The Karma Beat

by Juli Alexander

“Fine,” I said. “I’m just tired.”

  “You and Alex probably stayed up half the night.”

  “Not that late.” I knew better than to complain about my homework. Mom would just tell me that I should have done it on Friday night.

  “Chicken salad?” Mom asked.

  I looked at the sandwiches on the counter. “That would be great.”

  Mom handed me one. “Get your homework done and then come down and join us.”

  I took a bite of the sandwich and nodded.

  Monday morning came way too quickly. I’d never made it to movie night because of all the homework. I forced myself to get out of bed by promising I’d grab one of the iced coffees from the garage fridge. I hid them there disguised as vegetable juice.

  Today I may actually blow their cover, because I was going to have to pop one open and chug it down before I managed to get dressed.

  I headed downstairs. With two brothers, I had no choice but to sleep in a t-shirt and shorts. Like I was going to put on a robe every time I left my room. The last thing I needed was those perverts sending pics of me in a nightie to their friends.

  When Sean was nine, I’d caught him selling my panties to his friends. My panties are worth way more than a dollar, trust me.

  Mom sat at the kitchen table sipping her coffee when I went in.

  “How late were you up doing that homework?” she asked.

  “Two,” I admitted. “And yes, from now on I’ll do it Friday night.”

  “You’re the one paying the price,” Mom said. “Headed out for your caffeine stash?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Better hurry. I think Sean’s almost through in the bathroom.”

  Speeding my groggy pace, I opened the garage door and fetched an iced coffee. I’d found a brand of vegetable juice with exactly the right sized labels to cover the bottle.

  Joining Mom at the table, I unscrewed the top and took a few long sips. My body kicked into gear as the cold bitter liquid hit my stomach. Much better.

  “Hmm,” Mom said as she flipped through her agenda. “That’s odd.”

  “What?”

  Mom glanced at me before answering. “Nothing really. Just some irregularities with a hearing.”

  She had to be talking about Leo’s dad. I struggled to sound barely interested. “What kind of hearing?”

  “Sorry, Jen,” Mom said, patting my hand like I was a child. “I can’t really discuss it.”

  “Mom, I think it’s time I started to learn more about the U.N.I.V.E.R.S.E. and what being a genie is really all about.”

  Mom looked up at me through her square-framed glasses. “You don’t get to vote in the U.N.I.V.E.R.S.E. until you’re twenty-one, Jen. We have plenty of time.”

  Yeah, as if that vote counted for anything. All we could do was elect delegates to The Summit. “You don’t think I’m old enough to know.”

  She shook her head. “Of course, you’re old enough. I want you to know what’s going on. It’s just that you’re so busy, and to be honest, keeping you in the dark about some things is just safer.” Mom stared at me for a moment like she was trying to read my mind. “I really thought you were happier that way. When I’ve brought things up, you haven’t seemed all that interested.”

  “Well, I’m interested now.”

  “I see that,” Mom said with a nod. “I don’t even know where to begin. So much is going on right now. One thing I can do is let you read the public memos and official opinions as they are released. Even just that will probably keep you pretty busy. But like reading the newspaper keeps you up to date on current events in the real world, these releases will keep you on top of issues in the U.N.I.V.E.R.S.E.”

  “Can I start today?”

  Mom nodded. “I’ll forward anything to your email that isn’t confidential.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  I finished off my iced coffee as I ran upstairs to get dressed. With any luck, I’d be able to ask my mother about the Techno Echo and Leo’s dad by tonight. I desperately needed to know what was really going on. But there was no way I could risk being caught with Leo now. He needed my help.

  I yanked the hairbrush through my hair, scrubbed my face, brushed on some blush, and applied some lip gloss.

  The mirror confirmed my suspicions. I looked tired and a little pathetic.

  What better way to start the week?

  I grumbled my way down the stairs, grabbed my backpack, and followed Ian to the car. Mondays totally sucked.

  Ian made snarky comments all the way to school about my driving.

