Chapter 36: A Mouse, a Flask, and a Decision, Part 2

Shaking his head, Corey tossed the card back on the counter out of the way. Then, returning his attention to Waddlebug, he said, "Prepare the tea, and make sure that you put this in her cup." With that, he pulled the small flask containing the powerful blue liquid out of his pocket and shoved into the mitt of his assistant who stared at it in trepidation. "What is it?" Corey asked, still annoyed.
"Nothing," Waddlebug said, staring at the flask. "It's only I'm not sure I want to be a part of this. I don't think you should do it, make her stay if she doesn't want to."
With a huff, Corey took the flask back, shoving it into his pants pocket. "Fine. Then, when the tea is ready, call me in, and I shall put it in for you. All right?"
Without saying a word, Mr. Waddlebug nodded solemnly and watched as Corey crossed back over to the door. As always, his disposition changed as he pushed the door open, the smile returning to his face in order to appease his company.
Serendipity was sitting in the same chair his mother preferred, staring at the fireplace. "Is everything all right?" she asked as Corey exited the kitchen. She could tell by his expression that he was upset about something. It was that forced smile again, not the one she had grown accustomed to seeing when he was actually happy.
"Yes, of course. Everything is fine. Mr. Waddlebug just needed some assistance in the kitchen," he said over his shoulder.?
"Oh, shall I help him?" Serendipity asked, as if she were about to stand.
"No, everything is fine now, I believe," Corey replied, sitting down across from her. "Please, rest. You've had a long day. You must be tired."
"I am, actually," Serendipity admitted, covering her mouth as she yawned.?
"You know, if you'd like to stay here tonight--that is in the Village, not here, in my home, but in my parents' perhaps, or somewhere else--arrangements could be made. You do seem like you need a rest." Corey wasn't quite sure why all of his words were coming out so jumbled as he watched her rest her head back against the seat, her eyes beginning to stay closed a bit longer with each blink, her cheeks becoming a rosy pink hue from the warmth of the fire.
"I'm fine," Serendipity insisted, though her drowsiness was quite telling. "I shouldn't want to be a bother to anyone."
"It would be no bother, I assure you," Corey replied.
Serendipity smiled at his kindness, and raising her head a bit, she asked, "Tell me about your parents, Corey. And you have a brother, don't you?"
"Yes, one brother, Cassius. He and his wife Pyoria run the candy cane business, which he inherited from my father, Cristobal, and his father before him," he explained, straightening his suit jacket.
"That must be delightful," Serendipity replied her enthusiasm damped only by the extreme fatigue she was beginning to feel.
"I suppose so," Corey responded with a shrug. "I never knew or cared much about the candy cane business. I always thought I'd be off doing more important--different--things."
Serendipity straightened up a bit. "Do you find your family business unimportant, then, Mr. Cane?" she asked her eyes studying him closely.
He could see no judgment in her expression, only curiosity. "No, not really. I mean, perhaps, a bit. But it doesn't really matter. Since my brother is older than I, it was always a given that he would take over the business. And I would do something else."
"But you do enjoy your field, don't you?" Serendipity clarified.
"I do, very much," he assured her. "I guess, I just always wondered what it might be like to actually make something, you know? Rather than simply facilitating the making by providing the artists."
"There's nothing quite like seeing something that has only lived in your mind come to live before your very eyes," Serendipity admitted, a far-off expression taking over her face.
Corey nodded. "I'm sure that's true. I wouldn't know."
"Haven't you ever made anything?" she asked, turning her attention back to him.
"Not that I recall," he admitted. "Perhaps a picture or something of clay when I was a child."
Serendipity's bottom lipped dropped to form a frown. "I'm sorry to hear that. I should love to help you design and make something of your own creation."
Corey snickered. "I'm not quite sure I'm capable of that."
"Of course you are," Serendipity replied. "Everyone can make something."?She watched as he shrugged his shoulders as if to say he didn't quite believe her. "Tell me, what is it that you would like to make, if you could make anything in the world."
She thought it might take him a moment to answer, but it didn't. It was as if he had been thinking about it for some time. "I think I should like to make toy ships," he replied, hoping his answer didn't bring back upsetting memories for her.
It did not. Quite the contrary, Serendipity smiled broadly. "My father used to like to make toy ships, in a bottle. Have you seen those before?" He nodded that he had and she continued. "I used to help him some. I should think I would be able to show you how, someday, if you would like that."
"I think I should," Corey replied, smiling. His hand rested atop his pocket, atop the flask, and he began to think he wouldn't be needing it after all.
"Of course, you would have to come to my cottage to learn," she continued. "Since I won't be staying."