Shadow Play 5

by Vega Lizzie

  “And we could be cell mates, for a little bit?” Shannon said soberly, “but yeah, it’s like she’s an early warning device. I need to look into that.”

  That Friday, Terra began to fidget and watch the time as they sat in the living room watching TV, “I’m gonna turn in a little early, I think,” she said to Olivia only to get an overly dramatic eye roll in return. She turned to Shannon with a shrug.

  “I should have said something,” Shannon grinned, slightly embarrassed, “She’s been on to you since dinner.”

  “That inside voice of yours that is practicing Japanese?” Olivia smirked, “is a lot louder than you think. Add me to the souvenir list, please.”

  “Uh, okay, sorry.” Terra said, “I’m gonna go change clothes and…” she pointed up the steps, “yeah. Sorry. I should know better by now.”

  Olivia winked, “Just come down and say goodbye and don’t be late for lunch tomorrow. Buy me a bento box or something.”

  “Is that a toy,” Terra asked, “or a gym bag or something?”

  “It’s how they do lunch” Olivia corrected, “and skip that. Maybe I should just go with you.” She watched as Terra’s face wrinkle up in horror, “Jeez…or not.”

  “Honey, no. I’m sorry. We can all go someday but we’ll fly in an airplane. You can’t travel when I…um travel. It doesn’t work…at all.” She grimaced to Shannon, “I did a little experiment. Really wish I hadn’t.” She put her hand to her stomach, “Tatsumi and Toni both warned me, but noooo, I wouldn’t take their word for it.”

  “What happened,” Olivia asked, suddenly fascinated with Terra’s increasingly green complexion, ‘You look like you’re gonna hurl.”

  “You can’t say half of it to her and leave her hanging,” Shannon scolded gently, “She’s been in the thick of it from the beginning. Honestly, even before us.”

  Terra struggled and looked at Shannon shaking her head, “I agree but I-”

  “I know,” Shannon said softly, “I know exactly what you mean, but it’s time. Going forward, it’s time.”

  Olivia, for once, was oblivious to their meaning, “Spill it,” she grinned, “tell me what happens.”

  Terra sighed, “Fine. After what Tatsumi told me about what happens as you are slowly accepted into the void, that’s the word he uses. It has something to do with our body chemistry. He thinks it part of the spells that include the tattoos and how we each get used to piercing the membrane.”

  “So, what happens?” Olivia repeated, “you gotta hit the road soon.”

  “I thought I could sneak by with a small…very small experiment, so I went to the pet store and bought a mouse.” Even Shannon’s face fell at the disclosure and both Olivia and Shannon stared at Terra, “You killed a mouse?”

  “It was a frozen mouse,” Terra almost hollered, “It was already dead, but.”

  Olivia snorted, “You went into the pet store and asked for one frozen mouse. I woulda loved to have been there to see the look on your face.”

  “Ollie,” Shannon chided, “let her finish.”

  “Fine,” Terra shot back to Olivia. It was clear how uncomfortable she had just become. “So, it didn’t really do anything anyway. I mean, how would I know.” She held her fingers about two inches apart, “He was just a little mouse…sicle.”

  “Terra.”

  Olivia giggled, “Fine Mom, I sorta deserved that.”

  “So, I pretended to be Angela and, in full science mode, this time I bought a live rat.”

  Olivia shrugged, “Seriously? You coulda waited out in the alley and got a couple for free.”

  “That’s gross and creepy,” Terra responded, “I honestly tried to put myself back into high school science class to try to keep the guilt from stopping me. I put him in a big Ziploc bag and stepped into the void.” She put her fingers together, then exploded them apart, “Poof, went Mr. Rat.”

  “Ewww,” Shannon said squeamishly, “at least he was in the bag.”

  “Yeah, gallon bag, you woulda thought so, right?” Terra said, swallowing hard, “remember a few weeks ago, I didn’t eat anything for a couple of days?”

  “That’s horrifying,” Olivia acknowledged finally, “like something out of a movie.”

