Moonstone

by Marilee Brothers

  Squirming under Carmel's withering gaze, Teddy retreated into the house.

  Kizzy stood. "I'll walk you to the gate, Allie.

  She waited until we reached the hedge before she spoke. "The only time they come here is when they need money.

  "Do you give it to them?

  "It's the only way to get rid of them." Kizzy glanced over her shoulder. The porch was now devoid of people. Apparently Carmel had followed Teddy into the house. "I don't have time to tell you the whole story now but be careful. Carmel wants that moonstone. She knows her grandmother used it to accumulate wealth and figures she can do the same thing. I've tried to tell her about the prophecy, that it's dangerous to...

  The muffled roar of a Harley Davidson engine stopped Kizzy mid-sentence. Teddy, now wearing mirrored sunglasses, came tearing around the side of the house on a brilliant silver motorcycle, its wheels churning up bits of grass and leaving muddy ruts in its wake. When he reached the front of the house, Carmel popped through the front door and yelled, "Where the hell do you think you're going?

  Kizzy heaved a dispirited sigh. "Allie, don't give up on the moonstone. I think the unpleasant effects will lessen. Please, try. It's important. Now go." She opened the gate, pushed me through and closed it. I thought about the prophecy, the way Kizzy looked when she said, "Death and disaster.

  I looked at her through the gate. "If I don't, will something terrible really happen?

  She didn't say, "Maybe." She didn't say, "I don't know." Kizzy looked me straight in the eye and said, "Yes.

  So much for giving the moonstone back. When Kizzy started back toward the house I remembered the other reason for my visit. "Kizzy," I called softly. "I found out my dad's name. It's Mike Purdy.

  Kizzy loved to surf the internet and had always promised if I gave her a name, she'd locate my father.

  She raised a hand in acknowledgement. I murmured my thanks and jogged home.

  Later that night, with Faye fast asleep in the bedroom, I sat in the dark, cross-legged on the couch, and tested my resolve. I stared at the moonstone in my palm, its glistening surface lit, not by its namesake moon, but by the dim yard light at the edge of Blaster's pasture. Steeling my mind against the waves of dizziness I knew would follow, my reluctant fingers moved toward the moonstone to grasp it, to move it one simple click. My hand hovered over the stone and stopped when I heard the unmistakable sound of a Harley Davidson motorcycle pull into Uncle Sid's long driveway, idle for a few long moments then roar away, the sound of its engine receding into the night.

  Chapter Seven

  The next day, Sunday, forced me to focus on more mundane matters, namely grocery shopping. Filling an empty belly took precedence over worrying about silly little details like the possibility of Carmel or Teddy running me down with the Harley, ripping the moonstone off my cold, dead body and using it for some sinister purpose like robbing a bank or overthrowing the government.

  Yes, the moonstone still hung around my neck. I'd made a decision during the night. Kizzy said I was meant to have it. Giving it back wasn't an option, so I might as well embrace it. Who was I to challenge fate? Perhaps the moonstone would lead me down the right path. For now, that path led me to Tom's Corner Market, featuring Top Ramen noodles, six packages for a dollar.

  I'd just stepped out the door when I saw clouds of dust billowing over the wooden fence behind the parking lot. A terrified whimper and the sounds of a scuffle drew me to the fence.

  The battered old fence looked like a gap-toothed smile. A quick peek through a missing slat revealed three members of the PWT gang taking turns bitch-slapping Cory Philpott. The PWT's claimed their initials stood for Proud White Tuffs, which made it pathetically easy for the rest of us to call them Poor White Trash. While the Hispanic gangs limited their violence to rival gang members, the PWT's mugged old ladies and terrorized kids like Cory, who thought he was tough but wasn't.

  Okay, part of me was enjoying the fact Cory was getting clobbered. Smart-mouth Cory. Hadn't I punched him in the face for the same reason? But, come on, three guys against one? Sure, Cory had an attitude problem but these punks were batting him around like a beach ball.

  A blocky kid with a bright green mohawk clutched Cory by the front of his shirt. He popped him across the face with an open hand then shoved him into the waiting arms of a tall, skinny guy whose pants hung so low I could see a giant pimple on his butt.

  Pimple Butt wrapped an arm around Cory's neck and squeezed, "You didn't see nothin', kid. Tell your dad and your dead. Understand?"

