Sins
of the Father
Breakaway + 10 yrs, 2 mos
"So, you going back again?"
Maisey jumped. She hadn't heard Juanita walk up behind her. She finished putting up that big old cooking pot that was now nice and shiny again and turned around to find Juanita leaning against the kitchen wall watching her.
"Yeah."
Juanita crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow at her. She looked unhappy, and almost mad-like. "You're not their servant you know. You don't gotta watch their kids. That's what those creches are for."
"I know." Why was Juanita so upset?
"And?"
Maisey was surprised at the anger in Juanita"s voice. What had she done wrong? "I just like being with the kids. And they"re all nice folk." Maisey just didn't know how she could tell Juanita that it was kinda like, just a little bit, like being part of a big family where everyone liked each other and teased each other and looked after each other. And never hurt each other.
"So they're not making you do it? 'Cause they can't do that you know."
Maisey was confused. Why was it wrong to help the Carters and Verdeschis take care of their kids? She'd been helping out now and again for the last couple of months and everyone seemed right happy to see her when she showed up at the kid sleepovers and helped kid-wrangle as Mr. Carter called it. Even Mr. Verdeschi.
"I like helping them. Nobody is making me do nothing. Mrs. Carter keeps asking to make sure I still even want to come."
Juanita snorted. "Girl, after all these years don't you realize that she is the head of our Section?"
Maisey stopped putting away cooking utensils and turned to stare at Juanita. "I thought Mr. Okemah was the head of Dietary?"
"He is, but Sandra Benes is the section head over all the Service people. The fancy communication and data techs as well as us. Why do you think we all wear yellow sleeves?"
"Oh." Maisey had never really thought about it. Mr. Okemah was their supervisor and that had always been good enough for her. Well, she always had known that the officers oversaw the enlisted folks, but she had never paid no mind to that. Her orders came from the sergeants placed over her and Juanita and that's always how it had always been. Orderly like.
"Really, Juanita, no one is making me do nothing I don't want. And now that you and Jack have your understanding 'bout each other, it's good to have something to do in the evenings once in a while." Maisey really was happy for her best friend, but she had been lonesome-like lately.
Juanita just stood there and looked at her long and hard. Maisey didn't know what else to say. She turned back and kept putting things away.
"Okay, girl. As long as it's your choice, I guess that's okay then."
By the time Maisey finished and looked back around, Juanita had left.
Maisey walked to her quarters careful not to drop the small box she carried. She thought real careful about what Juanita had said. Was Mrs. Carter really her boss"s boss? She seemed like just a really nice lady who didn"t seem stuck up or anything. Not like some of those Lieutenants had been back on the Marine bases where Juanita and her had served. Back when they were still on Earth.
Now, Mr. Carter was really Captain Carter even if he wasn't part of the U.S. Air Force. Still, the Aussies had always been Allies and that made them good people. She knew that she was supposed to follow an Allies' orders in no one from her command was around. They'd taught her that back in basic training.
Maisey kept thinking real hard. All the pilots were officers, even if they didn't use their titles much anymore. But not all of the pilots and other officers came from Allied countries. And sometimes it was right hard to tell where someone came from what with everyone on Alpha wearing the same uniform and all those funny accents sounding alike. But, since she was supposed to follow all the officers' orders up here on Alpha, she guessed that was okay. Really, she was happy to just keep serving meals. Everybody had to eat.
Well, at least one thing was right with the world. At least the Commander was proper military. He had been a full bird colonel in the U.S. Air Force, and that was just a little bitty step below being a General. Now he was called Commander. She bet that was a fancy Allies way of saying General.
Back in her quarters, she changed quickly in to her old jeans and pulled her thin, brown hair up in a pony tale. Juanita really had nothing to worry about. Maisey liked helping out with the kids. This evening she was heading to the little recc center on account of it being Mrs. Carter's birthday. She was going to look after the kids while the grown-ups had a little party she supposed. She peeked in the small plastic carry box she held. The cake for Mrs. Carter had been done up extra nice.
"Hi Maisey!" Davy Koenig ran over to her and aimed to jump up in her arms. Maisey turned around to keep the cake safe.
"Just a minute there, sport." The Commander stepped between the cake and Davy and picked up his little boy. "I think Maisey would rather you not flatten her package."
