30 Suddenly Siblings

Well, I don’t care if I’m pretty at all
And I don’t care if you never get tall
I like what I look like, and you’re nice small
We don’t have to change at all

When I grow up, I’m gonna be happy and do what I like to do
Like making noise and making faces and making friends like you
And when we grow up, do you think we’ll see
That I’m still like you and you’re still like me?
I might be pretty; you might grow tall
But we don’t have to change at all

[spoken]
I don’t want to change, see,
’cause I still want to be your friend,
forever and ever and ever and ever and ever

Maggey Gumshoe and Pearl Fey
Gumshoe Residence
September 5, 2020, 7:00 PM

“Are you sure you had enough to eat for supper, little missy?” Maggey asked the silent spirit medium, who was sitting glumly at the dining table, idly stirring her untouched glass of chocolate milk with her straw. “You barely pecked at your dinner. I thought you loved macaroni and cheese?”

Pearl looked at the kindly woman, who, along with her husband, had agreed to keep her as their ‘special visitor for the evening while Mr. Nick was at work, and forced a smile.

“I’m sorry Mrs. Gumshoe,” she apologized quietly. “I guess I’m not very hungry right now. But it was very yummy. Maybe I’ll have some later. Is that OK?”

She absently reached over and stroked Gordy’s silky brown hair and in retaliation, the baby gurgled and cooed at their houseguest, then merrily banged his fists onto his dinner tray, sending splotches of mashed-up baby food flying in the air. Unlike the psychic, the one-year-old, seated at the high chair next to Pearl, was happily tucking into his meal, consisting of mashed potatoes and peas, most of which he was wearing on his bib and face; Maggey had been only partially successful in getting half of the actual spoonful into his mouth!

Gumshoe’s wife peered into the little girl’s downcast visage and smiled sympathetically. She didn’t blame the child for not being in the mood to eat, what with her guardian being in the hospital. Unlike the last time that she’d babysat her, the normally cheerful and bubbly Pearl had barely spoken a word all night. She’d only smiled when playing with Gordy, whom she’d taken to like a duck to water, and vice versa.

“Of course, it’s OK, sweetie. I guess Maya’s legendary healthy appetite skipped your side of the family?” She teased softly, hoping to lighten the mood. “She never would have let homemade mac n’ cheese get past her – especially not with the ground-up hamburger I added to it!”

The quip had the desired effect of bringing a brief smile to Pearl’s face for a moment.

“Mr. Nick always used to say he didn’t understand how she wasn’t 400 pounds with the way she eats,” she giggled. “When he came up for her Master ritual, the two missed the special lunch. The chef had made an Angus burger with ramen noodles on top, especially for her! Mystic Maya told me later she didn’t care about food, because she could eat whenever but she’d wanted to ensure she spent as much time alone with her Special Someone as possible. That was the reason why she stayed with him at the manor all morning, after the ceremony.”

The new mom’s brown eyes widened in amazement.

“Maya turned down a burger for Phoenix? Wow, she must love him!”

“She really does,” Pearl confirmed quietly. “And she’s gotten even skinnier lately, as she hasn’t been eating much since his last visit. I think it’s partly because she’s been so sad that he hasn’t been allowed to come to see her in Kurain since then. That’s because the Dragon Lady says the Master isn’t allowed to hang out with a forgin’ turney and she’d have Mr. Nick arrested for tres-pass-ing if he ever came back.”

“The Dragon Lady?” Maggey echoed, not sure whether to be amused by the christening of one of the presumed village Elders or saddened upon hearing that their narrow-minded prejudices were keeping her two dear friends apart. “Who’s that?”

“Mystic Mildred.” A scowl marred Pearl’s angelic face as she rolled up her sleeve. “I hate that mean old witch! After Mr. Nick left, I heard Mystic Maya explaining that they’d been gone so long because some wild squirrels and raccoons had gotten into the Fey Manor and she’d needed his help chasing them out. And that was the reason why little Mystic Miranda, one of the acolytes in my group, heard so much noise coming out of the house when Mystic Mildred sent her after a while to check on them. Mystic Maya said she was glad Mr. Nick was there to help her because she was scared the animals may have had rabies and would bite her, and that’s why Mystic Miranda heard her screaming so loudly…”

The anterior cop’s eyeballs nearly bugged out of her head in the direction this conversation was headed. She felt her face reddening and quickly took a large swig from her glass of water, desperately wishing it was vodka.

Damn, I wish I wasn’t still breastfeeding!

Pearl appeared oblivious to Maggey’s mortified reaction and prattled on, as though on a roll.

