Little Cherine Book 02 - BPost062

Once the fondling and kissing was over they lay to either side of me again, their heads nestled on my shoulders.
“Was I a naughty daddy’s girl?”
I knew she was not talking about me. “You mean because you enjoyed loving your sister?”

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1311

“We both enjoyed it. I love her and it made me feel nice to make her feel so good.”

“My loves, I come from the old world, don’t ask me to be judge of what is right or wrong for you. I have had my own values changed despite myself and find it very confusing. You are sisters, you are able to see and feel each other, as every Cherinian can. If any of our family is unhappy we all feel it, so your rules are bound to be different from those I grew up with.

I think every heterosexual, even the liberal ones, would make a judgement, but they would be wrong. Those who are not heterosexual would also make their judgements and they too would be wrong. I think we have to accept that we are bound to want to love each other irrespective of sex or kinship. From that point I leave it for you to make your own rules.”

“I do not want to be my sisters’ lover. Or of any of the other girls. It is just that it felt nice kissing and loving Alexis. I know it was nice for her too.”

“Why not. I think you girls need to get together on this and decide, or else, what I would prefer is that each of you decide for yourself.”

Nicole pulled a face. “If some of them decide it is wrong for us girls to touch each other this way, it would spoil it for those who want to. Robbie I don’t care if it is right or wrong, what I want is to feel that way with you. If you are busy making love to my sister or one of the other girls and I need to be touched, I don’t care if it is one of the girls.”

“Are you saying you would not want to make love with Alexis for instance, just the two of you alone, if I’m not with you?”

“That may happen with others outside our family and I do not care if they do. I think it will never happen in this family because all us girls love you first.”

“That should not stop you making love to each other if you need to. Look at how long it has been since we made love.”

“For me I think it would have been nicer to find what I need by making love to Rob if I had to, my sister would not be what I need.”

“And for you?”

“I think Nicole is right. I would not want her as my lover. Only if what we do is part of being with you.”

“In that case there is no problem, no need for you to make a decision. If it were otherwise, it still would not be a matter of right or wrong. It would be more of a case of deciding if it is the lifestyle you want.”

They are my daughters and I would not have wanted them to fixate on each other, become lovers to the exclusion of all others, whether they wanted me or not. I also would like to think of them having their own babies someday. I kept my relief at the way the discussion had turned buried very deeply inside myself. I meant what I said. They each have to decide what is right for them, my prejudices, as father or lover, must not influence them. I still recall vividly how my prejudices tortured my Cherine in our early years.

I sent Cherine back to bring Keith. He knows the area and from who and where to get everything needed to re-build the farmhouse. I think he really loves the old house - there is a different feel to a house that has been around over a hundred years and he tried to have the new one built in the same fashion, adding only a few improvements to suit our times. Rob wanted more bedrooms and bathrooms as he expects to have many visitors. I reminded him that his family will grow and he should provide for the day there will be many of them.

“I’ve thought about it Robert. I think my girls will not feel the same way yours do. For instance, I can feel how my Cherine would still want to be loved by you if you would. Also Honey. They are not starting off the way yours did, my family I think will have sons also.”

“I hope so. Will it be alright with you?”

1312

“I also do not have the prejudices you have. About making love to them as little girls, I do. I even enjoy it as you do, despite it tearing at my conscious. But, I would not mind having a son and sharing them with him.”

Just his saying that made me realise from my reactions that I am not so broadminded yet. I do not like the idea of any other male, son or not, touching my girls. He felt it, as did my girls, and they had a good laugh at me. Could these differences be partly the reason why I was able to create a protector and Rob was not? Surely the need to be so protective of them had to co-exist with my inability to share my loves with anyone - however much I may love the other male?

This is Samantha. I do not intend to write about myself or Robbie, I am writing because I feel the story of Aganthi, Robbie's guardian, should be written - and I feel that if it is not written now, it may never be told, for there is constantly something new to be added here. We have shared from her and her story is beautiful and should not be left out of the story of our family. Robbie can write about his loving of us after I’m finished, as I have been troubled by my need to show Aganthi how much I love and appreciate her - as is the case with the others, for she has earned herself a special place in our hearts.

Aganthi was shy about my writing of her, which meant she would have to allow me free access to her memories, so that I can write as if it is Aganthi writing her thoughts as she thought them at the time, but she is used to being open to all of us, so it will not cause her much embarrassment and she gave in when I pleaded.

I listened to Roberto’s explanations about why he must leave us and travel alone, without any of our gifts available for protecting him. As with everyone else who loves him, it left me feeling sick with fear for him. I did not need to think, I could guess what would be decided, for I think I know him better than I know myself, and made up my mind instantly. Using the gift taught to us by Samantha's mother, Natalie, I edged my way out of the room without being noticed and quickly unpacked my hidden bundle of emergency funds - it was now worth the memories of sensing their amusement whenever I’d added my pocket money to my hidden stash. I had done it for my family, not myself, and, for me, Roberto is the most important part of our family. I was certain the money would make it possible for me to help him.
I could not understand why Roberto was in such a rush to leave, but I did not need time for preparing, as I was not taking with me much more than he was - just a couple of changes of clothing. Out on the street I tried to guess which way he would walk and then I jumped to the flat roof of a block of apartments, From there I would see the first part of his journey and after that I would have to follow. For a while it worried me that I would have to use the gift of not being noticed for long periods, but then I remembered I could project, changing the way I look as often as needed.
By blocking myself off from my family, it meant I too could not sense them and it felt like a long time had passed when Roberto appeared at the front door. He cautiously looked out, as if expecting to be attacked, then walked out, only his eyes betraying that he was looking to all sides. By the time he passed me, his shoulders had slightly relaxed as he lost himself within his thoughts - his tendency to do so even at times of danger is one of the reasons I feel he needs to have someone to watch over him while he travels.
The road he was walking on cuts through Leoforos Kifissias and after winding its way through some poorer districts with light industry, it ends by the highway which travels to Salonica. If he intends crossing the border into the land still ruled by Tito, Yugoslavia, then it is good I will be watching over him, for the soldiers and police of dictatorships do not have a sense of humour and he will soon find himself in trouble. I decided to jump to an area close to the highway, but at least ten kilometres further on the way to Salonica. By then, I hope, he will have relaxed and will not be so worried about his loves following him.

