by Geof Johnson
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to unpack. I was going to visit my sister this weekend, remember?”
She looked at him like she was expecting some sympathy, but he wasn’t in the mood to give her any. He lay down on the sofa and closed his eyes. “You can visit her some other time.”
“Duane, what are we going to tell people when they ask where Sammi is? I mean, if we don’t find her soon?”
“Um...tell ’em she went to stay with your sister in Spartanburg.”
She seemed to think about that and said, “What if we don’t get her back?”
“We’ll get her back. I’ll find her, if it’s the last thing I do.”
* * *
Jamie made a doorway for Fred and Sammi to return from Momma Sue’s house, and he spent the rest of the time until dinner trying to learn more about Sammi’s magic. She was not very helpful, though. She seemed more interested in her new necklace.
“Look what Momma Sue gave me!” she said again, displaying it proudly. “It’s a half moon, and it’s silver. Real silver.”
She started to twirl it and Jamie quickly held out both hands. “Stop! I’m not wearing my counter charm. I don’t want to get hexed.”
“I have one.” She gestured at a bracelet on her wrist, made out of woven fabric. She shook it and smiled as it danced around her arm.
Jamie scratched his head and sighed. “We’re not getting anywhere right now.” He turned to Fred, sitting beside him on her gold sofa. “Is it almost time to eat?” He had dropped several hints about staying for dinner, but Fred had ignored them so far.
“Yes.” She stood and offered her hand to him. “And you need to go.”
“But I haven’t learned that much about Sammi’s magic yet.”
“Some other time.” She pulled him up from his seat and led him to the foyer, stopping at the front door and putting her arms around his waist.
“But I —”
“Shh!” She gave him a quick kiss and lowered her voice. “Don’t pout. I’ll visit you tonight in a dream.”
“You’d better. I’ve hardly seen you at all this weekend.”
“We have extenuating circumstances.”
“True. But tomorrow I need to talk more with Sammi. I’ll try to get off work early so I can try a few things with her, while the sun is still high enough to give us some good shadows. I really want to see how her power works.”
“Fine, but don’t push her too hard. She’s just a little kid, you know.” She opened the front door, kissed him again, and gave him a gentle push toward the steps. “Now scoot.”
Jamie jammed his hands in his pockets and sulked across the street to his house, where he found his father in the family room, reading the paper in the recliner, and his mother making dinner.
Rachel leaned her head out of the kitchen door. “Jamie, are Fred and Sammi home yet?”
“They’ve been home. I wanted to talk more with Sammi, but Fred kicked me out.”
Rachel pulled off her apron and dropped it on a nearby chair. “I’m going to run over there for a minute. I’ll be right back.”
“What about dinner?”
“It’s almost done. I set the timer on the stove. When it dings, turn the oven off.”
“They’re getting ready to eat, mom.”
“Lisa won’t mind if I just pop in. I want to see Sammi for a minute.”
“You just saw her this morning,” Carl said without looking up from his newspaper.
“Not for very long.” She hurried down the hall to the front door.
When Jamie heard it slam, he said, “Dad, why is she doing that?”
Carl rubbed the side of his face for a moment before turning to Jamie. “She likes Sammi, and I think she feels partly responsible for Sammi being here.”
“But....” Jamie looked down the hall where his mother had just gone. “Don’t you think she’s going a little bit overboard with this? And Fred’s mom too? They’re acting so...I don’t know...weird.”
“Jamie,” Carl said with a sigh. “I think...I think they’re both suffering from empty nest syndrome. Do you know what that is?”
“Yeah, but I haven’t left home yet. School doesn’t start until August.”
“But you’re gone a lot now. We don’t see you as much as we used to.”
“But I have things to do.”
“Like hang out with your friends?”
“Everybody does that. It’s what you do when you’re my age.”
“I know. I did it, too. But your mom is having a hard time dealing with it. You’re her only child.”
“You don’t seem too bothered by it.”
Carl inhaled deeply through his nose and stared at the wall before he answered. “I’m not feeling it as badly as your mother, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think about it. I’m going to miss you when you’re gone.” He turned to Jamie with a sad smile on his face.
