The Circle

by Cindy Cipriano

  “It’s all right. I’ll get it.” Kenzie waived her right hand and the broom changed direction. It charged at the broken plate, racing the dustpan to the mess. “I know you’re upset. But there are many things you can do that Arlen—or Neal—can’t.”

  “Yeah, lots of things. Too bad Arlen will never know about them.”

  “You’ll be able to tell our secret when you have a friend you can trust with it. You’ll know when it’s right.”

  “I know, I know.” Calum had heard that all his life, every time he had asked permission to tell someone about his magical abilities and his Sidhe clan. That was the nice thing about Hagen and Finley. Calum could be himself around his cousins.

  “You met a new friend this summer, too,” said Kenzie.

  Calum looked at her as if she had three heads. “Laurel? I just met her today. She’s not exactly my friend.”

  “I’m talking about Kira. You swam with her every day when we were in South Carolina.”

  “Um, Kira’s a girl,” said Calum pointedly.

  “One day you’ll realize how funny that is,” Kenzie muttered. “You boys will make a lot of friends as you go through middle school. Sometimes children grow apart as they move along.” She patted his shoulder. “Things will be better when Hagen gets home.”

  Hagen Dunbar and Arlen Stanton were as different as night and day. While Arlen worked hard to be cool, Hagen just was. It was strange, but seeing Arlen today made Calum miss Hagen, and especially Finley, even more.

  Calum was still angry with Arlen when he climbed into bed that night. He was glad he had never told Arlen about the Sidhe. Stupid jerk, probably would have told everyone by now. As Calum lay awake, his thoughts shifted from Arlen to Hagen. Hagen will be home soon. Home from Tusatha, the last place we saw Finley. Maybe he’ll have some news. Calum’s mind drifted to earlier in the day and his inability to use even a simple faerie verse to move Wrecks’ bed to the floor. I’m sure of no use.

  Kenzie interrupted his thoughts, entering the room with a glass of Murmur Milke, a Sidhe bedtime drink that induced drowsiness. “I heard you tossing and turning. This will help calm your mind.” She put the glass on his bedside table. “Everything all right?”

  “I was just thinking about stupid Arlen.”

  “Want to talk?”

  “I don’t want to talk about him.”

  Kenzie sat on the edge of his bed. “About what then?”

  Calum took a deep breath. “About the Otherworld. When can we go back?”

  “I don’t know.” Kenzie wore a sad expression, one Calum had seen every time since he’d asked about returning to their world.

  “It’s been so long since we’ve been there I hardly remember anything about the mounds anymore. If we could just go back to Tusatha, I know I’d remember what happened to Finley.”

  “It’s just not safe for us there. You know that.” Kenzie sounded tired as she rubbed her eyes.

  “But Hagen’s family goes there all the time.”

  “Hagen’s family is different. And, Tusatha is their mound.”

  “So why don’t we go to our mound? Why don’t we go to Aessea?” Kenzie didn’t respond. “Mom, something’s happening to me. I think I’m losing my talents. I know you know it. But what you don’t know is that when I try to use them, sometimes…I feel sick.”

  A new kind of worry seemed to cross Kenzie’s face. “We’ll go back. One day. When I think the time is right.”

  “If that time ever comes,” Calum sulked. The sorrowful look in his mother’s eyes softened his resolve. She still blames herself for what happened to Finley.

  “It’s late. We both need to get some sleep. Goodnight, son.”

  Calum watched her leave and felt a tinge of guilt. “Mom?”

  Kenzie turned back to him.

  “Thanks for the Murmur.”

  “You’re welcome.” Kenzie smiled then closed the door behind her as she left the room.

  Calum took a few sips of Murmur Milke and returned it to the table. He picked up a nearby book and began to read. Within minutes his mind was calmer. He drifted into a peaceful, Arlen-free sleep. He did not wake when his book fell to the floor.

  Wi

  Nothing smells as good as rain. Except when it’s mixed with fresh earth. The mud was slick and deliciously black. Calum felt it seeping through his cracked red boots, working its way between his toes.

  Calum and his cousins dug canals from a large puddle at the highest point of the sloping lawn. The long trenches quickly filled with rainwater. The boys would use the canals to race paper boats to the bottom of the hill.

