by Mark Tufo
“We need to kill her,” Mindy said as dryly as if she was talking about the school lunch menu.
“Did it take you the entire period to come up with that?” Talea asked. She was not happy.
“I’m listening if you come up with something better.”
“Mindy, this has gone on too long and too far. We need to apologize. If the witch lady couldn’t get to Callis, what chance do we have?”
“She’s right, Mindy.”
“So now you two are siding with Callis?”
“We’re not siding with her. We’re just trying to keep our teeth in our head. Oh…sorry, Laura,” Talea said with a wince of embarrassment. “I forgot.”
“It’s okay, and she’s right, Mindy. We don’t have a choice,” Laura begged.
Mindy was pissed. “Do you think an apology is going to be worth its weight in air if she discovers we had something to do with her precious Kevin’s injury?”
“We? Mindy, the potion was all your idea. We had nothing to do with it,” Talea said.
“That’s not what the letter that I wrote during first period says. I figured you’d wuss out, Talea. That’s why I already dropped it into her locker.”
“How could you!” Talea nearly shrieked.
“It was easy really,” Mindy half laughed.
“What about me?” Laura asked frightened.
“Why, it was all your idea of course. I bowed to the peer pressure and went along. How could I have known the potion was going to affect him that way? I would never dream of injuring my own flesh and blood,” Mindy said dramatically.
“You’re going to get us all killed, Mindy!” Talea was as close to slapping her long time friend as she had ever been, even more so than the time she found out that Mindy had slept with her boyfriend.
“No, I saved us. Now instead of you two little sheep running off and trying to make nice with the wolf, we’re a unified team with one goal, one purpose in mind.”
Laura opened up the door to the auditorium, found the closest trash can and promptly threw up her morning meal. It wasn’t much more than a few clumps of oatmeal and a healthy heaping of stomach bile. She had been starving herself since Mindy had called her a cow.
“This can’t be happening,” she said as strings of saliva and vomit hung from her mouth.
“How?” Talea asked.
Laura whipped her head around to look at Talea; the tethered throw up flung against the wall. “Talea, you can’t be serious? We can’t do this.” Her stomach was roiling again.
“Laura, she left us no choice. Callis isn’t going to believe anything we have to say, not after she reads Mindy’s note.”
Mindy was smiling. “I figured you’d see it my way.”
“When this is over, Mindy, me and you are through. I don’t ever want anything to do with you again.”
“You’ll be thanking me when this is through, just you wait and see.”
“Thanking you that we killed somebody? What’s wrong with you?” Talea asked, shaking her head as she walked away.
“Where are you going, Talea? We need to get out of here before she sees the note,” Laura begged.
“Dammit, Mindy!” Talea said as she came back.
“I’ll drive.” Mindy displayed her keys.
“Where are we going?” Laura asked.
“Why, to see my poor brother, of course.”
“Of course,” Talea mimicked sourly.
Kevin was sitting up in his bed looking out the window into the overcast day when his sister arrived.
“Hi, Kevin,” she said, startling him out of his reverie.
“Mindy? What are you doing here?”
“Why wouldn’t I be here?” she said, looking back at her friends with a touch of embarrassment. “You’re my brother.”
“Cut the shit, Mindy. Did you come to gloat?” He was on the verge of tears.
“Did Callis break up with you?” Mindy asked excitedly.
“No, but it’s only a matter of time. Who wants to go out with a cripple?”
“I told you she was no good for you.”
“She was perfect for me, you on the other hand I could do without,” he said heatedly.
“I can’t believe you’d say such a hurtful thing.” She dramatically placed her hand on her chest and walked further into the room.
Laura and Talea were still by the doorway, not wanting to be pulled further down into Mindy’s psychosis.
“Say what you’ve got to say and take yourself and your hyenas out of here.”
“How much do you know about Callis?” Mindy asked with her back towards him. She was staring out the window.
“I know she loved me. What else do I need to know?”
