by Claire Fogel
“Hi, Mrs. Strauss. It’s so nice of you to invite us here today. Your house smells amazing!” I kissed her rosy cheek.
She laughed. “I love baking for people, and Amy’s friends have always been my favorite people. With the bakery closed, I have too much time on my hands. So you’re all doing me a favor. Now go on into the den, and Amy will bring in the tarts and a pot of fresh coffee. I know you’re all coffee drinkers, even though I think you should all be drinking milk. You’re still growing, you know.” Amy smiled, rolling her eyes.
Mrs. Strauss bustled back to the stove and Amy led us into their den, a large room at the back of the house where we’d played when we were children. Windows on three sides provided a beautiful view of their backyard. I spotted Patrick and Gabe out there, partially hidden in the large grove of apple trees. I’d forgotten how large Amy’s backyard was. It had to cover at least an acre, maybe more. There had always been fruit trees in their yard, apple, pear, lemon, and cherry, but the trees had grown a great deal since I’d played there.
It occurred to me that there were too many places for someone to hide in that yard.
The four of us talked about school and our senior year while we gobbled apple tarts and drank the best coffee I’d ever tasted. Amy confided that her mother always added a little cinnamon to the ground coffee. And for those of us who didn’t drink black coffee, there was heavy cream, rather than milk.
Kevin chuckled. “You’re going to have to invite us over more often. This is a real treat.”
Amy smiled. “All of this is mainly because the bakery is closed. Normally, my parents are working there, not here. I think they really miss the bakery. I’m hoping they change their mind about rebuilding and reopening. We’d all be happier if they could just get past their fear. But these latest threats aren’t helping.”
We talked about sports; both Sean and Amy were exceptionally athletic. Sean had already started football practice, and Amy was looking forward to soccer season. Kevin was one of Thornewood High’s mathletes and head of what Amy jokingly called “Nerd Central.” When we were freshmen, Kevin might have been considered a nerd, but he’d turned into a tall, slender, good looking young man who had begun attracting some female attention around the end of our junior year. And since he was under contract to a video game manufacturer, he was also a successful entrepreneur with money in the bank. Kevin’s new black Jeep was a symbol of his success.
I asked him, “Have you finished “Zombie Revenge” yet? I’m waiting for my complimentary copy.”
He grinned. “Yeah, I sent it off last week. Don’t worry; I made copies for you guys, although Sean’s the only gamer in the group. What do you and Amy do with your copies anyway?”
Amy laughed. “You won’t believe it, but my dad is a serious gamer. While Mom watches her TV shows at night, my father is glued to his game console. Your first game is still his favorite.”
Kevin looked surprised. “I’ll definitely add your dad to my short list of beta players; the others are a few guys in my math classes who give me feedback.”
He turned to me. “I see you brought your messenger bag with you, short stuff. Got anything new to show us?”
I’d never shown my Elf drawings to anyone but Sean, so I pulled the entire folder out of my bag and spread them out on a game table that sat in a corner. Amy turned on the lamp that hung over the table. I wondered how long it would take them to spot the Elves hidden in each picture.
“You did these while you were in Elvenwood, didn’t you?” Amy asked.
“This is a special series of drawings that I did over the summer,” I said.
Kevin took a closer look. “Special?” Then he chuckled. “These are really great. You have to look closely before you see what’s hiding there.”
Amy bent over the table. “Well, your drawings are always wonderful . . . oh, am I seeing what I think I’m seeing?” she asked me. I nodded, smiling.
Sean said, “You showed me this one, but you’ve done so many and they’re all fantastic. Didn’t you say that Francis Sullivan encouraged you to do this series?”
Naturally, Amy’s shriek was the next thing we heard. “Francis Sullivan? Not the famous artist who paints kids playing?”
“The same one. He liked my drawings the first time he saw them and thought I should do more of what I’ve been calling my Elf drawings.”
