Chapter 37
37
Laura’s SUV pulled up in front of the Cobblestone just after 6pm. Issa was waiting in the lobby and waved as she came through the doors. She immediately met Cooper; he jumped out of the car and opened her door for her. She smiled softly and turned to their mother. “Such a young gentleman! I have noticed a distinct lack of manners in many of today’s youth. You should be proud of yours.”
Laura thanked her and introduced her eldest son. “You’ve met Lila and Nathan. This is Cooper. He’s a senior at Wartburg.”
Nathan joined his team on the field while the others found seats in the bleachers. For the next couple of hours, Issa received a thorough education in Little League baseball. Cooper and Lila were vocal supporters of their younger brother and his team, often shouting encouragement and startling the goddess when they jumped up or stamped their feet.
The women chatted about their hobbies, discovering a mutual interest in horticulture and art. Laura invited Issa to visit that weekend for cocktails, dinner and ‘some fresh country air.’ “You can even come play in my garden, since you seem to miss it so much. If you want to, of course. Not a requirement.”
“It has been a long time, too long, since I have felt good garden soil in my hands. I would love to visit.” Issa grinned. “I have no conveyance of my own, however. Is there a livery service in town?”
“Don’t be silly, darlin’,” Laura shushed her. “I’ll send Cooper to get you. It’s no problem at all,” she reassured the blonde.
*
Issa walked to a local coffee shop that she had discovered. They had an excellent selection of teas, too. That was where she had Cooper pick her up for her visit to the family farm. They exchanged hellos and Issa remarked, “You must resemble your father. Will I meet him this weekend?”
Cooper stumbled for a moment. “Uh, he’s... he’s not home right now. He travels a lot for work.”
“Oh. A shame. Well, perhaps another time,” she tossed it off easily. She could tell that put the boy at ease.
They had a lovely afternoon, the ladies in Laura’s garden. Issa actually enjoyed watching the children play. Cooper and Nathan tossed a baseball back and forth, the elder giving his little brother pointers. It reminded Loki of when he and Thor were very young. He could almost feel his brother trying to get him to hold a sword properly.
“Hey! Where’d you go, Issa?” Laura laughed, watching the other woman stare into nothing. They were both on their knees, weeding a patch of vegetables.
“Oh! Watching your boys reminded me of my brother and I. He often tried to help me learn things. It wasn’t always easy for him. We were, are, very different. He’s built much, uh, sturdier than I.” She shrugged, “it’s nothing.”
“Where is he now?” Laura asked, solicitously. “Do you see each other much?”
Issa sat back with a sigh, dusting off her hands and resting them on her knees. “I don’t know where he is. We’ve been... estranged... for some years. I got into some trouble, involved with some bad people. I think. I don’t remember a lot. But, he... he rescued me.
“Hah!” She snorted. “His idea of it anyway. He and his father locked me away. To heal, they said. I still can’t forgive that. When I think too much about what I’ve lost, it makes my head hurt.” Issa shook her head, a hand going to rub at her temple.
She glanced at the brunette’s shocked face. “I’m sorry. You don’t need to hear my problems. But, that is why I came here. To get away from everything. Find some peace and clear my mind.” Issa looked down at her lap. Laura had placed one of her hands over the blonde’s, stopping her from twisting them and picking at her palms.
“Want to come help me get our picnic ready? Take your mind off this for a while?’’ Laura figured deflecting the woman from her troubles would be a good idea. She’d had no idea the other was conflicted. She seemed so confident in herself, even if a bit shy at times.
After their lunch, the kids cleaned up while Laura and Issa retired to the covered porch with iced tea. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, just enjoying the coolness and shade. The goddess glanced over at her companion covertly. Laura seemed relaxed, calm and happy as she watched her children playing in the nearest field.
“You appear to truly enjoy this quiet life. Has it always been so for you?” Issa shrugged, a soft smile on her face. “Forgive me if I pry. I am curious. This is so different from what I’ve known.”
“Oh, no! I only settled down after I met my husband. We both worked for the government, travelling a lot. I retired when I became pregnant with Cooper. We found this lovely place, and three kids later, I still love it here. So peaceful, the locals are friendly, and it’s a great place to raise them.” She waved a hand toward the laughing, running and tumbling children.
The goddess nodded, agreeing. “Far from the troubles of the world, yes?” She sighed. “My childhood was not so pleasant.”
She continued quietly at Laura’s curious look. “I was raised as a second child of a powerful family. My brother was expected to take over after our father passed, but I was also taught what was necessary to rule. It meant many hours in study: economics, political science, history, statecraft, diplomacy, and we were required to become and stay physically fit as well. It did not leave much time for childish things, nor for either of us to pursue our own interests.”
“Now, if you have no objection, I would help your daughter with her archery. She makes the same mistake repeatedly.” Issa stood and waited for permission.
“Sure. Her father has been teaching her, but he’s away so much...” Laura shrugged. “You shoot?” Laura ruminated on all that Issa had revealed. She wondered just where the other woman had grown up. Perhaps old European royalty?
“Fairly well,” Issa laughed. “I was good enough to occasionally put meat on the table.” She looked stunned for a moment, then she spun and hurried to where Lila was practising.
“Mom?” Cooper flopped into the recently vacated chair with his own tea. “Hmm?” Laura frowned at her son. “You okay? Issa got up pretty quick.”
“She was telling me about when she was a child. When we were weeding earlier, she mentioned some trouble she had. Apparently, she can’t remember a lot of that time. I think she may have just remembered something, and I don’t know if it was a good one.”
“Yeah, I noticed several times, she’d start to say something and then shake her head, like she was confused. She’s nice, but she seems kinda sad. I know she has no one here; no family, no friends. She did say on the way here, she was looking for a place to stay. If she’s gonna teach, she’ll definitely need an apartment.”
The boy scratched his head. “You think we could offer her the spare room for a bit? Just ‘til she finds her own place?” They both turned to look when they heard Lila’s squeal of delight. Just in time to see her drop her bow and fling herself onto Issa for a hug.
“Well, it seems she’s made one friend already,” Laura noted. “As for the other, I’ll think about it. We really don’t know her very well. If she’s not stable... I’d worry about you guys. I can’t even ask your dad until he calls.”