by Rachel Wells
Chapter 27
The alarm clock rang too soon the next morning, jolting Mandy awake from the thin veil of sleep she had been in. She had spent most of the night tossing and turning, dreading the task the new day would bring. She had to break up with Steve today.
Mandy’s stomach turned at the mere thought of it. It felt like a rubber band was constricting her middle and she couldn’t breathe normally. She splashed some cold water on her face, trying to calm herself down, and saw the black circles under her eyes. She looked awful. Good, maybe Steve won’t take it so hard since I’d be embarrassing to be seen with today anyway, Mandy thought to herself sarcastically.
Steve was waiting for Mandy with a grin on his face in front of her locker, the same as any day, only today Mandy couldn’t meet his eyes or return his smile. Steve noticed something was wrong right away and the grin faded from his face. “What’s wrong? No offense, but you don’t look too good. Are you sick or something?” Steve said worriedly.
“We need to talk,” Mandy said, stopping in front of him. She didn’t want to look him in the face but she forced herself to. He had to believe she meant what she was about to say or she could be putting him in danger.
“What is it?” Steve asked, putting his hand on Mandy’s shoulder.
“I can’t do this anymore. We can’t be together,” Mandy whispered, feeling like the rubber band was now constricting her throat, making it almost impossible to breathe let alone talk.
“What do you mean? I don’t understand what happened…” Steve stuttered, clearly thrown off guard.
“Nothing happened. We’re just not right for each other and there’s no point in stringing you along…” Mandy shrugged, trying to remain calm but feeling like an evil villain in the process.
“No, we are right for each other. It’s effortless when we’re together! I know you feel that way too,” Steve protested, reaching for Mandy’s chin. He brought her face up, forcing her to look at him. “You just said last night that you wouldn’t have it any other way…” Steve said quietly.
“Well, I was wrong,” Mandy said, jerking her head away from Steve quickly so that maybe he wouldn’t see the tears building in her eyes and threatening to spill over. She turned her back to him and started to open her locker.
“Mandy, we can work this out. It doesn’t have to be like this,” Steve said, the desperation in his voice almost tangible.
“Yes it does. Listen, I don’t want to see you anymore. I don’t want to be around you. I don’t want you to wait for me at my locker or between classes. Just stay away from me, ok?” Mandy forced her voice louder, trying to get her point across.
Steve stared at Mandy. His mouth hung open a little, the shock and pain written across his face. His eyes seemed glazed over. He shook his head a little. “Mandy, I…”
Mandy didn’t wait to hear what he would say. “I don’t like you anymore Steve, ok? In fact, I never really liked you. I just felt bad for you. And I let it go on for too long. I’m sorry. But this is how it has to be. So just stay away from me. Far away!” Mandy slammed her locked and reeled off towards class before Steve could recover and come after her. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks now.
She ducked into the girls’ bathroom to try to collect herself, happy to find it empty. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and was surprised to see that she looked even worse than she had before she left the house. She hadn’t thought that was possible. Her face was red, and along with the black circles under her eyes, the skin surrounding them had now puffed up. Her hair was a nightmare. None of that really mattered to Mandy at the moment though. She felt wrong, all hollow inside. She couldn’t bear to sit through classes all day. She had always played by the rules, never been so much as tempted to break them on a normal day. But this was not a normal day. Today she didn’t care. Today she was breaking the rules. Besides she didn’t want to risk having to talk to Steve again.
Mandy picked her backpack off the floor and left the bathroom, heading for her car. Today she was ditching school for the first time ever.
* * *
Chapter 28
Mandy wandered around downtown aimlessly. Normally she would be freaking out that someone might see her, that she might get in trouble for not being at school, for not being where she was supposed to be. In fact, someone did see her. She should have known better than to pass right by in front of Enchanted Dew Drops, but she didn’t have the energy to change her path. She passed by sullenly, giving her Nana a half-smile if you could even call it that as she passed by the big picture window of the store. Nana’s brows knit together and she frowned at Mandy, completely aware that something was amiss. Nana was out the door of the shop half a second later, calling after Mandy, imploring her to come and talk to her. Mandy pretended like she didn’t care and she kept walking, forcing herself to quicken her pace. Normally she would never blow Nana off like that, but today wasn’t normal. Today she just didn’t care. She was vaguely aware that Nana might tell her parents on her, but there was also a good chance that she would know enough to keep Mandy’s secret. Nana was intuitive like that. At some point she’d have to come clean to Nana, but now was not the time for that.
