The Timber Effect

by Jacklyn Reynolds

  Timber and Henry had signed up as one of the four student teacher pairs that would stay with one of the special needs kids through the day as they made their way through the stations. So Timber took off her candy cane costume and she and Henry followed the students through the decorated hallway. Timber could hear one little girl pointing out every decoration over the chatter of her classmates and she grinned up at Henry, who was trying not to laugh.

  The kids were split into five groups of twenty and the first group went to Henry's classroom for milk, and cookie decorating. Timber and her friends had put special care into his classroom. The usual desks were gone; instead, there were six small tables that were covered with plastic red table covers, white plates that were filled with various types of sprinkles, small quarts of milk and green plates for the kids to eat from. Ashley and Xianna had hung garland and lights over the windows and there were fresh pine cones scattered throughout the room that Timber had collected herself. The scent of rosemary filled the room from fresh stalks that Gina brought in from her mothers' garden. It was so strong it overpowered the lavender Henry had. Michelle had even helped by hanging large paper snowflakes from the ceiling.

  Timber and Henry moved around the room with parents and elementary teachers, helping kids frost their cookies. There was one shy, small, boy who seemed crippled. He had become attached to Timber in a matter of minutes. She had no objections to him wanting her nearby so she stayed beside him while he was eating. She told his teacher that she and Henry would take care of Andy for the day. When Timber said her name, the teacher smiled but said nothing.

  After cookies, everyone hurried away to the gym. Timber carried the little boy named Andy on her back with Henry beside her carrying the boy's crutches. When they entered the gym, Andy cried out with joy. There were small scooter boards all along the wall of the gym. Timber's friends and classmates were lined up against the wall. Timber joined them and put Andy on one of the many colorful scooters. The other kids found themselves a scooter and then Mr. Orsburn, the head of the physical education department, spoke loudly to the kids so they could all hear him.

  "These are your reindeer. If you tell them to go fast, they will go fast. If you tell them to go slow, they will go slow. Tell your reindeer what you want. They will respond."

  He blew his whistle and it got very loud. The sound of running feet, wheels spinning on the floor and children laughing filled the gymnasium. Timber ran Andy across the length of the gym while he laughed. Timber could see Henry watching her with his eyes overflowing with both amusement and love for her. It distracted her momentarily until Andy yelled, "Again!" Timber grinned and pushed him back and forth a few more times until the whistle blew.

  Andy hopped off the scooter with his classmates and it was then Timber noticed that his legs were severely bowed and he was trying to hide it with leg braces. She also got a glimpse of brown fur on his leg as he fixed his sock. Curious, she decided to talk to Henry while the kids were playing the next game. When she sat down she could see that Henry was fighting hard not to kiss her. She smiled and whispered, "I love you too."

  "Are you having fun?" asked Henry.

  "Oh yes," said Timber. "Andy is sweet. I don't think he's human, though."

  "What do you mean?"

  "His legs bend the opposite way they're supposed to, look." She pointed at Andy who was moving as fast as he could without moving his knees much. "I saw fur on his leg but he smells human."

  "Maybe he's a Satyr?" suggested Henry, looking at Andy with interest. "They smell human even though they're not. I didn't know any lived outside of Haven unless the Highers don't know about him."

  "Is that possible?"

  "If his mother is hiding him, yes," said Henry. "I see no reason to worry, though. He seems fine."

  Timber smiled and turned her attention to the kids. They were all running around as fast as they could. Then the side door opened and a sour looking face came in.

  "Oh my goodness, look at Diana!" said Timber. Diana was looking angry beyond reason but it was not hard to see why. She was sporting an ugly black eye. "This is the best thing that's happened all week! I'm going to log this memory away in my brain." Timber closed her eyes and made sure she would never forget Diana's black eye.

  All too soon, the whistle blew and the kids stopped running. They were rounded up by the adults and Timber went to get Andy. She put him on her back and gave him a piggyback ride to the quad. There was a full petting zoo when they got there. There was a horse, a few goats, a full-grown turkey, pigs, lambs, chickens, rabbits, a cow and even a snake. Timber carried Andy to see the animals. When wanted to walk, Henry handed him his crutches and he hobbled everywhere, petting every animal he could see.

