Eyes Like Autumn (Seasons of the Magi Book 1)

by C. E. DeRosier

  I darted a look around the teachers’ lounge, embarrassed, when I realized a few other teachers had watched the exchange. As quickly as I could, I gathered up my things and left. All the eyes on me made me feel so uncomfortable. We weren’t putting on a show for their viewing enjoyment. I was sure it would only be a matter of time before everyone was whispering to each other about the exchange. Nothing was secret for long in this town.

  I walked down the hall toward the entrance. I was eager to get home. I really only stuck around after class to spend time with Sue.

  I was cut off from my hasty escape when the principal stepped out of his office. John Eldris, an African-American man with an impressive build, closely shaved head, and well-groomed beard, was a life-saver for me when I first moved to town. Without this job, I’d be completely lost.

  “Alice, I was hoping to catch you before you left. How are things going so far?” He gave me a small smile.

  “Great! I've been getting a lot of help from Sue and Cole. It's definitely helped me adjust.” I laughed. “The kids have been great too.”

  “I'm so glad to hear that. I see the mayor has been stopping by to see you.” He pushed back the sides of his jacket to rest his hands on his hips.

  I rubbed at one of my arms as I remembered what happened just moments before. “It seems he commands attention wherever he goes.”

  His secretary called his name, and he nodded to me. “My apologies, I must take that call. Have a nice day, Miss Barlow.”

  ~~~

  I was barely in the door before Grandpa waylaid me. “Alice, I'm so glad you're home. What are we having for dinner?”

  “Seriously?” I muttered to myself quietly. “Grandpa, you know full well I have a roast in the slow cooker for you because I have to go somewhere tonight.”

  “Oh, that's right. I was wondering what smelled so good. Thought it was wafting over from the neighbor's.”

  I rolled my eyes. Grandpa wouldn't notice if I had a dog living with us. I laughed to myself at the thought of a puppy scampering across the living room or even that massive wolf. As long as he didn't block Jeopardy, Grandpa surely wouldn't pay any attention.

  I walked into the kitchen to check on said roast. It really did smell amazing. I could surprise myself sometimes… Even if all I did was put the pre-seasoned roast in the pot with some chopped carrots and potatoes.

  I poured myself a glass of water. One good thing about houses with old pipes, the colder it was outside, the colder the tap water got.

  “Come and watch TV with me, Alice. This guy crashed his car and is trying to make this lady who helped him pay for it. It's so ridiculous,” he said as if the same scenario hadn’t been on so many other episodes.

  I sat next to him after putting my glass of water on one of the orange plastic coasters, curling my legs up underneath me despite Grandpa's protests about it being bad for my back. The sound of the television was background noise with everything that was going on in my mind. I massaged my forehead as I leaned on the arm of the couch. I barely even noticed when the TV cut out. I’d need to call Dad and tell him at some point that I’d be bringing Johannes.

  In the new silence, Grandpa turned to me. “So, are you going to tell me what's bothering you?”

  “I'm fine, Grandpa.” He narrowed his eyes at me. Maybe the old man was more perceptive than he let on. “Fine. I have a date tonight… with Johannes.”

  “If you don't want to go, then don't.” He said it as if it were the most simplistic answer in the world.

  “It's not that I don't want to go, it's just... I'm sort of anxious. He's meeting Dad.”

  “Now why would you be anxious? I think the mayor really likes you, Alice. I hear the nurses swooning about it at the doctor's office.”

  “No, you don't.” I laughed and reached for my glass of water on the table.

  “Then how do I know you busted up his nose?”

  I choked on my water and sputtered, a little glad I was too busy being incapable of swallowing to come up with an answer. I’d thought he wouldn't hear about it since he didn't go out often. I wanted to curl into a ball of shame as he started laughing. My face felt like it was on fire.

  “Hey, if he still wants to date you after that, he's a keeper.” His eyes sparkled in mirth.

  Well, I guess that settles that.

  ~~~

  Breathe in, breathe out. I repeated it several times to try to drum up enough courage to just hit the damn call button.

