by Sarah Davis
Blue barked as if in agreement.
Harry looked up with amusement plain on his face. The brothers sat together in the front so they could catch up, while she hid with the two furred creatures that she understood. More than once, Penny caught Noah casting her cautious glances in the rearview mirror.
Vale greeted them upon their arrival at the Volkov homestead. Penny stood awkwardly while the three chatted, wondering if it was polite to just melt away. The dogs stuck close by her side.
Once she decided it safe to wander off to her own house, Vale yelled to her.
“Oh, Penny! Wait a minute! Are you coming to my party tomorrow?” Vale asked.
Deciding honesty was the best policy, Penny divulged her fear of water to the young girl.
“You don’t have to swim, Penny. Just hang in the shallow end and help Noah with the kids! Come on Penny, please? I only turn sixteen once!”
You only turn any number once. "I don’t own a bathing suit.”
Vale snorted. “We do have a store in town. If you can’t find anything there, one of my taller friends could lend you something.”
“Um, I'll see what I can find.” She secretly vowed not to go if she suffered a nightmare, though Lucy thought she should just chill out and go no matter what.
“I’ll see you guys. Nice meeting you, Harry,” she said with a wave to the boys.
Her phone dinged with an incoming message from Noah later that night.
Noah: You coming tomorrow? Please don’t leave me to hang alone with the children, my brother included.
Penny: Don’t worry. I will be there. Probably.
As it turned out, Eelyn possessed a bikini that fit Penny nicely. Eelyn had held onto it, hoping to someday fit back into it. There was so little fabric that it exposed the large wing tattoo on her back. Where they had once comforted her, she now felt threatened they would fly off without her.
Eelyn sighed. “You should be proud of that body, Pen. You look fit. Strong. Like a young panther. All sleek and defined.”
“That is just so not appropriate for a mother to say. And what are you doing with your hands?”
Eelyn laughed and discontinued gesturing to Penny’s body. “You can cover with a towel when out of the water and when in the water, well, you will be covered again, won’t you. Please, don’t be so self-conscious.”
“No boobs.” Penny stared dejectedly downward, contemplating her nearly flat chest.
“You have the right amount. Nothing is threatening to throw itself from your bikini top.” Eelyn paused before asking Penny if any nightmares plagued her.
Penny sighed. “I will admit no, sadly. Just normal anxiety, I guess.”
Eelyn grasped her daughter by the arms. “You’ll be fine. I am proud of your courage to go to the pool, dear sweet girl. I’m proud you are not giving in to your fears.”
“If I have a nightmare tonight, I won’t go.”
“But isn’t it worth seeing your friend happy for her shining moment?”
“Mother, she is turning sixteen. Not getting married. And I’m not sure we are friends, not really. I give her part-time guitar lessons.”
“Sixteen is a magic time. Big changes.”
“I think she had her big change already, but I get your drift. And I will wear my rash guard and board shorts. The shirt will cover my wings.”
“Baby, you need to spread your wings more often.”
“You want me to expose myself? Is that what you are saying?” Penny held her hand over her heart feigning astonishment.
Eelyn playfully swatted Penny on the arm as she turned to leave.
Don’t see why you won’t come, she thought to Lucy.
Then you are apparently blind, sis. I am of failing health.
Oh, bull. You float as well as me.
But mom gave you her only suit, the only suit in the house.
Healthwise, Penny knew her sister could manage a visit to the pool, but she sensed Lucy was ashamed of her physical condition. Instead of pushing the issue, Penny let it drop.
I think you are beautiful, and it might be fun… her thoughts dissolved as she felt Lucy pushing her away.
She walked into their room to find Lucy curled up facing the wall on the top bunk blatantly ignoring her.
Penny crawled into her bottom bunk and thought, Good night, Lu. I love you.
Pooling
The night passed without terrifying dreams, and Penny awoke earlier than normal. As she readied herself for and the day, she found a near illegible note left by her mother that said she left early for an emergency.
That woman is one step away from being a cryptographer.
