Secrets of the Magic Ring

by Karen McQuestion

  It was odd, but wonderful. Clem came up alongside Paul’s mom, and she rested her hand on his head. “Hi, boy,” she said. “Will you take a look at Vicky out there? Nicer than she’s ever been, and swimming when she’s always been afraid of the water. Have you ever seen anything so amazing in your life?” Clem whined quietly, and she rubbed behind his ears. “No, I haven’t either.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Henry watched from his perch on a tree limb as Aunt Vicky came out of the house. She dropped the towel on the patio and slipped gracefully into the pool. Once in, she floated happily on her back, kicking occasionally, causing little ripples of water. Her face showed complete contentment.

  From Henry’s vantage point there was a clear view into Paul’s second story bedroom, and he could see the boy walking around. Henry had seen Paul flying home earlier and knew, without a doubt, that the ring was responsible for this new development. He also noticed the ring on Paul’s hand. At least he knew where it was now.

  Henry had spent the last several days brainstorming ways to get the ring back. His ideas covered everything from sneaking into the house (not possible since he was afraid of the dog), to luring Paul out into the woods, then knocking him down and taking it by force (too risky). Just when he’d run out of notions, something unexpectedly came to him. The idea popped into his mind in a clearly spoken voice, almost as if someone else had planted the idea. The voice said: Ask Paul for the ring. Explain what happened and just ask. He’ll understand and hand it over.

  At first he dismissed the thought. It seemed like it wouldn’t work, but the voice in his mind was insistent. Paul is a good boy, the voice said. He’ll do it.

  What was he waiting for? Now was as good a time as ever. Henry shimmied down the tree, took a deep breath and stealthily made his way around the house, avoiding the pool area. Paul’s room was in the corner, with one window facing the backyard and one on the side. Henry slowly tiptoed underneath the side window, cupped his hands around his mouth, and whispered loudly, “Paul.” No response.

  Henry tried again. “Paul!”

  This time he was heard. Paul came to the window, startled to see Henry staring up at him. “Yes?” he said.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Paul had been sitting on his bed, flipping through comic books when he heard someone call his name. He was shocked to see it was that boy, the one Celia’s grandma said looked like someone she knew from a long time ago. “What do you want?” he asked. He rested his hands on the sill and leaned forward.

  “Hello, Paul.” The boy looked around nervously. “I’m Henry. I used to live in a house back in the woods.” He pointed beyond the backyard. “I need a favor from you.”

  Paul suspected he was trying to pull something. There was no way Henry used to live in the woods. Everyone knew the woods was the shared property of the McClutchys and the Lovejoys, and had been since before Paul was born. “What house in the woods?” Paul asked. “I’ve never seen one.”

  Henry had a sudden look like he’d been caught in a lie. “It was a long time ago,” he said. “My father used to work for your great-grandfather, and my family lived in the guesthouse.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Paul said and tugged on the sash to close the window. It had a tendency to stick.

  “No, don’t do that,” Henry said. “I can explain, please.”

  Paul knew his mother wouldn’t approve of Henry being on their property, and she really wouldn’t like it that Paul was talking to him. “You have to go,” he said. “You don’t belong here.” He closed the window and reached up to turn the lock.

  “I know about the ring.” Henry’s words came through the glass. “I know everything.”

  Paul undid the latch and pushed open the window. “What?”

  “I know about the ring.” Henry was talking quickly now. “I know it’s magic. I had it once, a long time ago, and it got me into a big mess. I need to get it back to undo the spell I’ve been under for the last sixty-five years.”

  Paul hesitated. Sixty-five years? It sounded preposterous, but from the desperation in Henry’s voice Paul sort of believed him. “What kind of spell are you talking about?”

  A tear slid down Henry’s face. “I’ve been stuck at this age for decades. Everyone in my family died, and I don’t have any friends. I barely get enough to eat. I sleep wherever I can. I’m cold in the winter and hot in the summer. I wish I’d never found that ring.”