I did not wish to have vehicles stop to offer me a lift, so I projected as a brutal looking man with tattoos and well-worn and dirty clothes. I sat by the side of the highway, facing the traffic from Athens, and examined each vehicle as it passed, just in case Roberto has been offered a lift - though I had a feeling he wants to walk until he is tired, so as to stop himself from feeling his pain. The truth is, though I am a Cherinian and have learnt a lot from the family and Robert, I still find it difficult to think like them and am not very good at guessing what they intend to do, for they hardly ever make their decisions based on facts, just on how they feel!
When a car stopped for me and I saw the driver is a woman, I thought of how my loves would have screeched with hysterical laughter. She was attracted to me and was upset that I would not accept a ride with her - she actually thought I refused because I do not find her attractive! It was strange, for me, to look at her big breasts and wide hips from the point of view of a male, though Roberto it seems has affected the way I think, for I was not attracted by her physical characteristics and I did not like her coarse manners. Once she had left I gave it some thought, for I had not realised how much I have been changed. As a little girl I used to admire women who looked like her, for I thought they were sexy and could get any man they want.
After six hours, I could no longer ignore the fact that I had guessed incorrectly and Roberto is travelling in a different direction. Luckily there are not many alternatives, so it was reasonable to assume he is on his way to Patras, for Brindisi. I hope so, for I like the idea of travelling in Italy - instead of the communist countries, Especially now that they are rebelling against the Soviet empire.

1313

I have to remain behind Roberto, so I walked for a few hours, until I calculated he would be past Piraeus and on his way to the isthmus. I jumped to Piraeus and bought some kebabs, bread and salad. Once I could see the shipyards and the tank farms, but before passing Elevsis, I found a spot where I can sleep for the night without being seen.
I caught up with Roberto at just before noon. There are not many people walking along the road, though I did see one man on a donkey, but he took a path and was soon gone among the bushes. Even had there been many people, I would have still noticed him, for vehicles kept on angrily hooting at him as he drifted into the road, lost in his thoughts. I don’t understand how he could have survived so many years before Cherine!
When he looked back and saw me, I decided I better slow down and once he can’t see me, I’ll jump ahead. When I did jump, what I did is jump up to the height of about five hundred metres, choose a spot ahead of him, around a bend, and I landed as a projected blonde tourist woman of about thirty, in jeans and with a knapsack on my back. I sat on a rock and waited for him. As he drew closer my heart was hammering, for if he has even a vestige of his gifts, he’ll sense it is me.
“Hi, are you going to Patras?”
He stopped and nodded. “Yes.”
“Can I walk with you? In this country, the kind of drivers who stop for a woman are not exactly being altruistic, so I’d rather walk.”
I could almost see him prevent his instant response. He shook his head. “It would not be safe…walk about a hundred metres ahead of me. I’ll be close enough to be of help if a problem develops.”
“No, I’ll walk behind you - otherwise you’ll spend the day staring at my arse…I’d prefer to watch yours.” I grinned as I realised he would now be self-conscious all day.
He grinned back at me. “You’re welcome, just keep your distance.” Only once we were walking did I realise that I should have acted offended.

It was early evening when we arrived at Mègara. I offered to pay for supper, so he of course insisted he pay for me. We then walked on for nearly an hour, until we found a good spot to sleep without being seen by a passersby. I did not try to make conversation, for I could see he wanted his privacy because he was feeling unhappy.
At the isthmus, Roberto did not hide his fear of heights, so I was surprised when he stopped and looked over the edge. He looked back at me, so I approached.
“Are you British?” I nodded. “During the Second World War, when the Italians stopped being allies to the Germans, the Germans collected the Italians in Greece and put them on a train for the Peloponissos. When it arrived at the Corinth Canal, the Germans had blown up the railway bridge and the train drove over the edge. I guess all the train wagons with their grisly cargo are still down there.”
I did not want Roberto to like me, so I shrugged. “It must have saved the Germans a lot of money on food, guards and so on.”
He did not look at me, his eyes fixed on a tug boat passing underneath us. Without another word he started walking again. We did not talk again and the next day I accepted a lift, getting out of the vehicle once we were out of his sight. I changed to look like an elderly Greek woman, dressed in black. It would have looked better if I’d had a donkey, but I don’t think I can project to look like two separate beings. I walked slowly and Roberto caught up with me a few hours later.
“Kalispera. Mou epitrepetai? (Do you allow me?)” He took hold of my small suitcase and walked by my side. “Are you from a village around here?” he asked me, in Greek.
“I’m from Kallithea, in Athens, and I’m going to Patra for the ferryboat to Brindizi. My daughter is working in Italy. She has been gone for two years and she has stopped calling me and I worry.”
He nodded. “It is good to see how and where she is living so that you do not worry - most of our worries are born out of fear and not knowing what the truth is.” He was sweet and gentle with me, slowing his pace to suit mine and when we found food he insisted on buying for both of us. When we arrived at Patra, we parted. Later, I found in my clothes, a roll of money, about five hundred dollars. It made me want to cry. He has proved to me again that he told me the truth, I am a princess, for he is a prince in his heart and he married me.
After walking on deck, I made certain he saw me on the quay and once he could not see me, I changed to another elderly Greek woman and jumped on board.

