tramitem_net | You're my only hope

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You're my only hope

[ Anthony looked frazzled as he cast a careful glance over his shoulder before slipping back under what appeared to be a blanket fort so he could stare at his phone. ]

Ok look, bad week... shit happened. Lots of shit happened, most of it was my fault. Got engaged, broke it off the next day, had to spend most of the rest of the time at the hospital looking after a sick relative. The visit from the creepy alien hunting suit was incredibly spooky... But none of that compares to this!

[ He swallowed and hushed his tone so he wouldn't be overheard. ]

Mum is here. Actually here in my flat right now, cleaning everything and making dinner because she says I look unwell even though she has done the magic heat sensing mum hand trick three times already and I don't have a fever. What do I do!? I can't tell her about even half of this stuff without--...

[ A second voice, much sweeter and calmer broke in to ask... ]

What is this?

[ And Anthony paled as he and phone broke free of the covers to see his grey haired mom holding that conspiratorial message from the mysterious MMF. Never had a man shot so quickly from a blanket tent to snag the paper, crumbled it, and chuck it into the nearest bin. ]

Nothing! Just some chain letter, probably thinks he is being funny by sending weird notes... Nothing to worry about at all! I told you everything is fine!!

[ His mum merely gave her poor highly strung son a sympathetic look and once again set her hand to his forehead. ]

Honey, you really need to calm down. I know what will help!

[ She turned and dug through one of her many bags until she found a tattered old teddy bear wearing yellow wellingtons. This was pressed into Anthony's arms as he was ushered back to the blanket covered sofa. ]

Its Mr. Yellow Boots! Now you and he can sit here all cozy until dinner is ready.

[ Anthony was sulking but he sat back on the sofa and looked helplessly after his mom until she was well out of ear shot. ]

Send help. Anything... I need her to stop worrying.

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[Trying and failing to hold in a laugh, resulting in some awkward sniggers]

Do you really need help?

Would I be asking for help if I didn't need it?? You are a kid so maybe you don't know what it's like yet but family can be overwhelming!

What? [Brushes hair out of his face and puts on a charming smile] You think I've never been fawned over?

Eeehhh...

How would I know what your mum is like?

[He laughs again, grinning]

I'll have you know that I'm adorable. Could probably charm your mum off you for awhile, if you want. Could say we work together at the gardens or something.

To mum's, yeah, I'm sure you are. And actually that sounds bloody brilliant. We do have gardening classes for younger students, we could say you are in one of those.

But... do you actually know anything about plants? She can spot a lie in only a few words.

Yeah! I take care of the couple of plants at me and my mom's, and I've been getting into nature conservation stuff for several months now.

It might actually work then! I just need an excuse to get away for a few hours. Think you can do that?

I can handle talking about plants and making polite conversation for a few hours, yeah.

Any particular excuse you want to use to get out? Something work-related?

It would have to be work related. That would be the only reason to leave really...

[ Now what could it be? He grew silent to think it over before a brilliant idea came to him. ]

I know! Tell her the thermostat in the orchid room is on the fritz and we are in danger of losing the whole collection. It's sort of true, the thermostat does need a repairman to look it over. It's been wonky for a few days now.

[Elliott silently repeats the excuse to himself to make sure he's got it]

Okay I can do that, for sure. I'm guessing sooner rather than later?

Please?

Sooner does have a much nicer sounding sort of 'now' about it.

Sure. Just text me the address and I'll be there, a perfectly charming student.

You are absolutely devious. Just what I need right now.

[ The address is texted a while later. It's for a nice apartment building in the Bronx. ][ ]

[At least he uses his powers for good.

It'll take too long to get there by bus, so he splurges on a cab and arrives about a half hour later, resisting the urge to press the doorbell more than once. While he waits, he repeats the given excuse over again]

[ The door opened a few minutes after the doorbell rang, releasing the sweet smells of baking as the shorter grey haired lady peered out of the door. ]

Yes? Are you looking for Anthony?

[He blinks, supposing he should have expected she'd answer. Mmn, but if he could get a little of whatever was baking, it might just be worth the trouble without calling in the favor later.]

