Headache

by Crystal Marcos

  “Ouch! That was uncalled for,” Lina said, dusting herself off and getting up.

  Peter had a handful of gray dirt and could feel it beneath his fingertips. He thought to himself that he wouldn’t wash his hands before preparing Goaltan’s meal. Peter opened his hand and let the dirt escape from it as he stood, knowing he would only make things worse if Goaltan discovered it in his food. It was then he realized that in moments Nana would be discovered.

  Goaltan continued toward the door, not bothering to look back at Peter and Lina. He was too powerful now to worry that they might try to escape. A flick of his finger and his prey would be caught. Goaltan’s hand was on the doorknob and he began turning it.

  Peter’s stomach muscles tightened and his head was pounding from all the thinking. Suddenly Peter understood Nana’s words. Without any conscious thought, Peter blurted out, “I may have gotten to Maple Town by a bellyache, but your coming to my town has given me a headache. It is time for you to go home!”

  Peter was shocked at his own words and the fact that he said them with such force and confidence. He supposed Lina was shocked too when he saw that her mouth was open wide enough to fit a baseball inside. Goaltan didn’t move from his position at the door. A moment passed before he slowly turned to face Peter with an unreadable expression.

  “What did you say?” Goaltan said, in a soft warning voice.

  Peter mustered up his courage and said, “I am not afraid of you!”

  Goaltan snarled, “I do not believe you.”

  Peter turned to Lina and whispered, “Nana said he exists because of fear. My guess is without our fear he would be powerless.” It must be true because Goaltan hasn’t smashed me to oblivion yet, he thought.

  “I am not afraid of you either! You’re nothing but a big bully!” Lina said firmly.

  By this time, crowds of Peblars had gathered at the windows. The door opened. Nana stood in the doorway in front of a Peblar.

  “Oh, you’re not afraid, are you? We’ll just see about that!” Goaltan shouted, lifting his foot off the ground and stomping it as hard as he could. He swirled up dust but nothing else happened. Peter and Lina took a step closer to each other. Still nothing happened.

  Nana clapped her hands together in triumph. The Peblars inside watched from the windows and door, dumbfounded. Goaltan grew angrier. He raised his finger furiously toward the sky and narrowed his eyes. Still nothing. Goaltan growled as he grabbed the edge of the house and tried with all his might to crush it. When that didn’t work, he tried kicking it and ended up stubbing his toe. A large pebble broke off the house and hit him in the eye. Goaltan yelped noisily, almost fearfully.

  When he regained his composure, he approached Peter and Lina. “Well, I guess I have to do this the old-fashioned way, with my bare hands!”

  The children took one another’s hands. They weren’t planning to budge. All of a sudden, the special delivery box dropped directly onto Goaltan’s head. It tumbled, flaps open, onto the ashy dried-up grass. To Peter, it looked like the same box that he had seen the day he visited Maple Town, the same box that brought Lina and him home from Maple Town, the same box that brought Angela and Joe to them, and the same box that brought Goaltan here. Out of the box flowed frosty air laced with a terrible stench.

  “What is this?” Goaltan demanded.

  Peter watched the red “Special Delivery” letters on the box light up and he answered Goaltan confidently, “This is your ticket out of here!”

  “I don’t think so!” Goaltan said as he lunged toward Peter.

  Goaltan was within inches of reaching Peter when the box lashed forward and swallowed him whole in one smooth speedy motion. There was a loud strained gulping noise. The Peblars inside Peter’s home began to disperse, some running outside and some hiding inside. But they couldn’t hide. A great gust of wind sucked them into the box, one by one. Despite the heavy winds, Peter, Lina, and Nana remained upright with little more than a few hairs blowing out of place.

  For the remaining Peblars, however, it was a different story. They were flying down the street from the Cupcakery truck. The wind was so strong that their feet weren’t touching the ground. The Peblars weren’t going gracefully either. They were flailing their arms and legs all the way. One Peblar thought he could hold onto the side of the house but he lost that battle quickly.