Until we arrived in Italy, I was anxious all the time, expecting Roberto to be attacked. I don’t know why, but soon as I jumped off the ship, as a young man, I felt myself relax for the first time. I still believe they know exactly where he is, even though I cannot identify who is following him, but I am starting to think that Roberto is right, maybe they think he is harmless now and they don’t need to kill him. I hope I am right, but I am not going to live as if I am.
I saw him use the public phone and came close enough to hear him; sharing his words with our loves helped me feel as if I was also feeling their love. I turned away when I heard what he said about me and our Irene, for Roberto would have wondered if he’d seen a young man watching him with tears in his eyes,
I was out of sight for a while and when I returned he was gone. I had a feeling he would be avoiding the main roads, so I took a country road. Because I was worried about losing him, I did not take the time to buy food, but I decided we could both survive a night of hunger. At the first crossroad, I chose the less travelled road, thinking it would be what he would choose, so by the time I returned and took the correct road, I saw a number of people arriving at a farm. I changed so as to look like one of the locals I’d seen in Brindizi and joined the crowd. I’d guessed correctly and saw Roberto. I kept my distance but I soon understood what they were asking of him. I wondered how they’d found out about his healer. As if he’d heard me wondering, he explained about the old woman and why and how he’d helped her. I was amazed and thrilled, for at least I would not have to worry about him being hurt. I also liked what he was demanding of them, it makes sense to me and I think it is how we should choose those we wish to help.

1314

After Roberto helped the father, by claiming he was taking on his pain(!), I was caught unprepared when Robert insisted the young man immediately take him away in his car. I saw in which direction they turned so I guessed he was taking Roberto past Franca, perhaps far enough past the small town for everyone to lose track of where Roberto has gone. Still, as soon as I could, I rose into the dark sky and looked for their headlights. I did not see any. The obvious inference is that they have parked in a town or by some farmhouse. I headed for Franca, landing out of town so that I can enter by the same road they must have taken.
Early next morning I waited in the main square and the young man walked through, on his way to work. I was worried when I saw him in a police uniform, but then I saw the dreamy look on his face and realised he is not Roberto’s enemy.
Something, maybe an instinct, made me stay unannounced. A few days later I saw an emotional policeman walk by and soon return with a tiny bundle in his arms. Not long afterwards he returned and I saw her tiny face. I wanted to send my healer to help, but I was worried that Roberto’s healer might find a way to let him know about my presence.
The next day I was loitering close to the home of the little girl, wanting to be certain she is healed. It was at this time that Roberto was driven out of town! With Roberto it is like having one of those people who always phone you the moment you sit on the toilet!

I was watching when the young man returned. As he stood at his front door, I stepped close and spoke in English, “Can you tell me where you took Roberto? Is he on a highway…and did he mention where he is going?”
He gave me a startled look, I saw a momentary fear and then his face tightened as he told me, “I do not know what you are talking about.”
He had unlocked his door, so I gestured. “Please step inside.” Though I could see he thought I planned to harm him, he did as I asked. I grinned. “Did Roberto tell you he is married? I am his wife.”
Startled, he took a step back. “You claim this Roberto of yours is gay?” He then asked, and I knew Roberto had spoken to him of us, “What is your name?”
“It will not be a name he gave you; I am Aganthi.” I closed the door behind me and stopped the projection. I laughed at the look on his face. “No, my Roberto is not gay.”
Once Sylvestro believed I am one of the seventeen girls Roberto had told him about, he relaxed and even tried to find out from me why Roberto thinks Cherine is so special. I gently told him that I would be happy to explain to him all he may want to know about me. He took the hint and did not ask me again about the other girls. I felt that Roberto had taken his time here because Sylvestro is special, so I decided I should let Roberto walk to Rome on his own while I spend some time ensuring Sylvestro does want to become a Cherinians, once our war is over and Roberto beats the skata (s**t) out of the spider.
Policemen tend to develop an instinct that warns them when you are either not telling the truth or you are withholding key information, so I started from my first days of pain to the day I was delivered to Roberto. I allowed my gifts to lightly reach out for sensing him and I did not sense any disgust, just anger on my behalf. I tried to give him an idea of how my life turned into a fairy tale without divulging too much about Cherine and the others. In return, Sylvestro told me of how he met Robert and what happened and was said between them since then. He showed he was pleased when I asked to stay the night, though I did offer to project as a man again. He laughed and told me it would not make him feel more comfortable. The next day he went to his station for a few hours and returned with bags of shopping.
“Before you leave, I must feed you up so that you are strong enough to protect your Roberto.” I ended up staying for three days.
“Sylvestro, I must leave…I think Roberto must be arriving in Rome and he will not be safe there.”
“I will drive you there.” I could sense he was prepared to argue if I refuse him.
I smiled, “If I go my way, I can arrive within a couple of minutes. If you take me out of town where no one can see me, I’ll show you how, if you want to see.”
“Si, I want to see.” He did not hide from me his excitement and I thought to myself that when he is offered the choice, he will love becoming a Cherinian.

I have never been to Rome, so I could not look for Roberto within the city. It is the reason I patrolled the main road Roberto would travel - and I found him walking about half a day’s travel from the outskirts. He looks tired and I guessed he has not been having regular meals, for he has lost weight. I wondered why; Sylvestro had wanted to calm my worries and admitted he had placed enough cash in his parcel of clothing for him to eat for at least another two weeks. Roberto is not a stoic, he would not starve himself deliberately, but he does forget to eat, so I have decided I will have to be a different person each day to ensure he does eat at least one meal. I hope he stays in Rome four to five days so that I can build him up a little.
When a girl with long blonde hair accosted Roberto, I was amused, until I saw him walk away with her. I could not believe Roberto would go with another girl! I did not have time to feel hurt, for something began to warn me that he is in trouble. I changed myself to a young man, slim and obviously not a threat to anyone, and followed as closely as I dared. After a couple of blocks I saw Roberto stop and pull money out of his pocket. He spoke for a moment and I had to risk opening my mind so as to sense her thoughts. She actually felt sorry for Roberto, for she had never met anyone as naïve as him and she changed the direction they were going so as to avoid the men waiting ahead - who it seems, had watched her meeting with Roberto and were waiting for him less than a block away.
I should not have. As a Cherinian I should not have allowed my feelings to take over and, as the protector of Roberto, I should not have risked my presence being sensed, but the idea of these men waiting to hurt Roberto and rob him made me furious. I smartened up my appearance so that I would look like a wealthy tourist and walked into the trap they had prepared. Only after they lay bruised, bloodied and senseless, did I sense how much anger I’ve been holding within me since Roberto was attacked and had to leave us.
Still shaken by my emotions, I walk slowly in the direction Roberto and the girl had taken. I sensed him through the girl and saw he was forcing himself to eat the food she prepared for him. I wandered off, needing some time to myself.

