by Brandon Mull
it. Grandpa withdrew his hand. Never liked me much.
Some of these toys look expensive, Kendra said,
standing beside an ornate Victorian dollhouse.
Toys are meant to be played with, Grandpa said. Do
your best to keep them in decent shape, and that will be
good enough.
Seth moved from the hen cage to a small piano in the
corner of the room. He banged on the keys, and the notes
that clanged sounded different from what Kendra would
have expected. It was a little harpsichord.
Consider this room your space, Grandpa said.
Within reason, I’ll not bother you to pick things up in
here, so long as you treat the rest of the house with
respect.
Okay, Kendra said.
I also have some unfortunate news. We are in the
height of tick season. You kids ever hear of Lyme disease?
Seth shook his head.
I think so, Kendra said.
It was originally discovered in the town of Lyme,
Connecticut, not too far from here. You catch it from tick
bites. The woods are full of ticks this year.
What does it do? Seth asked.
Grandpa paused for a solemn moment. Starts out as a
rash. Before long it can lead to arthritis, paralysis, and heart
failure. Besides, disease or no, you don’t want ticks burrowing
into your skin to drink your blood. You try to pull them
off and the head detaches. Hard to get out.
That’s disgusting! Kendra exclaimed.
Grandpa nodded grimly. They’re so small you can
hardly see them, at least until they fill up on blood. Then
they swell to the size of a grape. Anyhow, point is, you kids
are not allowed to enter the woods under any circumstances.
Stay on the lawn. Break that rule and your outdoor
privileges will be revoked. We understand one another?
Kendra and Seth nodded.
You also need to keep out of the barn. Too many ladders
and rusty old pieces of farm equipment. Same rules
apply to the barn as apply to the woods. Set foot in there,
and you will spend the rest of your stay in this room.
Okay, Seth said, crossing the room to where a little
easel stood on a paint-spattered tarp. A blank canvas rested
on the easel. Additional blank canvases leaned against the
wall nearby, beside shelves stocked with jars of paint. Can
I paint?
I’m telling you twice, you have the run of this room,
Grandpa said. Just try not to destroy it. I have many
chores to attend to, so I may not be around much. There
should be plenty of toys and hobbies here to keep you
busy.
What about a TV? Seth asked.
No TV or radio, Grandpa replied. Rules of the
house. If you need anything, Lena will never be far. He
indicated a purple cord hanging against the wall near one
of the beds. Tug the cord if you need her. In fact, Lena will
be up with your supper in a few minutes.
Won’t we eat together? Kendra asked.
Some days. Right now I need to visit the east hayfield.
May not be back until late.
How much land do you own? asked Seth.
Grandpa smiled. More than my share. Let’s leave it at
that. I’ll see you kids in the morning. He turned to leave
and then paused, reaching into his coat pocket. Turning
back, he handed Kendra a tiny key ring holding three
miniature keys of varying sizes. Each of these keys fits
something in this room. See if you can figure out what each
unlocks.
Grandpa Sorenson walked out of the room, closing the
door behind him. Kendra listened as he descended the
stairs. She stood at the door, waiting, and then gently tried
the handle. It turned slowly. She eased the door open,
peered down the empty stairway, and then closed it. At
least he had not locked them in.
Seth had opened a toy chest and was examining the
contents. The toys were old-fashioned but in excellent
condition. Soldiers, dolls, puzzles, stuffed animals, wooden
blocks.
Kendra wandered over to a telescope by a window. She
peered into the eyepiece, positioned the telescope to look
through a windowpane, and began twisting the focus
knobs. She could improve the focus but couldn’t get it
quite right.
She stopped fiddling with the knobs and examined the
window. The panes were made of bubbly glass, like those in
the front of the house. The images were being distorted
before they reached the telescope.
Unfastening a latch, Kendra pushed the window open.
She had a good view of the forest east of the house,
illuminated by the golden hues of the setting sun. Moving
the telescope closer to the window, she spent some time
mastering the knobs, bringing the leaves on the trees below
into crisp focus.
Let me see, Seth said. He was standing beside her.
Pick up those toys first. A mess of toys lay piled near
the open chest.
Grandpa said we can do what we want in here.
Without making it a disaster. You’re already wrecking
the place.
I’m playing. This is a playroom.
Remember how Mom and Dad said we need to pick
up after ourselves?
Remember how Mom and Dad aren’t here?
I’ll tell.
How? Stick a note in a bottle? You won’t even remember
by the time they get back.
Kendra noticed a calendar on the wall. I’ll write it on
the calendar.
Good. And I’ll look through the telescope while you
do that.
This is the one thing in the room I was doing. Why
don’t you find something else?
