Chapter 7
Victor Trémaux
Tristan was in his bedroom in his light blue silk pajamas reading in his bed. His pager buzzed. He picked it up and checked the number and message. His eyebrows raised when it said, “Let me in.” and it was Deimos’ phone number.
~
After Deimos entered Tristan’s place, he stepped out of his bathroom in his purple silk pajamas. He crawled into bed with Tristan.
Deimos: “It’s done. Ivy and I are done. We broke up amicably. I dropped her off at Andreas’ place above his record store and will deliver her things over the next few days.”
He stated. He and Tristan locked their gazes on each other.
Tristan: “I can tell you still feel sad.”
Deimos bowed his head and sighed. He wrapped his arms around Tristan.
Deimos: “Of course, I do… I did love her but the love we had for each other was dying. I’m sad because this all seems so final.”
He sighed dejectedly.
Tristan: “Well, it’s not final. You said you both parted on good terms. You could be friends.”
He said tenderly and brushed a strand of hair from his cheek.
Tristan: “This needed to be done, Deimos, lest it fester into something ugly that no one wants to look at. It’s best to put the dog to sleep.”
He sighed. Deimos sighed and nodded, thinking back to how he hung onto Dougal for so long.
Tristan: “It’s normal to feel your feelings. You two did have a beautiful relationship but not all relationships are built to last… and now you two can flourish with the right person.”
He said softly.
Tristan: “It’s okay to let go of what no longer serves you, be it a relationship, a job, or a path in life. I am going to start my own law firm. You’re going to be in a thrash metal band soon, and we’re going to heal my father.”
He smiled. Deimos still frowned. Tristan caressed his cheek.
Tristan: “Feeling sad after making the right decision doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right decision.”
Deimos smiled a bit and nodded.
Deimos’ smile faded when he thought of Trevor. Tristan cleared his throat.
Deimos: “I wish we didn’t have to go to Trevor. You know he’s creepy for you.”
He huffed.
Tristan: “Deimos, I am not going to sleep with him. Look at him.”
He scoffed. Deimos harrumphed.
Deimos: “It’s hard but I do.”
Tristan: “I need him to teleport us to Argentville so you can heal my father and we can teleport back home. You’re terrified of flying and no cruises are going there at this time of year.”
Deimos pouted but he knew Tristan was right.
Deimos: “I don’t want him to think he has a chance with you…”
Tristan: “Deimos, I have everything under control.”
He petted his hands and reassured him.
Tristan: “I cannot control what he thinks but I can control how I handle this.”
He added for good measure. Deimos smiled but felt a twinge of uncertainty.
Tristan: “So tell me about this band that Basilia is getting you into…”
He said softly and traced his fingers over Deimos’ chest. Deimos shivered to his touch and gathered blankets to hide his hardness.
Deimos: “Well, Basilia is doing it for Randall Wood…”
Tristan raised his eyebrows.
Tristan: “Doesn’t he own PinkFM and by proxy ‘Headbanger’s Hellfire’? …Isn’t he the father of Ivy’s ex?”
Deimos nodded. Tristan looked bitter about that but he did love Headbanger’s Hellfire for curing his insomnia when it was on the air.
Deimos: “Anyway, they’re sponsoring a thrash metal band from Selene Valley, Possum State, Australia. Their name is ‘Nuklear Intoxikation’. Recently, their drummer quit and Randall’s daughter, Veronika, thought it would be good for them to come here and Randall wants me to take the place of the drummer. The bassist and lead singer is Craig Medeiros, the guitarist and the backup vocals is his sister, Makayla Medeiros. Kurt Tamihana was the drummer. He quit for unknown reasons.”
He explained. Tristan gazed at Deimos.
Tristan: “Veronika is not going to be in this band? Do you know her?”
Deimos nodded.
Deimos: “Of course, I do. Ivy dated her younger brother, Larry. Apparently, she’s not.”
Tristan: “I’d be careful, Deimos. This sounds promising but if it’s too good to be true…”
Deimos bowed his head. He didn’t want to admit it but he knew Tristan was right.
