by B.M. Green
Chapter 20
“Holidee!” Zeke dropped wood he had been carrying and ran to greet Holidee, who had just arrived. He picked her up and swung her around. Her arms wrapped around his neck as their foreheads touched and smiles spread across both of their faces. Mac had been watching them with a smile on his face. His chest was bare, like Zeke’s, because they had been working. Zeke set Holidee down and carried her bag for her. Holidee and Zeke, hand in hand, walked over to Zeke’s father. Mac put down the wood he had been carrying and hugged Holidee.
“I’m glad ye could join us.” Holidee smiled.
“Me too.” She looked around. “I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything.”
“Ah, no. Zeke and I were jus’ fixin’ the fence. Tha’s all.” Mac looked at them. “Well, le’s go inside, then. C’mon!” They walked inside and Zeke took Holidee’s bag upstairs. “You’ll be stayin’ in the guest bedroom. Will that be alrigh’?” Holidee nodded. Mac got her a glass of water and they sat down in the living room. “So Crix and Mer were alrigh’ with ya stayin’ ‘ere a couple o’ days?” Holidee nodded again. “Tom and his mom are gonna join us for dinner tomorrow nigh’.” Mac looked at Zeke, who had just entered the room. “Zeke’s been talkin’ of nothin’ else but you.” Zeke blushed and Holidee giggled.
“Really?”
“Now, dad, let’s save the embarrassing things for tomorrow.”
“Oh, alrigh’.” He winked at Holidee and she giggled again. Mac looked at Zeke and Holidee and then stood up. “Well, I ‘ad better get back ta work.” Zeke started to get up. “Nah, son, you stay here with yer girl. Jus’ be a gentleman, ya hear?” Zeke nodded and sat back down beside Holidee. Mac walked out of the room and back outside. Zeke had his arm around Holidee as he took a sip from her water.
“I’m glad you came.”
“Me too.”
“This is gonna be the best Christmas ever.” He looked at her. “Because you’re here.” Holidee’s cheeks flushed. He kissed her cheek lightly and smiled. “C’mon. I’ll show you to your room.” He led her up the stairs. “It’s small, but homey and the bathroom’s right down the hall.” They walked into a small, pale yellow room.
“It looks great.” She smiled. “What’s your room look like?” He led her into his room, across the hall. Zeke’s room was bigger than the guest room. There was a rug covering part of the wood floor. The bed set on the rug. The walls were a pale blue and a pale green mixed together in an artistic way. There was a desk in one corner and a dresser in the other. There were two windows. One window was over the headboard of the bed while the other was on the wall beside the bed. Holidee let go of Zeke’s hand and walked toward the desk. She looked at the pictures on his desk. One was of him and Tom. Another picture was of her. A third picture was of Zeke and his dad, and the last picture was Zeke and his parents, when they were still together. “How old were you when your parents separated?” Zeke walked up next to her.
“I was eight.”
“Why did they separate? They both are such nice people.”
“The love between them faded slowly over time. I think they both worked too hard, not having a college education and raising me. They just grew apart. My mom left. She always loved the ocean. They were never bitter at each other, and they didn’t argue about who got me. She let me stay with my dad since she was the one who walked out and my dad agreed to let me spend my summer with her. It was a mutual agreement.”
“That’s good, I guess.” Zeke nodded and grabbed Holidee’s hand. He rubbed the inside of her palm. “Not a lot of kids at school know the true you, do they?” Zeke shook his head.
“I let them think what they want. I don’t really care.” Holidee smiled.
“That’s one of the qualities I like about you.” Zeke looked at her and smiled.
“The chest helps too, right?” Holidee laughed.
“Am I gonna have to deflate that head of yours?” Zeke laughed.
“No. That’s Tom’s job.” Holidee laughed again.
“How is Tom? Have you seen him lately?” Zeke shook his head.
“No. I’ve seen him once this break and I’ll see him tomorrow evening. I’ve gone over to his house, but no one will answer. I’m worried about him. He’s not himself.” Holidee took her hand and placed it on Zeke’s face.
