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While Scully was normally indifferent in regard to the Midwest region of the United States on any given day because she found it excruciatingly dull, she really had no desire to come back to it any time soon. Really. The events of the past few days, concerning J.A.S.D. Beef, Delta Glen, and its unusual people were enough to tide her over for a long time. But especially because she’d accidentally connected any dots between that town to the broader context that was Purity Control.
Neither she nor Mulder would forget it. Ever.
They also wouldn't forget that thanks to the odd hold that The Church of the Red Museum had over the area, that things had just… stalled out altogether. Not to be overlooked was that even the conspiracy-related aspects had stalled out. For now. The last battle at the J.A.S.D. Beef plant had just gone incredibly wrong. The hitman, who Mulder had explicitly said he wanted apprehended alive, had been shot dead. So they were stumped. Big time.
Now it was all stalled out. And the beef-loving Delta Glenians wanted it that way. So the case was what it was. Unsolved.
It was what it was.
Mulder and Scully both still shared the same thought as they headed out of Delta Glen, Wisconsin: I do not want to eat anything with beef in it for at least a week.
THE MOTOR LODGE
10 MILES OUTSIDE OF DELTA GLEN, WI (BUT STILL NOT ENOUGH)
Mulder and Scully were just happy to be people again after setting foot into The Motor Lodge motel’s lobby.
Outside, the early evening sky was overcast. And gloomy. It looked like rain. While the motel was run-of-the-mill, it was warm. And shelter against the cold. Which was enough.
Their SuperShuttle van was due to arrive late tomorrow morning.
But all the same… The journey to the closest big city with a commercial airport was two hours away. Nothing about that could be helped. Until the iconic blue van did come to collect them, The Motor Lodge was home. (But they were also technically stranded because they were coming back from returning the rental car back to the car dealership.) Even that had become that. Concerning themselves with matters of the present was all that mattered. Really. And particularly now.
Because things had just been so still in the lobby, the clerk at the main desk perked up when she spotted Mulder and Scully enter the building. She liked the agents. Both were friendly. And gave her the time of day.
So she remarked after they said hello, “Hm. You two just made it back just in time. Wow.”
Curious, Mulder asked curiously as they joined her, “How’s that?”
The clerk returned, “A lot of rain was in the forecast for this time of d…”
She didn’t get a chance to even finish the last word. Just then, the heavens had opened up outside. A massive downpour had begun. There was no going anywhere.
Darkly amused by their timing, Scully said to Mulder, “Hey. Still glad we took care of bringing the car back now, instead of trying to do it in the morning?”
“Yeah. Especially because I’ll be reimbursed over the ridiculous taxicab fare,” groused Mulder. “That I just had to cough up so that we could get back here. Bloodsuckers…”
Momentarily praying that she would never have cause to meet anything even remotely related to vampires at all, Scully said to her partner after a glance out of the closest window, “I don’t think we should leave the property. What about you? Hm?”
Cottoning on, Mulder said, “Yeah. Got any last thoughts for the immediate situation?”
“Please don’t forget to arrange for a new pickup time with SuperShuttle after you get new details from the airport. You’ve always been better at that kind of thing.” Scully decided. “If anything begins to get ridiculous… Try using the phrase ‘truly unforeseen weather system’ as your keywords. Capiche?”
“Thanks for the tip. Go on.” replied Mulder. “I will catch up in awhile.”
Fully leaving Mulder to his own devices about handling new travel arrangements, now Scully looked around the lobby of the motel. It was a little on the drab side of things. But it was big. To that end, Scully immediately made tracks for an in-house mini market when she saw it. She hadn’t noticed it any sooner because she and Mulder had been so focused on commuting to and from Delta Glen every day. Now they could take their time.
But Scully also realized that she had to be practical.
Wretched weather or not, she didn’t want to have to come back to this part of the property before check-out if she didn’t have to. Not really. And she had a feeling that Mulder was on the same wavelength. Unwinding had become the next goal. And nothing else.
First things first, though. Supply requisition. Top of the list? Food. Scully’s mood improved immensely when she realized that she had the bureau-issued travel expense card. Perfection.
Mulder found Scully near the back of the market, carrying a nearly-full basket.
“Hey. I got everything settled.” Mulder informed his partner. “The clerk also gave me directions to the on-site restaurant.”
“Is that so?” Scully arched one eyebrow.
“Yeah.” Mulder shrugged. “I guess it’s because she remembered we’re FBI. And that impresses her. Guess not much happens around these parts.”
“Yeah. The Midwest is boring.” Scully tutted.
“Where are you from?” now Mulder’s tone was laden with amusement.
“Annapolis. I grew up mostly in the United Kingdom…” Scully hurried along when Mulder stared in surprise. “And that was because of my father’s postings. Okay?”
Finding himself again, Mulder said, “Okay. I’m listening.”
“My mother and Melissa could regale you with stories about when we came back to America for different reasons like road trips to see family.” now Scully shrugged. “Long story short? Our point of arrival would be at some place like Dulles or JFK before we’d get on the train to eastern Ohio…”
“Yes?” Mulder gently prompted when Scully’s words ended in a shudder.