1315

Once I realised I had lost Roberto again, I took the main highway that heads northwards, along the western coast, slightly strengthening the weak link I’d opened with my sliver in him, and despite it remaining fuzzy, I sensed he is aiming for Genova (Genoa). It is his present destination and I sensed he does not know where else he will go from there. I landed about a kilometre behind him and mostly remain just out of sight - not that he looks back.
I saw Roberto ahead and at the same time I saw paper money spilled out over the road and verge. I felt ice travel down my back. I had not being paying attention to the vehicles passing me, but I have a Cherinian memory and I called back the images of recent cars and saw a Mercedes Benz. I zoomed in a bit to see the driver and guessed it was him who gave Roberto the money. For Roberto to throw away the money it must be from the spider. I did not hesitate, I collected all I could, after all, I have no objection to him financing me so that I can protect Roberto.
I jumped ahead to the nearest town and bought food for both of us and then sat alongside the road to wait for him. Since I do not like wine, I bought a small cheap bottle, knowing it would ‘prove’ to Roberto that I am not Aganthi.
The night passed and the morning was almost half ended when I had a terrible foreboding that Roberto is either dying or dead. I did not care about the spider sensing me and opened my mind and link to Roberto - and yet I felt nothing. I could not accept he is dead and rationalised my disbelief by telling myself that if he had died, as a soul he will have recovered his gifts and awesome powers. Since I do not feel it has happened, he must still be alive…perhaps close to dying, his mind slowed to the point where I cannot sense him or my sliver. Careless of the traffic rushing by, I rushed into the sky.
By the time I’d pinpointed his whereabouts, the police had found him. I could not visibly interfere so I sent my healer. Within seconds it returned, informing me that the same powers which had locked Roberto’s mind prevents it from entering to heal him. Helplessly I watch as he is taken to the closest hospital. I entered behind him, extending Natalie’s gift to all who might see me and followed right to his bedside. To avoid being a nuisance I retreated to a corner and watched, while my healer repeatedly continued to try and enter.
My healer informed me that the healer of Roberto is keeping him alive and repairing some of the damage. It is not often in my life that I have wept, but this moment when I needed to so strongly, I had to hold down my grief and the effects of my joy, for otherwise I would have been forced to leave the room.

I suspect Roberto is playing games with everyone. I don’t understand why yet, but I’m certain he has a reason. I was amused at his teasing of the English woman and was not surprised when he managed to convert the officer into a friend - of sorts. When Roberto was moved to a private room I quickly got some food and used the public toilet in the hospital and instantly returned to my corner. I was surprised when Solomon entered and my heart raced when Dommi came, but tears flowed when they discussed me and I felt that I am still loved.
Roberto mostly slept while his healer repaired the internal damage and I sank deep into my thoughts. My heart was like a wild animal tearing at me inside my chest, for I had lost control of the love I feel for Roberto and my family. Why such a wildness of love, I asked myself, just because they spoke a few words that show they care for me? If we had been at home, how lightly the words would have caressed my heart, yet now they ignited such a growth of my love for them. I think I am beginning to understand a truth about love which is new to me. Love comes in two stages. The first is the one where love is born. After that, it is important that we constantly learn how to love so that it does not stagnate and wither into a pale imitation of what it could have been. I sat in my corner, for the rest of that night, feeling awed by how I see love growing, not only until it has filled me, but until it has grown to fill all my universe.
Morning brought a resolution along with the golden light of the sun. As Roberto found me and turned me into a princess, so would I help at least one such girl as I was, become whatever she can be. But I must wait until Roberto has found a safe corner.

When Roberto sent a message with the English woman, I was tempted to follow her, in the hope that she’ll lead me to her contact. The idea of leaving Roberto alone is what prevented me, but now I think she would not have known anyone important.
This time I kept track of Roberto all the time until we arrived in Genova. Sometimes he looks so sad that I find it very difficult to keep myself hidden from him. When he went to the area the seamen frequent, I changed myself to look like a naftis (sailor), enabling me to be very close to him, in case anyone attacks him.
It is just as well that I did, for as Robert left the bar with some sailors, I sensed that a man who also got up to leave, intended following Robert. I could not sense his thoughts, for he was thinking in Italian and Claudia is not with me, so I changed myself into a very large and strong man. I bumped into him and then hit him very hard. He collapsed, unconscious. I was pleased by the thought that he will now have to report that he lost Robert.
When he bought passage, to Cape Town I assumed, I was tempted to find a way to be onboard with him, but then I decided it is unlikely he will be attacked while at sea, so I have a few days to keep my promise. I jumped to the town of Sylvestro (still looking like a rough sailor). He was at his desk and looked surprised when I spoke to him in English.
“I need to ask you something…in privacy.”
“There is a problem, sir?”
“In private please?”
As soon as we were alone in the corridor, I grinned and asked him, “I guess it would not look good for you if I gave you a kiss in front of the others?”

1316

He stared into my eyes. “Aganthi?”
“Yes. Sylvestro, I need a favour. May I wait for you inside your home, I’m tired of looking like this - I haven’t been myself for too long.”
He handed me his keys. “I’ll be there soon.”
“Keep your keys so that you can be seen to be opening your door - I’ll jump in, since I know what it looks like in your kitchen.”

