Chapter Ninety One
When I finally woke up from my reverie, I took an hour long shower. Then, I changed into clean clothes before I found Willow and Tray sitting outside together. They were engrossed in a deep conversation. They immediately stopped talking when I opened the door to join them on the front porch. Although I sincerely wished they were discussing going on an actual date this weekend, sadly I knew their whispered conversation was about me and my crazy life.
“Haven’t you both noticed that it’s cold out here – it’s called winter for a reason…” I joked as I closed the door behind me.
Then, I noticed that my brother was wearing summer shorts and nothing else. I had fried him again by linking us together through the cunning ribbon. He was obviously still feeling the heat. Willow was fully clothed and had a blanket wrapped around her body. She even had on a hat. Her cheeks were rosy from the chilly wind.
I apologized to Tray for roasting him without any warning and then, I explained what I had done. Although they tried to stop, they helplessly burst out laughing.
It seems that I had made a few critical errors in judgment in regards to my diabolical plan. The first and, likely the most important factor to consider before perpetrating any con job – know thy target better than thyself.
I would learn this little piece of wisdom from Tray and Willow after they laughed so hard they almost wet themselves. I’ve never been a teenage male. Therefore, I didn’t plan for certain well known factors. It seems guys are at the mercy of their hormones, every guy wants what they can’t have and guys adore any and all challenges. The most remarkable factor I didn’t account for was one specific to me alone. I found out belatedly that ‘Ember’s curves are the freakin’ deal breaker, anyway’ factor from my brother.
The second error directly relates to the first, and that is – never run a con unless you’ve been educated by the best. In my case, that should have been Tray and Willow. Seems there’s this unspoken, but well-known rule among con artists. Those who are good plan long and hard, but those who are great are educated and plan smart.
My brother had taught me exactly one con. I suppose looking back on it though I thought my gypsy blood would see me through. I had sorta decided that I could suddenly develop the gift of the gypsy like I did my spirit light and internal fire. Then, I would simply dazzle the world with my inborn gypsy ability to pull off the best con job in history, the first time I attempted it – no education required…
There was never any chance of that happening at all…
This brought me to my third error in judgment on that fateful day. It also kind of related to the first one – always follow the lead of your mark.
All con jobs require people skills. So, I was in trouble before I even spoke a single word. To say I lack that particular skill would be the world’s largest understatement, because I positively and without a question – STINK AT READING PEOPLE.
Following the lead means reading the mark’s reaction to what was offered, and then responding to the situation accordingly. Tray and Willow both agree that unless reading people is a natural gift, that I would need months of gypsy education before I could even assist them on a job. Even then, I most likely couldn’t say anything. The most I could do successfully was hand them stuff or pretend to be mute, for heaven sakes. They were both still laughing when they informed me of this, so they might have been joking.
But somehow I don’t think that’s the case…
After my education was concluded, something unexpected happened. Willow had a change of heart. She told Tray that he should use his obliteration skill to help me with this crazy dating dilemma I had managed to unwittingly get myself involved in.
“You’re letting Tray out of his promise? Oh my Creator help me, did I do that bad??” I asked, stunned.
Although I realize that I had majorly messed up my first con, I did prevent Eli from asking me out in front of the entire school. I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or insulted by Willow’s offer.
“You didn’t do ‘bad’ per se – you did achieve your objective. Eli is a known factor to us. He’s been your friend for a while now. All these other people are unknowns to us. That makes them unsafe until they can either become known factors or they lose interest in you. Frankly Sweetie, it will take months for them to lose interest on their own because every time you say ‘no’ they are hearing ‘maybe later.’ You just found out the hard way that gypsy cons can easily backfire. This one turned into a ‘gasoline tossed onto a burning fire’ situation.
“Unfortunately, it would take us both months to teach you the gypsy skills necessary to pull off this particular job to get it back under control. We simply don’t have that luxury unless you’re willing to leave and start over somewhere else,” Willow explained.
“I can’t leave here, but Tray can’t possibly use his obliteration skills on everyone all the time…” I stated the truth.
“I didn’t say he’d constantly interfere…” Willow said and sounded frustrated with my logic.
“I’m gonna assist you with my skill as necessary and only when the situation warrants my attention. I do know the difference. You have enough going on in your world right now. It’s not time to take this challenge on too. I’m asking your permission to use my obliteration ability from time to time. I wanna remove this particular leviathan from the weight you seem to keep placing on your shoulders,” Tray interrupted Willow and offered to me.
“I suppose you’re both right. I’m gonna have to agree because honestly, I have no idea how to fix this madness. How is it that I’m so good at creating a stir?” I pondered aloud.
“Everyone’s gotta be good at something…” Willow said and snickered.
The ‘Ember’s-on-the-dating-market-because-she’s-not-Eli’s-girl-anymore’ uproar at school simmered to a low boil as soon as Tray started channeling to the guys, occasionally. My brother did know the difference between when I needed him and when I could handle things myself. He didn’t have to explain that though, because he has helped me deal with stuff my entire life.
I did feel really guilty about this particular situation. Tray was always pulling me out of the frying pan just so I could jump right into the middle of the first fire I discover. Even though he didn’t seem to mind rescuing me, I wanted him to have time to pursue a relationship with Willow.
That will never happen if they both spend all their time bailing me out of trouble, constantly. They need time to focus on each other.
Ember Rising Light (Book One) Page 95