“Well… Sometimes we’d also take other modes of transportation to get to the ‘end of the line,’ as my parents put it.” Scully finally said. “Let’s also just say that six people in a slightly too-small Winnebago in the dead of July is ridiculous.”
Enjoying the conversation even more, Mulder said loyally, “Okay. So noted.”
Scully nodded with approval before changing lanes, “Then did the clerk say anything else?”
“Yeah.” Mulder said again. “Take a look at this.”
He pulled from his pocket what looked like a charge card and two more plastic rectangular-shaped cards that stated something about laundry. Odd.
Looking back at Mulder, Scully asked him, “What are these about?”
“Our friend at the main desk feels bad that we’re stranded here. Now food and laundry are all taken care of.” Mulder explained.
“Wow. That is very kind. I’ll have to thank her later. But…” this time, her words ended in a groan.
Mulder continued to choose amusement. “Yes…?”
“Nothing. But I guess the universe used the clerk to look out for us. Or something.” Scully shrugged again. “I have some casual clothes left in my bag now. But laundry has never been my favorite chore. You know?”
Thinking of his own laundry pile waiting for him at home already, now Mulder said, “Mhm. Listen. I just had an idea.”
Scully asked, “What is it?”
Mulder indicated their surroundings. “Why don’t we finish up here and put everything away before we check out the laundry facilities on our floor?”
Quickly understanding (while also ignoring the savage domesticity of it all), Scully tacked on, “And then we can go check out the restaurant. Okay. I’m game.”
“Cool.” Mulder acknowledged before adding a joke. “I guess that even this kind of scenario is better than a team-building seminar.”
“Definitely. They are unbelievably tedious. But,” Scully then gave Mulder a scrutinizing look. “I’ve heard rumors ever since my first month at HQ that you have a ‘talent’ for getting out of them. Tell the truth. Is that real?”
Immediately pointing to a nearby freezer display, Mulder said, “Hey. I didn’t see any main dish type things in your basket. Come on. I do see them here.”
The man was deflecting. However clumsily. So Scully played along.
In due course, Mulder and Scully gathered what they’d need until check-out time the next day. Their purchases would serve as back-up if something fell through about the restaurant.
Each still felt amusement at the counter when they realized that their meal choices were meat-free in their entirety. But then Scully felt relief when they did get back to rooms 1012 and 1013. They came with kitchenettes which included microwaves. Neither had taken much stock beforehand because the case had kept them so occupied.
Mulder and Scully set out for the on-site restaurant after changing into more casual clothes. They made use of the property’s continual outdoor hallway overhang to stay out of the rain as they headed in the evening’s gloom towards the restaurant. Both partners were kept from getting rained on. Somewhat.
A universe-designed plot twist revealed itself when they reached the front of the Denny’s. It was closed. The rain had flooded it, rendering it somewhat useless until further notice. And so Scully began to laugh. Darkly.
Himself laughing when Scully sidestepped a puddle she’d only just realized she’d been standing in, Mulder asked her, “What’s the matter with you?!”
Scully sighed, “What’s the date?”
“It’s the thirteenth.” Mulder said after a moment of pondering.
Scully pressed, “But is it Friday?”
Mulder nodded, but then responded in a single word as his partner’s thought process caught up with him. “Oh…”
Now Scully was already turning around and beckoning for Mulder to follow her. “Please come on. I’d like to get out of here before anything else goes down. Okay?”
As they headed back to their area of the property, Mulder grinned to himself as he thought about the possibility of offering to bride-carry Scully all the way back there. She was compact enough that it would actually work. He also knew Scully well enough to know that she would even find it funny. Laugh, even. She was used to his humor now.
Beside him, Scully wasn’t upset about her immediate situation. Quite the contrary. In fact, it had been quite some time anything so absurdly funny had happened to her. So she could only laugh about things. Really.
But Scully also ignored a new thought that had popped into her head. My hair is going to be incredibly frizzy when I’m out of the shower. Great.
Mulder knew Scully well enough to know that she wouldn’t agree to do anything else before freshening up, so he told her kindly, “I’m going to go tidy up. And I have a feeling you want to do the same thing. Meet back here in ten?”
With a tone that exuded gratefulness, now Scully said, “Yes. Thank you.”
Ten minutes later…
Both Mulder and Scully reconvened in the hallway. Each was more made up than they had been before. They also had their stuffed laundry bags in tow. Mulder even showed Scully the laundry cards from before. Now it was time to begin the next thing.
As the rain began to hammer on the windows, now Scully said, “I’m glad we’re inside.”
“Being on the second floor is a bonus.” Mulder joked.
Scully pushed back a lock of her hair out of her face as she gave a nod of agreement. Then she found herself turning red. Even in this short time, her hair had begun to frizz. Exactly as she knew it would. The process continued as the moments crept on. But she’d even forgone putting makeup on. It made sense because there was nowhere else to even be.
Smitten, Mulder murmured, “Wow…”
Cheerfully basking in the compliment, Scully remarked, “Uh… This is really how I look. But as for my hair? It being like this isn’t conducive where work is concerned. So…”
“Lion’s mane it is.” Mulder watched Scully push her headband back against her hair to keep things at bay. “I dig it. Really. And I’m pleased you feel comfortable enough to let me have this peek into your world. It really is nice. Thank you.”
