Willow Wood Road: Lavender and Sage

by Micah Sherwood

  “Willow Wood looks across this little valley where people once lived and died. Pick up some dirt and you can sense their presence. I found a mano buried in the garden when Poppi and I were planting trees. That was the first hint I got about the area. A tragedy occurred along this little creek. The land is full of memories and pain. Pain can leave a mark. Most of the time it fades, but when something really terrible happens, it may never vanish. This whole valley has shadows that roam around it. Mostly they aren’t really conscious; they are like jellied memories; but there are other things that are evolving and some are self-aware. Something horrible happened here, and in a way it still is happening.”

  “That little room at Willow Wood is like warm blood that attracts mosquitos, but the ‘hole’ attracts these inhuman things. Everyone picks up on this, and once-in-awhile something visible and strange will happen. For me and Cory, those things are physical. We not only feel them, we can see and touch them. Believe me; you don’t want to see them.”

  “There is something else there, and I don’t fully understand what it is, but I’m working on it. Stay out of that room and you’ll be okay. And don’t be afraid. Fear will make it worse, and so will hate and anger. Emotions feed it and make it stronger.”

  “I don’t want to scare you. I haven’t had this talk with Greg or anyone else at Willow Wood. But I think you will believe me.” Micah finished his sermon and stared at Isabella waiting for a response.

  “I know that there is something odd about that house, and I get the heebie-jeebies when I go into your bedroom. Don’t worry; no one will sleep in there. You couldn’t force anyone to sleep in that room. I just thought you knew something and voilà, I ask and you answer. Now we better get back to the barbeque. I’m starved.”

  “You believe me?” Micah was incredulous.

  “Of course, Greg already prepped me for this conversation. I asked him about the creepiness in the house, and he told me to talk with you, that you knew more about it than anyone else.” She grinned at the boy, “I love you Micah. I will always believe you.”

  “Thank you.” Micah hugged and then led his sister-in-law back to the feast.

  Micah washed the dishes after everyone had left, and Mr. Dorsey sat in the kitchen watching. It seemed like the boy had grown half a foot since August. His sickness had not stunted his growth. He had never seen a boy sprout so fast. It frustrated Millie, his mother, who was out buying clothes for him on a monthly basis. “You worried about school tomorrow?”

  “Naw, I stayed pretty well caught up with the work. I finished 5th grade math, and I’m working on high school geometry. I’m not even worried about that asshole Mr. Terry.” He made Tom laugh.

  “I’ll meet with the nurse tomorrow morning and give her your medicine.” Tom was looking at the boy as he spoke. “You will have to go by her office at lunchtime to take your pills every day. Here’s your release to give your Home Room teacher. I need to make an appointment with Dr. Reeves. What day would you like to go?”

  “Can’t we wait a couple of weeks? I’m so tired of doctors and needles. I need a break. I promise if anything bad starts happening, I’ll tell you.” Micah had turned around to face his guardian. His eyes were pleading.

  “Let me see what I can do,” and he patted the boy on the back and went into the den.

  After Micah finished up, he followed the old man. “Cory wants me to eat at his house tomorrow. I’ll be home to ride Styx first. I might spend the night, but I’ll be home to do my work before school anyway.”

  Mr. Dorsey acknowledged the boy and then went into his room. He usually was up by 4:00 a.m., so he always had an early night. Micah, however, was rarely in bed before midnight and then up at 5:00 for breakfast and his chores.

  He slipped on his tennis shoes and headed out to the flint hill. The temperature had not fallen much, and a light fog was forming along the creek as he sprinted down the well-used horse trail. Soon he was being followed by a lone coyote, the yearling male that had disappeared from its family.

  Micah continued his run, and the canine ran nearer. He stopped midway to the hillock, and the coyote stood next to the boy, who held his hand out for the visitor to smell, and then he petted the coyote’s fur. The animal was too thin, starving. Micah raced back to the barn followed by his new friend and retrieved some of Raggéd’s food. He sat next to him as he fed.

