Coventina (17 page)

Don’t worry. Give them no reason to suspect you.

A tall woman with black hair came down the stairway. “Sorry to keep you waiting. With that red hair you must be Valeria.”

Baby they are almost here, and we are going to have to be them. Put her boy to sleep.

“Yes, that’s right,” Layla said.

“And the name of this delightful creature you have brought to me?”

Coventina. Remember that name for it was one of your mistakes in life.
Layla said.

With a wave of her hand Alex’s assistant landed on the thick throw rug rather softly.

“Oh my, Jonathan, are you okay?” Alex said.

They’re pulling in the driveway. Put her out and get them out of view.

Quintus, follow Layla and those bodies upstairs and please stay out of sight,” Denise said.

“Yes Inquilina.”

I’ll get the door. Baby it’s important you come down as Alex. NO BLOODSHED, please.

The Mustang is still a white BMW,
Layla said.

Doesn’t matter.

“Come in please,” Denise said, lowering her voice.

They entered and said nothing.

Denise.

Coventina.

We have entered a large house.
She wore a worried look, as if she had been imagining the entire conversation.

Don’t worry, just do as you are told no matter how it seems.

Time to come down there darling?
Layla asked.

“Ms. Salinas will be down directly. May I get you something to drink?”

Layla came walking down the staircase. “Sorry to keep you waiting. With that red hair you must be Valeria.”

Finally Denise saw a reaction from the suspicious looking couple.

“And the name of this delightful creature you have brought to me?” Layla said.

“Tell her your name,” Valeria said.

“Coventina,” she answered, defiantly looking Layla who appeared to be Alex in the eyes.

Layla winked. “You cannot imagine how happy we are to hear you say that,” she sighed.

I’m starving. Let’s get the hell out of here.
Denise said.

With a few waves of her hand the couple was unconscious and traveling through the air up the stairs to the bedroom where they landed with a thud.

“Quintus, please come down,” Denise said. She deactivated her medallion and returned to her own appearance.

Layla returned to her form when Quintus descended the stairs.

Denise walked up to Coventina and gave her a big hug, followed by Layla.

She could not believe her eyes or control her emotions.

“Let it out baby,” Layla said.

“Coventina, may I present Quintus, the reason for us being here at this moment in time. Quintus, as I am very certain you already know, Coventina.”

There were tears streaming from his eyes.

“Come on. Let’s go get something to eat,” Denise said.

“I know a good place in York,” Layla said.

Quintus practically had to carry Coventina to the car. Once inside they pulled out of the driveway and vanished while driving down the Univertsitate Etorbidea across from the Maman.

York

“You look like you could use a good meal,” Layla said.

“Were you being fed?” Denise asked.

“My hands are still shaking,” Coventina said. “Yes. Bread and horrible sandwiches mostly. I trust I fared better than some others have.”

“Is there something you REALLY have a taste for?” Layla smiled.

“Oh my yes, a lot of things. Pizza. All that time spent in Italy and not a single bit of Italian food or pizza.”

“You just said the magic word. We love pizza,” Denise laughed.

“Quintus, is that alright with you?” Coventina asked.

“Quintus, est ut neque vos?” Denise asked.

“He does not speak English, yet,” Layla said.

“That wasn’t quite Italian,” Coventina said.

“Etiam Inquilina, quidem.”

“He says yes. If you speak Italian he will understand most of it surprisingly.”

“Great, it’s settled than, but how long will it take us to get there?” Coventina said.

“For pizza? Not long at all,” Layla laughed. “Fasten your seat belts.”

“She’s serious. Seat belts please,” Denise grinned.

The Mustang climbed high above Bilbao and in no time was over the ocean. Layla punched up the preset coordinates for York and within an hour they were touching down on Foss Island Road. She took them out of stealth and pulled into the parking lot of Frankie and Benny’s New York Italian Restaurant.

“Great, they are still open,” Layla said.

“I am going to have a million questions for you Denise,” Coventina said.

“I’m sure you will, but for now, let’s enjoy a good meal.”

