Merry Meet

by Isobel Bird

  “Then what holds it together?” asked Annie.

  “A basic belief that everything in the world is connected somehow to everything else, and that becoming more attuned to these connections, and to the cycles of nature, can bring great changes to your life,” Rowan answered. “I know that sounds like a non-answer, but it’s true. Witches believe that, because everything is connected, what we do with our lives creates changes all around us. We believe that by becoming more aware of the natural processes of life and nature we can learn to work with those processes to effect change. We might use magic to make these changes. We might use chanting and singing and drumming. We might use meditation. But whatever we do, what we’re trying to accomplish is the same—we’re trying to make positive changes in our lives and in the world we live in.”

  “That makes witchcraft sound really boring,” Sasha said. “What about all the robes and candles and incense and all of that? Where’s the fun stuff?”

  “You can’t look at just the trappings and costumes of ritual,” Rowan said. “Those things are fun, but the real power of witchcraft is in the changes that take place when you dedicate yourself to understanding the rhythms and cycles of nature—and to exploring your connections with the world and how those things can have an effect on your own life and on the lives of others.”

  “I still like the robes and the incense,” Sasha whispered to Kate. “This other stuff sounds too eggheady for me.”

  Kate was thinking about everything that Rowan had said. It was all complicated.

  “How do you know if you’re doing it right?” she asked, speaking her thoughts out loud.

  “Another good question,” said Rowan. “Again, that’s going to be different for different people. And it’s going to take time for you to know when something is working and when it’s not. But basically you know you’re doing it right if it’s making your life better. If you’re a happier person because of your involvement with witchcraft, and if you’re living a more well-rounded and full life, then you’re doing it right.”

  “Or if you land a great boyfriend,” Sasha said to Kate, giggling.

  “I don’t think that’s exactly what she meant,” Kate responded. But she had to admit that having Scott as her boyfriend did make her feel better about herself. So maybe that was part of it after all.

  Rowan continued. “I know you all have a lot of questions,” she said. “What witchcraft is and isn’t can’t be explained all at once, and it will become more clear to you the more you study and learn. I’ve copied some reading materials for all of you which will explain a little bit more about the evolution of modern witchcraft. You can take these home and read them during the week. But for the rest of tonight I want to break into smaller groups for discussion. I’ll lead one of the groups. Other members of the Coven of the Green Wood will lead groups as well. You can ask them about their own experiences in the Craft, and that might give you a better idea what this is all about. So let’s form four groups of three or so people. Try to get into groups with folks you don’t know. That way you’ll get to know more people.”

  People stood up and began to form little groups. Annie and Cooper moved away from Kate and found others to stick with. Kate looked around. Almost everyone else had already matched up with a group. She noticed that the older woman was still alone, so she walked over to her and introduced herself.

  “I’m Lea,” the woman said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Why don’t we form a group around the chair here?” said a voice behind Kate.

  She turned and saw Tyler standing there, looking at her.

  “I’m your leader tonight,” he explained when Kate looked puzzled. “I may be young, but I’ve been raised in the Craft all my life. Rowan is my mother.”

  That explains why he was at the ritual, Kate thought. But who was the girl he had left with? She still didn’t have an answer to that question. Not that it was any of her concern.

  “Mind if I join you?” Sasha asked. “All the other groups are full.”

  “Not at all,” Tyler said. “Let’s sit down.”

  They all sat around Lea’s chair and started talking. Tyler explained to them that his mother had been a member of the Coven of the Green Wood since before he was born. He had been brought up participating in rituals, and had joined the coven himself when he was thirteen.

  “Did you ever think about becoming something else?” Kate asked.

  Tyler nodded. “I learned about a lot of differ-ent religions while I was growing up,” he said. “I went to Jewish synagogues and Muslim mosques. I went to Baptist churches and Catholic churches and Quaker meetings. My sister and I learned Buddhist meditation and different things like that. But I always came back to witchcraft. It just feels right for me.”

