Chapter 16
Leeman's Solution
The house was quiet when Aspen finally arrived back. She greeted her mother and ate supper before Stephan returned. After a quick bath, she finished up her homework and slipped under the cold sheets of her bed.
Dylan had said that her body would disappear if she traveled to Lanta with the dream catcher, but it would remain behind if she dreamed. It would be better if she was still in bed when her mother checked on her at night, but she was so eager to get back to her father's house that it took a while to fall asleep.
Stephan's voice boomed and Miriam's music throbbed loudly while she lay on the bed in the darkness. This would soon change, she promised herself. There was no way that Stephan could interfere once her mother was in Lanta. Or was there?
The weight of the dream catcher was comforting around her neck, and her eyelids drooped gradually. With a start, she woke to the warm light of Lemona on her cheeks.
Her father's house was just up ahead, and she ran as fast as the cumbersome leather shoes and skirt she wore would allow her.
Once she entered the house, she saw that her friends were already hard at work.
"Wow. Thank you so much, guys."
"Don't thank us, grab a bucket and cloth and get started," Sandy's sassy voice shouted from the kitchen. Dylan and Ginny were busy in the living room.
"There's a bucket and soap near the sink," Ginny said, and wiped a strand of blond hair from her forehead.
Dylan nodded his head at her and then bent to lift a couch in order to clean the floor underneath it. He wore a white sleeveless shirt and his muscles bulged as he picked up the piece of furniture. It took a few seconds for Aspen to realize that she was staring, and she forced herself to walk toward the kitchen.
"I put some clothes in the closet in your room," Ginny said. "You can work harder with the right gear."
"Cool, thank you so much. I won't be long," she murmured. She rushed into her old room and changed into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
While Sandy cleaned the countertops in the kitchen, she filled a bucket of water in the sink and soaped up a cloth. She wiped the table and chairs, and within minutes the warm water was filthy.
"I thought we didn't have electricity here." Aspen pointed to the electrical appliances in the kitchen.
"Actually we do, but only for big appliances. We have to get Fire Walkers to repair things if they break, so we only use power for fridges and things like that." Sandy grinned.
"I know what you mean. I've fried so many things in my life that I've been banned from touching them."
"You should be fine now," Sandy said. "The leather wristband absorbs most of the energy, but you have to concentrate, and don't grab the microwave when you're in a hurry. The lights are switched on by sound. Clap your hands when you need them."
"Whew, I'm glad about that. I wondered how we were going to cook food."
After she'd finished cleaning the last chair, Aspen stepped outside to throw the dirty water in the backyard. The house was positioned slightly higher on the incline, and it had an incredible view of the lake in the distance. When she looked to the left, her breath caught in her chest. The yard was beautiful.
The grass was trimmed short, and a striking tree covered in bright pink blossoms hung over a stone fireplace close to her. If she placed a few chairs around the fireplace, it would be an ideal spot for a barbeque. She saw an area next to the fireplace that had been paved with chalky stones. They had a rough, blackened surface, and small pieces of ash clung to the grass nearby. Ruby must have burned the yard trimmings there, and she wrinkled her nose in disgust. Trust her to notice that instead of the magnificent view. With a sigh, she turned around and walked back into the kitchen.
Once she'd filled the bucket with water again, she was about to wipe out the fridge when Leeman's voice called out from the living room.
"Hello, Dylan, Ginny. Is Aspen here?"
"She's in the kitchen, sir."
Aspen poked her head around the door. "Uncle Leeman. It's so nice to see you again."
Her uncle's long dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail behind his head, and he filled the doorway with his huge size.
"Princess, come here and give me a hug. I've missed you."
The cloth she was holding dropped to the floor as she wiped her hands on her shorts and ran to him. Leeman enveloped her in a bear hug.
"Did you know about my dad's house?" she asked after he'd released her.
Leeman gazed around the kitchen sadly and sighed. "Yes, he was so excited to finish it. He wanted to bring you here permanently. Demothi did everything in his power to help him."
There was a slight pause before he looked at her and pinched her chin affectionately. "Your father was so happy when you were born. He was very proud of his baby daughter, and he loved your mother very much."
The air became colder in the house as he spoke, and Dylan touched his arm as Lavendula fell. "Can you help Aspen, please? She's got a problem at home."