“She’s a witch,” Mindy said, turning around slowly, hoping for effect.
“Yeah, well, you definitely rhyme with it,” he replied.
Laura snorted but was instantly quieted when Mindy’s gaze bore down on her.
“That smack at the dinner table? That was Callis.”
“Mindy, I was there. I saw Laura haul off and pop you. It’s something she should have done years ago. I would have given her some money if she hadn’t left so fast.”
“Callis made her do it. Tell him, Laura.”
“It’s true,” Laura said, putting her head down.
“What’s true? That you wanted to smack my sister? That I understand. Or that Callis said that you should smack my sister? That, again, I understand. Or is this all being conveniently pinned on Callis so that you can let my sister abuse you some more? Please, I’m interested in knowing.”
“It’s not like that,” Laura sobbed. “It’s true, I’ve thought about smacking Mindy…and she’d deserve it,” she said, thrusting her chin out when Mindy looked over at her. “But Callis took control of my arm and made me hit your sister.”
“I’m finding this all a little hard to believe.” Kevin was starting to get angry. “Haven’t I been through enough, Mindy? I’m never going to walk again…and that’s not enough for you? You just need to keep piling it on? Kick’em while they’re down.”
“There’s more.” Mindy cut off her brother while completely ignoring his entreaty. “Me and Talea watched her as she made three guys beat the hell out of each other.”
“Get out,” Kevin said softly.
“Ask her, Kevin, just ask her. You gauge her reaction. If anything happens to me or the girls you’ll know why.”
“Why? Why would Callis be out to get you?”
“Just ask her,” Mindy said as she walked past Talea and Laura leaving the room.
“Have I pissed you off somehow, God?” he asked after Mindy left. “What have I done that would offend you so greatly that you would beset Mindy on me?” Kevin groaned as he quickly hit his morphine pain dispenser in hopes that it would help him sleep away his distress.
Callis went to her locker after class to switch out her books. Most of her days now were done on autopilot. She cared for one thing in this world and he was lying in a hospital bed. If there had been a note she had not seen it. She finished the rest of the day doing nothing more than marking time before she could go to the Denton’s and ride in with them to the hospital.
Callis was surprised when Mindy answered the door. She was still in amazement that her favorite and least favorite person could reside in the same household.
“You collecting for charity?” Mindy asked her upon opening the door.
“If I was, I’d know better than to ask from one as selfish as yourself.”
“Is that Callis?” Mrs. Denton asked, pulling the door open. Mindy had it open only enough so that she could speak through the crack. “Really, Mindy, you have the manners of a goat.”
“How am I supposed to act when I’m dealing with my inferiors?”
“Leave, go to your room, go outside, I don’t care…just leave.”
“Suit yourself,” Mindy said as she turned and went upstairs.
“I’m sorry, Callis. I think the stress of her
brother’s injury is really getting to her.”
Callis didn’t answer, she knew better.
“You ready to go?” Mr. Denton asked them. His eyes red-rimmed, he would break down and cry at just about any point in the day if he dwelled on how quickly his family had been turned upside down; and no small part of it was Mindy’s fault. Her desire for rebellion when the family needed cohesion was a blistering sore spot for him.
Mrs. Denton bristled when Mindy came downstairs with her shoes and a sweater on.
“I’m ready to go,” she announced proudly.
“With us?” her mother asked.
“Of course, it’ll be fun,” Mindy replied.
Callis wished she could politely bow out, but she would grin and bear it for Kevin’s sake.
“Twice in one day, to what do I owe the honor?” Kevin asked with a sneer as Mindy made sure that she walked in first ahead of the others.
“How much pain meds are you on, brother. I was in school today. All day,” Mindy exaggerated.
“Fine,” he mumbled as he saw his parents round the corner.
“Hey, son.” Mr. Denton meekly waved as he turned and walked back down the hallway so he could cry alone.
Mrs. Denton came in and hugged her son, careful to avoid the Halo that was attached to his head with four screws drilled into his skull.
