Autumn of Elves

by Joanne Vruno

  As the nurse and Dad helped me into the front seat, the nurse told Dad, “Remember to make an appointment with her regular doctor for two days from now. Until then the doctor doesn’t want her to put any weight on the leg. She needs to stay home from school until she’s seen again by a doctor.” The nurse handed him the discharge papers.

  “Well, Aly, it isn’t broken!” said Dad as he started the car. “Do we think we can hide you for a few days? Mom’s going to go nuts when she finds out how badly you were hurt. You know she isn’t a big fan of your playing hockey and all the bruises you get,” said Dad. “Emily, maybe you can charm her while I get Aly into the house.”

  “Yeah, sure, Dad. As if that will help,” said Emily, “At least, Aly, you can get spoiled by Grandma for a few days.”

  Dad was right. Mom wanted me to quit hockey as soon as I entered the kitchen on crutches. I told her it was a minor sprain, which made Emily and Dad look at me and shake their heads.

  Mom helped me into bed and brought me some water. “I’m glad your leg wasn’t broken. Comfortable?”

  I nodded.

  “Well, rest up, sweetheart. You leg needs lots of rest. If you need anything, just let me know. I love you, Aly. You know you’re not supposed to scare me this way,” said Mom as she kissed my forehead.

  It wasn’t long after Mom left that Emily came in, “I’m sorry I don’t have healing power yet. I could heal your leg. I tried. I asked for your leg not to be broken. I wish I could have fixed it.”

  “You did? Emily, I think you might have gotten your healing power!” I said. “I swear I heard a crack and my leg hurt more than anything. Did you hear the doctor say it looked like a break? I think you saved me from a broken leg!”

  “I did? How does your leg feel now?” asked Emily.

  “Much better than at the hospital. Let’s see how it is tomorrow. I can’t wait to tell Grandma you’re now a healer.” Emily grinned and leaned over to give me a hug.

  As the evening went on the pain became less and less.

  When I woke up in the morning I couldn’t resist standing up and moving. I was cautious and knew to use the crutches. The pain was minimal as I made my way down the hall to the bathroom. I knew by then for sure, Emily had healed the bone.

  I was smiling as I hobbled towards my room.

  “Aly, you should have called me to help you!” said Mom as she came out of her bedroom. “Does it hurt much this morning?”

  “It’s actually doing much better,” I answered her.

  Mom carefully helped me back into bed, reset the pillows under my leg to keep it elevated and got a new ice pack to lay on top of the splint. “I really wish I could stay home with you today, but I can’t. Grandma will be coming here before I leave, so you’ll be in good hands. Do you want to sleep or stay up?” asked Mom as she was arranging the pillows by my head.

  “I think I’ll stay up. Can I get something to eat?”

  “Of course! I’ll make you some fried eggs and toast. Can I get you a book or something?”

  “How about that new one we just picked up in the bookstore over the weekend? It’s on my dresser.”

  Mom handed me the book and then headed to the kitchen. I could hear her take out the frying pan and start to cook. Soon she was back with a delicious breakfast. She stayed with me and visited until I finished every morsel. Then she said she needed to get ready for work.

  As soon as she left, Dad popped his head in the door. “So how’s our patient? Are you in pain?”

  “Not really. It’s just sore,” I answered.

  Dad came in and said softly, “You must just take after your old man, a quick healer.”

  I laughed. If he only knew why he healed so quickly.

  Soon Grandma arrived. After a quick check on me, she joined my parents at the kitchen table and was told the whole story of what happened on the ice and what happened at the hospital.

  “I hope the parents and coach of those two girls talk to them. I know hockey’s a tough sport, but targeting Aly—that was just wrong,” stated Grandma.

  “I agree,” said Dad, “But I’m sure they were told to stay on Aly anytime she had a puck. Little did they know her team doesn’t only consist of her. After Aly left, I guess her team ended up beating the other team four to zero. There are many talented girls on the team, and our goalie is one of the best. Aly had an open shot last spring and she was smart enough to take it. That doesn’t mean she’s the only one who can make shots. I was so happy Molly’s dad texted me the score when he asked how Aly was.”

  I also was so happy to have heard that. Yes, we won!

  Soon my parents left the house, and Grandma was making food for Emily. I couldn’t stay put any longer. I grabbed the crutches and made my way into the kitchen. Grandma looked surprised. “Are you sure you should be up and moving?” she asked.

  “Oh, I’m all right, thanks to the new healer in the family.”

  Grandma looked directly into Emily’s eyes and said with astonishment, “Emily, you healed Aly?”

  “Well, not totally. I just asked not to have her leg be broken,” Emily said wearing a prideful smile.

  “Smart. You did enough healing so it wouldn’t be obvious,” said Grandma. “I’ll be here a few days, so I can go through all the rules and techniques of healing after school. But now, grab your jacket and head out to the corner. It’s almost time for your patrols to walk you to school.”

  Emily said her goodbyes and was out the door.

  “Let’s go back to your bedroom so we can take off that splint and see what your leg looks like,” Grandma ­ordered.

