I enjoyed Jane Austen so I kept quiet, listening to Ferren argue with the teacher about the point of falling in love.
Ferren and I climbed into our seats, waiting for our first customers most of which happened to be elementary and middle school boys. My first “kiss” was from a boy dressed up like a vampire. He gave me a quick peck on the cheek then ran back to his mom, with a giant toothy smile.
I chuckled. “I’m not sure if he liked it or if I scared him.”
Ferren put on more bright red lipstick, puckering her lips. “Naw, guys are pigs so you can be assured even the youngest of them are enjoying it.”
I shook my head trying not to laugh. “Someday some guy’s going to come along and change your mind.”
“Not here they won’t.”
We went through about fifteen boys each when Ferren said, “Listen, why don’t you take a break and go listen to Grandma for a few.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, she wants you to hear one folktale in particular.”
There were only two boys lined up so I went to the booth next to ours and took a seat on one of the rugs. I noticed Talon’s grandma sitting next to Carsen’s grandma at the front of the group.
“Now that we’ve finished talking about the raven, why don’t we hear a tale about the chief’s daughter and the polar bear,” Carsen’s grandma said.
Some of the kids got up to go to other booths, while several more took their spots on the floor next to me. I eyed the old ladies with curiosity.
“A long time ago there lived a mighty chief who had four children, one son and three daughters,” she began. “His son was strong and a good hunter which made the chief very proud. His eldest daughter was the most beautiful in the tribe and found a husband right away, as did his second daughter who was great at cooking and sewing.”
Carsen’s grandma eyed each of the kids in turn, and I noticed how engrossed with the tale they were.
“But his youngest daughter, she was different. She wasn’t the most beautiful or the best at sewing or cooking. In fact, she was rather ordinary. She did her chores and was kind to everyone both humans and animals alike. Yet, her father could not find her a husband, because she was so forgettable.”
“One day, the girl overheard her father speaking to her mother about how much of a burden she’d become. So the girl worked extra hard, making trips to the river for water, and helping to put on the meals and wash the clothes. Then one day, while she filled buckets at the river, she saw a polar bear on the other shore.”
“At first she was scared until she noticed he was bleeding. It appeared he’d stepped into a trap. She ventured across the icy waters, not caring for her own well-being but rather her concern lying on the injured animal. When she attempted to aid him he took a swat at her with his giant paw, which scratched up her arm. But she ignored the pain, knowing she must try and save this creature.” Carsen’s grandma stopped to take a sip of tea then she continued.
“The girl pried the trap from his leg then moved back and the bear stared at her, shaking his fur until it slid from his body, revealing a handsome man in its stead. He stood, limping to her side and asked her to come back to his village with him. He brought her before his father, the chief of the bear tribe.”
“His people adored her and praised her for saving the chief’s son. Even the chief himself was impressed with her and declared his son should take the woman as his wife. So they put together a small party to travel to the girl’s village and meet with her father, the chief of the human tribe.”
“The human chief was surprised by what his daughter did, and for the first time he really took notice of her. He granted her permission to marry and in exchange, the bear chief gave up his own fur as a gift to the human tribe for the life of his son. But that is not the only honor bestowed upon the human tribe. Three elders from the bear clan also gave up their furs so the humans might have the ability to shift into bears too.”
“So the once ordinary girl brought great honors to her people, enabling them to walk amongst the animals and hunt like the bears. The two tribes remained close, and years later after more humans started making their way into our country, they decided it was best to combine and become one mighty tribe. And that is how we’ve lived to this day.”
The kids cheered and I sat in awe. Was it really true? Talon’s grandma waved for me to come up by her. The two elderly women pulled the polar bear fur over the table for me to see.
“Seeing is believing,” Talon’s grandma said with a smile.
I reached out and touched it. It felt alive beneath my fingers. I caught Carsen’s grandma staring at me then glancing back to Talon’s grandma.
“Some choices are easy to make while others are not,” Carsen’s grandma whispered. “The chief’s daughter chose to leave her people.”