  Cory grabbed at Pimple Butt's arm and tried to nod, his voice a terrified squeak. "I won't tell. I promise.

  The third guy had two nose rings, more hardware in each eyebrow and probably a stud in his tongue. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a switchblade. He pressed a button and sunlight danced on the blade's gleaming surface.

  "Maybe we should teach him a lesson. A little reminder to keep his mouth shut," Nose Ring said, advancing toward Cory.

  Cory's eyes rolled in panic. A wet stain blossomed on the front of his jeans.

  Without thinking, I kicked the fence then ducked away from the opening. "Hey, Poor White Trash! Tired of picking on old ladies?

  Nose Ring guy whirled toward the fence, trying to get a fix on my position. I scampered around the end of the fence and waved my arms. "Looking for me?

  His lip curled in a sneer and he started toward me. "You're dead meat, little girl. You'd better get the hell out of here while you're still able to walk. We could have some fun with you. Whaddaya think, guys?

  Pimple Butt shoved Cory toward Mohawk and joined his friend. "Yeah, she's kinda skinny but she'll do.

  "Run, Cory," I shouted.

  He started to run but Mohawk grabbed him before he could get away.

  "You're not goin' nowhere, Philpott," Nose Ring said. "Hey, I know, guys. We'll make him watch.

  I should have been terrified, but the outrage I felt outweighed the fear a hundred times over. All I wanted to do was teach those creeps a lesson.

  Nose Ring was in the lead. I focused the power of my mind on the metal bristling from his face. "Hot," I said. "Ohmigod, so hot. How can you stand it?

  Nose Ring stopped dead in his tracks and gave a shrill yip of pain. He began slapping at his face, hopping up and down and screeching, "Oh, shit! Oh, shit! I'm burning up!

  "What the hell's the matter with you, man?" Pimple Butt was moving toward me.

  By this time Nose Ring was rolling around on the ground, pulling various bits of metal out of his face. In my own defense, I could have said "red hot." He probably deserved it.

  But Pimple Butt was closing in. I said, "Oops, too bad about your pants!

  I caught him mid-stride. When his pants dropped to his ankles, his feet tangled in the fabric and he plummeted facedown into the dirt.

  Mohawk, still holding Cory, stared at me with dull eyes, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.

  I pointed at him. "Let him go or I'll make your hair fall out and never grow back.

  Honestly, I wasn't sure if I could do that. He must have believed me, though, because he released Cory who, as per my instructions, took off like a gut-shot gazelle.

  Pimple Butt got to his feet, turned away from me and pulled up his pants. Nose Ring, his face fiery-red, shiny with sweat and metal-free stood up and started toward me.

  I thrust out a hand, palm forward, and lowered my voice an octave. "I wouldn't, if I were you.

  Nose Ring stopped. "What the hell are you? Some kind of a witch?

  "Me, a witch? Don't be silly. It's probably karma. You know, past behavior determines your present quality of life. You guys must have done something really bad.

  I gave them a one-fingered salute, backed around the fence and walked away, swinging my bag of Top Ramen. Despite the show of bravado, my heart thudded in my chest and I couldn't resist a quick peek over my shoulder to see if I was being followed.

  At the edge of the parking lot I broke into a jog
, eager to put some distance between the PWT boys and myself. Strangely, the act of jogging created more panic and before long, I was in a full-out, knee-pumping sprint, flying through the shabby neighborhood like a lone goose trying to catch up with the flock. I fixed my gaze on the row of poplars lining a hay field at the edge of town. Farm land and open spaces are not conducive to gang activity. Beating people up requires fences and back alleys.

  I was almost to the field when Cory popped out from behind a tree. "Hey, Allie.

  I screeched to a halt, dropped the noodles, braced my hands against my knees and gulped air. With a fearful glance down the road, Cory tromped toward me, his over-sized running shoes making a squishing sound. He was soaked to the skin, rivulets of water sluicing off his sandy hair and onto the ground. He gave me a sheepish grin and pointed toward the hay field. "Got in the sprinkler. You know, to clean up.

  His clothes were completely sodden, his jeans now a solid dark blue. He swiped at his hair and jutted out his china familiar gestureone I knew preceded an obnoxious Cory Philpott remark. "You need to keep your mouth shut about what happened back there.

