Chapter 237: Debbie VII

A/N: Thanks to Jad!

 

Chapter 237: Debbie VII—Magic Tricks

             

            Debbie had not been pleased with the mummy movies when Joe had brought them home for the family to watch. There were muttering zombies, bloody gun battles and much worse and Mitchell never failed to squeal and cover his eyes on those parts. She had been worried that the boy would have too many nightmares. Fortunately that hadn’t been the case.

            Now Mitchell was hooked on the learning channels and whatever programs showed pyramids and deserts. He seemed to be able to memorize the names of Egyptian Pharaohs and he even had Cecile wrap him in an entire roll of toilet paper to mimic Mummy bandages. At first Debbie had been quite peeved with that waste but Joe made a good point to her, if the boy was learning, then that was a good thing!

            Now the Denver Museum of Natural History was housing a temporary exhibit which included all the golden, glittering, bejeweled trappings of exploited tombs and the crowning attraction was the mummy of an Egyptian Pharaoh.

            “Mommy do you think the Mummy will come alive?” Mitchell asked as he wriggled in his seat belt.

            “Oo I don’t know hon,” Debbie said. “You never know.” She smiled.

            It was a full carload today that Debbie was carrying. Jonathan and his sweetheart and Freddy were sitting in the far back of the Suburban, by far the most popular spot in a car for kids that age. Cecile was in the second row with the twins who were both being fussy and loud. Jana and Mitchell were right behind her. Debbie had made reservations for the trip a week ago and as they drove into the overcrowded parking lot, she was extremely glad that she had.

            It took a half hour to get into their designated group and it was almost like being in high school again as they were barked at and roped in by tour guides. Debbie held on tightly to Mitchell’s hand as they were pressed into the tour group and she wasn’t calm until she saw that Cecile had the twins, and Jana was hanging onto Jonathan. She noticed a few mothers that were trying to heard groups of children and by themselves. She couldn’t begin to comprehend having to do that alone. Feeling a chill, she looked away from those women and she gave Cecile an appreciative smile.

            To avoid the congestion, Mimi suggested that they let the group go ahead of them for a few minutes.

            “When can we see the mummy?” Mitchell kept asking. He was gripping her hand tightly and he would shake it up and down to get his point across.

            “If it’s unwrapped then it’ll be all black and shriveled like a raisin,” the girl, Elena said. “And it’s teeth will be all white and big like a horse!”

            “Ewww!” Jana squealed. “Like in the movies?”

            “Yeah!” Mitchell piped. “Just like in the movies. I seen it on tv Jana, they unwrap them and they look like they been cooked they’re all black!”

            “Can you eat them?” Jana asked. “Like beef jerky?”

            That got a round of groans from everyone. Debbie gave Mimi an incredulous look and she saw her blush as she chided her daughter. Debbie gave Mitchell’s sweaty little hand a squeeze. She couldn’t imagine her son contemplating cannibalism.

            Debbie thought her heart would stop when they entered the exhibit room. Golden idols, and tablets and jewelry sparkled in every corner of the room.

            “Mon Dieu,” Mimi exclaimed. “My blood is rushing!”

            Debbie laughed.

            “Cecile,” Freddy said, “You could wear this, it would match your eyes.”

            Cecile laughed and went over to the boy, a twin at each side. Debbie raised her eyebrows and looked at Mimi. “He likes her?” Debbie said.

            Mimi narrowed her eyes, “I cannot tell, the boy is learning to flirt and has been doing it far too much lately.”

            Debbie grinned. “Well they learn by example right?”

            Mimi’s eyes sparkled with emotion and she blushed. “I suppose,” she said.

            Debbie laughed and pressed her hand into Mimi’s upper arm and squeezed it. “I need to talk to you.”

            The red bled away from Mimi’s cheeks and she blinked. “Oh?” she said.

            Debbie took another look at the children to notice that they were, for the most part clustered into a group around Cecile. She felt safe enough to lead Mimi away from them to an empty corner of the room. She glanced back at them to see the girl, Elena, running her fingers through Jonathan’s tousled hair.

            “Those two are really attached?” Debbie asked, watching them.

            “Mmm,” Mimi said. “At this young of an age? It should be impossible, yes? My instinct tells me to put a stop to it, at least delay it some, but psssh I do not think I have the heart to do that. As long as the boy is happy, then is good I suppose.”

            Debbie half-grinned. “I don’t know if I could let Mitchell get attached to a girl like that at thirteen, I’d like to keep him a bit longer than that.”

            Mimi shrugged. “We will see. Now what was on your mind, eh?”

            Debbie tore her gaze from the children and she looked at Mimi. “It’s Joe,” she said. “I wanted to talk to you about the way he’s been acting lately.”

            Mimi frowned. “Has he been odd?”

            Debbie nodded. “Yeah,” she said. “It’s almost embarrassing to explain but, you remember what I said about our, er, our sex life?”

            Mimi grinned. “Foot of the bed, yes?”