Heat flared in her cheeks and she looked down.
"What's wrong, Princess? Is it your mother?"
She stared at Leeman's huge boots and couldn't get the words out of her mouth. After a short silence, Dylan spoke for her.
"Her stepdad is a bastard. You should see how he treats Aspen and her mom. And he makes her sleep in a room no larger than a closet. Her mom can't say a word because they don't have money or anyplace else to go."
Leeman bent down so that he could look into her eyes. "Is that true, Princess?"
Tightness gripped her chest. The constant feeling of helplessness was difficult to bear on her own, and she looked at her uncle with big eyes and whispered, "Yes."
Leeman reached out and tugged her back into his arms. "Why didn't you say anything, Aspen? I didn't know you were unhappy."
The light had faded in the room, and the cool air of Lavendula made her shiver. She sobbed softly in his embrace.
"Shh, I'll fix it," he said softly. "Don't you worry."
With a sigh, he searched in his pocket and found a handkerchief for her to wipe her face.
"Come on now, we've got some cleaning to do. Where's the broom?" Leeman's smile didn't reach his eyes, but Aspen didn't want to spoil the time she had there by crying. The house needed to be fixed, and moping around wouldn't get the job done.
She stuffed the handkerchief into her shorts pocket and dragged a broom out of the closet.
"Here, catch. We need all the help we can get."
- - -
The next morning was Saturday and Aspen's body felt stiff, even though it had remained behind in bed. Holding the dream catcher, she waited for the yellow glow to heal her muscles and sighed as soon as the light faded. She was eager to hurry back to Lanta to work on the house later.
After eating the sandwiches her mother had made, she was just about to do laundry when someone knocked on the front door. Miriam was at cheerleading and Stephan was at work, so she wasn't sure who it could be. Uncle Leeman's voice was unmistakable and she heard him greet her mother from where she stood upstairs.
Rushing down the staircase, she saw her mother lead him into the living room. He winked at her as he walked behind Norma.
"Mom, who is it?" Aspen asked innocently.
"My name is Leeman Walker." He stopped to address her. "Your father was my brother. You must be Aspen, you have his eyes." He held out a hand and she shook it politely.
"This is your uncle, sweetie. He was in Iraq for a long time."
With a blank face, she followed him into the living room and hovered near her mother. Wearing khaki pants and big black boots, Leeman looked completely out of place in the small living room. He looked like a military soldier, tall and intimidating. Dylan shouldn't have said a thing. This was not going to end well.
"Please, have a seat." Norma motioned Leeman to a threadbare couch. The look on Leeman's face as he studied the room told her he didn't approve of the surroundings.
"
So, Norma, how long has it been since I've seen you last?" His huge body settled into the chair but he remained alert, like a watchdog. Aspen sat close to her mother.
"It's been way too long. Over a decade at least. Is this the first time you've come back to town since .?.?." Norma's voice trailed off.
"Yes, since Roman died. He asked me to look after the two of you if anything happened to him, but I must admit, I haven't had the willpower to face you after his death. I think of him whenever I see you, and it was just too painful to come back." His cheeks flushed as he spoke. "I know I've forgotten my promise, but someone reminded me and I've come to find out if you're okay. I want to know what I can do for the two of you."
Norma's back was ramrod straight and she hesitated before answering him. "Thank you, but we're fine."
Aspen frowned at her mother.
"I have a house nearby," Leeman continued. His tanned skin was smooth, and his face was handsome even with his crooked nose. "It's much too big for me. It's got plenty of rooms and I have a spare car that you can use. When I left the army, I invested in shares in a newly built power plant. I've made quite a bit because of it. I'm on the board of directors now, and have a say in the running of the company. I'd like to hire a housekeeper, Norma." His steel-blue eyes stared at her. "Tell me that you need a job and it's yours."
Norma's lip trembled. Aspen could see her hands as they shook nervously. Still, she didn't speak.
"Mom, this is what you've been waiting for," she burst out. This was not the time to keep quiet. Help was finally here, and she wasn't going to let it slip by.
Norma glanced at her daughter and tugged her short hair nervously. "You don't know what you're saying," she whispered.
"Mom, are you happy living like this?" Aspen waved her hand to point at the room. "Do you think that Dad would be happy if he knew how we're treated every day? You're just a slave, and I'm nothing more than a mental punching bag for Stephan."