“He’ll be fine. He’s just been a little down. He’ll get back up. He’s tough.” Zeke closed his eyes and felt the warmth of her hand on his cheek. “I think he’s doing better already. I saw him a couple days ago.” Zeke opened his eyes.
“Really? At the beach?”
“Yeah. He looked like he had gotten some sleep. Maybe he just needed a break from school and the city life.”
“Yeah.” Holidee went to take her hand down, but Zeke caught it and kissed the back of her hand. Then he turned it over and kissed her palm. He traced the lines on her hand, while holding her gaze. “How did I ever live without you?” He took both of her hands and placed them around his neck as he held her close to him. His hands found her waist, and he gently started singing in her ear as they slowly turned. He wasn’t much of a singer, but neither of them cared.
This, my maiden did a hear.
From thy true lips came a promise.
I will hold ye in my strong arms here.
Your eyes will never have to fear.
Come, my pretty maid,
And be my own.
Seek thy heart, that thine own has made.
Do not weary, for I have prayed.
Now listen, dear maiden, to thine own heart be true,
And leave not this question unanswered,
From which comes from my own heart true,
Then Zeke paused and whispered in her ear, “Can I keep you?” They stopped dancing, and Holidee lifted her head to look up into Zeke’s green eyes. He stared into her blue eyes, waiting for an answer. She leaned up, kissed his cheek, and whispered into his ear, “Yes.” Goosebumps ran down Zeke’s neck as she kissed his ear gently before retreating. Then he leaned down and kissed her passionately on the lips. His hands moved to her back, and ran up her spine. She ran her hand through his thick brown hair as he touched the clasp of her bra. Then she put her hands on his bare chest and pushed him away.
“No. We can’t.” Zeke looked at her and nodded.
“You’re right. My dad would kill me.” He leaned in to kiss her again, but Holidee put her hand to his lips. She smiled.
“Let’s read a book.”
“Read?” Holidee nodded.
“Don’t you read for fun?” Zeke thought for a moment and then shook his head.
“I never have time. I’m always helping my dad.”
“You really love him, don’t you?”
“Yeah. He works really hard to make sure I have a good life. I try and help him as much as possible. Sometimes I never think it’s enough.” Holidee grabbed his hand and held it in hers.
“I’m sure you do all you can.” She led him to his bed and sat down on the floor beside it. She leaned up against the bed, while Zeke lay on the floor, with his head on her lap. Holidee slowly stroked his thick brown hair.
“Sometimes I wish he didn’t work so hard. Like the only days he gets off this break are really tomorrow, Christmas Day, and New Year’s.” Holidee decided to change the subject.
“What was that song you sang to me?”
“An old Irish tune that I used to hear my dad sing to my mom when I was little. That was when he was home more. Did you like it?”
“Yes. It was beautiful.”
“Did your mother used to sing to you when you were little?” Holidee remembered the song she sang by the ocean.
“Yes. She had a beautiful voice.”
“What were your parents like, Holidee?” Holidee paused and her hand stopped running through his hair, then she continued.
“My mom was very beautiful. Every step she took was graceful. She had long brown hair and blue eyes. Her voice was soft and gentle. Everyday, when sh
e would cook breakfast, she would hum a song. Everyday was a different song that reflected her mood. But no matter what the mood, she was always sweet and gentle. I would always compare her to a river: calm on the surface, but unpredictable below.
“My dad could read her moods and always lighten her spirit when needed. He had dark brown hair and blue eyes. His laugh would carry through each room in the house. He was strong and would always pick me up to play with me when I was a child. His eyes twinkled most of the time, but every now and then I would see a sadness in them.” Holidee paused. “And now I know why.” Those last words of hers were barely audible. Zeke looked up at her.
“What?”
“Nothing.” She continued. “Whenever my mom would wash the dishes or cook, my dad would sometimes come up behind her, wrap his arms around her, and join her song.” Holidee smiled. “I always wanted to be in love like they were.” Zeke grabbed her hand and kissed it.
“You will be…with me.” Holidee looked down at him.
“Do you know what my dad said before he died?” Zeke didn’t answer. “He said he didn’t want to live if my mom couldn’t.”