She passed by the lifeless windows of the Golden Rod, with the taffy machines dead behind the glass like mummies in a sarcophagus. She stopped in her tracks and touched the glass, finding herself still surprised that the Golden Rod had closed down. It just felt wrong somehow. She caught her reflection in the streaky glass, frowning and looking drawn. Suddenly another face was reflected next to her, looking serious and frowning as well. As she became aware that she was not alone, she felt a hand on her elbow, urging her away from the glass. “Come,” Ophelia said quietly, directing Mandy towards her shop.
Part of Mandy wanted to yank away from Ophelia, but most of her just didn’t care. Besides it felt like it would surely be too much effort to actually get out of her grasp and away, so she went willingly with her.
“In,” Ophelia directed, pulling aside the red velvet curtains that always hung closed, a barrier between the store front and the actual inside of the store. Mandy followed the instructions mutely. The inside of the store behind the curtain was dark and dusty, yet somehow still felt rich and ornate. It didn’t seem to match up with Ophelia at all. Mandy would have expected to find more gaudy props inside, like crystal balls and eccentric lighting, or tin stars and moons hanging on the wall, and perhaps plastic lawn furniture. Instead the furniture seemed to be mostly antique. There were dark woods and deep velvets. Heavy drapery covered the back window and porcelain lamps were scattered here and there. Plush oriental rugs covered the floors. Milk glass vases bursting with blooms from Nana’s shop, Mandy was sure, were squeezed into the empty spaces. The air was thick with dust, flowers, and a sickly sweet tobacco smell. It smelled old, from another time, but somehow warm and thus comforting. Ophelia pulled out a red velvet chair with a straight back. “Sit,” she gestured from Mandy to the chair. Mandy did not protest, but dropped into the chair, a small sigh escaping her lips.
“You are in danger. Normally I charge for readings, however I felt it was my duty to warn you and play my part in destiny,” Ophelia announced calmly, raising her eyebrows at Mandy, clearly waiting for some sort of response or reaction.
Mandy looked back at Ophelia just as calmly, trying to sort through the swirl of thoughts that was racing through her brain so she could pick out something intelligible to say. “I know,” was all Mandy could manage to squeeze out.
“You know?” Ophelia was taken aback by Mandy’s calm admittance.
Mandy did not like that she was being forced to talk, let alone talk about this. However she knew she had to cooperate somewhat. It was expected. “Well, I had a feeling anyway. Somebody’s been leaving me notes, and let’s just say they’re not love notes.”
“I know, I know this much. I also know I am not to know any more. When I try to see what the notes say or what will happen I get nothing. The blank card,” Ophelia
motioned to a stack of tarot cards on a table nearby.
“Blank card?” Mandy asked, not understanding. She hoped she didn’t sound as stupid as she felt at the moment.
“A blank card can be good or bad. It can go either way. It means you have a chance at succeeding at what you must do, but it also means you could fail. At this point it means there is grave danger about,” Ophelia said seriously, for once not cackling in glee at her prophecies.
“I don’t know what they want, I don’t even know who they are. I don’t know what to do. What am I supposed to do?” Mandy quietly admitted.
“I can’t tell you that because I do not know. I do know that sometimes history needs to be corrected in order for the world to move on. There is a presence around you. She has been with you since the first day I saw you. I am surprised you don’t feel her. She is powerful but she needs your help. With what or how I cannot say,” Ophelia shook her head at Mandy.
“You’re a psychic. Aren’t you supposed to be able to see stuff?” Mandy said annoyed at the warning and lack of direction.
