Page 84 of As The Shifter World Turns

84

DO PIRATES GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT?

Martin

When the guys asked if we could come spend the night at their new motel, I thought they were joking. Why would people want to stay at a motel in the same town they lived in? But Toby heard and got all excited and I agreed, still iffy on whether the offer was legit or not.

Turned out that it was and come Saturday afternoon Toby and I were packing up the car with our overnight bags, a grocery bag filled with snacks, his swords because apparently those were good luck now that we got the new apartment, and my laptop in case this whole thing was a bust and we ended up watching movies from the dated rooms.

I had to admit that when they told me they bought a “dated” motel I had images of it being dilapidated and in ruins. But as I pulled in, I could see it was not the case. At first glance it was like stepping back in time. I always loved mid-century modern and the building was from around the tail end of that era, or at least designed to look that way.

“Dad, this place is old. Like ancestors old,” Toby said from the seat behind me.

“Your grandparents were alive when this was built, it isn’t that old.” I found a parking spot easily, the No Vacancy sign blinking brightly. There wouldn’t be any for a while. They planned to pitch some kind of tv show now that they were the official proprietors.

“They are ancestors,” he countered and I didn’t even bother to argue. Once Toby had a notion in his head, it was there growing deep roots.

“Look.” He popped his seatbelt. “Micah’s waving from the doorway.”

We got out, our items in tow and walked to meet him. We had far more things than anyone needed for any overnight trip. But as Toby told me numerous times while we were packing, we were off for an adventure.

“Glad you made it. It’s like a launching of a ship, but no water or travel… maybe that wasn’t the best analogy.” Micah reached for my bag of snacks and I gave it to him, glad for the help.

“Does that mean no pirates? I have my swords for nothing.” That was Toby.

“We shall keep our eyes out for pirates,” Micah promised. “Come on in and I’ll show you to your room and then you can see where we’re all hanging out.”

“Is it the courtyard? I’ve never been in a real courtyard but I read about one in my new book. The statues all come to life at night, but they aren’t mean or anything.” It was a book I had read as a child and given to Toby. I had adored it, too.

“It is the courtyard. You’re going to love it,” Micah assured him.

We walked inside and Micah grabbed a key on a big plastic keychain. It had been a long time since I’d stayed at a motel with metal keys. They truly had done nothing to the place.

In the reception area, it totally worked. It had this retro-vibe that small boutique places had on all the fancy travel shows. Once we got into the hallway, it was a different matter. The shag carpet was no longer shaggy and really it was more half shag carpet. Like it wasn’t the best and fanciest of its time, but also it wasn’t trying to be trendy.

At least it wasn’t orange. My grandfather had that and it looked almost like mud after years of use, even with a fancy carpet cleaning service.

“You two are in room nine. It has two beds, a television, and a door into the courtyard.” That meant I could come out while Toby slept and still be within visual and auditory range of him. Micah thought of everything.

We found the room and wow. Just wow. “This is something.”

“The green… this is my favorite green!” Toby squeed.

“It’s green and gold.” Micah chuckled. “And look.” He opened the door and there were all of the residents of Sunshine Manor, including Neil.

He hadn’t told me he was coming, maybe because he assumed that I’d know he’d be here. But whatever the reason, he was here and I was happy.

This, a nice time with our friends, this would be good for us.

“Come on out,” Ivor called over to us. He was sitting in a lawn chair that was made with the woven plastic stuff that always looked like it was going to break that was wrapped around aluminum, but somehow never did. Under his chair was Patch in a ball, sound asleep. Dyani and Elune were in their respective pushchairs and were also asleep.

Glancing around, all the chairs were the same, just different colors. Was nothing in here modern? But then again, if it was, what would be the fun of it?

“Can I, Dad?” Toby was bouncing on his toes.

“Absolutely.” I had this overwhelming urge to rush over to Neil and kiss the man breathless.

“Are these for the room or out there?” Micah asked of the snacks .

“Oh, they're for everyone. I’ll be right out. Gotta pee.”

The bathroom was pink. Bright pink, just like my dad’s uncle had while I was growing up. It didn’t match the main room at all in feel or in design elements.

“They probably got a good deal on the old model tile.” I said, running my fingers over the tiles. There was something comforting about the space, probably just that it reminded me of my great uncle’s place, but I loved the tile work. I had half a notion to ask Micah to salvage it during the renovation. It might make him some money and I didn’t want it destroyed.

We had fun. It was like being at one of our rooftop gatherings, only in a cool retro courtyard. I wasn’t the only one to bring snacks, but about two hours in, we were ready for food food.

“Heads or tails?” Daire asked, holding a quarter in his hand. We had narrowed it down to subs or pizza, not wanting anything requiring dishes. “Toby, your call.”

“No. Pass it over. I know this trick.” My son was adamant and I had zero clue what he was talking about.

“What’s the trick?” I asked. “Do you think he can control the quarter? Like an illusion from a magic show?”

He just rolled his eyes.

“No, Dad. Mr. Tyler, my teacher, does this. He doesn’t want to decide what we’re doing so he does heads or tails and one of us calls it. The thing is, if you get picked no matter what you choose, someone is mad at you. I chose free reading over free drawing and Piper wouldn’t talk to me for a week the last time I had to do it.”

“Want me to take the burden?” Neil offered. “I’m cool with people being mad at me if it means we get pizza.”

I appreciated him taking the attention off of Toby and would be talking to my son about what happened at school. It sucked when kids are mean because they don’t get their own way.

“Heads or tails?” Daire asked Neil this time.

“Tails.”

We did end up ordering pizza and about twenty minutes later Neil, Daire, Archer, and I went back through the building to wait for it. We ordered far more than was necessary plus drinks and needed the extra hands. Toby stayed to play with Patch who finally woke up from his nap. The courtyard was great, but it also made it impossible to see the driveway.

“What was that?” Neil asked halfway down the hallway.

“What was—” I stopped in my tracks as something too big to be a mouse scurried by.

“Please tell me that was not a rat.” Neil came to my side. “I don’t like rats.”

“No one does.” Daire agreed. “But it was too large.” He followed the direction it had gone and we were only a few steps behind him.

“He’s behind this cabinet, I think. Help me move it. ”

It took all four of us to budge the thing and as we got it loose, we saw why. It was glued panelling.

“Probably wanted to even out the wall.” Daire ducked down and looked at the missing piece, half of it still on the cabinet. “Safe to say it didn’t go back here.”

The critter, which we now could see was a squirrel, ran past again, Archer grabbed my shoulder, Neil jumped into my arms, and Daire went after the animal.

“Don’t piss off a squirrel,” I hollered to him.

“Just making sure he has a way out.” Or at least I thought that’s what he said, his voice traveling further and further away from us.

“Huh.” Neil kneeled down and picked up an envelope, an old one. “This was behind there.” He set it on the counter.

“Open it. It could be silver notes,” Toby said as he and Ryder appeared.

“We thought maybe you needed more help, but we assumed with pizza, not demolition.” Ryder teased.

“There was a squirrel.” Neil explained while explaining nothing at all.

“I read a book where they found silver notes. Open it.” Toby crossed the room.

“Huh.” He pulled a paper out. “It’s a map.”

“A map hidden in a wall?” Neil asked. “Who does that?”

“Pirates. It’s a treasure map. I knew I’d need my swords.”

“Probably just the kids of the previous owner.” Ryder took the map to look at it.

That wasn’t left by a kid. It was too well sealed. Interesting.