15
"The stuff in this place must have been here since the end of the big one." Bradshaw exhaled as he set one of the porcelain statues into a box he had pulled from under a large table.
"Nazi's must have cleared out pretty fast to just leave it all behind." Carson pointed out.
"Saez and the others finally got that door down…some kind of mess hall, they said." Bradshaw jerked his chin in the direction the rest of the team had gone. "Said there was still food on the plates," he chuckled a bit. "Well whatever the rats and bugs didn't get."
Carson grimaced. "Didn't think stuff could last that long."
"Yeah, well they must have been in a real hurry." Bradshaw agreed.
"Joes must have been on their way in…" Carson trailed off, thought a moment then continued. "So why'd they leave all of this." He motioned toward the items in the large room.
Bradshaw shrugged once then pressed the top on to the crate and stood. He brushed the dust off his hands. "Guess we'll never know."
"Holy shit!" came from the area where the rest of the team had gathered.
Bradshaw and Carson hurried toward the sound. The circular room they had found was empty but the team had managed to open the six doors that bordered it. The first was the generator room where Carson had coaxed the lights on allowing them to extinguish their torches. The relic room was the next. The third door revealed a stair case that ended at a pile of brick and rotted wood. Number four was the deserted mess hall. Five revealed what must have once been barracks. As the two men ran across the round hall they realized the final door had been opened.
"Sir?" Bradshaw started as he stepped into the freezing room.
May squatted on the floor examining what looked to be an outdated uniform laid out as if it still had an occupant. A machine gun lay a few inches from the end of one sleeve. Coulson stood at what might have been an opening in the rock, now filled in with tons of rubble. The butt of a rocket launcher protruded from the debris. Another uniform lay against it, sleeve wrapped over the trigger. A helmet lay upside down next to it. Two additional uniforms and helmets lay in crumpled piles atop two identical pair of boots against the far wall.
Carson moved closer to his companion. "Looks like they left a lot more than their lunch." He whispered.
May stood and moved the uniform she'd been examining with the toe of her boot. She looked to Coulson. "What happened here?" She asked no one in particular.
"No one had this kind of technology in 1942." Coulson shook his head.
"No one we know of," May huffed.
Coulson examined the piece of ancient military contraption turning it slowly in his hand. "I guess we'll find out." He said to it.
May snatched the item from his hand and slammed it into Bradshaw's midsection causing the young man to let out an 'oomph' before wrapping his hands around it. She grabbed Coulson by the lapel of his jacket and yanked him into the circular inner room away from the rest of the team.
"This is supposed to be in and out." She growled, pulling him close. "We're stuck in this damn dungeon and you're about to start what…a history lesson?" With a hard shake she pushed him away and back.
Coulson wobbled a bit but kept his balance, straightening his jacket as he faced her. "May, we can't just ignore this…and that clock is..."
"I don't care about that damn clock or if these morons disintegrated themselves with it. Get that damn sat phone and get us the hell out of here." Her voice was deep and feral.
Coulson smile in spite of it. "We don't have what we were sent her to get. Stark stashed something in that castle up there." He pointed upward with a slight smirk. "And we still haven't gotten that far. Come on, May." The man tilted his head to one side. She narrowed her eyes at him. "We've never been on a mission that wasn't a success."
"I've got a mission of my own." May exhaled as she turned and stormed away.
xx
William rose from the couch, gently lowering Skye to the large pillow he had taken from the opposite corner. He pulled the throw from one of the matching chairs and covered her. Before moving to the kitchen he laid the back of his hand against her forehead and frowned at the slight warmth he felt. He hoped Mrs. Gibbons would return to her home before the little girl awoke.
The older man stood close to the stove hoping to snatch the tea kettle from the stove before the boiling whistle waked his granddaughter. He uselessly wished the phone would do the honor, bringing his daughter's voice to the little girl's ear. It was a wish he'd made so many times when Melinda was young, made just as uselessly. Still he hoped more than wished the phone would ring. He would enjoy the smile on the little one's face. He smiled just thinking of it as he poured the boiling water over the tea leaves into the china tea pot. William sat at the table, reciting a small prayer for his daughter's safety in his head. By the time he picked up his head the tea had steeped.
William blew a short breath over the steaming cup before taking a small sip. He stood and glanced into the living room checking on Skye who still slept soundly. He hoped it was that the little girl was more worn out by their trip to the observatory than the fact her fever may be returning. She seemed peaceful, no fretting or whimpering that may indicate her illness returning. The light tap at the door brought a smile to his face.
Celia Gibbons had medical training. Had Melinda said the woman was a nurse? He was sure she did. William was sure she would put her lips to the child's forehead and tell him he was just a worrisome grandfather. He chuckled at his own worry as he set his tea cup onto the saucer and pushed himself away from the table. Before going to the door he placed another cup and saucer there, then smiled and headed down the short hallway. The second rap on the door was not as light.