You know what mother says, her sister chimed with an imitation of their mother. My brain pumps out thoughts faster than my hand can record them, hence my messy penmanship.
Penny choked on her orange juice.
No vision of drowning. Looks like you’re going to the party, sweet sister.
Sure you don't want to come, Penny chanced to ask one more time.
Absolutely.
Four of the dogs jumped on her during feeding time and another peed on her leg. Blue tripped her three times on their run, luckily resulting in her falling only once. Edgar spoke, finally, but told her off in a few rude words for turning off the TV. While she showered, Blue jumped onto her bed and sat on her outfit. Her hasty cleaning of his muddy feet resulted in several long streaks of brown across the front of her rash guard, which she had planned to wear over her swimsuit. By the time she found something different and changed for the early afternoon pool party, she was running late and not in the best mood. She remotely started the truck as she quickly checked her backpack, ensuring she had everything she needed for the birthday party.
In the meantime, Blue crumpled up the blue scatter rug on her floor. As she turned to walk out of the room, she tripped and fell, face-planting on the wood floor. Groaning, she rubbed at her stinging nose, tears welling up with the pain. She blinked back the sudden moisture and stared hard at the smooth crease that was wider than the adjacent ones between each plank in the floorboards. As her mind worked through the dulling pain, she realized that the ends of several boards lined up. She pushed herself up and back onto her heels, turning her head this way and that. She prodded at a square piece, no larger than two inches and one side yielded, its opposite end lifting above the surface.
She pulled the tip up and exposed a metal hook at which she pulled. The boards lifted at the seam, a hidden door revealing a narrow, dusty wood-framed chamber with a short ladder leading to a circular hatch below. The bedroom light only reached part of the cavity, so after grabbing a flashlight, curiosity lured Penny down with Lucy on her heels.
She wondered at how she had overlooked the hidden access in the floorboards, but then again, the rug covered most of her floor. She shook the rug out several times, but…well, housekeeping wasn’t her strong suit.
The hatch opened by rotating a wheel. The dust was heavy and clung to her fingers. She brushed her hands together and descended the metal rung ladder into a silent, dark tunnel. Dust motes danced in the beam of her flashlight, and she moved it to examine her surroundings.
The passageway was cramped with a low-slung ceiling and narrow walkway. Next to the ladder was a switch and conduit that ran along the outside of the wall. She pushed the switch, and light flooded the passageway. Situated on either side of the hall were hobbit-like door hatches with metal wheels for door handles. As Penny walked forward, she realized with excitement that this underground area most likely connected with the underground beneath Army’s house. She trotted down the passageway until she came upon the open area where they played guitar. She headed back to the entrance from her room, checking the doors. Those that opened either held unmarked containers or sleeping areas. One small room held a hammock, a bookcase filled with worn books, with Christmas lights strung across the ceiling. Many were locked and retained their secrets.
As they returned to their room, Penny's sore nose a
nd morning troubles forgotten, she contemplated her discovery and whether she should mention it to Army or Noah. It was obvious Army knew about it, being he owned the property on which both houses stood. But did Noah? Probably. The hammock room could be his. The thought left her excited and perplexed. Upon Penny’s arrival, Army had informed her that the underground was hers to use any time. Was this why he made that comment? Did it truly matter, this find of hers?
Since he had to stay home with Lucy, who would not play with him, at least not while she was sleeping, Penny gave Blue an extra treat before she left for the party.
Army left a different truck for her to use since Eelyn used the black one. It was rather fortunate Army owned as many means of transport as he did; while a local vehicle was within their means, the Osborns saved money by not purchasing an insanely priced vehicle.
It started to flurry as she headed off to the party. With the wind whipping flakes about, it was hard to determine how much actually fell from the sky. Her face tingled from the vicious battering of frozen flecks.
Oh, no, she thought as she spied the flat tire on her departure from the house.
With her mother at work, and Army and Noah already at the party with their family, it was on her to change the flat.
