The Siege by Alexie Aaron

themselves.  Paying attention, being appreciative, and lack of freedom are common arguments between parents and adolescents,” he pointed out.  “Such as…” Ted stamped his foot and whined, “You don’t pay attention to me!” Ted took on a parental tone and said, “You don’t appreciate what we’ve given you.”  He changed again, his voice high, and said longingly, “I can’t wait to grow up. I want my freedom.”
    “We don’t need Cid; I think you’ve got a good grasp on the angst,” Mia approved.
    “I grew up with three sisters,” he reminded her. “I heard it all the time.”
    “Did you have poltergeists?”
    “No, but my mother had an ulcer.”
    “I wonder who gave her that,” Mia accused.
    They started walking again.  When they reached the front porch, Ted insisted that Mia take his arm as she walked up the three steps.  It was difficult for Mia to accept this kind of help even when she knew he did it because he loved her.  She tried not to let her irritation show.
    Ted unlocked the door and pushed it inwards.  He used the remote to move Curly out of the building.  Mia reached in to pull the door shut, but something caught her eye.  “Hello, I’m Mia,” she said to the trio of Barbie dolls riding in a red, vintage Mustang convertible that was rolling out the door, tailgating Curly.
    Mia eased herself down and sat on the edge of the formal receiving porch and waited.  The car moved around mimicking Thelma and Louise’s last moments.  The red convertible launched itself off the porch.  Ted caught it midair and returned it to the porch and set it next to Mia.
    The three well-styled heads turned Mia’s way.
    “You guys have been having quite a party, haven’t you?”
    The dolls nodded.  Two gave each other high fives.
    “I suppose you know you’re scaring the hell out of the people that live here.”
    The doll heads nodded again.
    “Can you tell me why?”
    Two of the dolls shook their heads, but one nodded.
    “Can you possibly tell me what’s up?”
    The passenger Barbie stood up and floated out of the car and into the house.  Mia was tempted to go inside, but before she could raise her body, a large piece of sidewalk chalk sailed down the steps.  It began drawing on the immaculate cement surface beside Mia.
    Ted and she watched as letters were scratched out.  The sound of the chalk on the treated cement was teeth-clenching, but Mia sat still and waited.
     
    Appreciation Attention  Freedom
     
    “I’d say that was pretty clear.  What do you think, Ted?”
    “I agree with you.”
    “If you get these demands, will you leave the people of this home alone?” Mia asked.
    The piece of chalk sketched out a unicorn with a smile on its face.
    “Are these demands yours or those of someone in the house?” Mia asked.
    The two Barbies in the car turned their heads towards the house and extended one of their slim plastic arms.
    “Someone in the house,” Mia acknowledged.  “One of the children?”
    The dolls shook their heads.
    “The parents?”
    The dolls continued to shake their heads.
    “Someone who works here?”
    The dolls jumped up and down.
    Mia turned to Ted.  “Did PEEPs examine all of this house?”
    “Mike and Burt went on a tour with the owners while Cid filmed Audrey interviewing each of the four children.”
    “I have a feeling that you haven’t seen all of this house.  Do you have a blueprint?”
    “No.”
    “Help me up, please,” Mia said, holding out her hands.
    Ted lifted her up asking, “You’re not going in there, are you?”
    “Yes I am.  Now before you start, I don’t think anything in there wants to harm me.  Am I right?” Mia addressed her words to the dolls.
    The nod of their heads was enough for Mia.
    “Well come on, girls, show me the way.  Drive slowly, please, I’m carrying a large load,” she explained, patting her stomach.
    The dolls plopped down in the seats of the convertible with the piece of chalk riding shotgun.