"Thank you, sir."
The Commander smiled down at her and traded the cake for the wiggling little boy and walked it over to the table. Maisey took a deep breath. The Commander still made her right nervous to be around.
Maisey looked around the small center. Someone had hung a few streamers and the old 'Happy Birthday" sign that Maisey knew had been used again and again. She didn"t think it looked all that tattered at all.
"Maisey, Maisey" the little boy in her arms chanted. Maisey looked around and saw the other kids in the corner near the toybox. What they played with weren't what she'd call proper toys, but then again Alpha wasn't even supposed to have kids so nobody had brought anything up with them. The kids made do with plastic blocks, a few plastic balls some twirly doo-dads, an old broken down commlock and Danny"s Horse.
Lysee, Roberto, Stevie and Danny jumped up and began to run around her as fast as could be. She became dizzy watching them run in circles. My, they were all flying as high as kites today.
"Hey there, settle down. Give Maisey a chance to catch a breath." Mr. Carter walked over and grabbed Roberto and Stevie by their middles and pulled them laughing off the ground and twirled them in a circle and dropped them back on the ground all dizzy-like. The little boys laughed and laughed.
"Us next, Papa!" demanded Lysee.
"Alright." And Mr. Carter had a big smile on his face as he scooped the girls up around their middles and twirled about.
It seemed to Maisey that he was gentler with the two girls.
Soon enough the little room was crowded with bodies big and little. People came and went and Maisey recognized the Frasers and their kids, some Command Center operatives and even Dr. Mathias. Everybody sang 'Happy Birthday' and Mrs. Carter seemed to blush. After the singing, Mr. Carter gave her a big old kiss and picked her up and twirled her around until she laughed and told him to put her down. Mr. Verdeschi kissed her cheek and asked how old she was, but Dr. Koenig scolded him and told him that was none of his business, and rude besides. Mrs. Carter smiled and said thirty-eight. Maisey was surprised. Why, Mrs. Carter was only five years older than she was.
Maisey stayed quietly out of the way and off to one side holding and cuddling whatever kid needed a break or was too little to stand on her own. She had offered to serve the cake, but Dr. Russell had shooed her along and was doing it herself.
The kids were still running around, now all wired on a sugar high when the door opened and in walked Juanita. And she was carrying her jump ropes. The kids all ran over to door and asked what she was carrying and was it a present? Nah, Juanita said, just something to do and keep busy-like and out of the hair of the grown-ups. Juanita smiled at Maisey and Maisey felt all happy inside. They were friends again.
"I thought Maisey might need some help keeping you littles in line. Now, who here has ever jumped a rope before?" Juanita asked looking down at all the kids. "No one? Well, that's a right shame. It"s good exercise, and fun besides. Come on, I'll show you."
Maisey took one end of a rope from Juanita while still holding onto Eliza and saw Mrs. Carter walk up to take the other end. They gently swung the rope back and forth and Juanita showed how it was done. Soon enough all the kids wanted a turn, and after a few stumbles, were doing pretty good. Juanita even held Eliza and jumped over the rope so that the baby had a turn too. After half an hour, the kids were good and tuckered.
"Juanita, haven't I seen you jumping with two ropes in the gymnasium?" The Commander asked from his seat on the floor holding Stevie and Davy.
"Yes, sir." She grinned at him. "Want to see?"
Maisey saw the Commander nod. She held out her hand to Juanita for the other rope, but then wondered who would twirl the other ends? Juanita had the same thought and was looking around. Normally some of the techs from dietary or housekeeping could be found.
To Maisey"s amazement, Mr. Verdeschi stood up from where he was sitting on the ground and walked up. He sighed as he held out his hands. Juanita looked all doubtful-like and didn"t pass over the ropes. Mr. Verdeschi shrugged and grinned. He actually looked a little sheepish even. "I had three older sisters. One of them visited the States on an exchange program to New York City and learned how to jump double-dutch she called it. Back home, she needed someone to help swing the ropes and I was volunteered. It's been a while, but I think I'll remember."
Maisey saw Juanita give the Security Chief one of her hard looks and then pass over the ropes. As she walked by, Maisey heard her mutter, "Who would've ever thought?"