“I can only see what is revealed to me. I tell you what I see, danger and spirit. You have knowledge, take comfort in that. The spirit is not malevolent, it is desperate. She feels you can unlock her from her personal purgatory. However, doing so will be a challenge. There is bad karma surrounding you. I only know that you have the power to get yourself out of this situation. You must look within. You have been warned. I wish you luck,” Ophelia concluded, standing and walking towards the velvet curtain that separated the back of Ophelia’s from the front. Mandy got up and followed because she felt she had no choice. Ophelia was never one to speak clearly, and today she seemed even more cryptic. Mandy sighed as she passed by Ophelia and into the day light outside. “You can succeed, but you must believe in all that you are, all you can be, and all that has been. Good luck, senorita,” Ophelia’s voice was low and somber, unlike any other time Mandy had heard her talk. All the taunting and leering tones were missing from it. Ophelia touched Mandy’s shoulder in what was supposed to be a reassuring gesture, which was also very out of character from Ophelia. Mandy nodded at the woman and walked off alone towards her car. She needed to go home and be alone.
* * *
Chapter 29
Mandy had fallen into a dreamless sleep when she had gotten to the sanctuary of her own room. She was woken by a knocking at her door. She sat up quickly, trying to shake off the sleep fog. She looked at the clock. 4:30. Almost dinner time. She wondered if her parents knew she hadn’t been in school today. The knocking began again.
“Yeah?” Mandy called, clearing her throat from the sleepy goo that had made its home there as she snoozed. “You can come in.” Mandy’s door pushed open, revealing her mom standing there.
“Hey honey. Rough day? I came up earlier and saw you were asleep,” Mandy’s mom started.
“Um, yeah. Guess I was tired,” Mandy said, unsure of what to say.
“Well dinner’s almost done,” Mandy’s mom turned to go but stopped. “Oh, and your friend Lucas called earlier too. I told him you had fallen asleep and he said he’d just drop by later. Now don’t get flustered, but I kind of invited him to dinner,” Mandy’s mom grimaced sheepishly, clearly aware of the potential trouble she had gotten herself into.
“Mom!” Mandy screeched. Her mouth fell open and her hands dropped uselessly to her sides. “Why’d you do that?!”
“Now, Honey, calm down. Lucas is a nice kid, I didn’t see the harm in helping your friendship along. It’s nothing. So what if he eats dinner with us for one night? It’s not like you’re serious with that Stephen kid. Right?”
“Mo-om,” Mandy moaned, turning the word into two syllables. “Sometimes you make me so mad I could scream. It’s not your business who I am or am not friends with. I’m not five anymore!” Mandy stormed past her mom and downstairs. She could smell enchiladas bubbling away in the oven, her favorite. She would bet her mom had made them as a peace offering. She walked past her dad who happened to be passing through the room and started to fling open drawers, grabbing utensils to set the table. Mandy’s mom was hot on her heels.
“Now honey! Come on! Be reasonable,” Mandy’s mom began. Mandy slammed the silverware drawer shut with a thud, ignoring her mom’s comments. She began noisily throwing the forks and knives down on the table. Just then the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get that,” Mandy’s dad said too fast, obviously eager to get away from the angry kitchen. Mandy rolled her eyes and flopped down into her chair crossing her arms in front of her chest, waiting.
“There’s Lucas,” Mandy’s mom said softly to no one in particular.
“Oh really? I wouldn’t have guessed,” Mandy spat out sarcastically. “I mean, I might have guessed that if I had invited him to dinner, but I didn’t invite him to dinner. Oh that’s right, my mother invited him to dinner.”
Mandy’s dad walked back into the kitchen tailed by Lucas. Mandy’s mom gave Mandy a glance that said to behave with just a look. Then she quickly pasted on a smile. Mandy refused to be part of this. She didn’t even pretend to smile or even look up. She stared at the table in front of her until her mother’s chirpy voice called out, “Mandy, Lucas is here.”
Mandy bit the inside of her cheek, fuming at the way her evening was going. She felt her nostrils flare and thought this must be what it’s like to be one of those bulls tormented in Spain. She pictured her head with bull horns and her nose with a gold ring dangling from of it. The image pushed her towards an inexplicable peal of laughter, which she barely choked back. She was definitely losing it. “Hey Lucas,” she managed to say, trying to sound nonchalant.
“Hey Mandy,” Lucas greeted her. He moved towards the table, unsurely. “Can I sit with you?”
“Help yourself,” Mandy gestured to the seat across from her. The wooden legs scraped noisily across the linoleum floor. Mandy’s mom stood with her back towards them, fluffing up a pot of Spanish rice.