Scully’s blush deepened. Just for a moment, Mulder took in just how young his partner was. He also couldn’t forget that he was her first one (in an official capacity). Ever. The fact that she really was this comfortable around him really did mean a lot.
Before the moment could prolong itself any more, Mulder said, “Of course. Come on. Laundry.”
It hadn’t been lost on Scully that Mulder was looking at her with an admiring expression. Or that she’d liked it. Very much. Mulder even held her gaze long enough in return for Scully to realize that Mulder definitely liked her looking at him. (Both partners even imagined growing old together one day, somewhere quiet.) Then reality kicked back in.
“Hm.” now Scully tightened her grip on her laundry bag. “Good thing we’re not crossing some icy hellscape to get to the laundry space.”
Mulder laughed. Rooms 1012 and 1013 were situated at the furthest end of the hallway. Scully’s room in particular was dead last. An emergency could be seen nearby. But directly across the hall from Scully’s door was the laundry room open to all the guests on their floor. So Scully led the way. Mulder followed her. Then they got to work.
Amongst the amenities in the hotel rooms here were one-use bags to carry their clothes in. But the laundry cards which the clerk had provided covered access to the machines, which dispensed supplies like travel-sized laundry detergent, and even the borrowing of detachable timers. Mulder and Scully were appreciative of the situation. Mostly because focusing on the little things let them not really dwell on the implications that were the domesticities of doing laundry together. Even in a motel on an obscenely rainy evening.
But they still agreed after that to go about with preparing their frozen dinners and whatnot that they’d purchased at the mini mart. They were hungry. In the end, they ate together in Scully’s room because she had finished getting ready first. And had had the idea of pulling her kitchenette table and chairs over so they would be eating in front of the television. Tonight, Scully had opted for a pasta-vegetable choice. Mulder chose a vegetarian ravioli dinner. Neither had been kidding about wanting to avoid meat for awhile.
To offset everything, they’d also agreed to split a ready-made salad from the mini mart’s produce refrigerator. But Scully also accepted Mulder’s offering of instant rice. Adding microwavable bread had been a joint decision. So had the choice to have a big jug of cold fresh spring water to share. (Tap water in Wisconsin tasted strange.) Dessert had also been settled on. Overall, everything was hodgepodge. But they had a feast with which to cheer themselves up against the bad weather.
A Back To The Future marathon kicked off on the television while Scully said to Mulder, “Where did you grow up? I don’t think I’ve ever heard. Or asked you before. Probably because people just want to keep talking about my life…”
Mulder gently prodded, “Oh?”
“My siblings and I are second-generation U.S. Navy brats… insofar as mom’s part of the family is concerned.” said Scully. “The only reason that dad ever joined in the first place was because he lost a bet with his parents when he was almost joining age. But…”
Already surprised, Mulder asked, “Yes?”
“No one,” Scully shrugged. “Ever thought he’d actually love it. And I believe that neither of his parents had ever banked on how their firstborn would eventually meet my mother…”
“Excuse me?!” Mulder finally protested.
“I said what I said. But you should ask mom for details because she’s the better storyteller. Anyway…” Scully narrowed her eyes at Mulder. “This is meant to be about you. Remember? Now please. Where are you from?”
Pleased that he’d been able to glean a tad more information, Mulder finally relented. “I’m from good ol’ Martha’s Vineyard.”
“What about Samantha?” Scully wanted to know. “Much of the same?”
“Yeah. But,” answered Mulder. “We had a summer house in Quonochontaug. And it was a mile from this village called Shelter Harbor. I think…”
Surprised, Scully asked him, “You think? But don’t you know?”
“I personally haven’t been there since 1973.” Mulder said with a shrug. “But I can’t say the same of my parents. Mom still swore at least once after the divorce that she’d never go back again.”
“Which,” Scully chose her words carefully. “Of your parents does that home even belong to?”
“It belongs to the Mulders.” replied Mulder in a very ‘that’s that’ kind of tone.
Understanding that there wasn’t anything left on that particular angle, Scully hurried on. “Then where are Quonochontaug and Shelter Harbor? I must know. The names aren’t even similar. Come on.”
Amused, Mulder said, “Rhode Island. Ever been?”
“Uh-uh.” Scully answered. “I haven’t.”
“You already mentioned Annapolis earlier. And England. But have you ever been to other countries… Minus the time you tracked me down in Puerto Rico…?” he tacked this last part on hastily because she still jokingly gave him grief about it sometimes.
But Scully still spoke with a laugh. “I remember going to Greece and Italy. But we also vacationed in Spain. Twice.”
Daringly, Mulder asked, “Is that a place you’ve ever lived?”
“No.” Scully said seriously. “But Billy was born in Italy. Precious Charlie was born during the England years. And four-year-old me was a nightmare about moving there.”
“Just why was that?” asked Mulder. “Not impressed about no longer being the youngest?”
Scully shook her head. “I love my little brother. He knows. And I definitely felt excited to meet him for the first time.”
Mulder prompted, “But…?”
