Malachi
Malachi still had a headache from Amelia's blow to the head. She had been pretty brave about it. But Mal had nearly passed out when they put in the stitches. Thankfully, a nice nurse had seen the problem and got him a stool to sit on before he hit the floor. The girls had both teased him about being a big baby, but he was sure anyone would have done the same thing in his position. After all, there was quite a bit of blood, and people all around moaning and groaning. The diagnosis had been ‘concussion with brief loss of consciousness’. A full recovery was expected.
Huey MacKenzie had been in the ER just helping out. He was not trained as a doctor, or even a nurse, but he did have some paramedic training. He was well known in that hospital as a very helpful physical therapist and nutritionist. He had gone straight over to the ER after the quake to see if there was anything he could do. There were not too many serious injuries, and it was quickly apparent that he really wasn't needed. He was about to leave when he saw Belle, and rightly suspected Amelia was the reason for the ER trip. He had stayed with them until Amelia was all stitched up and sent home with instructions to take it easy for a few days. And the usual 'come back for a follow up visit' instructions.
Mal had taken Belle and Amelia home. He had stayed late, hating to leave them alone, fearing an aftershock. Finally, Belle had said 'why not sleep on the futon in the den?". He had stayed the night, but felt odd about staying there.
Anyway, here it was a week later, and he was on his way to another meetings with Amelia. He had a feeling that any meeting with Amelia could be traumatic. He still had not figured out why she wanted to shop for Belle's Christmas present so early. Mal knew from experience that there was no use in buying a present before the last minute because he would wind up giving the present early, and having to shop again at the last minute.
He was surprised that the food court at the mall was already open. It turned out that the debris that had fallen on Amelia was really just a piece of styrofoam with a synthetic board pattern. Still, it had been heavy enough to cause a mild concussion and a pretty big gash. The mall had sustained little real damage.
Anyway, Mal was curious as to what Amelia had on her mind.
Mal entered the mall with just a little apprehension. He was nervous about both the possibility of another earthquake and learning whatever it was that Amelia had on her mind. He really didn't think the meeting was about Christmas shopping in September.
Amelia met Mal by the door.
"Hey, slowpoke, what took you so long?" she asked cheerfully.
"I am not late," Mal said seriously. "In fact, I'm about 10 minutes early."
"Yes, well, you are usually fifteen minutes early, so that makes you five minutes late."
"OK, look, let's cut the chatter, eat fast, shop, and get out of the mall. Truthfully, this place is making me pretty nervous," Mal said.
"Aren't you a little curious as to what I think you should get Belle for Christmas? Amelia said as they got in line at the 'Best Burger in the World'. Mal was really learning to go for those cheesy fries with bacon bits and real sour cream.
"No," Mal lied. "I guess you already know what you think I should get her, so I will just go get it, and leave it with you for safe keeping."
Amelia laughed. "Ok, I will take that as a 'yes' to what I have to say."
Sensing a trap of some sort, Mal said, "Umm, maybe we better talk about it first."
Sitting at the table Amelia played with her food, and Mal ate mostly without actually chewing anything. He just swallowed bites of his hamburger.
"Ok, Amelia," Mal said bravely, "What's on your mind."
"It's like this Mal. Belle and I have been through a lot since mom and dad died. We are in the process of setting what the grief counselor at church calls 'a new normal'. Truthfully, we will never get over the loss. We feel so alone sometimes is doesn't even seem real. And the house - oh my! It is so big and empty. I can't stand it."
"Well, do you want to sell the house now?" Mal asked?
"No, I want you to move in the house with us."
"That won't work and you know it. Belle wants a proper wedding and a proper marriage. Just like in the old story books."
"I know that silly," Amelia said. "I am saying why not get married now? Or in a few weeks? It would have to be soon because we want you in the house for the holidays - you know - Thanksgiving and Christmas - so you would have to get married in October so your anniversary won't conflict with the holidays."
"We?" Mal asked? "Have you talked about this with Belle?"
"Of course not. She would kill me. But she is so tired and so lonely. I know she would do it if you asked her."
"Amelia, I don't mean I wouldn't like to marry Belle right now, but wouldn't it be better to just stick to the plan and get married next summer?"
"Mal, you don't know what Belle has gone through. The storybook wedding is really not going to happen no matter when you get married because our mom and dad won't be there. Pastor CC will do the ceremony, but who will give away the bride? We don't have any uncles, and only one grandfather who lives in Europe and hasn't seen us in ten years." And wouldn't I look great limping down the aisle with a cane instead of a bouquet?"
"You would look just fine. You don't limp all the time, and you don't use a cane half the time." Mal said. "But I don't know who could give away the bride. Isn't there some old family friend or something?
"No, and from what Belle said about meeting your parents, there isn't going to be any love lost there. If your dad was different he could do it. But I don't know if they will even attend the wedding," Amelia said bluntly.
"But what about Belle? She may not even be slightly interested." Mal said thoughtfully.
"I think she will be if you ask her. She has been bawling already about how she is going to get through the holidays. And she told me the best night's sleep she has had since the accident was the night you slept at the house."
"Just tell me one thing Amelia," Mal said, "Will these little meetings with you always be so earthshaking?"
"Earthshaking?" Amelia said questioningly.
"Well, meeting number one there was an actual earthquake, and meeting number two you want me to get married. That is two pretty 'earthshaking' events.
"Don't be such a baby Mal. People don't call family meetings about nothing you know. Now, let's go break the news to Belle. And then if she says yes you tell your family and I will tell the pastor. It won't be that hard."
"Oh, my parents," Mal thought. "That may not go to well."
Angels of Darkness
Zisa almost lived in AJ's head. Almost. She could easily have moved in, but she sensed that AJ's capacity to maintain the appearance of a stable life was just not much. She would have to be careful or AJ would start talking to Zisa anywhere or anytime. If Cabiri were still in charge AJ's brain would already be on overload. As it was AJ's susceptibility to suggestion was extreme. She was quite arrogant to begin with, so the slightest suggestion of anything that appealed to her superior attitude was accepted immediately without question. It was going well.
On the other hand, Shelly was a potential problem. AJ and Frederick were always on one side and Shelly and Mal on the other side. Zisa was going to have to encourage some sort of mother-daughter relationship. Shelly had always wanted to be close to her daughter so if AJ would throw her a bone every now and then Shelly would respond.
Frederick was also a problem. Zisa was fairly certain he was on her side for eternity. He was so openly contemptuous of his wife that Zisa wasn't sure why she stayed with him. There must still be some affection. If Frederick could be just a little encouraging Shelly would likely stay on their team.
Angels of Light
Raphael had heard every word of Amelia’s suggestion to Mal that the wedding be moved forward. He wasn't surprised that Amelia wanted Belle and Mal to get married. He knew Amelia was right that Belle was carrying a big burden.
It was strange how the tragic death of a loved one often brought out the best in someone. Belle and Amelia had both hung on for each other. Each might have given up if the other had not been there. But Raphael was not sure moving up the marriage was the best thing to do. He had seen it happen many times. Couples married in haste and repented in leisure. He had seen it work well also. God alone knew the outcome.