“But I can come home from college anytime I want, just by making a doorway.”
“But will you?”
“Yeah, sure.” He nodded. “I will.”
“You say that now, but wait ’till you’re on campus, doing the college thing. You won’t hardly think about us then.”
“That’s not true. I will.”
Carl looked at Jamie silently for a long time. Finally, he gave his head a tight shake and said, “I’m going to remind you of this conversation when it’s October and we haven’t seen you for weeks. And please have some sympathy for your mother right now, and Fred’s mother, too. If they want to dote on this little runaway girl, humor them. Sammi may be just what they need to fill the void when you and Fred leave for school.”
“You make it sound like the Callahans are going to keep Sammi.”
“If they don’t, we might. Your mother and I talked about it, and we’re going to look into what it takes to become a foster parent.”
“But...you’d keep her here?”
“Where else, Jamie?”
“I dunno.” He tried to imagine another child living in their house, taking his place. “I kinda thought one of us would keep her for a few days until we’re sure her foster father isn’t coming after her, and I could figure out if she’s here for some larger reason, a cosmic one, as Bryce calls it.” Jamie scratched his jaw and stared thoughtfully at his father. “I hadn’t thought about where she’d go or what she’d do after that.”
Carl gestured at the newspaper in his lap. “There’s an article in here, another foster care horror story, part of a weekly series. This little boy was taken out of his foster home because somebody found him naked and handcuffed to the front porch, shivering like he’d been there all night. Your mother read this a little while ago, and now she’s even more worried about Sammi. She and Lisa both are.”
“What about Rollie’s mom?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s over at the Callahan’s house right now.”
* * *
Sammi insisted on setting the table for dinner after Rachel and Adele left. Fred leaned against the wall with her arms crossed and watched as the small girl carefully arranged each plate and the silverware. “You’re being a little kiss-up,” Fred told her. Sammi’s eyebrows drew down and Fred laughed.
“You’re going to make me look bad,” Fred said. “Did you set the table at the Gundy’s house?”
“We mostly ate in front of the TV,” she answered, too focused on her task to look at Fred. She eyed the place settings and pointed at each one. “Your mommy and your daddy will sit on the ends, and you’ll sit on that side, and I’ll sit here.” She touched the spot closest to her, turned to Fred and grinned, dimples showing in each cheek.
Fred couldn’t help but laugh again at the happy-looking child. No need to get so excited, Sammi, Fred almost said aloud. It’s just dinner. But when Sammi ran back to the kitchen to get the napkins, Fred realized that it was more important than that. This is something that she wants very badly. A real dinner with a real family. Fred stare
d blankly at the table. She’s probably been thinking about this for months. Fred shook her head and sighed. And I take it for granted.
Dinner was awkward that night, the most awkward Fred could remember. While Lisa tried to be accommodating to their little guest, Larry sat quietly through the entire meal, stiff as a statue, visibly uncomfortable. Sammi didn’t seem to notice, though, glowing like a jar full of sunlight and bubbling like a fountain at every question Lisa asked. By the time they finished eating, they knew almost everything about Sammi.
“Well, Libby sounds like a very good friend,” Lisa said as she set her fork on her empty plate. “I think she and her brother took a big risk by taking you to the bus station.”
“Unh hunh,” Sammi said. “Their daddy would spank ’em hard if he found out, especially about the money.”
“What money?” Larry said and narrowed his eyes.
“They gave me the money for my bus ticket. They snuck it from their daddy, mostly.” Sammi bit her lower lip. “I, um, kinda told them I’d pay them back when I get the chance. Is there...is there something I can do to make some money? I can wash your cars or rake leaves, maybe.”
“Wrong time of year for raking,” Lisa said. “How much was it?”
“Sixty-five dollars,” she said quietly.
Larry gazed at Sammi, slowly working his lower jaw as if he were chewing on something of questionable taste. “I’ll give you the money. You can make it up to us by doing some chores around the house while you’re here.” Sammi’s face lit up again and he added, “Since Fred doesn’t seem to do them anymore.”