“Holidee,” He kissed each finger. “The moment you stepped into my life, I was born. I had not truly lived before I knew you. It was just an illusion. You, Holidee, you are my life, and I could never live without you.” Zeke felt a tear fall onto his face. He looked up at Holidee. Then he sat up and faced her. He slowly took his thumb and wiped away her tears. He kissed her on the nose and swept his hand through her hair. “I will always be here for you. I promise.” He lightly kissed her on the lips and helped her stand up. He sat on the bed with her and then gently lay down. She rested her head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. He hummed the Irish song softly in her ear, until they both fell asleep.
Mac finished his work and walked inside for a drink. Then he walked upstairs to see what Zeke and Holidee were doing. He quietly opened the door to Zeke’s bedroom and peered in. He smiled as he saw them asleep on the bed. Looks like you’ll be getting’ a daughter-in-law sometime next year. He smiled and shut the door.
Holidee woke up the next morning to Zeke stroking her hair. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He smiled and stroked her cheek.
“Morning, sleepy-head.”
“Morning.”
“I take it you slept good?” Holidee stretched.
“Yeah. Pretty good.” Zeke smiled.
“Well, I’m gonna go get in the shower now that you’re awake. You can go get some breakfast downstairs if you like.” Holidee nodded and let Zeke up. He kissed her lightly on the lips and walked to the bathroom. She yawned and walked down the stairs to the kitchen to grab a bite to eat.
Later that day, Tom and his mom and Zeke’s mom came over and all six of them ate a nice dinner. Tom didn’t have dark circles underneath his eyes anymore. They all laughed and shared stories around the table. Then, after dinner, they gathered in the living room with glasses of eggnog and started to pass out presents. Holidee didn’t expect to get anything, but was surprised when four tiny packages landed in her lap. They all unwrapped their gifts and smiles and laughter filled the room. Holidee thanked everyone and they all settled in the chairs. Holidee and Zeke sat on the couch, arms around each other. Tom joined them. They laughed as Tom’s mother took a picture of the three of them because Tom and Zeke decided to kiss Holidee on each cheek at the same time when the picture snapped. Holidee was wearing a Santa hat that Tom had put on her. Then Mac stood up with his glass of eggnog.
“Now I’d like to thank everyone fer comin’ here this eve. I know it means a lo’ ta Zeke and I. I’d also like to welcome Holidee ta the family, seein’ as it’s her first Christmas with us. We’re jus’ one big happy family ‘ere.” He pulled out a small box from within his pocket and handed it to Holidee. Holidee smiled and opened it slowly. She lifted the lid off of the tiny box and saw a necklace lying inside. The necklace was silver with a silver charm at the end. The charm looked like two fishhooks crossed with the image reflected.
“Mac, it’s-”
“It was me mum’s and her mum’s afore that. I was s’posed to give it to me daughter, but seein’ as I have none, I thought you were the next best thing.” Tears welled up in Holidee’s eyes. She got up and hugged him.
“Thank you. It’s beautiful.” She sat back down in between Zeke and Tom.
“It’s a Celtic Knot.” Zeke fastened it around Holidee’s neck and it fell right below her pearl necklace. She fingered it and smiled.
“Thank you.” Mac smiled at her.
“It’s even more beautiful on you.” Holidee blushed. Zeke put his arm around her shoulders.
That night Holidee said good-bye and drove back to her beach house. Crix and Mer were both asleep by the time she got there. She quietly got into bed, forgetting the next morning was Christmas Day.
“Holidee. Holidee, wake up.” Holidee opened her eyes and saw Crix looming over her. She moaned and rolled over. “It’s Christmas Morning. Aren’t you gonna get out of bed?”
“Christmas Morn-” She sat up. “I forgot.” Crix laughed.
“Get dressed. We’ll be in the living room.” Crix left and Holidee got dressed. Then she walked out into the living room and saw Crix and Mer, sitting on the couch, sipping coffee. She looked around. There were no presents under the tree.
“Where’re the pre-”
“Let’s go on the porch.” Crix and Mer got up and Holidee quietly followed. What’s going on? They walked onto the porch and sat down in chairs. Holidee looked out into the ocean.
