Page 51 of Aleko
Lia stopped laughing. What he was saying made sense, and that scared her.
“I don’t know…”
“Well, think about it,” said Pellos. “You don’t have to stay, but don’t leave because you think you’re going to be a problem for us because… I mean… I have a line item in my household budget for magical supplies and accouterment. If you want to talk to ghosts, feel free. It won’t bother us any. Just tell them to stay out of the kitchen.”
“I don’t want to talk to them,” said Lia. “It’s more like they want to talk to me.”
Pellos grunted. “That sounds hard.”
“If I can tell it’s going to happen, it’s not so bad. It’s when it’s a surprise that I can get… It’s very overwhelming.”
He nodded seriously. “Well, let us know if we can help.”
Lia stared at him. As far as she could tell, he was serious. Even if he wasn’t, it was the least judgmental conversation she’d ever had about her problem.
“Thanks, Pellos,” she said softly.
He shrugged and then looked over his shoulder as the timer dinged. “Here,” he said, handing Lia the bowl with the bread. “Why don’t you take that out to the table?”
Lia took the bowl and headed out to the garden. The string of lights glimmered over the table, and the sun was gone behind the hills, casting everything into purple shadows. It was a warm night, and Lia inhaled the scent of Laconian Thyme growing on the cliffside.
Could she be magic? It felt easier to believe here. At the very least if felt like a possibility.
Episode 28
The Garden
Alex
Alex entered the kitchen to find Pellos assembling the silverware into the basket. Lia’s tone had told him that he’d been an asshole for not immediately putting on the new watch, and now he felt like he’d insulted Pellos.
“Hey,” said Pellos, glancing up.
“Itisa better watch,” said Alex, holding up his wrist.
“Well, it does tell time and you can see all the numbers,” said Pellos, drily. “It’s also water-resistant and has a glow-in-the-dark dial.”
“It’s looked too fancy in the box.”
“You drive a Maserati,” said Pellos.
“Anyone in the pack can drive it,” protested Alex, and Pellos raised an eyebrow.
“So if it’s for the pack, it’s OK to drop a mint, but if it’s just for you, it’s too fancy?”
Alex struggled with that for a long moment. “Yes,” he said finally. Alex tried to find the next thing to say and couldn’t. Being able to admit his hang-ups to Pellos was a strange place to be in their relationship. “Sorry I didn’t put it on sooner,” he said after a moment. “I really like it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” said Pellos.
“Um… About Lia,” said Alex.
“What about Lia?” asked Pellos, pausing in his gathering of utensils.
“You haven’t said… I know this is… She’s not… Do you mind that she’s here?”
Pellos grinned and the chuckle that almost came to the surfacetold Alex that Pellos hadthoughts that he had been keeping to himself.
“No, I don’t mind,” Pellos said. “I think you’re right. I think she belongs here.”
