Ben Blazze and Heimdall's Orb

Chapter 3: The Room

The driver got out and hurried to open the back doors for Maria de Paula and Ben. That made the boy wonder if such a fancy car had a problem with the inner door handles.

As they got out, a lady in her 50s appeared at the door. She wore a gray skirt suit and jet black shoes. Her blond hair was tied in a bun so tight that Ben admired she could frown. She looked ready to raise her arm forward and release a Heil Hitler.

"Ben, this is Miss Keller," said Maria de Paula. "She is our housekeeper and a recipient of my utmost confidence. Fatima, this is my grandson, Benjamin Blazze."

"Good afternoon, Benjamin. Welcome," said Keller, charming as a kick in the ass.

"Thanks," he said. "Call me Ben," he added, averting his eyes at once.

"Thomas, take Mr. Benjamin's luggage to his room," Keller ordered. "You must be hungry," she said, turning to Ben. "Follow me to the kitchen, and I'll provide you a snack."

Sir, yes, sir, he thought as he followed her through the front door, wondering if he should start to march. Behind the big two-leafed door was a foyer. Then, space opened into a high-ceilinged hall. It was magnificent. The floor was covered with dark marble, as were the walls to half height. The center chandelier was the size of a small car, with thousands of crystal pendants attached at different levels. At the back, an imposing white marble staircase reached the upper balcony at two distinct points.

Maria de Paula entered as well, but she went into an adjoining room to the left. Meanwhile, Fatima led Ben through the back door to the right of the staircase, getting to a vast dining room, where a massive table dominated the place.

After another door, they finally reached the kitchen. It was all white and black and, as everything else seemed to be in that house, huge. In the middle of the kitchen was a marble counter. In front of it, seven tall stools. Miss Keller told Ben to sit down. Then came a smiling maid in a pristine white uniform and apron.

"Alzira, this is Mr. Benjamin Blazze, Dona Maria de Paula's grandson," Keller said.

"Good morning, Mr. Blazze," she said, smiling. Then she began to place a snack set in front of him: a placemat, a plate, cutlery, a glass, and a napkin. She was expecting him.

"Good morning," Ben replied. "Please, call me Ben," he added, hoping she wouldn't ignore the request either.

Alzira promptly fixed him a grilled ham and cheese sandwich and orange juice. During that time, no one said anything, and he ate in silence too. The cook seemed to be alright, but Ben felt intimidated by Miss Keller and her formality. While he ate, the housekeeper scribbled on a notepad, three stools away from him.

Then, Ben caught a glimpse of something in the small gap between the cupboard and the oven across the counter. It was only a shadow and a quick movement. Are there rats in such a fancy house? – he thought. Rats didn't scare him. He was used to getting rid of such pests in his old home. Anyway, he got a strange feeling and kept watching that gap.

"Do you want anything else, Benjamin?" Miss Keller asked, interrupting his thoughts.

"No, thank you."

"Ready to see your bedroom?"

"Yes, I am," Ben replied, standing up. "Thank you, Alzira."

"You're welcome, Mr. Ben. See you soon," she replied, making Ben laugh inside at "Mr. Ben."

They went back to the dining room, but this time Keller led him through a different door, coming into a staircase hall. They climbed the stairs over two flights, reaching the upper floor at another small closed room, almost identical to the one bellow.

"Where is grandma?"

"Working at the library. Your grandmother is very busy, but she will have dinner with you and asked me to attend to your needs until then."

Is she some grammar cop? Ben thought after Keller's emphasis on "grandmother."

Leaving the upper hall, they came to a corridor. At the end of it, one more door. Ben wondered why so many doors, but he'd better say nothing. Keller was contraindicated for small talk. At least some door manufacturer must have been thrilled by this house's construction, he thought.

Once again, a little shadow dragged Ben back from his drifting thoughts. It was running through his peripheral vision, or so he imagined, but there was nothing there when he turned to get a better look.

Miss Keller opened the door and led Ben inside. He did not believe his eyes.

Would THIS be his room? Not even in his wildest fantasy could he have wished better.

"This was your father's room, and now it's yours," Keller said, using the faraway tone that Ben now figured was regular for her.

"Did you meet my dad?" he asked, too curious to avoid bringing up that matter with her.

"I helped your grandmother raise Arthur even when your grandfather was alive."

"How was he?"

"Just terrible! He always did what he wanted."

Ben ignored the dull answer and started looking around. The room was huge. Ben was sure it was bigger than Jap's entire house. To the left of the door was the bed. It was a king bed against the far wall, with a nightstand on either side. Just in front of it were some sofas and armchairs with a coffee table. A big TV set hung on the nearby wall. On the rack below the TV, he saw two brand new video game consoles. There was also a desk with a computer, jars full of pencils and pens of all colors, and a plethora of other objects Ben had never dreamt of owning.

To the right of the front door, bookshelves from floor to ceiling lined the three walls. A library inside the room?! Ben asked himself.

That side of the room was empty, besides the wall shelves. There, on the floor, a black illustration contrasted with the rest of the white finish. It was the drawing of a stylized tree, resembling a circular emblem, about seven feet in diameter. Impressive.

"Wow," Ben blurted out, unable to hide his astonishment.

"I'll let you rest and come back later," Keller said, pulling Ben out of his trance. "If you want to take a shower, the bathroom is over there," she pointed to the sliding doors between the shelves on the right, "and you'll find clean clothes in the closet. If you need something, pick up the phone and dial 55. Understood?"

"Got it," said Ben. He didn't even turn to see her leaving.