“No way.” She saw a pile of presents sitting on the beach. She stood up to get a better look. Then she turned and looked at Crix and Mer. Crix just shrugged.
“Not your traditional Christmas, but I thought it would be fun to open the presents on the beach.” They all walked out onto the beach. Holidee was excited. Crix was right. It would be fun to open her presents next to the ocean. They sat down in the sand. Each of them had a small pile stacked up for them. They opened one present at a time, taking turns. Holidee got some books, an aquarium tank, and some clothes. Crix got some things for his work, a nice notebook, a new microscope, and some clothes. Mer got a necklace and earrings, bath bubbles, and some clothes. They enjoyed their gifts and said thanks, but the gift giving was not over. Crix handed a rectangular gift to Holidee. She looked at Crix and started to unwrap it. Inside was a picture inside an iron rod frame. The picture, though, was what caught Holidee’s eye. It was of her parents. Holidee had never seen this picture before. It was when they were older. They were on a beach. It looked like this beach. Her dad was carrying her mom on his back and they were both smiling. They weren’t looking at the camera. They were looking at each other. Her mom’s arms were wrapped loosely around her dad’s neck. Holidee smiled at their playfulness. She looked up at Crix.
“Mer and I noticed you didn’t have a nice picture of your parents, reflecting their personality. We knew you had never seen this picture. It was one week we all spent down here at this house, to catch up on good times. We thought you might like it.”
“Thanks.” Holidee’s voice was soft. She brushed the picture with her hand. Then she set it down and took something from behind her. She handed it to Crix. He raised an eyebrow and opened the little box.
“It was my dad’s.” Crix fingered a copper coin. It was old. There was a big V in the middle and smaller o and c on each side of it. There was a date at the bottom of it: 1756. “You were probably there when he found it. I called it his pirate treasure. He told me he had found it on a diving expedition he took one summer with some friends. I’m guessing you two dove and happened to come across a sunken ship.” Crix smiled.
“I was the one who actually found it. He was so jealous.” Crix laughed. “He kept pestering me about it for a whole month. Then he gave up. I gave it to him as a birthday present. I can’t believe he kept it all these years.” Crix looked at the coin and then put it back in the box.
“Thanks.” Holidee smiled. It was the one thing her dad had not hidden that had been a memory of Crix. She had never known that, though, until recently. She thought it would make Crix happy to know that his friend had never forgotten him. And it did. Mer, Crix, and Holidee packed all of the trash into a garbage bag and gathered all of their gifts. They walked back up to the house and put away their presents. Then they sat on the porch and listened to the waves roll onto the beach. Holidee was sitting on the railing. Crix looked at her.
“Where’d you get that necklace?” Holidee looked down, even though she couldn’t see the necklace. “The silver one.”
“Oh.” Holidee smiled. “Zeke’s dad gave that to me. It was his mother’s and his grandmother’s before that. It’s a Celtic knot. He said he was supposed to give it to his daughter, but he doesn’t have one. He said I was the next best thing.” Holidee blushed a little. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Sure is.” Crix smiled. “Next best thing to a daughter? You know what that is, don’t ya?” Holidee shook her head. “A daughter-in-law.” Holidee didn’t say anything. “They’re good people. Stick with Zeke, Holidee. I like him.”
Later during the break, Crix and Holidee continued their lessons. They were on the beach. Holidee was playing with Micrip in the ocean. Crix was on the beach, talking.
“Now a Cog and a Trans are two different people. They both can change their appearance, but in different ways. A Trans can make themselves wet or dry. They can change their hairstyle or hair color. They can change anything physical that is not too big. A Cog can change their whole appearance at once. They can turn into a dolphin or fish or anything that lives in the ocean. They may sound like easy skills, but don’t be fooled. They are extremely difficult. And when you master changing your appearance, then you can work on changing others’ appearance.”
“Can a Trans change their eye color?”
“No. That is the only thing they cannot change.”
“So, I’m gonna be able to turn into a dolphin or whale?”
“Yes, eventually, but here’s the trick. You have to master being a Trans first.”