“So anyway, I heard the nasty old hag tell Mystic Maya that Miranda wouldn’t have been so tram-at-sized and run away from the house…. if Mystic Maya had only kept her bedroom window, among other things, closed!”

Her eyes flashed with annoyance.

“That is so unfair and mean! How could The Dragon Lady just assume the animals came in through Mystic Maya’s room? It’s not my cousin’s fault she’s frightened of little woodland animals and they make her yell so loud! Fey Manor is a really big house – how was my cousin supposed to keep track of all the doors and windows? Aside from shutting her bedroom window and the main door, exactly what else did the Dragon Lady expect her to keep closed, Mrs. Gumshoe?”

She eyed Maggey expectantly and found Gordy’s mother was now the colour of a tomato.

Good grief! The former Goddess of Misfortune thought wildly. How am I ever supposed to be able to look Phoenix in the eye again after inadvertently hearing that his sack skills make Maya’s vocal cords and lady parts… scream?!

“I, um…”

Maggey was at a complete loss for words. She knew that as a parent, she’d have to have the “birds and the bees” talk with her own son, somewhere down the line. But her son was only a baby now; she hadn’t planned on having this discussion for at least … another 20 or 30 years! Besides, Gordy was a boy… ergo, she’d fully intended to let that particular subject be handled by his father!

Right now, the idea of telling a naïve, vulnerable young girl that the only animal sounds little Miranda had overheard coming out of the revered Master’s bedroom had been of the two-legged variety was about as welcome as another C-section!

“Well you see, Pearl…”

“Honey, I’m home!” A loud voice boomed from the doorway.

“Dick!” Maggey nearly toppled over her chair in her haste to greet her husband at that moment; she was that grateful for the reprieve from the mother of all awkward conversations. “You’re back! How wonderful!”

She threw her arms around her spouse in a huge bear hug, which he returned, then drew back to inquisitively regard her still-flushed cheeks.

“Have you been eating spicy food, honey?” He asked, looking confused.

“No, not at all, why?”

“Did the AC go out again?” He persisted; his expression concerned as he studied his wife. “Your face is all red.”

“Yes! That’s it! So hot in here … stupid AC!” Maggey seized the excuse with gusto and mimed fanning herself with her hand. “Good thing we’re moving out of here in a week! That blasted superintendent never returns my calls!”

Gumshoe continued to look at her strangely, then his broad face broke into a huge grin at the sight of Pearl, who’d been playing peek-a-boo with the baby.

“Are you finished eating, Little Missy?” He asked jovially. “Maggey has to bathe and put Gordy to bed now but I have a surprise for you tonight, just you and me – if you’re up for it?”

Pearl nodded and reluctantly pulled herself away from the infant, her early animated mood vanished, replaced by her solemn one.

“I’m ready, Mr. Scruffy Detective,” she mumbled softly, walking over to him. “Let’s go.”

“Hey! I may still be scruffy but that’s about it!” He chortled heartily and tousled her hair. “How many times do I gotta keep telling you, I’m not a detective anymore, pal?”

“Oops.” Pearl dropped her head to the side, looking downward with embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Mr. Gumshoe.”

Oh dear, she took that wrong. Why did I have to make a big deal out of that? Gumshoe groaned inwardly. She’s been calling me Scruffy Detective since she’s known me, why would I ask her to stop now, when she’s so down?

“Please, Pearl, no Mr. neither,” he pleaded. “How about you just call me – Scruffy, then?”

“And no Mrs. with me, either,” his wife added quickly. “Feel free to just call me Maggey.”

“I’m sorry.” Pearl shook her head. “But I was raised not to call grown-ups by their first names.”

“Sweetie, we love you like family,” Maggey insisted gently, reaching down and stroking the little girl’s cheek. “How would you feel about calling me Aunt Maggey then?”

After all, that’s what Trucy already calls me! And if there’s a God up there, she will be your sister someday, if the heavens allow Phoenix and Maya to finally be together so that the four of you can be a family!

Pearl smiled hesitantly.

“OK … Aunt Maggey.” She gave her a quick hug, then turned to Gumshoe. “Let’s go now … Uncle Scruffy.”

The former detective threw his head back and laughed loudly at his new sobriquet, then flashed the girl a big ear-to-ear grin.

“I’ll take it! I really like it, pal! It’s the best compromise in the whole world.”

Dick Gumshoe and Pearl Fey
The Wonder Bar
September 5, 2020, 7:30 PM

“I sure hope you like the show,” the ex-flatfoot looked anxiously at the spirit medium. They were seated front row and center right before the stage and the performance had yet to start. “I’m not too sure if this is your thing but I thought it’d be a good way to get your mind off the other stuff, at least for tonight. How are your fries?”