  The last stop of the day was the downstairs woodshop. It had been converted into Santa's Toyshop. The tables were covered in green plastic covers. Henry took Andy and helped him put together his little wooden sleigh. Timber watched Henry talk with Andy with a smile. She had never been more in love with him than she was at that moment. If Henry could ever have children, he would be a wonderful father.

  All too soon, the day was over and Timber had to say goodbye to Andy. A woman picked him up directly from the high school and Timber carried him all the way to the car. She kissed his forehead and handed him to the woman who introduced herself as his nurse. Timber watched him drive away and turned to Henry.

  "This was literally the best day of school ever," she said.

  "I take it you had fun," said Henry.

  "Lots of fun," said Timber. "I'm so glad I got to meet Andy. He reminded me of Emily, the way he was always smiling."

  "He's a sweet boy," said Henry. "Are you ready to go home?"

  "Already?"

  "We're not part of the clean-up crew, remember?"

  "Oh yeah. Yeah, let's go home. I'll make you some hot chocolate if you want to come over."

  "Sounds good," said Henry.

  They walked back to Timber's and talked about their favorite parts of the day. They both agreed that Diana's black eye was one of the highlights. When they walked in, a welcome scent filled their noses. They went to the kitchen to find that Emily was already home with a stuffy nose. She was pulling a loaf of pumpkin bread out of the oven and putting in miniature pumpkin pies. Grace was stirring something on the stove and Chad could be heard in the living room digging through a cabinet.

  "I forgot! It's pumpkin day!" cried Timber.

  "Pumpkin day?" asked Henry, curiously amused.

  "On the last day of school before Christmas break, we make pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, roasted pumpkin seeds, and pumpkin spice hot chocolate," said Grace. "We sit around by the fireplace in our pajamas, munch on pumpkin treats and play a board game. This was Chad's idea after Emily started preschool."

  Henry looked a little put out.

  "Oh, come on Henry," said Timber. "You're staying here and joining us."

  "But -"

  "Henry, you're part of the family," said Grace. "There's enough time for you to go home and grab your pajamas. Everythin' will be ready by the time you come back and change. I am not acceptin' any form of no for an answer."

  "I guess I'll be right back then," said Henry. He stole a quick kiss from Timber before walking out of the door.

  "You really consider him family?" asked Timber.

  "Of course," said Grace.

  "You two are going to get married, I know it," said Emily.

  "Slow down, Em," said Timber. "We're not even engaged."

  "Yet," said Emily pointedly.

  "Do you guys know something I don't?" asked Timber, putting her hands on her waist.

  "No," stated Emily. "But it's only a matter of time. You're obviously made for each other so why not?"

  "If Henry and I do get married, it'll be in a few years after I finish college," said Timber.

  "Hi, Honey," said Chad, coming into the room. "How was the Winter Workshop?"

  Timber smiled and told them everything about Andy, Diana getting
a black eye, the petting zoo, the parade, and all the cute little kids she saw. Everyone was all smiles when she finished.

  "I love that the high school does that for the little kids," Chad said. "I remember going to it with Emily. There was not one child there as happy as she was."

  "There's no one anywhere who's as happy as Emily," said Timber with a grin. "I'm going to go change. I'll be right back."

  Timber ran upstairs and closed her bedroom door as she heard Henry come back into the house. Timber grabbed her winter pajamas and put them on. She took off her jewelry and her makeup. She brushed her hair and put it in its nightly french braid before rushing downstairs. She saw Henry and doubled over laughing.

  "What?" he asked.

  "We have matching pajamas," said Timber, grinning. "We're both in flannel pants and a hooded sweater. I do have one concern, though. Do you own any light colors?"

  "No," said Henry. "My wardrobe is basically black, dark gray, olive green and dark red. Wait, no. I take it back. I own one white dress shirt."

