Page 2 of Daddy’s Little Chaos Gremlin (The Lactin Brotherhood)

2

ZEPHYR

I’d never slept in a bed this comfy, which made it super hard to want to get out, not that I had much to get up for. The bed had become my little safe space, but with every day I returned to my room without finding work, I grew more and more worried about having to give it up.

What then?

Through no fault of my own I had no family to go back to. Even if they’d take me in, I’d never subject myself to being treated like the hired help by people who’d always made me feel like I was a burden because of the mess my folks had made of their lives.

That wasn’t on me.

The main reason I’d left in the first place was because I was tired of wearing that anchor around my neck. My choices might not have worked out the way I’d hoped they would, but they’d never hurt anyone. If anything, I’d been the one to wind up hurt in the end…and here in this beautiful little bed and breakfast run by the most adoring couple I’d ever met.

The way Bruce and Brenner were with one another, whoa, hashtag relationship goals . Looking at them, I could see the love they had for one another shimmering in their eyes whenever they glimpsed the other’s way. I just knew they’d torch the gates of hell to keep the other safe. Someday I hoped to find that, but first, I needed to get up, get in the shower, and resume my job search before the temptation to lie there wrapped in soft, fluffy blankets overrode common sense.

I just hated the questions I knew were coming should I manage to wrangle an interview. Twice now I’d had to explain that while for the last three and a half years I had been employed as an acrobat in a traveling troupe of performers, I had plenty of experience stocking shelves, filling orders, whipping up meals and tackling every manner of household chores both inside and out. I just didn’t have any references to prove it. Funny thing about working for family, especially when you were working in the family home. They were the only ones who knew how hard you tried or what lengths you went through to get things done. If they chose to turn a blind eye to it, ignore your efforts because you were nothing to them but a barely tolerated inconvenience, well then it wasn’t like they were gonna tell someone what a good job you’d done if they came asking.

Coupled with the fact that I was a stranger in town with no permanent address, I fully understood why folks were reluctant to take a chance on me. It just sucked, ‘cause I’d happily get an apartment if I could just get a job first so I could show potential landlords that I had money coming in. It was a vicious cycle, but I was grateful to Bruce and Brenner for solving one problem for me and allowing me to use the address of the bed and breakfast for as long as I was here.

Okay, Zephyr, time to get moving, jobs don’t find themselves.

I was out the door in under thirty minutes, hair still damp and curling around my ears but at least the bright purple, aqua and pink tones were fading, drawing fewer glances from folks when they first saw me. It sucked, ‘cause I loved when the colors were fresh and shimmering. Seeing them in the mirror or the glass of a storefront always made me smile and straighten my shoulders whenever I was tempted to hunch them and hide.

I never wanted to hide again or feel ashamed for just being me.

As I wandered past storefronts hoping to see a help wanted sign, the phone in my pocket buzzed and I immediately pressed my back against the brick of a nearby building so I wouldn’t be in anyone’s way when I went to answer it.

“Hello?”

Yes, my name is Rowan Williams. I am looking for Zephyr Murry.

“I’m Zephyr, Mr. Williams. How can I help you?”

I understand that you are a performance artist, an acrobat, is that correct?

“Yes, sir.”

I’m afraid I was unable to witness your show during the charity event hosted by The Lactin Brotherhood last week, but I was told that it was quite the amazing feat of showmanship and versatility.

“Thank you so much, I’m sorry you missed it, too, it’s the last one I’ll be performing in for a while, I’m afraid. My troupe disbanded that night and it’s hard to draw much of a crowd as a one-man show.”

I knew because I’d tried and while several people had paused and tossed a few bucks in the hat I’d set out, without any advertisement, I’d only been able to garner the attention of those who’d been in the city park at the time. Still, it had been enough to cover half the nightly rate for my room, which had helped pad my dwindling account. If meals weren’t included, I’d have truly been struggling to keep my warm, comfy bed.

Then it’s a good thing I’m not interested in a crowd, or other performers to detract from what you can do. He explained, I’d like to set up a private performance for myself and my partner . I assure you that we would simply like to see what you are capable of and if you would be a suitable muse for several upcoming projects he has slated to undertake. Curtis Hanson here at the Brotherhood explained that you’d gotten stranded and were in search of employment and a permanent living situation as you were currently housed at Honey Hearth Bed and Breakfast. If you prove to be as enthralling as he claims, my partner and I may be able to offer a solution to your dilemma. We will, of course, pay for your time tomorrow regardless. Would a thousand dollars be sufficient?

For a moment, my words froze in my throat as my thoughts ping-ponged between the temptation to say hell yeah and the warning bells of caution that went off at the idea of meeting with a strange man and his partner alone without any way of knowing if he was being honest about his intentions.

I can understand your reluctance to accept, he said when several seconds passed and I still hadn’t said anything. But Curtis can vouch for me and if it would make you feel more comfortable, I can arrange for him to be present for the duration of the audition process.

“That, um, that would make me feel a lot more comfortable,” I blurted, hoping he wouldn’t take it as an insult. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had made me an offer like that only to act resentful when I’d taken them up on it.

And the price? I’m not sure of the going rate for a performer of your caliber, if it is too low of an offer, please don’t fear offending me by telling me so.

“It’s more than enough, thank you.”

Then allow me a moment to ascertain his availability.

