by Sandra Cox
“Let’s get you to the kitchen table.” Dylan helps him up and moves him to a chair at the little white pine table before opening his bag. Once again, Angel takes her place beside him.
Dylan tapes Joel’s pinky then gives a good hard yank on his shoulder and the bone pops back in place. Joel doesn’t even wince.
I do, my stomach threatening to unload its contents.
“Good thing Mina gave you the zombie juice. It’s usually not a fun procedure.”
“My concoction seems to have acquired a name.” Mina laughs. “What about you, Dylan? Do you want a glass of my healing elixir?”
“No. Thanks anyway, Mina. I just have a bit of a headache. I’ll be fine.”
Amy gets a plastic bag, fills it with ice, and hands it to Dylan. “Here you go.”
“Thank you, Amy.” His voice takes on a different tone when he talks to her, smoother, softer.
Even in his drug-induced happy state, Joel narrows his eyes as he watches them.
Angel squeezes his hand. He looks at her and his expression turns sheepish. “It’s my prerogative,” he tells his daughter.
She hugs him. “You’re my hero. You take care of everyone.” He hugs her back with his good arm, love lighting his face.
“That’s my prerogative too.” He raises his glance to Molita, who is leaning on the counter. She’s the only girl I know who can wear cutoffs and an island shirt and still look elegant. I try to stomp down on my jealousy and take the high road. There is so much to admire about Molita.
The pull of someone’s stare draws my gaze. I look into my darling daughter’s eyes.
“You’re beautiful, Momma.”
Jealousy fades.
She smiles at me.
“Molita, I’m afraid we’ve brought the enemy to your door. I’m sorry.” Joel’s demeanor is somber as he stares at the young priestess.
She shakes her head and smiles. “It would have happened at some point, regardless. The islanders’ fear is what has kept it from happening before now. The others are afraid to cross him.”
“What do we do to protect you?” Tyler asks. He is standing near Molita and gives her shoulder a light squeeze. Is it my imagination or do I see a quiver run down her arm at his touch? Once again, the weight of my daughter’s gaze draws me and I shut down my thoughts.
“We make the island completely safe by putting up an invisible barrier to Jon-Jo.”
“And what about when you’re off the island?” Tyler asks.
She simply holds up the doll. “This is my new best friend.”
He nods. “That works.”
She hesitates then pushes away from the counter. “If there is another way for Jon-Jo to get to you, he will find it.”
My gaze collides with Joel’s. Is it possible for him to learn of Craven and Stranger?
As if he can read my thoughts, he shrugs.
Watching us intently, she waits. When neither of us responds, she continues, “Then we’d better get started.”
“How do we do that?” I ask.
“We call up the spirits.”
Chapter 19
Piper
The wind keens through the trees. The bite of it roughens my skin. Goose bumps pop. At least that’s what I blame it on and not the scene playing out in the clearing. We have waited another night so we can contact the spirits before midnight. The good spirits.
Chanting, Molita raises beads from Angel’s necklace over her head then lays them on the crimson cloth with an entangled design of animals and bones along the edge. Then she takes out a hammer and with one blow, crushes them to dust.
I wince.
She blows on them and they float in the air like dandelion seeds. Her voice rises. “I know you desire blood, but understand that these particles are energy of the earth and a sacrifice from your daughter Angel, an initiate to vodou and the reincarnation of Mambo Bronte.”
My bones chill. My glance catches Joel’s then slides away. Beside me, Gramps begins to swear softly and monotonously under his breath. He never curses around me unless he’s extremely upset. I guess he finds the idea of his great-granddaughter next in line for the position of high priestess of vodou on this island upsetting. I’m not completely comfortable with it myself.
Molita throws out her arms, her voice strong. “I call to the spirits of the islands. The keepers of our paradise, rise with me and send a barrier of protection that will not allow Jon-Jo or any of his followers access to our space in the ocean.”