  "You're the exact opposite of Timber," said Emily. "Her wardrobe is all light colors with one black dress that she never wears."

  "I wore it recently," said Timber.

  "Really? Henry, what did you do?" asked Emily. "You're turning her into a girl!"

  "I've always been a girl," said Timber.

  "Yeah, just not one that would be seen in a dress," said Emily.

  "I changed my mind," said Timber. "But only on special occasions."

  "Henry, you're definitely good for her," said Chad.

  "The food is ready, y'all," said Grace.

  "Wonderful," said Chad.

  Everyone grabbed food, plates, and mugs and went into the family room and sat down by the roaring fire Chad built. They set all the food and drinks on the hearth and gathered around the coffee table where Chad had set up a game of Monopoly.

  "I hope you are all ready to lose," challenged Chad.

  "No one has ever beat Uncle Chad at this game," said Timber to Henry.

  "I may be able to remedy that," said Henry confidently. "I've never lost either."

  "I'm placing five dollars on Henry," said Timber.

  "Mutiny," said Chad, playfully shaking a finger at Timber. "That's what this is. High treason!"

  "My money is on Chad," said Grace.

  "I'm betting Daddy wins too," said Emily.

  "Ye of little faith," sighed Timber sarcastically.

  "Well, I've got two on my side," said Chad. "Prepare to be destroyed, Henry."

  "We'll have to see about that," said Henry positively.

  Timber watched the exchange with joy. She had never seen Henry so confident around Chad. Maybe it was because Grace told him that he was family. Either way, Timber liked it. As the game started, Henry hung back. He didn't go for the most expensive properties like Chad. As the game went on, Timber found out exactly why. Henry had enough money to put hotels on his properties first.

  "You owe me, Chad," said Henry holding out his hand.

  "Damn dice," grouched Chad.

  His eyes did not look happy about losing, though he was trying to grin. Henry must have sensed something because he changed the subject after he was handed the colored money.

  "It's your turn, Timber. So what got you into the field of magical medicine?" he asked casually as Timber rolled the dice.

  "My father was a military doctor and my grandfather was a surgeon. My great-grandfather was bitten by a werewolf after my grandfather was born. He didn't survive. When I learned that, I was determined to find a treatment for werewolves. My father was very happy about my career choice. When I met Grace, she told me about her brother a few months before we got married and that's when we started collaborating. Grace was the one who discovered the formula. I developed it."

  "Well, I'm very grateful for your discovery," said Henry.

  "I am too," said Grace. "Though, to be honest, it almost didn't happen. All of the women in my family are very traditional and old-fashioned. Everyone had a college education but the women are housewives and stay at home mothers. I worked when I got married which everyone seemed fine with until Emily was born. I wasn't even close to crackin' the puzzle but I got so much grief from my mother and aunts for workin' with a baby that I took time off and focused on Emily until she was five. Timber moved in with us that year. The day Timber started school, I went back to work. Several months later, I cracked the formula and your medicine came into existence."

  "I never heard anyone give you trouble about working," said Emily. "Confound it, I have to go to jail."

  "Your daddy told them if they didn't stop botherin' me he would use them for surgery practice," said Grace with a twinkle in her eyes and laughter rang out.

  "I can't picture you bending for anyone," said Timber.

  "I wasn't goin' to until Mama said somethin'. She's hard, that woman, but she is my mama and I respect her. I am glad I took her advice no matter how much I disagreed at the time. Those five years were so critical to formin' Emily into the beautiful, strong, and happy young woman she's becomin'. We made good memories."

  "What would you have done if Daddy worked somewhere like McDonald's," asked Emily.

  "I did," said Chad. "I worked at Round Table making pizzas through college and a year after graduation. Grace worked as a barista at a coffee shop. We lived paycheck to paycheck for the first nine months of our marriage. We ate a lot of top ramen and frozen dinners. When I applied for my current job, I convinced Grace to apply too. When they saw how well we work together we were both hired within a few weeks of each other."

  "Now you know why I won't buy ramen," said Grace with a grin.