Amy gasped. “You don’t mean that Francis Sullivan is an . . .”
“He lives in Elvenwood. It’s a well-kept secret, of course, so don’t say anything to anybody, okay?”
She looked insulted. “I can keep a secret, you know.” Kevin and I just looked at each other and tried not to laugh. Amy was an incurable gossip, but to be fair, she had kept our secret. So far.
Pointing to the picture I’d done of Arlynn hiding in the grove of white roses, she asked, “This gorgeous creature isn’t real, is she? I mean, I know the Elves are all unusually good looking, but this one had to come straight out of your imagination, right?”
Kevin laughed. “She’s as real as any of us. She gave me my first knife-throwing lessons, and to be honest, it was really hard remembering to look at the target instead of at her.”
Amy’s mouth hung open. “Are you serious? She’s real? I hope she’s married, Cara, because no girl would stand a chance if she’s actually available.”
“Relax, Amy. She and Conor are in a relationship. I think they’re both off the market.”
She started fanning herself, as though we’d just saved her from a fate worse than death. “Well, I hope I never have to stand next to Arlynn. It would destroy what little confidence I have.”
Kevin was laughing as he got up to pour more coffee for us. From the front of the house, we heard a loud crash, like breaking glass, and we all ran through the kitchen and out to the front porch, Mr. Strauss right behind us.
Ryan and Neal were standing out in the street in front of a raging fire that seemed to be burning nothing. Ryan called out, “Call the Chief. Tell him to look for a black van with no markings that’s heading toward Main Street.” Amy pulled out her cell phone.
Mr. Strauss had gone back in the house to grab a fire extinguisher and ran into the street to put out the gasoline that was blazing in the middle of the road. The smell of the gasoline made my nose hurt. Neal stayed there with him as Ryan walked to the porch to talk to me.
“Where’d that fire come from?” I asked him.
“This black van drove by very slowly. Neal and I were watching it carefully, but I don’t think the driver saw us. When they were right in front of this house, the driver threw a bottle with a flaming rag at the house. It would have gone through one of the windows if I hadn’t caught it. I threw it back at the van but the driver took off fast and it shattered in the street.” He looked down at his hands that were slightly red. I hoped they wouldn’t blister.
Kevin and Sean were standing behind me, listening. Sean said, “That was what’s called a Molotov cocktail, Ryan. It could have done a lot of damage if you hadn’t caught it.”
Amy had called Chief O’Donnell while Ryan was describing what had happened. It wasn’t more than two minutes before we heard sirens. Three police cars sped down the street, screeching to a stop in front of Amy’s house. Chief O’Donnell jumped out of one, rushing to where we were standing.
“Is everyone okay?” he asked.
“We’re fine,” Amy said. “But if Ryan hadn’t caught the bottle thrown at our window, the house would be on fire.” She pointed at the burn marks and broken glass on the street.
The Chief shook his head. “When I got your call, I sent two patrol cars out to look for that black van, but it was gone, probably made it to the highway. Did anyone get the license plate?”
Ryan said, “It was covered with something so it couldn’t be read. Probably mud.”
The Chief didn’t say anything right away. Frowning, he said, “You must have been followed when you came over here. Whoever’s working for Gaynes must have thought with
all of you here, they could do a lot of damage with just one Molotov cocktail. If we’d been able to catch that van, we might have gotten some answers. I don’t think they’ll try anything else while you’re here, so will you all be here for a while?”
I looked at Amy. “Should we stay? If your parents are too upset, we can go home.”
Mr. Strauss said, “We’re not going to chase you away. You all wanted to spend a good day together before school starts tomorrow, so let’s go back in the house. We were making lunch when all this happened. Come in, please.” He sounded worried.
Chief O’Donnell said, “Call me if anything changes. My men will keep their eyes open for that black van.” He got back into one of the police cars and we went back in the house with Mr. Strauss. That was when I realized that Mrs. Strauss hadn’t come outside with us.