“Spelling ‘England’ was a lot harder, to me, compared to the name of the country where we’d been before that. No…” sighed Scully. “That was the year my parents learned after the fact that their third-born was a lisping dyslexic.”
Mulder said blankly, “I beg your pardon. But… But… I’ve seen your academic work. And written case files! How…?”
Scully cheerfully strung him along a little more. “Okay. Are you wondering how four-year-old me back in the late sixties got a proper command of the alphabet?”
“Yes. That.” Mulder said confidently.
“My parents, Billy, and Missy were extremely patient with me. On top of that? Missy had been reading to me since I was a baby, anyway. Figuring out the alphabet happened. Eventually. Now…” Scully delivered Mulder a playfully scrutinizing look across their feast this time. “Please tell me the truth. I’ve never been able to totally shake the lisp, thanks to assimilating so splendidly in England and then moving back to the states late. I know I still slip up. Occasionally. Do you hear it? Ever?”
Answering very clearly and honestly because he understood that she was being serious, Mulder answered, “Yes. I have.”
Taken aback, Scully protested, “Then why have you never said anything?!”
“Because I’ve always figured that it’s one of many cool things that makes you, you.” Mulder plowed on with changing tack at top speed when Scully turned red again and began tucking into her food with renewed vigor. “Okay. Then… Where was your family between Annapolis and England? I spy some kind of gap. And I really need to know exactly what four-year-old you found easier to spell.”
“Japan.” Scully said simply.
Falling even more in love with her than he had on the day he’d read her senior thesis, the awestruck Mulder murmured, “Wow…”
But then all conversation halted when a news report interrupted the commercials to announce that there was only more of a rainfall to be expected in the forecast. And bunkering down was advisable. Immediately.
Once the regular programming resumed and Mulder had caught Scully up on their new travel plans before they forgot again, he said, “Why did you ask earlier about the specific date?”
Scully began, “Well…”
Further discussion was derailed.
The laundry timers had gone off. Mulder and Scully paused in their dining to switch their clothes into the dryers. And reset the timers.
Overall coziness had resumed by the time they sat back down at their table again, so Mulder said, “Okay. Just what is it about you and Friday the thirteenth? Hm?”
But now Scully was the one deflecting. “Have you ever broken a bone before?”
Taken aback, Mulder sputtered, “I… What…?”
“I mean when you were a kid. Primary school. That era of life.” Scully clarified.
“Long story short?” Mulder laughed. “When I was eight, I didn’t have the willpower to turn down a bet from the neighborhood kids one Saturday evening.”
Now Scully cringed. “What did you get for your troubles?”
Mulder answered, “A big plaster cast… just in time for the first day of school.”
Scully grew unguarded. “That’s nuts. Will you tell me that story later? Please?”
Mulder said, “Sure. How did you break a bone when you were a little kid?”
“Fell out of a tree when we lived abroad.” Scully said casually. “Didn’t even realize that anything was as damaged as it was until I tried to stand up. So I guess that can be counted as me totally tanking. Especially because I accidentally gave myself a bloody nose in the process.”
Now Mulder was back to protesting. “And were you even still four?!”
“Mhm. I was.” confirmed Scully.
“Then,” Mulder said quickly. “What about your big siblings?”
“Missy was definitely six. And Billy had just turned eight, the week before that.” now Scully paused briefly. “By the way… We were definitely still in England.”
Mulder spoke in amused resignation. “Okay. Then… Why do you remember?”
Scully answered this with ease. “Mom was massively pregnant with Charlie.”
“I guess you Scullys never do anything small.” joked Mulder. “But I just have one more question before you go on.”
Scully asked him, “Yes?”
“According to your version of the Scully family timeline,” Mulder stated. “You were in Japan before England. Did the family return for vacation? At any point?”
“Yes, actually.” now Scully grinned as old memories came back to her. “Ahab had business in Japan that coincided with Melissa Margaret’s birthday one year. So my folks decided to make a vacation out of it. As for me? I even tried ika shogayaki for the first time.”
“Just what is exactly is that?” Mulder wanted to know.
Coolly, Scully answered, “Ginger-grilled squid.”
Unable to suppress a shudder, Mulder said, “Then have you ever had octopus before?”
Scully responded without hesitation, “Yes.”
Unable to help himself, Mulder blurted, “Ever eaten anything else that’s ‘non-run-of-the-mill’?”
Scully said, “Crickets.”
Realizing now that they’d been alive, Mulder this time interjected, “Pardon?!”
“I swear that I will eat a live cricket,” Scully rapped her knuckles against the wooden tabletop. “For an ‘I told you so,’ moment. Okay? I can cook well. But…”
Mulder guessed, “No one except your parents and your siblings know because you live alone?”
“Right again.” said Scully.
Soaking it all in, Mulder asked, “Any last words about your first experience with eating squid?”
Scully thought about it. “My parents both freaked out because I liked it. Charlie was too little to care. But Billy and Missy were just so impressed I like something new that they made sure I had my favorite ice cream. Never mind whose big day it actually was in the first place.”
“Hm. They love you.” observed Mulder.
“Yeah. In their own ways, they do. And I love them.” returned Scully.