Y-yes, ma'am. I'm sorry to interrupt. Is he home?

Why no, dear. I'm afraid you just missed him. The most horrible thing happened! The Botanical Gardens are on fire!! Oh, I do hope Anthony will be ok... He was called to go down there and help!

[ This wasn't entirely true but it was the impression Evelyn had been left with. ]

Are you a friend of his, some one who lives in the building? I'm sorry you had to find out this way, dear.

[ About that time his phone would jangle with a text message. ]

Wei managed to spring me. He could have come up with a better cover story but it worked.

[Well that.. wasn't expected. And now he's out a cab fare for no reason. Well, at least Anthony had managed then. He ignores his phone for the minute]

Oh.. I didn't know it was that bad. I just heard there was some sort of emergency and to come here to make sure he got the message. I hope the orchids are okay...

[ That could always be reimbursed once Anthony realized the kid had actually sprung for a cab. In hindsight the details of the escape plan could have used a little more ironing out. ]

So do I! I hope the whole place is ok. It would be horrible to come all this way and then to miss even being about to see the place my son works.

[ A beeping from the oven startled Evelyn so much that she jumped and looked quickly back into the kitchen. ]

I forgot all about my cookies! Excuse me a minute, dear.

[ And with that she was off to collect her oven mitts and retrieve the tray of cookies before they burnt, but she had allowed the door to swing wide up when she left. The apartment was small and the kitchen filled to the brim with cakes and desserts. Her fresh baked shortbreads were scooped from the sheet pan and placed on a rack to cool. ]

So sorry about that. I cook when I'm upset and I have had so much to be upset about lately! Do come in? How to do you feel about fresh baked cookies?

[He checks his phone while she retreats in lieu of just awkwardly standing there]

It's cool, but I kind of made it here a few minutes ago. Should I just make an excuse to leave or?

[Elliott just manages to finish hitting send when she reappears]

Oh uh.. well, I mean if you don't mind. I don't want to intrude..

You're there already? Damn. Thought I could catch you before you arrived. Did you tell her the cover story anyway? I mean, couldn't hurt now and it would make it seem more believable. Up to you really. I mean if you are up for cookies you could stay for a bit, she will probably offer you a dozen.

[ No sooner had the text been sent then... ]

It's not an intrusion at all! Actually I was going stir crazy cooking away in here and talking to myself like I had any business to! Come, sit, have a few of these while they are still warm and you can tell me all about how you and Anthony met.

[ Which was then followed by another very timely warning. ]

Oh and watch out. She will want interrogate you. By now she has to be getting suspicious as there hasn't been any reports of a fire on TV. I owe you.

Okay. Uh, thank you.

[He follows her in and closes the door behind him, then takes a seat on the couch and only manages to glance over his received texts before he's accepting the cookies she pushes his way]

I've been a student at the Gardens for a few months. I'm planning to go to college for nature conservation, so I've actually been planning to ask him about maybe getting a job there this summer.

[And is actually the whole reason he agreed to come out and help, if he's honest. ..At least assuming he won't already be working full-time for the Bureau..]

[ Like magic he would find himself with a fresh cup of tea and the promised freshly baked shortbread cookies. ]

Are you dear? Well, I think that's a wonderful idea. I find working in gardens to be some of the most satisfying work one can do. It just so nice turning up the soil and getting all those wonderful buds to flower. Oh, I'm sure my Anthony will help you get a job there! Do you have any idea what sort of job you would be happy with? I understand they can be rather specialized these days, you know, some one to look after the desert garden, another one to look after the orchids.

[ Suddenly she paled. ]

Unless the fire has gotten to the greenhouse.

God, I hope not.

[Though he's 95% sure there's not really a fire]

But I want to work in forestry, so I'd like to work a lot with the trees if I can. Of course, I'd be happy doing almost any job there, really- even if it's just cleaning or something. I'm jealous there are people that are paid to work there.

[And really, the more he talks about it, the more he really wants to jump the gun and ask Anthony about it the second he can]

You're my only hope

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