“Hey!” Fred sat up in her seat. “I do chores. I wash the dishes.”
“When?” Lisa asked.
“Uh...this week.”
“When this week” Lisa arched one eyebrow.
Fred scowled at her mother. “Fine. Sammi and I will do the dishes tonight.”
“Mr. Callahan?” Sammi bit one thumbnail as she looked at Larry. “Is it okay if I call Libby so I can tell her I’m okay?”
“That’ll be long distance.”
“I won’t talk long,” Sammi said quickly. “I don’t want her to worry about me, and she’s my best friend and all.” She made a pitiful puppy dog face at Larry, more devastating than any Fred had ever made, with her big brown eyes sad as a heartbreak. Fred knew her father had no defense against that.
Larry waved a hand and looked away. “Yeah, fine. Just keep it short. And block the caller ID, too. We don’t want anybody knowing where you’re calling from.”
Sammi vibrated with excitement while she waited with Fred’s parents for Fred to tap the numbers on the phone. Fred finished, offered it to Sammi and said, “I dialed star sixty-seven so they won’t know it’s us.”
Sammi waved both hands frantically at Fred. “No, you talk to them first, in case her daddy answers.”
Fred shrugged and held the phone to her face. “Good idea.” Sammi held her breath until Fred spoke into the handset, “Hello, may I please speak to Libby?” She whispered to Sammi, “It sounds like a teenage boy answered.”
“That’s Luke,” Sammi said, bouncing in place and reaching for the phone. Fred handed it to her, and Sammi put it to her ear and held her breath again until she heard a girl’s voice on the other end. “Hello?”
“Libby, it’s me.”
“Sammi!” Libby squealed.
“Shhh. Not so loud. We don’t want your parents to hear you.”
“Oh, right. So...so you made it?”
“Yes! I’m here in you-know-where.”
“Awesome! Are they going to let you stay?”
Sammi glanced at Fred’s parents before answering, “I don’t know yet. But I’m staying here for now.”
“Mr. Gundy came here looking for you and my daddy threatened to shoot him.”
“Oh, yes!” Sammi breathed a heavy sigh of relief. “Then maybe he won’t come looking for me.” Sammi nodded and said, “I’m going to send you the money for the bus ticket. I’ll send cash so your daddy won’t know.” She glanced at Fred’s father again and he mouthed, Cash?
“That’s good,” Libby said. “I’ll get a whipping if he finds out.” Sammi heard Libby draw in a deep breath. “Oh, Sammi, I miss you something awful and it’s only been three days!”
Sammi felt a sharp pang in her heart and she swallowed hard. “I miss you, too. You’re my best friend in the whole world, Libby.”
Sammi heard a man’s voice in the background and Libby said. “My daddy’s here. I gotta go. Call me again, okay?”
“Wait! I need your address!”
“Forty-two-oh-five Tilly Road. Bye!”
The line went dead and Sammi felt tears well in her eyes. Fred put her hand on Sammi’s shoulder. “Come on, kiddo. Let’s get you in the bathtub. That’ll make you feel better.”
Fred went upstairs with Sammi to help her get ready for her bath, and Fred took her camera with her to get a picture of the bruises on the little girl’s back. Sammi didn’t want to let her at first. She sat stubbornly on the edge of the tub, fully clothed with her shoulders hunched and her arms wrapped tightly around her chest, eyebrows drawn down so low that her eyes nearly disappeared.
Fred pointed out that she needed the photo as evidence in case Mr. Gundy was ever charged with child abuse. “Since your foster mother won’t back you up,” Fred reminded Sammi. The sullen child reluctantly removed her shirt and exposed her back so that Fred could take her picture, and Fred winced when she saw the purple and green marks across Sammi’s shoulder blades and lower back. The look in Sammi’s eyes just then spoke volumes to Fred. She’s embarrassed, and hurt, and it’s not just skin deep.
* * *
Jamie felt the gentle hand on his forehead as he became aware in the dream. His head was in Fred’s lap and they were together on her dream-couch in her dream-living room. He reached up and wrapped his fingers in her red curls as he often did. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself,” she said with an angelic smile.
