(To be continued…)