  I pressed my lips together in disgust. What did I expect? Gratitude from a jerk like Cody? I stared at the front of his jeans. "Yeah, I'd probably jump in the sprinkler too if I peed my pants.

  Cory's face turned ugly. "You start blabbing this around and I'll tell people what you did.

  "Oh really?" My words were scorched with anger. "Well, here's what I did, you stupid jerk. I saved your sorry ass because you lipped off to the wrong people!

  Cory shook his head. Water flew. "I didn't lip off. Not to those guys. I saw them steal a carton of cigarettes. I ran out of the store but they caught me.

  "Good thing I came along or you'd have PWT carved across your forehead.

  Cory blustered, "I saw what you did. You made that guy's pants fall down, and the dude with all the metal in his face? You did something to him too. I'll tell everybody, I'll...

  "Listen, Cory. What I did for you I'd do for a dog. I don't give a crap if you pee your pants every day of the week, but don't threaten me!" I picked up my shopping bag and started to walk away. "I should have let them cut you.

  I heard Cory's labored breathing behind me. I'd taken only a few steps when I heard him say, "Hold on, Allie.

  I stopped.

  "I was scared, ya know?" He blinked hard and stared at the ground.

  He lifted his head and I saw embarrassment and shame in his face.

  I nodded. "Me too.

  "And if it got around I got my ass bailed out by a girl, well...

  I sighed. "Don't worry about it, Cory. We'll pretend it didn't happen.

  His eyes slid away from mine. "Thanks.

  "Don't mention it. And, by the way, if I hear you say one mean word to Manny or Mercedes ever again, I'll tell everybody on the bus what happened.

  His chin jutted out again, but he said, "Yeah, yeah.

  I'd barely passed the hay field when I ran out of steam. I was so tired I could hardly put one foot in front of the other. I leaned against a fence post to rest and saw Matt's Jeep coming toward me. When he spotted me, he jerked the wheel, made a U-turn and pulled up on the shoulder. He wasn't alone. A pouty-faced girl dressed in white shorts and a skimpy pink shirt sat in the passenger seat. She gave me a brief, dismissive glance then looked straight ahead when Matt leaned across her and said, "Hey, Allie. Need a ride somewhere?

  "That's okay. You're going the other way.

  "No problem," he said. "Hop in. I'll run you home.

  I was about to protest again but when Matt looked at me with those sexy blue eyes, I thought, Why the hell not? He's cute, I'm tired and to heck with what's-her-name.

  I pushed away from the fence post. At my approach, the girl put her hand on Matt's knee. Her straight brown hair shimmered with streaky, blond highlights. She fingered the tiny silver cross hanging around her neck and turned her head slightly as I climbed into the seat behind her.

  Matt hooked an elbow over the seatback. "You know Summer, right?

  He ducked his head toward the girl.

  "No." I said. "You go to Hilltop?

  Summer didn't bother to make eye contact. "Uh huh. Probably why I've never seen you.

  "Yeah, well...

  Matt squirmed a little. "Summer, this is Allie. She lives by me." He shifted into first gear and pulled out onto the road. Summer's sun-kissed hair blew back away from her face revealing earlobes adorned with tiny diamond studs.

  She leaned toward Matt and snickered. "Elfie? Is she one of Santa's little helpers?

  "My name's Alfrieda. Allie, not 'Elfie.'" I wanted to add, "you bitch," but bit my tongue.

  "Oh," Summer's fingers moved from the cross. She flipped her hair back then touched the diamond stud in her right ear.

  Okay fine. This chick's not the only one with jewelry. Let her get a look at this!

  I pulled the moonstone out from beneath my shirt, grateful that Faye made me wear it. As I clutched it with the fingers of my right hand, I felt the outer edge rotate one click.

  Oops! I hadn't meant to do that. I shut my eyes, anticipating the dizziness, the blurred vision and nausea. Nothing. I opened my eyes. If anything, my senses were more acute, sharper than the scalpels we used to cut up frogs in science class. The sky was an unnatural shade of blue, the wind whipping across my face felt like warm silk.

  The apple orchards lining the road gave off a rich, heady scent even though we were months away from harvest. I felt something bubble up from deep inside me, like I'd captured the beauty and power of the moon and held it in the palm of my hand. Suddenly, I didn't care about Summer or what she thought of me. But I did care about Matt.

