by Geof Johnson
Jamie liked to watch his father play, too. Even though he was in his mid-thirties, he could still catch and hit with the best of them. Jamie found it hard to resist using his magic to help his dad. Jamie knew he could guide the ball from the pitcher’s hand squarely onto his father’s bat, and then send the ball with his will as far as he wanted, into the next county if he felt like it. But he didn’t. He didn’t need Jamie’s help, and Jamie’s oath would’ve prevented him, anyway.
And Fred and Rollie would kill him if he did — oath or no oath — because that was cheating.
* * *
It wasn’t long before knowing a few firefighters paid off. Two weeks after the softball game, Jamie’s mother was driving him home from the library when Jamie saw smoke.
“Look, Mom, there’s a fire.” Just down a side street was a smoking building surrounded by fire trucks and firefighters. “Let’s go see, please?”
“Jamie, that’s a bad idea. We’ll just be in the way.”
“Let’s at least get out and look. I’ve never seen a fire before.”
His mother looked thoughtful for a moment. “Okay, it might be educational. But we’re not getting too close.”
They got out of the car and walked toward the burning building, but Jamie’s mother made him stop about 200 yards away. As they watched, a firefighter walked by, headed for a smaller fire truck parked nearby.
The firefighter said, “Hey, you’re Carl Sikes’s kid. Come to see the action?”
“Yes sir. I’ve never seen a fire before.”
“Would you like to get a little closer? You and your mom can go up to that last parked car.” He pointed to a blue vehicle. “But no closer, okay?”
They thanked him and went to the spot he’d pointed out, which was about 75 yards from the blaze.
Another firefighter walked by and waved. “Hey, Carl Sikes’s kid, and Mrs. Sikes.”
“What’s going on?” Jamie said.
The firefighter talked as he pulled some equipment from a truck. “This old warehouse is burning, and we want to stop it before it spreads to these other buildings.” He walked quickly toward the other firefighters and spoke over his shoulder, “If things get worse and the fire spreads, we’re gonna have to move you way back, okay?” He turned without waiting for Jamie’s answer.
Jamie looked at the burning warehouse and saw flames leaping from most of the windows. The firefighters only had two hoses trained on the building so far, and it didn’t seem like it was doing much good. Jamie wanted to help, but how?
He knew that fire needed oxygen, so he could make an invisible shell around the building and cut off the air supply, like he’d done with the robber at the bank. But the water from the fire hoses would hit it and bounce off, and that would be too obvious. He thought about it for a moment, trying to come up with an alternative.
Jamie thought about the fire hoses. He focused on where they connected to the hydrants, and in each one he imagined a valve that gradually closed. The water streaming from the hoses turned to a trickle as one firefighter shouted, “We’re losing water pressure!”
The men scrambled to fix the problem. Jamie turned his attention to the building. He imagined a shell, almost like glass, and affixed it to all four sides and the roof, cutting off all air to the fire. Within a minute, the flames began to die down, and went out completely. Jamie knew that if he released the shell too quickly, the inrushing air could reignite the blaze, so he gradually opened a few test holes, and satisfied with the result, removed the shell completely.
Unfortunately, he also released the blockages in the firehouses, which suddenly flopped about like angry snakes until the men got them under control.
“Wow,” his mother said. “That was something. It went out on its own.”
The firefighters seemed surprised, too. Jamie thought it might be a good time to leave.
Chapter 28
Kindergarten and fifth grade are the two most important years in elementary school and the ones with the biggest changes for kids. For kindergarteners, everything is new and hard, and there are a lot of adjustments to be made. But nobody expects much from you, so if you don’t know your ABCs or how to tie your shoes yet, it’s okay.
Fifth grade is completely different. Fifth graders are the big kids at school and know the routine, but everybody expects more from you, especially homework. And Jamie’s grandmother expected them to do theirs as soon as they came home from school, instead of playing outside or messing around on the computer.
Another big change for Jamie was at home. One night, while he set the table for dinner, his mother said, “Just three plates, Jamie.”
“Is Dad still at work?”
“No, he’s on his way home. Gramma’s not eating with us. She’s at Aunt Connie’s and Uncle Ray’s.”
“Again? She’s just ate there. Ever since they bought that condo, she’s gone half the time. Why can’t they eat over here?”
“Jamie, it’s not going to kill you if your grandmother doesn’t eat with us every night. Besides, I think she likes being in the company of people her own age, especially her sister.”
“But she didn’t tell me she was going.”
“She doesn’t need your permission to go out, Honey. It’s fine.”
“She’s not gonna move into her condo, is she?”
“Not yet. She’s leasing it to a nice couple from Florida for now. I think she’ll be staying with us for a while, yet.”
“Good. This is where Gramma belongs.”
* * *
Renn and the woman from the village spoke quietly so they wouldn’t disturb Mother. The woman had just come out of Mother’s room.
“I think she’ll sleep now,” the tall, sturdy woman said. “I finally got her to drink the draught you prepared. She’s a stubborn one.”
