Return to Celio (22 page)

“But how did you...?”

“I was born there, in Celio. Some of us, the natives, we can come and go between the two worlds. Most don’t, though. I mean why would you leave Celio if you didn’t have to?”

I winced.

“I like to think of myself as sort of a messenger between realms. Hence Bonnie, my wonderfully fun and snappy-dressing alter ego.”

I sighed with relief. “I knew it. I knew Celio and Darrios were real.”

“Of course they’re real. What would ever make you think they weren’t?”

I glanced down into my lap, thinking of the doubt on my brother’s face, and of course Gregg’s comments still lingered.

Bernie patted my hand. “But you knew in your heart, didn’t you, Maggie?”

I nodded. A tear streamed down my cheek. “Not that it matters, now. I blew it. I’m here and Darrios is there.”

He clapped his hands together. “
That
is where I come in. When my associates told me you came back, I couldn’t believe it. I’ve never seen two people better suited for one another or who needed each other more than you and Darrios. That was a match I could’ve done in my sleep. And apparently, I did, because you’re back here now. Why are you so resistant to allow yourself some happiness, Maggie?”

“I don’t get it. You put Darrios and me together? My falling into Celio, that wasn’t an accident?” I asked, feeling very confused.

He sat down on the bed next to me, nodded, and took both of my hands in his. His features were so much softer and kinder as a man.

“I’ve known Darrios for a very long time. And I’ve been watching you for awhile now, ever since you became mixed up with that dolt, Gregg, and his realm of darkness.” He shivered. “You could never have been happy with him.”

“I only wish I’d have figured out that bit of information a little bit sooner,” I said in agreement.

“As soon as I read your aura, I knew immediately that you and Darrios were meant for each other. Your colors blended beautifully. The only problem being that you lived in two different worlds. It is my firm belief that problems are meant to be solved.

“I tried to get you to see, but you didn’t seem to want to. I knew I had to do something drastic after you moved across the state with that miserable sod.”

“Does Darrios know about this...about you?”

“No, he doesn’t know I got you to Celio. But I’ll tell him once we get you back there. But...nobody knows about Bonnie.”

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. You didn’t cause that whole thing with Amanda in the hotel, did you?”

“Ah, no, unfortunately, Gregg managed that one all by himself. He truly is one of the most self-absorbed, thoughtless, insensitive bastards I’ve had the misfortune to meet.”

“When did you meet him?”

“At the hospital, in L.A.”

“But I thought I was in Celio.”

“Maggie, your body can exist in two planes at once, but not your spirit. I had to make sure they kept your body alive here, so it could stay alive there, and vise-versa. Thanks to Darrios, that happened.”

“Seems like an awfully big gamble just to play matchmaker.”

“Not at all. I had tremendous faith in the love between you and Darrios. In fact, I still do. I guess I got swept away in the romance and forgot to add your aunt and your brother to the equation.”

“He’s leaving. He’ll be gone for at least two years.”

Bernie’s eyes lit up. He jumped up. “This is perfect. And when he returns, I’ll be the go between.”

“What are you saying?”

“We have to get you sprung from this horrible place and find another door.”

My eyes lit up. I grabbed Bernie’s sleeve. “You can do that? You can get me back to Celio, back to Darrios?”

He knocked on my forehead, gently. “Hellooo, anyone in there? Weren’t you listening? Yes, darling, I can do that. It won’t be easy, but I am determined, especially when it comes to love. Oh, speaking of which, I almost forgot. God, I can be such a ditz.”

“What?”

“Your aunt is in Celio, safe and sound.”

“But Brendan said...”

He gave me an exaggerated smile and cocked his head. “Said what...that she’d met a man? Scandalous.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Maybe you did sustain a head injury after all. I don’t remember you being this dense,” Bernie said teasingly. “Bonnie and your aunt had a little chat. FYI? She is much more accepting of the weird, unusual, and unexplainable than you are. You might take a lesson...”

“Bernie!”

“Sorry, pumpkin, I told her about Celio and about you and Darrios. She was thrilled, natch, and asked if I could get her there too? She mentioned your brother’s quest to save the world and said she was up for an adventure. I wasn’t about to leave the poor woman alone with no family around and I did admire her spunk. So I took her to Celio.”

