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Being a Navy family just meant by default that the Scullys lived in all kinds of places.
Having been with her husband since they were teenagers, Margaret ‘Maggie’ Christine Scully understood this fact. And was used to it. Especially because her husband William Scully Senior, a Naval commander, had had postings in multiple countries by now. She enjoyed this life. And so did he.
This time, they were in California.
Maggie found it funny in a dark way. While she was a native of the Baltimore area and her husband was from New York, it was a different story where their children were concerned. All four of them. Between Bill Junior, Melissa, Dana, and Charlie, three of them had very little experience of living in the states at all. One of them never even had. Until now.
At least the assignment was only for six months.
What Maggie found herself reflecting on as they settled into their new house was the moods of her children. Especially because they’d been in England before this.
Both her sons had been born abroad in Europe. At fifteen and eight, one had only ever lived in the states for a few months before. The other? Never once. Bill Junior was indifferent about being in America because he was more focused on doing everything he could to learn about how to join the Navy when he was older. Charlie was just excited to be in a new place. And to find the closest lending library. If possible.
Dana.
She had been the only Scully child to have been born in the states. But she’d also spent the vast majority of her life in England. Until now. And she was not happy about moving across the ocean. Whatsoever. Maggie would also be remiss to overlook the fact that her third-born made everybody know exactly how she felt.
Then there was Melissa Christine. Her parents’ daydreamer.
She had also been born abroad in Japan. She’d even lived in the states, too. Technically. But as she was less than a year younger than Bill, she had no memory of Annapolis in any form. Melissa did still enjoy learning about new places. And from where Maggie stood, it seemed her fourteen-year-old was living a dream. So that was that.
Maggie’s children were a mixed bag of emotions about moving. But she respected them.
PRESENTLY
OCTOBER 13th
Dana stood on the porch of Number 6 Foxfield Lane.
She was watching the rain fall. And while she hardly noticed it, she was distantly thankful that their porch was a covered one. The last thing that she needed was for her flamboyantly curly hair to get any more dramatic than it already was. Like she really wanted the weird kid at school to taunt her more.
But then Dana’s mind shifted to things that were happy. It passed the time.
Today she was on the porch and even had her messenger bag because Melissa had instructed her to be ready to go somewhere with her. Dana was confused. But she trusted her sister. Implicity. So, Dana waited. Just what for? Well… Therein lay the million-dollar question. It was what it was.
Eventually, however, Dana’s mind still went back to her school day.
‘Our Lady of Sorrows’ was a ridiculous name. Even for the all-encompassing Catholic prep school she and her siblings had been made to attend. The only good thing was that the campus was on-base. And not a far walk. What Dana particularly did not like was one of the boys who had all of the same classes as her. Today, as a slight about her being a redhead, he’d called her ‘the milkman’s child.’ Yet again.
From inside the front hallway, Maggie turned away from watching her daughter through a window.
But she also heaved a sigh. Dana was not normally so absent-minded. Maggie knew her daughters were off to spend time together. And she was happy for them. However… Maggie had also noticed that Dana didn’t have rainboots. Or an umbrella. So she chose to rectify the problem.
After a few minutes, Maggie reentered the front hall from a side parlor, arms full of materials her daughters were about to benefit from. Then she noticed Melissa. Her daughter had entered the area in her absence. Now she could be seen sliding a wrapped parcel into her messenger bag and clasping it shut.
This prompted Maggie to ask her, “Have everything?”
Melissa beamed. “I do!”
“Excellent.” Maggie approved.
Though Melissa basked in her mother’s kindness, it didn’t take her long to realize what Maggie was carrying. Packs of disposable rainwear. Bonnets. Even galoshes. But…
Melissa finally said, “How do you still have those?! I was there when you got them in England!”
“How is it that I could find more than enough of these items, but I can’t find an entire box of umbrellas that I know I packed?!” Maggie tipped everything into Melissa’s cradled arms when she motioned for her to take them. “Anyway… Do you have any idea why Dana’s been so distracted since you came home from school?”
“Not really. All I really know is that she had a bad day. But I’m definitely going to ask her what even happened. She talks to me.” Melissa performed a genuine shoulder shrug. “Just like Aunt Katherine talks to you.”