“Do they know?” Mulder asked.
Scully bobbed her head before she touched a hand to the tabletop. “Regarding the day I broke my leg…”
“Yes.” Mulder sat up straighter. “I’m all ears. Go.”
SPRING 1968
ENGLAND
Except for a slightly overcast sky that did threaten rain, that particular Friday afternoon had started out relatively uneventful.
Their mother, Maggie, was next door visiting the neighbor. She was even due home in twenty minutes. The Scully children had politely elected to stay home when they learned the neighbor’s only children were grown. William Scully Senior was on the way home from work. His arrival would be within the hour. It all depended on traffic. He couldn’t wait to get home. Both he and Maggie had a fun surprise in store for everyone.
But for now… Eight-year-old Bill Junior, six-year-old Melissa, and four-year-old Dana were in their home’s backyard. They enjoyed spending time together.
Quite unbothered when it did begin to rain slightly, Bill played with his new Army toys he’d received on his recent birthday. Melissa even watched him for a few moments. But now she was eyeing Dana. While experiencing tremendous apprehension. Melissa vastly adored her baby sister. Everybody knew this. Including Dana.
However… She had just clambered up to the lowest-hanging branch on their climbing tree. It wasn’t extremely high to Melissa. But she still reasoned that it had to seem like a mountain in her sister’s eyes. After all, both she and Bill used this branch as a stepping point to get to other branches that were higher up. Dana had just never shown any inclination about climbing trees. Until now.
Very bewildered, Melissa moved closer as she said to Dana, “Why…?”
“Because,” Dana sassed as she hung on to a parallel branch overhead. “It’s there!”
Melissa was too impressed by the unfolding situation to think of any comeback. So all she could even begin to do was observe. Dana’s activity soon caught Bill’s attention. So he put his toys back inside before standing beside Melissa to also observe their baby sister’s latest bout of daring.
He’d always admired her fearlessness. And even secretly hoped to be as brave as her. One day.
Melissa continued to experience mounting apprehension. Her entire soul was telling her that something bad was going to happen. She just couldn’t imagine what. Only the universe knew that this intuition was Melissa Christine’s actual psychic abilities at work. She’d find out. Eventually. Just not until she was an adult.
Bill shifted his gaze to the closest garden wall. Their mother was in the house on the other side. Every bone in Bill’s body told him that ringing the Schwarzkopfs’ doorbell and then asking for Maggie to come home would be a good idea. Especially because he hadn’t heard Senior’s car in the driveway. So far.
The boy even opened his mouth to run the idea by his other sister.
Not a word came out. The very next second, William Ultan Scully Junior just felt absurd. So did Melissa. Their feelings were warranted. Even being Dana’s friend meant having their nerves put through the paces. Like now.
Dana had slipped off the branch. Now she was flat on her back in the grass, both looking and feeling stunned. Bill felt the same way. Melissa was the one who got hurt. Usually. As for Dana? She could be counted on to stop and stare. But either way… It always left Bill with ‘holding the bag’ about getting an adult. Like now.
Melissa, already in tears, yelled at her brother. “Billy! Help me help her stand!”
So Bill ran to his little sisters. Unfortunately, his and Melissa’s efforts went nowhere. Dana had collapsed in unexpected pain, the second she was on her feet again.
But she still ultimately collapsed in such an unceremonious heap that she’d managed to strike herself in the nose. Hard. Then she passed out altogether upon realizing she was bleeding.
Melissa yelled at Bill, “Go get mom!”
Bill hurried away.
The very pregnant Margaret ‘Maggie’ Katherine Scully had already chosen to politely end her time with June Schwarzkopf early. But she felt glad.
June Schwarzkopf was really nothing more than an overgrown high school mean girl. She invited Maggie over, on the pretext of tea and finger sandwiches. It hadn’t taken Maggie more than ten minutes to figure out that all June wanted was to make sure that the Scullys would ‘stay in line,’ insofar as not being disruptive to the general peace was concerned. The Scullys had only been living at Number 6 on Foxwood Square for a week.
Maggie had no time for June’s petty concerns because she had been her own school’s queen bee in her youth. She could spot an overgrown one, a mile off. More to the point? The matriarch had no time to entertain even the possibility of abiding by June’s wishes because her children had minds of their own. And incoming one probably wouldn’t be an exception to this at all. But… Maggie also had the overwhelming feeling that she needed to see Junior, Melissa, and even Dana. Pronto.
June was even just thick enough to believe her when she made a polite remark about having to leave.
So Bill caught up with his mother in the yard. He felt pleased. But especially when he noticed his mother had a very big umbrella. It would be enough to cover Dana and Melissa. Or so the boy hoped.
Extremely aware of the child inside her kicking up a storm, now Maggie touched one hand to her bump to quell him as she said to the child in front of her, “Okay. What did Melissa do this time?”
Thrown by the specific phrasing but incorrect guess, Bill stuttered, “N… Nothing!”
“But you’re here in front of m…” now Maggie just heaved a sigh bigger than herself. “Okay. What has Dana done?”
“Slipped off a low tree branch.” Bill said resolutely.
“Why,” protested Maggie. “Was she even climbing it?!”
