Shadow Keeper

by M. K. Yarbrough

  “Sorry, Mom.” Although laughing, he had a sincere look on his face. He slung one arm around her shoulders. His other arm went around Sherry. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone. Let me show you ladies the way out of here.”

  I took Lisa’s hand and we followed. “I didn’t know your mom would freak out like that.”

  “She did look scared.” Lisa scrunched up her forehead. “You know, it might seem weird, but I think my mom is actually enjoying herself.”

  I glanced at the group in front. Monica jabbed an elbow into Carson’s ribs to put some distance between them while complaining she couldn’t walk with his arm around her shoulders. He jerked her back against his side. All the while, they giggled like a couple of kids. “I think you’re right. Your mom is having a blast.”

  The day hadn’t slipped into night when we left the maze. Everyone argued it was too early to go home and wanted to stop at the little carnival set up on the next block. Monica didn’t believe the rides were safe, but Carson talked her into stopping.

  “One ride,” she insisted. “Then we’re leaving.”

  “All right,” Carson said. “But you have to go on a ride with me and Sherry.”

  “Oh, no. I’m not getting on any of those rides. They’re death traps.”

  “Come on. You only live once.”

  “Some would disagree. Haven’t you ever heard of reincarnation?”

  “If that’s true and you die, then you can come back in the next life and haunt me.”

  “I just may do that.”

  Carson linked arms with her and did the same on his other side with Sherry. “Let’s go find a ride, ladies.”

  “One ride, Lisa,” Monica shouted over her shoulder. “And not a dangerous one.”

  “Yes, Mom.” She glanced at me. “You pick. Which ride would you like?”

  The tunnel of love would’ve been my first choice, but I didn’t think they had one. I glanced around. “I don’t want to ride on a fast or twirly ride. How about the Ferris wheel?”

  “No.” She held up both hands. “Anything but that. I hate heights.”

  “I thought you were adventurous.”

  “You’re the one who said that, not me.”

  “Come on.” I tried Carson’s tactic of putting my head on her shoulder and looking at her with little puppy dog eyes. “Please. I won’t let you fall.”

  “You and Carson must have been raised by the same wolves.”

  “Absolutely. Since fifth grade, we’ve been as close as brothers.”

  I bought tickets and we got in line for the Ferris wheel. As soon as the attendant snapped us in, Lisa freaked. “Where are the seat belts?”

  “There aren’t any.” I put my arm around her, hoping to give her a sense of security. “Gravity holds you in.”

  The wheel turned and our chair rotated to the back. Lisa gripped the bar with both hands. “I don’t like this.”

  I scooted closer. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

  “Don’t move.” Her tight grip on the safety bar turned her knuckles white. “You’re rocking the chair.”

  Every time the attendant slammed on the brake to exchange passengers, our little car jerked and swayed with a heavy shudder. Lisa closed her eyes and let out a groan.

  I tried to distract her. “You can see Esparto from here,” I said when we were almost to the top. “Isn’t that your house?”

  Her eyes opened. “Where?”

  I pointed straight ahead to the horizon. “Right there. The blue one.”

  She closed her eyes. “You can’t see anything.”

  “I can see plenty. It’s not even dark yet, but I can see the stars. There’s Jupiter.”

  Her eyes opened again and she looked to where I pointed. “Jupiter is not a star. It’s a planet. And besides, I think that’s Venus.”

  “Isn’t she the goddess of war?” I teased.

  “No, silly. Venus is the goddess of love.”

  “Love? That explains the funny little glimmer in your eyes.”

  “That’s probably fear you see.”

  “I don’t think so.” I leaned closer. My fingers glided across her cheek and I turned her face to me. “You’re beautiful with the starlight shimmering in your eyes.”

  She glanced at me and her gaze locked onto mine. A glimmer did develop in her eyes. Her gaze lowered to my lips. I interpreted that as silent consent.

  My mouth brushed over hers for a brief kiss. She released the safety bar and grabbed my arm. I kissed her again, and this time, didn’t pull back. My lips nibbled and teased at hers. Her hand skimmed up my arm to the back of my neck. I wrapped both arms around her, pulling her to me. My teeth caught her lip and my tongue stroked over the captured flesh. Her heavy intake of breath pressed her breasts against my chest. Heat flashed through my body. My embrace tightened.

  She pushed at my shoulder. Her head turned, ending the kiss. The back of her fingers stroked at her lips still moist from the kiss. Her forehead crinkled while she gasped and released tiny breaths of air.

  Too intense for a first kiss––the wide eyed look on her face told me as much. I was equally shaken, but doubted she’d notice. I had to distract her, get her thinking about something else. I swallowed hard, hoping the surge of blood hammering through my veins didn’t make my voice quake. “Are you still afraid you’re going to fall?”

  “No. It’s…”

  My fear escalated when she didn’t speak. Had I forced the moment? Overstepped the bounds? Would she slap my face? Call me a pig? I had to know what she thought. “Is something wrong?”