When they walked in the door, Lucilla, Marcus, Anna and Odumnus were there already, sitting at a table. Anna ran up to Coventina and showered her in kisses and hugs.

“You two are amazing,” Lucilla said.

“Thanks, but it was nothing, really,” Denise said.

“The hard part was getting Quintus to keep his Gladius in its scabbard,” Layla laughed.

“Ooh, Quintus,” Lucilla said. She called him over to where they were standing.

“Lucilla.”

“I have a gift for you from our friends upstairs.” She added another medallion around his neck and activated it. “You can arrange these any way you feel comfortable,” she said in English.

He looked at her and laughed. Not only did he understand what she said in English, he could understand everyone in the room speaking English, including his fellow legionnaires. “How is this possible?” he asked. When he did, the words he spoke were in English.

“Nice accent,” Layla smiled.

“I am sure it is very complicated. It allows you to not only understand another language being spoken, but speak it when activated.”

“Amazing,” he laughed.

“I’ve already ordered for us all,” Anna said. “You’re favorite pizza will be here shortly.”

“Anna, seeing you safe is the high point of this evening,” Coventina smiled.

“We owe so much to these people.”

“All of the men are dressed in a similar fashion, is there a reason?” Coventina asked, flashing a loving smile at Quintus when their eyes met.

“There is a lot to go over, but not here and not now. Let’s enjoy our freedom, our friends, and a pizza,” Anna giggled just as the waitress headed towards their tables carrying what would undoubtedly be one of the best tasting pizzas either of them had ever eaten.

Questions

Anna spent the night at Coventina’s home. Her smiling face was the first thing Coventina saw when she opened her eyes.

“Good morning.”

“You mean good afternoon,” Anna said.

“Really?”

“It is one in the afternoon.”

“My first real sleep in days.”

“I know the feeling. Are you hungry?”

“I’m not certain yet.”

“Good. You’re not starving,” Anna smiled.

“I know that smile all too well my dear.”

“First, a visit to the women who saved you. After, I’ve arranged for a double date for us.”

“Anna.”

“They are the real reason why we are not still God knows where, or even alive at this point.”

“I saw how you looked at Odumnus.”

“And you at Quintus.”

Anna went on to explain as much as she knew about the legionnaires and their friends upstairs.

“Are you serious?” Coventina asked.

“Absolutely. It’s quite beautiful up there, in space.”

“Well that I must see to believe.”

“I am sure it could be arranged.”

“So, had they not returned now, because Quintus believes I am the reincarnation of the very woman he was in love with, we would not be sitting here today, is that accurate?” Coventina said quietly.

“Yes. None of the others would even know we exist, or had existed.”

“Well then, I am dying to learn more. Where must we go to meet with Denise and Layla?”

“They are staying at the Monkbar Best Western Hotel.”

“I’m going to get ready.”

“Hungry?”

“Just some coffee,” Coventina said, before hopping in the shower.

“Please, be careful,” Esther said hugging her daughter before they left.

“I will mother.”

They hopped into Anna’s Mini Cooper her brother had dropped off and headed to York.

“I see no reason to stay, do you?” Layla said.

“I guess not. It’s all up to them now. I just cannot shake this feeling of dread, can’t quite put my finger on it.”

“It’s a natural reaction after what we’ve seen these past days.”

There was a knock at the door.

“Please let them in,” Denise said.

“Good rather late afternoon ladies, I trust you slept well.”

“Layla,” they chimed, Coventina bowing her head slightly. “Denise.”

“You look absolutely fabulous. Please, have a seat.”

“We both wanted to thank you again for all you’ve done,” Anna said.

“Seeing you as you are now is thank you enough,” Layla said.

“Anna has already explained a lot to me.”

“Good.”

“She cannot wait to go upstairs,” Anna laughed.

“It’s something else, that’s for sure.”

“I get the impression you’ve been up there long before Quintus came into your life.”

“Yes. We were asked to help some incredible beings almost a year ago. We got lucky, and were very fortunate indeed to have become their friends,” Denise smiled.

“It is always a pleasant memory,” Layla said.