He arrived with fresh bread, tomatoes and meat. “We eat and then you talk - it is not urgent? Roberto is safe?”
“He is gone - on a ship to Africa. It is why I felt I have some free time to pay back Roberto for what he did for me.” He made me an espresso and I sipped it as I told him (again, but in more detail) of what my life was like before Cherine sensed me and how I was found. As I talked he cooked, but I could sense all his attention was on me. “Sylvestro, Roberto found a twelve year old prostitute in Roma and he gave her all his money for a plate of spaghetti while his healer healed her. It broke his heart that what good he is doing will only last for a short time.” I looked him in the eyes. “I want to help her for Roberto’s sake, but I’ll need your help…or, at least, your advice. I need to find a good family, preferably a farm couple, who can foster her if I pay them well. They must be good people who can help her change because of their values and their love for her.”
He had many questions for which I mostly had no answers, for I am not doing this because I know what I am doing, as Roberto did; I’m just doing it because I must pay this debt. My obvious ignorance and my readiness to admit it, is doing more to relax Sylvestro and help him to believe in Roberto and me, so I think he will help me find some of the answers.
The first step, we agreed, is that I speak to Helena. There is little purpose to my planning for her, if she does not wish for a better life. When she was with Roberto I did not open myself to sense her fully, but I think she is smarter than she pretends to be - though abysmally ignorant and naïve, as I was. In the beginning I had also felt the same contempt she did when Roberto tried to advise her, for he was speaking without knowing how hard life is for a little girl, so I understand her attitude towards him. Just the fact that he paid without wanting anything in return ensured she would not respect him. I must try to avoid making her feel the same contempt for me and the best way will be for me to keep her guessing at first as to what I really want from her. Also, what I offer or promise, it must be what she can believe in and there must be an angle she can understand is motivating me.

She saw me approaching her and bristled, her fury growing the closer I came to her.
“This is my area, get out before my man sees you.”
“I am not Italian, speak English to me. How much for the entire night - not at your home?”
“For you!?”
“For the Englishman who only wanted a spaghetti.”
“How do you know about him?”
I grinned. “He is my husband. We don’t keep secrets from each other. So, how much?”
“At your hotel? This time he fucks? You too?”
“No fucking, just talk, but there will be a nice meal and somewhere nice to sleep for the night.”
She shook her head. “Talking is more difficult…fuck is five minutes, …talking will take hours, two hundred dollars.”
“Fifty now and the rest when we arrive.”
I looked the same age as her, and by claiming to be his wife I only re-confirmed her opinion of him, so she felt safe enough to agree. I ensured nobody is watching and bracing myself for the screaming, I touched her. When she suddenly found herself in a vineyard, she did not disappoint me. At least she did not faint. I moved away from her and sat on one of the chairs Sylvestro had provided, keeping my eyes fixed on her.
As the screaming died down, I held out the other hundred and fifty dollars. “As promised, the money for one night of your time.” When she instantly stopped screaming and after just a moment’s hesitation reached out for the money, I felt Sylvestro clamp down on his urge to laugh. I gestured and he came out, but placed his chair at a distance from us. “He is a friend, don’t worry.”
“He is a policeman!”
I was a bit more abrupt this time. “I told you he is a friend - and he is my partner.”
“Partner?”
“I want you to work for me, but before I make you an offer, let’s clear up a few details. What is your usual charge?”
“It depends, I charge more for foreigners.” I just stared at her, waiting. “Foreigners, a hundred dollars, maybe more if they are stupid.”
“How much did you charge a year ago?”
“Fifty.”
“And next year you are thinking you will charge more?”
“My breasts are growing, they must pay more.”
I turned to Sylvestro. “I told you she will be making the same stupid mistake most little girls make. Helena, listen carefully, as I don’t like having to repeat myself. You started when you were nine years old? Then you should have charged five hundred. At ten and eleven, maybe three hundred. For this year and the next you should be charging between two hundred to two hundred and fifty. Men will pay much more for a child and the younger she is, the more they will pay. Can you see how much money you have lost? Now that your breasts are growing you will be just one more boutana and you will have to compete with all the other women on the street. The way you are going, you will not only be earning less every year, you’ll also have to struggle to get a customer.”
She did not want to believe me, but I think she knows enough to sense I’m right. “How do you know?”

