A Pleasant Story

Chapter Thirty-Six

Making Plans


Cassandra ran home from Mary-Sue’s house to find out what had happened to the Goth family money. As she entered the foyer she glanced around and noticed with relief that nothing obvious seemed to be missing.



When she got through the door she yelled for her Dad, but there was no answer.



She began to search and luckily found him napping on the couch in the living room. He looked so small and vulnerable she just gazed down at him for a moment.

“Oh, Dad, what happened?” she asked quietly.



Cassandra felt movement behind her and a shivering chill crept up her back.

 

She turned slowly to confront the visitor and stared in disbelief at a hooded, skeletal figure.



Suddenly her rage rose and she shrieked, “NO! IT IS NOT HIS TIME!”



“Get back you foul fiend! You cannot have him!” Cassandra advanced on the figure, who seemed to shrink before her righteous assault.



Without touching, because she had no idea what her fingers might encounter, Cassandra kept yelling and advancing, and the specter kept backing up.



Cassandra angrily forced the creature into the kitchen where it merged through the wall and eventually disappeared.



She returned to her Dad and breathed a sigh of relief as she observed him still breathing.




She gently shook him awake and helped him sit up.

“Oh, Cassandra. There you are,” he said quietly. “I was so tired.”

“I could tell,” she replied. “Dad, I have to ask you something. Did you buy something? Or things?”



Mortimer looked puzzled and shook his head. “I don’t think so. I just came home after seeing the therapist. At least, I think I did. I don’t remember. Then I was so tired I’ve just been sleeping ever since.”




“Well listen Dad, I called the bank because I wanted to help Mary-Sue and all our money is gone. There’s nothing left.”

Mortimer jumped up and shouted, “WHAT?! What do you mean?”

Cassandra explained and Mortimer took out his phone and dialed the bank.

He identified himself and then asked about his accounts.



When he hung up the phone, he told Cassandra, “There were numerous purchases all in a row. I asked what time, and it was the same time I was seeing the therapist. We’ll have to check that out. But I asked about the house and there’s no mortgage, so it was just purchases.”




“I can’t believe this,” he continued. “I don’t remember buying anything. The last thing I remember was sitting down in her chair, and then you waking me up just now.” He shook his head as though to clear it.

Cassandra said, “Don’t worry Dad, we’ll figure it out. I’m going to that therapist’s office right now and see what I can find out. You just rest.”



When Cassandra arrived at the therapist’s office she found the door open and walked in, to discover . . . nothing. The waiting room was empty.



She walked into the office area and same story—completely empty.



“I don’t think this is a coincidence,” she thought.



Suddenly she gasped and shivered.

“I fought DEATH,” she said, “And I won. Holy crap.”



Back at the Goth house, Mortimer answered the phone.

“Dinner? Well, I guess so. Thank you. We’ll see you then.”



Lilith was working on her homework when she noticed Stella walk up beside her quietly and then stare down at her.



Lilith knew that sometimes Stella wasn’t sure how to behave as a human, so she stood and said, “Did you need something Stella?”




“Appreciations for your attention, roommate Lilith. Information is offered that Mortimer Goth and his progeny Cassandra will be arriving to consumes sustenance this evening. Purpose is for contribution of merriment and exploration of events of sadness.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea,” Lilith said, “And hey, maybe I could call my mom to come, too. She’s Cassandra’s best friend.”



“Benevolent suggestion, friend Lilith,” Stella said. “Much appreciation is offered for thoughtfulness.”

Lilith nodded and smiled.

Stella then continued, “Learnings have indicated human gestures of appreciation and I am desirous of offering one.”

Lilith was a little hesitant as she said, “Okay . . .” and got ready to receive whatever Stella thought was an “offering of appreciation.”

But then she relaxed as Stella just gave her friendly hug.



When the guests arrived, Stella and Lilith greeted them and introduced them to their housemates. Mary-Sue and Mortimer seemed in fairly-good spirits, but Cassandra was troubled and answered inquiries with monosyllables.



Lilith led the guests to the table as Zoe served chef salads.

Mary-Sue inquired, “Will you be joining us, Zoe?”

Zoe replied, with a smile, “No, Lilith just asked me to cook because nobody else knows how to make anything but mac and cheese. I have to go to class soon.”

Cassandra chirped up, “I like birds.”




Once everyone was seated, Stella took her place at the head of table and said, “Many welcomes to friends Mortimer and Cassandra and parental unit of roommate Lilith. Human tradition dictates the raising and subsequent consumption of inebriating substances prior to the consumption of nutritional sustenance, preceded by a declaration of hopeful purpose.”

They all stared at her somewhat blankly, then raised their glasses as she said,

“My friends are the best friends
Loyal, willing, and able.
Now let’s get to drinking!
All glasses off the table!”