  After a few more times around, Chad was nearly broke and Henry had most of the properties. Grace and Emily tied for second with Timber in last place, having only three properties and a one-dollar bill left. At the end of the hour, Chad admitted defeat. Timber collected her ten dollar reward with glee.

  "I hate saying that people are smarter than me," said Chad, "but Henry is definitely smarter than me."

  "I don't think so," said Henry. "Against everyone else, it was a great strategy."

  "You have more patience," said Chad.

  "I'll take that," said Henry.

  "Is it movie time?" asked Emily.

  "Yep," said Chad. "Since Henry won the game, he gets to pick the Christmas movie."

  "You wouldn't happen to have 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' would you?" asked Henry.

  "I would be in trouble if I didn't," said Chad laughing. "It's usually Timber's movie pick."

  "One more thing you have in common," teased Emily, making Timber giggle.

  Grace got everyone blankets and Chad put in the movie. Timber curled up next to Henry and rested her head on his shoulder and intertwined her fingers with his under the blanket. Halfway through the movie, Timber felt Henry's breathing change. He must have fallen asleep, she thought. She felt herself get tired too and a few minutes later, she had dozed off to the sound of his heartbeat.

  The movie ended without either Timber or Henry realizing it. They both looked so comfortable and peaceful beside each other that nobody wanted to move them. Grace gave them an extra blanket, made sure they were warm and went upstairs with Chad and Emily.

  It was fast approaching Christmas and the weather was anything but cheerful. The winter sky was a widow's sky, darkened and violently weeping. Despite the heavy storm that was threatening to rip the house from its concrete foundation, Timber's mood could not have been more joyous. Christmas was her favorite time of year.

  That Sunday evening as Timber was working on the last bit of English homework that she had been assigned over the break, Henry came over. Timber admired his willingness to even step outside in the middle of one of the most destructive arrows in nature's quiver. Instead of knocking on her door as she expected, however, she heard him knock on the office door. Not wanting to distract herself from her work due to curiosity, Timber focused her ears on the sound of the sto
rm so she couldn't hear whatever was being said in the office. She couldn't help but wonder what they were talking about, though. No one but Grace and Chad went into the office. It was strictly off limits to her and Emily.

  When she finished her homework, she left her papers spread out on her desk instead of cleaning them up immediately and she went down to the kitchen for a light snack. Grace was standing in the kitchen making potato and bacon soup for dinner.

  "Why is Henry in the office with Uncle Chad?" asked Timber as she grabbed an orange out of the fruit bowl.

  "He was asked to come over for dinner and to discuss somethin' with your uncle," said Grace as she grated a block of cheddar cheese into a small bowl. "I don't know what it's about but it seems rather important if they're speakin' privately. Chad wouldn't tell me, probably because he knew I'd tell you."

  "I hope Henry's not in trouble for anything," said Timber.

  "What would he be in trouble for?" asked Grace looking baffled. "Y'all haven't done anythin' yet have you?"

  "No, we haven't, I promise. I'm still a virgin. I just don't know why Uncle Chad wanted to speak to him privately," said Timber. She peeled the orange and ate it slowly.

  "So have you finished all of your homework yet?" asked Grace.

  "Yes. Ma'am, I did. I don't know why we were given an essay about Wuthering Heights over break. My English teacher hates Christmas. Gregson didn't even give us math homework and that woman is almost evil. The final draft needs to be printed but it's done," said Timber. She threw her peel away and looked around with confusion on her face.

  "Timber, while I'm thinkin' about it, I want you to polish the silver tomorrow to get it ready for Christmas while I press the linens," said Grace.

  "Yes, Ma'am. So where's Emily? She usually helps you make potato soup."

  "Emily is takin' a nap in my bed," said Grace. "She's sick. Poor dear threw up in her bed in the middle of the night. I caught her tryin' to take her bed apart by herself even though she was throwin' up everywhere. I was up anyway so I took care of it and put her in my bed. Chad and I slept down here in the fold out couch. She's been sleepin' all day. I took breakfast up to her. She was able to finish half."