  “Not exactly,” Terra said quietly, “more like a head to toe pink mist. I mean, we killed goblins in the park, I have a frikin’ snake attached to my leg.” She looked up at both of them, “Maybe I change in battle. None of that bothered me. But one little rat.” She shrugged, “The second I stepped into the void, kaboom and he was all over me.”

  Shannon’s hand went to her mouth, “Stop.”

  “That was probably the bag,” Olivia added, “bursting, I mean.” The corners of her mouth began to twitch, and Shannon was quick to notice, “I’m leaving the room…whatever she says…I’ll puke for sure.”

  “Jeez, Mom, chill.” Olivia snickered seeing Terra was holding something back as well.

  Regardless, Shannon walked out of the living room with her fingers in her ears. Seconds later she heard Terra shrieking with laughter. Leaning back through the doorway, Terra was whispering in Olivia’s ear. “Ahhh so grooooosss,” she laughed, “But I think it’s 31 flavors. That would make 32. Hahahaha…that’s awful…oh, Hi Mom.”

  Shannon closed her eyes but didn’t leave the doorway. “So disturbing,” she said softly as she shook her head at them, “but a moment, nonetheless.”

  Terra grinned and pointed to Olivia, “Hers was better. Wanna hear it?”

  Chapter 22 add perfume

  The next day at the mall, Shannon watched as the girls scurried off to the next store. As they rounded the corner, Olivia looked back with a wide grin. To Shannon it was a perfect moment, one that would begin to shape her decisions from that point forward.

  My daughter is seeking a normal life despite the world we live in. I want that for her, she thought, I want that for all of us. Just then her phone pinged from Terra. It was a selfie from Japan. “Headed back soon. All good. I love you. Surviving?”

  Yes. she texted back, we need to visit. Soon. I’m coming straight to you.

  I love the sound of that, Shannon texted back.

  An hour and three more stores later, Terra spied Shannon in the food court as she waited for the girls to join them for lunch. Still wearing her dress from the night before, she still looked beautiful as she walked through the tables carrying an overly large shopping bag. She kissed Shannon on the cheek and landed in the chair next to her.

  “Hi,” she grinned, taking off her sunglasses, “I made really good time.”

  Not wanting to spoil her mood or the reason for being at the mall, Shannon was careful to inquire about her trip, “Everything good?”

  “Yeah, it was…for the most part. Dimitri is not the issue and we had a wonderful time.”

  “I’m glad,” Shannon smiled, “I was worried about him. The girls are having fun. You look amazing.” She looked over the edge of the table at the shopping bag, “Whatcha got,” she asked curiously, “and you realize that store is nowhere in this building.”

  “I have two more bags stuffed in a locker in one of the maintenance corridors, “Ollie is going to flip.” She picked up the large shopping bag covered in stylish kanji script, “Might stand out a little. I’ll figure out something to say to the girls.” She opened the corner of the bag, “No peaking, but feel inside, it’s super soft.”

  Shannon shared Terra’s smirk as she carefully reached in to feel what was inside, “Oh my,” Shannon said quietly, “that should come with a warning label. That’s dangerously sexy. It’s silk.”

  “Yep,” Terra grinned, “I bought two. I can’t wait to see you in it.” She looked up and saw the quartet of young ladies, all pointing and waving. Olivia and Kristin both had shopping bags. Shannon leaned over, “But no problems?”

  Terra turned to her holding her smile, “Later,” she said through her teeth, “there’s a wrinkle of sorts. Not an emergency. What are they thinking for lunch?”

>   After several minutes of indecision and changing of minds, the six of them decided on a lunch of everything. As multiple plates and forks and chopsticks were handed out, the sampling lunch began with everyone sharing bites of everything.

  Shannon watched the girls as they devoured lunch, pausing only to critique flavors and slurp on their beverages. Conversation was non-stop. Sitting a half table over, Terra leaned to Shannon, “This was a great idea. Look at them. I’m so happy for them.”

  Shannon was quick to agree, “I’m kicking around an idea,” she whispered, pointing her thumb to one of the large department stores, “How ‘bout we let them play dress up?”

  Terra gasped, “Formal?” only to see Shannon shake her head, “No. More like casual junior. Dresses, slacks and sweaters maybe? Something other than jeans and t shirts? Just for fun. Take some pictures, maybe.”