Pearl paused from the act of drawing pictures in the pool of ketchup on her plate with her French fries, which, upon hearing that she’d barely eaten dinner, Gumshoe had thoughtfully bought for her.

“They’re very good,” she replied, dutifully popping a couple of potato wedges into her mouth and smiling wanly. “Thank you, Uncle Scruffy. And I’m sure if you think this place is fun, I will too.”

Gumshoe wasn’t convinced, but he would have given anything in the world to see a smile on that sweet face again, which hadn’t resurfaced since they’d left the apartment. Certainly, this was a better idea than sitting all night with a couple of boring adults after Gordy was in bed while waiting for Phoenix to return from work. He certainly hoped so. He’d never seen Pearl so blue, although he was grateful that she was at least putting more of a dent in the fries than she had in her dinner plate at home.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” The MC suddenly announced. “Take your places, it’s time for the main event of the evening! Put your hands together for the one, the only, Trucy the Talented!”

A spotlight shined on the stage, and a tiny girl in a pink cape, about Pearl’s age, appeared as if from nowhere, from a thick cloud of smoke amid a fanfare of music. She beamed broadly at the audience, who welcomed her warmly with applause, and tipped her pink silk magician hat at them. Pearl joined in the clapping as well, then sat back with a small smile on her lips as she watched the little girl begin a series of fun magic acts.

Gumshoe eyed his companion nervously at first but then relaxed and basked in the show as well, once he’d ascertained that his niece was truly enjoying herself.

Pearl was positively enchanted, her woes momentarily forgotten as her transfixed gaze remained unwaveringly on the stage. How could someone her age be capable of such stupendous feats? It was marvelous! This little girl, who although performing things on a smaller scale than acclaimed magician Max Galactica at the Berry Circus, was equally as talented, just as her stage name indicated!

Trucy warmed up the crowd by beginning with her ‘production’ tricks, first pulling an adorable white rabbit from an empty hat.

No way would Mystic Maya have been frightened and screaming if that came in through her window! Pearl thought gleefully. Fluffy bunnies are too cute to be scary!

Next, the Troupe Gramarye prodigy produced a fan of cards from thin air, then managed to somehow create a shower of gold coins from an empty bucket. Pearl giggled as Trucy began tossing them into the audience and even caught a few of them – they were gold-foil coins wrapped over chocolate.

For the second act, Trucy then moved into her ‘vanishing’ set. She began by stuffing a silk scarf into her fist … uttered a few magic words and then opened her hands to the crowd, revealing nothing at all! After that, the magician placed a white dove in a cage, clapped her hands, and just like with the neck accessory, everything vanished … not only the bird but the cage, as well! The spirit medium got a real kick out of that one!

The third act was the ‘restoration’ set. The illusionist took a knife and cut a rope into two pieces, then tied the two pieces together. The knot mysteriously vanished, leaving behind one solid, unbroken piece of rope! Her following trick was similar; she then proceeded to take a newspaper and tear it to bits.

That’s what Mystic Maya did with all those bad news articles about Mr. Nick being a forgin’ turney! Pearl giggled to herself, applauding as the magician rubbed the pieces together and the newspaper became whole once more. Right before she threw them into the incinerator in our backyard!

Phoenix’s daughter momentarily left the stage, then returned a moment later, wheeling a large box.

“For my next trick, I need help from a member of the audience!” She announced. “Any volunteers?”

“Over here, Trucy!” Gumshoe suddenly called, standing up. Then, without warning, he took the protesting Pearl by the hand and pulled her onto the stage, a broad grin on his face as he brought the two girls face-to-face. “Here’s your volunteer!”

Trucy cheerfully explained she would need Pearl to get into the container, where she’d be laying down and only her head would be out of the box from the opening on top. She wielded a saw in one hand and smiled mischievously as the other girl’s eyes widened in terror.

“Don’t worry, this will only hurt for a minute!” The magician joked.

Panicked, Pearl shook her head violently and ducked behind her Uncle.

“No!” She wailed. “I don’t want to be sawed in half!” Frightened tears sprung to her eyes. “Please don’t make me!”

Seeing that the child was genuinely distraught, Trucy relented and turned to her Uncle.

“No problem, then, because this box is still big enough for you, Mister!” She announced, flashing a conspiring smirk at Gumshoe. “I’m sure you won’t mind taking her place, then?”

