Adventures of Alexis Davenport Series

by West, Shay

  “What do ya do with that?”

  “It’s a glaze you smear on after the ribs are almost done. Trust me, Alex. You will never eat ribs any other way again.”

  “If you say so.” Alex looked at the glaze suspiciously.

  “Help C.C. with the salad fixin’s will ya?” Karen called back over her shoulder as she carried the huge tray of ribs outside.

  Alex grabbed a large cutting board and began helping C.C. cut the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and bell peppers for the salad. All of the vegetables came from the garden. Alex thought they tasted better than the veggies from the supermarket. As she cut, she popped several in her mouth.

  “Hey! If you eat them all, there won’t be any left!” C.C. teased.

  The aroma wafting through the open window made Alex’s mouth water. It was unlike anything she had ever smelled before. She finished chopping up the salad and grabbed the plastic plates and cups Karen used for outdoor entertaining. Her mom had already washed the table and was in the process of hooking the tablecloth to the edges of the table.

  “Smells good, doesn’t it?” Patricia asked.

  Alex heartily agreed. She set the plates and cups at each chair, then ran back in to grab the silverware and napkins. C.C. had placed a large jug of sun tea, a bowl of lemons, and another of watermelon on the counter. Alex’s eyes lit up as she grabbed a piece from the top and took a bite, wiping juice from her chin. I can’t even remember the last time I had watermelon. Gary had taught her how to spit seeds when she was younger, laughing when she would miss, and the seed would fall out of her mouth and land on her chin.

  She shut down the memory before it could take hold. Alex didn’t want to remember her father fondly. In fact, she would rather forget the man ever existed. There had been no word since the divorce papers had shown up last Christmas.

  Only the checks that came like clockwork every month.

  I can’t believe he doesn’t want to see me at all. Alex hated being so torn. On the one hand, she hated the man. His leaving had hurt her so badly. But she also missed having a father, even if he was a bad one. She couldn’t help but think that maybe her parents would have been happier if she had never come along. Deep down, she knew that was ridiculous. And yet the thought always snuck into her brain anyway.

  “Ribs are almost done!” Karen’s voice broke into her reverie.

  Alex carried the large tray with the tea and the watermelon outside. Karen was deftly piling ribs onto a platter.

  “Voila! Get ready to sink your teeth into the best ribs you’ve ever tasted!” Karen declared as she placed the platter in the center of the patio table.

  Alex piled her plate with salad, garlic bread, watermelon, and ribs. As soon as she bit into the crispy, charred meat, she was ready to admit that she had never had ribs this good in her whole life. She ate every bit of meat off the bone, leaving it as polished as any predator would have.

  “You must’ve had a busy day.” Patricia stared wide-eyed at her daughter as she piled her plate high with seconds of everything.

  Alex told her mom about most of the hike, leaving out Paul’s secret cave. She still couldn’t believe he had his own hideout. It reminded her of something out of Batman.

  “Let’s get these dishes done, kiddo. We have to meet Mrs. Forsythe in a little bit.” Patricia stood and began stacking plates.

  After the dishes had been put in the dishwasher and the leftovers put in the refrigerator, Patricia and Alex climbed into the Blazer and headed for their appointment. Alex didn’t talk much. She was anxious about seeing the house. What if it’s a dump? What if it’s too expensive and we can’t afford to live there? What if we have to go back to the way things were before we came here?

  Alex had grown used to having the things the other kids had: cell phone, cool clothes, lunch money, spending money. She was terrified of having to walk into school wearing thrift store clothes, or having to give up her phone. It was nice seeing the looks of envy from the students in the mall, or in the hallways when they saw her texting or looking up some YouTube video for her friends.

  “We’re here.”

  Alex’s heart raced when she saw the gorgeous house in front of her. There has to be some mistake. She had prepared herself for the worst; this house was nothing like she had pictured.

  It was smaller than her aunt’s home, but still enormous compared to their old house in Longmont, with a huge immaculately trimmed front yard bordered by beautiful trees and flowers. The house was adobe, like most of the other houses in the area, with a beautiful bay window.