“I tried to call you earlier, but your mom said you were taking a nap.”
“I was,” Mandy said curtly, evilly eyeing her mother’s back.
“I didn’t see you at school today, just wondering where you had gotten off to,” Lucas said, eyeing her knowingly.
“What’s it to you, it’s not like we hang out nowadays,” Mandy said curtly. Mandy kept her arms crossed in front of her chest. Of all the days for her mother to do this to her. Lucas cleared his throat, sounding uncomfortable. His fingers drummed across the kitchen table. Mandy felt a slight twinge of triumph at the fact that she had at least succeeded in making this awkward for everyone if she was going to be forced into a situation she had not asked for. She looked up from the table to gauge Lucas’s face, and the triumphant feeling dissipated like it had never even been there at all. In a split second the feeling was replaced by sheer terror.
Lucas had cleared his throat not because he was feeling awkward and uncomfortable. He had been trying to get Mandy’s attention. He was scowling at Mandy, his eyes narrowed until all you could see was a slit of his flashing green eyes. His mouth was turned down in a sneer mixed up with a frown, his nose wrinkled in disgust. The hand that had been drumming continued to do so, while his free hand moved across the table. His finger was out and pointed down like a pencil, like he was drawing pictures mindlessly across the wood.
Mandy felt the blood rush out of her face as she sat up, dropping her arms from her chest and instead gripping the edges of her chair. Something was not right here, that much was clear from Lucas’s expression. She felt her mouth turn down in a frown. She watched Lucas’s hand with the extended finger gliding across the polished surface. All of a sudden she realized he was not aimlessly doodling. His finger was writing something over and over again, invisibly across the table. Long diagonal drag down, short diagonal drag up, short diagonal drag down, long diagonal drag up. W…long drag straight down. I…straight drag down, drag across the top. T…Half a circle. C…two long straight drags down conn
ected by another drag across the middle. H. Mandy gasped audibly as things clicked into place in her head.
Mandy’s mother turned around. In the time she did Lucas impressively smoothed his face out like he didn’t even know how to look upset, much less sneer. Almost imperceptibly, he gave a half shake of his head in Mandy’s direction. Mandy swallowed noisily. “Everything ok?” Mandy’s mom asked looking from Lucas to Mandy.
“Yeah, I just need a drink,” Mandy said scraping her chair back so quickly it bumped into the wall behind her, leaving a small brown mark.
“Don’t forget your guest, Mandy. Lucas, what would you like? We have milk, apple juice, soda…” Mandy’s mom suggested.
“Soda would be fine,” Lucas practically purred as he smiled sweetly at Mandy’s mom and then at Mandy herself. Mandy swore she could feel the bile rising up in her throat. She turned the tap on at the kitchen sink and poured herself a glass of water, chugging it down and ignoring Lucas’s request for the moment. Once it was gone she turned to the fridge and looked for the soda. There were two 2 liters inside. One was a
Diet Coke, which had been sitting there, opened, lonely, and untouched for the past couple of weeks. No one drank it besides Nana. Then there was a brand new bottle of Mountain Dew, fresh with its carbonated bubbles eager to quench a person’s thirst. She chose the Diet Coke, knowing it would be flat and unpleasant. She poured a glass in a chipped tumbler, not bothering with ice.
“Mandy, you should have gotten Lucas a glass,” Mandy’s mom said obviously embarrassed.
“That’s ok,” Lucas said quickly with a smile. “Tastes the same.”
Mandy looked unapologetically at Lucas and slid the soda down across the table towards him. She pushed it a little too hard and oops, wouldn’t you know it didn’t stop where it should have but tipped right off the edge of the table and onto Lucas’s lap. Now it was Mandy’s turn to sneer. She heard the sudden intake of her mother’s breath and she wiped the sneer off before her mother had time to turn around and catch her. She tried her best to look horrified. “Oh, geez, sorry Lucas! I’ll get you a towel,” Mandy said running from the room. She tried as best as she could to stifle the laugh that was threatening to explode. She grabbed a ratty old towel from the cupboard and came back into the kitchen to find her mother mopping up the mess as best she could with paper towels. Mandy flung the towel at Lucas and she could almost feel the heat of his anger radiating out of him.
