“Mom, you’re not listening!” Tahmi shouted.
Donna needed more coffee. “Want more jello?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
Donna’s hands trembled. What in the world was going on in Tahmi’s head?
“So, next an old man in a striped sailor’s suit shows up.”
Donna dropped her coffee cup. The ceramic mug shattered all over the floor. She bent down to pick up the pieces. Her heart pounded. Sailor suit?
“…And as the old man is about to run away with the baby; the little toddler screams out my name telling him not to take her sister away.”
Donna knelt on the floor, still trying to collect the broken pieces.
“What do you think it means? Mom, are you listening to me?”
“Yes.” Donna sat next to her at the dining room table. “I don’t know how you could’ve thought up a man in a sailor suit. This is like mind boggling.”
“Why? Mom, what’s wrong? You’re shaking.”
“I should’ve told you this sooner.”
“Told me what sooner?”
“Tahmi.” She couldn’t do it. “I need to wake up your father.”
THE TRUTH
Donna ran up the stairs taking them two at a time. “Charles.” She shook him. He snorted and sat up.
“What’s wrong? Is Tahmi okay?”
“Yes, well, no—sort of.”
“What?”
“Well, honey, she had a bad dream.”
Charles rubbed his eyes and yawned. “You woke me up because of that?”
“It wasn’t just any dream, though.”
“Tomorrow’s my only day off. Can’t you handle this?”
“Charles, shut up.”
“What’s wrong, Donna?”
“Tahmi had a dream about a,” She leaned in close, “man in a sailor suit.”
Charles wasn’t tired any longer. He hopped right out of bed and paced across the floor in his boxers. “That’s impossible! She was a little baby when that happened.”
“What are we going to do? She’s downstairs waiting for us. I told her we had something to tell her.”
“We should call the doctor. He’s a professional and probably can handle the situation better.”
“The doctor told us to tell her when she was five years old but you said it was too soon.” Donna snapped. “No, you’re going to do it. You’re the one who wanted to wait so long. Now she’s having nightmares.”
“Do you think that she could be having flashbacks?”
Donna thought for a moment. “Well, she was walking by six months and she seemed to understand us even as a baby. I just can’t imagine her knowing her past. Besides, she dreamed about a talking cat as well, so I dunno.”
“This is insane!”
“Charles, get some clothes on and meet me downstairs. We need to get this over with already.”
***
Tahmi sat at the dining table with her finger inside the orange jello. There was an unexplainable knot in her stomach. Why would her mother panic? It was just a dream, right? She couldn’t have a sister and there was no such thing as talking animals. Well, maybe a parrot or a pug who could say “I love you” but that was it—at least that she knew of.
Donna and Charles stood in front of her with worried looks. It was as if they’d forgotten to turn off the coffee pot or something, and were about to leave the country. “Sweetie,” Donna whispered, taking her hand. Now what? “Daddy has something to tell you.”
Tahmi looked up at her father. He fidgeted and didn’t know how to respond. “Just say it, Dad.”
“Honey, you see—well, we’re not your biological parents.”
Tahmi’s heart pounded, and she couldn’t breathe. Sure, she didn’t look anything like them and she wasn’t the daughter Donna had always wanted—like, the stupid beauty pageants she tried enrolling her in regularly or all the cooking lessons and knitting—gag! But, adopted? Why hadn’t they told her sooner? Did Andy know? He probably hid it from her and she was so going to get even with him now.
“There’s more.” Donna nudged Charles and he jerked back.
“I’m getting to it.” His eyes closed and as he took a deep breath. Donna squeezed Tahmi’s hand as hard as she could. Tahmi could feel her mother tremble. What could possibly have her mother so scared?
“Dad?”
“Honey, one day a man came to our house and asked us to keep you safe.”
“From what?” This was just too weird.
“We’re not sure,” Donna answered.
“Is that why you freaked out and never told me I was adopted?”
“No.” Charles tapped his fingers on the table. “We’re panicking because the old man who brought you to us wore a striped sailor’s suit and hat.”
Tahmi’s head spun. Was it possible? What if maybe part of her dream was real? Did she have a sister or worse a mother who’d been killed in that earthquake?
“Can I see the documents he left you with?” Tahmi shook fiercely. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner that I was adopted?”
“That was my fault; I was worried it would upset you.”
“Lots of things upset me, Dad.”
“I know, I know, but I just worry.”
Tahmi stood. She glanced down at her mother. It didn’t matter if she’d not given birth to her. Donna was the greatest mom any child could ever ask for. And, even though Charles was a little panicky, he did love her and she knew she could always count on him to do the right thing. “It doesn’t matter.”
Donna let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness. It doesn’t matter to us, either. As far as I am concerned, you’re mine.”
“I know, mom.”
Charles wrapped his arms around her and sobbed. She rolled her eyes and patted him on the back. “It’s okay, Dad.”