“Oh. I see. Checking on your sister is a very nice thing to do.” Maggie remarked. “You really are a wonderful sister to her.”
Dana beamed when the front door opened.
Politely greeting her mother when she saw her, Dana then spoke in actual confusion. “Mom? Why do you still have the rain gear from England?”
Maggie heard her. And quickly did everything to not laugh. Dana had picked up an English accent because of a near-lifetime of England living. She just hadn’t been able to shake it. Although Maggie noticed that her third-born hadn’t seemed to put much effort into trying. So far.
“Well…” Maggie sighed. “You know just what they say about desperation, time, and measures.”
Melissa filled in the blanks when her sister became politely puzzled. “Mom can’t find the umbrellas. And you know? I think the ridiculousness of the situation is beginning to vex her.”
“Hm.” Dana furrowed her brow in a very Maggie-like fashion before addressing her. “I’m nearly one hundred percent sure I saw a moving box marked ‘umbrellas’ in Charlie’s room.”
“Pardon?!” protested Maggie.
With a shrug, Dana said, “Beats me.”
Pulling herself together, Maggie replied, “Okay. Thank you.”
Dana continued to perk up. “Glad I could help.”
Maggie then checked the time on the nearby cat wall clock in the hall before facing her daughters again. “Hey. Far be it from me to spoil anything, but I suggest you two get yourselves all sorted against the rain before stepping on the gas.”
“We will!” Dana and Melissa trilled together.
“Good. I hope you two have some fun.” Maggie returned. “I’ll see you later.”
Maggie closed the door.
But then she turned to face the front hall again. Her family had just moved into this house a week ago. Meaning? Number 6 was currently swimming in moving boxes. And probably would be, until they went back to England. Maggie still made her way upstairs to find the umbrellas. Immediately. Not knowing where they were was vexing.
After the Scully sisters followed through on their mother’s tempered suggestion, Dana looped one arm through Melissa’s when it was offered to her. Then they set out. Now Dana was ready to have an adventure with Melissa. She always delivered.
Once they’d been walking in one direction for awhile, Melissa finally said, “What has been bugging you since we came home from school?”
Dana lamented, “It’s dumb.”
Without wavering, Melissa replied, “Try me. I dare you.”
Sighing in a very preteen girl way, Dana said, “Fine. The Gallagher boy called me ‘the milkman’s kid’ today during lunch.”
Now Melissa blankly asked, “Again?”
Dana said blandly, “Uh-huh.”
“Okay. Then what happened?” Melissa prompted.
“I just thought I thought I left that kind of ridiculousness behind in England. But it followed me across the ocean.” Dana grumbled. “So did the accent… and I am American!”
Melissa chose her next words carefully. “Hey. Isn’t the Gallagher boy’s name actually Florence?”
Now unable to help herself, Dana smirked. “Yeah. But I heard from Jayne Rhys that he has that name because it’s a family name.”
Secretly impressed that her sister had managed to have a conversation with a popular girl, Melissa now asked, “Is that so?”
Dana gave a big nod. “Yes.”
Melissa joked, “That poor bastard…”
Giggling, Dana said, “Seriously. But I guess it works out for Florence that Our Lady Of Sorrows is a ‘surname’ first school.”
“Yep. However…” Melissa chose her words carefully again. “I don’t think Florence can be all that bright.”
“Really? What makes you say so?” Dana asked her in surprise.
“The boy missed the fact that my red hair makes me the ‘milkman’s child,’ too.” scoffed Melissa.
Now her sister grew skeptical. “Do you actually want Florence to make fun of you…?”
“Of course not.” answered Melissa. “But just because a person thinks they’re so self-important, that doesn’t mean they actually are as clever as they do fancy themselves.”
“Hm. That is a splendid point.” now Dana gave an open laugh.
Relieved, Melissa told her, “I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
Now talk turned to other things. Melissa still hadn’t revealed where they were going. But they were not even heading towards the base gate. This observation hadn’t escaped her sister’s notice. By any stretch.
Rather than send herself into a contemplative tizzy, Dana posed a new question as they walked along the path. “Come on. Why is it that we’re the redheads, but mom, Ahab, Billy, and Charlie all have dark hair?!”
