Author's Note: Back with another chapter. I'll have another later this week. I hope this is enjoyable for those reading!
Eva's Wish
Chapter 4
Lady rode her bike north. She spent the night in an inn near Fortuna and continued north the next morning. She pulled off the main highway at a sign indicating the town of Bell's Harbor. Riding down the main street she was struck by how isolated the town was. She was hours north of Fortuna and there was no sign or indication of any demon activity. The main street in the town was only 6 blocks long and terminated in a long pier. The buildings were all painted bright colors.
Parking her bike, she walked along the main street. Something about the town felt right to her. A sign caught her eye-help wanted. It was hung on the door of the local bar which the sign proclaimed as Blue's Place. Stepping inside she walked up to the bar. A barrel-chested man with a long white, wispy beard stepped up from behind the bar. "Well hello," he greeted, eyeing her. "What can I get you?"
Lady put a smile on her face, choosing to ignore his ogling. "I saw the sign out front and wanted to inquire about the job," she said.
The man nodded. "Well you're at least talking to the right person. I'm Blue and this here's my place. Ever worked in a bar before?" he asked.
Lady considered lying for a moment but her gut was telling her that honesty might be her best bet. She decided to trust her gut. "Honestly, no. Spent a lot of time in bars but haven't worked in one," she admitted.
Blue seemed to think about it for a moment. "Well," he said. "You're in luck that I've had that sign up for a week with no takers. The money in this town is out on the boats. Very few folks here want a land job. If you want the job, I can train you and it's yours," he said.
Lady smiled. "I'll take it," she said.
"What's your name sweetie," Blue asked.
Lady quickly realized she'd want to erase any connection to her past while she was here. "Francesca," she said. "But most folks just call me Frannie."
Blue stuck out a hand. "Welcome Frannie," he said. Lady gave him a firm shake. "We'll have you start tomorrow. Come by at 10 a.m.," Blue said, starting to turn away.
"Sounds good," Lady said. "Hey Blue, do you know anywhere in town that rents rooms or something?"
Blue turned back. Pointing off to his right, he motioned. "Last building on the end of the street with a blue door-Evelyn's place. She rents studio apartments. I think she might have one open right now since we're off season for the crab right now."
Lady smiled. "Thanks Blue. I'll see you tomorrow at 10 a.m.," she said, making her way to the exit. Blue watched her go, thinking that a pretty girl couldn't hurt business.
Lady made her way down the street to Evelyn's. The older woman showed her a furnished studio apartment that had a window view of the pier with a sliver of the ocean. They haggled briefly over a price and Lady paid her deposit. After receiving her keys, she sat in the cushioned chair by the window, exhausted. She realized she hadn't discussed with Blue what her pay would be. She groaned inwardly. She hoped it would be enough for her to live on. She absently rubbed her stomach, remembering why she was here to start with.
After resting for a bit she headed out and walked down the main street. Locating her quarry, she stopped by the local market. Stocking up on some food and supplies she headed back to her apartment, choosing to walk on the opposite side of the street. Scanning the businesses, she saw a sign on a door for Dr. Frank Baum. She made a note of the location, figuring she should stop in and make an appointment. Hopefully he'd be able to help her out. She knew doctors usually would oversee a woman's pregnancy and hopefully this doctor could help.
The next morning she reported to the bar at 10 a.m. Blue took her through the basics and was impressed at the speed with which "Frannie" was picking up what he was teaching her. He was also enjoying the looks she was getting from the daytime clientele. She could be good for business. For her part Lady was relieved to find that her pay would be enough for her to live on. Blue cut her early that day, saying that he had enough coverage.
Leaving the bar, Lady decided this was as good a time as any to stop and make an appointment with the doctor. Pushing open the door of his office, she was greeted by an older woman behind the desk. "Welcome, how can I help you?" she greeted with a warm smile.
"I wanted to make an appointment with the doctor," Lady said.
"Frank!" the woman yelled. Lady jumped slightly. An older man popped his head out of an office door down the short hall behind the desk.
"Yes dear," he said.
"We've got a new patient," the older woman said.
The older gentleman nodded and popped back in his office. He emerged a moment later, straightening his glasses. He smiled at Lady. "Dr. Frank Baum," he introduced himself, extending his hand.
"Francesca," Lady said, shaking his hand.