~
The next morning, Tristan finalized the sale of the building where he will open his law firm. He already hired people to move the desks, computers, filing cabinets, and furniture in and would be out of their way while they did their work. He registered his business and was going to have the logo Ivy designed for him printed on the cards and lettered on the window downstairs.
Tristan was driving through Little Tokyo. He was dressed in a black peacoat over his black Italian-cut suit, and black wingtip Oxfords. He had a blue scarf on his neck with gold cats that Ivy bought for him. He approached Måneravn. He turned on his signal and made a right-hand turn onto the street to park his car. He climbed out of the car, and entered the store.
The door chimed when he entered and he saw Andreas at the counter. He looked around the store and marveled at it. Why haven’t I been in here before? He mused.
Andreas: “Hello? Can I help you?”
He greeted him.
Tristan: “Hello! Do you have anything by ‘Nuklear Intoxikation’?”
He asked. I will ask for Ivy in a bit but would like to hear what this band sounds like, he thought. Andreas frowned when he said that name.
Andreas: “No.”
He said flatly.
Andreas: “Why do you ask?”
Tristan surveyed his expression and noted his sudden sullen disposition. He flicked his tongue over his lips.
Tristan: “My close friend is going to join their band after their drummer quit for unknown reasons. They’re coming here and I wondered what they sounded like.”
He explained. Andreas froze.
Andreas: “...They’re coming here?”
He looked worried and uncomfortable. Tristan knit his eyebrows and nodded soberly.
Tristan: “They will be here this week.”
He reiterated slowly. Too many red flags were popping up about this band. Ivy’s friend is clearly uncomfortable, the drummer quit and no one said why, they don’t have an album, and Veronika and her father are involved, he thought.
Tristan: “Are you all right? I apologize for causing you any discomfort.”
He knit his eyebrows.
Andreas: “No, no, I’m fine… it’s just I used to play in that band.”
He confessed.
Tristan raised his eyebrows.
Tristan: “Oh, did you? Why did you quit if you don’t mind me asking?”
Andreas parted his lips and groaned.
Andreas: “I had enough of Craig. I don’t blame Kurt for quitting too, it was only a matter of time.”
He stated. Tristan shifted his eyes and heaved a deep sigh.
Tristan: “Okay, I’m not going to mince my words. This band has too many red flags popping up. I know Veronika and her father are getting involved. I don’t know anything about the rest. What is this Craig like? And why would Kurt quit?”
He asked him and folded his arms over his chest. Andreas frowned when he learned more details.
Andreas: “Oh, he went back to Veronika again?”
He pressed.
Andreas: “Well, you and your friend would be best staying far away from Craig and his band.”
He warned him.
Andreas: “Craig is bad news. I had to move overseas to get away from him. That should tell you enough.”
He added.
Andreas: “...Now he’s coming here?!”
He paced around, looking disturbed. He was skirting around something and being vague with details about himself and Craig. Tristan had a somber look to him. This is from bad to worse, he thought. He knew there were red flags surrounding this band but now they’re sprouting like mushrooms, he thought. He had to move overseas to get away from Craig.
Tristan snapped out of his daze to fix it on Andreas and nodded.
Tristan: “Yes, Randall Wood is sponsoring them to come here with Veronika.”
He cleared his throat.
Andreas: “...Why here?! How did he find me? He’s as dumb as bricks…”
He asked. Tristan cleared his throat again.
Tristan: “Okay, I don’t believe he knows you’re here. Veronika’s family does come from here because Ivy dated her younger brother. I know him because Ivy and I are close friends and I was a fan of Headbanger’s Hellfire… because it cured my insomnia. Nevertheless, I do believe this is coincidental. I don’t know terribly much about this Craig person so I don’t think he came here intending to stalk you…”
He tried to reassure him.
Andreas: “Oh, I see…”
He paused, taking all of this in.
Andreas: “Craig is just as bad as Larry… or maybe worse. Larry didn’t stalk Ivy.”
Tristan nodded.
Tristan: “I know. He let her go quickly. His affair with Bobby was transparent.”
He said icily.
Ivy came downstairs to the store and brightened when she saw Tristan. Tristan smiled and waved at her. Andreas observed them and noted how their interaction differed from her dynamic with the man who dropped her off the other night.