Okay, was she asking me if I’d be willing to do the same? The truth was, I didn’t know what I’d do if faced with a similar decision.
“Your future is not yet decided, Ima Berry. You’ll face much loss and will have choices of your own to make, but know that even in your darkest hours, you’ll be watched after,” Carsen’s grandma said, squeezing my hand. “And no matter what, always go with your heart for it’ll never lead you wrong.”
I didn’t know how to respond so I went back to the kissing booth my mind full of visions of the chief’s daughter finding her true love.
“Phew, about time you’re back we’re starting to get a line. And there’s no way in hell, I’m letting Kevin kiss me.” She pointed to a tall, lanky boy who was in our fifth hour class.
I snickered as I applied more lipstick.
“Hey, no cutting,” a boy said.
I raised my eyes to see Talon pushing through the crowd. His jaw was tense, his mouth turned down in a frown. His dark eyes blazed as he stepped in front of me.
Talon’s grandma saw him coming and stood to come over to the kissing booth. I gave her a look I hoped indicated she could intervene at any point.
“Talon,” I said awkwardly.
“I’m here to tell you to stay away from Carsen. Don’t you understand the trouble you’re causing?” It was hard to miss the coldness in his voice as he leaned to whisper in my ear.
“I’m not going to tell anyone,” I said in a low voice.
“Yes, but it’s not about staying quiet. Do you understand what could happen if something goes wrong? Won’t you think about the consequences?”
“If you’re going to stand in line talking to Ima, Talon Yutu, you can buy a ticket. There are plenty of boys who’ve already paid waiting for their turns,” Mrs. Timbers said, interrupting us.
Talon glared at her. “It’ll only take a minute.”
“Come on Yutu, some of us are trying to get some action here,” Kevin said.
Talon went rigid; his hand gripped the edge of my stool. For a moment, I thought he might whip around and go after Kevin, but instead he closed his eyes and took several deep breaths.
“Kevin, I’ll not have that kind of talk,” Mrs. Timbers said.
“You go and pay for a ticket Talon,” his grandma said. “If you’re too cheap to use your own money then I’ll pay for you.”
Talon straightened and reached into his back pocket then spun around and stalked down to the table.
His grandma’s eyes twinkled with humor. What was she was up to?
Talon took out a couple of fives and threw them at our teacher. “Fine, take the money.”
He put his wallet away then sat down on the stool, his eyes intent on mine. “You’re an outsider,” he said from behind clenched teeth. “And outsiders never stick around, which means in the end you’ll only hurt him.”
“I know you’re looking out for him, but the decision is up to him,” I whispered.
“Talon, you’re not supposed to yell at a girl before you kiss her,” his grandma said with a laugh. “It isn’t any wonder you don’t have a girlfriend.”
“Yeah, come on we don’t have a
ll night,” Kevin said.
“Fine.” Talon grabbed my head in his hands and crushed his lips against mine. At first, the kiss was hard, almost bruising. Then something changed. The connection between us felt like fire, flames licking at my skin. Drawing us closer as if we were one.
Yes, the hushed voices said. Destiny.
The whispers and humming grew loud in my ears, while my blood sang an ancient tune. Winds blew in from nowhere, swirling about us like a magical cyclone.
Yes.
Everything inside me thrummed, like I’d been shocked back to life, brought back from a black void I didn’t know I’d fallen into. All I saw in my mind were the silvery filaments, ensnaring us, wrapping us in a cocoon of promises of forever.
Talon’s kiss softened, and I was lost in the tenderness. He tasted of cinnamon and untamed wildness. My hands encircled him while at the same moment he gripped me tighter to his chest. It was like putting on a favorite sweater, comfortable, and warm.
I felt myself falling into the sweet waves of his kiss and drowning.
Yes.
This is what I’d waited for my whole life. The want, the need, the love. For a brief moment, I saw us together, suspended far above the heavens basking in the light of true love. It was like Talon was my destiny.