I didn’t notice the telescope. Why don’t you share?
Don’t Mom and Dad also tell us to share?
Fine, Kendra said. It’s all yours. But I’m closing the
window. Bugs are coming in.
Whatever.
She shut the window.
Seth looked into the eyepiece and started twisting the
focus knobs. Kendra took a closer look at the calendar. It
was from 1953. Each month was accompanied by an illustration
of a fairyland palace.
She turned the calendar to June. Today was June 11.
The days of the week did not match up, but she could still
count down to when her parents would return. They would
be back June 28.
This stupid thing won’t even focus, Seth complained.
Kendra smiled.
Collecting Clues
The next morning, Kendra sat at breakfast across from
her grandfather. A wooden clock on the wall above
him read 8:43. Reflected sunlight flashed in the corner of
her eye. Seth was using his butter knife to bounce sun rays.
She was not seated close enough to the window to
retaliate.
Nobody likes the sun in their eyes, Seth, Grandpa
said.
Seth stopped. Where’s Dale? he asked.
Dale and I got up a few hours ago. He’s out working.
I’m just here to keep you company on your first morning.
Lena set a bowl in front of Seth and another in front of
&
nbsp; Kendra.
What’s this? Seth asked.
Cream of wheat, Lena replied.
Sticks to your ribs, Grandpa added.
Seth probed the cream of wheat with his spoon.
What’s in it? Blood?
Berries from the garden and homemade raspberry preserves,
Lena said, placing a platter on the table containing
toast, butter, a pitcher of milk, a bowl of sugar, and a
bowl of jam.
Kendra sampled the cream of wheat. It was delicious.
The berries and raspberry preserves sweetened it to
perfection.
This is good! Seth said. Just think, Dad is eating
snails.
You kids remember the rules about the woods,
Grandpa said.
And to stay out of the barn, Kendra said.
Good girl. There’s a swimming pool out back that we
got ready for you-all the chemicals are balanced and
whatnot. There are gardens to explore. You can always play
in your room. Just respect the rules and we’ll get along
fine.
When is Grandma coming back? Kendra asked.
Grandpa glanced down at his hands. That depends on
your Aunt Edna. Could be next week. Could be a couple
months.
Good thing Grandma got over her illness, Kendra
said.
Illness?
The one that kept her from going to the funeral.
Right. Yeah, she was still a little under the weather
when she left for Missouri.
Grandpa was acting a little peculiar. Kendra wondered
if he was uncomfortable around children.
I’m sad we missed her, Kendra said.
She’s sorry too. Well, I better be off. Grandpa had not
eaten anything. He pushed his chair back, stood up, and
stepped away from the table, rubbing his palms against his
jeans. If you swim, don’t forget to wear sunblock. I’ll see
you kids later.
At lunch? Seth asked.
Probably not until supper. Lena will help you with
anything you need.
He left the room.
Dressed in her swimsuit, a towel over one shoulder,
Kendra stepped through the door onto the back porch. She
carried a handheld mirror she had found in the nightstand
by her bed. The handle was mother-of-pearl studded with
rhinestones. The day was a bit humid, but the temperature
was pleasant.
She walked to the railing of the porch and gazed over
the gorgeously manicured backyard. Paths of white stones
meandered among flower beds, hedgerows, vegetable gardens,
fruit trees, and flowering plants. Tangled grapevines
curled along suspended lattices. All the flowers seemed to
be in full bloom. Kendra had never seen such brilliant
blossoms.
Seth was already swimming. The pool had a black bottom,
and it was fringed with rocks to make it seem like a
pond. Kendra hurried down the steps and started down a
path toward the pool.
The garden teemed with life. Hummingbirds darted
among the foliage, wings nearly invisible as they hovered.
Huge bumblebees with fuzzy abdomens buzzed from one
blossom to another. A stunning variety of butterflies fluttered
about on tissue-paper wings.
Kendra passed a small, waterless fountain featuring a
statue of a frog. She paused as a large butterfly alighted on
the rim of an empty birdbath. It had huge wings-blue,
black, and violet. She had never seen a butterfly with such
vivid coloring. Of course, she had never visited a world-class
garden. The house was not quite a mansion, but the
grounds were fit for a king. No wonder Grandpa Sorenson
had so many chores.
The path finally deposited Kendra at the pool.
Variegated flagstones paved the poolside area. There were a
few recliners and a circular table with a big umbrella.
Seth leaped from a stone outcropping into the swimming
pool, legs curled up, and hit the water with a big
splash. Kendra set her towel and mirror on the table and
grabbed a bottle of sunblock. She smeared the white cream
over her face, arms, and legs until it disappeared into her
skin.