  I slid over to the middle of the seat so I could focus on him and ignore his snotty girlfriend, if that's what she was. My hand still held the moonstone. Summer murmured something to Matt then glanced over her shoulder at me. Her gaze flicked over my cut-off jeans and ratty old tank top. Her lips didn't move but clearly, I heard her laugh and the words, "Dollar store. She buys her clothes at the Dollar Store.

  Without thinking, I reacted. "Not the Dollar Store, Summer. Value Village, that's where I shop.

  Summer's head swiveled around and she stared at me, her eyes wide with surprise. "I didn't say anything about the Dollar Store.

  A flush crawled up her neck and flooded her cheeks, a sure sign of guilt, in my opinion. Matt shot me a puzzled look and removed Summer's hand from his leg. Then it hit me. I'd peeked into Summer's shallow little mind and read her thoughts. It had to be the moonstone. What else could it be?

  Matt pulled into Uncle Sid's driveway. I sat, motionless, gazing at the moonstone, wondering what I'd done. Summer wouldn't look at me. She gripped the edge of the seat so tightly her knuckles were as white as her French-manicured nails.

  Finally Matt turned around, his eyes flicking over my body. The heat in his glance slammed into me and drove me back against the seat. When his invasive thoughts burst into my mind, the ugliness of the words were like a physical blow.

  Cute little butt. Bet I'd be the first. Who's going to stop me? Her tramp of a mother?

  A yelp of surprise burst from my lips, and I dropped the moonstone. The poisonous brew of anger and betrayal swept through my body like wildfire. I drew back my arm, my hand curled into a fist.

  Matt blinked and recoiled. Before I could punch him, the heat in his eyes subsided and the old Matt re-appeared, the one with the Aw shucks grin and sleepy blue eyes.

  I unclenched my fist and lowered my arm. Shaking with fury, I leaned forward and whispered, "Not going to happen, mister. Not in your lifetime.

  "Huh?" Matt said but his gaze darted away from mine. "You okay, Allie?

  "Yeah, just dandy.

  As I stomped down the driveway, I heard the engine idle for a few moments then the spit of gravel as Matt slammed the Jeep into reverse and took off.

  Chapter Eight

  Later that night, head pounding againwhy did a headache
always follow these episodesI heard a familiar sound. Wind chimes. I hurried outside before Trilby could pop in. Faye was a light sleeper. Maybe she couldn't hear, see, smell, etc. Trilby, but she always knew if I was stirring, much less carrying on a conversation with my spirit guide.

  I found Trilby in the pasture, astride Blaster, who seemed unaware of her presence. When he saw me, he lowered his head and snorted. Satisfied I'd been duly warned, he went back to grazing, ripping up hunks of grass with his big yellow teeth. The sound of his munching seemed overly-loud in the night air.

  "Isn't this cool?" Trilby said. "I always wanted to ride a bull. Hey, why don't you join me?

  "Are you nuts? If I go in the pasture, Blaster will pass gas and toss me into the apple tree.

  Right on cue, the bull cut loose with a humongous fart. Trilby levitated upward, hovering over Blaster's back, her lip curled in distaste. "Sounds like one of my old boyfriends," she said, and vanished.

  I felt a sudden chill pass through my body, and a split second later, Trilby sat under the apple tree, leaning against its broad trunk. She patted the grass next to her. "Come. Sit.

  I sat down beside her taking care to keep my distance. "How's SeaTac?

  "Same old, same old." She shrugged. "But not for much longer. You passed the second test today. One more, and I'm outta there.

  "The mind-reading thing? Is that what you're talking about?

  "No, the Cory thing. You know, the kid you saved.

  "I should have let those guys beat him up.

  "But you didn't," Trilby said. "You put yourself at risk for someone else. Someone you don't give a damn about. That's the second test." She closed her eyes and smiled. "Groovy. Two down, one to go.

  "Tell me about the moonstone. I could hear people's thoughts. Did it work that way for you?

  Trilby's eyes flew open. Her smile disappeared. "It ruined my life, that's all. Why do you think I'm here?

  "Ruined your life? How?

  Trilby rolled her eyes. "Come on, pay attention. I'm the Slacker. The careless woman who defiled its purpose and tarnished its name. The prophecy, kid. The prophecy." She floated to her feet. "Gotta go. Catch you on the flip side.