  Mrs. Forsythe opened the door as they walked up the driveway. “I’m so glad to meet you, Alex. I’m Vera. I’ve met your mom a few times at the store.”

  Alex mumbled, unable to peel her eyes from the gorgeous flowers and bushes. Mrs. Forsythe’s roses put Karen’s to shame.

  “I already have everything moved out. My landlord, Chet, is out back.”

  Patricia and Karen followed Mrs. Forsythe into the foyer. Alex had never seen someone with hair so silvery white. She thought her skin was the prettiest pale pink. I hope I look as good when I’m old. Mrs. Forsythe’s stylish heels echoed in the empty house.

  “I am leaving the television and other equipment behind. You will have to call for your own satellite service.”

  Alex couldn’t believe her eyes. There was a huge TV mounted on the wall and a dark cabinet held assorted equipment. There were speakers mounted on the walls around the entire room.

  “My late husband, Ernie, loved his gadgets.” Vera looked at the cabinet with sadness evident on her face.

  Alex didn’t know what to say, so she didn’t say anything.

  “Here’s the kitchen and dining room. I am leaving the dining set as well as all the appliances. And I think I will leave the patio set as well.”

  The kitchen was immaculate and simply gorgeous. The skylights let in the sun’s rays, bathing the kitchen in a warm glow. There was a butcher’s block in the center and pots and pans hanging above it. The appliances were all stainless steel and shone like new.

  “Through here are the bedrooms. There are three bedrooms, two of which have their own bathrooms.”

  Alex didn’t hear anything else after the mention of two bedrooms having their own bathrooms. Oh my God, my own bathroom!

  When she got a look at the smallest of the rooms, her heart leapt for joy. It was double the size of her room in the guesthouse, and even had a set of built-in bookshelves. The room had a walk-in closet and two large windows. The bathroom had white tile with pale purple flowers, perfect for a teenage girl. Alex clapped her hands and squealed.

  “I think we’ll take it.”

  Alex turned to her mom, who was standing in the doorway. “I really like it, Mom.”

  “Me too. It’ll be so nice having our own place, Alex. You’ll see.”

  They followed Vera to the backyard. It wasn’t nearly as big as Karen’s, but Alex didn’t care. The porch was covered and had two ceiling fans. There were wind chimes and bird feeders everywhere. The Monument was only a few short steps away, rising above the house in pink and red sandstone cliffs. To Alex, it was the best backyard she had ever seen. Glad I’m still close enough to go hiking and stuff.

  Vera introduced Chet, who wiped his hands on his jeans before shaking theirs. “I’ll just go get the paperwork and we can get started.”

  Alex wandered through the house, peeking into every nook and cranny, opening closet doors, looking out of the windows, enjoying the spectacular views. She met her mom and Vera in the kitchen, where her mother was just finishing up the paperwork.

  “I can’t thank you enough for this,” Vera said as she took Patricia’s hands in her own.

  “I should be thanking you! I could barely afford a little apartment for the rent you’re charging me.”

  “I’m glad I can help!”

  Alex wished they could move in that very night. She was already planning her very first sleepover with the girls. They’re gonn
a flip out when they see my room!

  Chet handed Patricia the keys and Alex felt her throat close up at the look of joy on her mother’s face. It had been so long since her mom had anything much to smile about. Now that she had seen the house for herself, her eagerness to move in was overwhelming. She would miss her aunt and C.C., but having their own place was going to be great.

  “I wanna go look at my room one more time.” Alex ran down the hallway. She spun around and decided to take another look at her bathroom. The counter was big enough for all of her stuff, with plenty of room left over.

  Alex gasped when the image in the mirror shifted to the girl from Egypt. She hadn’t seen the strange girl since the double date with Drake, James, and Jennifer. Alex focused on memorizing any details she could that could help figure out who this girl was.