“So it’s my turn with the Dream Fairy?”
“Yep. Your number came up.”
“How’d it go with Sammi tonight?”
Fred shrugged. “Pretty good. My dad is still awkward about the whole situation and my mom is trying too hard, but Sammi doesn’t seem to mind. She’s as happy as a she can be.”
Jamie sat up straight and wrinkled his brow. “Does it seem like our moms are going a little overboard about this deal with Sammi? Mine is acting really weird.”
“What do you mean, weird?”
“She keeps getting this strange look in her eyes, and every time I turn around, she’s running over to your house.”
“My mom is worse. She’s treating Sammi like she’s a royal princess or something, and she’s probably hugged Sammi ten times today, at least, and she keeps putting Sammi in her lap every chance she gets. Your mom hugs her, too, when she’s over here.”
“Hmph.” Jamie scrunched his mouth up. “There’s probably a term for it, like transference of affection, or projection of —”
She stopped him with a touch of her finger to his lips. “No geek-talk, please.”
“Well, I think they’re getting hugs from Sammi ’cause we’re not as affectionate as we used to be.”
Fred frowned. “You don’t think I’m affectionate?”
“You are to me, but probably not to your mother. Do you even remember the last time you hugged her?”
Fred scratched her cheek while she seemed to consider it. “Um, I do it once in a while. Not like I used to, I guess.”
Jamie stared at his knees for a moment. “My mom started acting weird long before Sammi showed up. My dad said my mom’s starting to get empty nest syndrome.”
“Maybe our moms are thinking Sammi can refill the nest. They did call for her, you know.”
“Not by her name, they didn’t.”
“No, but she’s exactly what they asked for, that time out in the gazebo.”
Jamie continued to stare at his knees f
or a long while, and then he turned to face Fred. “First thing I’m gonna do when I wake up in the morning is hug my mom.”
Chapter 4
Sammi reached up and took Mrs. Wallace’s hand as they waited for Jamie to begin the outlines of a doorway to Eddan’s world on Monday morning. “Are you nervous?” Mrs. Wallace asked her.
“A little.” Sammi looked at the Tupperware container under Mrs. Wallace’s other arm. “What’s that?”
“Carrots and celery sticks for our lunch, with a little ranch dressing.”
“Oh,” Sammi said unenthusiastically.
Mrs. Wallace smiled. “That’s not all we’ll eat. I thought we’d go into the market and get something from one of the food carts, since it’s close to the school. But they don’t have anything like this.” She rattled the plastic rectangular box to make her point. “Sausage on a bun is tasty, but not all that healthy.”
“They don’t have a McDonald’s?”
She laughed and shook her head. “You’ll like the market anyway, I think.” She glanced at the stairs and said, “I wish Fred were awake. I’d like to see her before we go.”
Jamie started tracing the portal in the middle of the room and said, “It’s too early for her to get up. It’s not even eight-thirty yet. I wouldn’t be up if I didn’t have to go to work.”
“What time did you get up, Sammi?” Mrs. Wallace asked.
“I got up to eat breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Callahan, but Fred told me last night not to wake her too early.”
“She’s got to get up soon,” Jamie said. “She’s got to go to work at the gift shop.” He pushed the doorway open. “I’ll go with you so I can give Sammi the grand tour before I leave for work.”
They stepped through and found themselves before the stone house that Jamie had inherited from Renn on Eddan’s world, months after Jamie had killed the psychotic sorcerer. Sammi spun slowly on the well-maintained front lawn and tried to take it all in. They were on a slight rise that overlooked a quaint landscape of hills and trees, with a pasture and a barn visible in the distance. “So pretty,” she said. “It’s even prettier than I pictured it.”
Jamie gestured at the house. “The roof is all new, with modern shingles. Dad and Bann put it on in one afternoon, after I stripped the old one off with my magic.” Glossy black solar panels covered most of it, and Jamie pointed at them. “We just put these on recently. There are more than enough of them to generate the house’s basic electricity needs, like ceiling fans and the lights. There’s a fan in every room, even the kitchen and the new bathroom.”