All but Cassandra raised their glasses. She just sat silently.




Lilith choked as she tried to stifle her laughter and asked, “So, where’d you learn that toast, Stella?”

Stella explained earnestly, “In preparation for this evening’s occupation of hostess to guest attendance, perusal of print and video media was effected. The speech-making was obtained from a lengthy visual performance involving the association of young male humans at a location of higher learning. Is appropriateness lacking?”

“Not at all, Stella,” Mary-Sue said. “That was very nice.”




They were about to begin to eat when Cassandra spoke. “This is all very amusing, but I thought we were asked here to talk about the alien abductions, not teach aliens how to act human.”

They were all startled at this pronouncement and sank into silence.



Stella finally answered and said, “Understanding is that convivial communication precedes matters of essential discussion among humans.”

Mortimer said, “You’re exactly right, Stella. Most human gatherings first have a period of small talk. And Cassandra knows better than to speak so rudely.”

Stella smiled at him then and said, “As is usual, Mortimer speaks wisely. Consumption shall now commence.”

They ate their salads quickly. They were delicious, but the plates started giving off green fumes before they’d finished.

Stella said, “Now that devourment is completed, proceedings shall move to matters of importance.”



Lilith quickly cleared the plates , then settled back down as Cassandra was saying, “Okay, so now can we talk about the aliens?



Stella nodded and said, “Purpose of meeting is imminent. Desire is to convey prevailing knowledge.” She went on to explain how she and the other alien students were working together to try and contact the pollination technicians who were in charge of human abductions. The difficulty was that they were a secretive lot and had not yet been amenable to contact.

She concluded, “Gathering of information from present guests is welcomed.”



Everyone chimed in with what they knew about the abductions of Bella and Dina. After they’d filled Stella in with what they knew, Mary-Sue said, “Hey, you know who should be here? Carla! I know she’s been investigating things in Pleasantview and she might have information. Plus she’s a cop, so she knows how to dig into mysteries.”



“Contribution of Mary-Sue’s acquaintance would be welcome at this assemblage. Method of contact is available on the wall hence.” She gestured toward the phone but Mary-Sue shook her head.

“Never mind, I’ve got her number in my cell.” She stood and dialed Carla’s number and explained the situation and Carla said she’d be right there.

Cassandra crooned, “I like violins.”



Once Carla arrived, Stella began to explain the situation.

“Two humans of Pleasantview have not returned from usual temporary occurrence of abduction . . . “

Carla interrupted her, “Change that number to three. Jessica Picaso has also been abducted and not returned.”

The table exclaimed in unison at this shocking news.



They told Carla about Stella’s plan to contact the pollination technicians, but that they’d been unsuccessful so far. Carla asked, “Is it possible to travel to see them? Don’t you have access to a rocket or spaceship?”

Stella explained that their location was secret, so as of right now there was no way to contact them unless they wanted to be contacted.



Cassandra interjected angrily, “So what was the point of this? We still know nothing. Stella, I appreciate you trying, but this was pointless. I’m going to go.”

Cassandra stood and left the house.



Mortimer turned to Stella and said, “I’m sorry dear. Don’t mind her. She’s just upset about her mother. And step-mother. It’s unbelievable that I’ve lost both my wives to the aliens.” He turned to Carla and said, “Can you give me the Picaso’s address? I’d like to talk to the husband about his wife’s abduction. And I might be able to offer some support.”

Carla said, “Sure, no problem. I’ll text it to you.”

Stella said, “It has been pleasurable to be in your company. Hopefulness exists that this occasion will re-occur often. So strong are feelings on this matter that I made your dinner reappear.”



As she was leaving, Carla stopped in the kitchen at a familiar sight. “Hey Lilith,” she called, “Where did you get this cow?”



“Oh, Stella got that,” she said. “She redecorated the whole place the other day.”

Stella walked up and said, “I must negate your impression. Small bovine creature was not addition by me.”

“Oh,” Lilith said, “then I wonder where it came from? Probably one of the other roommates.”




“Stella,” Carla said, “this is important. Could you ask your other roommates if they brought the cow?”

Stella agreed and went to ask the others—each denied knowing anything about the cow. She returned to the kitchen and told Carla.

“Curiosity is rising,” Stella said. “Is mammalian horned creature of significance?”

Carla nodded. “It might be part of another investigation. Do me a favor—if you find out who put it here, let me know.”



After Carla left, Stella walked Mortimer out to the curb.

“I’d like to apologize again for Cassandra,” he said. “And I’d be happy to come for a visit again. Maybe you could . . .”

His words were stopped by Stella’s lips.

“Many thanks to Mortimer,” she said.



“Well.” He said, “You’re welcome. I’ll later, see, well, I mean, I’ll see you later.”

Lilith noticed that they both seemed to enjoy the kiss.