Mr. Verdeschi glared at Mr. Carter. "Stop snickering, Alan. It's harder than it looks."
"Which, the jumping or the rope twirling?"
Without answering, Mr. Verdeschi started the ropes moving, one clockwise and the other counter-clockwise, just like an old-time eggbeater, and Maisey had to hurry to keep up.
Although Maisey expected it, it was still a surprise when Juanita jumped in and started jumping for all she was worth. Maisey saw that she was doing one of her fancier fast routines and doing it mighty fine. Darting a quick glance at the audience on the floor, Maisey saw that everyone was watching really closely. A couple of the kids started clapping in the rhythm of the slapping ropes and soon everyone was doing it.
Maisey's arms were getting tired and she started to pant a little, but no way would she stop until Juanita jumped out. She kept her eye on Mr. Verdeschi so she wouldn't drop the beat. It was then that out of the corner of her eye she saw an orange sleeve and looked quickly to see a grinning Mr. Carter standing at her side.
"If Tony can do this, I imagine I can too."
He put his hands over hers and matched her rhythm and then took hold as she gratefully released the ropes. She went and sat down behind Mrs. Carter and Danny. Her arms were as heavy as lead. Soon enough, a sleepy Davy crawled into her lap.
Maisey watched Juanita and could tell she was growing tired and wasn't surprised when she jumped out to the applause of everyone sitting around her. She'd done good.
Juanita took a bow and still panting hard took back her ropes. Seeing that most of the kids were almost asleep, she nodded and smiled to the Commander and then gave Maisey a small reassuring grin. Giving a thumbs-up to her rope twirlers she turned and walked out. Maisey was happy to bursting knowing that all was okay between them again. She watched Juanita leave and thought she saw Jack waiting outside the door. Well, that was okay, too.
Mr. Verdeschi was shaking out his arms. Maisey knew the feeling. Rope twirling was hard work. Giving his arms one last shake he looked around at all the tired kids and then at Miss Maya. "Alright, let's get the children to bed."
Maisey stood keeping a tight hold on the sleeping Davy Koenig. She watched the other adults stand and gather kids to them. Mr. Verdeschi had Roberto and Lysee by the hands, and Danny was holding onto Lysee. Mrs. Verdeschi had Kelsia in her arms with Stevie and a very sleepy Richie by her side.
Mr. Carter was moving over to pick up Richie when the Commander got there first and picked up the tired boy. "Go, Alan. I'll take him over."
"Have a nice evening with Sandra." Dr. Russell was holding a sleeping Eliza and made that shooing motion again.
Maisey watched Mr. Carter share a smile with Mrs. Carter that made Maisey blush. Well, they were married, so she guessed that was alright.
Maisey followed the others out and through the corridors of Alpha to the Verdeschi quarters. The Commander put Richie to bed then kissed his kids good-night and left with Dr. Koenig.
Maisey helped settle the others. While Mr. and Mrs. Verdeschi were giving the babies their last bottles, she took Lysee and Danny in for a bath. The girls splashed quietly and happily for a while. Maisey sat on the floor and watched them play not really paying no attention to what they were saying. She was all warm and happy inside knowing Juanita wasn't mad at her anymore. Soon enough, she got the girls out and dried them and helped them into their nighties. She made sure their funny silvery hair was brushed real soft and smooth. Just like her grandma had done for her when she was little.
All squeaky clean, Lysee gave her a big hug and went to bed without a whimper. Danny was still wakeful so Maisey sat with her until of one the Verdeschis was done feeding a baby and could take over. Danny leaned against her for a hug.
"Maisey, I have a secret. My mum is going to have another baby."
"I know. Another little brother or sister for you. I bet your mama and daddy are very happy."
"Uh huh. Mum said that Professor Bergman is the father, so that means Stevie will be a big brother, too."
Maisey wasn"t sure she heard right.
"Richie's your brother, isn"t he?"
"Oh, yes." Without looking at Maisey, Danny got up and started playing with the Computer chips that had kid books on them. "We share the same Mum and Papa. But we also share our Papa with Lysee and with Eliza. But Lysee's real Da is Uncle Tony and Liza's Daddy is Uncle John. And Roberto is our 'heart-sib" because he grew in our Mum"s tummy but his parents are Aunt Maya and Uncle Tony."
