August (The Year of The Change Book 2) (4 page)

"I was just thinking about when Richard was little and would sleep walk." Her eyes focused on the far wall.

"You should tell Sylvia the story," Emma prodded.

"Oh, it’s just a silly little story."

Now I was curious. "Please tell it."

"Okay. When Richard was four years old, he came running into the living room where their father and I were watching the news. He ran through the room zigging and zagging around the furniture.” A smile pulled up one side of her pretty face. “I asked him what he was doing and he said he had to catch it. He dashed into the dining room pushing chairs out of the way. Even at four he was strong. His father asked him what he had to catch and Richard said he had to catch the puppy. Of course, there wasn't a puppy and we figured out he was sleep walking ... or sleep running as it were.” She chuckled. “It took both of us to catch and convince him the puppy was waiting for him in his room. His father carried him there, where I made a fuss over the puppy being in his bed. He squirmed down and jumped under the covers. I handed him a stuffed animal and he snuggled it and went back into a deep sleep." She stared far away with a smile, but her eyes went watery.

I wanted to tell them about waking up on the floor, but embarrassment quieted me. I didn't want to drive Destiny away, any sooner, with my weirdness.

After a delicious lunch, Destiny and I went up to her room with a large plate of cinnamon cookies – Emma was very generous and my stomach appreciated it. There we could spy on the workers who were returning from lunch. Destiny wanted to drool over the guys in t-shirts and shorts. She was disappointed Zach wasn’t there today. She wanted to see him dry. After Richard and Cy dragged Zach down our two flights of stairs and out the front door, they doused him with cold water from the Peterson’s hose. That had been the first time Destiny had seen him. It wasn't his best day.

The memory of Richard drenching Zach with the garden hose while Cy held him securely to the ground continued to run through my mind and I shivered. It hadn't been his fault. The Change had made him crazy which is the only reason he chased me out on the roof in the first place. I shuddered again and felt responsible. I could only hope he didn’t get fired. I was sure all his paychecks were going to fund college in the fall. The fact that he wasn’t there today didn’t bode well.

As we watched, a couple of guys in paint splattered muscle shirts joked around in the shade of the big silver maple by the street. Destiny decided the one in the red ball cap was the cutest. Reluctantly, I came to the window and seconded her decision. I was going to retreat to the other side of her perfect, feminine room when a red truck pulled up. I recognized it as Cy’s and wanted so badly to go apologize to him for yesterday. To my surprise and Destiny’ glee, Zach slid out of the passenger side. He glanced up at my attic window and winced. The other guys greeted him and gave him a hard time about yesterday. Guys can be so mean. Zach didn’t smile and barely looked up to speak to the others. Guilt smacked me around as I watched. At least he hadn’t been fired.

Everyone, except Zach and Cy, climbed the scaffolding when the crew went back to work. Cy stuck with his brother, and neither of them took a foot off the ground.

Not able to watch any more, I left Destiny alone to gawk to her heart’s content. She pressed her hands against the glass and gave me a move-by-move account of what the guys were doing.

With one of her teen romance novels in hand, I laid on her bed. The hope was that it would take my mind off The Change. Every time she reported on Zach, my stomach twisted in a knot and I shoved another cookie in my mouth.

I ate a lot of cookies.

By the third chapter I couldn’t take any more of the gooey love story. The heroine was being chased by the school hunk and I couldn’t understand why she didn’t just stop and let him catch her. She didn’t have a stupid Change preventing her. She could kiss him without fear. They could hold hands and he wasn’t going to get a goofy smile and become slap-happy. They could look into each other’s eyes and his weren’t going to glaze over.

I slammed the book shut, stomped over to the bookcase and jammed it back in. I turned to see Destiny staring at me funny.

She cocked her head. “What’s wrong?”

Quickly contrite, I looked away. “Oh, sorry … bad plot line.” I was hopeless and felt like a caged animal so I did what all caged animals do, I paced.

My friend accepted my weird behavior with a shrug. “Want to play cards or a game?”

What she offered was a big sacrifice. If it hadn't been for me, she could’ve watched from the comfort of her front porch. I could just picture her sitting in the oversized, white rattan chair. With iced herb tea in one hand, a book in the other, and sunglasses on so the guys wouldn't be able to see that she was actually watching them.

She’s a good friend and would never know just how thankful I was for her sacrifice.

“Yeah, I’d love to play cards.” Anything so I didn’t have to think about poor Zach.

Downstairs, we played cards with Richard, who’d returned from football practice. He was competitive and kept the game interesting. His smack talk kept my mind off the Affecteds, Zach and everything that was going on at my house. We happily laughed and taunted each other until the painters quit for the day.

