by R G Peterson
“And see, it’s only $65. I will gladly loan you the extra fifteen.”
Nick tried not to let his disappointment show. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do.
“Yeah, Grandma, that might work. Thanks.”
As he finished his recollection of that morning, he hoped that Grace would see that his heart had been in the right place, and, like GG said, she would like it anyway. He suspected it was some cheap imitation because most of the other legitimate artifacts similar to it were going for ten times that amount.
Ten minutes before Grace’s party was scheduled to start the Ericson’s and Nick made their way down to the Walkers’ house. After the rest of the teens showed up, they settled in the living room eating pizza and drinking soda while Mary and John entertained Gayle and Henry in the kitchen.
As they ate, AJ recounted the game from Saturday night. Nick relished every part of the retelling – even though he had heard AJ tell it three previous times. With each rerun, every save, every shot on goal – especially the times he scored – took on a greater significance as if the outcome of the 7-3 game had ever been in doubt. As AJ grew more excited, Nick suppressed his desire to laugh as he watched the others smile every time AJ’s tale strayed from the facts.
At one point, as Nick played with the bracelet on his wrist, and his gaze swept the room, his eyes landed on Terry and he thought he heard Terry say, “Man you are so freakin’ full of it.” But he never saw Terry’s lips move. Instead he watched as Terry nodded his head and smiled like everyone else. No one else reacted so Nick passed it off as his imagination running wild.
When AJ finished, the conversation turned to next week’s game and whether Nick felt he would be available.
“Yeah, everything’s pretty much healed. I’m going to be at practice on Tuesday and test it out.”
Terry gave him two thumbs up and said, “Bro, I certainly hope you can go. Murphy in goal scares the hell out of me.”
He glanced at AJ and heard him concur, “Man, you can say that again.”
Nick said, “Guys, you’ve got to cut him a little slack. He’s doing the best he can.”
“Why you looking at me?” AJ asked, looking perplexed.
“Didn’t you just say…?”
“Don’t look at me, buddy. I didn’t say a thing.”
Nick glanced at the others for confirmation. Everyone shook their heads or shrugged their shoulders.
“You guys are screwing with me, right?”
Grace reached over and took hold of his hand, “Nick, I think you’re just tired. You’ve been through a lot this last week.”
Nick smiled at her and began to nod his head, “Yeah, that’s probably it.”
Grace swept her eyes around to the others and said, “I really appreciate you guys coming. The presents were great, and you shouldn’t have, but having you all here means more than anything else. Thanks.”
She placed the Quetzalcoatl statue – she had been holding it since she first opened it – in her lap to reach out and take hold of the hands of those closest to her, while she smiled lovingly at those sitting on the other side of the room.
Chapter 15
“Hey, are your visions back?”
The following Saturday the Shipbuilders had a game against conference rivals, Sheboygan North Vikings. At the start of the third period Manitowoc held a slim 4-3 lead. Every time the Shipbuilders pulled ahead, Murphy would allow a goal. Early in the third period the Vikings got a break away and as the shot went low and right, Murphy stretched for it with his leg and screamed out in pain. The puck went in, tying the score. Murphy lay in front of the goal writhing in agony.
The trainer slid across the ice and bent down. Seeing the pain Murphy was in, he motioned for some help. Three minutes later Murphy was carried off the ice and into the locker room.
As coach Johnson came back to the bench he signaled for Nick to get in goal. As Nick stepped onto the ice Coach Johnson put his arm around him and said, “We need you, Nick. Just do what you’ve always done and you’ll be fine…we’ll be fine. Hang tough. Okay?”
Nick nodded and skated toward the crease. As he glided forward he thought, Man, if he only knew. I can’t do what I’ve done before, unless my visions start coming back.
Nick warmed up and signaled to the refs that he was ready. The puck was dropped and before long, one of the Viking forwards was barreling down on Nick on a break away. Nick watched as the opponent feinted to his right before coming back to his left. Nick had studied the video on Sheboygan North and knew this was the forward’s favorite move. He slid to his left and easily blocked the shot. AJ recovered the miss and threw it ahead to a teammate. He sprinted up the ice, got a return pass, and scored.
Their teammates mobbed AJ, who turned and pointed at Nick and gave him a thumb up sign. No one in the arena, with the exception of Nick, AJ and Terry knew it, but the game was over. Nick stopped three more shots on goal and Terry and AJ added one more goal apiece.
Sitting in the locker room afterward, Terry asked conspiratorially, “Hey, are your visions back?”
AJ looked on with eagerness to hear Nick’s reply.
Nick shook his head. “It just kinda came naturally. I remember watching these guys on video and every little nuance stuck with me.”
AJ looked at Nick uncomprehending. Terry saw the confused look on his face and explained, “Nuance means slight gesture or movement.”
“Oh, why didn’t you just say so?” AJ responded. “So you’re back?”
“Yeah, I think I am,” Nick said as he sat a little straighter.
Terry slapped him on the back and continued to get undressed. Nick finished taking off his equipment while facing his locker, then wrapped a towel around his waist.
AJ couldn’t help but ask, “So how’s the old…?”