She began gathering up the tools from under the back seat to jack up the truck and remove the tire. As she did, her thoughts churned over the raven. She pitied the coal black raven who remained quite stoic, his feathers ruffled.
Her father used to say that it was only through his own sheer willpower that their family hadn’t been overrun by animals that people tried to beg off on Eelyn. On the occasions her mother couldn’t say no, she had worked hard to find homes for every unwanted pet she brought home. Usually the Osborn’s only had more than one pet at a time for a week or two. The longest they had ever fostered an animal was three weeks, and that was for a wallaby joey. The young joey needed to be carried around in a pouch, which Eelyn fashioned from a towel and hung around her neck. Penny once took it to school for part of the day without anyone the wiser.
Penny wondered briefly every now and again where the joey had ended up. Probably not in a wildlife refuge in Australia but hopefully somewhere similar.
Her thoughts drifted back to the raven’s unfortunate owner, Ms. Kingston, as well as the first missing woman, Rena. Army had recently informed Penny that the autopsy for Rena came back with evidence that she had been drugged with a similar spinal injury to Kate. Both women were once assumed to have been victims of a polar bear attack. Although polar bear attacks on humans were rare, that they had been victims wasn't a far-fetched conclusion. With the exoneration of a polar bear attack as the cause of both deaths, murmurs abounded of a serial killer around the community. The dark, terrifying visions that Penny experienced convinced her of a stalker in their midst.
She struggled with the lug nut wrench on the flat tire with fingers that were quickly losing feeling. Cursing the weather, she had to run into the house to warm up before replacing the tire.
What’s up? I thought you left for the party, her sister said while Penny held her hands in front of the heater.
Flat tire.
Did you call Mom or Army?
Penny rolled her eyes. Uh, no. I’m a big girl now.
She checked the temp as she headed back out. It was just above freezing. In August. Awesome.
She checked for the spare beneath the back of the truck bed. The cradle was empty. As was the bed of the truck.
Are you kidding me? she thought.
Gonna call Mom now, big girl? teased Lucy.
She spoke to Army instead. It was his truck. He probably stored a spare at his house.
“Just leave it be, Penny. I’ll take care of it later. You removed the tire already, you said?” Army asked, his surprise obvious.
“Yes. So, I guess I won’t make the party. Please tell Vale I’m sorry.”
“Nonsense. Noah will pick you up.”
A few seconds later Penny received a message from Noah.
Noah: Be there in a few. Dress warm, riding bike.
She grabbed her backpack, a scarf, and a pair of mittens, excitement building overriding the bike or seeing Noah, she wasn’t entirely sure.
Wow. I never thought I’d see the day where my sister would freak out about a guy.
I’m not freaking out.
You are very much looking forward to seeing him.
Oh, shut it.
You look like a sexy snowwoman in your snowsuit, Lucy joshed. Penny wished she’d picked blue bibs instead of white. The ride would be short. She could forego the extra layer, so she left the bibs at home.
Noah was waiting next to his motorcycle. Penny raised a hand in greeting. The wind whipped at her as he handed her a neck wrap and a helmet. She caught bits of what he said over the noise of the engine and the wind. Something about a speaker in the helmet.
She removed her warm cap, pulling on the gear. The outside noise was replaced with rock music as she pulled on the helmet. Cool, she thought.
Penny stuffed her hat in her jacket pocket and waited for Noah to mount the bike. She got on behind him and wrapped her arms loosely around his waist. Her grip tightened as he rocketed out of the yard, the whine of the motor breaking through the song. She started humming to the chorus to calm the racing of her heart. It was an older rock song, one her dad loved to play on guitar. She sang the second verse.
“I didn’t realize I would get serenaded on this ride,” Noah’s voice cut in after the song finished.
Even though she sang before while playing guitar with Noah, embarrassment warmed her face. “Oh, I didn’t realize you could—I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you say we could talk to each other with our helmets on. Why didn’t you say anything right away?”
She felt him shrug, his shoulder moving against her helmet.
“I like the song. And your singing.”