  Now that I knew I could probably get away with turning him into a goat, at least for a little while, he really should be more careful.

  I finally pulled into a space at school and put the car in park.

  Today Leo wasn’t here. I didn’t even have him to look forward to.

  After swinging my backpack onto my back, I slammed the car door, pocketed the car key, and headed into the school.

  Mondays were always girl day at lunch. Kelsey, Maggie, and Bree sat with me and Alex instead of smooching on their boyfriends.

  Alex and Bree beat me to our table. I set my chicken sandwich and chips down. Then I opened my can of diet cola.

  “Bree has the coolest news,” Alex said.

  Uh oh. Please don’t share the STD thing with me right here at lunch. I always hated pretending I didn’t know something. “Really?” I couldn’t look at Bree.

  “I got us all tickets to Johnny’s Metal Chicken at the Fox in two weeks.”

  “You are the best, Bree!” No STD talk, thank God. I loved those guys. “I’ll pay you tomorrow for mine.”

  Bree grinned. “I love shows at the Fox. They’re so much more personal.”

  “The amphitheater is too big, and we can never afford the good seats,” Alex griped.

  I saw Kelsey and Maggie making their way across the cafeteria. “Do Kels and Maggie know?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Bree said. “I saw them before class.”

  “I don’t know if Kyle will come,” Maggie said as she joined us. “He thinks they’re throwbacks to the eighties.”

  “Fine,” Bree said. “I’ll invite someone for Alex or Jen.”

  “I don’t know if Jen needs the help,” Alex said with a smirk.

  I glared at her.

  The chorus of ooh’s carried over the cafeteria.

  “I’ll tell you guys something in two weeks. Until then, I’m not sharing.”

  “No fair,” Maggie said, pulling the lid off her yogurt. “We share everything with you.”

  “Tell us,” Bree demanded.

  “My life is dull compared to yours.” For the first time, my life was anything but dull. “Trust me.”

  “Oh yeah, Alex,” Kelsey said. “I forgot to tell you that I’m sleeping over at your house on Thursday. Will you cover for me?”

  Alex rolled her eyes. “I’m going to need an app to keep all this straight.”

  “You know we’d all do it for you,” Bree said.

  With a sigh, Alex opened her assignment journal and scribbled a note. “You’d better. Senior year, I’m calling all these in.”

  Chapter Ten

  When the day finally ended, I dashed to Ian’s locker to get him moving. He had apparently managed to catch the eye of Haley Anderson, one of the most popular seniors.

  “C’mon, Ian. I need to get home.”

  The disgustingly pretty blond smiled at me. “Oh, right. I forgot Ian had a sister.”

  “You’re just going to have to wait, Jen. I’m talking.”

  “Oh, no, Ian. Go ahead. I’ll see you at practice.”

  With a flirtatious grin, she bounced away down the hall.

  “She’s coming to your practice?”

  Ian nodded, obviously pleased with himself.

  I hated when they had groupies. The last couple of girls had wandered into the house to use the bathroom and then I’d caught them snooping around our house. Ian, Dylan, and Derek had never attracted
nice girls. Girls that I would actually like.

  I highly doubted Haley had any interest in my stinky brother. She had the hots for Leo like everybody else.

  “How many people is she bringing with her?”

  Ian shrugged. “Who cares?”

  Terrific. Now, I had to break into Mom’s office and dodge the Armpit Hostage bimbos.

  “Was Leo at school today?” I asked trying desperately to sound nonchalant.

  “Nah, but he’ll show for practice. He promised.”

  Ian had no idea what Leo was going through. He was about to lose his father forever. And Ian thought his stupid band was so important.

  Since Ian had bimbos coming, I couldn’t wait for practice to start before getting into Mom’s office. If the girls went wandering, the boys could decide to follow. The bimbos wouldn’t have a clue that I shouldn’t be in Mom’s office, but the guys would.

  I dumped my backpack in the kitchen. Sean had gone home with a friend to work on a science project. Generally, his friend’s mother tolerated his presence for no more than two hours. So I had to hurry.

