Subj: The Ingenue Pt.2--Mild Adult
Date: 1/17/99 9:44:05 AM Central Standard Time
From: marcos1

The two women stood outside of Rocksport College, smoking cigarettes, waiting for the class to end. It was a quiet night with only the sounds from a nearby trucks filling the air.

“I’m so proud of my son,” a woman with dark hair said. “ My name is Ruby. I work as a waitress, right next door, at Tobies truck stop.” She took a deep puff of the smoke. “I just hope when he gets his degree, that he’ll do better for himself." She laughed. “I love my job...I really do, but I want more for my boy.” She narrowed her eyes. “Do you have a son going to this class, too?”

Julia smiled. “No, actually, it’s my husband. He spent most of his life— well...occupied with other things, and he has decided to get a degree. Taking night classes seems to work well for him. He has always loved the night.”

“But what a strange class,” Ruby said, “History and Facts about the supernatural.”

“It should be an interesting class,” Julia replied. “My husband and I are good friends with the professor.” She crushed her Lucky Strike on the sidewalk, thinking...{He does know something about the subject. Oh, God, I’m so glad that part of our life is over.}

Eliot Stokes stood at the blackboard. “The legend says that the Leviathan’s were once the rulers of the world, and their darkness was everywhere. It was a world devoid of light of pure unrelenting evil. The only shadows were cast by the light from distant stars. But then, in one magical moment, everything changed.” His eyes sparkled with a smile. “A great ball of fire appeared in the sky. It was the Sun. The Leviathan people, in their natural form, could not stand the light. They were forced to go deep in the underworld. The god, Ra, and his companions called the phoenix had arrived in our world.”

Barnabas sat in the front row, holding a pencil in his hands, taking notes. He raised his hand. “But weren’t the phoenix’s evil?” He was thinking about Laura and her ruthless quest for children.

“No, rather amoral, actually,” Eliot replied. “I don’t think they had a sense of right and wrong—only a great love for the light and fire.” He cleared his throat. “Of course, we are only dealing with a legend here, and the facts written down in the ancient texts. According to a book found in the caves of Sumeria, the phoenix creatures only had one natural enemy, and that was the Leviathans. Their hatred of each other was the defining aspect of each. It was to be the struggle between the light and the darkness, forever.” He turned towards the blackboard. “But of course, no one believes in either group anymore—they are both creatures of myth.”

~~~

Cathy took a deep puff of the joint. Her boyfriend Eddie sat beside her, rubbing her thigh. “Man, this stuff makes me horny,” Eddie said. “Com’on, let’s do it.”

“No, we had better not,” Cathy giggled. “Mr. and Mrs.Collins will be home soon and I really need this job.” The sound of rock music echoed through the sitting room of the old house.

“Why not?” Eddie pleaded. “The kid is asleep—we should have time.” He began to unbutton her blouse, playing with the strap of her bra.

Tammy watched from the stairway. The nine year old girl was wide-eyed. She heard a car pull-up outside and ran quickly up the stairs. Thinking {They are home}

Eddie pulled Cathy’s bra off, kissing her breasts. They never even noticed the front door opening. “WHAT IS GOING ON, HERE!” Barnabas shouted, raising his wolfhead cane. “You were suppose to be watching our daughter.” He could smell the burning hemp. “Smoking pot, too—I have a good mind to call Sheriff Patterson.”

Julia spoke calmly, but firmly. “Cathy, you are fired. Leave our house, with your boyfriend and never come here again.”

Cathy put on her blouse. “I’m really sorry, Mrs.Collins. Please don’t tell my parents—I would be grounded forever for this.”

“Just get out,” Barnabas said. His eyes reflected such rage, both the teenagers moved very quickly to leave. He heard the front door closing. He slumped into his favorite chair. “Julia, what are we going to do now? We need someone to watch Tammy.”

“I’ll go upstairs and check on her,” Julia said. She put her hand on his shoulder. She loved him so much. Barnabas was a man that cared so deeply about his family.

Julia walked into Tammy's bedroom. She was their adopted daughter, but they couldn’t love her more. Both of her natural parents were very troubled. Her father had abused her and was an alcoholic, while her mother was a diagnosed schizophrenic—spending most of her life in mental hospitals. Julia looked down at the small blonde girl sleeping next to her collection of stuffed animals, her arm around Pooh—her favorite. Julia bent over and kissed her cheek.

Downstairs, Barnabas was busy typing out an ad. He would advertise in the Collinsport Herald for a governess. He had to find someone nice and responsible to watch their daughter.

To be continued—