Melissa had an answer after her own bout of contemplation. “The way I understand it is that even though you and I look like teenage versions of mom’s mom, we still have Aunt Katherine’s ‘red hair gene.’ Or whatever.”
Dana felt satisfied. “I’ll take it. Thanks, Missy.”
“Of course.” Melissa returned. “Is there anything else you’re thinking about?”
“Where is Aunt Katherine right now? I forgot. She travels more than we do.” Dana sighed. “Am I wrong?”
“Mm-mm. But I asked mom about her sister the other day because I unpacked the almanacs.” recalled Melissa. “Mom said Aunt Katherine’s in Honolulu.”
Herself impressed, “Woah. That’s in Hawaii…”
“Yes. But I guess we can ask Aunt Katherine just what has been what,” Melissa decided. “When she comes for Thanksgiving next month. Deal?”
“Deal. But…” now Dana had a shudder as she thought about how family gatherings got loud when both sides were together. “If you hang me out to dry with Aunt Olive like Billy did when she came to see us at Christmas last year… So help me…”
“I promise you that I won’t even dream of doing so.” Melissa vowed. “But what did Aunt Olive blather on about last year? Hm?”
Rolling her eyes, Dana responded, “I swear that Aunt Olive regaled me about how she had a tea party with Lincoln’s and Kennedy’s ghosts.”
“How strange.” remarked Melissa.
“But don’t you believe in ghosts?” Dana double-checked.
“Totally.” Melissa reassured her. “But could have sworn the conversation was about tap dancing with Louis Armstrong’s ghost…”
Now Dana laughed jubilantly. “I think you dreamed that.”
Happy that her sister hadn’t realized she was joking about her last quip, and was genuinely laughing amusement, Melissa changed tracks. “Okay. Then do you believe in ghosts?”
Dana spoke emphatically. “Never tell anyone, especially Aunt Katherine and Aunt Olive, but I one hundred percent believe in ghosts.”
“The secret is very safe with me. But what if you one day meet your perfect other…” Melissa grew thoughtful. “And he believes in all of that?”
Now Dana spoke without hesitation as she still momentarily wondered if today was a special day for her yet-to-be-met soulmate. “I’ll believe in him.”
“Why? Please tell me.” the other girl prodded.
“Because he’d have to be the absolute love of my life and super fun for me to have learned those things about him.” Dana answered her sagely.
Eyebrows raised, Melissa now asked her, “Even if he drags you to an actual haunted house?”
“Even then, because I’m sure,” Dana sighed. “That he’ll need me to spring him out of whatever trouble he’ll get into if he starts talking to the ghosts.”
Melissa tittered. “What if he bails you out, instead?”
“Easy. Then I will believe in my heart-keeper even more.” Dana said resolutely. “Just promise me something about him.”
Now Melissa told her, “Anything.”
Dana told her, “Please promise me that you’ll be a friend to him when he needs it. Okay? And promise me you will instill God’s fear in him when he needs it.”
“I promise you, Dana Katherine, that I’ll do both of those things.” promised Melissa.
The conversation changed track again.
But then Dana’s confusion mounted when they crossed one road and entered the commissary plaza. Here could be seen various buildings. In addition to the commissary itself and a general business administration office building that housed various services for health or business, the other side of the plaza housed a small shopping center, a salon, two types of laundromats, a small Italian restaurant, a variety store, a post office, and even small movie theater. The base residents really didn’t need to leave the area for much on a daily basis. Everything felt practical.
So Dana finally said, “Are we grocery shopping?”
Melissa laughed as she walked past the commissary itself. “Nope. This way.”
Having stopped to look at a poster in the commissary window that stated how much ground chuck was per pound this week, because her mother appreciated knowing things like this, Dana tore herself away. And hurried after her sister. She was headed in the direction of the rest of the businesses. Dana remained stumped. What was her sister up to?
I guess we’re not going to get pizza… Dana mused to herself when they headed past the restaurant near the end of the business row.
But then she let out an audible gasp. Melissa was holding open the door to the movie theater’s insulated vestibule. Dana hurried inside. She just wanted to be out of the rain. After the door closed behind them, they pitched their disposable rain gear in a nearby trashbin. Dana spoke when they were both presentable again.
“Missy, what’s going on?” she asked.