From the living room, I watched through the large bay window. Cy and his brother got in the red truck. Zach dragged his stare from the third floor where my room was and glanced at the Peterson house. He saw me watching. With a jerk of his head to Cy, he motioned wildly at his older brother. Cy started the truck and screeched away from the curb, not slowing until they squealed around the corner. I’d thought about ducking behind the curtain, but it was too late to do any good.

When all the painters were gone, I said thank you and goodbye to the Petersons. I was displaced having to stay away from my own house, but also hesitant as I faced the seemingly long expanse from their front porch to mine. I swallowed hard and with one more smile at Destiny I forced myself to walk normally across the two lawns. I didn't want them to think I was a coward, even if I was. As soon as Destiny was in her house and couldn't see me, I scurried the rest of the way, not stopping until the front door was closed behind me. I leaned against it while I caught my breath.

Sue and Tam, on the stairs, watched me. Hoping they wouldn't think anything of my behavior. I forced a smile. Sue frowned.

Dad arrived soon after I did. He asked how the day went and I reported on the peaches and the cards, but left out the guy-watching from Destiny's windows. He didn't need, nor did I think he’d want, to hear about that.

Sue put a delicious dinner on the table. Someday, I should tell her what a good cook she is. It was doubtful she would think much of my compliment, but I should say it any way … someday.

I ate to my stomach's content and helped with the dishes before going upstairs. The day was finally over and I could relax. My room was stuffy, having been closed up all day. It felt good to open wide the back window and feel the cool evening breeze on my face as it rushed in. The ever present light on the horizon made it feel like five in the evening instead of almost 9pm.

Stepping away from the window, I twirled a few times with my arms extended. I did have an awesome room. I twirled over to my stereo and turned on a Three Dog Night CD before I stopped at my desk to turn on my computer. Then I changed into my nightgown. Clicking on email it surprised me when it came right up. I’d forgotten today was the day we moved back into the twenty-first century. Being without internet on demand was downright barbaric.

The email I was hoping for popped right up.

I’d told Donny last night about Zach and hoped he would have something funny to say. I needed a good laugh. He didn't disappoint.

A-Hiking, We Will Go

After the last two days of being cooped up, I was ready to be outside and doing something, anything. Last night Destiny called and we decided to go for a hike. I’d read about a hot spring that was only two and a half miles down a trail, not far from our neighborhood. My friend wasn’t much for the outdoors, but she was game to try hiking. Actually, if the truth were told, I wanted to and shamed her into it. I appreciated her being a good sport.

She still wasn't weirded out by me. Maybe she might even last longer than Shawna, my once-friend in Oklahoma. Shawna lasted through six weird events before the boy she’d been dating asked me out … in front of her. Why did it always have to be in front of the girlfriend?

Up early, I ate a large breakfast, even for me. I hoped the enormous amount of food consumed and the granola bars in my fanny pack would hold me over until we got back for lunch. This was going to be a test for my stomach. I’d never gone so far from a constant food source before. From experience, I knew what would happen if I didn't eat enough. It wasn't fun.

Before I ventured onto the porch I looked out all the windows. I didn't see Zach or Drew.

Drew was my hallucination that wasn’t a hallucination, or a poltergeist, even though it felt that way. He was a Phase Walker no one could see, but me, when he’s in phase. Which was most of the time. He’s affected like all the other guys around me and has decided I should go with him, to heaven knows where, on whatever whim tickled his fantasy.

He hadn’t shown his face since last Wednesday, when he kidnapped me and forced me into the back of a pick-up. Somewhere on the side of a mountain, I got loose and jumped out. I hoped he’d taken his Phase Walking backside to Fairbanks, where he was supposed to go in the first place. It was doubtful I’d scared him off completely when his attempt to take me failed, so I was being extra careful.

Dad wasn’t happy about my plans for today because Wednesday was still fresh in his mind, too. I promised him over and over again I would keep my eyes peeled. He finally relented. He must still feel guilty about keeping me cooped up while we were on the ferry, on the Alaska Marine Highway. That’s where I met Drew. With all things considered, convincing him hadn't been as hard as I thought it would be.

I ran next door, telling myself it was only because I was excited to go on the hike, not that I was afraid to be out in the open alone.

Upstairs, in Destiny's room, I watched as she tied her beautiful dark brown hair back in a ponytail. She refused to go anywhere without make-up so that took another thirty minutes. I tried to convince her she didn’t need it. She didn’t either. She’s naturally pretty, something I would’ve given my grandmother’s rocking chair for. It was a lost cause to try and talk her out of the make-up. She would probably sweat it all off, anyway. I waited patiently until she had her lipstick just right. She smacked her lips at me and I rolled my eyes. She laughed.