  Paul considered what Henry was saying. “I don’t get it. What happened?”

  “It’s a long story,” he said, brushing a strand of hair away from his face. “I stole the ring from my best friend, and I wished I’d never grow old. I thought it would be so wonderful to be young and live forever. I had no idea what was in store for me. My friend was smarter than me. He wished he would have the ability to make the world a better place. And he did. But for anyone who makes selfish wishes, it always backfires. That ring is evil.”

  Paul looked down at the ring on his finger. The polished gold and gemstone were so beautiful, it was hard to believe it was evil. “It didn’t backfire for me,” Paul said. “I can fly now, and let me tell you, it’s amazing. I can dive through the air like nothing. It’s the coolest thing ever.”

  “You say that now,” Henry said bitterly. “Just wait. Something will go wrong—it always does.”

  The two were silent for a moment. Finally Paul said, “So what’s the favor you want from me?”

  “I need the ring back,” Henry said. “So I can wish myself back in time and warn my younger self not to make the wish.”

  “No deal,” Paul said. “I’m not giving the ring up to anyone. It’s mine now, and that’s the way it’s going to stay.”

  Henry gestured frantically. “You can keep the ring. I don’t even want it. I only need it for a minute to make my wish, and then you can have it back.”

  “You say that now,” Paul said. “But I know how it goes. It’ll be on your finger when you make the wish, and then you’ll disappear and that will be the end of it. You’ll be gone, and I’ll never get the ring back.”

  “Please,” Henry said. “I’m begging you. If there was another way I would do it, but there isn’t. If you don’t let me have the ring, I don’t know what I’ll do.” His face scrunched up, and he wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand. “You have a mom and dad and a nice house—you can’t possibly know what I’m going through.” His voice was getting louder. “I’m begging you, Paul. Please. Show some compassion.”

  Paul sighed. “Let me think a minute.” He tapped his fingers on the windowsill. It was one thing to know the right thing to do, another to have to do it. He looked at the ring again. If anything, it seemed to fit his finger even better, like it was made for him. It was so unfair to have to give it up when he was the one who found it.

  “Please?” Henry pleaded. “I’d give you anything in the world, but I have nothing to give but my eternal gratitude.”

  “Okay, okay,” Paul said. “You don’t have to go on and on about it. I’ll do it.” He ran his hand over the window ledge. “I’d still be able to fly though, right?”

  Henry nodded. “My wish wouldn’t undo yours at all.”

  “Well in that case, I guess it will be okay.” He started to take the ring off his finger when there was a knock on his bedroom door. “Just a minute, Mom, don’t come in.”

  “Why not?” she asked from the other side.

  Paul looked down at Henry and shrugged. Mothers could have such terrible timing. He turned to answer her. “Because I’m changing clothes. Just give me a sec.”

  Outside, by the pool, Clem started barking, making Henry visibly nervous. “I have to go now,” Henry said. “I’ll meet you in the woods tonight just as the sun is setting. You can give me the ring then. Don’t bring the dog with you.”

  “Where in the woods?” Paul asked.

  “There’s a place straight back where three trees grow together like this.” He put h
is hands together so his fingers intertwined.

  Paul nodded. “I know it. My friend and I play there all the time.”

  “I’ll meet you there.”

  Paul’s mother called through the door, “Why are you changing anyway, in the middle of the day? I just wanted to let you know you can go swimming with Aunt Vicky if you want.”

  Paul said, “Okay, Mom.” He turned back to the window to say good-bye to Henry, but the boy was already gone.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Jasmine stood up from the tree branch which overlooked Paul’s yard and smoothed her skirt in a satisfied way. A good day’s work and another problem solved. Yes, she was brilliant, if she said so herself.

  She was the one who had put the idea in Henry’s head to just ask Paul if he could have the ring. She should have thought of that in the first place. Why, nothing could be easier! Henry needed the ring; Paul already had his wish, so he really didn’t need it anymore. It was a simple matter.