            Debbie felt her cheeks warm. And she then thought briefly of Joe, his hard body pinning her to the wall, his hands rough yet delicate. She felt the hair on her arms prickle. “Yeah,” she said, she almost sighed. “Well, Joe’s just thrown that to the wind, aye? I mean, he, ever since he came back from that last road trip he’s been like a changed man.”

            Mimi’s grin showed pearly teeth. “Yes?”

            “He won’t give me a moment’s peace Mimi!” Debbie gasped. “Not one! He jumps me anytime he can get me alone, and even at night, he wakes me up and he’s pawing me and kissing me and doing everything that he’s never done before. I can’t even look at him now without him well, looking at me like I were a dinner item.”

            “And your problem is?” Mimi asked. “I thought your torment was that he didn’t do any of that?”

            Debbie closed her eyes and felt the prickle of his chin against her breasts, and the nip of his teeth, “Maybe it’s not a problem,” she sighed.

            “Admit it,” Mimi whispered, Debbie could hear the giggle in her voice. “You really just wanted to rub my face in it.”

            Debbie’s eyes widened. “What!” She gasped. “Mimi no!”

            Mimi winked at her. “Ooo is perfectly fine. And yes I am envious, you have the most beautiful, most faithful, most gallant man on the planet all to yourself and now he’s also an exciting lover. I will admit jealousy my love. I am green with it.”

            Debbie laughed. “Yeah, and you can’t have him, there’s one for Mrs. Sakic!”

            Mimi narrowed her eyes but she was still smiling. “Oo” she mouthed out.

            Debbie sighed and looked over for the children. None of them were where she had seen them last. She did see Cecile at one end of the room with a twin on her back and another one in hand. But where were the others?

            “Jonathan!” Mimi called out loudly.

            “Yeah mom?” Jonathan replied. Debbie looked in the boy’s direction to see him with flashing eyes and a frown. For a moment he looked the picture of his father’s glowering anger. Elena and Freddy were both stifling obvious giggles.

            “Go get Jana and Mitchell,” Mimi said in a stern voice, “They went out the large doorway where we entered.”

            “Sure,” Jonathan said and the other two followed him out.

            “She thinks she is being sneaky,” Mimi said, “Trying to lead your boy astray.”

            Debbie grinned. “Hey and I won’t be tolerating that for much longer!”

            “So,” Mimi said, “As we were talking about. Joe has suddenly come back to you, a changed man, a passionate, reckless, brash, forceful…”

            “Mimi stop!” Debbie laughed. “You’re making me twitterpated at the thought!”

            Mimi giggled. “My only thought on the matter would be, to enjoy every last drop of it. When men get in moods, it’s best not to ask why, especially if we’re the ones benefiting.”

            Debbie was about to reply when Freddy’s voice echoed into the room, “Mom! We found them!”

            Michele turned and waved at Freddy. “So do you have any long term plans for this mood of Joe’s?” she said.

            Debbie frowned. “Long term plans? What do you mean?”

            Mimi lifted one eyebrow and Debbie widened her eyes. “Oh no, I don’t need anymore kids, no, no. I don’t think so.”

            Mimi shrugged. “Just making certain.”

            “Hey Mom!” Jonathan yelled into the room, “Mitchell has to go pee, we’re taking him to the bathroom. “We’ll meet up with you in a few.”

            “That’s why I don’t need anymore,” Debbie said. “Three is quite enough.”

            “Mrs. Sakic,” Cecile said breathlessly. Debbie felt Chase squeeze her around the legs and she patted him on the back. “Do you want me to go after them?”

            “No,” Debbie said. “I think the older ones have it in control, it’s just a bathroom break.”

            Mimi sighed loudly and Debbie looked at her. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

            “I remember an incident last year,” Mimi said. “Where the children went for a bathroom break at the practice facility.”

            Debbie tilted her head. “Yeah?” She asked, feeling suddenly nervous.

            “Oui,” Mimi said. “And do you recall?”

            Debbie’s eyes widened, remembering a smoking machine, apologetic looks on the three children, eyes wide and blinking like innocent mice. “The zamboni incident?” She said quietly.

            Mimi nodded. “Yes, the zamboni incident. The strangest things happen upon the most innocent intentions yes?”

            Debbie grimaced. “You don’t think they’re up to something do you?”

            Mimi shrugged. “You know my children as well as anyone yes? And this building houses things a little more valuable than a small arena zamboni.”

            “Omigod!” Debbie gasped. “Cecile go get them!”

            “Right!” Cecile said and she leaned over to let Camryn to the ground.

            “Nooooooo!” Camryn squealed, “Nooooo don’t wanna don’t wanna nooo no no no! NOoooooo!”

            The little girl’s face was scarlet red and she began squealing as if she were being murdered. At the racket Chase ran to Cecile and began to howl as well. “Me! Me! Hold me! Meeeeeee!”

            “Lordy!” Cecile exclaimed and she hugged Camryn. “Go with Mommy dear!”

            “Nooooooo! NOOOOO! NOOOOO!”

            “Meeee! I wanna! Pick me UP!”

            Debbie pressed her hand into her breast and she felt her mouth open in embarrassment. What insanity was this? “Camryn!” she snapped. “Stop it now. Don’t do this to Mommy!”