Ivy: “Hey, Tristan, good to see you! What a nice surprise!”
She beamed. Tristan rose. She hugged him and kissed his cheek.
Tristan: “Hello, Ivy. I wanted to see how you settled in before Deimos and I went to Argentville to get my father.”
He smiled.
Tristan: “I purchased my law office and your logo will be put on my windows. In the following days, I will need you to design my website.”
He added and withdrew his checkbook from his coat pocket. Ivy clasped her hands.
Ivy: “Oh, that would be great! I’d be delighted to do that for you!”
She beamed.
Tristan bent over on the counter to make the check out to Ivy Ferraro for two thousand dollars. He signed it and handed it to her. Ivys’ eyes lit up.
Ivy: “O-Oh my gosh… I can’t accept this, Tristan! It’s too much!”
She gasped. Tristan took her hands and locked his emerald eyes on her.
Tristan: “Heavens no, it’s not! It’s just enough and your work is worth it!”
He said smoothly.
Ivy: “Thank you, Tristan!”
She brightened and reddened.
He released her hands and straightened his jacket.
Tristan: “How are you managing? How do you feel?”
He asked her.
Ivy: “I’m a little sad, but also… glad?”
She admitted. Tristan nodded.
Tristan: “I understand that. It’s completely normal to feel a mixture of sadness and relief when something like this ends.”
He said coolly.
Ivy: “I’m glad we could end it amicably.”
She stated. Tristan smiled and nodded.
Tristan: “Likewise. Perhaps you two could be friends down the road?”
He suggested.
Ivy: “Maybe. But for now, I think space is best for us both.”
She stated. Tristan smiled and nodded.
Tristan: “I will respect your needs and understand them.”
Ivy: “Thank you, Tristan, I appreciate that.”
The door chimed when it opened. Celeste came in with a piece of paper and showed it to Tristan and Ivy. It had a white blue-haired athletic man dressed in nothing but a pair of blue hot pants and sneakers carrying a tray of wings and holding a beer. It was an ad for “Danny Donger’s”—a male version of a breastaurant in Little Tokyo. It was a special for a bucket of beer and fifty wings.
Celeste: “Look, guys! Beer and wings! And Tristan, since you quit working for that weirdo, you could apply to be a Danny Donger’s Dude! Ivy and Deimos would love to see her in this outfit!”
She smirked. Ivy blushed at the thought, but couldn’t see Tristan working in a place like that.
Tristan: “Hm, I would like to go but Deimos and I are going to Argentville. Why don’t you ask Ivy and Andreas to take you?”
He offered.
Ivy bowed her head, she couldn’t pinpoint why it bothered her that Tristan and Deimos were going away when she didn’t love Deimos anymore.
Ivy: “...Beer and Wings?”
She looked unimpressed and unamused. Andreas didn’t look impressed either.
Andreas: “Why do you want to go there?”
He asked Celeste, genuinely curious.
Celeste: “Because you get a bucket of ice filled with bottles of beer that you like and fifty chicken wings. Who doesn’t like chicken wings?”
She replied. Ivy noted her interest in this place had nothing to do with the men but the food, am I really surprised? No, she thought to herself.
Tristan: “Wings bother my teeth. I prefer them boneless.”
Celeste: “Those aren’t wings; those are nuggets.”
Tristan waved his hand.
Tristan: “Okay, fine.”
~
Deimos and Tristan arrived at Jumbo Jones’ Grocer. Jumbo Jones’ Grocer was a large grocery store located in Greammoom Hills. The front had a cartoon character of William Jones—the owner of the grocery store—with his hands extended and smiling widely next to “Jumbo Jones’ Grocer” in thick red balloon lettering. Deimos dropped the cigarette from his mouth and scraped the butt with the toe of his boot. The two men entered the store and were greeted by an immense grocery store with 24 checkout lanes, rows of shopping carts, and two billboards. One had rows of coupons. Another had advertisements selling stuff such as lawnmowers, grills, TVs, etc.