1317

“Because I started much younger than you. I was a boutana in another country and then the Englishman found me and taught me how to become the best. Now, I live like a princess.”
Her eyes narrowed as she demanded, “You are lying to me - why? What is it you really want?”
“I think we better start from the beginning again. Sylvestro, I have a way of telling my story which can be painful, for it means you would be sharing some of my memories and feelings. Would you prefer to leave until I’ve finished?”
“If I may be permitted to stay?”
I started from a day before my father raped me so that they could feel how the experience changed me. I let them share much of the bad and those few good moments, such as the companionship of Katerina and other street children - which meant that they also shared some of what happened to them and how they learnt to face life. I stopped the day I was taken by car to Roberto’s home, but before I arrived or met them. Luckily I had not met Cherine at the club on that night when she sensed me, so whatever either of them learnt of her was too tenuous to provide them with a picture of who or what she is like.
When it was over, I went to Sylvestro. He was hurting, but he was also turned inwards, not wanting to face me. When I placed my arms around him he burst into tears and his arms wrapped around me, squeezing so tight I could not breathe. I managed to keep my eyes on Helena and I relaxed when I sensed she understood why Sylvestro needed me most at this moment.
As soon as I could, I placed my hands on the cheeks of Sylvestro and kissed his forehead. He looked at me and I gave him a smile and pulling away, I went to Helena. I crouched before her.
“Your life was different?”
“My name is Sophia.” I nodded. “I don’t know who my father is, I never met him. When I was nine years old a grownup man, I think he was about twenty three and his name is Enzo, talked to me about how much money I could be making if I let him teach me how. He promised it would not hurt me and he was gentle. After we fucked for a week he found me a customer who paid me…about ten dollars. Enzo said half of the money is his because he is my man and looks after me.”
“This Enzo, he has a scar across the back of his hand and his one eye is slightly damaged? A rather thin man but strong?”
“How do you know him?” She paused, staring at me and made the two plus two connection. “You beat him up? He is still in hospital.”
“You will not need him in your new life, Sophia, it is better you forget him.”
She laughed, but without amusement. “You will be my Enzo?”
“I am the person, with Sylvestro’s help, who will show you how to earn for yourself a much better life. If you do as I say and keep to any agreement we make, within a couple of years you’ll have two options; either you can set yourself up as a high class boutana, or else you can make a good life for yourself without having to sell your body. It will be your choice, Sylvestro and I will not pressure you.”
I had to explain again and again, adding details each time, until I decided she needs to think on it without us present. “Sophia…”
“You know how to do magic - you are a witch?”
“A good witch, Sophia; I can only perform magic that comes out of love.”
“Will you teach me if I do as you want?”
“I will not make promises. Sophia, do you watch stories on television and sometimes envy the women you see who have a nice apartment or house, with maybe a husband and child? Or do you envy them their freedom to make choices? It is what I want to offer you - without my demanding you live your life in some way I prefer. The choice must be yours.
However, you do not realise it, but you are already speaking like a pavement boutana and your heart is growing hard and cold. If you want to have choices, you must return to school and you must live as part of a loving family. They will not be told all the truths of your life; they will know you come from a very poor family and that you made some wrong choices. Sylvestro will tell them that when you met me you asked for help and I decided to pay for you to have a new life. Sophia, you must promise to never tell them about being a boutana and you must never use the words that belong to that life, they are good people and would only be shocked and hurt to think of a child living that kind of life.” I touched her hands with my fingertips. “I am paying them some money, for they are not rich, their farm is small and life can be hard, but, and this is the most important part, they really want a daughter to love, they are not doing it for the money. Accept their love on faith and maybe one day you will come to recognise their love as being real and begin to love them. It was so with Roberto and me; it took some time for me to see him as he really is and now he is a prince to me…and his love for me has made me feel like a princess.” I laughed. “Can you imagine? Me an Albanian flower girl and boutana, now a princess? Love can do the same for you if you give yourself and those who want to help you, the chance. Sylvestro will be like a second father…or older brother if you wish. He knows the truth about your past, but he is like me, he does not care. What he does care about is that you allow him to help you become the person you want to be.”
We talked for a long time and Sylvestro joined us with questions and promises of his own. He brought up the question that helped convince her. “Aganthi, what you are offering her, it will take years, maybe until she is twenty years old. You can spend so much money? What about when she is grown up, will you help her find a good job…or maybe, if she works hard, help her start a small business”
“There will be money in your account every month and if there is a special need, you will have my phone number. Sylvestro, think of me as her older sister, for in a way, the lives we have lived have made us sisters in the pain we experienced. Now I want us to become sisters in reaching out for our dreams and achieving them.”
I was pleased when Sophia asked me, “What of my mother, how will she live without me?”
“She has been expecting you to leave her, so she has been hiding some of the money you gave her.” I stared at her for a moment, thinking of what Roberto did for me. “If you promise to work hard at becoming the woman I see you can become, I promise I’ll see to it that she has some money each month.”

1318

The next day, when we were about to go visit her foster parents, I changed myself into a thirty year old woman who is obviously wealthy. I expected Sophia to become afraid, but it seems she really believes I am some kind of witch and does not fear me, but her eyes are filled with wonder…and maybe a little awe at the knowledge that I am using my powers to help her.

We left Sophia with her new parents for a short visit so that they can both decide they like each other and are willing to commit themselves. Once we were alone, Sylvestro asked me, “What of the enemies of Roberto, what if they destroy you? I cannot afford to keep up the payments you’ve promised.”
I laughed. “Roberto let them hurt us? That will never happen.” Because I saw he believed me, I let him see some of my pain. “I do not understand why he has let them hurt him, but as long as they only hurt him, not us, I think he wants to let them continue to fight us so that we grow up a little…those of us who do not know what life is really like.”
The next morning I took the risk of being sensed and jumped to Kifissia, withdrew money from my bank account and returned to Sylvestro. I placed the money on his kitchen table. “There is twenty four thousand dollars, for you to pay her foster parents a thousand a month for two years. This five you can use for extras, clothes, birthday gifts, a bit of pocket money for her and so on.” I grinned. “This two thousand is for taking her on a shopping spree tomorrow, she is going to need a lot of clothes, maybe a cassette player, some CD's and toiletries.”
“It is good you buy her clothes here, not in Roma, so that she does not look different to the other girls of this area. I hope she does not disappoint you Aganthi.”
“How can she? I do not expect her to change without first making some terrible mistakes. As she begins to want what we’re offering her, fear will make her fight against it happening. You’ll need to be strong and patient…very patient.” He laughed as he nodded.
I withdrew into my thoughts so he silently moved about tidying the kitchen and preparing the next meal. When he brought me a tiny cup of espresso, I looked up at him, “I’ve never tried to do good, to change someone’s fate before, I’m afraid I’ll make a bad mistake and destroy her life.”
He nodded. “I’m glad you told me your fears, for I too have never tried to change the life of another and I was afraid. Maybe if we are both trying hard we will not make too many bad mistakes?” I laughed and nodded, almost wanting to hug him - I am not like the other girls, I do not hug easily, maybe the memories of being hugged by those who hurt me are still too alive in me.

Early the next morning, the couple who are to care for Sophia phoned. “Officer, the girl, she has spent all night weeping. We do not know what to do for her.”
I whispered, “Tell them we are coming.”

Sophia had not come out of her bedroom, so I entered on my own. She was lying on her side, hugging a pillow to her. Gently I asked, “May I take the place of your pillow?” As I lay down she flung her arms around me and began a fresh bout of weeping. Since she kept her head buried against my chest, I waited, holding her just as tightly. Finally her sobs died down and she fell asleep. I waited until she woke.
“We are going to town to buy you some clothes. After that, just you and I, will go for coffee and pastries to…let’s see, I’ll give you two options, either the Excelsior Hotel in Via Venetto, or to Harrods in London. Your choice.” She stared at me with big eyes and I laughed. “It is a tough choice?” She nodded. I loved it that she did not question that I can do as I was offering. “Let’s go to Roma and before I leave I promise to take you to London. Sophia, you do not have to tell me why you were crying, but if you decide you want to, you can tell me while we eat our pastries. Hmm, I hope they have nice chocolate eclairs.”