  The light from the screen lit up my face while I sat on Grandpa’s back porch.

  “You’re a big girl, no… a big woman! Wait… Ugh, why am I even talking to myself?” I slid a hand down my face.

  It might have been driven by pure shame, but I finally hit the little green button.

  The ten seconds it took my dad to answer were excruciating.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Dad,” I greeted a little unevenly.

  “Something wrong, Pumpkin?” Whatever program Dad had been watching went silent. “Do you need me to come get you?”

  “No, no, nothing like that. I just wanted to let you know that I’d be bringing someone to dinner. If that’s okay!” It came out as a rush of word vomit.

  Dad paused for a beat before laughing. “Pumpkin, did you meet someone?”

  “Um… yeah, he’s really nice, and I want you to meet him.” If my phone had a cord, I’d definitely be twirling it. My anxious fingers instead started picking at the wood of the porch.

  “The more the merrier. I don’t remember the last time you brought someone home.”

  Damn. Roasted by my dad.

  “See you at the usual time?” I asked.

  He confirmed, and we said our goodbyes. I stuffed my phone into my pocket and looked up at the sky. That wasn’t so bad… I'd psyched myself up for nothing.

  Johannes would be here shortly. He’d insisted on picking me up even after I’d assured him we could take my car. He hadn't left much room for argument before he’d ended the call. On one hand, it was attractive that Johannes knew what he wanted and went after it, but I had focused on my career and getting where I thought I needed to be in life for so long that it felt strange to be steering towards a relationship like this.

  A twig snapped. My gaze immediately darted to the noise. My heart clenched in fear for what might be lurking beyond the trees. The light from the moon reflected in the eyes of the creature coming from the dark. I could see the white sunburst of fur on its chest, and I let out a soft sigh, relieved. I stood and approached the wolf slowly. Just like last time, it made no move to run. This was stupid, to approach such a beast, but I needed to. I needed to know that this, that the wolf, was real. When I got within a few feet of it, the wolf sat down, its posture relaxing.

  With a shaky hand, I reached to thread my fingers in his scruff. When he didn’t move away, I smoothed my hand down the side of his face. His fur was thick and softer than I had expected. I couldn't stop the smile from splitting across my face.

  “You're real.” I laughed. This was incredible.

  Even when I brought my other hand up to card through his fur, he made no response. That is, until my fingers reached the patch of white on his chest. Then he rumbled a small growl. Wouldn’t Cole just love to know that it was definitely not a skull shape with laser eyes.

  “I'm sorry,” I muttered quietly and pulled my hands away from him. “You're so incredible.”

  The ringtone I’d picked for Johannes’s calls pierced through the darkness of the night from the place I’d left it on the porch. The temptation to ignore it was strong, but I knew it had to be Johannes letting me know he was here. I still hesitated a moment longer to look back at the wolf. Part of me expected him to disappear on me again, but I was elated to still find him there.

  “I need to go, but thank you for allowing me to touch you.” I smiled at the wolf, feeling silly to even be talking to him in the first place.

  Putting the mobile to my ear, I said, “Hey, Johannes,
I'll be right there.” The smooth tone of his voice flooded my ear as he responded, and it was hard to keep the smile from my face. While I wished he sent texts more than he called, it’d be a lie to say I didn’t like to just listen to him speak.