  “Haze, how do you like that name?” he asked the animal, who wagged its tail as he spoke. Micah went into his bedroom and to sleep.

  He rushed through breakfast and his chores the next morning then fed Haze who sat on the back porch smiling. Micah headed toward the log across the creek and to school. Dane and Cory waited at the barbed wire fence next to the weed lot. He tossed his notebook to the ground and vaulted over the fence. Tandy came just behind Micah. In the distance, Tommy and Charlie were running to join the boys, and with them the clique was complete.

  Tommy and Charlie were an important part of the gang, but they stood at the periphery of the group. They did not share the deep ties that Micah, Tandy, Dane and Cory held. Their friendship started and ended at the school doors. But you could count them in for any activity occurring during school hours.

  Cory had kept Micah informed of the goings-on at the school. Micah was no longer tops in the swat competition. Cory beat him out with 17 swats verses his count still at 15. Other than that, there was no change to the status quo.

  The boys walked to the south door. The Townies stood away from the boys and watched as they passed; animosity rooted in distrust exuded from the rivals. Micah glared directly at Beau and momentarily stopped so that their eyes would meet and a challenge leveled. Micah stepped away and spit onto the ground as an insult and a threat. As he moved closer to the building, a couple of the girls waved, and Micah waved back. Cory saw the exchange and jabbed his friend in the ribs.

  Micah went through the doors and into Mrs. Stein’s room to turn in his doctor’s release form before class. The teacher was in her late forties. She liked Micah and said that he “had a lovely mind.” She went out of her way to challenge him and to push him to excel. And once when he got into a fight, she defended him to the principal.

  “Finally back and you’re looking well.” She sized him up. “Take your old seat, Tandy reserved it for you. Are you ready to jump back into the routine and start tutoring again? I have several kids who really need help.”

  “I guess, but I need some time to familiarize myself with the lessons. I haven’t looked at 4th grade math since December.”

  “I understand, just let me know when you’re up to speed.” She stood up and patted the boy’s back. I’m glad everything is better and you’re healthy.”

  Micah smiled and the bell rang; he took his seat as first period began. The first five minutes of the school day started with the Pledge of Allegiance, scriptural readings, and announcements. This morning, Mr. Malvern announced an assembly for all 4th Graders in the cafeteria at recess. Then class began.

  Micah did not know how much he missed school until he sat at his desk during math class, but he did not miss the lessons. Rather it was the verve that surrounded him and his classmates, a liveliness that made childhood special: alliances and adversaries; cooperation and competition; loves and hatreds. Each child participated in a type of group awareness, an age where kids first experience the collective spirit rather than selfishness.

  At the end of Math, Mrs. Stein had an extra credit question. She did this every once-in-awhile, and most of the time the question dealt with math, but sometimes Micah recognized questions related to IQ-Testing. Today was one of those days.

  “Who can answer this question? Listen carefully to the question. The first one who answers correctly will get two points added on his six-week grade:”

  “I have one jar. I put one penny in it. Each day the number of pennies I put in doubles. It takes 10 days to fill it completely. How many days does it take to half fill it?”

  “Who can answer this question?”
>
  Beau raised his hand, “Five days.”

  “Incorrect.”

  Jan shouted out a question, “What are the dimensions of the jar and of the penny?”

  “The dimensions are not pertinent to the answer,” the teacher responded.

  Micah raised his hand, “Nine days.”

  “That is correct. Explain your answer.”

  “If it takes 10 days to fill the jar, and if the number of pennies doubles each day, at day nine it would be half full, because doubling a half full jar would equal a full jar on day 10.”

  “Very good, but you do not need the points, so I will let you pick the person to receive the extra-credit. Who do you wish to help and why?”

  Micah spoke immediately. “Beau, because he always tries to answer the extra point questions but never gets it right. But he does his best.”

  That response caused the Cowboys to grin, and Beau turned a deep shade of red.