Mina sits beside her and begins to tap out a rhythm on island drums that is both hypnotic and sensual. With a will of its own, my body sways in time with the music. Molita’s and Mina’s voices chant in rhythm with the drums. The chanting grows louder and now sounds like a hundred voices. Even the wind in the palms sighs in time with the drum.
Among the trees, I see dark, ethereal shapes swaying as I am. The incantation and drum beats grow stronger. The shapes take substance, and I swear I see featureless islanders. I should be terrified but I am too caught up in the ritual, too much a part of it. Beside me, Angel sways.
Molita motions her forward. Arms upraised, Angel dances and chants, in what sounds like French, around a campfire whose flames are cold as ice, their color brilliant blue.
Gramps makes a sound deep in his throat and starts for Angel. I grab his arm and hold him back, giving him a reassuring squeeze. Whatever spirits are walking tonight, they mean us no harm and will help protect his great-granddaughter. Of this I’m sure.
Angel continues her dance, looking more like fairy sprite than vodou priestess.
The voices rise. The drum beats louder. Angel dances faster, and Molita and I sway. The flames shoot straight to the heavens and collide with the stars. Then abruptly, the chanting and drumbeats cease. The flame drops back to the earth and the fire’s heat is once again warm instead of cold. It burns a normal bright orange.
The strangers dancing in the palm trees dissipate like smoke. I’m not swaying, just staring into an ordinary fire, blinking. A normalcy returns to my psyche and I no longer feel as though I’ve been dancing outside myself.
Molita’s arms drop to her side. “It’s done.”
My watch says a minute until midnight. My gaze darts between Joel and my daughter. He lifts his nose and the tip of his tongue teases the air. Can he taste evil? If we were more comfortable together, I’d ask him. My daughter’s face is serene, her eyes clear.
In a disjointed rhythm, the second hand of my watch moves in a circle. Midnight. My muscles tighten. Nothing changes with my family. They remain calm. My shoulders sag but the muscles in my neck remain tight and stiff. I need the ocean. It’s been too long since I’ve been in. I imagine serious druggies feel the same about getting their fix.
My daughter’s head comes up like a pointer. She looks at me, gives me a blinding smile, and nods vigorously. Could it hurt anything? Can Jon-Jo touch us in the water?
“He’d have to catch us first,” my daughter sings out, causing all heads to turn.
Ask your father.
She turns to Joel and tugs on his shirt. When he bends down, she whispers in his ear. He straightens and looks at me, the fire lighting his face. His eyebrows go up. I shrug my shoulders.
He hugs her. “Sure. Why not?”
Angel takes off running in the direction of the beach, with Joel right behind her.
Gramps asks, “Going for a midnight swim, Pip?”
“Yes.” Bubbles of warmth rise from my chest and circle in my head. I can almost feel the waves lapping against my body.
Amy’s head shoots up and her eyes glow in the firelight. If she were a puppy, her tail would be wagging.
“You better hurry,” I tell her.
She shoots off like a rocket leaving the launch pad.
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Mina’s lovely brow knits in a frown of concern.
“If there’s one place this crew is safe, it’s in the wate
r. I’d put my money on them against Jon-Jo or anyone else for that matter,” Gramps says.
Anyone else. A chill courses down my spine. We aren’t free of Stranger or Craven. Sooner or later, they’ll discover our hiding place and we’ll have to move on.
“But the little girl,” Mina protests.
Both Gramps and I laugh. “She can outswim most sea creatures.” Gramps is still chuckling. He holds out his arm to Mina. “Come on I’ll show you. It’s better than watching the whales around here.”
Tyler gives me a forced smile. “Have fun.”
I hold out my hand. “Come on, Tyler, you too.”
His features lighten and he takes my hand.
Molita is putting her tools in a black canvas bag.
“Would you care to join us?” I ask her.
“Yes, I would. I believe Jon-Jo will be on his own island tonight plotting and trying to figure how to call the spirits against me. But I can’t take the doll in the water, so if I’m wrong you won’t have protection.”