“My sister is just so fast. And little. But,” Bill shrugged. “I also heard her say that she was climbing the tree branch because it’s there.”
Now Maggie fought back a desire to laugh out loud. While her older children were a mixture of herself and her soulmate in personality, her darling Dana was just as rambunctious as she had been as a small child. If not more so. The universe had spent the last four years giving her a taste of her own medicine. It seemed like even payback.
Mustering up as much maturity as she could, Maggie spoke to her firstborn again. “Is there anything else?”
“Dana has a bloody nose because she accidently hurt herself a little extra.” Bill offered. “Plus? Now even Melissa thinks Dana broke her leg.”
Gently letting Bill off the hook when it looked like he was going to cry, Maggie said, “I understand. Thank you. Please show me where your sisters are.”
Bill brought his mother into the backyard by way of the side gate.
Melissa burst into relieved tears when they arrived.
Her sister had since woken up and was even propped up against her. On the other hand… Now Dana was just groggy. And still bleeding. Unaware of the newcomers at all, Dana reacted accordingly when her stomach roiled in sudden discomfort. By vomiting into the grass. Through a miracle of miracles, the little girl missed herself and her sister. But only just.
When her second-born openly gagged, Maggie spoke directly to her. “Hey. Melissa Margaret. If you must vomit, please try not to get anything on Dana Katherine. I hardly think anybody would find it funny until you’re grown-ups. Maybe. Okay?”
Sobering up, Melissa answered, “Okay.”
Maggie replied, “Good.”
Bill asked her, “What now?”
Pulling herself together because the entire situation was a first for her, Maggie handed him the umbrella. “Keep your sisters and yourself as dry as you can. Alright? We’re off to the hospital. Soon. I just have to call for help to get us there.”
Choosing to take Maggie seriously, now Bill acknowledged, “Okay. I understand.”
Moving as quickly as she could so her children wouldn’t be floundering for too long, Maggie stepped into her house through the back door to make the phone call for emergency services that they needed. But she also made sure to leave a note on the table for her husband. They would not be home when he came in. And Maggie later learned the supposition to be correct.
While Bill and Melissa had somehow found time to put on fresh clothes that weren’t rain-soaked, Maggie still found herself amazed that the emergency responders moved them all out and away in record timing. But she was glad for the speediness. Dana had begun hallucinating because of her discomfort level.
The house had only been fully empty for a full five minutes by the time William Scully Senior finally reached Number 6 and found his wife’s note.
Sighing, he said to the empty home, “It’s going to be a long day…”
But Senior had still checked himself by the time he’d entered the hospital and figured out where his family was.
He wanted to hear about what had even happened. In the face of his eight years, Bill Junior was a dependable force. Everybody knew it. Melissa… Well… She was a reliable sympathy puker. How had the children reacted after Dana’s wipe-out? And where had Maggie been? The only thing Senior knew for sure was that it had all unfolded in the last thirty minutes. During his commute homeward.
Still… He made a pit stop in the cafeteria to get food for his family. They had to be starving. It was at the check-out register that he noticed a rack of novels. Realizing that he would ultimately be staying with Dana overnight while Maggie took Bill and Melissa home later on, Senior chose a volume at random to add to his purchases. Moby Dick. He’d read it to Dana later.
Experiencing a sixth sense type of sensation, as she frequently did when her husband was on the approach, Maggie waited for her husband in the hallway. Now she finally had a genuine laugh. He seemed as if his head was in the clouds. All their children showed the same look from time to time. Dana, often.
But Maggie still had a very direct question for Senior once they greeted each other and she’d caught him up on her version of events as she understood them. “Please. Are we going to punish Dana for being reckless today?”
“Mm-mm. She’s just so small that I’m sure even she feels that she’s learned her lesson by now. All the same…” Senior arched one eyebrow in a fashion that only Dana could perfectly mimic. “Junior actually told you that his baby sister informed them she decided to climb the tree because it’s there?!”
Maggie nodded. “Yes. I swear that is what he said.”
“Our children are just so strange…” Senior muttered.
“Hm. You’re telling me.” his wife quipped. “But… We’re also discussing the same child who decided last week that she really wants to learn how to read so she can read everything on the planet about foxes. Ever find out why the sudden interest in such a beautiful creature?”
He shook his head. “Nope. What do you think she’ll be when she’s an adult? I keep imagining Dana as a medical doctor for some reason.”
Maggie said, “Huh. And here, I’ve been picturing her working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation…”
Senior felt impressed. “What if she does both?”
“Then I will keep tabs on whomever her partner is. Who knows if they’ve been born yet,” Maggie shrugged. “But I have a feeling they’ll be important in Dana’s life because she’d’ve long been prestigious in her own life to get that far.”
Senior spoke sincerely. “Yes. I completely agree with you on everything you just said.”
Laughter floated in through the air. Maggie and Senior peeked into Dana’s room. She had since been outfitted for a long stay. And she even had a bulky plaster cast on her bad leg. Dana had laughed just now because her siblings had told her something very funny. But then Dana’s expression had turned one of awe.