Destiny borrowed Richard’s green plaid flannel shirt because it matched her green t-shirt. I’d never known anyone that worried so much about whether their outfit matched for a hike. I could understand worrying about a good pair of shoes and socks, but matching a t-shirt that wouldn't be seen? The plaid shirt hung all the way to her knees and she had to roll up the sleeves to be able to use her hands. I could never pull the outfit off, but it looked adorable on her. Even with her style quirk, ya gotta love Destiny.

“Richard sure is nice to let you borrow his clothes.” She was so lucky to have a brother like that.

“Uh …,” She looked over her shoulder at the door. “Yeah.” Her eyes didn’t meet mine. “Richard’s great.”

Uh-oh. I should’ve guessed Richard didn’t know anything about the loan. Ohhh, she was going to get into so much trouble.

With no brother to ‘borrow’ from, I layered up with a tank top, t-shirt and a flannel shirt over jeans with two pair of socks that barely fit in my tennies. I really didn’t care if I looked adorable. No, really, I didn't. Hiking was hiking and with any luck we probably wouldn't see anyone anyway. Not that I’d done a lot of hiking before, it just didn't make sense to me.

Neither one of us were real hikers, but h
ow hard could this be?
We could hike a measly 5 miles to and from the hot spring, no problem. Did I mention that I’d never hiked any farther than the mall?

Emma suggested we take more food, but we didn’t want to carry backpacks and there was no more room in our fanny packs. She looked worried and as we readied to leave, asked us repeatedly if we wouldn't rather do something else today. She gave up on changing our minds. She shoved a bag of cinnamon cookies into my hand before I could get out the door. I finished those off on our ride to the trail head. Destiny declined any and my stomach thanked her. She thought my stomach was funny. All I could hope for was that my stomach could continue entertaining her. Maybe she was into horror.

We rode out to the trail head on our bikes and chained them to the marker. Our fanny packs were crammed with granola bars and we each had a bottle of water strapped to our waists. Having had very large breakfasts, I figured granola bars would get me through until I got back home around noon.

We set off with a confidence that only those who have no idea what they’re doing can have. Our spirits were high. The air was crisp. The scenery was spectacular. Our senses were on overload as we enjoyed nature. The forest music was better than Three Dog Night in surround sound.

As soon as we made the first turn and had walked along the thin trail for a while, I had a tingling on the back of my neck as though we were being followed. I listened and looked around. No one was visible. The only sounds were of nature. I was probably over-reacting. There had to be other hikers in the area. I shoved the thought out of my mind and concentrated on the beauty around us. The thought of Drew bounced through my brain and immediately I was on high alert, again. Thank goodness Destiny did most of what little talking we did.

The terrain was much rougher than our topography map had us believing. With all the squiggly lines I thought we would’ve seen more trails. I really didn’t understand why they had so many trails parallel to each other. I would need to get a better map for our next outing.

By noon, we’d only gone half way, I think. Worry edged into my brain. My plan had been to be home right about now. My food supply was dangerously low, even though I’d rationed it. What with my stomach continually begged for more I was lucky to still have three granola bars. The twisting and grumbling had become painful. When my stomach began fantasizing about Tony's diner and the huge luscious Klondike meal, my mouth watered. I couldn't think of anything else. My stupid stomach and its outrageous appetite had spoiled the hike for me. Oh, how I wanted another bag of Emma's cinnamon cookies.

With a shake, I refocused. I must get off this train of thought.

Destiny went spastic swatting and slapping. She looked like she was in a music video with all her moves. All we needed was some tunes.

"Arghhh!" She clapped her hands together. When she opened them, there were huge squished spots on both her hands.

"Ewww!" We chorused.

She dropped to her knees and franticly wiped her hands on the moss at the base of a tree.

It really was amazing the size those insects could get. "I don’t know where you find all those really big ones."

"Me neither. Why aren't they bothering you?"

"I don't know. You must smell really sweet."

"Or you're really sour." She groused

"That's probably the case." Bug spray went on my mental list of things for our next hike. Maybe The Change kept all the bugs at bay. Or all the bugs are female.

"How much farther do you think it is?" She took one more swipe at the moss.

"I don't know, but if we don't come to the spring soon we'll have to turn around and head home anyway." My heart sank at the idea of not reaching our goal. To think, the spring could be just over the next crest and we stopped too soon.

"Well, we can go a little further." Destiny was such a good friend.