"Come on back and we can talk," he said, turning down the hall.
Lady felt a moment of panic. She thought she'd just make an appointment, not actually see a doctor today. She followed him down the hall anyway. He led her to a small exam room. He motioned for her to take a seat on the exam table and he grabbed a folder with some papers in it and sat on the stool in front of the small desk.
"Visually you look in good health, how can I help?" he asked.
Lady felt very nervous. Her palms started to sweat and her tongue felt thick.
As if he could sense her fear, Dr. Baum gave her a reassuring smile. "If I may say my dear, I've been in this town treating its residents for over 20 years now. I have seen it all and heard it all. You've heard of doctor patient confidentiality right?" he asked. Lady nodded. "Good. Whatever you tell me stays here. And that goes for my staff too. We may be a small town, but I can't help folks if they don't feel they can talk to me and trust me."
Lady took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant," she said.
Dr. Baum gave her a warm smile. "Well you're in luck, I've helped bring a few residents in this town into the world. Do you know how far along you are?" he asked.
"A little over two months, I think," Lady said, fidgeting slightly.
Dr. Baum patted her knee. "Scared shitless, am I right?" he asked.
Lady snorted. "You know with my past I've seen and fought things that people only see in their nightmares. But this, this is the scariest thing I've ever faced," she said, tearing pricking her eyes.
Dr. Baum gave her an understanding smile. "I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, but I want to know a little bit to help care for you. Was this an unexpected pregnancy?" he asked. Lady nodded. "I've noticed no wedding ring on your finger, are you on your own?" he asked. Lady nodded, feeling very uncomfortable. Dr. Baum continued to look at her with an understanding look, free of judgment. "You'll get through this my dear. You are not the first young lady to walk through my door with this set of circumstances and I doubt you will be the last. We'll see you through this. Let's do a quick exam and make sure you're in good shape," he said, handing her a gown to change into. He stepped out of the room. Lady quickly changed and twenty minutes later Dr. Baum had confirmed the tests Lady had taken were correct and everything was in order.
Dr. Baum made some notes in her folder. "Are you planning to raise your child or do you plan to put it up for adoption?" he asked.
"I'm planning to put it up for adoption," Lady said. "I'm just not sure how to go about doing that," she confessed.
Dr. Baum nodded. "It's not the kind of thing that gets talked about much. I've had a few patients work with Our Lady of the Glorious Sun orphanage in Fortuna," he said.
"Fortuna?" Lady asked, remembering Dante's utter destruction of the town last year during his efforts to destroy the Savior.
"Yes, terrible tragedy down there. The orphanage however is on the outskirts of the town. Missed the impact of those religious nuts blowing everything up. Lovely facility and the nuns there are great at placing children. Shirley and I adopted from them when we couldn't conceive so I'll admit to being biased," he said.
"It sounds like a lovely place. I'll stop by and talk to them," Lady said.
Lady left the clinic after scheduling her follow-up appointments and returned to her apartment. Sitting down she looked out the window and her mind drifted. Everything was different and she felt overwhelmed. It was going to be a long time before her life would return to normal. Her thoughts drifted back to Devil May Cry and the night that changed everything. Even now, she couldn't understand how she ended up here. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Lady fell into a routine. Life in the harbor town was simple. No demons troubled the town. Life in the town was predicated on the sea and the boats dictated the flow. When the seasons of fish ended the town would be full of sailors flush with cash and Blue's bar would be packed. The first bar fight that broke out, Lady earned Blue's respect, putting a quick end to the violence with only a pint glass sacrificed. Lady had been in the town for two months and found folks warming up to her. It was a warm June morning when she woke to her alarm. Standing and stretching, her hand fell to her stomach. Her normally flat stomach was rounding out. She wouldn't be able to hide her pregnancy under baggy shirts much longer. She knew she'd have to tell Blue that she was pregnant.
She showered and got dressed. Walking down the street to the bar, she pushed open the worn door and stepped inside. Blue stood behind the bar looking through some receipts. Lady glanced around and confirmed they were alone. "Hey Blue," she said.
He looked up and gave her a smile. "Hey Frannie,"he said.
Lady bit her bottom lip. "Can we talk for a sec?" she asked.
Blue looked up at her, his brow furrowing. "Yeah," he said cautiously. "You're not quitting on me are you?" he asked.