“If you’re wrong we can outswim his ass a thousand ways to Sunday.” Down the beach, I hear my daughter’s tinkling laughter. Oops. “Sorry, Gramps.”
He chuckles. “When you’re right, you’re right.”
In the end, everyone decides to change their clothes and join us.
“I’ll be there as soon as I put out the fire.” Molita begins to douse it.
“I’ll help you,” Tyler volunteers.
Impatience erupts in me like hot flowing lava. I try to push it back.
Tyler’s gaze flickers to me and he says with a sweet smile, “Go ahead. We’ll catch up.” He gives my hand a light squeeze and drops it.
Bless him. He knows how much the water means to me and how long it’s been.
I glance at Gramps.
“Go, Pip,” he says.
I take off running. When moist rich dirt turns to sand, I kick off my sandals and begin shedding clothes as I run. The wind urges me on, whispering in my ear and playing with my hair. The laughter that bubbles in my throat spills over. I’m almost to the ocean. The waves lapping against the shore seduce me like a lover. Then I see them. “You waited for me. You shouldn’t have.” I’m absurdly touched.
They hold out their hands and I link with Joel—for the moment all awkwardness forgotten—and Angel. Amy grabs Joel’s other hand. Like a human chain, we race into the water, splashing and giggling like children. Joel and I lift Angel as we continue running through the waves that spray our faces with foam. Angel shrieks with laughter. We let her go and dive.
Our child is off like a shot. I swear she could outrace the cigarette boats that travel over a hundred miles an hour. Joel, Amy, and I dive under the waves, up and under again like our dolphin counterparts. Our laughter attracts them—a mom, a dad, and a baby dolphin. We skim the water going out further and further.
A whale blows and our daughter giggles in delight. Moments later, she’s riding it like a water nymph, her feet planted on its back, her arms outstretched. For this one brief moment, I would change nothing. At one time, I desperately wanted to be human, all human. No noxious blowhole. But what human can have this? I’m at peace. I’m me.
A splash and a laugh distract me. Joel is dunking Amy. In the water, I don’t have to be uncomfortable around him. He’s just another sea creature. I dive under, grab his ankle, and jerk. With a wiggle, he’s free. He rolls under me, puts his hands on my waist, and lifts me high in the air before tossing me. A shriek escapes as I belly flop. Amy laughs hysterically and Joel grins like a fool.
I slide on the back of the male dolphin, guide him directly at Joel who has to jump out of his way.
Amy cups her hands over her eyes and glances back toward the shore. “The rest of the crew has hit the water.”
“Angel, the others are here. We’re going closer to shore.”
She whispers in the whale’s ear, dives off its back, and shoots past us. We race to catch up. Even the dolphin I’m riding can’t keep up with her. When we get closer, I slide off his back and swim. Angel slows down to wait for me. Together we spew the salt water from our blowholes. The moon takes that moment to come out from behind the clouds. The water coming from her back glistens like a thousand dancing diamonds as it no doubt does from mine.
Worried, I glance toward shore. What was I thinking?
Joel intercepts the look. “It doesn’t matter. We’re with friends.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
The others are swimming toward us. Angel races toward Gramps, a little torpedo churning the water. His stroke is slow and sure, the long ropy arms and legs carrying him across the water, Mina at his side.
When they reach us, Molita says in awe. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Did you two just do what I think you did?” She’s wearing a melon-colored two-piece that shows off an extremely lush body. Envy quivers through me before I quickly tamp it down.
Tyler slips his arms around me. “They’re amazing, aren’t they?”
“Hey, Molita, want to ride one of the dolphins?” Joel asks. I have no idea, whether he just wants to escape Tyler and me or just get a closer view of the swimsuit. Considering the conversation I overheard a while back, I’m betting on the swimsuit.
Molita immediately swims out. Joel chatters in the dolphin’s ear then swings her up on its back. She laughs with delight. Her voice drifts in the night, low and silky soft.
