A series by November
A series by November
Chapter 60: A World of Good
To: ProfX@xnet.org
Hello Charles. I just wanted to thank you again for your hospitality. I had a wonderful time in Westchester.
I can’t believe I finally found my baby. Yes, Logan was a baby once, implausible as it seems. :) He seems happy, don’t you think? Haunted, but happy. Marie is a bit young but seems to be doing him a world of good.
Again, I just wanted to thank you. It meant the world to me. You are welcome to visit me any time, should you ever wind up in this neck of the proverbial woods.
Mariah
To: mariahc0621@hotmail.com
Hello Mariah. You are absolutely welcome. I’ve seen Logan search for his past a long time and it gave me a lot of joy to see the two of you reunited. Frankly, hospitality had little to do with it. It was my pleasure. I’m glad you had a good time.
I must admit, I can’t picture Logan as a baby. Next time you will have to bring pictures. Don’t tell him this, though. ;)
As far as Marie goes, she is not as young as she looks. Biologically, maybe, but she has had life experiences that have aged her tremendously. She is wise far beyond her years, and I believe she has saved him in many ways. They are good together.
Thank you for the standing invitation to New Mexico. I appreciate it, and reciprocate it, and I might just take you up on it sometime.
I’m glad to hear that you are back, alive and well. How was your return trip? There was a time when Bobby’s piloting skills were, shall we say, sub-par, but he is much improved.
I do hope you will come to visit soon. You are welcome in my home any time.
Charles
To: wolverine@xnet.org
Hello dear. I’m back home and safe.
I had an amazing time in Westchester. I can’t tell you how good it does to me to know that you are alive and safe and loved.
Will you and Marie still come out in March? You are welcome any time but if you could come during her spring break it would be wonderful. Will you be bringing Maggie?
I’m late for my karate class so I must go.
Much love,
Mom
To: ProfX@xnet.org
Good morning Charles. How are things in Westchester? I trust my son is not in the news too much more than he is here. It’s slowly dying down.
I’ve seen Logan search for his past a long time and it gave me a lot of joy to see the two of you reunited.
I must admit, I can’t picture Logan as a baby. Next time you will have to bring pictures. Don’t tell him this, though. ;)
Don’t worry, I have copies stored in a top secret location.
As far as Marie goes, she is not as young as she looks. Biologically, maybe, but she has had life experiences that have aged her tremendously. She is wise far beyond her
years, and I believe she has saved him in many ways.
Do you find that being a telepath it’s easier to trust people? It must be nice to be able to tell someone’s intentions, eh?
How was your return trip? There was a time when Bobby’s piloting skills were, shall we say, sub-par, but he is much improved.
The trip was unbelievably short! I won’t ask what you are doing with US government-issue fighter jets. I flew on the Concorde once and it wasn’t that fast. Thank you again for the transportation.
I do hope you will come to visit soon. You are welcome in my home any time.
Mariah
To: mariahc0621@hotmail.com
Hi Ma.
To: mariahc0621@hotmail.com
Good morning. Always good to see mail from you in my inbox.
Yes, the news about Logan seems to be dying down a bit. I’ve taken steps to ensure that the media are aware of the entire story, and, more importantly, that he will not be charged with anything. So never worry about that.
Don’t worry, I have copies stored in a top secret location.
Mariah, you have a very dry wit. It’s very British. Of course I mean that as a compliment. I’m LOL, as they say.
Do you find that being a telepath it’s easier to trust people? It must be nice to be able to tell someone’s intentions, eh?
It’s a double edged sword, really. There is such a thing as telepathic etiquette and I will not enter another person’s mind without permission or if it is an emergency.
On that note I must confess that it was Jean and I who picked you up because we are the strongest telepaths. We did enter your mind enough to know what your intentions were. Keep in mind that my office was fielding fifty calls a day from the media about Logan, that there were death threats, and we had no reason to believe that your intentions were any different. In actuality you were projecting your thoughts and worries so loudly that we barely needed to enter your mind.
I hope you do not think less of me for this. Please understand that I was trying to protect Logan.
I’m hoping that those kids get engaged already. :)
Do you think they will? I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a lot of betting going on around the school. I love my students and faculty, but they are the gambling sort.
I am glad to finally see those two together. They are good for each other and good for Maggie. Since Logan returned here he’s done nothing but surprise and impress me. You should know that the son you raised is a good man.
Charles
To: wolverine@xnet.org
Hello dear. It’s good to come back and find email from you. How are Marie and Maggie?
I’m disappointed that you probably won’t be bringing Maggie, but I’m sure London will be a wonderful experience for her. What will they be doing there? Visiting Charles’ family, I guess?