A part of my brain, that keeps track of the creepy stuff, tapped me on the skull. The tingling returned to the back of my neck. I tried to shake off the impression and didn’t mention it to Destiny. The sensation continued to stay with me. Each time it nudged me, I feared it might be Drew. I tried not to be obvious when I looked over my shoulder in hopes of seeing who it could be. A part of me was always glad when I didn't see anyone. Another part imagined big hairy monsters hidden behind trees and our gory demise. All the monsters had Drew's face.

We continued up the trail despite the bugs and my paranoia.

All the small animals we saw were so cute. That is, when Destiny wasn’t falling down and scaring them away. As graceful as she was in town, it surprised me how often she tripped and fell into things. When we stopped for a short rest, I worried she would go home as one big scraped up bruise. Destiny sat where she’d fallen and swore there’d been a huge root that jumped out and tripped her. I didn't see it.

A few feet away, I sat on a stump and finished off my last granola bar. Worry escalated. What if I couldn’t make it back without my belly throwing a fit? Only once had I pushed my stomach too far since the beginning of this horrible nightmare that was my life. It was January and I’d just found out about The Change and didn’t take it very seriously. I’d tried to not eat as much, because of Sue, and partly because I’d gone to school without the money Gram had given me. I didn't do well and ended up in the hospital. Since then, I’d been cautious to eat enough and on time. Dad and Gram made me promise I’d be more careful. And here I was pushing my limits again. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I definitely would have to turn around now. It would be better not to reach my goal than to scare Destiny by gnawing on a tree.

My best friend’s hair was all messed up, her make-up smeared and she swatting at bugs as though her life depended on it. I was sure she wouldn't be upset if we went home.

With my mind made up, I took a sip from my almost depleted water bottle. A beautiful bird glided overhead.  I pointed it out to Destiny and we both agreed it had to be a bald eagle. It was the first eagle I’d ever seen in the wild. Instead of turning us around, I stood there in awe of the graceful predator. It swooped and glided on the air currents with fluffy white clouds in the distance. The amazing bird had the perfect day to hunt. It was probably tracking all the little furry creatures that had stampeded away from us.

The sky shifted. The eagle looked as though it were within arm’s reach.  I blinked a few times before looking again. My stomach flipped. The eagle was back where it should be.

Weird event, weird event. Don’t freak out Sylv.
This was just another one of those gifts being shown to me by The Change. I looked around. The surrounding area shifted. A grove of trees, about a quarter mile away, zoomed into view. I could see each tree and each individual leaf as they shuddered in the wind. A squirrel ran across a branch, its mouth full. I took off my glasses and wiped them on my shirt, as though cleaning them would turn everything back the way it should be. It was amazing how crisp everything looked without my glasses.

I drew in a deep breath and held it. There in the trees stood a beautiful,
huge,
white wolf with streaks of grey down its back and framing its handsome face. It turned its head and looked me straight in the eyes. I was stunned for a moment until I remembered it couldn’t be looking at
me
, it just seemed that way. Without turning, I told Destiny.

“Hey, in that clump of trees, way over there is a wolf.”

My first mistake today had been not bringing enough food.

My second mistake was telling Destiny about the wolf. When was I going to learn to keep my big mouth shut? Before I could tell her the wolf was a long ways away, she screamed and took off running down the trail. I watched her arms and ponytail swing wildly as she disappeared around a bend.

I had better catch up before she got lost, or I would get lost trying to find her. At that moment, my long legs were a blessing.

As I ran after her, Tim and Eddy came into view. They stood on the side of the path looking in the direction Destiny must’ve gone. They had to be wondering why she just ran by, screaming.

I snagged them as I passed. “Follow and stay close.” Oh great, now I had young boys to worry about, too.

Now I knew why I thought we were being followed. The little twerps were behind us the whole way. All that wasted paranoia for nothing but a couple of little brothers.

It wasn’t hard to track Destiny, what with all the screaming and her falling down a lot. When I finally caught up, I tackled her. We fell through a clump of trees and ended up in a heap, panting as I worked to calm her.

“It’s okay, there’s nothing to be scared of.” I smoothed down her hair and straightened her ponytail. It distracted her as I spoke quietly. "You're fine, I'm fine, we're all fine."

Destiny took a big breath and tried to talk between pants. “You said … there was a wolf … in the woods.” Her eyes were wild as she trembled.

I took her face in my hands and made her look at me. Her eyes focused and I spoke to her as calmly as I could with my heaving breath. “I was trying to tell you there was a wolf a long ways off in a clump of trees. It was nothing to worry about.”