  “What are you guys cooking up?” Olivia asked as she struggled with her chopsticks. Sitting across from Olivia, Karly held up her own pair with a piece of battered shrimp held expertly in place, “Ollie, hold them this way.” Almost in her face, Olivia grinned then jerked forward to take the sample with her teeth. It startled the whole table, and they all began laughing.

  “No fair,” Olivia grinned, “You’re obviously an expert.”

  With all the laughter, Karly didn’t answer. Her smile faded quickly as she withdrew and stared over the top of Terra’s head. Terra looked up thinking Karly was tracking someone’s happy aura but quickly realized that Shannon had stopped laughing as well.

  A man stood two tables over holding a tray from one of the vendors. He was staring at Shannon, then across the table at the girls. Shaking his head, he took a step forward, saying something softly.

  As he approached, Shannon expression changed as she looked him up and down, she chuckled, “No way. It can’t be.” She began to nod her head up and down.

  He came to a stop one table away and stared, a sideways grin on his face, “Tom Boy?” he asked carefully, “Is that really you?”

  Shannon chuckled and turned bright red, “God, you haven’t changed at all. I haven’t heard that for years. Darien,” she stammered, “it’s been a very long time.”

  The activity at the lunch table came to a halt as the girls stared up at the stranger.

  “I um, I’m sorry to interrupt your lunch, but I saw you from the other side of the food court.” He pointed awkwardly over his shoulder, “I wondered but…you look…it’s like been forever.” For a moment her looked at the table of women, landing for a moment on Terra, “Mom’s out with your daughters,” he grinned, “what a crew.”

  “What are you doing in the cities,” Shannon asked, then caught herself, “This is my partner Terra and my daughter Olivia, yeah, it’s girl’s day at the mall.”

  He looked at the girls, still staring and instantly singled out Olivia. “You are a carbon copy of your mom when she was your age. Oh, the stories I could embarrass her with.”

  He turned back to Shannon, “I’m in town on business, heading back on Sunday.”

  Terra heard Karly clear her throat, then drop one of her chopsticks on the floor. As she reached down to pick it up, she caught Terra’s eye, slowly shaking her head. Her surprised stare had transformed into something far more serious. As her head rose back above the table, Karly’s grin returned with an embarrassed shrug to her friends, “Sorry, clumsy me.”

  Terra subtly shifted her leg under the table to tap Shannon’s foot. She brushed her fingertip off the end of her nose, “We should finish up so we can hit our modeling moment,” she suggested strongly, then turned to look up at him, “Nice to meet you, Darien. Come on ladies, let’s finish up.”

  “I’d heard that you were back in town for a couple of days but of all the places to run into you,” he said as began to turn away, “It seems like a lifetime ago. Take care, Shan.”

  The entire table watched him walk away pausing only to dump the untouched contents of his tray in the trash. Shannon glanced at Terra then at Olivia, expecting to be teased.

  “I know what you want to say, Ollie, go ahead and get it out your system.” Despite the awkward moment, Terra was smiling as well.

  “Tom boy,” Olivia said dramatically, tilting her head back and forth to savor the moment. Terra snickered and that relieved the tension from the others. Questions came left and right. From everyone, except Karly.

  Following a bathroom break, Terra hung back to wait for Karly as the rest of them headed towards the department store. As Karly rounded the corner, she seems relieved to see Terra. “I hope I wasn’t too obvious,” she said with a look over Terra’s shoulder. “That guy, he had the same black and white aura as that thing from the loft.”

  Terra was shocked but quickly recovered, “I’ll talk to Shannon when you're trying stuff on. Don’t worry about a thing, honey, just have a fun time.”

  Karly grinned, lowering her voice, “With the three of you here, I feel super safe with everything. The static stuff was less but his colors were exactly the same.”

  “That’s amazing,” Terra smiled, “let’s catch up with them. Keep me aware if you have that feeling again. You sensed it before he came over, didn’t you?”

  Karly nodded, “I did but Ollie spooked me by grabbing my shrimp.” She chuckled, “She’s having fun today. Kristin too.”