  “Hurry up, Finley,” said Hagen. “We’re almost done over here.”

  “Hang on, don’t start without me,” said Finley.

  “Ouch!” said Calum. “I’ve got something in my eye.” He rubbed his face with mud-caked hands.

  “Cut it out, you’re gonna make it worse. Go wash up,” said Finley, gouging handfuls of mud from the earth, slopping them beside his canal.

  “I can’t. I can’t see anything. It stings real bad,” said Calum, blinking furiously. Tears leaked from his eyes, leaving tracks on his muddy face.

  “Come on, I’ll help you,” said Hagen. “Wait for us to get back, Finley.”

  Calum was pulled to his feet and dragged down the hill. Not this time. Not this time. This time we’re taking Finley with us. His eyes burned like fire as he struggled to get out of Hagen’s grip. “No. Let me go, Hagen. We can’t leave him!”

  Calum shot straight up in his bed, his heart hammering against his chest. He heard his cat purr and felt its paws kneading his leg. “Just a dream,” Calum muttered. “Just a dream.” He wiped salty tears from his face and gulped the rest of the Murmur Milke, falling back to sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

  The next morning, Laurel and Andrea were added to the list of regulars who enjoyed their morning brew at Siopa Leabhar. Like many others, Andrea had fallen in love with Kenzie’s sassafras tea; Laurel the hot chocolate. They usually arrived at the end of the morning rush and stayed for an hour or so. After a week of this, Andrea took Kenzie up on her offer to leave Laurel at the bookstore while she continued house hunting.

  Calum was pleasantly surprised when he found himself looking forward to Laurel’s visits. When they took Wrecks for walks, Calum made sure their brief bits of freedom conveniently ended at Bat’s Homemade Ice cream Shop. The owners of the shop, Frank and Helen, called themselves Calum’s adopted grandparents. They always kept his favorite flavor, chocolate curl, on hand and it soon became Laurel’s favorite as well.

  “You and Laurel seem to be hitting it off,” said Kenzie on Friday afternoon as they closed the bookstore for the night.

  “She’s all right,” said Calum.

  “Wait. Could it be that a girl could also somehow be a friend?” Kenzie grinned.

  “I guess.”

  “That’s good to hear, with her family moving into the neighborhood and all. Something tells me we’ll be seeing a lot of Laurel.” Kenzie’s next words were cautious. “So listen, her parents are going back to Virginia next week to get the last of their things, but she thinks it will be easier on Laurel if she stays here.”

  “Is she gonna stay with John Phillip?” Calum wondered if she’d still be able to come to the bookstore.

  “No, the Spencers will be on vacation.”

  “Oh, Mom, you didn’t.” Calum already knew the answer. He groaned. “It’ll be weird having a girl stay at our house.”

  “Don’t be silly. Besides, I think she likes you. She told me she likes your haircut.” Kenzie playfully nudged him.

  “Terrific,” Calum said gloomily.

  “Andrea doesn’t know anyone else in town. And she feels comfortable with us because they’ve been spending so much time at the bookstore.”

  “Andrea feels comfortable with us because you make her feel comfortable. I’ve watched you put calming dust in her tea.”

  “Guilty,” said Kenzie. “Sh
e is wrapped pretty tightly. But I do like her. And there’s something about Laurel.”

  “So it’s already been decided. Thanks for asking me.”

  But Calum didn’t mind, really. He’d known there was something special about Laurel since the day she reached for the faerie book. Like it held the answer to some riddle. He’d known because he’d recognized the look of someone searching desperately for something lost.

  Chapter Three

  No Storm

  Laurel and her mother arrived at Siopa Leabhar the following Monday, just before closing. Laurel had red-rimmed eyes and carried a suitcase in one hand. Her other hand held a long leash, which was attached to a black-and-white cat. Calum avoided Laurel’s gaze, embarrassed by her display of emotion. He felt suddenly shy and didn’t know what to say to her.

  Andrea set an empty cat carrier on the floor. “This is for when Whisper needs to ride in the car,” she explained. Andrea’s eyes always matched Laurel’s even today. She tried to secretly wipe a tear from her check as she clumsily handed Kenzie a pink piece of paper. “Here’s a list of phone numbers where you can reach us.”