A tear slid slowly down Norma's pale face, and her big eyes shimmered in the dark room. Aspen grabbed her hand. "Mom, you always said you would leave if you could. Well, guess what? Now you can." She stared into her mother's face.
Her mom cried openly and Aspen held back a sob. This wasn't the time to be weak-her mother needed her to be strong.
"Norma, what is it? What's happened since Roman died?" Leeman stood up and knelt before her, placing his huge hand over hers.
She remained silent, and her petite body trembled.
"Aspen, go pack your bags!" he ordered.
Without being told twice, she jumped up and Leeman took her place on the couch next to her mother. The cushion sagged beneath his bulky figure.
"Norma, I'm here now. Things are going to be okay. I've got more money than I'll ever need, enough to look after you and Aspen forever. You'll never be scared again."
"He won't let me go," Norma whispered.
"He'll have to," Leeman said tersely. A muscle in his jaw ticked as he spoke. "Pack your things, and I'll wait for you downstairs. My car is in the driveway. I won't let him hurt you anymore."
Norma trembled as she stood up, but listened to Leeman and headed for the stairs. Aspen climbed the staircase ahead of her.
"Bring all of Dad's stuff with you, especially the dream catcher. Don't leave any of it behind, Mom."
Norma nodded her head and felt for the dream catcher around her neck as she walked up the stairs to her room. Aspen was so glad that she'd continued to wear it.
Once she'd grabbed a laundry bag and shoved a few jeans and T-shirts into it, she placed her dad's photo on top and pulled the drawstring closed. The sound of Stephan's motorcycle roaring into the driveway made her freeze.
"Keep on packing!" Leeman shouted from downstairs. "I've got it covered."
With a beating heart, she reached for her shoes under the bed. What was going to happen now? She winced as Stephan's loud voice boomed in the living room. The two men shouted at each other, but she continued to pack.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Aspen nearly keeled over with fright. Miriam stood in the doorway with red cheeks and a scowl plastered on her face.
"We're leaving," she said without emotion. Her hands were shaking as she walked over to the chest of drawers and scooped up the Mickey Mouse clock.
"Says who?" Miriam said snidely.
"You can't stop us. My uncle has come to get us, so I'm not going to be your scapegoat anymore."
The sounds of the men arguing downstairs became louder, and a sudden bang made the two of them look at the door simultaneously.
"Dad!" Miriam cried out. She left her stepsister and charged down the staircase.
Aspen glanced around her room for the last time and then dragged the stuffed laundry bag and her school backpack behind her. After grabbing her toothbrush and towel from the bathroom, she made her way downstairs.
"What did you do to my dad?" Miriam cried in a shrill voice as she entered the living room. Stephan was unconscious on the floor, and his daughter sat next to him on her knees.
Leeman walked past the two, carrying Norma's bags out to the car. He grabbed Aspen's bags as well. "Go and help your mom in the kitchen." He nodded his head toward the other room and then walked outside.
A low groan left Stephan's mouth, and Miriam's face darkened as she rose to confront Aspen. "This is your fault. You're a useless, skinny piece of trash." She seized Aspen's arm and twisted it backward.
Pain exploded in Aspen's shoulder and she gasped. Without thinking, she pointed her free hand at Miriam and blasted her with a powerful blue current. Her stepsister sailed through the air and landed in a heap on the floor.
Norma chose that moment to enter the room. A perfect O formed on her lips, and her eyes widened.
"It's not what you think, Mom," Aspen tried to explain. Her eyes tingled, and she flinched as her mother moved away from her in fear.
Leeman marched inside and snatched a box of kitchenware from Norma's hands. A panicked look crossed her face and she cringed in fright. "Let's go," he said. "I'll tell you everything later."
Touching her arm gently, Aspen tried to reassure her. "It's still me, I haven't changed."
"W-what did you do to Stephan?" she stuttered, then looked to Aspen. "And to Miriam?"
"They've just had a mild shock. They'll wake up in a minute or two."
Stephan groaned again and Norma pressed her lips together, then nodded her head as if she'd come to a decision.
"They'll be fine, Mom," Aspen promised. "And so will we. You'll see."
"Okay, but you've got a lot of explaining to do, young lady," her mother said as she followed them to the car.