Where The Numinous Awaits

Ch. 9: Dex's Path

August 16 | Midnight

I crossed the firefly strewn front yard to the dented blue Lincoln parked at an angle in my driveway. What was Abuelita doing here? I squinted through the windshield. A ghost white rosary swayed erratically from the rearview mirror, jostled by my grandmother's efforts to get her plumpness out of the car.

"Ah, you're awake," she greeted me pleasantly.

I couldn't help but smile, happy to see her. "But you shouldn't be! You ought to be home in LaPlace. Dios mio! You drove all those miles in the dark with cataracts?" I laughed and spread my arms.

"So it would seem." She gathered me in a tight squeeze. "I had a dream I should be here," she whispered.

"Oi, don't start that," I warned.

Amaya Garcia was la curandera, although in some circles they called her la bruja. My shamanistic Abuela had the look of an eccentric old bat, wearing her wiry gray hair drawn together in an unraveling braid that flopped over her shoulder. She swept flyaway wisps from her wrinkled face as she handed me a quilted bag from the backseat. It strained at the seams with her belongings.

"Had to stop by for a visit," she went on.

"Abuela, you do realize it's midnight, don't you?" I chuckled.

She gazed at me, her coffee eyes energetic. "I haven't turned so ancient that I can't tell time. You have other guests?" She flicked a glance at my house.

Along with her bag, I grabbed two suitcases from her trunk, and I furrowed my brow. How long was she staying? "I won't ask how you know, but, yes, Director Van der Woodsen has me on an important assignment. Wait a minute, did he send you here?" I asked. The director and my grandmother were on friendly terms. Perhaps he had assumed I needed help on this one.

"Don't you worry. I'll stay out of your way," she said. I took that as a yes.

"Come," I replied with a grin. "Let's get you out of this night air."

I would have to say something to Van der Woodsen about interfering in my work. I guided Abuela into the house, which was set back from the road and tucked away in a grove of trees that shielded my neighbors from view. The wood cladding and gambrel roofs gave it a fairytale-like appearance. We walked under the warm, rosy exterior light that illuminated the porch and through the rounded red front door off to the side.

Abuelita relaxed her feet on the recliner while I stowed her belongings in my nicest guest room.

Legend and Nixie would have to haggle over the second room. The library door was shut, and I pictured the pair getting acquainted, with Legend probably flirting. It seemed to me that he couldn't help but womanize, and Nixie was a vision to behold, easy on the eyes. Of course, it was possible that a harmless crush between the two of them would work to my advantage if it kept the princess from trying to escape.

I told myself I didn't have to worry about her running. The surveillance system and alerts on each door would keep me updated on everyone's comings and goings. However, when I was in the shed doing research, I would have to rely on Legend to be my eyes and ears.

"Have you eaten yet?" I called to the living room.

Abuela yelled back, "Now don't put yourself out for me."

"I haven't eaten, either. Have a bite with me."

I entered the kitchen to look for something to reheat in the refrigerator and discovered a leftover casserole. As I placed it in the oven, she came and sat down at the table. I set out dishes and utensils and brewed tea. She kept me company with a barrage of Spanish questions about my career, my dating life (or lack thereof).