  The bell rang, and Mrs. Stein asked Micah to remain for a moment. “Micah, tomorrow you get to read the scriptural verse, you need to go to Mr. Malvern’s office first thing in the morning.”

  “Which verse?” The boy asked.

  “Whichever one you want.” She smiled and Micah left.

  Midway through second period a message came. Mr. Terry read the note and then told Micah to go directly to the principal’s office. He picked up his books, turned to Tandy and whispered, “Everything is back to normal!”

  He walked into the foyer and took a seat. After a few moments, the secretary came out of the office and instructed the boy to “go on in.” He walked through the door, and before Mr. Malvern said a word, Micah smiled and said, “I didn’t do it, and you can’t prove it anyway.”

  The principal laughed and told him to take a seat. Mrs. Stein came through the door and sat beside the boy. “We’re here to talk about math again. You’re in 4th grade, and you’ve already completed 5th grade math four months early. Now what do we do, start 6th grade math?” You really need to reconsider jumping to junior high. You aren’t being challenged here, and we all are wasting time and your talents.”

  “No, that would be terrible. I’m fine here. I never complain about the work. Why are you making it so tough?” Micah was adamant, just as he was in August and in November when they suggested the class jump.

  “Are you working in the high school geometry book Mrs. Stein gave you?” The principal queried.

  “I’m doing the work slowly, a chapter a week, but it’s not hard. I can do more if you want.”

  Mr. Malvern shook his head no. “What else are you studying on your own?

  “I study high school Algebra and Spanish with my brother, but he’s being shipped out in a few weeks, so that’s going to end. I’m also studying Latin on my own.” Micah answered.

  “I am sorry about your brother. I can imagine how hard it is for you and your family.” There was quiet for a few moments before he started speaking again. “You’re craving challenges and we want to meet your needs. But maybe there’s another opportunity. I’ve looked at the Fall Schedule for ninth grade. We can schedule you for Algebra, Earth Science and Spanish for the afternoons at the junior high. You will miss lunch, but you will be able to attend classes here in the morning and the advanced studies in the afternoon. Mrs. Stein will take you to the junior high at lunch time, and you can ride the bus back home from there. Will you consider that? Talk to Mr. Dorsey! I don’t need an answer until mid-summer, so you have plenty of time to consider this option.” Mr. Malvern looked at Micah.

  “I will think about it, but aren’t we just delaying the problem for a year and making it worse. You assume I will go into high school after next year, a 12 year old in high school. How does that benefit me? I’ll talk to Tom.” Micah was not happy about this prospect. The bell rang, and Micah stood. “Can I go to the 4th Grade Assembly?”

  “Yes,” the principal said, “Walk with me and Mrs. Stein.”

  The three went down the hall into the cafeteria. The tables and chairs were spread around the periphery of the room. In the center was a table with a cake, ice cream, a Christmas tree and presents. Micah saw his friends and went to stand with them, while Mr. Malvern and Mrs. Stein stood next to the table with Mrs. Jared.

  Mr. Malvern spoke, “Ladies and gentlemen, today we have a friend and fellow student back with us.” Micah got a sinking feeling. “In December, he became very ill and was not able to join us for our Christmas Party. At that time, the students of 4th Grade voted to delay the party until he returned. Today is Christmas in March, because David Micah Sherwood has come home. Micah, please come and join us at the table and say a few words.”

  Micah wanted to run, but he proceeded to the center of the room, and everyone clapped except the Townies, who were sitting at the farthest point away from their fellow 4th Graders. “I’m not sure what to say, I am not good with words and I have never given a speech. Thank you for this. I read that the worth of a person can be measured by the number and quality of his friends. Obviously, I am a very wealthy boy.” There was more applause, and he smiled, stepped back, and saw his mother, Isabella and Mr. Dorsey standing at the door to the cafeteria.

  Mrs. Stein took the microphone as a girl, Cheryl, raised her hand. The teacher nodded for her to speak. “Can we ask him some questions?” Mrs. Stein looked at Micah and he returned to the table.