            Cecile did not seem flustered however; there was not even a blush to the girl’s cheeks as she whispered something into Camryn’s ear. It wasn’t instantly but it was close enough and Camryn stopped howling, stopped sniffling and said, “Ok.” Cecile leaned over and placed Camryn on the carpet and then whispered into Chase’s ear as well. The little twin stopped howling and hugged his sister.

            Debbie forgot about the other children and could only stare at the results. When the twins fussed it was almost impossible to stop them quickly, but Cecile seemed to have the knack for that. There were times where Debbie felt jealous about the girl’s apparent innate talent with them, there were times when she was just supremely grateful for it, and other times it just plain scared her. Right now she felt a combination of all three.

            “Why don’t you stay here with them,” Debbie said, feeling a little dazed. “Mimi and I will get the kids.”

            “Alright,” Cecile said. The girl then leaned over the twins and hugged them.

            “Did your children do that when they were that young?” Debbie asked Mimi as they walked into the hallway.

            “And more,” Mimi replied. “You do not know how good you have it.”

            Debbie smiled, and felt a little better. She was about to say something when the lights went out. “Jesus,” Debbie gasped. “And Cecile’s alone with the twins.”

            The sun had set outside and so the building was almost completely dark. Debbie was sure that there would be some sort of back up power that would kick in but she was still worried. She turned around, pressing her hand into the wall and she went back to the doorway. “Cecile!” she called out.

            “We’re fine,” Cecile called back. “I’ve got them in my arms.”

            Debbie turned around, her eyes were adjusting to the dark and she saw the outline of Mimi. “What about the others?”

            “Come on,” Mimi said.

            Debbie followed her, and listened to the sounds of their shoes echoing in the dark, empty hallway. “The power should be back on by now,” Debbie said.

            “Unless they are the reason it’s off,” Mimi replied in an almost snappish voice.

            Debbie didn’t know whether to laugh or scream. As they walked further down the hallway, Debbie began to think it was strange that there was no sign of a security guard with a flashlight or anything like that.

            “EEEEEE!” They heard a high pitched squeal that Debbie recognized as definitely belonging to Jana. “Get him Jonathan! Get him!”

            “Mon Dieu,” Mimi hissed and she threw her small body against the doors that were shut. “Open it up!”

            Debbie gnawed on her lip and began to fumble in her purse to retrieve her cellphone when the lights suddenly came back on. As soon as they did the doors swung open and Mimi cried out as she fell into the room. Debbie watched Mimi roll back onto her feet before she ran into the room.

            Her mouth fell open as she saw what she didn’t want to process. She saw the children clustered in a ball behind Jonathan who, it seemed was in the process of stabbing through something black and tall with a thin, golden sword. The thing fell into a pile of ashes. Jonathan dropped the sword and wiped his brow with the back of his hand. In that moment, Debbie noticed that every glass case in the room seemed to be shattered and looted.

            “Ooo what are you doing?” Mimi asked in a sarcastic, irritated voice, “Magic tricks?”

            Jonathan looked at them, he had a roguish smile on his face and he said. “Something like that, now let’s get outta here!”

            Debbie felt herself stammering as the children ran past them, she only briefly saw that Mitchell was okay and she continued to stammer as she stared at the ruined exhibits and the pile of ashes. Mimi grabbed her hand and rushed her out. “I think we should listen to the children on this one my love.”

            “Honey!” Joe said in a concerned voice after everyone was dropped off and Debbie was finally able to stumble into the house, Camryn in her arms, Cecile lugging the other two behind. “I’ve been watching the news, is everything okay?”

            “I don’t know Joe,” Debbie sighed. She put Camryn down and the little girl ran into her father’s hug.

            “The news said there was a huge robbery at the museum, were you guys there?” Joe asked. He kissed Camryn on the cheek.

            “Sure,” Debbie said, feeling sick. “I guess there was. The power went out and we left, we didn’t see anything really.”

            “Yeah, I guess a scepter and some other things were stolen and the mummy was destroyed?” Joe said.

            “I’ll say!” Mitchell said loudly and the little boy whistled. Debbie looked down at him in horror. “It’s been a long day!”

            “Mitchell, here’s your backpack honey,” Cecile said as she handed Mitchell his bright blue back pack.

            “Thanks,” Mitchell said brightly.

            “How’d it go?” Joe asked Mitchell.

            Mitchell sighed loudly and held out his arms. “Daddy, I feel like I’ve been through the reaches of time, lost in a struggle for life and death, fighting the forces of eeevil with the welfare of this world upon our shoulders, so our parents could live another day.”

            Joe frowned. “That bad huh?” he said.

            “Woo!” Mitchell replied, “Daddy you have no idea! I don’t know about you guys but I’m going to bed.” The little boy was muttering to himself as he walked away dragging his backpack. “Christ, this backpack’s heavy!” He exclaimed. And then the boy gestured to Wayne. “Come on Pharaoh Mutt!”

             Debbie opened her eyes in horror and looked back at Joe who mouthed out, “What happened?”

            “I don’t know,” Debbie said. “Joe and I don’t want to know.”