  This time I had to find out more about the U.N.I.V.E.R.S.E. And I needed information about Leo’s dad’s trial. Maybe my mother’s emails would give us a lead about any employee problems. I really hated to read those. The whole office was off limits, but her emails were personal. I’d hate for her to read my email.

  Steeling myself, I slipped into her office and sat at her computer. I pulled up the staffer photos again and clicked on one of them at random. This got me more information than I’d gotten before. I didn’t print it now, because I didn’t want to waste time on the people Leo had already ruled out. If I had to, I’d come back and get them tomorrow.

  I was about to click on Mom’s email when I noticed a link on the staffer page. Photo gallery. Hmmm. I clicked, expecting to find pictures from the office Christmas party or something equally worthless.

  Instead, I hit a directory. And the Directorate was listed! I held my breath as I clicked and a list of all eight dropped down. I clicked on the first one, Ghandi, and a picture came up with an address. Next to the address, was a notice that it had been updated last month.

  Holy cow! I was getting addresses and photos!

  I quickly printed all eight, not slowing down to read.

  Now to the emails. I opened her program and snooped into her inbox.

  The first email I saw was one she hadn’t even read yet. The subject line was Joe Fuller hearing irregularities.

  Score.

  I opened the email and read. I’d have to remember to show it as unread when I finished.

  We have not been able to find out who changed the hearing schedule. The Oversight Committee denies having input the change. We have lifted the no visitors rule and rescheduled the hearing for the original date. The OC is very concerned that someone managed to tamper with our hearing docket. The OC Chairman promises to personally make sure no other problems occur with Mr. Fuller.

  Oh my God. Leo could visit his father. And he had the extra week after all.

  I wondered if he knew it yet.

  I checked the clock. The email had only been sent twenty minutes ago.

  I had to talk to Leo. I marked the email as unread, exited the email program, grabbed the sheets of paper off the printer, and ran out the door.

  My Leo cell was in my backpack. But I only got halfway to the kitchen before the garage noises registered. They were already practicing.

  I stopped in my tracks. I couldn’t just burst in and grab Leo. My brother would freak, and he’d definitely tell Mom I’d busted up his precious practice, which would mean Mom would wonder what was going on.

  Okay, think, Jen. I had to get Ian to call a break on his own. The image of Haley jumped into my mind. I could use the bimbos. I still didn’t know how many were in there.

  I walked to the garage door and opened it a crack to peer through. Just as I thought. There were five of them. Five. And every last one of them drooling over Leo. I couldn’t see him from here but I could hear him.

  Okay, so they were going to follow him wherever he went.

  Crap!

  Could I use magic? Like freeze them all or something. I really hesitated to try without having practiced. What if I only froze their internal organs or something? I mean, who knew?

  Crap, crap, crap!

  Okay, don’t freeze them. I could use magic to cut the power in the garage, and then call Leo. He probably hadn’t turned off his cell.

  Or, I thought, feeling like an idiot as I stared at the breaker box next to the garage door. I could just cut the power the old fashioned way and call him.

  I dug the phone out of my bag. I hit the redial button and cut the power. I had only a beat or two before Ian stormed in to check it out.

  The phone rang twice, and I flipped the power back on.

  I could hear the chaos in the garage as the guys scrambled to get back on track.

  Leo stepped through the door with his phone in his hands.

  His gaze warmed as he saw me. “You rang?”

  My eyes flashed briefly to the biceps under his shirt. “Seal the door or something. Those girls will follow you for sure.”

  Leo raised a brow, then turned and flipped the bolt lock on the door.

  “Uh, yeah. Right. That works.” Duh. “Leo, your father! They’ve changed the hearing back to next week and lifted the no visitation. I just read Mom’s email.”

  He stared, complete astonishment on his face.

  “Leo! Did you hear me? You can go see him.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes!”

  Leo stepped forward. “What happened? How?”

  “They don’t know how it got moved, but they changed it back. They’re looking into it. Leo. You can go see your dad right now!” I couldn’t resist any longer, I jumped to hug him.