  Terra smiled “Not Marcy?”

  “I’m sure she is but she’s more, um shallow than the rest of you. She’s harder to pin down.”

  “Fascinating,” Terra exclaimed a bit loud. “Sorry, but Shan is gonna want to hear about that. She has mentioned your talents a few times lately.”

  Karly's eyes sparkled, “Really? Like I could work with you? She seemed pretty calm when he was talking to her.”

  “Don’t get ahead of us, cuz, well there’s a lot to think about. You keep on the lookout and we’ll talk later. Let’s go shopping.”

  After a brief conversation with the department manager, Shannon gathered the four girls in front of the dressing rooms, “I have a couple of guidelines for this but other than I know you’ll be your best selves.” Terra caught the tremor in Shannon’s voice, but let her keep going.

  “I want you to go around the department and find things that speak to your friends’ personalities. It could be colors, textures or maybe the perfect accessory. You’ll all get turns, then we’ll draw names to keep it fair.”

  Terra pulled out a pen and began to printing names as the girls began to eye the racks around them. Only Kristin was hesitant until Marcy grabbed a jacket from a nearby display rack and pointed to Kristin, “This…is so you.”

  That night, Shannon and Terra were looking through the pictures that Terra had taken in Japan. “That was amazing, Shannon.”

  “I really want to go with you. It’s so beautiful.” She held up the freshly printed photo, “This temple is breath-taking.”

  “Not that,” Terra said softly, “this afternoon, the girls,” she sniffled, “the group hug at the end…they were so happy. You did it again.”

  Shannon shrugged, “We did it. Both of us.”

  “You were fair to them and you kept them laughing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kristin so spontaneous. They looked so confidant all dressed up.” Terra stopped to catch Shannon’s eye, “They’ll follow you forever.”

  “Probably not forever,” Shannon grinned, “I just wanted to help them understand how happy they can make themselves by paying attention to the details of their friendships. Ollie seemed pretty relaxed. Karly played the mother hen today. Did you see her show Ollie that perfume? I thought I was gonna cry.”

  “The Chanel? I did. She wears a little touch of it when she visits. I don’t think she does at school though. She also didn’t think much of your old friend at the food court. She watched him like a hawk until he left.”

  Shannon looked ill, “How red was I?”

  Terra snickered, “Pretty rosy. Even for you, but I know that wasn’t embarrassment.”

  “Darien? G
od no. His father is the sheriff that talked to Dad and Ollie. Don’t think for a moment that it was a coincidence he was there. Marcus is digging of course, but I know he was a bully and a self-entitled douche back in the day.”

  “Oh…well then,” Terra surmised, and Shannon agreed, “He’s lucky he didn’t get his ass kicked in the middle of the food court. I had a flashback to a fight at my junior high the moment I saw him.” She smirked, “Wouldn’t have been my best parenting moment.”

  “Hold my sake, Shannon-san,” Terra grinned as she set another shopping bag on the edge of the bed, “Late night reading choices,” she cautioned, then winked, “one we will enjoy together, the other one is more for Eliza’s collection but I think it just became relevant. You pick.”

  Shannon gasped as she took the first book from Terra’s hands, “This is…oooh look, her kimono has fallen open.” She snapped the book shut, “Don’t tell me you had Tatsumi buy this for you?” She opened it again, rotating it around in a circle, “that’s an interesting camera angle.”

  “I had to have him translate at the store, but I picked it out.”

  “He seems so…reserved most of the time.”

  “He laughed the entire time, and I picked a mild one. It’s really erotic and artsy at the same time. It was from a shop right next to the store that I bought Ollie’s manga and anime. That’s why I triple checked the bags before I handed it over to her.”

  Shannon pointed to the other book. The leather-bound book had a red dragon embossed on its cover, “Is this a bad thing?”

  “No but I’d rather we review it with Eliza in the morning. Tatsumi thought she could add it to her data base.” Terra picked up the first book again and handed it back to Shannon, “I don’t want to distract you from our day.” She ran her fingers along Shannon’s shoulder then slipped inside the collar of her new kimono, “Turn to page 12,” she whispered, “I had to stop after that one.”