On the billboard, they saw the “self-proclaimed employee of the month, Trevor Hinkley” with a picture attached. He was dressed in a black jacket, black fedora, and a gray t-shirt. Only the top half of him was showing. His photo was taped to the paper. He had his thumb up and a smile with his yellow teeth showing with a missing tooth.
They heard a loud harrumph and turned around to see William Jones approaching him. William Jones was an overweight, bald, and friendly-looking black man dressed in a striped shirt, the grocery store black apron, khakis pants, and brown boots.
William: “Good afternoon, gentlemen. Sorry about this. I asked him NOT to put this ad up.”
He said grumpily as he tore the ad with the unattractive man down, crushed it with his fist, and smiled tightly at Deimos and Tristan. Tristan noticed a vein popping on William’s forehead.
Trevor was stocking shelves in the spices, pantry, and baking needs aisle. He was dressed in the grocery store uniform consisting of a striped shirt and apron. He wore black pants and Converse shoes with a shirt and apron. Helping him was a lanky pale white man of average height was looking over the produce and jotting notes down on his clipboard. He had lime green eyes, a square-shaped face, a pencil mustache, and his black hair hung just at his shoulders. He was 27-year-old Larry Wood, the produce clerk of Jumbo Jones and one of Trevor’s co-workers.
Trevor saw Tristan and gasped. He rushed over knocking every jar over and smashing it all over the floor. Larry’s jaw dropped and he pressed his hands against the temples of his head.
Larry: “TREEEEEEEEEEEVOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRR!”
He bellowed.
Trevor: “TRISTAN! Never fear, M’Tristan! I am here to be your personal shopper!”
He pounded his chest.
Larry: “TREVOR!! WHO WILL CLEAN THIS UP?!”
He pointed to the smashed jars of honey.
Trevor: “Uh, you? You’re the ass manager. I’m the personal shopper of M’Tristan!”
He nodded. Larry marched over to them and Tristan formed a sheet of ice causing Larry to slip and fall on the fall, piercing his skin. Larry let out a scream.
Tristan: “We’re busy.”
Trevor bit his bottom lip and Tristan led them outside.
William: “LARRY, GET THIS CLEANED UP!”
He bellowed.
Larry: “TREVOR DID THIS AND THAT LAME LAWYER IS TAKING HIM AWAY! I AM CUT UP AND BLEEDING”
He whined.
William: “YOU’RE THE ASSISTANT MANAGER!”
~
Trevor twiddled his thumbs. Oh man, is he going to fuck me here? But why is Deimos watching? He groaned. Tristan put his hands on Trevor’s shoulders. Trevor froze. Deimos growled at him.
Tristan: “I need you to teleport us to Argentville now.”
Trevor gazed at Tristan and admired his beauty.
Trevor: “Isn’t that where you come from?”
He asked breathlessly. Tristan nodded.
Tristan: “Trevor, I need you to teleport Deimos and me to ‘Hôpital Rocher D’argent’. …That is where my father is staying.”
Trevor gazed up at Tristan with that twinkle in his eyes. Deimos glowered at him.
Deimos: “Are you going to teleport us or not?!”
He hissed.
Tristan: “Deimos, please!”
He chided him gently. Deimos embraced himself. He felt his feelings on this were being disregarded.
Trevor: “Well, I get off work from working with the ass manager and get to be in the city of love with M’Tristan!”
He said aloud. Tristan groaned. I’m doing this for Papa; after this, I don’t have to deal with him, he thought.
Before he and Deimos could react, Trevor grabbed the two and they vanished into thin air.
~
The three appeared in front of a large building Eight thick, round towers reach twice the height of the next tallest building in this elegant castle-like building, and are connected by fortified, firm walls made of brownstone.
Elegant windows are scattered thinly around the walls in fairly symmetrical patterns. There was a moderate gate with enormous metal doors, a regular bridge, and a moat surrounding the hospital.
Trevor: “OH MY GOD! I AM SORRY, M’TRISTAN! I thought I knew where this was but we’re at some castle and I think I may have time-traveled!”
He screamed and stomped his feet. Deimos growled and pointed at the sign above the door. It read, “Hôpital Rocher D’argent” in Old English letters.