Her brother and sister had started a conversation about where to find the gift shop. And asking about making a trip to it. They had collected their pocket money before leaving the house. Now they were concerned about Dana having something to pass the time. Did any of the Scully children see their parents watching? No.
Stepping back into the hallway, Maggie said, “Wow. Our children love each other.”
“Yeah.” Senior nodded. “They really do.”
And as their youngest child chose that moment to move in what little space they had left, Maggie found herself groaning. “I still can’t believe that kid number four is about to join our circus…”
Lovingly loyal, Senior said, “I’m with you.”
“Just promise that he’ll be the last member of our circus.” Maggie told him. “Okay?”
“Deal. But…” Senior looked at his wife, amused. “Come on. Did you say ‘he’ just now?”
“I did.” Maggie answered coolly. “Plus… You weren’t wrong about Junior…”
“Oh.” now Senior sighed when he realized where this was going. “But you got it right about the girls. Even though you refused to speculate about Junior. And you presently feel that you’re on the money that we’re waiting on a little prince, hm?”
Now Maggie nodded. “Bingo.”
And more laughter floated in from the room just as the Scully parents checked on their children again. But then Dana also noticed Senior. Finally.
The child cried out to him, “Daddy!” as she held her arms out.
Hurrying over, Senior sat down with Dana on the bed. His heart even fluttered when she hugged him as hard as she could manage. Dana even sighed with contentment. Now it seemed all was right in her world. Everybody knew Dana Katherine was her daddy’s girl. No question.
Senior checked in with his other offspring as he returned his youngest child’s hug. “Just how are the two of you after looking after Dana?”
“She,” Bill said seriously. “Freaked us out.”
Melissa nodded with wide eyes.
Rather than asking his younger version where he’d learned such a phrase, now Senior said to Junior, “But you got help. And that was very clever to do. Excellent work.”
Bill’s chest bulged with pride. “Thanks, dad.”
Now Senior looked at Melissa.
Caving immediately, she squeaked, “But I almost waffled when Dana lost her lunch.”
“The important thing here is that you didn’t. I think your brother or your mother would’ve mentioned it if you did.” Senior pointed out. “You also kept your sister company while your brother went to get help. That’s also super important. Understand?”
Bringing herself to perk up, Melissa declared, “I do!”
Pleased, Senior now returned, “Excellent. I’m also proud of you for all of your contributions to helping Dana in today’s plight.”
While his older children beamed at the praise from him, Senior checked back in with Dana. She had been dozing off. But she perked up immediately when he made eye contact. And waited patiently.
Senior asked, “How’s your nose? Broken?”
Tickled by the inquiry, Dana laughed openly as she told him, “It’s my leg!”
Still continuing to play with her, Senior joked, “I knew I forgot something.”
Dana laughed once more.
But this was immediately followed by a sneeze that so wracked her tiny frame that she groaned before falling back on the bed. So Senior came to the rescue.
Pulling the book from his pants pocket, Senior told his third-born, “I’ll read this to you later on. Your mother will have to bring Billy and Missy home later. Do you understand?”
Now Dana gave a nod as she rubbed her eyes with both hands before asking, “Daddy? Is it okay if I nap first?”
Absolutely no deep thinking was needed to see that Dana was loopy from whatever pain medication she was on, so Senior said, “I promise you that sleeping is just fine.”
While this entire conversation had begun to unfold, Maggie had been sorting out the food that her husband had purchased from the cafeteria. But she still drew closer to her youngest daughter’s bedside to observe. Dana had not been this relaxed before Senior’s arrival. Whatsoever.
Then Dana asked Maggie, “Am I still four?!”
Miraculously maintaining her composure while the others all scrambled to follow suit, Maggie answered, “Yes. I promise that you are still four.”
Dana groused in little girl exasperation, “That’s good.”
Half-pointedly, Maggie asked her, “Did you learn anything about the tree branch?”
“To not to. But…” Dana became sheepish. “Am I in trouble?”
While Senior and Maggie moved in to reassure her that she wasn’t in any trouble for everything that had occurred, both Bill and Melissa moved back. Their parents would handle the philosophical matters here. Still, this was when Bill noticed the day’s date on a nearby calendar. He quickly reported the facts to Melissa. She joined him in amusement. And the others noticed.
Both exasperated and amused, Maggie asked, “How can you two be amused about anything when your sister is laid-up?!”
Now feeling brave, Bill answered confidently, “It’s Friday the thirteenth.”
Melissa pointed to the calendar. “See?”
While Senior laughed and then Dana grew politely puzzled, Maggie sighed in dejection as she stood again. “Of course it is.”
Then she returned to sorting the food on the counter.
Now Senior chose to clue their children in when Bill and Melissa moved closer at his beckoning. “We were going to take all of you out to dinner today.”
Experiencing terrific skepticism, Dana squeaked out, “Seriously?”
Melissa just narrowed her eyes in comical Maggie-like suspicion.
Bill jumped to the most incorrect conclusion altogether now. “Are we moving?!”
“No. Fun dinner was the plan. I promise you all,” Senior laughed. “That we aren’t moving because we only just moved into our new house a week ago.”
The man was met by three blank stares.