  When the wind began to die down and the atmosphere seemed to be settling, it unexpectedly picked back up and Peter saw a very short Peblar floating down the road. The Peblar was chomping down on some carrots with the leaves still attached. Oblivious to what was going on, the Peblar suddenly disappeared into the box. A moment later, the half-eaten carrots shot back out of the box and landed in front of Lina’s feet.

  “Gross!” she said.

  Peter laughed. Lina replied by sticking her tongue out at him. Peter smiled back. The wind stirred back up, coming even louder and faster, blowing their hair this way and that as it swirled and twirled, sucking in pebbles from every direction and working to repair its surroundings.

  When Peter, Lina, and Nana started to see green grass again they all cheered. Peter’s house was beginning to look like his home again. The sky cleared and the air lost its rancid smell. Everyone took deep breaths. It was nice to breathe the familiar air again. Warmth returned promptly. The wind stopped when most of what Goaltan had done was cleared. The special delivery box sat unmoving, the letters still glowing neon red.

  They heard familiar voices coming from down the street. Peter’s father, Rod, Angela, and Joe all ran gleefully toward them. Peter noticed the street had not been completely repaired. He knew that meant some of Goaltan’s destruction would remain. Peter thought about Papa’s Sweet Shop, Happy Donuts, and other places that may have been destroyed. He would have to worry about all that later, because Peter saw his mother, Mr. Rupert, Mrs. Young, Henry, and other neighbors emerging from homes now and he was too overjoyed.

  People’s mouths were agape when they saw the two Candonites running merrily toward Peter’s house. Peter, Lina, and Nana ran toward them. The special delivery box followed slowly behind them, floating slightly above the ground. Peter had a feeling he knew why. The box would give him enough time to say goodbye to his friends before it would return them safely home. Peter was suddenly sad. He didn’t want to say goodbye again, even though he knew he had to. Everyone was staring at the Candonite children while they were cheering.

  Peter spoke first. “Nana was right. Goaltan couldn’t stay here if I stopped being afraid of him—if I showed him no fear.”

  “You were all so brave!” Peter’s mother said.

  “How did you know what to do, Nana?” Peter asked.

  “That evening I spent with Alyssa’s family, her father eventually came home and told us a story before bedtime. That particular night, he happened to tell a story of a Candonite man who had been banished long ago for his treatment of others and their belongings. That man was Goaltan. Alyssa told me it was a true story and I had no reason to doubt her. Especially when she revealed information her father did not share. Alyssa told me that she was related to Goaltan. She wasn’t supposed to know but she had overheard a conversation. It was a family secret no one wanted to admit to.”

  “Who would?” Lina said.

  “That night I had a dream. I was standing somewhere very dark and cold, and I felt so alone. I called out for my mother, my father, and even Alyssa. But none of them came. Instead, I heard a low chuckle that sent a pang of fear through my entire body. I couldn’t tell where the chuckle was coming from but I knew it was very close. I was desperately looking around for a way to escape but it was so dark I couldn’t tell which way to go. The chuckle was getting louder and my instincts were to back up. I soon backed into a wall and began to feel my way out, all the while the chuckle rising to an unruly laugh. I began to panic. Suddenly, I heard a voice—Alyssa’s voice. She said, ‘He thrives off of fear; he exists because you fear him. He cannot harm you if you are not afraid.’ Upon waking f
rom the nightmare, I had a gut feeling that someday I would need this information. Today, I knew the information was meant for you, Peter.”

  Peter had all but forgotten about the box until it nudged his right shoulder as if to remind him his friends needed to be on their way. The top flaps of the box unfolded and warm sweet air filled his nostrils.

  “I guess that is our cue to say our goodbyes,” Angela said with a small laugh.

  “I guess so,” Peter chuckled.

  “It was a pleasure,” Joe said, smiling and leaning forward to exchange hugs with Peter and Lina.

  “We will remember you, always,” Angela said.

  “And we will remember you too,” Lina replied.

  “Say hello to Poke, the Bakers, everyone for me,” Peter said. He smiled, remembering the friends he had made in Maple Town just days before. Yet it seemed so long ago after all he had been through.

  “We will,” Joe replied.