Trevor: “I don’t speak French, Deimos!”
He huffed.
Deimos: “We’re at the correct place, genius.”
Trevor: “We are?”
He scratched his ass. Tristan nodded.
Tristan: “The hospitals here don’t look like the ones back home. Let’s go in.”
They entered the hospital lobby. There was a large stained glass dome overlooking the center with a fountain in the middle.
Deimos: “Where do they keep the comatose patients?”
He asked Tristan. Tristan looked up at the hospital map, which was written in French.
Trevor: “Hey, let’s ask the lady over there where your dad is!”
He pointed to a white-haired white lady at the receptionist’s desk. Tristan hushed him and put his hand over his mouth. Trevor got hard to that and Deimos felt his ire soar.
Tristan: “NO!”
He whispered hoarsely.
Tristan: “I want this to be discreet!”
He added. Trevor nodded sheepishly.
Tristan smiled and straightened his coat and looked at the map.
Tristan: “We have to look for the ICU… or USI.”
Deimos: “What is USI?”
Tristan: “Unité de soins intensifs. It means ‘intensive care unit’ in French.”
He pointed to it on the map.
Tristan: “Twelth floor. Let’s go.”
He whispered and led them into the elevator.
Tristan: “No one say anything, please. I don’t want people to suspect us.”
He whispered.
Trevor: “I wanna hamburger, Tristan.”
He scratched his ass.
Trevor: “How do you say that in French?”
Tristan: “You don’t! I will buy you that when we teleport back home, I promise.”
He said firmly but gently.
Deimos growled. I swear, I will knock his other teeth out. How I curse my fear of flights, he thought. Then he thought of the diseases on planes and the planes crashing and felt his anxiety soar. Tristan grabbed his hand and held it as they went up the elevator. Deimos felt his anxiety fade and felt warmth as Tristan held his hand.
When they got off the elevator, Tristan looked at the names of the patients near the doors. He stopped when they arrived at the one that had, “Victor Trémaux.” They entered the room and Tristan put a chair up to barricade the door. They saw a tall, thin white man with a diamond-shaped face and snow-white hair. He has a beauty mark on the right side of his mouth.
Tristan: “Papa…”
He whispered and caressed his forehead. Deimos looked over at Tristan’s father and saw the strong resemblance. He envied how close Tristan was with his father and how he always had fond memories of him. Tristan flicked his gaze on Deimos and nodded. Deimos’ hands rose as he put them on Victor and a blue glow emitted. Tristan glinted hope in his eyes. Deimos focused more and panted. Victor’s right hand twitched.
Tristan: “Papa?!”
Victor’s eyes snapped open.
Victor: “TRISTAN?!”
He screamed.
Trevor: “Hi, I think M’Tristan is going to blow all the way with me!”
He interjected. Deimos collapsed on Victor. Tristan gasped when Deimos collapsed and didn’t want to deal with Trevor now.
Victor looked up at his son, tears welling in his blue eyes seeing how much he had grown from the little boy he saw before the fire. Victor crashed on Tristan hugging him close.
Victor: “TRISTAN!?”
Tristan: “Oui, papa, c’est moi…”
He cried. Victor rubbed his son’s hair.
Victor: “Oui, c’est moi, Tristan… Je suis réel…”
He whispered as tears dripped down his cheeks. Tristan sobbed. So many thoughts raced through his mind. He thought his father would never wake from his coma. He was holding him. It was his scent and his mannerisms. He was reunited with his father.
Tristan raised his head to wipe his eyes and locked his gaze on Trevor.
Tristan: “Let’s go. Trevor teleport us all home NOW!”
He commanded.
Trevor: “Aye, aye, Captain!”
He grabbed all three and they all vanished from the hospital.
~
They appeared at Tristan’s place. Tristan knelt to Deimos. Trevor smirked.
Trevor: “Gonna take me for a hamburger?!”
Tristan withdrew his wallet and thrust money into Trevor’s hand.
Tristan: “Look, sorry, Trevor, but Deimos is out and my father has to get adjusted to his new situation.”
Trevor pouted.
Trevor: “But I wanted to go with you!”