Her embarrassment morphed into delight.
“Thanks for the ride.”
“Not a problem. Not every day I get to ride with a pretty face.”
“Technically you do every time. Yours.” May I fall off right now and add to global warming. What am I saying? She thought her sister giggled.
“Yeah, but mine gets boring. Any more visions?”
She shook her head before remembering he couldn’t see her. “Not really.” Unease ran down her back. “Not sure that makes me feel better.”
Noah remained quiet during the remainder of the bumpy ride into town.
The warm, chlorine-rich air clung to her when she and Noah entered the indoor pool area at the high school. All thoughts of the hidden door dissolved in the loud and humid space.
Rose and Tiki, Vale’s young mother and toddler sister, walked up to greet Penny as Noah moved off, most likely to change. Vale easily resembled her mother with their long, straight black hair, smooth, pale skin, and frequent, friendly smiles. Sam approached as they greeted each other, and Rose introduced him as her boyfriend.
“Oh, we know each other, sweetheart. Penny's often with her mother at the vet clinic where I work.” Sam rested his arm across Rose’s shoulders, and he winked at Penny.
“That’s right. Army said your mom was called in early this morning. I sure hope my pager stays silent. I’m covering for someone else who has the flu.” Rose looked a bit flustered as the toddler wiggled in her mother’s arms but shot Penny a kind smile. Tiki was already wearing a swimsuit. “I better get this one something to do. Hope you have fun, Penny,” Rose said as she excused herself and walked off with Sam.
Winking again, Sam said, "Later, Penny."
Working as an EMT seemed to be every bit as demanding as being a veterinarian. Every time Penny ran into her, Rose was usually on her way out for an emergency.
Sam, huh? Well, why not? Penny thought.
He seems a bit old for her, replied her sister critically.
Well, the ‘younger guy’ who was Vale’s and Tiki’s father didn’t work out well, replied P
enny. He split right after Tiki’s birth. The Volkov family heard rumors that Rose’s ex-boyfriend moved to Texas and overdosed on meth. No one had heard from him since Vale's birth. So, in that case, younger was not better. Besides, Sam seems nice enough.
Army’s sister, Dolores, waved as she and Rita walked up. “Penny, I just wanted to thank you again for sharing that recipe! Those French toast cupcakes are a hit at the restaurant.” Dolores ran The FrostBite restaurant downtown. “I just warm up the bottoms and drizzle on a bit of warm maple syrup. Anytime you stop by, whatever you want is on the house!”
A rush of warmth flooded through Penny. She dipped her head and grinned. “No worries, Dolores. Glad they are liked.”
“Liked? Loved is more like it. Who could pass up a tiny cup of cake that tastes like breakfast heaven?” Rita said, going on and on about the blend of cream cheese, maple, and cinnamon with a hint of nutmeg, making Penny’s smile broaden. If one listened to Rita, Penny’s recipe included the first rays of morning sunshine and the comfort of a grandmother’s kitchen.
Penny caught a glimpse of Noah from the corner of her eye. He wore teal-and-white-striped swim shorts. His broad, muscular chest on display distracted her. She offered a wave in greeting before turning her attention back to Rita. “I’m sorry. What did you say, Rita?”
“I was just mentioning how I finally convinced Bill to give his beard a trim. He was starting to look a bit wizardly instead of grizzly. I mean, how much food do you need to hide within the hair grown on your face. He looks so handsome, doesn’t he?”
“Ah, yeah, Rita. Bill looks good,” Penny said.
“So, do you like hairy faced men, or do you prefer faces smooth and hair-free?” Rita posed the question with a wry smile. Dolores even grinned at Penny, looking a bit like the Cheshire cat.
Looking up at the ceiling did nothing for Penny’s response. She felt a twinge of pain as an image of her father shaving before a shift at the ER zinged into focus. He never grew more than a medium stubble. “Oh, I don't know. Guess I don't have a preference, really.” Her face reddened as Noah and Army approached, sure that her thoughts played out for their viewing.