“Um, I dunno, pal…” Gumshoe scratched his head nervously. “That looks like an awfully tight squeeze…”

“They say what’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” Trucy insisted with a wink. “Unless you’re too chicken?” She began making clucking sounds and flapping her ‘wings’ much to the merriment of the crowd, who joined in the motion.

“Bakok!” They chorused over and over until the red-faced Gumshoe relented and unenthusiastically stepped into the contraption. “Bakok!”

The things he did for love! Even cleaning Mr. Edgeworth’s office and spit-shining his sports car hadn’t been this humiliating!

We all have ups and downs in our life. Some of the incidents make us laugh, while some leave us in silence. Everyone faces weird situations in life. We should cherish these odd conditions and stay happy. And if getting sawed in half makes Little Missy happy… then what kind of Uncle would I be to pose an objection?

Trucy stood in front of the box, saw in hand, and smiled deviously at Pearl as she began the sawing motion.

“You’ve got life insurance, right?” She asked Gumshoe with a fiendish smile as she finished the action.

He merely grunted in response.

Pearl covered her eyes, then clapped her hand over her open mouth as Trucy pushed the now separated parts of the box apart, with Gumshoe’s head in one half, and his “feet” sticking out of the other.

Trucy strode back up to the acolyte, who was still open-mouthed in shock.

“Now to put him back together!” She beamed. “But first I need to say the magic words. Will you help me?”

Pearl nodded silently.

“Say it with me, on the count of three, OK? Alakazoo! Alakazam! Abracadabra, you’re back together again!”

Pearl chanted obediently when prompted, and despite knowing she was being silly, felt a surge of relief when Gumshoe stepped out of the once again magically rejoined box, fully intact, in one piece, and completely unharmed. She applauded enthusiastically as Trucy and Gumshoe bowed to the crowd.

“That was wonderful!” She enthused. “But I’m sorry I chickened out and made you have to do that in my place, Uncle Scruffy.”

She smiled shyly at Gumshoe, who chuckled and tousled her hair.

“No worries, Little Missy.”

“Hold It! Trucy asked, her eyes wide with surprise. “Uncle Gumshoe is your uncle too?”

Pearl nodded shyly.

“Well, why didn’t you say so? That makes you my extra special assistant then since that would make us practically cousins!” Trucy declared happily. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Pearl.” She ducked her head bashfully.

“Pearl, for my next trick, I’m going to need two helpers. First, everyone, say hello … to Mr. Hat!”

The audience cheered, but Pearl jumped skittishly as the life-sized wooden marionette suddenly popped up behind Trucy, somehow taking the hat off her head and winding up with it on his own as he clacked his jaws.

“Hello, Pearl!” Mr. Hat greeted her.

“Um, hello, Mr. Hat,” she replied cautiously.

“Pearl, could you take this hat off my head?” Mr. Hat requested. “Please check and confirm that it’s empty?”

Pearl hesitantly reached over and took the hat off the puppet’s head, leaving Trucy and him both bare-headed now.

“Feel inside the hat,” Trucy instructed. “Is it empty?”

Pearl ran her hand along the inside of the hat. “Yes, it is.” She affirmed.

“Now show the hat to the crowd, that it is empty,” Trucy instructed.

Pearl smiled, feeling herself getting into the swing of things. She made a grand presentation of visibly shaking out the hat to indicate that nothing was falling out of it, then showed the hat from all possible angles to the audience to verify that it was indeed, empty, before handing it to the magician.

Trucy closed her eyes and waved her hands, shouting out “Alakazam!” Then she reached into the hat and with a flourish, produced a pair of enormous women’s bloomers, which were blue with red hearts decorating them. “Behold my magic panties!”

She fished into them and produced another silk magician’s hat, identical to her own but in a pretty lilac color that matched the spirit medium’s acolyte robe. The magician waved it dramatically as she presented it to her delighted “cousin” she placed it on her head before grabbing her own off Mr. Hat’s head and donning it back on. Then she grabbed Pearl’s hand and waved it in the air.

“Now you’re officially a magician’s assistant!” Trucy crowed, waving their joined hands in the air. “Everyone, let’s give my special magic helper, Pearl a big hand!”

The audience applauded enthusiastically as the two girls bowed, and then Trucy dug into her magic panties again, this time pulling colorful strips of confetti out and throwing them out to the thrilled crowd as part of her finale. There seemed to be a never-ending supply of the decorative streamers coming out from the bloomers which she waved about in the air in a swirl of blue and red.