I could hear voices in the background, but not all the words. One thing that did ring through clearly was that his tone didn’t change. It was just as warm and pleasant as when he’d been speaking with me. While his manner of speaking to me had been a hell of a lot more formal than I was used to hearing from people, there was nothing stuffy or pretentious about it. The low, rumbling cadence had helped calm the anxiety I usually felt when I had to talk to people I didn’t know. I’d even detected a hint of amusement in it, like he wasn’t afraid to laugh when the moment called for it.

Are you available tomorrow afternoon at three?

“Yes, sir.”

Good, then I will text you the address. We look forward to meeting you. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to see if you will be the muse Tristan has been searching for.

“You’re welcome. Thank you so much for reaching out. I’ll see you at three tomorrow. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day.”

I wish the same for you, Zephyr, he replied before ending the call.

Why him saying my name sent a shiver down my spine I couldn’t say, I just knew I’d better not get ahead of myself counting on a job I didn’t have yet. The day was still young and there had to be places where I hadn’t put in an application yet. Determined not to waste a moment of time, I continued my hunt, filling out five more before I returned to Honey Hearth for supper.

As always, it was served as a homestyle meal at a round table where everyone was encouraged to participate in the conversation, unlike the table in the home I’d grown up in, where silence was the best way to not invite criticism.

Aside from Bruce and Brenner, Alicia, her husband, Josh, and their adorable little boy, Grayson, were also at the table, Grayson babbling up a storm as he waited for his papa to fix his plate.

“Did you find the children’s museum?” I asked them as I took my seat.

The place had sounded positively amazing when I’d listened to them planning their outing this morning and low key, I’d been a little jealous, because it had been at the top of my list of places to visit while we’d been in town. After my job situation had fallen apart, I hadn’t dared spend the admission fee to see it.

“After Brenner told us about the art space and all the hands-on activities they offered for the children to try, we headed straight over the moment we left and spent most of the afternoon watching Grayson giggle as he decorated his own rainbow fish and made an octopus out of yarn and a tennis ball,” Josh explained as he cut up a banana and a small portion of the roast beef with roasted carrots and potatoes that made up the main course.

“You’ll all have to pop up and see them after supper,” Alica offered.

“Heck yeah,” I replied.

“We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Brenner said as he passed the steaming bowl my way.

“That smells so good,” I moaned, feeling my face heat up a little when Bruce chuckled and shook his head at me.

“Now those are the kind of compliments a cook always appreciates,” he replied, before the edges of his smile turned down a little as he watched me scoop a single spoonful of vegetables onto my plate before I passed it on. “There’s plenty, really, don’t be afraid to take more than that. You’re already such a skinny little thing. I promise there’s more in the kitchen.”

“I’ve never been able to eat a lot,” I explained as I added a thin slice of succulent looking meat before happily digging into the first bite and sighing at the burst of bright flavors that danced across my tongue. “And it’s a good thing, too, or I’d never be able to pull off a snatchcannon.”

Everyone looked my way, and it took a moment to realize that no one had any idea what I was talking about. Alisha’s face had pinked up a little as she pressed her hands to her mouth, the light dancing in her eyes as she held back her giggles.

“I don’t even want to know where you mind went with that,” Josh said, chuckling as he slipped an arm around her, hugged her close and pressed a kiss to the side of her head.

“He-he said snatchcannon,” she blurted, giggling more. “Now all I can see in my head is one massive rocket launcher aimed at some jerk putting his hands where they don’t belong.”

She didn’t have to be any more explicit for the image to pop into my head, too. Snorting, I doubled over, giggling as the ends of my hair narrowly avoided a collision course with my carrots. Around me, I could hear Brenner and Bruce join in the laughter, and of course, little Grayson couldn’t resist pointing and babbling Mama funny before laughing right along with the rest of us.

“So, what is it really?” Bruce asked once we’d all settled down.

“It might be easier to show you, if you’re not busy later,” I offered. “I was planning to practice in the yard once my food settled, since I’ve got an audition tomorrow.”

“Outstanding, is it anyplace we know?”

“His name is Rowan Williams and he’s looking for a muse for his partner, Tristan, or at least, that’s what he said. His friend, Mr. Hanson, is going to be there, too, he was one of the men who hired my troupe to perform at the charity event.”

“Oh, we know Ro and Tristan,” Brenner said, his eyes having lit up before he tsked and glanced over at Bruce. “I don’t know why we didn’t think about them when you first mentioned looking for work. Tristan is a sculptor. He works primarily with metal and ropes, playing off the hard and soft and well, rather than telling you about his work, how about we show you one of his pieces after dinner?”

Bruce clapped his hands as he danced in his seat. “I love the way this evening is headed. Why, we’ve got a regular show and tell all lined up between Grayson’s artwork, your acrobatics and the eclectic collection of sculptures we’ve amassed.”

“The only thing that could possibly make it any better is if we’d remembered to make dessert,” Brenner pointed out.

“Then it’s a good thing there’s a bakery across the street,” Josh said. “Why don’t I pick up a cheesecake to go with that delicious ice coffee blend you’ve been spoiling us with?”

“We never say no to cheesecake in this house,” Bruce declared.

“Then it’s settled.”

As I dug back into my meal, I was thankful not only for the food but for the company and the feeling of home and family that sparkled in the air like fairy dust. Knowing that Bruce and Brenner knew the pair I’d be meeting and clearly approved enough of them that they’d have suggested it themselves if the idea had come to them, went a long way toward making me feel comfortable about tomorrow’s audition. For the first time since agreeing to the meeting, I was able to relax completely knowing that whatever else happened, I’d be coming back here with the ability to pay for two more weeks in this magical place. That alone was worth the world to me.