The yearning drew me closer until I thought I’d never find my way back. More thoughts danced in my mind, two Inuit lovers on a cliff, one holding a basket, my basket…
Then a distant memory flickered in my mind. Carsen. My boyfriend. I gasped.
Talon must’ve come to the same conclusion as we broke apart, staring at one another in confusion. Talon staggered back as if I’d slapped him then rushed from the gym. His grandma peered after him then turned to meet my gaze.
“He needed to know,” was all she said before going back to the storytelling booth.
“Awe man, Talon better hope Carsen doesn’t find out about that kiss or he’s dead,” Kevin said, punching one of his friends in the arm.
I sat there stunned, raising my hand to touch my lips. Guilt settled in. How could I have kissed Talon like that? Something’s seriously wrong with me. He’s my boyfriend’s best friend. And what did Talon’s grandma mean by “he needed to know?”
My eyes blurred and I wiped the moisture away with the back of my hand. I was so confused.
“Try and remember whose girlfriend you are,” Ferren snapped as we finished our shifts at the kissing booth.
“I didn’t mean for it to happen.”
“Right.” She snorted, stalking off and disappearing into the hallway. I wanted to go after her, to make her understand, but I had no idea how to explain the voices, and silver web. I helped Mrs. Timbers collect money until it was time to close everything down then we put the cardboard into storage for next year.
“There you are.” Carsen caught my hand as I put the last of the stuff away. “What’s everybody talking about you and Talon for?”
“He stopped by the kissing booth. Mrs. Timbers and his grandma forced him to buy a ticket,” I said.
He chuckled. “Well I’d much rather have him giving you a kiss than Kevin or Jake. At least I can trust him.”
I swallowed hard, fighting back the urge to cry. Trust? I’d totally blown it tonight and yet he trusted me and Talon. I leaned against him feeling like the world’s worst girlfriend. But it wasn’t like I initiated the kiss. Besides, I was still Carsen’s girlfriend and I loved him.
Didn’t I? But Talon meant nothing to me! He was a rude, selfish jerk. Except when he’d defended my honor in the hallway, and saved me from the cliffs and the fox. Oh God, what was I saying? I took a deep breath, and attempted to ignore the whispered protests in my mind, as Carsen brought me out to his quad.
We sped across town to my house, where he shut off the engine and walked me to the door. I hesitated, wanting to invite him in.
Noticing my hesitation, he leaned down and kissed me, folding me in his arms. My tongue grazed his as I deepened the kiss, wanting to put an end to thoughts of Talon for good. Carsen groaned, grinding against me, his hands entwined in my hair. Breathless, I pulled back, blood pounding in my ears.
“I’ll see you Monday,” he said with a grin.
My fingers brushed his arm. “Will you call me tomorrow?”
“Yeah, but if you don’t let me leave now we might end up getting in trouble.”
I blushed in the darkness as I fumbled to get the door open behind me. “Goodnight,” I called after him before slamming the door shut.
I slid to the floor my legs too weak to hold me up. Twice in one night, I’d almost lost control. Why didn’t I push Talon away? It would’ve been easy enough. But then again, why didn’t he step back? Confusion plagued me. I wanted to hate Talon, and never think of him again. He ruined everything. Carsen was my boyfriend. He loved me. Talon was nothing, or so I tried to convince myself. I sat there until a knock sounded on the door and I stared at the wooden barrier for a moment before jerking it open.
Carsen stood there, his eyes blazing in the darkness, and I threw myself into his arms nearly sending us both off the front stoop.
“I forgot to tell you I love you.” He nuzzled my neck.
“I love you too.”
He pressed his lips against mine once more. When he pulled back he said, “Now, I really should go.”
“Yeah, I don’t need a life sentence of being grounded.” With a sigh, I pulled back.
He laughed. “I just can’t stay away from you. Talon and Ferren keep telling me I’m being stupid, but I can’t help myself.”
