Silverweed
Page 12
“It’s not that I don’t understand,” she said. “I love him, but I know he’s going to put her first. I don’t know if you noticed this about me, but I’m a little selfish.” She laughed softly. “Don’t tell him this, but truthfully, if he didn’t help his grandmother, I would probably lose respect for him anyway. Besides, I don’t think I could handle a boyfriend who changes into a beast every full moon. I guess the only way I’m going to get out of this hell-hole town is to finish high school and apply to far away universities.”
“Maybe it won’t be so bad,” he said. “I’m looking forward to going back to the normalcy of school.”
“Maybe. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think it’ll be good to see my mom. Talk about normal. But right now, I think you’re right. Boring is what I want.” She smiled a devilish smile. “For now.”
He smiled back at her, knowing she was going to be okay.
“Aiden,” Diesel said from behind them. “Can you show me my mom’s notes?”
In the guestroom, Diesel started reading aloud, and Scarlet and Aiden sat down and listened.
“Harley left a week ago. He said he was sorry, but he couldn’t help me with Mother anymore. I really should be grateful, for where he lacked courage, he had strength. Without him I probably would have lost mother that night. Instead Steven Robinson lost his life, and with it, his secret. Harley didn’t set out to kill a man, only a wild beast-wolf, which was attacking Mother while she was out on the back porch. When he turned into a man, we all doubted our sanity and knew everyone else in the world would, too.
“We said words over the deep grave that we dug out in our woods behind the hill. But neither our words nor our world was ever the same. Especially the first time Mother turned. We still have no idea what she did that night. We found her naked in the woods that warm spring morning, and none of us said it, but we knew.
“Harley helped me with the cage but then packed up. Before leaving he kissed my tummy and told our baby goodbye. He did ask me to come, but I can’t leave Mother. I know I must look like a mad woman to all around me. But I must find a cure for her. This will be the beginning of my notes that I’ll keep so that I can track my progress.
“I hope my child never has to learn the truth about his grandmother, who loves him so much already. But I will do my best to instill in him a sense of the unknown and let him know that not everything is always as it seems. The world can be a wonderful place, but there are also mysteries, and it is best to be ready for whatever life throws at us so that we are not completely surprised.”
Two days later, Aiden was packed and had his flight back to Texas confirmed.
When the storm had died down and his phone service returned, there had been dozens of frantic messages from his mom, saying the airports had been shut down.
He called her back, and they had a long conversation. He explained that Diesel had returned, and both he and his grandmother wanted to stay in Indiana. Aiden had assured her that Diesel was the best person to take care of Granny.
Reluctantly, she had accepted the arrangement but swore she’d visit more often.
He had a story ready for when he saw his parents as to why he had so many scrapes, cuts, and bruises: A fun snowmobile outing gone bad.
His next call had been to Summer. She agreed to meet him at his house when he arrived home. He no longer planned on hiding behind his written words and lies but was prepared to talk it out. Although he did hope she would take him back immediately, he was also ready to face the consequences of his actions. He would give Summer space if she needed and then try to win her back. He loved her and hoped they really could work out a compromise for their future.
Before he left to the airport, he found Diesel and Scarlet in backyard beside the stream.
“Hey, cousin,” Diesel said. “All packed?”
“Yep.” Aiden put his hands inside the pockets of the borrowed coat he wore. Despite everything they had been through, Aiden felt like he was going to miss them. He knew for sure he would be back to visit; he would just make sure to check the cycle of the moon first.
Diesel removed a chain from around his neck and held it in his hands. “You’re just in time to see the end of all our bad luck.” He turned around and tossed it over his shoulder and into the running water. “Abracadabra.”
Fear
By Aiden Young
Werewolves and vampires, but another chilling beast
is our fear. It manipulates our common sense
and fuels our phobias with a scrumptious feast.
It can change like the wind or with the moon’s phases.
Don’t be fooled, because it’s hard to recognize,
looking it’s best in a clever, subtle disguise.
Be warned, for it attacks even the most secure,
shifting scared victims into the true monster.
Dedication and Acknowledgements
For Doria, Darah, and Dean
Thank you to my daughters, Doria and Darah, for reading and critiquing but especially for always being there for me. Lots of love and gratitude to my husband Don for all his patience when it comes my dreams. And a big thank you to all of my family, including Dean, Van, Brandon, Tim, Johanna, Willie, and Brennen for their encouragement and support.
A special thank you to my mom, Doris Roberts. Silverweed started out as a short story in 2006, titled, “Silverweed Muffins.” This story would not be the same if not for her reminiscing about my grandfather’s childhood superstitions at the same time that I was writing the rough draft. My grandfather’s stories set the mood for the short story, which also influenced the book.
I wrote Silverweed and most of the supernatural fairy tales during the time I was a member of a fabulous writer’s group, Humble Fiction Café. A big thank you to all the members who read, critiqued, and discussed the early drafts of these stories: Chrissa, Kelli, Theresa, Sue, Sheryl, Linda, Gary, Victor, Sharolyn, & Joy.
A shout-out to my newest critique partners, Loretta & Ann, for critiquing this latest version of Silverweed. I am also grateful that they share the understanding that wine and laughs are just as important to the writer’s soul as drafts, edits, rewrites, and favorable reviews.
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
SILVERWEED Copyright © 2010 and 2018 by Dorlana Vann. All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced, electronically or in print, in any form.
A Pixie Punk Press Book
Houston, TX
www.dorlanavann.com
More Books by Dorlana Vann:
Jaclyn’s Ghost
The Trouble with Snowmen
The Trouble with Scarecrows
Coming Soon:
Potion (Hansel & Gretel Book 1)