  The special delivery box tilted forward to let them know it was time. Angela and Joe nodded that they were ready and the box inched forward and a warm familiar gust of air surrounded them, the fragrant scent of the Candonites’ home. There was no sign of Goaltan and the Peblars now, just a peaceful atmosphere inviting them home. Angela and Joe waved one final time before the box swallowed them. It finished with the usual gulp and disappeared. There were gasps and excited murmurs from the neighbors and laughter from Henry, who was sitting on the curb happily reading one of Peter’s comic books. Peter, his friends, and family laughed too.

  Meteors and Martians

  “I can’t believe the latest news! People are saying the damage to the town was caused by meteorites. That is crazy!” Peter said to Lina, holding up a newspaper as he sat on his front porch three months later.

  “Oh, and saying a bunch of pebbled beasts came and destroyed the town trying to rid it of all delectable confections would be much more believable.” Lina grinned, snatching the newspaper out of Peter’s hands to take a look.

  “I guess I see your point,” Peter replied, looking toward the repaired street before him.

  Lina giggled. “My favorite is still the theory of the gray Martians from outer space.”

  Peter chuckled.

  “I don’t think I told you this yet, but I was thinking it. You look…nice,” he said carefully.

  “Thanks. I feel a little silly. My mother made my outfit for me. She practically cried when I told her I wouldn’t wear it. So, of course, I had to wear it. It’s called a baro’t saya, a traditional Filipino dress shirt and skirt.”

  “Well, you don’t look silly,” Peter said.

  “Thanks. You don’t look silly either,” Lina replied.

  “Thanks,” Peter said, as he stood up and straightened his tie.

  Peter’s mother opened the door. “You two ready to go? We don’t want to be late.”

  “Yep, we just have to pick up Henry on the way,” Peter replied.

  Everyone in town would be dressed to impress royalty today. It was “Unveiling Day.” Everyone was talking about it everywhere they went.

  Mr. Rupert, his son and daughter-in-law, Buddy and Lisa Rupert, came out of the house. Henry was in the garden. He skipped to the SUV holding a paper cup in his hand. Once Henry was inside he slid up close to Lina, almost hugging her, and said charmingly, “I have something for you.”

  “What is it?” Lina asked.

  Henry held it up real close under her nose. “A worm.”

  Lina practically cracked heads with Peter trying to back away from the slimy little creature. “Yuck, Henry! Like I really want a worm!”

  “You did say you wanted to start a collection of your own of something that no one else has. Well, who collects worms?” Henry said.

  “Oh, Henry. What am I going to do with you?” Lina sighed.

  Mr. Rupert cleared his throat as if he had something very important to say. “I am so excited I could spit!” Mr. Rupert said as he slapped the side of his leg. “My son and his pretty li’l wife are movin’ into town. Only minutes away from me!”

  “That’s grandtastic!” Peter replied and everyone agreed.

  “A good job opened up and we found a great deal on a house in town,” Buddy said.

  “We better get to scootin’! I could talk about this all night. But we all have an agenda now, don’t we?” Mr. Rupert gave a cheerful wink and scurried off.

  Signs throughout town read “UNVEILING DAY!” Reporters and news crews gathered in front of the new building Curtis’s mother and Happy had combined forces to create. They met up with Nana, Papa, and Lina’s parents at the ribbon cutting. Papa had ridden in on his new moped, the exact color and model of his last one.

  Mr. Rupert made the opening speech. “I am so deeply touched to get to cut this here ribbon and open the goody shop. As y’all know, the Cupcakery and Happy Donuts have collaborated to bring the sweetest thing…Happy Donuts Cupcakery! The only place for miles around where you can get a donut that looks like a tasty cupcake. So everybody get to samplin’ the goods!” Mr. Rupert cut the shimmery red ribbon. Camera flashes sparked like the Fourth of July.

  Peter couldn’t believe it when he heard the news that Mr. Rupert had sold an extremely rare coin from his collection and gave the money to Happy, Mrs. Wheeler, and Papa to help rebuild their shops. Mr. Rupert explained, “I really don’t need anythin’ else. I have new wonderful friends, a lovin’ son and daughter-in-law, and a grandbaby fixin’ to be born. What more could this lucky old man want?”

  Mr. Rupert was no longer “old man Rupert.” Now he was simply Mr. Rupert, a really nice man.

