Wild Men of Alaska 03 - Dreamweaver

to Siri, Gemma had gone days without a real meal. Eating whatever she could scrounge. She’d learned fast how to procure groceries, cook dinner, and hide money to pay the bills. She’d been an adult for a long time. More years than her twenty-five years. Being able to lean on someone was more seductive than the hottest kiss.
    Thankfully Rosie had moved in with them after Social Services started visiting. A teacher had become concerned when Gemma had worn the same outfit to school for more than two weeks. She’d been clean, well as clean as an eight-year-old could be washing her own clothes.
    Aunt Rosie had taken pity on the both of them and promptly taken over. That had helped. And had kept Gemma out of foster care. Barely.
    “In ancient times your mother would have been revered for her talents,” Lucky said, obviously trying to soothe.
    “I don’t need some Dreamweaver standing up for me,” Siri said. “Though, thank you for that.”
    Witnessing her mother naked for all the world and God to see would scare off most suitors—though her mother still looked dang good at fifty. The scary thing was the brightness of her eyes and the crazy stuff coming out of her mouth. She seemed high on something. Gemma had seen her high many times with all the “organic” foods her mother baked—when she had baked. But she’d hoped between her and Rosie they’d nipped that. Trooper Cooper didn’t seem to suspect narcotics or she was sure a blood test would have already been performed and Siri charged with more than indecent exposure.
    “Wait a minute. Mom, you can hear him?”
    “Of course I can.” She gave Gemma a look that questioned her intelligence.
    Gemma turned to Rosie. “Can you hear him?”
    “Hear who. I have no idea what the two of you have been talking about since I got here. I’ve been contemplating whether or not I should take Siri’s meds.”
    “Just an idea,” Lucky interjected, “but you might want to move this conversation somewhere more comfortable and with less institutional ears.”
    “Your Dreamweaver has a point,” Siri said. “Besides, I’d like some tea. The floor of this place was mighty cold on my nether regions.”
    “A shower might be in store too,” Gemma said. Who knew the things that had walked across this floor? “Rosie, if you can stay with her—” and make sure she stays dressed, she silently added, “—I’ll go see what Trooper Cooper needs from us so that we can leave.”
    “Trooper Cooper?” Rosie smirked. “Bet the poor soul takes a few ribbings on that name.”
    Whether he did or not, Gemma planned on being sweet as the Bun on the Run’s cinnamon rolls in order to get out of here fast.
    She signed the papers Trooper Cooper had prepared, paid the bail money, and took the copies of the arrest with the court date. Wonderful, another day in front of the judge. Somehow she had to keep Siri on her meds and out of jail. Maybe it was time to get Rosie some help. Gemma sure didn’t want to move in with either of them. She’d fought hard for her independence.
    Gemma returned to Siri with Trooper Cooper who acted very relieved to see her fully dressed. They did the checking out—since Siri had been brought in naked there were no personal effects to claim—and then Rosie and Gemma escorted Siri to Rosie’s Jeep Cherokee.
    “Gemma, there is really no need for you to see us home. I can get Siri cleaned up and in bed. I’ll make sure she takes her meds, but getting her an appointment with Doc Walton Monday wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
    Gemma nodded, too tired to think straight. “Thanks, Rosie.”
    “I’m just so sorry she got away from me tonight. If I had been thinking straight myself, I would have figured she was up to something.”
    “Don’t be too hard on yourself. You weren’t the only one not thinking straight.”
    “I really hate it when you guys talk about me like I’m not here,” Siri chimed in.
    “Well, I really hate bailing you out of jail.”
    “Yeah, I can see that.” Siri stared at something to the left of Gemma. “Leave my baby alone. Her soul is not yours to take.”
    “I’m not after her soul,” Lucky said. “I’m after her heart.”
    “Her heart is not available to you either.”
    “Mom.”
    “Gemini, he will break your heart and leave you a shell of your former self. I know what I’m talking about. I was fool enough to dream walk once.”

Chapter Fourteen

    The night shone bright and clear, and Gemma watched Rosie’s