  The wolf whined, dragging my attention back to him. I smiled at him softly before I brushed his head one more time with a quiet promise that I’d be back after I hung up with Johannes.

  ~~~

  Johannes smiled at me as I opened the passenger-side door of his familiar moonstone-colored Cadillac CT6 and got in.

  “You look lovely tonight, my dear,” he said as he took my hand and kissed my knuckles.

  My heart fluttered, and I thanked him before inputting the directions to my dad's home in the GPS on his dashboard. The engine was so quiet compared to mine, it was hard to believe it was actually running. The midnight-leather seats were heated and conformed wondrously to my body. Suddenly I understood why he hadn’t wanted to take my beaten-down station wagon.

  “No matter how many times I get in this car, it's still crazy how gorgeous it is. Just don't look over at my car.” I laughed and leaned forward to block his view despite knowing he’d seen my granny wagon on multiple occasions and I’d offered to drive in it.

  “I'm sure it's not that bad.” He looked around me and made a face. “All right, maybe it is that bad.”

  I scoffed and shoved his shoulder. “Let's just drive already.”

  As we drove, I caught Johannes looking my way every now and then. I couldn't stop the small grin from playing at my lips. “What is it?”

  “Was I that obvious?” He smirked. “I know I’ve mentioned it before, but your necklace is very beautiful. Do you know what that symbol means?”

  I fingered the sparkling yellow gem that was nestled between my breasts.

  “The carving?” I shrugged. “I think it's just a flower. At least, that’s what Dad told me it was.”

  He looked forward and didn't say much else.

  Every time we passed another sign saying Madison was coming up, my knee bounced and my hands got increasingly clammy. Johannes reached over and squeezed my thigh.

  “It’s all right, darling. I’m sure this will be an unforgettable evening,” Johannes assured.

  I smiled and laced our fingers together. I really hoped it would be.

  ~~~

  When we pulled up to my dad's townhouse, I got out of the car with a giddy sort of excitement pulling at my chest. Dad had seemed interested when I’d told him about our special guest for the evening. I hadn't really brought anyone home since high school, when I’d thought I was in love with the hot guy from my chem lab.

  “Dad, we're here!” I called as we entered and I kicked off my shoes by the door.

  “Hey, pumpkin, let me wash my hands and I’ll be out. Why don't you set the table and get your guest a drink?” he called from somewhere in the kitchen.

  “Would you like a glass of wine? Or I make a mean brandy old-fashioned. My dad has a secret stash of the good stuff,” I added in a whisper.

  “I would love an old-fashioned.”

  Johannes took a seat as I got to work mixing his drink at the little alcohol cupboard that was in the dining room. His startlingly blue eyes followed my movements around the room.

  “Extra sugar, please,” Johannes requested.

  I giggled to myself as I put in an extra sugar cube before popping into the kitchen to grab an orange and some cherries.

  “Hey, pumpkin.” Dad leaned back from the sink, his hands still in the soapy water, for a kiss. I pressed a quick one to his cheek.

  “Dad, do the dishes after dinner. You said you were just going to wash your hands,” I admonished. “I’m really excited to introduce you to this guy.”

  “If I wait until after dinner, there will be too many, and I won’t want to do them. I’d rather do two small loads,” he grumbled back at me. “But you seem pretty excited about this guy, kiddo. He treatin’ you right?”

  “Yes, Dad. He’s been really nice to me, so please be nice to him,” I pleaded.

  “Yeah, yeah. You makin’ old-fashioneds? Make me one too.”

  I laughed and promised him before returning to the room where Johannes waited. His gaze was pulled from one of the family photos on the wall, one of Dad, Grandpa, and me.

  “Did you miss me?” I wiggled my brows at him.

  “Of course I did, darling. I always yearn for that beauty of yours.”

  Oh, he was smooth.

  I couldn’t hide the smile from my face as I finished mixing the drink. No sooner than I was done, Johannes pulled me against his side with an arm around my waist. “Did I tell you how delicious you look tonight? Even better than this sweet treat.” He grabbed one of the cherries from the top of his drink and rubbed it slowly against my bottom lip before popping it into his mouth.

  “Hmm, I believe you tossed the word ‘lovely’ earlier,” I teased.

  “Even ‘beautiful’ isn't a strong enough word for you,” he practically purred up at me.

  “Hope you kids are hungry. I made extra,” my dad said as he carried in a pot with the ridiculous University of Wisconsin oven mitts I had gotten him for Christmas three years ago.

  I pulled away from Johannes before my dad could see and try to give the “I have a gun and if you mess with my daughter, I will shoot you” spiel he pulled any time I liked someone. I didn't think he'd ever even fired the thing. I didn't know why he even bothered to have one. He claimed it was for protection, but that was an argument for another day.

