Striding around the corner of the building, she spotted Aaron talking to tall, dark-haired Noah Fierro and admiring the work that had already been done.
“Only part of the island has had electricity restored, and a lot of temporary generators are still being used,” Noah said.
Aaron shook his head. “I can’t imagine living here without air-conditioning.” He wiped the sweat from his brow. “Look at me. I’m sweating, and I’m not even doing the hard work you and your brothers are doing. How do you stand it?”
Noah winked. “If it gets to be too much, we shift into bird form and fly up into the mountains for a bit of a cooldown.”
When the two of them spotted Mother Nature, Noah gasped. “Oh no! Please don’t get mad at me, Goddess. I haven’t let humans see me shift. Unless they already know what I am.”
“Relax, phoenix. You’re not in trouble.”
Noah let out a deep breath. “Thank goodness.”
“I was actually coming to see you, Aaron. Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
“Of course.”
She smiled. “Want to go where it’s cooler?”
“Oh yes, please.”
Instead of the mountains, she transported Aaron to his home in Brookline and snapped her fingers. His-air conditioner roared to life.
“How did you know where I live?”
“I simply followed your heart. They say home is where the heart is.”
“My heart is in my body.” Aaron smiled teasingly.
Mother Nature chuckled. “I was talking about your energy, silly. I followed your mind’s eye to see where you were in Puerto Rico. But then I saw your heart split between there and your home in Brookline, Massachusetts.”
“And where is your home?” Aaron asked.
“Wherever I want it to be. Mostly, I stay in my garden penthouse in Boston.”
“Boston?” Aaron said.
“Yes. Why are you surprised? I like to see my seasons come to fruition each year. I see many different people coexisting there. I get to witness all kinds of progress as well as tradition and history. It’s an interesting place and keeps me entertained.”
Aaron grinned. “That it is. I never thought of my city next door as entertaining, but you’re right. There’s a lot to be said for Boston if you’re observant.”
“I was hoping we could just talk. Not about anything in particular,” Gaia said. “I just need to be with a friend.”
Aaron scooted his chair forward and leaned in. “Feel free. I’d be happy to listen.”
“I knew you would. That’s why I like…um…being with you.”
Aaron leaned back, looking pleased.
Suddenly, the phone rang. Aaron fished it out of his pocket and checked the number. “It’s my other daughter, Ruth, Goddess. Do you mind if I take this?”
“Of course not. I like that you care about your daughters.”
Aaron answered, “Hello, Ruthie.”
“Oh, Daddy…”Sniff,sniff.
Aaron leapt out of his chair and strode to the next room. It wouldn’t do him any good, since Mother Nature could hear both sides of the conversation anyway. But she let him have the illusion of privacy.