Maisey was fully confused. "You mean your Daddy really does have other kids? And you Mama don't mind?"
Danny shrugged after glancing over at Maisey. "Why should mum mind?" Danny puttered around lining up her book chips next to the reader and planning on which ones to ask Mr. or Mrs. Verdeschi to read tonight. Maisey really wished she could read that good.
"So Eliza's daddy is your papa?"
"No. Her Daddy is Uncle John. Papa just helped her start to grow, like with Lysee."
Maisey opened her open mouth but Danny just continued right on, like she was reading a list of ingredients from a recipe card.
"Stevie, Davy and Eliza all live with Auntie 'Lena and Uncle John. Davy"s Daddy is Uncle John, and he"s Stevie's Daddy, too, but Stevie"s father is Professor Bergman. Just like the baby in Mum"s tummy. Professor Bergman"s dead now but I met him once. I liked him."
Maisey closed her mouth. Now, what the... Danny must be right confused 'bout the old Professor. He'd been dead and gone for ages and ages now.
The more Maisey thought about all this the more twisty her guts became. Maybe these nice people weren"t so nice after all. Maybe they were just like the bad people who hurt each other back where she came from. Sleeping around and not keeping to their wedding vows. It was right sinful, it was. She stood up. Maybe she should leave.
Danny looked up at her. "What is wrong, Maisey?"
"I have to go now." She needed to go away and find a quiet place to think. Maybe Juanita would talk with her since she wasn"t angry at her no more.
"Will you come back?" Danny looked fretful. Well, none of this was the child's fault, but didn't the sins of the parent visit the child? Maisey wished her old preacher were here. He"d know what to think.
"I dunno. Let Miss Maya know I had to go, sudden-like. Bye, Danny."
Maisey left quickly so her tears of disappointment wouldn't fall down her cheeks before she could get away.
The door to the biodome closed behind her. Maybe if she stayed real quiet-like no one would find her here in the dimming lights. Maisey took a deep breath and held it. The smell of the apple and peach trees was nice and homey. It was really too late in the day to expect to see the little bees, but she listened carefully anyhow. Maisey walked along the gravel paths until she reached the hidden bench just behind the wisteria vines. She sat down and let the tears dribble down her face.
She should have known that nothing could be as nice as it seemed. But the Carters and the Verdeschis just seemed to be so happy together. And Mr. Verdeschi wasn't so scary once you got to know him. Even the Koenigs were always smiling at each other, but she just didn't feel right going to their quarters on account of Him being the Commander and all.
Maisey pulled her legs up on the bench and wrapped her thin arms around them. She felt like a rug had been pulled out from 'neath her. These people were the Command Staff. They were supposed to set an example for the rest of Alpha. It just wasn't right what they were doing. Having kids by each other like that. Once you got married you were supposed to stay married. Oh, she knew that things happened, that men ran away to go carousing and drinking like her daddy had, but still... to fool around and not have no shame... to tell the kids so that they think it"s normal... Her thoughts were all in a mixed up muddle.
The door opened again and Maisey tucked herself into an even smaller ball. She heard light footsteps on the gravel path.
"Maisey?" It was Mrs. Carter"s soft voice. "Are you alright? Danae said you had to leave."
"Yes, ma'am. I'm okay."
Mrs. Carter walked quietly up to her and sat down at the other end on the bench. Maisey wished she would just go away. Maisey looked at the small trees with their still green apples. She knew that after they turned red some of them would become applesauce for the kids.
Maisey didn"t think she wanted to look at Mrs. Carter right now.
"The stars are beautiful in this section of space."
Maisey took a quick peek and saw that Mrs. Carter's hands were in her lap and her face was turned upward. Maisey looked up through the glass roof of the dome. Yeah, the stars were kinda pretty. She usually paid them no mind. Stars was stars. None of them looked like how they did back home.
"When I was young, I often dreamed of becoming an astronaut. I suppose because my mother had dreamed of flying into space." There was a longish pause. "I have often wondered if she would have been proud of me."
Maisey couldn"t help but look over at Mrs. Carter. "Your mama died?"
"Yes, in a terrorist act just prior to the Global War."