“This,” Melissa answered with a flourish. “Is for you.”
Now Melissa was holding out the wrapped parcel that Maggie had noticed earlier. It was flat. And square-shaped. Big, too. Dana took it with surprise.
“My birthday’s in February. Today is the thirteenth. Of October. We still have Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas to go before I turn thirteen.” she observed.
Melissa laughed before becoming sympathetic. “I know that you’re unhappy about being here. Even if it’s only six months. But I thought about you when I saw that gift.”
Forgoing the rest of her suspicion, Dana finally unwrapped the parcel. Before squealing in surprise. In her hands was a fully-illustrated copy of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz. Other than the saga of Herman Melville’s Captain Ahab, this was her other most favorite story. Ever. She hadn’t seen this coming.
In orbit because she loved her sister, Dana hugged her and she said, “Thank you! I love it!”
“I’m glad you do.” Melissa watched her sister toss the discarded wrapping paper and even put her new book away. “Now please follow me. The two of us are here for a reason.”
So Dana followed Melissa across the vestibule to the ticket office.
And proceeded to squeal in further surprise when Melissa purchased two tickets to a screening of The Wizard Of Oz that was to begin in just a little while. Dana had not seen this coming, either. Just receiving the book version had been enough to excite her. She would now be spending a rainy day at the movies with Melissa. How perfect.
Once they’d made use of the patron facilities and reentered the lobby, Melissa told her sister, “Everything right now is a ‘sisters only’ outing. Plus a fun break from the rain. Okay? What do you think?”
In orbit because she loved her sister, Dana replied, “I’m so excited and so grateful. Thank you again, Melissa. Can we get popcorn?”
Melissa pulled out a rainbow-colored change purse from one pocket as they crossed the lobby at that point. “Mom gave me enough money so that we can get anything we’d like. Including popcorn. Me? I can’t wait to see if Hershey bars are available…”
Dana and Melissa walked on.
Crossing the lobby was made easy because the part of the theater open to the public was not busy. Dana understood. It was Wednesday afternoon. Their neighbors were all busily occupied with different things that would have kept them from going to see a movie just then. Still, the Scully sisters were grateful.
It meant that they had an unobstructed view of the concession stand’s display case where all the exciting things were being shown off. Both sisters went for Coca-Cola and popcorn. Melissa delightedly added a Hershey bar to her purchase pile. They hadn’t had those in England. Except at the occasional specialty food shop. Dana went for something called ‘Jelly Belly’ jelly beans. They were labeled as being new on the market. So she would try them today.
After the purchases had been made, Melissa had put her money away again, and they’d redistributed their treasures between them, the concessionist asked them, “What are you two going to see?”
“That would be The Wizard Of Oz in house number one.” Dana remembered the information from what the person in the box office had said. “But… Do you need our tickets…?”
The concessionist shook her head in amusement. “No. I do not. Still, the two of you are lucky.”
“Why?” Dana and Melissa said together.
“You’ve only just arrived ahead of the show’s cut-off time.” the concessionist explained.
“Are we still able to see the picture?!” Dana said in slight alarm.
“Yes. Don’t worry.” now the concessionist came around the corner and held open the closest door. “Please go find a seat. I’ll make sure that the projectionist knows that the show must go on. Okay?”
The Scully sisters cheerfully chimed, “Thank you!”
Now the concessionist motioned for them to go in. “I can honestly say that you two are going to be the only ones for the show. And that means you can sit wherever you’d like. I promise.”
Finally at their missed impressed, the Scully sisters thanked her again before finally heading inside. The movie house wasn’t anything luxurious. But there were innumerable rows of seats, all facing the silver screen at the front of the room. No other soul could be seen. Dana and Melissa really did have the place to themselves.
Once they settled into their seats, Dana turned to her sister. “Thanks again for everything. I love you.”
Melissa beamed. “You are totally welcome. And I love you, too.”
Dana basked in the kind words from her favorite person.
And as the lights went out while the movie started, she still kept a single thought to herself. I wonder if October thirteenth is important to my soulmate… whoever he is.
Dana Katherine Scully would one day learn that the answer to her question was a very solid affirmative.
Only… Just not until adulthood, when she was to first stumble upon the name Special Agent Fox ‘Spooky’ William Mulder.