As the silk-hatted acolyte made her exit and went back to her seat, she continued to watch the performer on the stage, all the while feeling almost hypnotized as she did so. She furrowed her brow in concentration, as this time she was finally able to pay full attention to the scene, not only to the charming girl wielding them but to the magical prop in action.

What is it about those panties that look so familiar?!

She blinked twice to ensure she wasn’t seeing things. Then, as she studied the novelty item in Trucy’s hands, understanding dawned on her at last.

The reason magical panties looked so familiar to her was that she recognized them… as the item that Mystic Maya had purchased as a present last Christmas! For Mr. Nick’s daughter, Trucy!

Pearl wanted to smack herself in the head for being so obtuse. She blamed it on the stress of Mystic Maya being in the hospital. She should have gotten her first clue then the gregarious girl happily proclaimed them to be cousins because they shared the same man as an uncle… the sole exception was that Trucy referred to Uncle Scruffy as Uncle Gumshoe!

Trucy…magic panties…my goodness, why didn’t I put two and two together when I heard her name announced earlier? Trucy isn’t that common of a name! Pearl thought in disbelief. And there’s no way another girl named Trucy out there would also have these magic panties! This girl is Mr. Nick’s daughter! Forget cousins, when he marries Mystic Maya, she’ll be my sister!

This was Uncle Scruffy’s true surprise! At long last, she’d finally got to meet her sister! And she was a talented magician!

Pearl knew entertainers weren’t allowed to reveal the secrets of their act to anybody if asked, even their family members, but that was OK with her because, in the meantime, she had her own secret to keep from her sudden sibling. The knowledge made her smile to herself as she remembered the events from earlier that evening…

­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Two hours earlier….

Phoenix Wright and Pearl Fey
Gumshoe Residence
September 5, 2020, 5:30 PM

When the visiting hours at the hospital had ended for the day, Phoenix decided to drop Pearl off at the Gumshoe’s residence on his way to work that evening, and then his friend was going to take him to The Borscht Bowl Club right afterward.

“I’d love you to meet Trucy while you’re down here, Pearls,” Phoenix smiled as he guided her off the elevator. She’s a year younger than you, and she’s loads of fun. I know you two will be best friends. You’ll just adore her!”

Pearl’s hands flew to her cheeks with excitement at the news.

“That would be so great, Mr. Nick, to have someone my age to play with while I’m down here in the city!”

“She’s been asking me for a new mommy for some time,” he laughed. “But since I can’t do that right now until Maya gets better, I figured giving her a sibling would be the next best thing! She’ll be like a sister to you.”

Yay! And this one can play with me because she’s not in jail like my other sister, Iris!

“I can’t wait to meet my new sister!” She couldn’t contain her excitement. “I hope she likes the idea of having one!”

“There’s just one thing, Pearls,” Phoenix sighed, affecting a somber expression. “When you do meet Trucy, you need to understand, you can’t tell her about the fact that she’s going to be…heck, that she essentially is your sister. She can’t know about Maya and me yet, OK? That’s got to be a secret for now.”

“But why?” She cried, chagrined. “I’ve waited so long for you two to admit you’re Special Someones and now you’re hiding it!? And from your daughter?”

“I’m sorry Pearls,” he said sadly. “But we just can’t take the risk of word getting back to Kurain that Maya and I are still seeing each other. Look at what a hard time she’s having with the elders as it is. When she gets better, I want her focus to be on recovery, and not have those mean old ladies make her life any harder than it already is. Please try to understand.”

There’s no way I’m even mentioning that I also don’t want any word of Maya coming to the knowledge of my stalker, either. Why freak out a 10-year-old?

“Alright, Mr. Nick,” Pearl nodded solemnly, her shoulders slumped in disappointment, despite being willing to do whatever was needed to make life easier for her beloved cousin. “I promise I won’t say anything.”

“You don’t need to lie about who you are though,” Phoenix assured her as they walked to the Gumshoe’s apartment door. Before they knocked, though, he placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her dejected frame towards him. “Trucy knows I had an assistant before, so there’s no need to hide the fact that you’re Maya’s cousin.”

He gently put a finger under her chin and tilted up her downcast face so she could see his affectionate expression.

“You also don’t need to hide the fact that I love you just as much as I do Trucy. As if you were my daughter too, Pearls.”

Hearing those poignant words from the only father figure she’d ever known, at a point in her life when she’d never felt more scared and alone, Pearl felt a wave of emotion wash over her just then. With a wordless cry and tears welling up in her eyes, she lurched forward to wrap her arms around Phoenix for one last hug before he had to go.

“I love you too, Mr. Nick,” she whispered. “I really, really, do.”

Diana Ross – When We Grow Up