  There were a few problems left behind, of course. The small issue of a talking dog, a flying boy, and an aunt with an obsession for swimming. Well, a fairy couldn’t fix everything all in one day. She’d have to tackle these things soon, but at least she could cross Henry off her list. Oh, the joy of accomplishment. She fluttered her wings happily and pushed off so that she floated above the branch for just a second.

  Below her, Henry ran back into the woods, looking fearfully behind him. He sure was afraid of the dog, which was odd because Clem was more of a lovable furry rug than anything else. She shrugged. Who knew why people were the way they were.

  Jasmine was just about to lift off and head deeper into the woods, when Mira startled her by landing silently at her side. “Jasmine, my shining star,” she said by way of a greeting. “How are things going in the McClutchy house?”

  Sensing that this was an official visit, Jasmine stood at attention. “I’m happy to report that things are improving,” she said. “Paul has agreed to give Henry the ring. Henry’s plan is to wish himself back in time so that he can warn his younger self not to wish on the ring. A very good plan, I believe. I gave him the idea myself.” She smiled in satisfaction and waited for Mira to compliment her on her problem-solving skills. When that didn’t happen, she continued. “I know I still have to figure out what to do about Paul flying and his aunt swimming, but I figured I’d tackle these issues one at a time.”

  Mira harrumphed. “I think you’ve forgotten one other problem—or do you think having a talking dog on the loose won’t attract attention?”

  “No, Mira, I haven’t forgotten. It’s just that he hasn’t talked to anyone but Paul yet, so I feel that it’s under control for now.” Jasmine was pleased that she was able to come up with a reasonable response. How much trouble could Clem be if he only talked to the boy?

  “And how are you planning on dealing with all these problems once the ring is gone?” Mira’s eyes narrowed. Jasmine knew that look and squirmed.

  “I hadn’t quite thought it through yet,” she said.

  “You hadn’t quite thought it through yet?”

  Jasmine suppressed the urge to ask if there was an echo in the woods. “No ma’am, but I’m still brainstorming different ideas. Since none of these problems is life-threatening, I figured I had time.”

  “You don’t think a flying boy could potentially be life-threatening?” Mira’s tone was definitely unfriendly now, maybe even a little angry. “The kid can’t even walk across a room without bumping into something. How long do you think he can fly around without smashing into a building? The potential for disaster here is huge. Huge.” Her eyes got big to illustrate.

  Jasmine swallowed. This wasn’t the reaction she was counting on. “I figured I had a little time, anyway.”

  “Not to mention,” Mira said, “that Henry can’t make another wish. The ring limits it to one wish per person.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Jasmine said. “And Henry and Paul don’t seem to know that either, or I would have picked up on it.”

  “It was on the directions that came with the ring,” Mira said. “Doesn’t anyone read directions?” She threw up her hands in disgust.

  “I guess not.” Jasmine’s eyes filled with tears. “So what should I do, Mira? When I asked you before, you said you were sure I’d figure something out. Now you say that what I want to do is no good. I could use some help here.”

  Mira sighed. “I do have a thought, but it’s going to require a lot of work on your part.”

  “Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  That night, just as the sun was beginning to set, Paul slipped out the back door and headed toward the woods. He was nervous about leaving the house without permission. His parents were watching a show, but that would only hold them for a while and eventually they’d come looking for him. It would be good to get this over with quickly.

  Henry had said not to bring the dog, and Paul was glad to comply. Clem’s incessant talking was getting on his nerves. And the dog didn’t have much of an attention span either. Paul had wanted to talk to someone about this ring business, but Clem wasn’t the least bit helpful. Paul had poured out his heart out to Clem, saying that he’d promised to give the ring to Henry, but he still wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do. “What do you think?” he’d asked.

  “Magic rings are tricky things. Yup, tricky things,” Clem said, shaking his head so hard his dog tags jangled. Then he got up off the rug and set off to look for his rawhide bone.