When we took her shopping bags to the home of Sylvestro, I sensed her need. “Sylvestro, I want to go close to the home of the little girl Roberto healed. I just want to be certain she is fully healed.” He nodded, without asking for explanations, and I left. As I had sensed, Sophia felt she preferred to talk to him - since I was the reason she was crying for so many hours, I can understand her need.
I grinned as I entered. “She’s fine and of course her healing means she will live a very long life, somewhere between one hundred to one hundred and fifty years - same as is for both of you.” They were both startled. “Roberto sent his healer to both of you while he was with you, I sensed him, but also, my healer tells me you are both in perfect health thanks to him.” With a grin, I asked, “Well Sophia, do you still need private time with me, or can Sylvestro come with us?”
Sylvestro turned white. “You want to carry me in the sky? I would not…”
“If Sophia can let me carry her, then so can you.” Sophia looked as if she were about to tell me she also is afraid, so I quickly added, “I will not be carrying you, we will teleport there, which means travel is instantaneous. Sophia, put on something nice and Sylvestro, I think you better wear a jacket…I don’t think a tie is required. Come on, hurry up or we’ll get there too late for the best pastries.”
As they obeyed, I thought of Roberto and then of my loves and thought of how they are all suffering while I play at being a ‘Roberto’ and go for pastries, but I could not make myself feel guilty. I think that we must grab whatever brief opportunities to be happy that come our way so that we can endure the unpleasant times - just like Alki and the others when they left the house of the minister and had a good meal and drinks while we huddled in our home. We were happy for them and I think the others would be happy for me, if they knew.
We sat at the tables within an area partly enclosed by flowers, out on the pavement, and during our stay I could feel Sophia wishing at least one person she knows would walk by and see her, but there is no way I could make her wish come true.

1319

Sophia has returned to the farm, carrying a box of pastries for her new family and I can feel she is determined to try hard to become what I want her to become. Sylvestro is on duty, but we will meet for lunch and then I must leave. I keep worrying Roberto will arrive in Cape Town before me, even though I know he won’t.

Africa

I took the precaution of projecting as a black South African woman. As I arrived, I saw three men before me, talking. The one of them was facing me and at his startled look and exclamation, the other two turned to look. Two of them were blonde and the one, the taller one, had light brown hair. I soon learnt they are Danish, from their accents, plus I sensed it; the tall one took on the look that warned me he thinks he is going to charm me.
“The true beauty of Africa! Delighted to meet you - may I offer you a drink?”
I gave him a puzzled look. “Was that really the best you could manage?”
“What do you…”
“She appeared from nowhere! I was looking that way and she suddenly appeared! I’m not imagining it, I swear!”
The tall brownie asked, obviously amused at the expense of his friend, “Did you teleport?”
“I am a sangoma - apart from being the beauty of Africa, what did you expect? That I would use the white man’s car, train or airplane? We sangomas have to get around a lot, often on urgent business. Nice meeting you.” I smiled and walked away.
Tall brownie said, once he thought I was too far away to hear him, “She’s got a sense of humour! That’s the kind of woman I want to marry.”
I was on a high, it is my excuse for what I then did. I turned back to them and told him, “I’m not available, but my husband also loves little girls with a good sense of humour. Would you like me to turn you into a little girl?” As I left I could hear the other two were having a wonderful time teasing their friend and I thought to myself, see, you don’t have to be a Cherinian to make people happy. I wonder if tall brownie is going to secretly fantasise about becoming a little girl and belonging to a big black man - it is amazing what men will fantasise about regarding sex. Lol.

I can’t believe it! The ship arrived, took on some provisions, water and fuel at anchorage and departed for Mombasa, in Kenya! I’ve never been there, how am I going to jump there?

I found a ship also going to Mombasa and allotted myself a cabin. Since I was broadcasting to not be noticed, it meant I had to help myself from the pot in the kitchen when no one is looking. When we arrived I left a note saying, ‘Thank you for the use of the cabin and the meals. I hope five hundred dollars is fair exchange.’
Being a more modern ship, it travelled faster and we arrived a day after Roberto. As soon as I could see a spot without people I jumped ashore. Carrying a white piece of paper I walked around asking various officials whether they have seen the man in the photo and at the bus depot I got lucky. I was told he, with another white man, went to Nairobi.
Roberto has shared with us his memories of Nairobi, but they are from when he was a child, so much may have changed. I decided it will be safer to jump to a spot where their coffee farm road joins the main road to Nairobi. If nobody stops for me I can keep jumping to the next place ahead of me. It may make me feel dizzy but I’ll be in Nairobi within an hour.
I have found where Roberto is, so I’ve decided to get to know this city our Roberto loves so much. Maybe I’ll even jump to the farm to take a look.

He has done it to me again! Roberto left Nairobi and I don’t have any idea where he is! The hotel were no help, refusing to answer my questions, but I could sense they don’t know where he is travelling to. The concierge suggested I go to the airport and ask around, but I can’t see Roberto getting on a plane, after all, where would he go and why in such a public manner? He knows the spider will have ways of knowing if he does. I better first check with the car hire firms, then the railways and busses; if I fail, only then with the airport and airlines.
I’m not doing so well with my guessing. I left the airlines for last and of course that is the way he travelled. The office girl, after I nudged her mentally, told me he has gone to Dar es Salaam! Why there (?) and do I find him in the city or has he left for the jungles to commune with nature?
I came up with a stupid way for me to get to Dar es Salaam; I found a morning flight going there and once they were high up I formed an air bubble and jumped, landing on top of the main body - I nearly damaged a wire which is on the outside! Getting off was more difficult, but I broke my jump into three, all in the air, before landing close to the city. Some children saw me appear and ran away, screaming. It was a good incentive for me to change my appearance immediately.
There are not many hotels in the city and I know he would not choose the multi-storey Equator Hotel, so I tried the smaller ones first. I used a clever ruse - I entered the hotels looking exactly like Roberto! At the second hotel I was greeted by name, so I broke our rules and talking to the woman, I monitored her thoughts and guided her to thinking of the place where ‘I’ am staying. I suppose I will be punished, but I have had enough of guessing. I am also beginning to feel it is urgent I am by his side.