Now Logan, everyone knows that people our age don’t get *crushes*. Don’t taunt the nice man. :)
Any new paintings? When are you going to show at a gallery? I know a few gallery owners in Santa Fe, if you’re interested. Although being in New York I’d think your work would sell like the proverbial hotcakes. You never drew or painted much before. It was always guitar this and rock and roll that. So I am astounded at how good you are. You will have no trouble selling your work, should you choose to do so.
Are you still planning on proposing to Marie? Let me know, because Per-Andrew’s mother gave him a ring when he started seeing me, a one and a half carat diamond solitaire, and I want to give it to you if and when you ask her. Let me know.
Hope you are doing well, and I’m looking forward to March.
Mom
To: mariahc0621@hotmail.com
Hello dear. It’s good to come back and find email from you. How are Marie and Maggie?
To: wolverine@xnet.org
Hello dear. How are you?
I can’t wait to see Maggie’s picture. You are so good with her Logan. You’ve become a real father to her. I’m glad to see you so happy.
Maggie seems awfully young for a trip like that but she’s excited.
When you were her age you went to Sweden to see your grandmother. You were terribly homesick the first few days and called home a lot. Let Maggie do the same and I’m sure everything will be fine.
I spent a lot of time up in Canada, way out in the middle of nowhere. In the backwoods there were these dive bars and they had cage fights every night. It was how I made my living for years. I’ve been doing some canvases based on that. I don’t know how they’ll turn out.
Maybe in a year or so.
I couldn’t accept that from you. One and a half carats is pretty damn spendy and it wouldn’t feel right. I appreciate the offer though.
Baloney. It’s a family heirloom and you are family. After your father died I kept it tucked away against hope that I would find you and be able to pass it down to you. Don’t deny me this! I’ve already sent it anyway. You should be getting it in a day or so. It’s yours, to give to whomever, whenever, you want.
It’s obvious to me that she will say yes. Do it in your own time, dear, but don’t wait forever. Women don’t like to be kept waiting.
You have a birthday coming up next month. How are you planning on celebrating it?
Love,
To: mariahc0621@hotmail.com
Hey ma.
To: wolverine@xnet.org
What was she like?
Marie said that I should paint your portrait. Would you like that?
Would you like that? I’d love for you to do my portrait but I don‘t want you to feel you have to. Maybe when you come out in March? I think you will like to paint the desert out here. It’s beautiful.
It’s so weird to think of having a family heirloom.
Why?
Let me know what you think of the ring when you get it.
Love,
To: ProfX@xnet.org
Good morning. Always good to see mail from you in my inbox.
Likewise. :)
I’ve taken steps to ensure that the media are aware of the entire story, and, more importantly, that he will not be charged with anything. So never worry about that.
I’m a mother, I worry about everything. Have you ever had children? Well, I guess you have a lot of children in a way, so you understand, I’m sure.
Mariah, you have a very dry wit. It’s very British. Of course I mean that as a compliment. I’m LOL, as they say.
Thank you.
I hope you do not think less of me for this. Please understand that I was trying to protect Logan.
I totally understand and I thank you for looking out for him. When I think about how much you do for people it staggers me. You are a good man yourself, Charles.
Do you think they will? I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a lot of betting going on around the school. I love my students and faculty, but they are the gambling sort.
I hear that you are as well. ;) Logan told me the story of the 750 dollar bet. Far be it from me to disparage gambling - I am full-blooded Sioux after all. :)
You should know that the son you raised is a good man.
That means a lot to me. There’s a lot he won’t tell me about the time he went missing but I just know it was very dark and it sickens me. Getting to know him again is the biggest blessing I’ve ever had.
We’ve had some unusual rain here and it’s bothering my arthritis, so please forgive me if I don’t write with much frequency. You may call me any time.
Mariah
To: mariahc0621@hotmail.com
Hey Ma. This ring is huge! It‘s beautiful. I think Marie will love it. Now if I can only get the balls to ask her.
From: mariahc0621@hotmail.com
Date: Jan 20, 2005
Subject: Thank you
From: ProfX@xnet.org
Date: Jan 20, 2005
Subject: You’re welcome
From: mariahc0621@hotmail.com
Date: Jan 20, 2005
Subject: Back safe
From: mariahc0621@hotmail.com
Date: Jan 21, 2005
Subject: RE: You’re Welcome
Me too. Still, I can’t thank you enough.
They are good together.
Maybe in the summer. I’m hoping that those kids get engaged already. :)
From: wolverine@xnet.org
Date: Jan 22, 2005
Subject: RE: Back safe
It was great that you could visit. Marie and I will absolutely come out. The dates are from March 3-8. Maggie might actually be going with Charles and his niece to London during that week, so chances are we won’t bring her.