  She was exotically beautiful, with dark eyes rimmed with black kohl eyeliner. Her head was completely bald. Alex jumped when someone passed in front of the mirror. They situated themselves behind the strange girl and placed a black wig on her head, adjusting it until it fell perfectly.

  “Come on, Alex!” Patricia yelled.

  Alex shook her head as the girl disappeared. I wonder who she is and what kind of trouble she’s in?

  CHAPTER 2

  “SO I WAS THINKING we could go furniture shopping after your rehearsals tomorrow.”

  Alex nodded absently and mumbled an incoherent answer.

  “I thought you liked the place.”

  “I do, Mom. I’m just thinking.” Alex should have known her silence would be misunderstood.

  Alex was glad her mother didn’t talk the rest of the way back to Karen’s house. She needed to solidify what she had seen in the mirror to memory and couldn’t be distracted. I’m gonna call Jenn when I get back to the guesthouse.

  Karen and C.C. wanted all of the details about the house. Alex’s enthusiasm returned as she told them about her large room, her own bathroom, the entertainment system, and the skylights in the kitchen.

  “Sounds like you found the perfect place!” Karen said.

  Alex excused herself and ran to the guesthouse. She needed to call Jennifer and she needed privacy. As soon as she closed the door, her cell phone was in hand and she was speed-dialing Jennifer’s number. Alex watched out the window in case her mom came walking in.

  “Hey, Alex!”

  “Jenn, I saw the Egyptian girl again.”

  Jennifer gasped. “Where were you?”

  “At the house mom and I are going to rent.”

  “Wait...house? Rent?”

  “There’s this lady that shops at Karen’s store that needed to find someone to rent her house in a hurry. It’s super awesome! My room has its own bathroom!”

  “Shut up! When are you moving in? When can I come see it?”

  “One thing at a time. I could be going back in time any minute here.”

  “Right, sorry! Okay, so what did you see?”

  Alex heard Jennifer squish the phone between her ear and shoulder so she could write down everything Alex said. Jennifer wanted to write all of this into a short story or novel someday. “She is definitely someone important. She had make-up on and her clothing seemed rich to me. She had a servant that was placing a wig in her head.”

  “Wig?”

  “Yes. Wigs. You know, those things made of hair people wear on their heads?”

  Jennifer sighed loudly. “I know what a wig is. Just not something you run across much these days, ya know?”

  “Okay, Egyptians thought of wigs as something that was cool. If you had one, it was a sign of wealth. They had problems with lice back then and most people either kept their hair short, or shaved it completely and then wore a wig. This is why I know she was someone of importance, or at least someone who had some dough.”

  “Got ya.”

  Alex could hear Jennifer scribbling furiously. “I didn’t see anything in the background that will help much. Just pale stone.”

  “So no clues as to what time period she’s from?” Jennifer’s disappointment was clear even through the phone lines.

  “Not really. I will need to see hieroglyphs or something.”

  “Hirowhats?”

  Alex laughed. “The pictures you see on the tombs and such. I’ll show you sometime. Anyway, if I can see the pictures, then I’ll have a good idea of the era.”

  Jennifer sighed. “Well, I guess we’ll just have to hope you figure it out before you end up traveling.”

  “Mom and I are going furniture shopping tomorrow so I won’t be able to hang out.”

  “Bummer! Oh, well. I’m so excited to see the new place. You’ll have to have me over soon!”

  “I already have it planned!”

  Alex and Jennifer chatted for a bit longer about rehearsals for Wicked. When her mom came in, she pointed to the clock, indicating it was time to wrap it up. Alex rolled her eyes, said good-bye, and told Jennifer she would text her pictures of the new furniture.

  As Alex brushed her teeth, she tried to remember anything about the girl from Egypt that would give her some clue as to who she was. I’m tired of traveling blind! As she lay in bed, the other experiences she had had played in her mind. Each time she had traveled back in time, the danger had been worse. She and Jennifer didn’t speak about the escalating threats that had finally culminated in her own near-death experience. Alex’s heart skipped a beat when she remembered the strange void.