  “She’ll be fine.” Kenzie placed a cup of herbal tea in Andrea’s hand and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

  “You’re right, of course,” said Andrea, sipping the tea. “Thanks again for letting her stay with you.”

  “It’s really no trouble. You’ll be back before you know it. And we’ll keep Laurel busy until then. Here, let me have Whisper. There’s lots for him to explore.” Kenzie took the leash from Laurel and led the cat away. “Calum, get Laurel’s suitcase so they can say their goodbyes.”

  Calum carried the suitcase to the desk, glancing back in time to see Andrea hug Laurel close. Laurel clung to her mother for several long seconds before looking into her eyes. Andrea stroked Laurel’s cheek and lifted the chain that hung around Laurel’s neck. She kissed the pendant, and then kissed Laurel on the forehead.

  “Remember, we’re picking you up on Friday.” Andrea hugged Laurel again before she left the store.

  That must be what it’s like for Finley’s mom, Dara, thought Calum, pretending to straighten the books on a nearby shelf. Except Andrea will see Laurel in a few days, but Dara doesn’t know if she’ll ever see Finley.

  “Dara will see Finley again,” whispered Kenzie. “We all will.”

  Calum hated that his mother could read his mind. Hated that all adult Sidhe could read his mind. It was one of the talents Calum had yet to develop and at the rate he was going, he doubted he ever would.

  “Laurel looks like she could use a distraction. A walk might do her some good. Why don’t you guys take Wrecks out while I close up? Go get some ice cream.” Kenzie removed Whisper’s leash and the cat took off like a shot.

  Calum and Laurel made their way to Bat’s Ice Cream Shop. In his head, Calum carried on the beginnings of several conversations, but he couldn’t find the right words to break the silence.

  After several agonizing minutes, Laurel finally spoke. “Sorry for the drama back there.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” said Calum. “I was afraid the first time I stayed in a different state without my parents, and I was staying at my grandparents’ house.”

  “I’m not afraid to stay here without them,” sniffed Laurel.

  “Oh. Well, that’s good to know.” Calum smiled weakly. Maybe I should change the subject. “Um, Kenzie says your parents will be back in time for Talent Night. My dad’s bluegrass band’s gonna play.” Calum paused for a reaction from her. When she didn’t respond, he continued. “Hagen’ll be back by then. He’s in Ireland visiting his grandparents. He’s not like you and me. I mean, he’s not an only child. Hagen has a brother and a sister.”

  Laurel began to cry.

  I’m really bad at this being friends with a girl thing. “Hey, we can go back to the bookstore if you want,” Calum offered awkwardly. Maybe mom would know what to do with a crying girl.

  “No.” Laurel wiped her face. “I’m okay, really. It’s just, I’m not like you. I mean, I had a brother. Have a brother. Daniel. We’re twins. That’s why I didn’t want to go back to Virginia. I just couldn’t be there while they moved all of our stuff out. I never wanted to leave the place where my brother lived with us. I’m afraid he’ll come looking for us and we won’t be there.”

  Calum waited for her to continue, but this time the silence was broken only by the sound of Wrecks’ feet skipping over the sidewalk. When they arrived at Bat’s, Frank greeted them warmly.

  “Hey, Calum, Laurel. Hey, Wrecks, you better check yourself before you wreck yourself.” Frank laughed, tossing a dog biscuit to the bouncing dog. Calum and Laurel ordered double scoops of chocolate curl and sat at a cozy booth. Wrecks sat beside Frank, eagerly getting his fill of dog treats. Sunlight streamed through a nearby window, making the green-colored walls of the shop as bright as the lime sherbet in Frank’s display case.

  “I’d give anything to have Daniel back,” said Laurel. She set her empty dish on the glass table and looked into Calum’s eyes. “He was here one second and gone the next. Most of the time, I still can’t believe it even happened at all. Other times…” Laurel turned to stare out the window. She drew a deep breath and continued, “Other times, I just wish it were me instead. You have no idea how that feels.”