“I know, but I’ve ruined your feelings of security! One in every three children who find out they’re adopted are stunted emotionally.”
“I’m fine, Dad. I’m one of the two who makes it.” She swallowed. A part of her was okay. Another, well, she wanted to know who the little girl with raven eyes was and if that woman holding her was actually her real mom.
ECHOES
Andy couldn’t wait till Tahmi came over. They were supposed to go down to Tradewinds for their first horseback riding lessons. He sat on the top of the checkered sofa. His mom, Peg stood in the kitchen over the sink. “Get down, Angelo.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” He stood, now a foot taller than his mom. He was thin with freckles all over his face, shoulders and hands. Tahmi said they were clusters of pigment. Whatever. His light brown hair was cut short and he used gel to spike it.
“Horseback riding is cancelled. Charles just called and says that Tahmi isn’t up to it.”
“Are you kidding me? What’s his deal?” Andy exclaimed, stuffing his feet into his sneakers. “I’ll be back later. Maybe I can get Charles to chill.”
“Leave him alone. He’s just told Tahmi she was adopted.”
“So what? She’ll get over it.”
“Angelo!” Peg shouted, tossing her dish towel at him. “You better be nice. If I catch the two of you fighting again I’m gonna ground you.”
“Big deal.” Andy ran outside and across the lawn. In the Russo’s backyard, there was a white picket fence only about a foot and half tall. Tahmi liked to balance on the spikes. She wasn’t afraid of heights or of even falling. She fell a lot, too. Out of trees, on the playground, just walking… Probably because she took so many reckless dares. Charles would say something was dangerous and then five minutes later Tahmi would be trying it out—testing its danger level.
And today was no different. There, balancing on the little picket fence with her bare feet was Tahmi. Her arms were spread out and she seemed deep in thought with her long blonde hair in her face. He didn’t have to see her eyes to know they were sad. He could just feel her sadness. That’s how it always was with Tahmi. She didn’t always talk but, if you were close to her y
ou just knew. She communicated with her body language more than anyone he’d ever met.
“Don’t slip.” Andy kicked the picket fence, sending Tahmi backwards. She landed in the dirt.
“You punk!” She scrambled to her feet. Andy took off into the wooded area that sat in between their homes. Tahmi chased him as fast as she could. She wished she could fly above him and then spit little balls of fire at him. She laughed at the thought. That would make him wet his pants.
Andy climbed up into the largest tree in the forest. He went to a long branch and sprawled out. “I’m gonna grow old waiting for you.” He put his sunglasses on and snored.
Tahmi wasn’t as fast as Andy and she was clumsy. There wasn’t anything that scared her, though. That’d been odd considering who her father was. Now, of course it made sense. He wasn’t really her dad. She was someone else’s child. But whose? The ancient looking documents her Dad let her read said Maryanne Andrews was her mother. Who the heck was that? She’d checked online for her but couldn’t find her anywhere. The oddest part was her address. It was a perfume factory.
“Did you know I was adopted?” Tahmi snatched the sunglasses off Andy’s face.
“Yep, have for years.”
Tahmi smacked him.
“Ow!”
She smacked him again. “And that’s for making me fall.”
“Feel better?”
“No.”
“I can’t believe Charles finally told you. It was killing me not to be able to say anything to you about it.”
“You’re supposed to be my best friend, not Charles’ pal. Why can he tell you things but not me?”
“I’m not his kid. Plus, he filmed my birth—I’m special.”
Tahmi rolled her eyes. “Well, apparently, that old guy I dreamed about is real. My mom and dad saw him. They say he’s the one who gave me to them.”
“Yeah, that’s why we’re not supposed to be in these woods. Charles is afraid the geezer is still alive waiting to take you back to wherever he came from.”
“Andy.” She leaned forward, inches from his face. He thought maybe she’d lost it and was going to kiss him. But she belched. “That’s what I think about that.”
“You’re sick!”
“I’m hungry. Let’s get out of here.”
“If you say you want orange jello, I’m leaving.” Andy threatened, jumping to the ground. He landed on his feet while Tahmi—her bottom.
“Help me up.”
“You got yourself down there.” He nudged her with his shoe. She grabbed his ankle. “Let go.”
“Help me up and I will.”
He bent down but when she let him go he dashed off, laughing hysterically. Tahmi blew her bangs away from her face.
“Tahmelia Andrews,” a voice called. “Time to come home.”
“That’s not funny, Andy!” She stood on her feet, heart pounding. Her eyes surveyed the treetops. Shadows danced about.
“There is a talking cat.”
The voice bounced from tree to tree. “Andy?” She grabbed a few stones and inched her way backwards. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
The bushes rustled and Tahmi screamed.
A squirrel raced across her feet and she laughed. “I’m losing it.”
“Losing what?” Andy asked. She jumped, grabbing her heart.