“My aunt. Is in Celio. Right now,” I said slowly.

Bernie nodded emphatically, intertwined his hands, and rested them against his lips, which were twitching into a smile.

“And that’s not all,” he said, barely able to contain his excitement, “she really did meet someone and they’re crazy about each other.”

“No way, who is it?”

Bernie examined his nails, glanced around the room, and brushed a hair out of his face, heightening the suspense.

I glared at him. “Seriously, Bernie?”

“Jezbah,” he said with a giggle.

“Shut
up.
Darrios’ Jezbah?”

“How many Jezbah’s could there possibly be, sweet tart?”

I rolled my eyes and rubbed my temples, trying to sort this out. The only thing better than getting back to Darrios would be having my aunt there too, and maybe Brendan someday.

“In fact,” he rambled on, “the last time I saw them they had their hands all over each other, couldn’t...”

“Aahhh, stop. Too much information,” I wailed. “I love my aunt and I’m glad she’s found happiness with someone, but I do not need the details, ever.”

Bernie chuckled. “I guess I didn’t exactly sound like a Hallmark there, but if you could’ve seen...”

“
Evvver
!”

He made the motion of zipping his lips, locking them, and then tossing away the key. I nodded and blew out a breath.

“You gotta get me back there, Bernie.”

He patted me on the head. “That’s the plan, kitten, but I need you to schmooze these quacks and get the hell out of here.”

“I’ll do my best.”

He stood up and stretched.

“I need to make some calls,” he said. “But I’ll be back.”

“Wait, Bernie, when we go back...will my body still be here?”

“No Maggie-love. I said your body
can
stay alive in two planes, but it doesn’t have to. This time when we go, you’ll be taking it with you.”

I sighed, relieved. The whole bodies on two planes thing kind of creeped me out.

****

Bernie had inspired me. Suddenly, I started thinking about getting back to Celio instead of mourning the fact that I’d left.

The first thing I had to do was get myself out of this joke of a hospital. Then I‘d head straight back to L.A. and return to the movie studio. The thought of ending up in the Outer Rim again didn’t exactly appeal to me, but at least I knew what to expect and what to be on the lookout for.

I was sure I could find my way to Midland and then on to Inland once I got there, with Bernie’s help. Maybe we’d run into Darrios before I got that far. But it didn’t matter. I wouldn’t stop until I found him again.

****

The real orderly came and informed me it was time to go see Dr. Little. Instead of the blank stare and ambivalent shrug I usually gave him, I smiled brightly and told him I’d walk myself. “We don’t need the wheelchair today,” I said. “I’m feeling quite a bit better.”

Anton stared at me, surprised.

I laughed. “What’s the matter, Anton? Didn’t you expect me to get better?”

“Uh, yes...of course...I just didn’t expect it to be all at once.”

I winked at him and whispered, “I finally remembered what I have to live for.”

He escorted me to Dr. Little’s office and wished me luck. I kissed him on the cheek and thanked him. I knew Dr. Little would be skeptical of my sudden change in attitude. He wouldn’t release me immediately. I had to seriously buckle down and convince him I was better.

He sat at his desk waiting for me. I smiled and asked him how he was. He too, acted surprised at my demeanor, though he tried not to show it.

“I’m fine, Maggie. And how are you feeling today?”

“I’m feeling much better, Doctor. In fact, I’d really like to focus on getting out of here.”

“Now, Maggie, we mustn’t rush things. It’s very important that you make a complete recovery before you’re released, so you don’t relapse. Don’t you agree?”

I nodded stiffly, resisting the urge to grab him by the lapels and scream into his stupid, pudgy, condescending face, “Let me out of here!”

Instead, I jumped through all of his hoops and said all of the things I knew he wanted to hear to prove to him that my sanity had returned...or at least resurfaced. By the end of our session, I felt confident that I’d impressed him.

“Well, it looks like you’re on the mend. I’m very pleased. If this kind of progress continues, you’ll be out of here in no time.”

What did he mean by no time? Was he talking days, weeks, or months? I could manage a few days, but I needed to get back to L.A. and I didn’t want to seem too anxious and ask him.