Maisey nodded her head. "My mama was usually so far gone with drink she never paid me no mind. But my grandma took care of me right good, so I guess she kinda was my mama. She never thought about going into space, but she was happy to bursting when I got the Alpha posting. Then she died. Her heart just gave out, I guess. She was pretty old by then. 'Bout fifty I imagine."
She just sat there quiet-like, but Mrs. Carter didn't leave and had settled in like she was gonna be there for the duration.
"Who's watching the kids?" Maisey felt bad for leaving without telling the Verdeschis first. That wasn't being so responsible.
"Tony and Maya. Everyone is just fine."
Maisey nodded, not trusting her voice.
"Will you tell me what is wrong?" Mrs. Carter actually sounded worried.
It took a long time for Maisey to muster up her courage. She could never ask Ms. Benes this question, but just maybe she could ask Danny's mom. Being almost in the dark helped. "It's none of my business, ma'am, but Danny told me about Mr. Carter being the daddy to Lysee and little Eliza. And, well, isn't it just a little wrong?" Maisey was shaking deep down inside all terrified. Was she really asking this question? But... she took a really deep breath and got the rest out before the words got trapped behind her teeth. "I mean, you being married to Mr. Carter and all, but the kids, well..." Maisey blushed bright red. It was just too embarrassing.
Mrs. Carter finally turned to her and Maisey flinched expecting to be scolded.
"The children are all very much loved. You have seen that. Each of them has a home in all our hearts."
Maisey listened carefully. She knew Mrs. Carter was right. Danny didn't seem to have no problems. None of the kids did when she thought about it.
"There are so few of us here, Maisey, we need as many children as Alpha can support. But they need to have as many different parents as possible. Can you understand that?"
Maisey thought a little but then shook her head no.
Mrs. Carter watched her and then looked away. Even though it was really shadowy now, Maisey thought Mrs. Carter had a thoughtful look on her face. "You have told the children about the dogs that lived near your home. Did they have puppies?"
Maisey nodded. Lots of puppies, but not many of them lived.
"What happened, Maisey, if the brothers and sisters and cousins just kept having puppies amongst themselves?"
Maisey had seen that. They had lived out on the edge of town by the railroad tracks and not too many new dogs showed up. Oh, the odd one now and again, but not that often. She recalled all the puny and sickly puppies. They were all just faded copies of each other. Just like the handouts when the copier back in school had run low on ink. 'Course the worms in their guts didn"t help none, but she kinda got what Mrs. Carter was driving at. But she sure didn"t think it right to think of people in that same way. "The pups mostly died, but people..." She couldn"t find the right words.
They just sat there for a while and watched the stars move outside. They were right pretty.
"But, sleeping with each other?"
Mrs. Carter looked at her and finally seemed to understand. "There are ways to start a child that do not include having to... sleep with each other. Dr. Russell and the others can do it in Medical Center."
Maisey knew that farmers could start calves growing without a bull, somehow. They had told her that in school. Could they do that with people?
"You mean I could have a baby without there being a daddy?" Maisey knew all about sex and didn"t want no part of it. She thought of her step-father and shuddered. Those memories still made her feel real dirty inside.
Yet...she really did like helping take care of the brand new baby, little Kelsia. And little Eliza was an armful of love.
Mrs. Carter"s quiet voice startled her a little. "If you wish. You will have to find someone to be the sperm donor, though."
"Oh." If only she could find someone that would be real nice to her like Mr. Carter was to Mrs. Carter or like Jack was to Juanita.
"Do you think you would like to come back sometime, Maisey? The children will miss you. You are very good with them and we all appreciate your help."
"No one"s being hurt, Mrs. Carter? I mean, no one"s been forced to do this?" Maisey knew what it was like to be forced against her will.
"No one is being forced whatsoever."
Maisey knew she"d have to do some more thinking on this, but she really wanted to see the kids again. "Next week? At your place?"
There was a smile in Mrs. Carter"s voice. "Certainly."
The lights in the biodome had gone all dark and Maisey felt more than saw Mrs. Carter get up to leave. She felt a kind hand touch her shoulder and then move off. She heard the door open and then a low voice that sounded mightily like Mr. Carter.
She'd have to think this all over real careful-like, especially that part about Professor Bergman. But she had to agree with Mrs. Carter on one thing. The kids had found a home in her heart, too.
8 February 2006
MDG