  Being a retired nurse, she carefully took off the splint and the Ace bandages under it. My leg had turned a bluish-purple with some swelling by the shin. There was a small area not much larger than a dime in size that had scabbed. Grandma chuckled when she saw it, “That must have been where the bone came out. Nothing else would have broken your skin. It must have really surprised the doctor there were no breaks. He must have thought a stick or skate hit you there. Emily must have requested the healing right after you were put in the ambulance, or you might have had to endure a cast. It was lucky she was there.”

  “Well, she got that power at the right time, that’s for sure. I was shocked when she told me she’d tried to heal me. I was in too much pain to calm myself enough.”

  “You know, Emily could have had this power for a while but didn’t have any reason to try it,” Grandma said.

  “Do you think she can transport yet? Maybe she has the power but hasn’t thought about moving anything.”

  “I doubt it,” said Grandma, “But we could have her try it when she gets home. With the bandages off, would you like to take a shower? I could bring up a folding chair from the basement to sit on it in the shower.”

  “Not today, Maybe tomorrow. I just want to rest. I didn’t even use magic, well, not much, and I’m beat.”

  “What do you mean, not much?” asked Grandma eyeing me carefully.

  “I used it to heal the bang-up bruises I got against the boards the first time I was on the ice. The same girls charged at me and ran me hard into the wall. They both got penalties, and my coach even asked if I was all right after that hit. That’s why I was extra glad to hear our team won!”

  “Smart girl, to heal it quickly. Just know, though, it always takes away your energy some. Too many healings in a game will make you weak. I wish I could have said something to those two girls’ parents and their coach!”

  “Grandma, it’s part of the game. We may not have to think about it in the future. I’m not sure Mom’s going to let me play after this. She and Dad discussed it last night.”

  “Once you heal, they may think differently. It’s really hard to see your child injured. I’m sure it scared both of them. It’s not often your child rides in an am
bulance due to an injury. Give it time,” said Grandma.

  She rewrapped my leg and got us something to drink.

  “Is it all right to see her now?” I heard Elsa ask.

  “Of course it is. She’s probably wondering where you two have been. Would you also like some orange juice? I’m pouring some for Aly and me,” said Grandma.

  “Yes, please,” they both replied.

  I was entertained by the tomtes’ and Grandma’s stories the whole morning. In the afternoon I slept. I woke to the smell of freshly baked peanut butter cookies just as Emily opened the door and ran into see me.

  “Are you doing okay? Does it hurt much?” she asked as she sat down on the side of my bed.

  “Thanks to you, not much at all.”

  After stuffing ourselves on cookies, Grandma had Emily try to see if any transporting powers had arisen in her. None showed up. But still, we warned her not to wish for anything three times in a row.

  Twenty-seven

  I had to use crutches for three more days after the doctor visit. Mom insisted I stay home because of all the stairs in the school. My leg healed completely, but I was ordered off of the hockey rink for the next month. The doctor said too many young players reinjure themselves by heading back into their sport too soon. To be safe, he always followed the month-off rule. I did try to attend every game to support my team.

  Thanksgiving came along sooner than expected. The whole autumn season seemed to have flown by. Grandma was our only guest this year for the big turkey day. My other grandparents were visiting Mom’s sister’s family in Illinois. It was actually nice to have a small group.

  As I was helping set the dining room table, I thought back about what I was thankful that year. I surprised myself with the realization I was grateful for all my new friends in the creature world. Last spring, I was terrified when I learned what my position was about. Now I was grateful to have had a chance to meet all these creatures, minus the trolls and dwarves, of course. I now had a new, extended family.

  When Grandma arrived, I took her coat, which oddly smelled of Thanksgiving. I watched her signal Elsa and, at that moment, I knew she had made a meal for our creature family. I smiled as I saw Elsa leave and Enar stood impatiently, waiting his turn. Only one tomte could participate at a time. The house had to be guarded. I was also sure the same was happening in the yard. One gnome stayed to guard the yard while the other went to Grandma’s to eat. Before the afternoon was over, I knew the guard positions would be changed.

  When we were all seated at the table Dad gave a prayer of thanks. I felt a warmth come over me knowing all of our loved ones were celebrating this holiday.

  We stuffed ourselves with our favorite foods. Nothing was as good as a Thanksgiving meal—turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberries, and corn. When we finished, Dad and Grandma headed for the basement, while both complained their stomachs were too full to walk. I heard the football game come on. Emily and I, on the other hand, stayed to help Mom clean off the table and load the dishwasher. Moving around always helped me not feel too stuffed. I also wanted to make room for pie.

  When the dishes were done, we joined the football watchers in the family room. I wasn’t a huge football fan, so as I sat next to Emily on the couch, I reflected back to a half-year ago when I became a guardian. I couldn’t stop reliving all the strange, scary, and happy events in my head and wondering what new ones Emily and I would take on this winter. Hopefully the snow and cold would slow down the constant creature events. We sure had tackled our fair share this autumn.

  Acknowledgements

  With every new novel I am humbled by friends and family willing to read the rough drafts, and I am grateful to all who take the time to help make the stories stronger. In particular I want to thank Shirley, Linda, Beth, Carter, Isabel, and Mike for your input.

  Dan, my wonderful husband, you have enabled my dream of becoming an author. You encourage my writing and read every page in the journey of forming each story. You are my most dedicated reader and your thoughts guide me down the path to completion.

  North Star Press, I always feel so honored with every new book of mine that you choose to publish.