I mean, just yesterday I wasn’t talking at all. Up until today, I’d spent my time in Dr. Little’s office staring out the window and giving him exaggerated sighs. I needed to tread lightly.

Anton returned to escort me back to my room. He asked me how my session went and I cheerfully told him it went well. He left saying he’d see me tomorrow. I nodded and went inside.

I closed my door and sat down on my bed. Now that I had a game plan, I was anxious to get it rolling. If I had to sit around here for any length of time, I knew I’d really go crazy.

Later that afternoon, Anton surprised me by arranging for me to go outside. He escorted me out to the courtyard and we sat under a big dogwood tree. I inhaled deeply. The fresh air smelled nice, but nothing compared to Celio. I kept that thought to myself.

“This was very sweet of you. Thank you, Anton,” I said.

He smiled and started to say something, but stopped. I urged him to continue. He hesitated, but finally he spoke.

“It’s just...that boyfriend of yours? Forgive me, Maggie, but he’s a big douche.”

I laughed out loud. “No, Anton, he’s a colossal douche.”

He laughed and then sobered. “After he treated you like that...and then just left, you seemed so sad...sadder than I’ve ever seen anyone. Today was the first day I’ve even seen a hint of anything but misery. I just wanted to try to do something to make it last.”

“Well, Anton, mission accomplished. But I have to tell you, finding out Gregg and Amanda were together isn’t what upset me. They deserve each other and neither one of them is worth one more minute of my thoughts or my time. He and I are far better off apart.”

“Then what made you so sad?”

I looked away and then back at Anton, smiled, and lowered my voice. “Let’s just say it was because of opportunities lost...or opportunities I thought I lost. Hopefully, when I get out of here...I’m going to try to get back to the place I should’ve never left.”

“I hope you get there, Maggie. I really do.”

“Me, too.”

We stayed awhile longer until right before dinner time. Afterward, Anton wheeled me back to my room where I spent the rest of the evening.

When I got into bed, I closed my eyes and thought of Darrios’ beautiful face. In my mind, he smiled at me.

“Darrios, I miss you. I’m back to fighting again. I’m going to get back to you. I am. Just as soon as I can get out of here, I’m going to do everything I can to find a way back. I won’t stop until I do. I am so sorry I left you. God, I hope you can forgive me.”

I felt the lump in my throat growing as I remembered the way Darrios’ touch sent little pops of electricity exploding all over my body. I thought about his voice and how he could speak in that sexy, seductive way that left me weak in the knees. I ached with the longing to feel his arms around me again. I felt a tear slide down my cheek. I squeezed my eyes shut tight to prevent any more from spilling out.

My hopelessness hovered around, trying desperately to work its way back into my head, but I held fast, pushing it away. I needed to hang onto what Bernie had said and the belief that Darrios and I would be together again. Otherwise, I didn’t think I could go on.

I took a couple of deep breaths and turned onto my side. I let myself drift off to sleep thinking about Darrios and me, swimming and frolicking in the lake.

****

After three days of upbeat, smiling, yet completely unstimulating conversations with Dr. Little, he started to believe in my speedy recovery, with only slight reservations. He called my brother and told him to be cautiously optimistic. Brendan drove right down.

His face revealed excitement and relief as he came bustling into my room. He hugged me and stared into my eyes like he expected to see something.

“What? Are you checking for demons?” I teased.

He laughed and looked away, but said nothing for a few moments. “Are you okay, Maggie? I mean, really okay?”

I nodded. I placed my hand on my brother’s cheek. “Yes, Brendan, I’m fine. I know I lost it there for awhile, but I’m better now. You don’t need to worry. You can go to Africa knowing your sister is not going to flip out and go on a shooting spree or something.”

“I just want you to be happy, Mags. That’s all.”

“And I intend to be.”

We visited for the afternoon until Anton came to get me for my session with Dr. Little. Brendan kissed my cheek and promised to return in the morning.

My session went well, but I grew more impatient with each visit. I desperately wanted to get out of this damn hospital and get back to L.A.

With every passing minute I missed Darrios more, but I didn’t mention him again to my brother. I knew he didn’t believe me about Celio, and Bernie hadn’t returned yet, so I didn’t want to alarm him or do anything to ruin my chances of getting released. I went to bed that night frustrated, but hopeful as well.