Amy taps me on the shoulder. “You’re it.” Then she dives underwater. I shake off the sound of Joel and Molita, tag Tyler, and swim away. He follows with lots of splashing and noise, and when Angel gets too close, he tags her. She tags Gramps. Gradually, I relax and enjoy the game, letting the water be my therapy.
Finally, everyone is pleasantly tired. Gramps looks up at the sky and the direction the big white moon is traveling. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m ready to call it a night. I’m missing out on my beauty sleep.”
“As if you need it,” Mina tells him.
Angel calls out. “We’re going back in, Daddy.”
My chest tightens again. Will they come in with us or continue their water sports?
“Be right there,” he calls and holds out his arms to Molita. She slides into them. My throat tightens and my eyes burn. He says something to her and she smiles and touches his cheek. It’s no big deal. It’s no big deal. I chant the mantra over and over to myself.
Tyler turns me toward him and rubs my arms, a gentle caress. “If I could swim in the tropics with you every night of my life, I’d die a happy man. Have you given any more thought to that question I asked you?”
The words come out of my mouth as if they have no connection to my brain. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”
Chapter 20
Joel
Tyler whoops, grabs Piper, and kisses her soundly. He rips open a Velcro pocket and pulls out a ring before slipping it on her finger. Too bad he didn’t drop the sucker and let it sink to the bottom of the ocean.
Every cell in my body goes taut waiting for the tearing sensation above my ribcage. This is it. What I’ve been dreading for too many days to count.
I will survive. I won’t die of a broken heart or of the picture of her naked beneath him.
“Have faith, my friend. It hasn’t happened yet.” Molita gives my arm a little rub.
I swallow past the thickness in my throat. No words come out. I try again and finally force them out. “You don’t have a magic potion that can fix this.”
“Actually, I do. But I don’t intend to use it. It won’t be necessary. Remember my manman’s vision?”
“Her vision talked about falling in love with your warrior. Not about your warrior falling in love with you.”
“That’s because there are always paths, choices. He must find his own path.”
“Looks to me like he already has.” I push back against the bitterness, trying my best to keep it out of my voice.
“So it would
seem.” Her face is serene.
“I don’t understand.” I hit the surface with my hand, causing a small geyser to erupt.
“That’s because you’re a man.”
“Yeah? Whatever.”
“They’re waiting for us. Let’s go wish them happy.”
“You go ahead. I think I’ll swim a bit longer.” I need the caress of the waves, something, anything, to ease this freaking pain.
“You’ll give yourself away if you do. Do you want them to know how much you suffer? I’ve seen the mask you wear. Don’t let it slip now.”
My body tingles as surprise shoots through my system.
“You’re good, very good. You can hide your innermost thoughts from anyone, including the woman you love, the woman who is just like you.”
“I apparently can’t hide them from you.” I can’t hide them from Angel, either. “And you’re wrong about Piper and I being just alike. I don’t have a blowhole.”
“But you share something unique that the rest of us don’t—you, Angel, Amy, and Piper. Someday you’ll have to tell me what, but for tonight, don your mask, warrior, and wish them well.”
I hold her lightly around the waist. I don’t ever wish to hurt this enigmatic, magical creature. I pull the words out with care. “You call both Tyler and I warriors.”
She laughs; it tinkles across the water. “That’s because you both are. And while I appreciate your concern, my heart is safe from you, brother.”
I relax, just a little, and kiss her forehead. “Then let’s go wish them well, little sister.” We swim to the shallows where she slips her hand in mine and we walk through the water to the happy couple. My legs are stiff and my stomach is trying to push into my throat. She gives my fingers a reassuring squeeze. We stop in front of the twosome and I hold out my hand to Tyler. Now that Piper has accepted his proposal, he’s more relaxed around me.
“Thank you,” he says as he grips it.
I turn to Pip and force my lips to form the words. “Be happy.”
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Her glance flits to Molita’s hand wrapped around mine then away. “Thank you.”