  Instead of answering, her hand slid up my chest to my neck. Her fingernails scored across my scalp and through my hair as she pulled me to her. She kissed me fully on the mouth. Her lips parted and nibbled at my lower lip.

  The reality of the world slipped away as the warmth of her mouth beckoned me closer. I thrust my fingers into her hair and tilted her head. The combined fragrance of her hair and the natural sheen of her skin zinged into my skull. I pulled her tight against me. Heat from her body radiated to my chest. Raw hunger ignited as my senses spun out of control.

  The wheel turned and the car swayed. I lost myself in her kiss as we whirled around in circles. Not until the wheel jerked to a stop, did I lift my mouth from hers. I brushed my fingertips across her cheek as I gazed into her eyes. “You’re incredible.”

  “So are you.” Her glistening lips curved into a smile.

  The whine of machinery and the glare of lights brought me back to the surroundings. I glanced around at the people below. If Monica saw us kissing, I was dead meat.

  “There’s Carson.” Lisa pointed to the outer edge of the crowd. “But I don’t see my mom or Sherry.”

  A sigh of relief gushed from my lips. “Maybe they went on a ride together.” When we got off the Ferris wheel, I wrapped my arm around her and used one elbow to shove a path through the crowd.

  “The Tilt–A–Whirl made your mom sick.” Carson jabbed his thumb over his shoulder to a row of blue port–a–potties a short distance away. “Sherry is over there with her.”

  “Oh, no.” Lisa pressed her hand to her mouth.

  “You better go see about your mom.” I gave her a squeeze before releasing her. “I’ll get her something to drink.”

  “I’m going with him,” Carson shouted when she took off.

  As we headed for a concession stand, I couldn’t help but laugh. “You took Mrs. Stratton on the Tilt–A–Whirl? How did you talk her into that?”

  “You ought to be glad I did.” His eyebrows scrunched together. “If she saw what you were doing on the Ferris wheel, you’d be walking back to Esparto.”

  Chapter Twenty–Eight

  “You’re home, Mrs. Stratton.” Carson pulled the Hummer into the driveway. “I took the back way, drove slow, and never hit a single bump.”

  “Thank you for being careful.” Monica raised the passenger seat from the reclining position.

  “I told you I was
a good driver.”

  “Yes, you are, but I suspect you got me sick just so you could drive the Hummer.”

  I jumped out of the back seat and opened the passenger door. “Let me help you, Mrs. Stratton.”

  “I’m fine.” She waved away my outstretched hand, but grabbed at my shoulder when she lost her footing climbing down from the high–setting vehicle.

  Lisa hurried to her side. “You can lean on me, Mom.”

  “You’re sweet.” She put an arm around Lisa as if she was still a little girl. “But I can walk on my own.”

  “Are you feeling better?” she asked.

  Monica nodded. “Some tea will help settle my stomach. And maybe some soup.”

  “Is it all right if everyone comes in for a while?” Lisa asked. “It’s still early. And Sherry can help me make the soup.”

  “I can make it myself. Just open a can and heat it in the microwave.” She let out a heavy sigh. “They may come in for a minute. But I don’t want any noise.”

  “We’ll be real quiet,” Carson said.

  “I doubt that. That’s why I’m banishing you boys to the backyard.” Her sarcastic wit resurfaced so she must be on the mend. “I’ll have the girls bring you some refreshments.”

  After Lisa unlocked the front door, I prodded Carson through the house and into the backyard. I didn’t want to give Monica any excuse to kick us to the curb.

  The sun had already set and the yard was dark, but from the glare of the streetlight, I spotted a wicker chair. I got comfortable in that while Carson hopped into a hammock setting on the edge of the cement patio.

  Lisa flipped on the back porch light. Her arms held plastic cups and a large plastic soda bottle. Sherry stood beside her holding the same. I hurried to help and set the sodas on a little table.

  “I’m hungry.” Carson rolled onto his side and propped his head on his fist. “Have you got anything to eat? Or should I run over to the supermarket?”

  “We’ve got lots of snacks,” Lisa said. “Cheese and crackers, or popcorn. I think there’s a bag of cookies and a carton of marble fudge ice cream.”

  “Cookies and ice cream!” Carson rubbed his hands together in a show of delight.

  “Shh,” she cautioned. “We have to wait until my mom feels better. Then I might be able to talk her into letting us watch a movie.”

  “You know, Carson...” Sherry put her hand to her mouth to smother her giggles. “You could probably miss a meal or two. You’re so fat now that the hammock is practically scrapping the grass.”

  “I’m not fat.” He pulled up his shirt and jabbed his finger at his bare belly. “That’s all muscle. And this hammock has a long way to go before it touches the grass.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Sherry strolled next to him and pushed at the taut fabric. “Another ten pounds and you’ll split that poor thing in half.”

  “You’re full of it.” His mouth curved into a lopsided grin. “I’ll bet this can handle six hundred pounds and not even strain.”