“Darn. Okay. How do I do it?” Holidee stepped out of the ocean and faced Crix, who stood up.
“It’s a little hard to explain, but I’ll do my best. Think like you’re going to heal someone, but to yourself. Then think of the something on you that you want to change or ‘heal’. Now, using the same brainwaves as healing, but you’re changing, think of what you want that to be. Concentrate.” Holidee closed her eyes and concentrated. “Eventually you’ll be able to change your appearance without using your hands.” A couple minutes went by, but Holidee didn’t feel anything. She opened her eyes.
“I don’t think it worked.” She frowned. Crix, however, was smiling.
“I’m likin’ the white hair.” Holidee looked at her hair and sure enough it was almost transparent. “What were you trying to do?”
“Make my jeans dry. How do I change it back?” Crix laughed at the look on her face.
“Just do the same thing. It’ll take some practice to conquer.” Holidee tried to turn her hair back to brown, but ended up with a smaller nose.
“Crix! Help me!” Crix was smiling.
“You’re not concentrating hard enough. You have to block out everything. Block out the ocean. Block out the sea gulls. Block out me. Just concentrate.” Holidee closed her eyes again. She didn’t use her hands, however, like she had been. Crix watched her. Her hair slowly turned from white to brown and her original nose went back between her eyes. Then he saw her jeans dry. She opened her eyes.
“Did I do it?”
“See for yourself.” Holidee walked over to the ocean and peered into the water. She was back to her old look. She smiled.
“I did it!”
“And without hands too. You’re becoming stronger everyday.” Crix looked at her for a minute. “Do it again.” Holidee changed her appearance and changed back for an hour before Crix said that was enough practice. “I think you’re ready to try to be a Cog. Now understand that you won’t get it right the first time and you may look a little weird. But don’t freak out.” Holidee nodded.
“Can I turn into a mermaid?” Crix laughed.
“Mermaids are not real creatures. Cogs, who thought it would be fun to be half fish, half human, invented them. Then people spotted them, and it went down in books. I heard they got in real big trouble.”
“Oh. So I can invent things?”
“Let’s just stick to the basics for now, ‘kay?” Holidee nodded. “Now to be a Cog, you have to concentrate even harder. Think of an ocean creature that you know really well. You know its body structure, communication, how it moves, what it eats, what color it is. Take all of these into consideration and more. You have to know the creature inside out, that’s why it would be helpful to read those books I got you. Once you know what you want to change into and you are sure you know everything about this animal, then you have to envision yourself as that animal. Envision yourself changing into that animal. There is no need to close your eyes. Just think. Concentrate. Believe.” Holidee walked a little out into the ocean. She didn’t move for several minutes. Then, very slowly, she felt something in her legs. She looked down and saw her legs changing color. They were becoming gray. Then her arms turned gray too. She started to panic, thinking she was doing a Trans skill instead of a Cog, but then realized she was wrong when her feet disappeared and were replaced with a tail. Slowly her body turned into a dolphin. It was an awkward feeling, and Holidee wasn’t sure if she liked it. Crix was clapping on the beach. She dove into the water and came face to face with Fye. Fye looked at her, confused.
Fye! It’s me! I can change into any ocean creature! Wanna race? Fye smiled and sped off. Holidee followed and caught up to her. They swam forever. Then Holidee turned around and headed back to the beach. She changed herself back into a human underwater and surfaced in front of Crix. Crix smiled.
“How did that feel?”
“Weird. I like being human.” He laughed.
“Most people do. But then there are those few who enjoy being anything but human.” He smiled. “You did a superb job! Better than your father, I think.” Holidee smiled.
“So I can change other people’s appearances too?”
“Yes, as a Trans. Not a Cog. But we’ll get to that later. Practice a few more times with the Cog skill and then we’ll call it a day.” Holidee nodded and practiced her skill. She changed into a sea otter and played with Micrip. She changed into a fish and taunted Fye. Crix laughed the whole time, but was amazed. She conquered that skill the first try. What else could she do? Her powers were strengthening at a rapid rate. Crix sat there half amazed, half amused. Then he told Holidee that was enough for one day, and they headed back to the house. Holidee slept well that night.