Nick looked over his shoulder and noticed AJ looking down at Nick’s groin.
He laughed, “It’s fine. The potion you guys brewed proved to be a life saver, literally and figuratively.”
The other four were waiting for them outside in the lobby. They jumped in two separate cars: Maddy, Nick and Grace in AJ’s, Terry and Anthony in Miriam’s. They headed to Luigi’s Italian Restaurant. They ordered three large pizzas and drank Dr. Pepper while they waited.
“Great game, you guys,” Miriam offered. “Nick, you looked like your old self.”
“Yeah, I feel like my old self. That was fun.”
Grace wrapped her arm inside of Nick’s and smiled at him.
“So are the visions back?” Anthony asked.
“Uh-uh. That was all him,” AJ beamed. “He studied their nonsenses.”
Everyone looked confused so Terry offered, “Nuances.”
A chorus of, “Ohs,” went up from the table.
“Yeah, thanks to AJ and Grace giving me extra practice, I seem to be getting in a groove.” Nick couldn’t hide his satisfaction from showing, knowing he had done it on his own without having to use his “gifts.”
AJ pretended to hold something high over his head. “I can see myself now, hoisting that state championship trophy. Man, that is gonna be sweet.”
Everyone smiled, but Grace cautioned him using one of AJ’s mixed metaphors, “Don’t start counting all of your chickens in one basket.”
Later outside of Grace’s house, Grace leaned forward to kiss Nick goodnight.
She said, “I think it’s wonderful what you did tonight. I don’t mean winning. Or stopping those shots on goal. I really, really love that you stuck to it. And that you finally know that you can do it on your own. You don’t need special gifts.”
He looked at her in a way that made her take a step back.
“What is it, Nick?”
“The other day when I came home from the hospital, I didn’t tell you guys everything I experienced when I was in the coma. You know the bright light and the feeling of being…loved.” He blushed and looked away. “Anyway, it was unconditional. I almost didn’t come back. I wanted to feel
that way forever. It was something I’d never felt before. Even from you or GG.”
He glanced back to watch Grace’s reaction. He saw the hurt look in her eyes.
“Don’t get me wrong. I really like how you feel about me. When I’m around you I feel… I don’t know…special. But what I felt was something I realized no person can give to someone else, no matter how much they care about that person. The funny thing is,” he looked away again, “as much as I love you, that feeling has made me feel freer to love you even more.” He swept his eyes toward her before adding, “I know that sounds kinda stupid but…”
Grace reached out and took both of his hands in hers. She smiled so warm and lovingly Nick’s heart melted.
But he had more to say. “And it’s also made me come to realize what’s really important: you, my grandparents, my friends. Not some silly hockey game. It helped me see things more as they are, or at least should be. So suddenly, I feel much more relaxed about stuff. But, it also made me want to be the best I can be in all things, especially for you.”
Grace threw her arms around Nick and kissed him like she had never kissed him before. Nick sensed she wasn’t holding anything back. He felt light and free as he returned her kiss with as much passion as he had ever felt in his life. It felt like they were the only two people alive.
When they finally pulled apart, Grace said, “I want to feel this way forever.”
“Me, too.”
Chapter 16
“How soon you forget. We had an agreement.”
The following week, while preparing for a rare Sunday afternoon game, Terry was rummaging around in his dad’s study when Thanatos walked in unexpectedly.
“Hello, Terrance. I take it you are not busy at the moment. I am aware that you have a hockey game tonight.” Thanatos shook his head sending the message to Terry that he couldn’t believe anyone would waste their time on such a lowly pursuit.
“What’re you doing here?” Terry demanded.
“How soon you forget. We had an agreement. I allow you and your friends to go free, as well as permit Ligeia to accompany you to create the potion that saved your brother’s life, and, in return, I get back all of the information you stole from me. By the way, how did you know where to find it on my computer? None of you speak Greek.”
Terry shrugged, “No clue. I was only supposed to alibi Nick, Maddy, AJ and Grace. Earlier this month was the first time I’d ever seen your place.”
“Come, come. Surely the One Spoken of in the Prophecy would not allow himself to be kept in the dark?”
“I guess that just shows, you don’t know as much about what goes on in our world as you think you do.”
Terry could see he had struck a blow to Thanatos’ ego and allowed himself to display a triumphant smile. “Anyway, I didn’t need to know that part of the plan. Besides, if I did know, I don’t believe I’d share that with you anyway. It’s not part of our…agreement.”
Thanatos raised his hands and gave him a dismissive wave as if it didn’t matter to him anyway. “I am here for more important reasons. I have come to set up dates for your education as part of our…agreement.”
“I’m a little busy right now. Maybe you could check back, oh, let’s say, in a decade or two.”
Thanatos chuckled, “Yes, I thought you might take that attitude, which is why I am prepared to put something else on the table for you to consider.”
Terry waited, confident Thanatos had nothing that could make Terry more agreeable.
“How is Anthony, by the way?”