“You have no idea.” Renn liked this woman who had come to care for Mother. She was a tough, no-nonsense, late middle-aged lady who had a way with Mother that the previous two caretakers lacked. Mother seemed to like her, too, though she was reluctant to admit it. She seemed to enjoy the company, and the woman was a competent house keeper and cook.
“You may go home now.” He handed her a silver coin. “I’ll be staying with her tonight.”
“Should I come tomorrow?”
“Please. Mother hates my cooking.” A rare smile crossed his lips.
“Good. Tomorrow we need to get her up and moving before her joints stiffen too much. I will need your help.”
“Yes, anything,” he said as he closed the door behind her.
Anything for you, Mother.
* * *
For the talent show their fifth grade year, Jamie was determined not to show up his friends. He planned to do ordinary, run-of-the-mill trick store magic, not anything spectacular, like flying around the room or transporting the entire audience to another planet, though he’d fantasized about doing that.
Performing was getting easier for Jamie, Fred, and Rollie, because Evelyn had arranged over a dozen shows for them, from nursing homes to Elks Club banquets, and they had become more comfortable in front of audiences.
When they arrived at the auditorium the night of the show, the stage lights wouldn’t work.
“Must’ve been that big thunderstorm last night,” the custodian said as they milled around onstage in confusion. “Lightning probably fried the breaker box.”
“Jamie, do something,” Fred whispered. “Can’t you fix it?”
“I don’t know. Maybe if I can get to the box, but they’re not going to let me near it.” He glanced at the three adults looking at the open metal panel on the wall.
“We can make a diversion,” Rollie said. He looked at Fred. “Can you pretend to faint?”
“Can I? Watch this.” She put her hand to her forehead. “Oh, my, I feel dizzy!” Then she flopped to the floor, eyes closed.
“Fred’s fainted!” Rollie said. “Somebody help!”
All of the adults, including the ones by the panel,
rushed to Fred’s side.
That’s my cue, Jamie thought. He snuck over to the breaker box, put his hand on it, and closed his eyes. In his mind, he could see where the damage was, and willed it to repair itself, the scorched and broken wires pushing together and reforming solid connections.
“Hey, get away from there!” one of the adults said.
Jamie rapped the box with his knuckles. “I think it’s okay. It just needed a little tap.” He flipped the switches and the stage lights came on. “See? It’s fine.”
Fred sat up. “Oh, I must have fainted. Does anyone have some water?” Then she looked across the stage at Jamie and winked. “I’m feeling much better.”
Chapter 29
The talent show was the last big activity of the school year, and soon the final bell rang and summer vacation started. Jamie and his friends enjoyed being outside during the pleasant month of June, but it passed quickly into the sweltering blanket of July.
“I’m burning up,” Rollie said one day, as he, Jamie, and Fred sat in the rocking chairs in the gazebo, under the ceiling fan. “Can’t we go back inside?”
“No,” Jamie said. “Gramma will just kick us out again.”
“Can’t you do something about the heat?”
“Don’t know. Never tried.” Jamie closed his eyes for a moment, and the air became noticeably cooler.
“Ah, that’s more like it.” But a minute later, a warm breeze blew through and it was hot again.
“Oh well,” Jamie said, “It was worth a try.”
“What did you do?” Fred asked.
“I slowed down the air molecules. That’s where they get their heat energy. The hotter something is, the faster its molecules move around.”
“So, did you learn that from some nature show or something?”
“No, a library book.”
“Don’t you ever read normal books?”
“Sometimes.” Jamie put his hands behind his head as he rocked. “I figured out that the more I know about stuff, the more magic I can do, like putting out that fire. I can’t… affect something — I guess that’s the right word — unless I know how it works.”
“Just don’t get all geeky on us,” Rollie said.
They rocked in silence for a moment before Jamie said, “I think the old man read a lot. He was always learning about knew stuff.”
“What old man?”
“I don’t know his name, but it’s the old man whose memories I keep having.”
“I told you, that’s crazy,” Fred said. “You can’t have somebody else’s memories.”
Rollie sat on the edge of his seat. “It’s no crazier than flying, or fixing a breaker box just by touching it. Or shooting energy bolts out of your fingers, or —”
“I get it. It’s crazy,” Fred said. “We’re crazy.”
“Sure are,” Rollie said. “Let’s put some of this magic to good use. Jamie, how ’bout making us a swimming pool right here?”
“I think Gramma might notice.”
“Make it snow, then.”
“Same problem.”
“Take us to the North Pole.” Fred fanned herself with her hand.
Jamie’s eyes brightened at the prospect, but then he said, “Nah, we can’t leave the yard.”
“Surround us with blocks of ice,” Rollie said.
“Can’t. Gramma.”
“Make it winter.”
“Same problem.”
“Spring …?”
* * *
The heat wave continued through the weekend, and Jamie melted during Sunday church service. One of the air conditioning units had broken down, and the sanctuary was steaming hot. Jamie sweated in his suit, sitting in a pew with his parents and grandmother, a few seats down from Fred and her family. He thought about using his magic to fix the broken cooling unit, but he didn’t know anything about air conditioners and his grandmother would never let him leave to go inspect it.