  “You have a sister?” Sasha asked.

  “Yes,” said Tyler. “She’s over there with one of the other groups.”

  Kate looked in the direction Tyler was nodding. When she saw that his sister was the girl from the ritual, something inside of her breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t a girlfriend after all. Why am I even thinking about that? Kate thought, scolding herself. She ran her finger absentmindedly over the ring that Scott had given her. When she looked up, she saw that Tyler had turned his tawny eyes in her direction. She looked away, pretending to scratch her nose.

  They talked for a long time about Tyler’s experiences as a witch. Lea was very interested in knowing how he felt about being part of such a misunderstood religion. Sasha asked some questions about magic. But Kate kept quiet. She didn’t really know what to ask. Plus, she was afraid that if she said anything Tyler would look at her again, and she didn’t know if she could take it.

  When Rowan announced that time was up, the groups broke up and people went to pick up the handouts that were sitting on the table at the front of the room. Kate was standing with Sasha, waiting for her turn, when Tyler walked up to them.

  “Kate,” he said. “You’re awfully quiet. I was wondering if you had any questions of your own. Maybe you’d like to get together during the week to talk more about things. Or maybe I could call you.”

  Kate looked at him. She wasn’t sure, but she thought he was asking her out. For a moment she felt the peculiar tickling sensation in her stomach that she’d had the first time Scott had asked her out. But then she came to her senses.

  “I don’t know,” she said. “I’m going to be really busy this week.”

  Tyler nodded. “That’s okay,” he said. “We can talk next week.”

  “I have some questions,” Sasha said suddenly. “Maybe you and I could get together. I’m not too busy this week.”

  Kate looked at Sasha in surprise. She was clearly trying to get Tyler to ask her out. But he deflected her. “Maybe we should save all the questions for class,” he said. “I’ll see you guys next week.”

  After he left, Sasha turned to Kate. “I can’t believe he just asked you out,” she said. “And I can’t believe you said no.”

  “But I have a boyfriend,” Kate said. “And so do you. What about Jack?”

  “Who?” Sasha said absentmindedly as she stared at Tyler’s retreating back. “Oh, Jack. You’re right. But I wasn’t really asking Tyler out. I was just trying to help him save face after you rejected him.”

  “Thanks, I guess,” said Kate.

  “No problem,” Sasha replied. “But I still can’t believe you said no. You’ve got all the luck—two gorgeous guys who have it bad for you. The least you could do is share one with the rest of us.”

  Chapter 6

  On Wednesday, Kate arrived at Annie’s house earlier than she’d expected to. Coach Saliers had been in one of her rare good moods and had only made them do light drills and play a short scrimmage before sending them to the showers. Kate had declined an offer from Jessica and Tara to go watch a video afterward, telling them that she had some homework to do. But the truth was that she wanted to talk to Annie in private.

  She rang the bell and wai
ted for someone to answer, hoping that Annie would be home alone. But when the door opened and she saw Sasha’s face peering out, she was shocked.

  “Hey,” Sasha said. “Come on in.”

  Kate entered the house and followed Sasha into the kitchen, where Annie was just taking something out of the oven. Annie was always trying out new recipes, mixing ingredients together as easily as she combined chemicals in lab experiments. As usual, the room was filled with smells that made Kate’s mouth water.

  “Hi,” Annie said. “You’re just in time. Sasha and I made peanut butter cookies.”

  “They’re my favorite,” Sasha explained. “I showed Annie how to make the little crosshatch design on the top with a fork. Want one?”

  “No, thanks,” Kate answered, putting her backpack down. “I’m not hungry.” She really would have liked to have had some cookies, but she was annoyed that Sasha was there. She needed to talk to Annie alone, and now she wouldn’t get to. Besides, since when had Annie gotten to be so friendly with the new girl? After-school get-togethers had always been reserved for Cooper, Annie, and Kate. Now Sasha was acting as if she’d always been part of the group, and even though she liked Sasha, that bothered Kate a little.