“Your car is not a car at all is it?”

“It is far more than a car, a gift from our friends.”

They went on to give them a quick version of what they did with and for their friends on the Tyrine.

“It all sounds so utterly fantastic, almost too much to believe, and yet, here we are,” Coventina said.

“We are going to get a lift from Quintus’ friends shortly,” Layla said.

“You’re leaving?” Anna asked.

“Yes. I’m sure my plants need watering, and Layla needs to plow the south 40,” Denise laughed.

“I miss my bib overalls,” Layla grinned.

“We live out in the country, in Southern Illinois. You really must come spend some time there with us,” Denise said.

“Sounds delightful,” Coventina said.

“So, where are you going to meet your dates?” Layla asked.

“Here, in Lucilla’s room.”

“I don’t blame her for wanting to stay here. We will return ourselves one day, it’s all so green and beautiful,” Denise smiled.

“Does Lucilla know how to reach you?”

“Oh yes. They all do, as you will find out soon enough,” Layla said.

“Do me a favor,” Denise said.

“Anything,” Coventina smiled.

“Give this to Lucilla,” she said, handing her a large envelope that was full.

“I will.”

“And these are for Quintus and Odumnus, and each of you,” Layla said, handing Anna four more envelopes filled with one hundred dollar bills.

“I don’t know what we did to deserve the two of you,” Anna said.

“We’d better be going.” Layla said.

“Yes, we don’t want to miss our ride across the Big Pond. You can stay in this room if you like until your dates are ready.”

“Until next time then,” Coventina said.

“Until next time,” Denise smiled.

“Quiet night,” Layla said.

They walked out the door with their bags and quietly closed it behind them.

“It’s just a short ride to our pickup spot,” Layla grinned.

“Make it so, baby.”

“Anna.”

“Yes?”

“Have you ventured out on your own yet, you know, since we were taken?”

“Yes. I think I know what you are feeling, and you must get over it. You will get over it. Took me about twelve hours before I hopped on a plane and flew back to Rome to offer any help I could in finding you.”

Coventina walked over to the window and gazed out at the sun slipping in the west. “I’ve always been attracted to it, ever since I was a child. Sunsets are easy since one is usually awake for them, but I always found it easy to be awake for the sunrise. The beginning and end of a new day.”

“I’m always asleep for the sunrise, that is unless I am just getting in from the night before,” Anna laughed.

“They must be beautiful.”

“What?”

“The stars.”

“I have a feeling you’ll see soon enough.”

The phone rang. It was Lucilla informing them that their dates had arrived.

“We’ve something for you from Denise. What shall I do with it?" Anna said.

“You can drop it off on your way out if you don’t mind.”

“I will.”

“Oh, and Anna.”

“Yes.”

“Have a great time.”

“I have a feeling we will.”

Home

Layla awoke to the sound of Denise singing along to Lene Lovich’s ‘Home’ playing on the kitchen boom box. “Mmm, coffee.”

“Home is where the heart is, Home is so remote, Home is just emotion, Sticking in my throat, Let’s go to your place, Let’s go to your place,” Denise sang.

“Is that what I hope it is?”

“Yah, yah, ees breakfast.”

“Not just any breakfast.”

“What breakfast is, really?”

“It is, ham and eggs ala Lithuania.”

“That it is.”

“Refill?” Layla asked, pouring her first cup of coffee of the day.

“Please.”

“We should probably go for some groceries,” Layla said as she washed the dishes.

“Yeah, we probably should,” Denise said, before walking to the living room.

Dishes finished, Layla joined her with a second cup of coffee.

“It’s an amazing likeness,” Layla said, looking at the sculpture of Coventina.

“Yeah.”

“I’d like to go rock climbing today.”

“Really?”

“Yes, nude.”

“Okay.”

“Okay indeed. Lay it on me. Something is bothering you.”

“What? Oh, yeah, I’m concerned.”

“Concerned about?”

“I can’t help wondering if we left too many loose ends in our short trek across the Mediterranean.”

“I did too briefly, but it makes no sense to worry about it now. Besides, no one is there.”