"I am sorry, to take so long." William apologized as he pulled open the door. "I wanted to…" His voice trailed away as realized the person at the door was a stranger. He paused for a moment. "I apologize." William bowed his head a touch. "I expected a friend."
"I understand," the well but simply dressed woman nodded. "I too expected to see someone else." She did not smile but did not appear unfriendly. "I am looking for Melinda May. Perhaps I have the wrong apartment number." She explained, searching through the papers the satchel slung over her shoulder.
"No," William smiled. "There is no mistake. I am William May. Melinda is my daughter. I am afraid she is not available at this time. Perhaps I can be of some assistance."
For a moment the woman merely stared, as if in deep thought or confusion. She let out a slightly frustrated sigh and pulled a small card from her large satchel. She held it out to him. "Have you any idea when she will be available?" She asked without letting go of the card he now held as well.
"My daughter is away at this time. She hopes to return within the week." William smiled, still wondering what business this woman might have with Melinda.
"Hmmm," the woman replied, sounding like a teacher disapproving a student's remark. She released the card and cleared her throat. "My name is Veronica Roffman. As you can see," she tapped the card indicating William should look at it. "I represent the District's CFSA. I am here for an unannounced visit regarding…" She pulled a clipboard from her bag and flipped a black leather wallet open for him to view her badge and ID. The woman flipped up the top page of her board and ran a finger down a list. "Mary Sue Poots…Miss May was told there would be such visits. I understood she was filing as a single parent. Nowhere in my notes does it show another adult in the household."
William stared at the card in his hand for a moment then stepped to the side. "Please come in, Miss Roffman." He smiled broadly. "Melinda is not at home, but there is no reason you cannot see the home she has provided for her daughter."
"Hmmm," the woman repeated in the same tone. "Her foster daughter," she corrected. "Permanent placement has not yet been approved."
"I see." William nodded as he closed the door and put out an arm directing the woman to the kitchen. As he turned to enter the room he noticed the blanket draped from the couch to the floor and no little girl asleep where she had been. "Can I offer you a cup of tea?" He smiled at the stern woman.
Veronica lifted her satchel to one of the kitchen chairs and pulled out a thick file. She laid it and her clipboard on the table and slid her heavy coat off her shoulders. "May I?" she nodded toward the chair.
"Yes, please, of course." William smiled as he reached for the tea pot.
The woman held up a hand. "No thank you, sir. As an agent of the court I am not allowed to take more than a glass of water as it can be misconstrued as bribery."
William gave a small nod and replaced the pot. He stepped back closer to the hallway door, listening closely for Skye. Perhaps she had a need to use the lavatory. He watched as the woman flipped opened her file and shuffled a few papers. She pulled an official looking checklist from the stack and pushed it onto her clipboard then took a pen from her back and clicked it with her thumb. "Shall we get started?" She asked in a manner that would only accept a positive answer.
"Yes," William answered perhaps too quickly. He drew a breath to calm himself.
"Very well," Miss Roffman, "I would like to speak to the child."
"I believe she is napping," he exhaled. "We shared an eventful morning viewing the stars." He grinned.
"Hmmm," the woman hummed again and made a check on her form. "I believe this child is eight years of age. It seems strange she would need a nap." She tapped the pen on the clip board.
"My granddaughter was recently ill. I would not want her to once again become feverish. A short nap is helpful in keeping her healthy." William explained, straining to hear Skye in the bedroom a short way down the hall.
"Miss May left town when the child was ill?" She made another note on her form.
"No," William shook his head. "Skye was quite well when Melinda's work demanded her attention. She would not have gone if the child was not well."
"Skye?" Veronica Roffman looked up over her brows.
"It is the name given to her." William nodded.
The woman glanced at her forms then flipped a few pages in the file opened on the table. "My records show the child's given name is Mary Sue Poots." She tapped a finger on the form.
"Yes," William agreed. "But she so loves the name Skye. It holds much meaning for her."
"That may well be, Mr. May but it is not her legal name as far as CFSA is concerned." She gave a curt nod and once again clicked her pen. "Perhaps you would wake the child or would you prefer I see to it on my own. Just direct me to her sleeping area."
William felt the unfamiliar twist of anger as he forced another smile. "That will not be necessary, Miss Roffman. I will wake my granddaughter." He turned to walk down the hall.
"Mr. May," she called after him. "It would be better if you did not refer to Mary Sue as your granddaughter. It will make things all the worse should we feel it necessary to remove her from this placement." She spoke without looking up from the clipboard where she was making yet another note.
William turned and drew a short breath. "I do not fell Skye will be leaving this home, madam, and it warms my heart as well as the child's that I have accepted her totally as my granddaughter."