1320

I was told about the hotel bus and they dropped me off at the foot of the hill where Roberto is. I aimed for the large tree next to the house and landed on a branch. I was just in time to watch the arrival of the girls. As they talked and teased, I felt it is time to announce my presence by stopping the Natalie gift, but then Roberto sliced his wrist. Hearing him tell our loves that they must leave convinced me I should stay hidden a while longer. I did not travel all this way for him to dismiss me. I will not leave now.

The rest of my story you already know, Roberto has written of it.

Roberto was touched when he read the story of Aganthi, but then he asked Cherine and I to write of our time apart from him. Logically, Cherine pointed out to him that it was the writing talent of Samantha which had moved him, so he should ask her. At first he claimed it would not be fair, since she has already helped write for Aganthi, but then he asked her and she agreed, once Cherine and I agreed that we owe her one big favour each. Since then Cherine and I have been anxious, worried that we might have been better off doing the writing ourselves.

Sam intended writing how we all felt, but Meli told her to concentrate the main part of the story on what she knows best - her own feelings and worries. She will add bits about us if she feels the need.

Sorry, this is Sam. They are presuming; I will write whatever I write, which in most cases means I will be copying what I wrote in my own diary. If anyone wants to add bits and pieces, or to take over, they are welcome.

The Doris War - Without Robert

This will be far more difficult for me, since I was previously mainly reporting the thoughts and actions of Aganthi. She has a nice straightforward way of thinking which made it easier for me to write for her.
Our feelings were very strong, which meant we were also feeding off each others fears and pain, but the arguments and pain have been written of already, so I’ll start from the moment Robbie walked out of our home.

I was just as shattered as everyone else by the emptiness where I’d always sensed Robbie and though I was weeping, I could not believe it is happening. Some of the adults were saying things like, ‘we must go to him quickly and force him to return, he doesn’t know what he is doing’ and other such-like calls for bringing Robbie back, but none of us took exception to what they were saying, for the truth is, they were only saying in words how we felt. I think most of us wanted to look to Dommi for her mothering love to comfort us, but her emotions were blending with ours and they were just as wildly painful to bear. One by one we ended up turning to Cherine, who was managing to hold back her grief and was hardly emoting at all, though the skin around her eyes darkened, betraying the bruising of her heart.
It always amazes me how her little-girl voice instantly commands our attention, even the adults falling silent as she begins to speak. “You named yourself Cherinians because you have gifts and are linked to each other. The way we feel follows our Robert, weakening him, even if he cannot sense us. If you love him, please be brave and concentrate on how we finish this war as soon as possible, so that he can return to our love. That is what we must do, send him love all the time so that he can bear being alone…after having known what it is like to be a part of all of us.” She bent her head for a moment and then said to her mother, “I also cannot silence the crying within me, but I can choose to make the part which sends him my love stronger, so that it is all he feels...even if it is only in his dreams.”
Despite what Cherine said, we all found our moment alone to weep - including Cherine herself, though she did it in the arms of her mother. In this way it is that we are more resilient than the adults, once we have cried our hearts out, we then recover and are able to dream again. We were all suffering an enormous shock and I found that letting myself grieve with actual tears helped me find a balance of sorts again. The adults held in their pain, partly for our sakes, but also because it is what they have learnt to do, and took much longer to recover from the effects of their shock.
The love of our Cherinians for us girls and Robbie was demonstrated once again in a tangible manner by their willingness to sacrifice their comforts so as to remain by our side day and night. They did not offer, they just did it. Our pappou showed once again that he is the bestest! He did not even give a mental sigh at the thought of having to pay the costs for everyone since they will not be able to work.
By the time he had finished placing orders for everything we could think of, I don’t think there was any free space for storing more stock - though we might have found space for a few more chocolates if Robbie had been here with us (that was meant to be a plaintive complaint, in case you did not get it). Having the shopkeepers deliver our orders was more efficient than us raiding the stores at night, but not as much fun and it did not give us that feeling we’d enjoyed while in the stores, the sense of camaraderie that came out of all of us working together for all of us. Still, with Robbie gone, the adults are determined to minimise the risks us children are exposed to.
It is amazing how the human heart is capable of feeling such pain and yet it can still ache with other pains. For the first hour after his departure, we mostly talked about Robbie, our minds and hearts constantly trying to reach out to him, but then we began to concentrate on Aganthi. That we delayed for one hour in our concentrating on a thorough search for her does not suggest we do not love her as strongly as we say we do - to the contrary, that fact that we were able to turn from our need for Robbie to her within only one hour proves just how strong a hold she has on our hearts.
When someone cursed our ability to block out others, I risked annoying them by saying, “From the first time Robert did it to Cherine and then she did it to him, on Ydra, it has felt like a curse to all of us. I have moments when I swear at it, but not once have I wished we could rid ourselves of the gift. It is very necessary and as with most of our gifts that are good, it can be misused - or it can feel like they are. For instance, we know our love left us so as to secretly help our Robert; if she could not block herself from us, would we have allowed her - or would we have forced her to obey Robert?” I grinned at their emoting and added, “If I had a glass of champagne in my hand, I’d drink a toast to the art and gift of blocking our minds. Go, sweet Aganthi go!” At least I got a few smiles and chuckles and they soon stopped being angry with my most recent example of my tendency to examine and speak on behalf of whatever is currently unpopular with us.

Next [Book 02] - Post 063

I hope you enjoy reading this story of fantasy, adventure and love.

Αλέξανδρος Ζήνον Ευσταθίου

(Alexander Zenon Eustace)
^{5th July, 2019}

* posted on Steemit: 5th July, 2019



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