  “Sasha and I were talking about last night’s class,” Annie said. “I thought it was really interesting.”

  “Yeah,” said Sasha, taking a still-warm cookie and popping it in her mouth. “We’re going to do the dedication ritual. Are you?”

  Kate didn’t know what to say. She honestly hadn’t thought about it much at all. But appar-ently Sasha and Annie had, and they’d been talking about it.

  “I think Cooper wants to do it too,” Annie said.

  “She does,” Sasha said. “I talked to her about it in school today.”

  “I didn’t see you in class today,” Kate said. “I thought you might be sick or something.”

  “I just missed the morning classes,” Sasha explained. “I had to do some stuff with my mom. But Coop and I have math together seventh period. That’s when I saw her.”

  Coop? thought Kate. Nobody called Cooper “Coop.”

  “I haven’t really decided if I’m doing it or not,” Kate said. “The ritual, I mean. It sounds like a big step.”

  “Come on,” Sasha urged. “We’re all doing it. You can’t be the only one left out. Besides, then maybe you can spend more time with Mr. Golden Eyes.”

  “Who?” Annie asked, sliding cookies off a cookie sheet and onto the counter.

  “You know,” Sasha said. “That guy who has the hots for Kate. I told you about him.”

  Annie nodded. Kate felt anger rise up inside her. “I really don’t like people talking about me when I’m not around,” she said, more harshly than she’d intended.

  Sasha raised her hands. “Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to tell tales out of school. I thought it was just between friends.”

  “That’s okay,” Kate said, feeling bad for blowing up. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. I just had a long day. Maybe I do need one of those cookies after all.”

  Sasha pushed a plate of cookies toward her, and Kate took one. After finishing it, she felt a little better. After finishing three, she felt great. She sat down at the table across from Sasha.

  “Maybe it’s just the cookies talking, but I think I will do the dedication ritual,” she said. “It might be fun.” Some of her uneasy feelings had died away, and she was feeling more comfortable. Maybe the ritual really would be fun. Besides, if her friends were all doing it, she didn’t want to feel left out.

  “That’s the spirit,” Sasha said. “Then the whole gang will be officially witchy. Everyone at school will be in awe of our powers.”

  “I didn’t say anything about telling people at school,” Kate said.

  “Right,” said Annie. “We had enough trouble when one little spell went wrong. No one even knew we were responsible, but they blamed us anyway. If they actually knew we were involved in Wicca, they’d just assume everything was our fault.”

  “You guys worry too much,” Sasha said. “Back in LA, no one cared if you were a witch or not. I had lots of witch friends in school. We called ourselves the Coven of Angels. You know, because Los Angeles is the City of Angels.”

  “I don’t think something like that would go over very well in Beecher Falls,” Annie said seriously.

  “I know it wouldn’t,” Kate added. “Besides, no one in my family knows, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

  “It’s your call,” Sasha said. “I just think it would be cool to be able to walk around school with everyone knowing that we’re witches.”

  They sat at the table talking until the last sheet of cookies was cooling on the counter. Then Sasha asked if she could see Annie’s bedroom.

  They went up the narrow staircase that led to Annie’s attic bedroom. When Sasha saw it, she gave a long whistle.

  “This place is cool,” she said. “You have this whole thing to yourself?”

  Annie nodded. “All mine.”

  Sasha walked around the room picking things up and looking at them. She ran her hands over the quilt on Annie’s bed and stood looking out the big windows that offered a view of the treetops and, far beyond them, the ocean. Then she put her arms out and spun around a few times in the center of the room.

  “I can’t wait to do rituals in here,” she said. “Imagine, your very own secret space. I’d give anything for a room like this.”

  She stopped twirling and went over to one of Annie’s bookshelves. Looking at the books, she picked one out and held it up.