  “You keep eating and you’ll be able to prove it.”

  “I’ll prove it right now.” He grabbed Sherry’s wrist and pulled her into the hammock.

  “No, Carson,” she squealed, but nestled beside him without a struggle.

  “See that. Three hundred pounds and the hammock held.” He pulled Sherry tighter against his side and nodded to the vacated space. “Add Lisa and we should have four hundred pounds. With Brendon, that’s another one–seventy. Right, X–man?”

  “That’s about right.” I swung Lisa up in my arms. “Do you want to prove it?”

  “Brendon.” She latched her arms around my neck and squeezed tight. “I weigh more than a hundred pounds, and if we break this, my mom will have a fit.”

  I bounced her in my arms. “You’re as light as a feather, but we’ll add the weight slowly just in case.” I laid her in the hammock next to Sherry and took a step back. “Still holding. Should I tempt fate?”

  Lisa wiggled her fingers, beckoning me to join her. “It’s too late to back out now.”

  I glanced at the underside. “If this thing splits, we’re all going to land on the hard concrete.”

  I crawled into it as carefully as I could, but my added weight sent everything into motion. The girls squealed and giggled as our combined six hundred pounds made the hammock pitch and sway. The fabric groaned and the metal frame screeched.

  “Quiet.” Carson held a finger against his lips. “We don’t want Mom coming out here.”

  To prevent any additional swinging, I carefully slipped my arm under Lisa’s neck and shoulders. “This is nice.”

  “But I’m squished.” She squirmed around, pulling her arm out from under me. “You’re practically on top of me.”

  I couldn’t suppress my smile as I glanced into her eyes. “That’s what makes it so nice.”

  “Brendon.” She smacked at my chest. “My mom won’t think it’s so nice if she walks out here and sees us.”

  “X–man, let’s not press our luck. Hop out of this thing before it rips.”

  Pressing my luck was exactly what I was doing. I’d already dodged the bullet with Monica not seeing Lisa and me kissing on the Ferris wheel. I didn’t want her walking out here and catching us all wrapped up in a jumble of body parts.

  I rolled to the edge and got one foot on solid ground. My other hung up in the tangle of legs. I grabbed for the lawn chair, but the thrust of my weight made the chair tip over backwards. I lost my balance and fell on my butt on the cement.

  Carson broke into his donkey laugh. “Smooth move, X–man.”

  Laughing also, Lisa scooted to the edge and tried to crawl out. The hammock pitched and she almost landed on her head. She thrust out her hand to break her fall. I scrambled to my feet and made a dash for her, but one foot stepped through the metal frame of the upturned chair. Carson threw his weight to the other side of the hammock. Lisa flopped back in the air. With all the shifting of their different weights, the hammock almost dumped them on the grassy side. The girls squealed. Carson grunted half a swearword. The hammock swung back the other way. Lisa stretched out her arm.

  “Brendon, help,” she cried out, although a smile played at her lips.

  I reached for her hand. Our fingertips brushed against each other, but she was just beyond my grasp. With my foot caught in the chair, I couldn’t get to her. The hammock continued to swing in a wild arc. The edge rose and their bodies disappeared from view—all except for Lisa’s eyes.

  A déjà vu moment flashed in my skull. My nightmares became real. Lisa was being dragged away and swallowed up by the darkness. I kicked my leg free and dove for the hammock. My fingers clutched at the edge and I yanked it back down. I fastened one arm around her waist and jerked her free from the force threatening to devour her.

  Both my arms wrapped around her as I held her against my body. Her face nuzzled into the crook of my neck. My lips brushed across her ear as I whispered my greatest fear. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

  “Are you okay, man?”

  My eyes opened. Carson stood on the patio with his arm around Sherry. His forehead crunched in deep furls as he stared at me.

  “Yeah, Lisa is safe.”

  Sherry took a step closer. Her face carried the same worry as Carson’s. “But are you all right?”

  My tight embrace of Lisa eased. I took a deep breath and let it out with a ragged sound. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “What happened, X–man? I’ve never seen you lose it like that.”

  “I don’t know.” I rubbed my hand across my face to wipe away the cold sweat. “Something about the whole thing just freaked me out. It played like a scene straight out of one of my nightmares.”

  “Are you still having those scary dreams?” he asked.

  “What?” Lisa glanced at my face. “You’re having nightmares? What are they about?”

  “Nothing.”

  “About me?”

  I forced a grin. “Dreams about you could never be
nightmares.”

  The sliding of the patio door alerted me to her mom’s presence. I turned my body to conceal Lisa wrapped in my arms.

  “I’m probably going to bed in another hour,” Monica said. “So if you kids want to watch TV for a while, then you may come in.”

  No one waited for a second invitation. We all piled into the house and bolted for the kitchen. Lisa pulled out an air popper and poured in the kernels. I was put in charge of melting the butter. Sherry preheated the oven and unwrapped a couple frozen pizzas. Monica resumed her seat at the kitchen table.