Lady shook her head. "No," she said. "I'm hoping you don't fire me though," she said.
"Fire you?" Blue said. "Why would I do that?" he asked.
Lady took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant," she said. "Figured I should let you know now because I won't be able to hide it much longer."
Blue crossed his arms. "You've been pregnant the whole time you've been workin for me?" he asked. Lady nodded. "Shit," he said. "You've been lifting those cases of alcohol. You ain't supposed to do that. And you've broken up how many fights now?"
Lady rolled her eyes. "I'm pregnant, not helpless," she said. "You don't need to treat me any differently."
"You seeing Dr. Frank?" he asked. She nodded. "I'd best be talking to him about what he's ok with me letting you do and what he isn't," Blue said, giving her a stern look. "What Dr. Frank says goes. I ain't firing you. You've been a good worker and I still need the help. So we'll agree that Dr. Frank sets the restrictions, right?"
Lady smiled. "Sure Blue," she said.
Blue was grumpy for a bit and gradually got used to Lady's state of being. One day in late July she came in to find a stool set up behind the bar. Blue said he was getting tired of being on his feet all the time but Lady found him motioning for her to take a seat several times when things calmed down in the bar. Part of her wanted to be mad but her sore back wouldn't let her.
Two week s later she was helping to close up with Josh, Blue's son. Blue was sitting at a corner table, throwing back shots of whiskey. Lady looked at Blue with concern. She'd never seen him drink in the months she'd spent here. "Josh, is he okay?" she asked, watching Blue pour another drink.
Josh looked back at his father with a sad look. "Mom would've been 61 today. He does this every year," he explained.
"I'm so sorry," Lady said.
Josh gave her a smile. "It's ok. She's been gone for five years now. Dad just misses her something fierce. I swear if I can find someone who gives me half of what they had, I'll be a lucky man," he said.
Lady smiled. "Sounds like she was a hell of a woman," she said.
"The best," Blue yelled out. "Frannie, c'mon over here and sit down. Dr. Frank'll have my hide if I let you stand much longer." Josh nodded and Lady came over to Blue's table. Settling down she tried to will the pain in her ankles to lessen.
"You haven't got much longer do you?" Blue asked her.
Lady snorted, "Almost 2 months," she said. "I'm not sure how women do this willingingly." Blue raised an eyebrow. "I mean like having another one," she said. She motioned to her stomach. "This wasn't the result of an unwilling night, just an unintended consequence."
Blue gave her a look. "You don't talk much about it," he pointed out.
Lady shook her head. "Not much to tell. Mistakes were made and that's that," she said.
"He know about that unintended consequence?" Blue asked, pointing to her stomach.
Lady fidgeted. "It doesn't matter Blue, trust me. I know Dan-," she stopped herself. Taking a breath, "I know him. This wouldn't be seen as a good thing."
"How long you known him for?" Blue asked.
"Over 20 years," Lady said.
Blue whistled. "That's a long time. You two been romantically involved all that time?" he asked.
Lady shook her head no. "Just the one mistake," she said.
"I may not know him, but I can speak as a man. I'd be willing to bet he was scared shitless. Think about it. The two of you have one dynamic for 20 years and then it changes. He's worried Frannie," Blue said.
"You don't know him Blue. Trust me, it's better this way," she said.
"I remember when Elsie told me she was carrying Josh over there. I'd never been so terrified in my life. Half of me wanted to cut and run, other half couldn't wait to be a father. I stuck it out and I'm damned glad I did. Couldn't much imagine not knowing my own kid," Blue said.
Lady felt a flash of anger. Blue reached over and patted her hand. "I'm not judging you," he said. "My advice would be to tell him, but you have to make your own choices."
Lady calmed down as Josh approached them. "Pops, let's get you upstairs to bed. I think we should let Frannie get on home. She needs her rest," he said. Lady gave Josh a smile.
"Yes, she does need her rest!" Blue exclaimed. "On home with you," he said. Josh extended a hand and helped Lady stand.
"Goodnight," Lady said, walking out. She got back to her apartment. Blue's words were rolling around in her head. Maybe she should tell Dante. Before she'd fully thought about it, she'd grabbed her phone and dialed the familiar number.
"Devil May Cry," Dante answered. Lady froze. "Hello?" he asked. She hung up quickly. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She couldn't bring herself to tell him. It's better this way she kept telling herself.