  “Tricky things,” Paul said aloud as he made his way past the tree line. He hoped Henry wouldn’t keep him waiting for too long. He pushed past some bushes and kept going until he came to the small clearing in the middle of the three trees that he and Celia called the Triple Trees. “Henry,” he called out, but there was no response. He wished he’d thought of bringing a flashlight. Shoot. Nervously he pushed off the ground and floated up a few feet. Levitating seemed to take more effort than actual flying, but he could manage it, and he was getting better with practice. At home he even managed to float above his bed for short periods of time.

  The scampering of some small animal in the underbrush startled him so much that he dropped back down to earth. “Henry?” he said again, louder this time.

  He glanced down at the ring on his finger and twisted it nervously. It was the coolest thing he ever owned, and now he was just handing it off to some kid he barely knew. If the story that Henry had been a kid for so long was true, then Paul was doing a good thing. It was hard to know the right thing to do.

  Now he heard the sound of footsteps coming toward him. Quiet at first, and then louder, twigs snapping, branches being moved aside. It sounded too slow and heavy to be Henry.

  Paul scrunched his forehead, wondering who it could be. Should he hide? No, he had every right to be here even if it was Lovejoy property. He and Celia played in this place all the time, and no one had ever objected.

  He waited and listened until he heard a voice call out, “Paul?” An old lady, from the sound of it. And something about her voice sounded familiar. “Paul?” There it was again, and now he knew who it was: Celia’s grandmother. What was she doing out in the dark at this time?

  “Yes?” he answered, craning his neck to see.

  Grammy came through the thicket of trees, carefully stepping over rocks and tree roots. She whispered, “I’m so glad I found you.” She had a flashlight in her hand, and she clicked it on, aiming it toward the ground.

  Paul waited for her to ask why he was out so late or to scold him for being on Lovejoy property, but she didn’t do either. Instead, she pulled him into a hug. “I had a feeling you’d be here.” She was whispering now. She released him from her grasp. “I take it that you’re meeting Henry tonight.”

  Paul shook his head up and down. Words failed him for a minute. Finally he was able to ask, “How did you know?”

  “Just a feeling, like I said. Do you mind if I wait here with yo
u?” she asked. “Henry and I go way back, and I’d like to talk to him.”

  “He might get scared away if you’re here,” Paul said, looking around. He nervously twisted the ring around his finger.

  “Oh, right,” she said, and turned off the flashlight. “I’ll hide in the bushes. When he gets here, I’ll come out.”

  “How do you know Henry?” Paul asked, but Grammy was already heading out of the clearing.

  Paul wondered if Henry would run off when Grammy came out of her hiding spot, but there wasn’t much he could do about it. A thousand thoughts tumbled in his brain. Everything that had happened lately was bizarre; it all seemed like a dream. Everyone knew that dogs couldn’t talk, and kids couldn’t fly. Not unless they were in a plane, anyway. Or a helicopter. Or an ultra-light. Actually, there were more ways to fly than he’d realized, but flying without an aircraft was thought to be impossible. And yet, he could do it. Like a superhero.

  A slight breeze came through the Triple Trees, making the branches sway. Paul knew Grammy was off to one side, watching and waiting too, and for some reason, that made him feel better. If something really horrible happened, he wasn’t alone.

  He’d almost decided Henry wasn’t coming when he heard the same snap of twigs and rustling of underbrush he’d noticed when Grammy arrived. “Henry?” he whispered. “Is that you?”

  “Yes.” A voice came out of the darkness, and Henry came bursting between the trees. “It’s me.”

  “I thought you weren’t coming,” Paul said.

  “I lost track of time and fell asleep,” Henry said, rubbing his eyes. “I’m glad you’re still here. Did you bring the ring?”

  “Yes, I have it.” Paul twisted the ring on his finger.

  “Hand it over,” Henry said, “and I’ll be on my way.” His voice was tinged with excitement. “I can’t wait to see my family again.”