Terry froze. Only those in the Clan knew that Anthony was gay. Terry had known almost from the first moment he saw him. He was also keenly aware of Anthony’s feelings for him. Moreover, Terry knew that he, himself, fell into the 1% of the population who felt no sexual attraction toward either sex. In fact, until moments like this, he gave it absolutely no thought. Sure, he cared for Anthony, and maybe a bit more than he did for Maddy or AJ or Miriam or Grace or even Nick, but not in the way Anthony felt toward him. His concerns and feelings for Anthony were based on Anthony being one of the few people in his life who cared for Terry as a person and not because he might be The One.
He tried to regain his composure, shrugged his shoulders as if he couldn’t care less and said, “What’s it to you?”
“Let us just say, if I do not get more cooperation from you in this matter, I believe his little secret may get out. And we all know how cruel teenagers can be in regard to one’s sexual preference.”
Terry attempted to put on an unconcerned mask and said, “So, whadya want from me?”
“Starting next week we will meet on a regular basis to continue your education. It is essential that when the time comes that you are ready to take your rightful place as the prophecy predicts. I will instruct you in the subtle art of manipulating people. I will teach you who can be bought or sold. In other words, how to get what you want, as I am doing at this moment. Let this be your first lesson.”
Terry turned away in disgust.
“You will also learn it is not so bad. In fact, I believe you will grow to like it.”
Terry mumbled, “Not likely.”
Thanatos smiled and began to stand up. “So how is your brother anyway?”
“Great, no thanks to you.”
“And what do you mean by that?”
“Just that Grace realized that Ligeia picked a wrong plant for the potion. We figured you instructed her to do so. So, like I said, no thanks to you.”
“Ah, youth. Such folly. I assure you I would never do anything like that where either you or Nicholas is concerned. Ligeia probably just made an honest mistake. Nothing more. After all, many of those plants do look remarkably alike.”
Terry studied Thanatos. If he was lying it didn’t show. But Terry also knew he had years of practice.
“Sure. Anything else? I’d like to get ready for our game.”
“Not at this time. I will make arrangements for our next meeting in a week’s time.”
“I’m already looking forward to it.”
Thanatos ignored Terry’s sarcasm. He stared at Terry with an impatience parents show impertinent teenagers.
When Terry realized Thanatos was still standing there, he said, “I really do have to get ready. Our team bus leaves in a half hour. Have a nice trip and I’ll see you next week.” Terry looked at him as if the last thing in the world he wanted for Alastor Thanatos was for him to have a nice trip. Thanatos gave Terry an oily smile and left.
Once Terry was sure Thanatos had gone and would not return, he turned his attention to the glass of water Thanatos had placed on the desk. He focused his full attention on the water within. He cupped his hands on either side of the glass and willed the water to boil. Nothing. He tried to make it rise on its own accord. Still nothing. He stared at it. Picked up the glass and poured the water into his hands, picturing it turning into a ball he could cradle in his palm. The water ran through his fingers and spread across the desk. He gaped at it as if he had spilled his own blood.
“Maybe you are The One, Nick.”
Chapter 17
“And yeh’re drivin’ me crazy”
Nick and Grace joined Maddy and AJ in AJ’s rec room that same Sunday. They had met like this the week before when Nick had his comeback game. AJ, being extremely superstitious, insisted they meet like this before every game, home or away, to ensure Nick would repeat his performance and, thus, guarantee a win for the team. The other three scoffed at the idea, but to keep AJ on his game, they agreed.
AJ grabbed his usual spot sitting in the recliner. Maddy, Nick and Grace sat on the sofa. They talked about school and the upcoming game. Grace and Maddy lapsed into the school gossip about who was dating whom and which couples had recently broken up. Nick and AJ cross-talked over them discussing their two favorite professional hockey teams, the Blackhawks and the Devils, the girl’s conversation buzzed in Nick’s head.
Nick wore his mother’s bracelet – it had become his
good luck charm. He twisted it around his wrist as he spoke. Maddy held up her hand to stop Grace in midsentence and turned to Nick.
“Yeh’re goin’ to rub yer wrist raw. And yeh’re drivin’ me crazy. Would yeh stop that, please?”
Nick put his hands down by his side, but within a minute he was back at it. Maddy grabbed his wrist and placed her hand over the bracelet.
“Give it ta me,” she insisted.
Nick slid it off his wrist and handed it to her. They returned to their respective conversations. Soon, Maddy began playing with the bracelet. She pulled the stud out and unraveled the leather band. Nick watched her out of the corner of his eye. Maddy appeared to be unaware of what she was doing, but as her conversation with Grace picked up in intensity while discussing the relationship between the head cheerleader and the captains of the football and basketball teams, Maddy twisted the bracelet around her fingers and pulled it apart as she held onto the ends. The bracelet spiraled and sagged.
Nick sat bolt upright. “Stop,” he commanded.
The girls froze thinking Nick was upset with the direction their conversation had taken, but when they looked at him they noticed he was staring at Maddy’s hands and his mother’s bracelet.
A half-hour after Thanatos left, Anthony was ushered into the study by Gabriella.
“Thanks, Gabriella. Hi, T, what’s up?” Anthony asked when he noticed Terry looking pensive. “Focused on tonight’s game?”
Terry’s eyes cleared and a tiny smile creased his lips.