  Peter and Lina were bombarded by serving trays filled with little donut cupcakes topped with sprinkles and frosting. They each took one and popped it in their mouths. Yum, Peter thought. A waitress came by, decked out in cupcake garb from head to toe. Charming frosted glass tabletops that had sprinkles beneath a layer of glass and cupcake-designed chairs really brought the shop to life.

  The Sweetest Sweet Shop

  Papa’s Sweet Shop was the grand finale of the day. Peter knew that the sweet shop would be outrageous. It was his idea, after all, to have a piece of Maple Town and Honeyville in his very own town.

  Peter worked diligently on the details with Papa. Papa wanted everything to be an awe-inspiring surprise. Peter remembered in the beginning stages when he had heard the heartbreaking whispers of his parents talking about the damage done by Goaltan. Now, everything was really going to be okay.

  The building was bigger than the original Papa’s Sweet Shop, standing two stories instead of one. The sweet shop looked scrumptious, with replica candies and treats ornamenting the chocolaty colored building.

  Papa squeezed Peter’s shoulders and whispered in his ear, “We get to go inside first before anyone else!”

  Peter and Lina raced inside. Papa closed the doors behind them, pulling on the peppermint handles and pointing out the sign from the old shop, a reminder that Goaltan’s plans had failed. No one spoke.

  The floors were reminiscent of the ones in Maple Town, resembling shimmering iridescent candy wrappers. There was an orange twisty slide that started on the second floor. In the center of the shop there was a crystal rock candy elevator. Every table was a larger replica of the open special delivery box; the flaps of the box made up the table top. The center of the table top was a glowing light covered by glass.

  “Do you like it, Peter?” Papa asked.

  Peter hugged his grandpa. “Like it? I more than like it. I more than love it! There are no words!”

  Peter turned his attention to the back wall. “Hover cars!”

  “Climb aboard,” Papa said.

  Peter and Lina entered the car doors and slid in on opposite sides of a table. An electronic voice said, “Please fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the wild treats from the sweetest place you’ll ever eat, Papa’s Sweet Shop!” Lina repeated the slogan, practically singing it. A glove compartment was marked “MENUS.” Peter pulled out a menu printed to look lik
e a road map.

  There was a special section of the menu marked “Candonite Delights.” The items included Satisfying Spinach Pie, Vegetating Veggie Soup served with a side of Corny Corn Soufflé, Amazing Avocado Gazpacho, and a few more would-be Candonite favorites.

  “Just in case our friends are ever in the neighborhood again,” Papa said. He winked and pushed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose. Papa told them that Peter’s dad, Mr. Rupert, and even Lina’s mother would be working there.

  “Really?” Peter and Lina said excitedly.

  On the top floor, a wooden hostess podium with menus on both sides was directly in front of them. Words carved into the wood to appear like lightening had struck the podium read “Weather Extremes at Papa’s.”

  Papa led the children to the frosted glass door on the right. As soon as he opened it, frigid air touched their skin. Papa went over to a long rack full of multiple-sized fur-lined coats that all had a Papa’s Sweet Shop logo on them. He pulled off one for each child and one for himself.

  “This is wild!” Lina said.

  “It is 24 degrees in here,” Papa said. “We only serve hot treats to keep you toasty. Like Hit the Spot Hot Chocolate, Piping Pudding, and Molten Lava Cake!”

  Each ice table had a centerpiece, an ice sculpture carved into an appropriate sugary confection. The walls and the counter where everything was prepared were also ice. Lights representing icicles hung from the ceiling. The showpiece of the room was the ice slide. Peter and Lina took turns going down it before they had to move on to the last room.

  “This is the room you can warm up in,” Papa said. “It is kept at 84 degrees and we only serve cold treats to keep you nice and cool.”

  This room had all the fixings of a charming summer’s day at the park. Large sun-like ceiling lights circulated the warm air. The paved walkway led straight to a counter designed as part of an ice cream truck. There were picnic tables, real live trees and flower beds to add to the summertime feel of the whole place. In the center of the park there was a water fountain with an enormous ice cream sundae sculpted out of stone.