Miss Roffman shook her head but did not answer.
xx
Skye woke at the sound of her grandfather's voice. She smiled thinking Mrs. Gibbons had come home and wanted to share her starry experience. She rubbed her eyes and slid off the couch. She ran to the end of the hallway just in time to hear the voice chant those haunting letters…CFSA. The big kids at St. Agnes said they meant Crummy F-ers to Sweep you Away. Skye wouldn't even think the very bad word they used for 'F'. She promised May she would never EVER say it again, especially after the walloping she got for shouting it when she was really mad that she couldn't go to the park on her own.
The little girl felt her heart pound against her chest and felt her breath become rapid. For a moment it felt as if her feet froze to the floor and her knees locked in place. Her little hands rolled into tight fists. She turned and headed for the only place she could hide and pray…really, really pray that May would come home right now.
Ten seconds later Skye was squeezed as close to the wall under her bed as she could pull herself. She cried silently…like she had to all those nights in the dark of St. Agnes'.
xx
William pushed the half-opened door to Skye's room open and stepped inside. Nothing was out of place and there was no little girl on the bed. She padded across the room and tapped lightly on the bathroom door. He leaned closed to it and called her name softly then turned the knob when there was no answer. Finding the room empty, he turned and exited. The closet was empty as well. He turned to leave the room and search his own when a very soft sound caught his ear.
Smiling a small smile, William sat on the edge of the little girl's bed. "I once knew a very small girl with a very large fear of the dark." He began. "She would not remain in her bed but sneak to the hall and sleep in the light that shone there. Yet each morning she woke in her very own bed, safe and sound, despite the dark that surrounded her. For even in that darkness she knew the ones that loved her would protect her."
He felt the soft bumping beneath the bed and reached down to pull his granddaughter to his lap as soon as her shoulders appeared. He held her close and allowed her to quiet her tears. Rocking slowly and holding a hand to the back of her head he continued. "The faith of those who love you surrounds you always, sunnu, so does the strength of your mother regardless of how far she is from you. Draw on that strength, little one. I will keep you safe. This I promise."
Skye sniffled and hugged her grandfather tightly. "What if she takes me away?" She mumbled into his shoulder.
"I will not let that happen." William whispered into her ear.
"Case ladies don hafta listen to nobody, Yéyé. They just take kids away frever." The little girl sniffled.
William kissed the top of her head. "Today that is not a worry. This woman, Miss Roffman is here but to see where you live and how happy you are in your home." He gently pushed the child back and brushed away her tears with his thumb. "We must do well to show her that. Yes?"
Skye sniffled a great sniff and scrubbed her arm across her nose. "Shi," she nodded with a weak smile.
"Very good," William commended her use of Mandarin as well as her willingness to try. "Let us clean up a bit then show this woman your grand home."
xx
Veronica Roffman wasted no time waiting for William to return. She made her way through the kitchen, opening cupboard doors and checking the types and amounts of food stuff stored there. She inspected the cleanliness of the stove, sink and refrigerator. Noting the fresh milk, fruits and vegetables she grinned at the boxes she checked. The woman found no evidence of tobacco or medications that were not child proofed. The kitchen waste basket was empty but for a fresh, clean collection bag. She made her way into the laundry room and found freshly washed and folded clothing. The shelves and cupboards were well out of a child's reach. The door that led to the garbage shoots and additional fire escape was securely locked. She was highly impressed with the door guard that would not allow the portal to accidentally close and lock a person out of the apartment. She made several more checks on her clip board and a few more notes.
From what she could observe the living room was neat and orderly. She was impressed by the size of the Christmas tree in the corner and stepped toward it a moment before William and Skye entered from the hall off the kitchen.
Veronica put on a wide 'hi there honey' smile. "Hello, Mary Sue. I'm Mrs. Roffman. I am your case worker and I've come to see how you are faring in this new placement." She hugged the clipboard to her chest as if shielding herself from the child.
"I'm Skye now." Skye spoke to the floor. "I'm May's Skye now."
"Well that is a lovely knick name, honey, but we'll use your real name. Won't we?" The woman insisted.
Skye squeezed William's hand and backed against him. She shook her head. "May said I cud be Skye."
"That isn't really up to Miss May, Mary Sue." Veronica clucked.
William held Skye's hand and patted her shoulder with his other hand. "It is alright, sunnu. Your name does not make you who you are." He squeezed her shoulder gently. "You know who you are." He spoke softly, just above a whisper.
"Perhaps, Mary Sue can show me her room." Veronica fake smiled.
"It is this way." William held out a hand and turned to walk the woman down the hall.
"We won't be needing your assistance, Mr. May." The woman announced as she stepped forward and held out a hand to the little girl. "Mary Sue will be fine. She and I have to spend some time together without interference." He hand hung in the air in front of Skye who refused to take it.
