I finished my selection of food (bland-looking spaghetti, soggy garlic bread, a wilted green salad, and a turnover of some kind, but I knew it would all be delicious to me), and paid for my items. Then I quickly scanned the large room for Roz and Odie.
They sat at their usual table with The Pastels. Odie chatted away happily and rather animatedly, using her hands to emphasize whatever she was talking about. The Pastels munched delicately on their meals and tried to look interested, but I could see they were bored.
Roz had laid her head down on her arms, on the table before her. Her eyes were closed, but the stiffness in her shoulders told me she wasn't asleep.
Now was my chance. I walked quickly, my stride long and sure, as I headed to my destination. She may have been avoiding me this entire day, but she wasn't going to be able to now. In fact, my plan involved not only confronting Roz about the pocket goddess (which I knew she woke up with), but to also enlist the help of The Pastels.
As I neared their table, six pairs of eyes turned to me. Odie, in particular, began shaking her head, saying, “No, no, no.”
Belle, who sat on the end of one of the benches, thus making her closest to me, stood up and placed her little body directly in my path.
“Not a good time, Mister!” She said hotly. “Turn yourself around and go sit somewhere else!”
I merely ignored her and stepped around her, and I didn't stop until I was directly across Roz. I placed my tray on the table and, much to the astonishment of the girls watching me, sat down.
I began eating my food silently, watching Roz as she refused to open her eyes and look at me. She was obviously determined to keep up her charade of sleeping, but I wasn't going to be deterred.
Odie continued to shake her head.
“Of all the nerve,” she muttered.
Swallowing my limp spaghetti happily, I asked Roz, “You found it the next morning, didn't you?”
The Pastels and Odie raised their eyebrows, looking from me to Roz and back again. I continued with my questions.
“Did you hold on tightly to it like I asked? Or did it fall away from you in your sleep?”
Aha! Her shoulders twitched and Odie looked down sharply at her head.
“What's he talking about Roz?”
Roz raised her head slowly and locked eyes with mine.
“He's talking about this,” she whispered, and opened her hand.
Resting on her palm was my pocket goddess.
“Where did you get that?” Devon asked sharply. Her blonde hair swung abruptly as her head turned to stare at me.
“Piper, Parker’s little sister, gave it to me when I woke up in the hospital,” I explained.
“Wait,” Erica said, “There is so much wrong with that sentence.”
“Why are you talking about yourself in the third person?” Odie asked, confused.
“How did Piper get that pocket goddess?” Cindy asked pointedly. “That specific one?”
I shrugged. “I didn't even know who she was when she gave it to me. It took several minutes for me to figure out she was Parker’s sister.”
“Why are you talking like that?!” Odie exclaimed. “Stop it! It's creeping me out!”
Roz calmly raised a hand and the questions quieted down. We stared at each other for a long, quiet moment, until my soul had to ask.
“You believe me, don't you?” I asked, my heart begging to hear her ‘yes.’ “Please say you do. I swear to you, it's the truth.”
Her eyes filled with a terrible pain unlike I'd ever seen from her before.
“I don't know how you did it, but please stop this, Parker,” she said quiet but firmly. “Please, I beg you. Stop using your magic to make me dream you're him, stop using it to make me wake up with little wooden goddesses. Stop using it to get to me.”
Devon began to stand from her spot on the bench, but Jess placed a hand on her arm and forced her to sit back down.
“Let's just listen for a minute,” she whispered loudly.
I looked at the table of friends. They had been my friends, at one time. Even though none of them had seen me until the night my soul was placed in Parker’s body, they had still offered friendship to me, through Roz. I was hoping to count on that friendship, now.
“Listen to me, all of you,” I said. “I have something to tell you and I know I risk your disbelief, but I need help. Please.”
Cindy’s eyes grew big and round. “Go on,” she encouraged.
I took comfort in that and continued.
“I'm not Parker Evans,” I admitted, looking each one of them in the eye so they could see my honesty. “I'm Jimmy Matheson.”
Odie gasped and flew to her feet.
“It's no wonder she's such a mess today!” She cried out, wrapping her arms around her friend. “Of all the cruel things! How can you stoop so low?”
“It's the truth!” I exclaimed. “I crossed into the light right here, in this very room, and when I woke up I was in the hospital, surrounded by people I didn't know who were watching me die!”
They all stared at me in horror and shock.
“Please, it's true, you guys have to help me,” I said earnestly. “I don't know how to live like this anymore.”
“Look at his aura,” Belle said quietly.
The five witches peered at the spaces around me, around my body, and their eyebrows went up further. I knew they were inspecting my aura, the invisible space of air and color around me that would show my true self.
From Prudence, I had learned that every magical being of Light could use enhanced vision to see the auras of other magical folk. It could be used to determine if the one with the aura was friend or foe, Light or Dark. There was a trick to it, however, it was typically only accessible to witches of Light. Considering I was in a body that had been Dark, I had no idea how to read anyone else's magical auras. I only knew that they existed.
“That would explain a lot,” Erica said softly.
“It would explain only one thing,” Jess corrected, “And open up a can of worms for everything else.”
“A star-shaped pocket goddess, for example,” Cindy said.