  At least I was able to find my way back!

  She wondered if the same man was up to mischief or if there was someone new she must deal with. Alex remembered hearing a gunshot while in Agy’s dying body and had hoped it meant the end of the man. What if he can get back to his body too? She wondered if she would ever be free of this burden.

  Alex felt trapped and the rising anxiety was almost too much to bear. For the first time since the traveling started, Alex feared for her life.

  I never asked for this! It’s not fair! All she wanted to do was get through high school without suffering anymore humiliation at the hands of Catelyn and Beau, get her driver’s license before she graduated, and get asked to every school dance. Her plans for the next three and a half years didn’t include putting her life on the line.

  But how can I stop it? She didn’t give any credence to the idea of hiding out for the rest of her life with no access to a mirror. Alex would rather die a thousand deaths than be seen in public without having checked her reflection first.

  Since there’s nothing you can do, you’re just gonna have to deal. Alex grunted and rolled over. That voice sounded like Jennifer’s. Yeah, I know I gotta deal.

  But I don’t have to like it.

  CHAPTER 3

  “PLACES, EVERYONE! PLACES!”

  Alex and the rest of the students moved past each other, whispering apologies as they accidentally stepped on toes and elbowed ribs in their haste to follow Mr. Reardon’s orders.

  Since she wasn’t up for a while, Alex moved to the side and watched the others practice their lines. Their voices and footsteps echoed in the empty theater. As Drake marched across the stage, Alex hid a smile behind her hand. They had chatted almost every night since their first date.

  “You’re up, Alex,” Amy’s voice broke into her pleasant daydream.

  Alex’s heart raced and her breath caught in her throat, all her lines completely forgotten. The panic set in, and she turned to run, but Jennifer grabbed her.

  “Are you crazy? What’re you doing? Get out there!” Amy gave Alex a little shove to get her moving.

  “Today would be nice, Alex.” Mr. Reardon looked at his watch, tapping his foot impatiently.

  Those steps were the hardest Alex had ever taken. It felt as though she were moving in slow motion, heading toward the curtain, the stage moving away from her so that it looked like it was about five miles long. The lights looked brighter than they had a moment ago, as though Mr. Reardon captured the sun and placed it on the ceiling to light the stage.

  G
et a grip, Alex! She took a deep breath and passed by the red velvet curtain. Time to become Yackle the Crone.

  She slowed her movements and hunched her shoulders as though they were weighed by a heavy burden. Her hands curled in on themselves, and she held them gingerly, as though they pained her. Alex drew on every memory she had of the time she inhabited the old slave woman’s body, what it had felt like to have every joint ache, to have her muscles refuse to move as quickly as she wanted.

  When she was through, she was greeted with stunned silence. Alex feared that she had really messed up her lines. She breathed a sigh of relief as the entire place burst into applause.

  “Alex! That was magnificent! I’ve never seen anything like it.” Mr. Reardon gushed.

  The other students rushed to the stage, patting her on the back and staring at her in wide-eyed wonder. Alex blushed and mumbled responses. Her heart soared when Drake hugged her in front of everyone.

  “I’m glad the best actress is my girlfriend,” Drake whispered in her ear.

  Alex felt as though her heart would burst. She giggled and hugged him tight. He said girlfriend! He said it!

  As Mr. Reardon was giving instructions about the next rehearsal, Alex noticed Jennifer standing by herself, arms crossed over her chest, a frown pasted on her face.

  “Something wrong?” Alex asked.

  “Gee, why would anything be wrong?” Jennifer refused to look at Alex.

  “Come on, Jenn. What gives?”

  “You, that’s what gives! Don’t you think some of us could have our time in the spotlight?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about! Everything you do is so perfect, isn’t it?”

  Heat rushed to Alex’s face and her hands clenched into fists at her sides. The venom in Jennifer’s voice was unmistakable. “You’re pissed because I did a good job today? Would you rather I fell on my face?”

  “It would be nice for a change.” Jennifer stood and tossed her backpack over her shoulder.