  “Dad, why did you make extra? You always make way too much as it is.”

  He scoffed at me. “This makes my lunches all week. I haven't had to buy a lunch in years.”

  “Touché.”

  “So, introduce me to your friend,” Dad said as he finally put the pot down on a hot pad and looked up. The expression on his face dropped immediately as he made eye contact with Johannes. The air suddenly felt charged between the two of them as my father's face blanked and Johannes smiled as if there was nothing wrong in the world, rising from his seat to shake my father’s hand.

  I cleared my throat. “Dad, this is Johannes Dodgson. Johannes, this is my dad, Thomas Barlow.”

  “It's wonderful to meet you, sir. It's been an absolute pleasure spending time with her.” He was the picture of a perfect gentleman as he stood there with his hand still extended. My dad was refusing to take it.

  Dad broke his gaze with Johannes to level me with an unreadable look. “How did you two meet?”

  He sat at the table before I could answer and scooped his food into a bowl while nearly slopping it all over the table. I didn't understand what had gotten into him. He’d told me he was okay with me bringing Johannes.

  I pulled the bowl of green beans back to keep it out of the path of destruction. "Funny story, I actually spilled my tea on him at a coffee shop.”

  I silently plated some things for myself before passing the dishes towards Johannes after he’d given up on the handshake and returned to his seat.

  Dad didn’t even glance at me as I talked. His eyes were cold and fixed on Johannes. “Stalked her all the way out here, huh?”

  Johannes blinked once. “I've stalked no one. What an assumption.”

  I looked between them, shocked at what was happening. “Dad, stop, what are you even going on about?”

  “Stay out of this, Alice,” he warned.

  I slammed my hands down on the table. “If you're going to be like this, then we're leaving. I have no idea what the hell is going on here, but this needs to stop.”

  I stared at the plate I had set in front of me, but I couldn't even bring myself to eat. The silence between the three of us became deafening. No one spoke, and the only sounds came from my dad and Johannes as they ate.

  “Eat your food, Alice,” my dad ordered as he finally noticed I had yet to touch it.

  “I'm not very hungry.”

  “Dammit, Alice. I made this meal for you, and you are g
oing to eat it.”

  In all of my years growing up, I had never heard him talk to me in that way. I was in shock. No matter how many times I refused canned carrots or raw onions, he'd never yelled.

  “Oh, dear, your necklace is all twisted. Let me fix that for you.” Johannes reached over to wind it the right way after it had flung around my shoulder with my jostling movements.

  “Don't you touch that,” Dad growled.

  Without much thought, I stood and nearly ripped the thin chain as I pulled the piece of jewelry off. I tossed it onto the table in my frustration. “If you’re so concerned about the damn thing, keep it. Give it back when you can act like a civilized person.”

  Johannes stood and left with me as I stormed out of my father's house. I didn’t look back when Dad called after me. I only quickened my pace to get into the safety of Johannes's car as fast as I could.

  I wouldn’t have been able to look at Dad, even if I had wanted to. Tears blurred my vision as they mixed with the makeup around my eyes. I fought back the sobs making my chest tighten. I had thrown the necklace to hurt my father, not even thinking about how much it would pain me to not have it around my neck. Hopefully he would come to his senses soon.

  We took off back to Janafield. I could practically hear my bed calling my name.

  Johannes slowed the car as an exit sign appeared in the headlights. “Are you hungry, sweetheart?”

  “No, I'm fine.” Despite my saying that, my stomach growled audibly enough for him to hear.

  He smiled. “I'm thinking ice cream.”

  I finally turned to look at him. “I'm listening.”

  “I know the shop owner that has the best ice cream in town. I'll give him a call.”

  That was how I found myself with tear streaks down my face while I laughed at some ridiculous thing Johannes had said as we sat in an empty ice cream store. The owner was upstairs in the apartment above the shop.

  “How is your disgustingly boring vanilla?” Johannes asked me as he took another spoonful of whatever weird flavor combo was apparently his usual.

  I scoffed at him. “Don't insult vanilla. It has infinite possibilities.”