Page 4 of Lost in the Fog

Melvin stood there in his ridiculously well-muscled glory. “I am going to tell Mr. Zotar about this.”

Pandora nodded as she kept backing up. “Cool. I brought a cannoli for him, too. None for you, though, Melvin.”

Gia giggled and kept walking. When she got back to her chair, she moved it slowly. “There. Ten rounds, back and forth. Reward, please.”

Pandora went and retrieved the box with the cream-filled tubes. They sat near the window and giggled as they crunched through the exterior.

The man huffed and stomped away, heading for Gia’s father’s study.

Gia worked her way through her cannoli and sighed. “Those are good. I wonder if he has figured out yet that my dad isn’t Mr. Zotar. That is the husband’s name.”

“Have you met him yet?” Pandora handed another treat over.

“Nope. We have talked on the phone but no video calls. Don’t worry. He didn’t hit on me when I was in a coma. The moment I woke up, my dad got an offer. Zotar needs a society wife, and my dad needs the business link to stabilize some of his wobbling financial empire. He really didn’t do well while I was out.” Gia sighed. “Take this back, and we are going to get coffee.”

“Okay. Chair to the stairs?”

“And you help me down.”

“Cool.” Pandora grinned. She took the box of treats and walked with Gia to the stairs, helping her out of her chair and supporting her down the steps.

Gia muttered as they went, “You are good at this.”

“Practice, practice. Also, my third form is coming in, so I have gotten stronger.”

“Aw, I missed it?”

“Mist. Funny.”

They finished their way down the stairs, and she helped Gia settle into the chair. Together, they walked to the kitchen, and Pandora smiled at Mrs. Helvig. The woman sighed with a grin and got a pot of coffee going.

Gia said, “I can hardly wait until next week. If I can walk with a cane, I can get back to the office.”

The housekeeper gasped. “So soon?”

“Mrs. H, it has been four months. Apparently, I have been married for five.”

The housekeeper froze. “You know.”

“I know. I got into my dad’s office yesterday, and the folder was right on top.”

Pandora opened the box and offered one to Mrs. H. “Here. You look like you need it.”

“Ooh. Thank you, miss.”

They sat around the kitchen counter, Gia carefully getting herself onto a stool. They drank coffee and stuffed their faces. Eventually, Melvin came in and froze. “Miss Zotar, you need to be doing your routines.”

“Fine, Melvin. Sue me for wanting to feel normal for an hour.”

The therapist paused. “Oh. You made it down the stairs?”

“With an assist. Pandora’s pretty sturdy.”

“Thanks.” Pandora grinned. Going from mist to sturdy had taken a lot of effort on her part.

“You are welcome.” Gia smiled and sipped at her coffee. “How is the driving coming?”

“Oh, I am very fast, and cops don’t see me.”

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