I found her in the den, sitting at the game table with my Elf drawings in front of her. Hadn’t she heard the commotion in front of the house? Maybe she was hard of hearing.
Everyone else was in the kitchen, talking while Amy made fresh coffee.
I sat down with Mrs. Strauss. She seemed fixated on one of my Elf drawings. “What do you think of them?” I asked.
“Cara, liebchen, these people you’ve hidden in your drawings, you know them, don’t you?”
That was a surprise. I didn’t think Amy had told her parents about the Elves.
Hesitating, I asked, “Did Amy tell you about my father . . . or something?”
She laughed softly. “No. I knew people like these back home, in Austria. They lived in the forest near my village.”
“Why do you think I know the imaginary people in my drawings?”
She smiled and shrugged. “There’s always been something about you, liebchen, that’s a little fey, I think.” She turned back to my drawings, picking up the one I’d drawn of Adam, leaning against a tree at the pond.
“Now, I have to look hard to see this young man, but he reminds me of the young men from the forest where I grew up. So very handsome, but different from the men in my village.”
She put the drawing down and turned to me. “I’ve always believed that Blackthorne Forest is home to the same kind of people I knew back home. And this town is richer for them. Your bodyguards are from the forest, aren’t they?”
What could I say? She knew and understood, and I felt sure she would keep our secret.
“Yes, the boys are all from the forest. They work for my father, Brian Blackthorne.”
She gave me a warm smile. “Thank you for trusting me, Cara. Your secret is safe with me. You’ve told Amy about the people from the forest, haven’t you?”
“Of course. I only met my father a few months ago. I knew nothing about him until I turned sixteen. It . . . changed my life. It was a little difficult to absorb, and having the support of friends like Amy, Kevin, and Sean was a huge help.”
She leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Let’s go into the kitchen and get some of that coffee they were supposed to be making. I’m sure you’re all hungry after all that commotion outside.” Aha, she wasn’t deaf. She had simply chosen to ignore it.
Mr. Strauss had been busy making sandwiches, thick roast beef sandwiches on his homemade bread. The kitchen was filled with the wonderful smell of fresh-baked bread. Amy carried a tray of sandwiches into the den, followed by Kevin with a pot of coffee. Amy’s parents joined us.
When we’d all finished eating, Mr. Strauss said, “It’s good that you’re all here today because what happened earlier makes me think that the Chief was wrong when he said you’d all be safer if you stick together when you’re outside your homes. It seems to me that keeping you together just gives these attackers an advantage. They can kill many birds with one stone.” He frowned, looking embarrassed. “Well, not kill exactly, but you know what I mean.”
I thought he made a good point. Kevin added, “Actually, if there hadn’t been so many of our bodyguards present, it could have been worse. When we’re not all together, it’s one person and one bodyguard, which I think is more of a risk.”
Mr. Strauss shook his head, frowning. “You may be right, but how can we be sure?”
The doorbell rang and Amy’s father got up to answer the door. We heard him say, “Hello, Mr. Blackthorne. Please come in. We’re all fine. There was no damage.”
My father walked into the den and all conversation stopped. Even in jeans and a button-down shirt, he had a commanding presence. His eyes found mine immediately. I smiled to let him know I was fine.
He looked around the room at all of us and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “The Chief contacted me to let me know what happened here this morning.” He shook his head. “I am relieved that no one was hurt and no damage was done. Both the police and my men did exactly what they were supposed to do to avert a disaster.”
Mr. Strauss pointed to another chair. “Please have a seat, Mr. Blackthorne.”
“Thank you, Mr. Strauss. I’m glad I have the chance this afternoon to speak to all of you, especially you, Mr. and Mrs. Strauss, because you have suffered the most from this madman’s rampage against me and those dear to me.”
Mrs. Strauss’ accented voice came from the doorway to the den. “We do not blame you, Mr. Blackthorne. We have never blamed you.”