"Yéyé?" She looked up and back at him.
The man moved to the nearest kitchen chair to be at the girl's eye level. He rubbed his hands up and down her arms as she shook her head. "It will be fine, sunnu. I will be right here. Mrs. Roffman," he nodded toward the woman who had finally dropped her outstretched hand, "just wants you to show her your fine new bedroom. She may want to ask a few questions, but," he put a hand to her cheek, cupping one side of the little girl's head. "I will be right here. If you become too anxious you can call my name and I will come."
Skye shook her head and grabbed his hands in her own. William moved forward and whispered in her ear. "Your mother's strength will surround you, sunnu. You have no need to fear."
The little girl took several breaths and whispered back. "Promise?"
"Wǒ chéngnuò. Chuānguò wǒ de xīn.¹" William assured her.
Skye really didn't understand the words, but when Yeye made an X over his heart she was sure it was something good. She backed up a few steps then turned toward the case worker who again extended a hand. The little girl looked over her shoulder at William who smiled a nod. She turned back and drew a shaky breath, and slowly took Veronica's hand.
xx
The case worker examined Skye's room while the little girl watched. Most of the questions were just 'yes or no' so she made due by shaking her head or giving a nod. Yes, this was her room. No, she didn't share it with anyone. Yes, she had her own bathroom. Yes, May helped her to bathe and sometimes to dress. Yes, they were new clothes and all the books were new as well. No, she did not have to stay in her room all the time. Yes, there was a nightlight because she didn't like the dark.
"You don't say very much." The case worker remarked as she lowered herself to the child's bed. "The notes I have call you what amounts to be a chatterbox. The Sisters of St. Agnes say you had more than enough to say, despite their warnings."
Skye shrugged her shoulders.
"You know, Mary Sue, we case workers get a very bad reputation. I am only here to help you." Veronica tried to convince the child.
Skye kept more than an arm's length away. She ran a finger along the edge of the nightstand and took a step back when the woman moved toward her. "Case ladies just take kids away, they don't never let them stay."
"That's not true." The woman smiled. "I want you to have the best possible home where you are safe and loved."
"May loves me and I's safe here all the time." Skye retorted quickly.
"Okay," Veronica agreed, pulling her clipboard back to her lap and clicking her pen. "How about you sit right here," she patted the mattress next to her, "and tell me all about May."
Skye stared at the spot for a moment then shook her head. "I kin sit here and still tell ya." She backed across the room to a small beanbag cushion and slowly lowered herself to its edge. Here she was closer to the door and would be able to spring up and out before the woman could reach her.
Veronica watched the child and took a frustrated breath. "Suit yourself," she remarked under her breath. She flipped through a few forms then grinned at the child across the room. She cleared her throat and began.
xx
An hour later the case worker had been shown the entire apartment and asked more questions than William had been asked in more than a year. She insisted on climbing the spiral black metal staircase to the second floor. Skye sat on the floor and refused to move. May made her promise. That was off limits and promises were important. The woman went anyway but the door at the top was locked and William did not have a key. Veronica made a lot of notes and looked pretty mad.
She wasn't happy that May's room was so far from Mary Sue's but Skye showed her the monitor that ran both ways between their rooms. They could hear each other if was necessary. She checked William's room too, even though he insisted his stay was temporary.
The woman asked a lot of questions about school and what kind of illness the little girl had suffered recently. The small group made their way back to the kitchen. William and Skye watched her stack her forms, unclip her clipboard and click her pen back into her satchel.
"So when can I expect to speak with Miss May?" Roffman asked as she took her coat from the back of the chair.
"That I cannot say." William responded. "Her work is very confidential, by its nature she is not allowed to share details." It was a practiced response. He knew it well.
Veronica stopped for a moment. "I am then to understand that you cannot tell me where she is?"
William paused unsure how to phrase the answer.
"You have no way to contact her in case of emergency?" She asked before he could.
"If it were to become urgent I am sure there would be some way to locate her, however…"
Roffman held up a hand. "You do not know where she is or when she will return and she has left this child, who until she is officially adopted is still a ward of the District with an elderly caregiver and the agency was not notified. This makes a great difference, Mr. May and one I will have to take to my superiors." She slid her arms into her coat and flung the strap of her bag over her shoulder. "Perhaps this is not the best placement for this child."
"Melinda is doing her job, a job which at times takes her away but she provides for Skye and assures she is well taken care of by those who love her." William argued.
The woman was marching toward the door. "How am I to condone a child living with a woman who may disappear at any time for who knows how long? I will be back, Mr. May. I can guarantee that." She pulled the door open, stepped out and pulled it closed behind her.
Skye dashed into William's arms. "Please don't let 'er take me, Yéyé, please safe me."
¹ I promise. Cross my heart.