  “Yeah, I kinda do. My cousin, Finley…” Calum felt a small punch in his belly when he said Finley’s name, “He disappeared.”

  “What? What happened to him?”

  Calum had never talked to anyone outside of his family about Finley. But that’s not why he didn’t tell her. Calum didn’t think about Finley as much when Laurel was around. And as bad as Calum felt about that, he needed a break from his guilt over Finley’s disappearance. “Some other time.”

  “Tell me about Hagen then.”

  “Hagen moved here from Ireland when he was five. He lives in our neighborhood, too. My mom and his dad are cousins. They grew up together in Ireland.”

  “What about your other friend?”

  “Arlen?” Calum hadn’t seen or heard from Arlen since the night the Stantons came for supper, and it sounded funny saying his name out loud.

  “Yeah. Is he coming to Talent Night?” asked Laurel.

  “I doubt it. He’s probably at another sports camp. Besides, Hagen and Arlen don’t hang out together.”

  “Why not?”

  “They can’t stand each other.” For the first time this struck Calum as funny. He laughed and shook his head.

  “Those are some friends you have.” Laurel smiled. She pushed a bit of her hair behind her ear. The strands reflected the sunlight, shining like liquid gold.

  Calum smiled back at her. He decided he liked her better when she wasn’t crying.

  They finished their ice cream and took their time walking back to Siopa Leabhar. When they returned, they found Kenzie finishing a hand-lettered sign.

  Siopa Leabhar will be closed on Saturday

  for a family celebration.

  Please come back again.

  “What’s that about?” asked Calum.

  “Since your cousins are coming home Friday, we’re going to take Saturday off and spend some time with them,” said Kenzie. Turning to Laurel, she added, “You’ll meet them at Talent Night.”

  Now it was Laurel’s turn to be shy. She fingered the stone pendant on her necklace.

  “Don’t worry,” said Calum. “They’ll like you.”

  “That’s an interesting charm on your necklace.” Kenzie leaned toward Laurel for a closer look. “Do those marks mean anything?”

  “I don’t know. Someone gave it to me a long time ago,” said Laurel.

  “The cord looks frayed,” said Kenzie. She cut the air almost imperceptibly with the index-finger of her right hand, and Laurel’s pendant crashed to the floor as if being pulled by a strong magnet.

  Instinctively, Calum bent to retrieve the necklace, but it wouldn’t budge. The token seemed to be fused to the gr
ound.

  “This is going to sound strange,” said Laurel, “but I’m the only one who can pick it up.” She retrieved the necklace, placed it back around her neck, and tied the cord. “Mom says it’s like the necklace knows I’m its owner.”

  “Well, it sounds special, that’s for sure,” said Kenzie, ignoring Calum’s questioning glance.

  “We better get Whisper in his crate,” said Calum.

  “Whisper,” said Laurel. “I forgot he was here. Is he all right?”

  “He’s fine,” said Kenzie. “He’s upstairs in the loft. He’s been watching the door, I guess waiting for you guys to come back. Just take the stairs behind the café, you’ll see him.”

  Laurel trotted up to the loft to retrieve her cat. Moments later, she returned cradling Whisper in her arms. “He’s not happy with me. I’m sorry, Whisper,” she cooed.

  Calum drew a sharp breath when he saw the cat up close, “That’s weird.”

  “What?” asked Laurel.

  “His markings are the exact opposite of my cat,” said Calum. “Whisper has a white triangle on his chest. My cat, Buster, has a black one in the same place.”

  Whisper slowly blinked, as if this was old news.

  Calum loaded Laurel’s suitcase into the trunk of the car while Laurel put Whisper’s crate in the middle of the backseat. Calum smiled as he watched her strap the crate in with the seatbelt.

  Laurel blushed. “We keep each other safe,” she said.

  “I get it,” said Calum. He’d thought any cat who didn’t mind wearing a leash wouldn’t mind the short car ride to his house on Stone’s Throw Road. He was wrong. Whisper howled the entire way, his guttural cries interrupted by an occasional hiss if Kenzie turned a corner too sharply.

  “That’s it,” said Calum, relieved the ride was nearly over. He pointed to the end of the street to a tall storybook house surrounded by yellow bush daises.