He stomped his feet.
Trevor: “I wanted to have a hamburger with YOU, Tristan!”
He cried. Tristan felt his fury rise.
Tristan: “The video and card shop has a bottle of two-hundred dollar Poison iced tea.”
He said through clenched teeth. Trevor paused and his eyes lit up.
Tristan: “It was never opened… I will buy that for you.”
He hissed.
Trevor: “OH, I LOVE POISON! THANK YOU, M’TRISTAN!”
He hugged him. Tristan reluctantly hugged him back. Trevor let go and saluted him.
Trevor: “Okay, M’Tristan! See you later!”
He waved and teleported away.
Tristan entered with his father and Deimos. Victor helped Tristan carry Deimos inside. Victor looked around his parents’ home. Victor examined the various photographs, the rooms, and the atmosphere. He picked up a picture of Honorine and Gustave at Tristan’s high school graduation. The last time he saw Tristan was when he was a little boy and he looked at his son who is now a grown man. He put the photo down and strolled to Tristan. He reached out and put his arms around him and caressed his hair. Tristan hugged his father back. Victor pulled his son back to get a good look at him.
Victor: “You look great… Look at how much you’ve grown…”
He smiled and his bottom lip trembled.
Victor: “I’m sorry I missed so much of your formative years.”
He wept. Tristan shook his head and smiled.
Tristan: ‘It’s not your fault, Papa… I’m so glad you’re here… You don’t know how much I missed you.”
He cried. Victor hugged his son.
Victor: “What happened to your brother and sister?”
He asked Tristan.
Tristan: “Jean-Pierre and Marie-Thérèse?”
Victor nodded. Tristan closed his eyes.
Tristan: “They passed in the fire.”
He replied. He vaguely recalled seeing their charred corpses. Victor held his arms out to Tristan.
Victor: “I am glad you survived. You were always my favorite.”
He said softly. Tristan beamed.
~
Tristan led Victor to the bedroom and bathroom combination on the right wing. Victor went on the pedway and looked down.
Victor: “Your house is beautiful, Tristan!”
He beamed as he looked down.
Tristan smiled at him as he opened the door to a large red bedroom with gold accents. A grand crystal chandelier hung on the ceiling. There was a computer and desk, two bookshelves, a kingsize bed with a bookshelf headboard, and two nightstands on each side. There were a few chests in the bedroom as well as an antique vanity. The door on the end led to a luxurious bathroom. There was beige and brown marble flooring with an in-ground jacuzzi and two steps leading to a walk-in shower with a glass door. There were marble counters with wooden cabinets, two sinks on the counter, and a toilet, and a bidet at the end.
Victor went to his bed. Tristan opened the chests to show Victor the clothes that they saved.
Tristan: “These clothes are outdated. Not many people dress like this in 1987.”
He stated followed by a laugh.
Victor: “It’s 1987?”
He asked in disbelief. Tristan heaved a sigh and finally nodded.
Victor: “Wow… Fifteen years…”
He mumbled. Tristan grimaced and nodded.
Tristan: “I’m going to return to my bedroom. Do you need anything, Papa?”
Victor was going through his clothes and looked at Tristan.
Victor: “There was something I was supposed to tell you and I forgot.”
He laughed. Tristan smiled.
Tristan: “If you remember, let me know.”
He said gently.
Tristan: “Good night, Papa. I love you.”
He hugged his father and Victor hugged him back.
Victor: “Night, Tristan. I love you, too.”
He patted his back and Tristan left him in his room.
Everything was a blur and so much to take in at once. Victor awoke from his coma and now was thrust into a new home, a new decade, and missing so much of his formative years with his son. He rummaged through his belongings looking for his typewriter.
He heard someone pitter-patter and turned around.
Victor: “Tristan?”
He saw Oliver appear before him. He hadn’t seen the cat enter the room before and wondered how he got in.
Victor: “Hello, who are you?”
He smiled.
Oliver: “Grandpa?”
Victor froze when he heard the cat speak.
~
Tristan lay on Deimos’ chest as he slept in his bed. I will never forget this, Deimos, he thought and placed his hand on his chest.
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