Jamie held up okay for the first half of the service, but by the time of the sermon, he started to get drowsy, eyes crossing and head nodding. His grandmother kept poking him and giving him the evil eye, but what could he do? It was hot and he was bored. He needed to do something to keep awake.
At the front of the sanctuary was a large raised platform, in the middle of which was a podium where the minister spoke. The choir sat behind him on risers. On either side were large lighted candles on tall brass holders, and they suddenly caught Jamie’s eye. He focused on the left candle and snuffed out the flame with his mind, then relit it with a little spell. Then he focused on the right candle and did the same. The back to the left, and back to the right. Snuff. Light. Snuff. Light.
Just as he was sending the spell to relight the left candle, he heard a “sssttt!” and looked down the pew to see Fred glaring at him.
Uh oh, he thought. She knows.
Then someone shouted, “Fire!”
Jamie looked up to see the minister turn and slap at the back of his robe as a flame licked up from the hem. He was surrounded by frightened faces, the organist flapped her hands wildly, and the choir members retreated in panic. But fortunately, the choir director grabbed a water bottle from the podium and doused the fire, with no apparent harm done.
The minister quickly regained his composure, smiled and said, “Is it just me, or is it hot in here?” The congregation laughed and the tension went out of the sanctuary.
Jamie shrank back in his seat as far as he could, desperate to avoid Fred’s eyes. He was afraid to look, because he knew her laser glare would burn a hole straight through him if he did. The minister continued his sermon, and Jamie stared directly at him and nothing else until the service was over.
They walked out of the front door; Fred caught up with Jamie and grabbed his arm.
“I need to talk to you,” she said tersely.
Rachel and Lisa exchanged glances.
Fred dragged Jamie over to the side of the church, out of earshot of their parents.
“I saw what you did,” she snapped, her emerald eyes narrowed, one hand on her hip and the other wagging a finger in his face. “What were you thinking? Oh, I’ll think I’ll have some fun and — oops — I set the minister on fire.”
“I’m sorry,” Jamie said. “I didn’t mean to. I missed with the spell when you hissed at me.”
“You didn’t mean to?” She poked his chest. “There’s no excuse for what you did. You could’ve seriously injured him, all because you can’t keep your power under control.”
“But I —”
“You listen to me, Buster. If you can’t keep it under control, Rollie and I will make you swear a new oath, one that says you can’t use magic ever. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes,” he muttered.
Fred turned away without looking to see if he followed her.
* * *
Rachel looked at the two kids. “I wonder what Fred’s mad at Jamie about?”
“I don’t know, Lisa said. “It’s not like he set the preacher on fire.”
“Well, she sure was burning him up,” Larry said. “I’m glad I’m not in his shoes.”
Rachel shook her head slowly. “Well, I don’t think he has to worry about her kissing him right now.”
Jamie trailed sheepishly behind as Fred rejoined her parents.
“Fred, what was that all about?” Lisa said.
“Oh, nothing. Jamie just needed a little enlightening.”
“Enlightening?” Rachel said. “I wonder where she learned that expression?” She looked at her mother, who shrugged innocently.
* * *
When Jamie got back to his parents, his father put his arm around his son. “What was that all about?”
“Nothing,” Jamie said.
“Well, I must say, you handled it well.” He let the other families walk ahead of them. “This might help you, something I learned about maintaining a happy relationship: tell her you love her several times a day, and always say ‘yes Dear, I’m sorry, Dear,’ and the
most important thing, always say, ‘I was wrong, Dear’.” He leaned closer to Jamie and said quietly, “Even when you’re not.”
Jamie laughed as his father patted him on the back.
Chapter 30
Not long before school started, Rachel and Carl were eating dinner with Jamie while Evelyn talked on the phone outside.
“She sure has been talking a long time,” Carl said.
“I thought she said it was rude to talk on the phone during dinner,” Jamie said.
“She did,” Rachel said. “She must have a good reason.”
Evelyn finally came back inside and sat at the table. “Jamie, if you’re finished eating, could you go take a shower please?”
“But I wanna —”
“Now, please,” she said in her I-mean-business tone.
“Yes ma’am.”
Evelyn waited until he was out of earshot. “I hope it’s okay, but I have company coming over this Saturday.”
“Of course it’s okay, Mom,” Rachel said. “Is it one of your friends from church?”
“No, she’s from out-of-town. Winston-Salem, actually. You’ve never met her.”
“Who is she?”
Evelyn put her hand to her cheek and looked away for a long moment. She cleared her throat and said, “She’s my daughter.”
Rachel and Carl stared at her in shock.
When Rachel finally recovered, she said, “Your what?”
“She’s my daughter. She’s your sister, Rachel. Well, actually, she’s your half-sister.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I just couldn’t.” Evelyn sighed deeply and rubbed her face with one hand. Then she took a deep breath and said, “The summer before my senior year in high school, I got pregnant. Back in those days, that was frowned upon in polite society. So my parents sent me to Charlotte to live with my aunt for a year so I could have the baby and finish high school.” She looked at her hands, folded on the table, and continued, “I gave her up for adoption, naturally, and moved back home. Nobody knew, except for my parents and my sister.” Her face was tight.