“You promise to tell me if this gets to be too much, right?” I asked. “I don’t want to cause you trouble.”
“You’re worth it, Ima. I told you before, I don’t care what they think. Everything that matters to me is right here.” He squeezed my shoulders. “Don’t think for a second I wouldn’t fight for you.”
I swallowed hard, wondering what he meant. “I don’t think it’ll have to come to that.”
“Good.”
Carsen placed one last kiss on my lips before sauntering back to his ATV. I watched him pull away then locked the door behind me.
Keetah peeked up from the couch then pitter-pattered down the hall after me.
“It’s been a strange night boy. Let’s get some sleep.”
I dreamt that night of Talon, Carsen, of kissing booths, and of war. A strange combination, but it seemed appropriate. My heart and soul were the prizes, yet who or what would claim them?
War.
Chapter Fourteen
Missing
Excitement raced through my veins, and I smiled seeing Dad’s truck in the driveway when the bus dropped me off after school Tuesday. I hadn’t seen him since Thursday due to the storm that hit over the weekend, making it impossible for him to fly the bush plane in.
I was alone a lot more now since Carsen had basketball practice every night, along with his putting in extra hours working at the store with his uncle. Then of course, Ferren and Talon weren’t talking to me. It had gotten worse over the past few days. Like this morning, for instance, I spotted them joking around with Carsen, but as soon as I joined them they quit talking then made excuses to leave. Did Ferren forget it was Talon who kissed me?
Although, I didn’t have much to complain about because of how awesome Carsen treated me. Not to mention, Matt called every night to check on me. Then of course, there was Keetah, who kept me company by hogging my bed, stealing my clothes, and barking so I couldn’t hear Carsen when he called. But it wasn’t the same as having my dad there every night.
I waded through the snowdrifts to the house where Dad met me at the door.
“Hey, there’s my girl,” he said, hugging me tight. “So how did your first twenty below zero day go?”
“I don’t have frostbite, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“So you’re liking it?”
“I wouldn’t go that far, I mean, you better hope I don’t sneeze or you’re liable to hav
e your eyes poked out by a boogercicle.”
Dad laughed, and took my school bag from me. “It’s good to be home. Oh, and before I forget, someone sent a package in the mail to you.”
He handed me a box wrapped in brown paper and I stared at the unfamiliar handwriting. I took my hat and coat off then sat on the couch to open it. I tore the paper off, lifting the top from the box.
“Oh my,” I squealed.
A long, shimmering black dress caressed my fingers as I stood, holding it against me. It was black and silky, reminding me of ravens’ wings. It had one strap that covered the left shoulder, leaving the other one bare. A note fell to the floor and I draped the dress over the back of a chair to pick it up.
To my disappointment, it only had a picture of a raven drawn on it. I wondered who sent it to me? I stared at Dad, but he seemed as baffled as I was.
“It seems a bit risqué don’t you think? After all, this is your first dance.”
I rolled my eyes. “Dad, it covers most of my body.”
“Yes, but I’m not sure if I like the bare shoulder thing.”
“If you want I’m sure I could find something shorter and lower cut,” I said with a grin.
The color drained from his face. “No, I think this will do just fine.”
After hanging my dress in the closet, I joined Dad on the couch. He flipped on the radio, finding a classical station. Dark rings ran along the underside of his eyes as if he hadn’t slept in days.
“Do you want to lay down for a nap?” I asked.
“No, if I sleep now, I won’t sleep tonight.” He tugged on my hair. “By the way, you didn’t happen to take one of the cameras down by the river did you? I went up there when I got home to check them, but it was gone.”
“No, I haven’t been up there,” I said. “And I wouldn’t move one without asking first.”
My mind raced. Who would’ve taken it? Maybe one of the locals found it and decided to throw it out. I could ask Carsen, but then that’d lead to a bunch of unwanted questions. Yet, it seemed the most likely answer, I mean if I found a camera taking pictures of things I didn’t want seen I’d have gotten rid of it too.
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