THE 33 KEYS: Key 2 - ANSWER THE CALL "Listen for that Perfect Beat"

CHAPTER 22: CHANGE YOUR COUNTRY

A notification goes off as I enter, followed by a warning sound. I dry off quickly, carefully detach my hair from my back, then screw the light bulb in place and plug the charger in. It's from Pete. Well, not really from him. We never stopped being friends on Facebook so I still get notifications from time to time. But not for a while, though. Oh, well. That's my cue to stalk. I click on his name, Pete Falona, and dive in. He's updated his status. Just a few white dots on a black background. What the hell! I count them. Twenty-seven to be exact. What is that supposed to mean? That he has nothing left to say? That he's finally stopped sharing for the first time in his life?

I scroll through some of his pictures and get lost in the old world where Pete loved Mary. Oh, I'm such a liar.

If he loved me so much then why are there no pictures to prove it? Because you never took any, dummy. And he never encouraged it either.

Yes, everything between Pete and I had been one-sided, forced even.

Ah! Forget you!

My eyes stray to the ad on my right. Stocatta Embassy is offering another work-related lottery. They do it twice each year, and like my mother's shampoo most people get through only in their imagination. Some even walk around telling fake stories, and then get defensive when people ask to see the stamp in their passports. I click on the ad for more information.

A full high school certificate sounds right up my alley. Let's see what else I need. Yeah, I can do this; and that too. Hmmm. Maybe not that. This is where I always get stumped. References, whether personal or employer-based, have a way of eluding me. And now I need two. I wonder if Matron Caine will help. Zero. She'll probably hold a grudge until I pay off her stupid rent. Perhaps the church might. They did it before. What's one more time? I've heard forgiveness is king around those parts. Father Paul shouldn't hold it against me that I left the perfect job he recommended me for. I think back on how many times he could've done just that over the last four years. God knows I gave him reason enough to send me packing. But he never did and I'm almost sure he won't start now. So it's a go.

Yes! I'm going to Stocatta! Why hadn't I thought about this before? It's the perfect thing to get my life in gear. Isn't that what people do when they come here? If things aren't working out in the south, head to the north. Better yet, change the whole damn country. Yes, that's what I'll do, go someplace where there's no Pete or my mother to abandon me. It'll be like turning a new page in a storybook and having the emperor give me his best pair of shoes. Yes, dammit! I'm doing it, I promise myself as the pills finally kick in. I'm going to start over tomorrow. Or the day after. Oh, whatever!

On Thursday morning, I put the black outfit back on and step out into Florence Street wearing a smile that can brighten the entire string of islands. Through the scanty palm trees, I can see the lanky-looking Father Paul out front, bidding goodbye to the last of his parishioners. And I'm probably the only person who knows what will happen next. He does it every day right after mass; retire to his private garden at the back of the church and sit in silence. Well not this morning, padre. I quickly slip through the palm trees and join him.

The first thing that confronts me is Ebony's grave, made out from a distance because of the three tallest palm trees that mark the Vermont sisters' own graves, the first of Leer Island's citizens to die. Father Paul distracts me from staring to protect me from what he knows can turn into months of depression. And due to his appearance, that's an easy feat for him. I can never get used to the contrast of his bushy brows against his neat hair and facial features.

"Ah, Mary! Haven't seen you here in a while."

"I know," I reply and dive right in. "Things have really been stressful lately."

"A bank has its moments like anywhere else."

"I'm not there anymore."

"You got fired?"

I am about to respond with zero. But not everyone understands me like Hazel does.

"No!" I say in normal language. "I was forced to leave."

"Really? What happened? It seemed the perfect job."

"A Copper from Madawaur wanted me out," I explain. "The manager took her side."

"Oh, I see. But that's no reason to leave. We mustn't let anyone make us stray from the path."

"They drove me crazy every day. I just couldn't do it anymore."

"Well, you came over for a reason." He tries to keep upbeat. "What can I do for you?"

"I have to leave the Bunny House by September 23rd."

"Just like that you're abandoning us?"

"It's not like that."

"But you just said that you're leaving."

"I owe rent, Father." I lower my head then look up with moistened eyes. "Four months."

"I've been here a while. You're certainly not the first to owe. Just stay put and ride it out."

"The Matron says I have to leave."

"Not Matron Caine. She's a kind woman," he says matter-of-factly. "She loves all her girls."

I dip into my pocket for the red slip I've been toting around and wave it at him.

"Like I said, I've got until September 23rd to leave."

"It's that serious, huh." He looks away then back again. "What are you planning to do?"

"Stocatta Embassy is offering jobs again. I need two personal references though."

"Two is easy. You've got me and Matron Caine."

"Thanks; but I'm not so sure about Matron Caine."

"I'll talk to her." He looks away again. "So what are you going to do if they say no?"

"I applied for five jobs this week."

"Oh, good! Something will pan out. Just have faith and see."

"Why don't you keep the faith for the both of us, Father?"

"Only until you can handle it."

"So when can I pass for the letter?" I ask, already moving towards the scanty palm trees.

"Give me a day or two unless you need it sooner."

"A day or two is just fine."

"And don't worry, Mary. I'll talk to the Matron about that letter. The eviction too."

"That'll be a miracle. Do that and I'll owe you one."

"Well, miracles just happen to be my thing," Father Paul says amused then quickly adds before heading off to the back. "Anyway, you keep good, Mary."