“Hey, mom,” he said, reaching up and grabbing her arm.
“Nice squeeze,” she told him.
“Yeah, I’m getting more feeling in them. Nothing in my legs, though.”
“It could still happen,” she answered, stroking the hair on his forehead away. “I’m going to see how your father is doing.” Mrs. Denton was also on the verge of tears and she didn’t want her son to think that both of his parents were a hand’s span away from breaking down.
“Hi, Callis,” Kevin said smiling.
“How did you know? You didn’t even see me,” she answered as she came into the room.
“I would know your scent anywhere.”
“Pal-lease,” Mindy said, making a gagging gesture. “It’s good to have the whole gang together isn’t it?”
“Mindy, why did you come back?” Kevin asked.
Callis was wondering also. She had not known Mindy had come earlier.
“I wanted to be here for the big reveal. I wanted to see the expression on your face when you found out what you’ve been dating.”
“The witch thing again, Mindy, really?”
Callis had a look of shock mingled with a bit of surprise on her face.
“My sister is convinced you’re a witch.”
“How else could she make you go out with her? She’s trash! Tell him, witch, tell him what you are.” Mindy’s face was contorted in rage.
Callis backed away.
“Tell him!” Mindy was beet red as she shouted. “Fine, I’ll prove it.” She grabbed a fork off of Kevin’s unfinished lunch tray and came at Callis, arm upraised.
Mr. Denton had come back when he heard the fray start. He stepped in front of Callis just as Mindy brought the fork down into his arm. For a brief moment, nothing happened as Mindy let go of the fork and Mr. Denton looked at the quivering utensil sticking out of his flesh, droplets of blood welling up from the punctures of the four tines. “What the hell, Mindy?” Mr. Denton said as he pulled the fork out; there was an audible pop as he did so.
“I meant it for her, Dad. I’m sorry.” Mindy had backed up almost to the far wall. “She’s a witch, I was trying to make her prove it to Kevin.”
“By stabbing her with a fork? What’s the matter with you?” he asked.
“She wouldn’t have let me, she would have made me stop and then Kevin would have seen what she really is. Dad she’s a witch I’m telling you!” Mindy begged.
“Mindy, this isn’t Salem, and it sure as hell isn’t 1620,” Mr. Denton said.
“You’re bleeding, Robert. What happened?” Mrs. Denton came around and spotted his arm.
“Our daughter stabbed me,” he said, nearly in shock; not from the stabbing; but rather from who had attacked him.
“You don’t understand, I meant it for Callis,” Mindy said defensively. “I’m leaving.” She waited for her parents to get out of the way. They did, unsure of what else they should do.
“Are you alright, Callis?” Mr. Denton asked as he turned around.
His wife was getting a wet napkin to wipe off the blood. “You should get a tetanus shot.”
“Well, at least we’re at the right place.”
“I’m fine,” Callis told him, shooing the couple toward the door.
Mrs. Denton grabbed her husband and herded him out to find a nurse.
“Holy shit, what is wrong with my sister?”
Callis shrugged.
“So are you or aren’t you?” Kevin asked, trying to bring some levity back into the room.
“I don’t think so,” she told him truthfully.
“That leaves a lot of room for interpretation, Callis.” Kevin said getting serious instantly.
“Well I don’t do spells. I don’t have a big cauldron or a wart on my nose, but I can make people do things, I guess.” She frantically searched his face for his reaction; it was not instantly forthcoming.
“What about us? Is what my sister said true?”
“No, I can’t make you feel anything, I can’t make anyone feel anything. I can make them do things.”
“That doesn’t make sense, Callis. What is going on?”
“What we feel for each other is true. I love you and I know you feel the same way about me. I didn’t force you into that, I couldn’t.”
“Well then what can you do, Callis?”
“Please, Kevin, I just want you to love me for who I am. I don’t want you to think any less of me.”
“Callis, I don’t know what to think right now. My sister has been spewing from her mouth and now I’m not so sure she was lying. I think me of all people should know who you are.”