“Prudence!” Devon exclaimed. “She's behind everything, I'm sure of it!”
“Behind what?” I asked. “Is she the one who sent me into this body?”
Devon cut me with her glance. “I'm not even touching that one. Parker.”
My shoulders sagged in defeat. If I couldn't get them to believe me, who would?
Staring at me suspiciously, Odie raised her voice.
“If you're really Jimmy,” she said as she continued to hold her stance of protection over Roz, “Then you should be able to prove it.” She squinted her eyes hard as if deep in thought. “I've got it!” She exclaimed. With a flourish she resumed her place beside Roz at the table, who was staying noticeably quiet.
“If you're really Jimmy,” she repeated, “Then tell me this: How did I first find out about you?”
I sighed with relief. Now this was one test for sure I couldn't fail!
Chapter 14
~Jimmy~
Roz glanced at me with her pained expression before nodding.
“Yes,” she agreed. “Tell us all how Odie found out about Jimmy.”
Something in her voice suggested that she never expected me to answer correctly. But I would soon prove her wrong. I had the memory of that day burned forever into my spirit, the joy of it would remain with me always.
“You invited Odie over for ‘girl time,’” I said. “You'd had a rough week with the nightmares and Parker, and you were hoping to let loose for a few hours. Odie came over,” I continued, nodding to her, “And brought a collection of CDs she had made… or burned. I forget which is the correct term.”
“Burned,” Odie offered.
I smiled slightly at her. “Thanks,” I said. “So, she played one of her oldies CDs. It had Earth Angel on it. It was one of my favorites growing up.” My eyes glazed over as I lost myself to the memory of both t
he song, and the young woman, who had occupied my heart for so long. “I serenaded that song to Roz. I got down on my knee, singing to her. She kept trying to ignore me because of course, you couldn't see me yet, Odie. But finally she couldn't help herself, and she called me a dork.”
I raised my eyes to both Roz and Odie, who sat across from me staring intently.
Odie looked at Roz. “I never told another soul that story,” she said skeptically, “Did you?”
Roz smirked. “Who would I have told?” She asked. “I mean, for as open-minded as you are, it still took you a little while to believe me.”
Odie looked at me again. “How did Roz get me to believe you were real?”
I swallowed. The entire table had their eyes on me.
“She sketched me.” I said softly.
Roz gasped. Odie gasped. The others eyed us warily.
“And if I remember correctly, Odie,” I added smugly, “I believe you said I was gorgeous.”
Odie rolled her eyes. “Of course you'd remember that.”
I grinned. “How could I forget that? It was one of the best moments I ever experienced as a ghost.”
Roz stared at me brokenly.
“I'm sorry Parker,” she said bitterly, “It all sounds like a brilliant story, but I know enough about the kind of power you have. I know that you can steal memories, manipulate emotions. Remember, once you even cast a spell to make my body obey your commands?” She shook her head and looked at the pocket goddess in her hand.
“As much as I want to believe Jimmy is alive, we both know he's gone. I won't ask you again, Parker. Please stop this.”
With that, she stood from the table and exited the cafeteria, leaving behind the little wooden carving on the table before me.
Odie looked at me with an odd expression in her eyes. She glanced quickly at The Pastels, then at the wooden goddess, then back at me. She slowly stood from where she sat, gathered her things and headed after Roz, but not before she whispered the most unexpected thing.
“I believe you.”
***
Silence fell across the table after Odie left. Someone believed me! Someone knew I wasn't Parker! And it was Odie, of all people! I wanted to chase her down and kiss her right on her blood-red painted mouth. I was so grateful for this small victory. It gave me hope.
The Pastels continued to watch me with their unsettling, knowing eyes, and instead of being uncomfortable under such scrutiny, I accepted it.
Whatever it takes for them to see the real me.
Taking a breath, I decided to broach a subject I had wanted to avoid, but knew I couldn't.
“What do you know of Prudence?” I asked the group.
They each bristled at the blunt question.
“She's your mother,” Devon sneered. “You should know enough!”
I swallowed hard and nodded.
“I know some things. For instance, she has an agenda to make this body remember its magic powers, so she can somehow earn her way back into her former coven.”
Erica tilted her head. “Say what?”
“Oh of course!” Belle said excitedly, “It's been her, all along!”
Jess began gathering up her things hurriedly. “Quickly, loveys,” she said, “We need to move now! The last few periods of school will just have to wait!”
The rest of them stood and all began whispering in fervent tones.
“Hold on!” I exclaimed. “Where are you off to? Are you guys ditching school because of what I said?”
Devon nodded. “We do it all the time, Parker. You've used your magic before to cover up an unexcused absence, and don't try to act like you haven't.”
“I'm coming with you!” I said determinedly. I had no idea why they would be this perplexed and excited about Prudence, but I was going to go with them in hopes of gaining more knowledge about my so-called mother.
They all hesitated at my demand, and their faces grew unsure of me.
“Look, if I make you guys nervous or you don't like something I say, I'll let Devon zap me like she did Parker. Deal?”
“As long as you stop talking about yourself in the third person,” Erica said, “Then it's a deal.” She looked at Devon. “Be ready with your power at a moment’s notice.”