Noticing the reaction, Maggie informed Senior, “And that is the reaction I get whenever I talk about things like setting the table or putting laundry away. Or unpacking a box. Tell them where you were between the lobby and this room. I bet everyone will enjoy that.”
“Okay.” now Senior turned back to his curious children. “I went over to the cafeteria and got enough of a meal for us to all have a hospital picnic instead.”
While both her older sibling and her younger one began chattering together, Melissa’s eyes flickered over toward the counter and back again. “But… You have to help mom first?”
Now Senior finally got back up. “Yes. But may I trust you and your brother to keep your sister occupied?”
So Bill and Melissa chimed, “Yes.”
“Excellent.” praised Senior. “Now please. Explain to Dana what is funny about the date.”
While Senior went to join Maggie, Dana looked to Bill and Melissa expectantly. They knew everything. And had never steered even remotely wrong.
Once they’d pulled themselves up on the bed and made themselves comfortable, now Bill said to Dana, “Friday the thirteenth means that unlucky things happen.”
“Yep.” added Melissa. “Do you get what we mean?”
Pleased she did, now Dana spoke in an earnest fashion. “Yeah-huh…”
After Dana finished yawning, Melissa gently said, “But…?”
Now finding her mark, Dana trilled, “I’m happy!”
Bill asked in surprise, “Why?”
Dana looked from one sibling to the other. “Because you and Missy are my best friends!”
Now Bill beamed.
Taking matters into her own hands, Melissa said to Dana, “Wow. That’s a super nice thing to say.”
“Definitely.” Bill agreed.
“But…” Melissa turned an expectant eye on Dana. “Promise us one thing. Alright?”
Breathlessly, Dana said, “Anything.”
Melissa told her, “Promise us that you’ll spend at least one Friday the thirteenth in the future with your best friend if we aren’t there.”
Emphatic, Bill said, “Yes. Can you please promise us that?”
Now Dana promised without hesitation, “I will.”
PRESENTLY
By the time Scully finished telling Mulder about the memory, the rain hadn’t stopped. Yet. Only increased. But they had finished their meal. Dessert was yet to be had. They would get there. Eventually. But now Mulder seemed very impressed by what Scully had told him.
Comically apprehensive, Scully asked, “What do you think?”
Mulder answered her, “I’m amazed. Truly. And I guess you’ve never been able to do anything small?”
With a laugh, Scully said, “Guilty.”
Then Scully glanced around their table. Everything had been eaten and cleaned up from at this point. So it was time for the second round. While Scully headed away to get ready, Mulder peeked at the laundry timers. Nowhere near to being done. At all.
Returning to the table again but with her hands full, Scully said, “You know… There is one part of the memory that I skipped over.”
“And what was that?” Mulder asked.
“My brother and sister made me promise,” answered Scully. “That I would one day spend at least one Friday the thirteenth with my best friend if they weren’t there.”
Huh. Then whoever that person is, they’re lucky. Dana is gentle. And so kind, thought Mulder.
He still became surprised by what happened next.
Scully set down what she was carrying. Two paper plates. One had a slice of strawberry cake. The other, one slice of lemon cake. Scully had even passed him the one with strawberry. His favorite. Mulder felt touched. He had only mentioned this preference to Scully once. And she’d remembered. Even this thoughtfulness caused him to fall in love with her even more than he already was.
Mulder then quickly realized that Scully seemed to be in the middle of orchestrating something. What, he didn’t know. On the other hand? An idea to round things out occurred. So he chose to follow though. And took the ice bucket with him as he left the room.
Right when Scully had finished setting up, Mulder finally reentered. The ice bucket was even clinking in a very familiar way.
Half-joking, Scully asked, “What did you do?”
Mulder answered her, “I got the finishing touches.”
Now Scully watched in amazement as Mulder pulled two cold aluminum Coca-Cola cans from the very full ice bucket for her to see.
Pleased by the thoughtfulness, now Scully quipped as she set out coasters and fresh cups, “My gentleman.”
Mulder winked and once they sat down again after the drinks had been poured, he said, “Hey. Did I miss a memo? Just when did you find the cake?”
“Oh. I had them in my basket already when you found me in the mini mart.” Scully laughed. “Guess you didn’t notice.”
Now Mulder also felt amused. “Yeah. And that was before we started talking about the date at all.”
“Hm.” Scully said coolly. “That’s true…”
“Then what is happening here in this room, now?” asked Mulder with arched eyebrows.
Other than us falling in love a little more? Scully thought to herself.
But she’d still spoken in a way which informed Mulder that this was the real her. Not the ‘on the clock’ version. His heart even fluttered as he processed this.
When Scully spoke, she answered him, “Dessert is happening because I’m very happy to be spending time with my best friend.”
Mulder beamed. “And I’m happy to be spending time with mine.”
Mulder’s heart still bloomed with affection as he thought, God. I love her so much. And she’s one hundred percent the only person I could ever picture growing old with. Ever.
Scully’s thoughts were almost identical. God. I love him so much. And he’s one hundred percent the only person I could ever picture growing old with. Ever.
Then Mulder offered, “Happy Friday the thirteenth?”
Nodding in agreement, Scully answered in turn, “Happy Friday the thirteenth.”