Callis was hesitant. She couldn’t take it if she lost another person she cared for in this life.
“Please tell me if this hurts,” she said as she began to concentrate.
“If what hurts....” His voice trailed off as his leg began to lift up off the bed. “What the hell, Callis? What’s happening?”
“Oh my God!” Mr. Denton said from the doorway. “When were you going to tell me?” he asked excitedly, tears of joy springing forth from his eyes. Kevin’s leg thudded back onto the bed.
“I didn’t know myself,” Kevin said, never taking his eyes off of Callis.
“What’s going on?” Mrs. Denton said, coming in after the festivities.
“Our son can move his legs!” Mr. Denton was beaming.
A look of shock was on Mrs. Denton’s face. “Is this true? Can it be? But the doctors...”
“That’s why they call it ‘practicing’ medicine,” Mr. Denton exclaimed. “Because they don’t really know! We need to have a party!”
“Dad, it might have been a one-time thing. Please don’t get overly optimistic,” Kevin’s gaze still not wavering from Callis. Her head was beginning to bow under the scrutiny.
“Can you show me?” Mrs. Denton asked hopefully.
“I’m kind of exhausted, Mom,” Kevin answered even though his heart was hammering in his chest.
“Of course, of course, honey.” She swooped in and kissed him on the cheek.
His parents did a little happy dance together before Kevin begged them off. “Can I say goodbye to Callis?” he asked them.
“Sure thing, same time tomorrow! You’ll be up and at them soon enough anyway,” Mr. Denton said as he hugged his son.
Kevin plastered the best fake smile on that he could.
“How?”
“I don’t know. I’ve just always been able to do it. I could make you walk,” she added hopefully.
“On my own…or like a puppet?”
She let her head slip down.
“What am I going to tell my
parents now?”
“I’m so sorry I didn’t know they were going to come in.”
“Please go.”
“I’m sorry, Kevin,” she pleaded.
He turned his gaze away from her.
“Can I come back tomorrow?” she asked before she walked out of the room. He didn’t answer. Callis’ heart felt like it had been slammed with a hammer it hurt so bad, it perfectly mirrored her mind-numbing pain. She walked out to the car where the Denton’s were having a family celebration; the earlier confrontation with Mindy nearly forgotten.
“Well fancy that, Kevin all of a sudden moving on his own…and after all the doctors said it was impossible,” Mindy said as Mr. Denton drove out of the hospital parking lot. Mindy, like her brother, never took her eyes off of Callis as she spoke.
“I know! It’s the most amazing thing ever!” Mr. Denton said as he brought his hand down heavily on the steering wheel.
“I just hope he keeps progressing…on his own, I mean,” Mindy said.
“Me too, hon, me too. That’s what we all want,” Mrs. Denton said, trying to clean up the mascara that was doing its best to defy gravity and failing miserably.
“It’s like a Christmas miracle and it’s not even Christmas. I feel like I need to go back to church!”
“I do hope they don’t get disappointed,” Mindy said softly so her parents couldn’t hear.
Callis looked like she had swallowed a live lizard. Her throat was quivering and her stomach was roiling.
“Stepped in the shit this time, didn’t you?” Mindy asked with a cruel laugh. “And they call me a bitch. That’s funny. At least I don’t give false hope and step on the people I supposedly love. How’d my brother take it?” Mindy poured it on. “I bet it didn’t go over so well would be my guess. I wished I’d been there to see it. Looks like I’m right by your expression. This is rich, I mess him up and you fix him.”
“It’s good to see you two getting along,” Mrs. Denton said. She was looking through her visor mirror trying to make herself presentable. She had only been looking in Mindy’s direction, and considering that the girl was an Oscar-worthy actress, she was only getting half the story. Callis looked on the verge of passing out.
Callis was down deep in her sorrow and it took a moment for her higher reasoning faculties to engage. “What?” she asked, snapping out of her near despair.