My father looked over at the small, middle-aged redhead in the doorway. “You’re very gracious, but I do feel responsible, responsible for the closing of your bakery, responsible for the impact to your income and your way of life. These are not small things. If and when you decide to rebuild your bakery and reopen your business, I am pledging my help, in every possible way. I know that the people of Thornewood would be extremely happy to see the doors of the Strauss Bakery open again.
“But right now, we must focus on the safety of our children and our homes. You all know that our Police Chief has dedicated his entire force to protecting you, your homes, and your vehicles. His men are working around the clock, seven days a week, to keep us safe. My men are doing the same. You’ve all seen the bodyguards who are accompanying our children, but there are dozens more, who you won’t see, guarding your homes and keeping an eye on all of you. Starting tomorrow, there will be plainclothes police inside Thornewood High as well. It won’t be possible for any strangers to enter the school.
“I’m sorry that today didn’t turn out the way you planned,” he said, looking at Amy, Sean, and Kevin. But I still think you’re all safer when you’re together, you and your bodyguards.”
Mrs. Strauss bustled into the den with the coffee pot, refilling cups and handing a cup to my father, who smiled his thanks. Then she placed a tray of muffins on the table and invited us to help ourselves. Naturally, the muffins were fantastic, just as good as the muffins Arlynn baked.
We talked among ourselves as we ate. Amy and I talked about our back to school clothes, while Sean and Kevin talked sports and gaming. My father and Amy’s parents were smiling. I could hear my father asking them questions about the bakery. Mr. and Mrs. Strauss appeared to be considering the necessary repairs, which was a good sign.
We all passed a relaxed hour eating, drinking coffee, and chatting. When I looked at the clock, it was four o’clock, getting close to dinnertime, and I thought we’d taken up space in the Strauss’ home long enough.
“I think it’s about time we cleared out so Amy and her family can think about dinner. Dad, would you like to ride with us? I’ll be taking Sean, Kevin, and their bodyguards home.”
I wondered if he’d be nervous about my driving.
He stood, dwarfing everyone else in the room, and thanked Amy’s parents for their hospitality. He murmured to Mr. Strauss, “Please let me know if I can be of help at any time.”
My father turned to me with a grin. “I’ve been looking forward to riding around town with you, and I promise I won’t even nag you about your speed.” Kevin snickered.
Amy hugged each of us at the front door, even my father who seemed pleased. When we walked out on the front porch, R
yan pulled a silver whistle out of his pocket and blew it. Naturally, we couldn’t hear anything, but Gabriel and Patrick came running around the house from the backyard.
My father asked, “Are there others back there now?” Gabriel nodded, so I knew more Elves had arrived to keep an eye on Amy’s house.
Kevin and my dad climbed into the front seat of my car, while Sean, Gabe, Patrick and Ryan piled into the back seat. My father was sitting next to me, so I mentioned that Sean’s father wanted to see him.
“Since your mother is still at the bookstore, this is probably a good time,” he said. He asked Sean, “Is your father home now?” Sean said he was, and my dad said, “Let’s take Kevin and Patrick home first, then we can come back to see Sean’s father.”
“Okay, Dad.” I started the car, racing the engine a bit just to see my father’s reaction. I was surprised when he laughed, saying, “I really must learn to drive a car. I think it would be fun.”
He sounded so enthusiastic, kind of like a boy with a new toy, and I couldn’t help laughing. “You should learn. You could take lessons like I did. I don’t know if you could actually get a license, but at least you’d know how to drive.” He nodded, smiling.
By this time I was doing forty on Mill Road, just about to turn the corner to our street, and my father hadn’t said a word about my driving. He actually seemed to be enjoying the ride. When I reached Kevin’s house, there was already a patrol car parked on his cul-de-sac. I pulled up in front of his house, and he and Patrick climbed out.
Kevin leaned in. “Thanks for playing chauffeur today, short stuff. Which one of us is driving to school tomorrow?”
