A young woman came out of the kitchen that was about Albert’s age, she wore an apron and a burgundy shirt and trousers. She was wheeling a tea cart and poured Buddy a cup. What he noticed immediately about her were her dazzling green eyes. He tried dodging eyes with her but he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of them. Buddy cleared his throat which made Albert blush. “Thank you Angelique, “Buddy said.
Albert reached out and shakily took the cup of tea given to him. A warm golden light spilled out from the fire place warming the room with a golden light while the wood in the hearth crackled. Albert readjusted himself in an overstuffed chair.
Buddy had been a hero, a founding member of the famous or infamous Guardians of Freedom depending on whom you talked to. That was before the tragic accident that took his legs from him and marked the end of his superhero life.
Buddy’s sitting room was filled with mementos and photos of him and The Guardians of Freedom, everywhere but the mantle piece where a lone silver urn stood. Albert wondered why he had the photos up there and said so.
“Those, Albert, are a recent addition.”
“Doesn’t it remind you of what you lost?” He said, glancing down at Buddy’s legs.
“At one time I suppose so.” Buddy said rubbing his thick bearded chin thoughtfully.
“Now, it reminds me of old friends.” Buddy wheeled himself over to one of the larger pictures of The Guardians of Freedom. He paused for a time staring up at the pictures. Everything was quiet save the crackle of the fire and the rhythmic ticking of a grandfather clock in the north corner of the room. “You know it’s funny, sometimes I feel like they are here in this room watching down on us.” Buddy said.
“Do you miss those days? “
“A little maybe, however, honestly, and this may sound strange, but it turned out to be a good thing.”
“How?” Albert said giving his a disbelieving look.
“Look, Albert, I do miss the adventure but it wasn’t until I lost my ability to run that I realized how much I was neglecting Angelique. She was growing up without her mother and father. She had already lost her mother and I was determined that she wouldn’t lose her father too.”
Albert turned away staring into the shadows. “What is it?” Buddy said.
“It was my mother wasn’t it? She killed your wife and crippled you.”