  “Okay, this is weird.”

  “What was wrong with you?” the girl asked.

  “Well a couple of things. I had Rheumatic Fever and some complications from that. But the doctors discovered a birth defect, an isolated cleft in the heart’s mitral valve, which they had to surgically correct. Don’t ask me what that is, I’m not sure and don’t really want to know. I have to take a lot of pills. But the doctor said I could return to normal activities.”

  “So you have a scar. How big is it?”

  Micah thought and then smiled. “It is easier to show you than describe it.” And he started unbuckling his belt causing the girls to gasp and retreat. “Just teasing,” he laughed and then pulled off his shirt and undershirt. Everyone wanted to touch the scar, which sort of disturbed him.

  “Okay,” Mr. Malvern yelled over the microphone. “Micah, I will see you in my office after the assembly for your risqué display. And Cory, “Mr. Malvern looked around the room, “I hope you have the scorecard for the swat competition, Micah gets to add to his totals today.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “Now it’s time for the cake and ice cream. Mrs. Stein will call out names and handout the presents.”

  Micah threw his shirt on and went to his family.

  His mother grabbed and embraced him. “There were a couple of times that I didn’t think I would ever see you at school again. Thank God you’re here and happy.”

  Isabella kissed his forehead, “Good job, fella.”

  And Tom picked him up and almost smothered him with a bear hug.

  Chapter 4: Al-Hallaj

  Micah dropped his school things on the kitchen table except the wrapped Christmas gift, which he carried into Mr. Dorsey’s office where the old man had legal papers spread across his desk.

  “Look, he spoke to the old man. Sammy got me a Christmas gift. He sent it from Illinois.” The box was over six inches long and narrow.

  “He wouldn’t open it at school,” Cory indicated. “He had to wait until he got home. So open it!”

  “I couldn’t there. I knew what it was and I’d get into trouble,” speaking as he tore the packaging off. “It’s a switchblade. It’s beautiful. Look at the pearl handle. Sammy showed it to me at school once. I knew what it was as soon as Mrs. Stein handed it to me.”

  “That is very illegal,” Mr. Dorsey told the boy. “I can’t let you keep it.”

  “I’ll store it with my other knives. I won’t carry it.”

  “No Micah, give it to me and I’ll put it away. When you’re older, you can decide what to do with it, but until then, I’ll keep it in my desk.” Tom took t
he weapon and put it in his bottom drawer.

  “It’s ‘much ado about nothing,’” he commented. “If I wanted to hurt someone, I could do it with anything; even a penknife could do some damage. Hell, I have a rifle and that can kill from a long way off.”

  “I don’t disagree with you; however, you can’t hide a rifle in your pocket.” Tom got a kick when Micah got riled. “To quote your mother, ‘this conversation is over.’”

  “Mrs. Krigsman called at lunch and invited me for dinner, so when you two get back, we’ll go over together. You probably should put on some clean clothes before we go. You smell like a goat.”

  “A goat?” Micah was incensed. “That’s Cory, not me.” He grinned at his friend.

  Tandy and the boys galloped around the big pasture and then returned to the ranch house. Micah changed and then headed into Tom’s office. “Mr. Dorsey, I have to read a scripture at school tomorrow. Where is your Bible?”

  “That shelf midway up, it’s the big maroon colored book. That’s the Bible along with some other scriptures. You know what you’re looking for?”

  “No!” Micah looked at the book case and pulled a green leather book from the shelf. “The Holy Qur’an, is this considered scripture also?”

  Mr. Dorsey looked up from his work. “Yes, that is the scriptures of Islam, but you already knew that.”

  “Not really, I though scripture was just the Bible. So I can use something from this?” There was a slight grin on the boy’s face.

  “I suppose, but it might open some eyes if you do.” Tom saw the mischievous look on the boy’s face. “You’re conniving, aren’t you? One day back at school and you’re already figuring out ways to get into trouble. Typically when a person says scripture, they are referring to one’s own religion.”