  “Is this the spell book that started it all?”

  “That’s the one,” Kate said. “The good old ‘Come to Me Love Spell.’”

  Sasha flipped through the pages, looking for the spell. When she found it, she read for a few minutes, then laughed. “This sounds like a bunch of bad poetry,” she said. “It really worked?”

  Annie and Kate both nodded. “Kate had every guy in school after her for a while,” Annie said.

  “I didn’t even know what I was doing,” said Kate. “I just thought it might be fun.”

  “But look at you now,” Sasha replied. “You must have done something right.”

  “I don’t think Scott’s going out with me has anything to do with the spell,” Kate said. “I think it just got him interested.”

  “But don’t tell Cooper that,” Annie said, teasing her friend. “She still says Scott has to be the most willing subject of a spell ever.”

  A buzzing sound from downstairs interrupted their conversation. Sasha jumped up. “That must be the timer,” she said. “I left it on so we’d know how long the cookies had been cooling. I’ll go turn it off.”

  “That’s okay,” said Annie, getting up. “I’ll go. You stay and talk to Kate.”

  Annie left, and Sasha threw herself on the bed, stretching out. “I’m so glad I met you guys,” she said. “I really miss my friends back home, but you make it a lot easier.”

  Kate wasn’t sure what to say. Was she glad that Sasha had come into their lives? She wasn’t sure. She liked her, but there were times when the other girl got on her nerves a little. But was it because she was annoying, or just because she was different? Kate couldn’t tell yet.

  “Hey, what time is it?” Sasha asked suddenly.

  Kate looked at her watch. “Almost five-thirty,” she said.

  “I’ve got to go,” Sasha said, sitting up. “I told the woman at the shelter that I’d be there by six.”

  “Shelter?” Kate asked, confused.

  “Yeah,” Sasha answered. “I do this volunteer thing. You know the Summer House?”

  Kate nodded. The Summer House was a home for runaways, many of whom came to Beecher Falls on their way to Seattle. Kate’s mother sometimes donated food from her catering business to them.

  “I go there sometimes,” Sasha explained, picking up her backpack. “I volunteered at a shelter in LA, and I really liked it, so when I came here they hooked me
up with the Summer House. But the lady running it hates it when we’re late, so I have to scoot.”

  Sasha ran out of the bedroom and took the stairs two at a time. She said good-bye to Annie and headed for the front door. Kate heard it slam shut before she herself had even made it to the kitchen.

  “She was sure in a hurry,” Annie said. “I was just bringing up more cookies.”

  Kate explained where Sasha was going. “I can’t quite figure her out,” she said when she had finished the story.

  “What do you mean?” asked Annie.

  “Well, she’s just kind of weird,” Kate said.

  “A lot of people think we’re weird,” Annie reminded her. “And as I recall, you thought Cooper and I were really weird before you met us.”

  “You two are weird,” Kate said. “I’m the only normal one in this crowd.”

  “What brought you over here, anyway?” Annie asked. “I thought you’d be out with the Graces or something.” “The Graces” is what Annie had taken to calling Sherrie, Jessica, and Tara, after the three Graces of Greek mythology. Given the girls’ interest in being beautiful and popular, it was an appropriate title, and it had quickly become Annie and Cooper’s shorthand for them.

  “I wanted to talk to you,” Kate said. “But not in front of Sasha.”

  “Sounds serious,” said Annie. “Do I need to be sitting down?”

  Kate rolled her eyes. “No. It’s just boy problems. Not even boy problems really. Just something I don’t know what to think about.”

  “Did something happen with Scott?” Annie queried.

  Kate shook her head. “No. He’s fine. Great. It’s this other guy.”

  “The one Sasha was telling me about?” Annie asked.

  “That’s the one,” Kate said. “The boy with the golden eyes, as I keep referring to him in my head. Tyler.”

  “What about him?” asked Annie.