While Seth was swimming underwater, Kendra picked
up the mirror. She angled the face so it reflected sunlight
onto the water. When Seth surfaced, she made sure the
bright splotch of sunlight covered his face.
Hey! he shouted, swimming away from her. She kept
the glare from the mirror on the back of his head. Gripping
the side of the pool, Seth turned to look at her again,
throwing up a hand and squinting to ward off the light. He
had to look away.
Kendra laughed.
Cut it out, Seth called.
You don’t like that?
Quit it. I won’t do it anymore. Grandpa already yelled
at me.
Kendra set the mirror on the table. That mirror is a lot
brighter than a butter knife, she said. I bet it already did
permanent damage to your retinas.
I hope so, then I’ll sue you for a billion dollars.
Good luck. I have about a hundred in the bank. It
might be enough for you to buy some eye patches.
He swam toward her angrily, and Kendra walked forward
to the edge of the pool. As he started climbing out,
she shoved him back in. She was almost a full head taller
than Seth and could usually handle him in a fight,
although if they ended up wrestling he was pretty squirmy.
Seth changed tactics and started splashing her, making
quick scooping motions across the surface of the pool. The
water felt cold, and Kendra recoiled at first, then leapt over
Seth into the water. After the initial shock, she swiftly
grew accustomed to the temperature, stroking over to the
shallow end away from her brother.
He chased her, and they ended up in a splash fight.
Locking his hands, Seth swung his arms in wide arcs, skimming
the top of the water. Kendra pushed at the water with
both hands, a churning motion that generated smaller but
more focused splashes. Soon they grew tired. It was hard to
win a water fight when both participants were already
soaked.
Let’s have a race, Kendra suggested as the splashing
subsided.
They raced back and forth across the pool. First they
raced freestyle, then backstroke, breaststroke, and sidestroke.
After that they created handicaps, like racing with
no arms or hopping across the width of the shallow end on
one foot. Kendra usually won, but Seth was faster at backstroke
and some of the handicapped races.
When Kendra grew bored, she got out of the pool.
Walking toward the table to retrieve her towel, she stroked
her long hair, enjoying the rubbery texture as the wetness
made the strands cling together.
Seth climbed on top of a big rock near the deep end.
Watch this can opener! He jumped with one leg straight
and the other bent.
Good job, Kendra said to placate him when he
surfaced. Shifting her gaze to the table, Kendra froze.
Hummingbirds, bumblebees, and butterfli
es swirled in the
air above the handheld mirror. Several other butterflies and
a couple of large dragonflies actually rested on the face of
the mirror itself.
Seth, come look at this! Kendra hissed in a loud
whisper.
What?
Just come here.
Seth boosted himself out of the pool and padded over
to Kendra, arms folded. He stared at the cloud of life
whirling above the mirror. What’s their deal?
I don’t know, she replied. Do insects like mirrors?
These ones do.
Look at the red and white butterfly. It’s enormous.
Same with that dragonfly, Seth pointed out.
I wish I had a camera. I dare you to go get the mirror.
Seth shrugged. Sure.
He trotted over to the table, grabbed the mirror by the
handle, dashed to the pool, and dove in. Some of the insects
scattered instantly. The majority drifted in the direction
Seth had gone but dispersed before reaching the pool.
Seth surfaced. Any bees after me?
Get the mirror out of the water. You’ll ruin it!
Settle down, it’s fine, he said, stroking over to the
side.
Give it to me. She took the mirror from him and
wiped it dry with her towel. It looked undamaged. Let’s try
an experiment.
Kendra placed the mirror face up on a lounge chair and
backed away. Think they’ll come back?
We’ll see.
Kendra and Seth sat down at the table, not far from the
lounge chair. After less than a minute, a hummingbird
glided over to the mirror and hovered above it. Soon it was
joined by a few butterflies. A bumblebee alighted on the
face. Before long another swarm of small winged creatures
crowded the mirror.
Go turn the mirror face down, Kendra said. I want
to see whether they like the reflection or the mirror itself.
Seth crept toward the mirror. The little animals took
no apparent notice of his approach. He reached forward
slowly, flipped the mirror over, and then retreated to the
table.
The butterflies and bees that had landed on the mirror
took flight when it was overturned, but only a few of the
winged creatures flew away. Most of the swarm lingered. A
pair of butterflies and a dragonfly landed on the lounge
chair at the edge of the mirror. Taking flight, they flipped
the mirror over, nearly sliding it off the chair in the process.
With the reflective surface showing again, the swarm
pressed close. Several of the creatures landed on the face.
Did you see that? Kendra asked.