Speaking of Charles, I think he has a little crush on ya. I called him on it and the man actually blushed. Never thought I’d live to see that.
Write soon.
Logan
From: ProfX@xnet.org
Date: Jan 23, 2005
Subject: Miscellany
From: mariahc0621@hotmail.com
Date: Jan 23, 2005
Subject: March
From: wolverine@xnet.org
Date: Jan 24, 2005
Subject: RE: March
They’re good. Maggie painted a picture for you and I’ll send it when I get a chance. Marie’s taking a lot of classes this semester so she can graduate early.
What will they be doing there? Visiting Charles’ family, I guess?
That’s the plan. Maggie seems awfully young for a trip like that but she’s excited.
Any new paintings? When are you going to show at a gallery?
I spent a lot of time up in Canada, way out in the middle of nowhere. In the backwoods there were these dive bars and they had cage fights every night. It was how I made my living for years. I’ve been doing some canvases based on that. I don’t know how they’ll turn out.
As far as showing in a gallery goes I’m not interested now. There’s a lot of personal stuff there. I don’t want to put it out there and have it sell on ebay as “done by that decapitating guy in Hoboken.” It’s probably gonna happen sometime anyway, but I’m not ready to deal with it now. Maybe in a year or so.
Are you still planning on proposing to Marie? Let me know, because Per-Andrew’s mother gave him a ring when he started seeing me, a one and a half carat diamond solitaire, and I want to give it to you if and when you ask her. Let me know.
I couldn’t accept that from you. One and a half carats is pretty damn spendy and it wouldn’t feel right. I appreciate the offer though.
To be truthful I’ve thought about doing it on Valentine’s day but I keep chickening out. It will happen eventually, if I can keep her from being pissed off at me. I do love her and I’m not gonna let her slip through my fingers if I can help it.
Logan
From: mariahc0621@hotmail.com
Date: Jan 24, 2005
Subject: RE: March
Sounds colorful. I hope you don’t do that anymore. I know I’m a nudge but I don’t like the idea of you getting beaten up like that every night.
That sounds wise to me. You’ve only been painting for about a year, right? It seems like a good idea to wait until you have your feet under you, so to speak. And art isn’t a product to be sold, either. It has merits in and of itself, don’t you think? I would love to have one of your canvases in my house, though. Hint, hint. :)
Mom
From: wolverine@xnet.org
Date: Jan 25, 2005
Subject: RE: March
I went to Sweden? God, I wish I could remember that. What was she like?
Sounds colorful. I hope you don’t do that anymore.
I don‘t. Havent for nearly five years.
I would love to have one of your canvases in my house, though. Hint, hint. :)
You can have any of ‘em, except for the portraits of Marie and Maggie. Or I can paint one for you. Marie said that I should paint your portrait. Would you like that?
Baloney. It’s a family heirloom and you are family. After your father died I kept it tucked away against hope that I would find you and be able to pass it down to you. Don’t deny me this! I’ve already sent it anyway. You should be getting it in a day or so. It’s yours, to give to whomever, whenever, you want.
Well, when you put it *that* way... :) I’d be honored. It’s so weird to think of having a family heirloom.
You have a birthday coming up next month. How are you planning on celebrating it?
It’s so strange to have a birthday and last name and a social security number. All these years I’ve never been able to open a bank account. Carrying around your life savings with you is no fun, believe me.
I don’t know what’s going down for my birthday but Maggie and Marie are whispering behind my back so I suspect something’s up.
Love you too,
Logan
From: mariahc0621@hotmail.com
Date: Jan 25, 2005
Subject: RE: March
Not bad, as mothers-in-law go. She was sophisticated, educated, intelligent, but with a very old-fashioned heart. She had the proverbial cow when her only son wanted to be a cabinetmaker instead of a college professor or doctor. She was a chef and ran a restaurant in Stockholm that still exists. She was an amazing cook. I nabbed her recipe book when she died! It’s in Swedish, but I learned a bit of it so I make do. She had a hairtrigger temper, as did your grandfather. He left her when your father was sixteen. She died the year before you disappeared.
Mom
From: mariahc0621@hotmail.com
Date: Jan 26, 2005
Subject: RE:Miscellany
From: wolverine@xnet.org
Date: Jan 27, 2005
Subject: The Ring
So when I get there are you gonna make grandma Christensen’s recipes for us? ;-)
You wanted to know why it’s weird to have a family heirloom. It’s because for so long I didn’t have any family, and I didn’t even know my own name for sure. I had no idea where I’d come from and honestly I never thought I’d know. I’m so glad I do.
Marie says hello, and Maggie does too.
Thank you for the ring. It means a lot to me, to have something handed down.
Now, if I can only get up the nerve.
Love,
Logan