  He hugged me right back. “Thank you, Jen!”

  I didn’t want to leave the cocoon of Leo’s warmth. Quit drooling, Jen. Leo’s dad is in danger. He doesn’t need you panting after him right now.

  Leo started to move away, and I was already missing him. He paused and leaned to kiss me on the cheek. “I’ll call you later.”

  I stood in shock, feeling his kiss burning into my cheek, as he unlocked the door and went into the garage.

  “Gotta go,” he said to the guys. “Family emergency.”

  The guys groaned, and one or two girls whined, “But Leo.”

  I touched my cheek. I should never have gotten this close to Leo. In a week he’d be gone, and I’d be a lovesick little idiot pining after the bad boy hottie.

  Haley and her entourage poured in from the garage.

  “Bathroom?” she asked with a flip of her hair.

  I pointed toward the foyer.

  I didn’t have the patience to chaperone the bimbos, but before I could yell for Ian, he came inside.

  “Where’d Haley go?”

  I pointed. Good, he could have them. I had some pictures and addresses to deal with. I grabbed my backpack and dashed up the stairs.

  As I studied the pictures, I realized that none of the Directorate looked imposing in modern day clothes. Ben Franklin looked a little like the governor of Georgia, but I figured that was a coincidence. I mean, the U.N.I.V.E.R.S.E. would have noticed if a Directorate member had gone rogue and was running an entire state.

  Several of the men had picked more handsome personas than what they were stuck with when they were alive before. I guess I couldn’t really blame them, but what about that whole selfless thing? The worst was Maximillian Valerio. The man had the look of an Italian playboy. Something off the cover of a romance novel. Of course, he was still at least forty, so really old compared to me.

  Socrates looked surprisingly like Alan Rickman, a British actor my mom had a bit of a crush on.

  Six of them were supposed to be in the Southeastern United States. Maximillian lived in Europe and Socrates in Canada.

  Later, I heard
Sean scream, “I have too gone through puberty.”

  He and Ian were at each other’s throats again.

  I hadn’t heard Mom come in, so I jumped up and decided to run interference. If my parents walked in to a bloodbath, it might put them in a bad mood.

  Yeah, and uh, it would be sad too, I guess.

  Ian had started harassing Sean about being a child while Ian was supposedly a man. Even thinking about it made me laugh.

  “Ian, leave him alone!” I turned the corner to Ian’s room relieved that at least Ian wasn’t giving our little brother a mega-wedgie this time.

  “I’m already going through puberty, you idiot!” Sean yelled.

  Since his voice hadn’t changed, he didn’t even wear deodorant yet, and he didn’t lock his door when he went to bed like Ian did, I pretty much figured Ian was right. No way had Sean hit puberty.

  Ian rolled his eyes. “Come back when you’ve got some pubic hair.”

  Ewww.

  “I have pubic hair!” Sean said with fury.

  “Yeah, then prove it,” Ian yelled back.

  Oh, please God no.

  Sean turned red and shook with emotion. “You fag!”

  Unfortunately for Sean, my dad walked up the stairs in time to hear one of his least favorite words. “Fag” was not acceptable in our house. Although, in this case, the hurled accusation had probably been Sean’s best defense.

  “Sean Farrelly!” Dad yelled.

  “Dad, Ian’s harassing him again about puberty.”

  My dad focused his hard stare on his oldest son.

  “I’ll just go set the, um, table,” I said, slipping past my father and down the stairs.

  After dinner, Mom and Dad announced that they wanted to talk to me and Ian about the band.

  Ian rolled his eyes.

  “Thanks, Mom, but I really don’t care anymore,” I said.

  “You don’t?” She wrinkled her brow. “Why not?”

  “I’m just tired of fighting about it.”

  Mom and Dad looked at each other.

  “Well, okay,” Dad said. “If you’re sure.”

  Mom studied me with a puzzled look.

  I snuck back upstairs while Ian trashed me to my parents, telling them I didn’t have the work ethic for his band. Puhlease!