I grinned. “I've never spoken about myself in the third person yet, toots!” I winked at her and followed the group as we left the cafeteria, pausing only long enough to pick up the little wooden goddess and put her safely in the pocket of my jeans.
***
I sat snugly between Devon and Jess in the backseat of Belle’s mini-van. Yes, mini-van. It actually belonged to her mother, but since her mother had just picked up a new one, the older model was given to Belle. I was thankful she hadn't been given a little sporty car, like what Parker had. I still hadn't been allowed to drive it yet, as Prudence would not tolerate the idea of me driving her precious son’s car.
It was fine with me. I had no desire to drive his car anyway. Newer cars were like death traps waiting to happen. They were flimsy, not like the big hunks of metal we used to drive when I was still alive, as myself.
Then again, I died in a car accident, so what did I know?
“Parker,” Cindy inquired from the shotgun position, “You brought the pocket goddess with you, yes?”
I sighed. “Please don't call me that. It's bad enough I'm called that name everyday by everyone else in this town.”
“We will call you that until you prove otherwise,” she replied curtly. “Did you bring it or not?”
I nodded. “Yes, I have it.”
“Good,” Belle said as she drove. “It's going to be necessary.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked. “How is my pocket goddess necessary for what we're doing?” I glanced around the mini-van. “Um. What is it we're doing, exactly?”
“You'll find out when we get there,” Jess said darkly, staring out her side window.
I forced myself to remain quiet and ask no further questions. It was obvious they weren't thrilled to have me tag along, but I felt like it was a small victory to have been allowed inside the vehicle.
I watched in silence as we moved into the downtown area, right past the main street, and came to a stop in front of a little bookstore. The girls exited one by one, as did I, and I took in the sight before me. It was a quaint little shop, with a red brick facade and only one wide window showing the book-lined interior. Above the door hung a plaque of wood with the words, “Mystical’s Mystics” burned into it. Large ornamental objects were bolted into the brick, outlining the window and door, all of them a sturdy bronze. I observed them all. There was a crescent moon, a sun, a planet earth, a tree, a five-pointed star, and cauldron.
I suppose it was the cauldron (and the five witches I came here with), that made me realize what this place was.
“Hey is this a witch store?” I asked excitedly. If it was, I knew I could find some answers here.
Erica shook her head. “Not so loud!” She said in a whisper.
Ha! I was right! As I took a step through the opened door, I had no idea it would be the first of many for me and this little shop.
Chapter 15
~Roz~
I left the cafeteria and went straight to the girls’ bathroom. I locked myself in a stall, and did the one thing I had promised I would not do.
I cried.
It wasn't the sad, sorrowful cry of grief and heartbreak. It was, rather, the hot, angry release of the rage that began burning within my soul the moment I found the pocket goddess in my bed.
How dare he!
I cried harder, wishing for something to punch and bite and kick. I wanted to make something, or someone, hurt as badly as I did. And I knew that someone was Parker Evans.
How dare he!
How dare he go before my friends and give them his asinine, made-up story. How dare he look at me as though I caused him pain. How dare he look so completely heartbroken when I begged him to stop this charade.
Ho
w. Dare. He.
“Roz?” Odie called into the bathroom. “You in here?”
I covered my mouth with a shaking hand, trying to stifle the noises of my angry tears. Then I held my breath.
I loved Odie but she was the last person I wanted to see me like this.
I waited in silence until I heard the door close and let out a pent-up exhalation. I loved her, but at this particular moment I loved my righteous anger more. And I wanted to continue to feel it. I didn't want her to try and make me feel better. I wanted her to leave me be and let me burn.
“You know I can see your shoes under stall door, right?”
I jumped at the sound of her voice. Crap! I hadn't even thought about my feet being visible! I stayed quiet, hoping she'd just go away, but like the ever faithful friend she was, she refused to budge.
“I'm totally going to miss going to an amazing college, thanks to you,” she said from the other side of the door.
Hot tears continued to stream down my cheeks, but in spite of them, I chuckled silently at her ridiculous confession.
“See, I have a very important test today in Chem,” she said, “And my Chem class is after lunch. And I can't leave my bestie by herself in the bathroom while I go to take my very important test, so I'll fail it. And since I'll fail my important test, I won't get an A for first semester. And not having an A in Chemistry is like signing a death warrant for getting into Harvard.”
I sighed and released the lock with a click, letting the stall door fall open.
“Since when have you wanted to go to Harvard?” I asked through my tears.
She took in my pitiful appearance and smiled sadly.
“Since I was trying to come up with an excuse to get you to open the door.”
“How do you already have an important test this soon in the school year?” I asked, unwilling to address the obvious elephant of emotion in the room.
“I don't,” she shrugged. “But it worked. You opened the door.”
I stepped out of the stall and went to one of the sinks before me. I stared in the mirror there, searching my eyes for a glimpse of the old Roz, the one before Parker, the one who was loved by a ghost and was willing to allow her best friend’s silliness to wash away any anger or despair that came her way.
Rage in Pain Roz: The R.I.P. Series Book 2 Page 8