“I thought I heard someone. But it was just you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Hey.” Tahmi twirled around. “How’d you know about the talking cat?”
“What talking cat?”
“When did my dad tell you about that?”
“What are you trying to say?”
Tahmi stood, stiff. “Didn’t you hear that?” Her head turned into the direction of the bush. A dark shadow loomed over it.
“Hear what?” Andy scratched his head. “You really are losing it.”
“Shh.” She grabbed him by the wrist. “It’s coming closer.”
Andy could hear it now, too. Leaves crunched all around them and wildlife scurried away from the center of the woods.
“Tahmelia,” the voice echoed. Andy leaned his back against hers. She could feel him trembling. “Princess Tahmelia Andrews, it’s time to come home.”
“Whoever you are, you better leave us alone!” Andy yelled, grabbing a stick. “I’m a great boxer and I ain’t afraid to prove it.”
“Don’t provoke him,” Tahmi whispered. She held onto her friend even tighter. “Who are you and what do you want?”
The leaves rustled and gusts of wind blew through the trees. They recoiled, trying to back out of the forest.
A black silhouette stepped out of a heavily green area and stood in the dim forest light. Tahmi couldn’t believe her eyes. It was the old man! He still wore his striped suit and hat. What did he want? Why was he here?
“Are you ready?” He offered her his hand.
“You’re certifiable,” Tahmi said, backing up. “Get lost, you creep, before I call the police.”
“Let’s get out of here,” Andy whispered, jerking her backward. Tahmi’s feet wouldn’t move. It was as if she were in quicksand, waiting to sink to her death.
“Tahmelia!” The old man called. She finally got control of herself and ran alongside Andy. They raced out of the woods, into her house, up the stairs and into her room.
THE VORTEX
Andy and Tahmi collapsed onto her bed. “I’m coming for you!” Andy put his hands around her neck and she gagged.
“No, old man, I won’t go with you.”
Andy stomped around like a mummy. “Tahmelia, there’s talking cats where I’m gonna take you.”
“Keep your talking cats.” She smiled and Andy jumped on the bed. “You think I should tell my dad?”
“Not Charles. He’d have a heart attack and insist on police protection for you.”
“Yeah, he’d go a little crazy.” She glanced at her friend. Why wasn’t she sweaty? They’d run hard. Andy was red and breathless. He had droplets of sweat pouring down his face. The only part of her that was moist was from where Andy had placed his hands—his sweat on her neck; gross. She wiped her neck on a throw blanket. “You need to take a shower.”
“Look, I’m a guy. It’s sexy to sweat.”
“Who told you that?”
“My dad says that he’s got girls all over him at work.”
“I doubt it.” Tahmi rolled her eyes and shoved him. “Your dad is full of himself.”
Andy didn’t respond. It wasn’t because he agreed with Tahmi. He loved his dad. It was just that he couldn’t breathe.
A gust of wind burst into the room flipping them backwards. Tahmi hit her head on the bed frame.
“What’s happening?” Tahmi choked. Now she couldn’t breathe, either. “Andy.” She grabbed her bedpost with all her might. There was something translucent and pink sneaking out from her bedroom TV. It swirled and grew larger and larger.
Andy’s body slipped from the bed and fell to the floor. His fingers grabbed onto strands of carpet fibers. His feet slowly rose off the floor.
Tahmi held onto the bedpost—her body vertical. Books and toys flew past her and through a black hole in the middle of the vortex. She couldn’t feel her fingers anymore.
Andy lost his grip and flew across the room. “Tahmi!” He screamed grabbing her blanket.
Just then, Tahmi fell flat onto her mattress. Books and plastic figurines hit her in the back.
Andy’s body landed onto the floor and the wind was knocked right out of him. He gagged and tried to catch a breath.
“What in the world?” Donna stood in her doorway. “I thought I told you to clean your room, not destroy it.”
“It wasn’t me,” Tahmi choked. “This pink cloud tried to suck us into the TV like a hoover.”
“Tahmi, just because you found out you were adopted it’s no excuse to go crazy.”
“Mom.” Tahmi sat up. “It wasn’t me, I swear. When have I ever been a liar?”
“T
hat was the wrong question,” Andy blurted. “You make up stuff all the time.”
“Shut up,” she snapped, “Some best friend you are.”
“Well, it’s true. Last week—”
“Okay, enough.” Donna frowned. “Clean this room up right now or else I won’t take you horseback riding.”
“Dad said no.”
“Charles was called into work, so when he leaves,” Donna whispered, “I’ll take you.”
Andy leaped up. “Awesome!”
“Clean, now.”
When Donna closed the door, Tahmi tossed her pillow at Andy. It hit him straight in the face. “Why didn’t you back me up?”
“Whose gonna believe that a pink cloud tried to suck us through your TV? They’ll lock you up.”
“And you, too.”
“No, ‘cause I’m not dumb enough to tell people something like that.”
“Look!” Tahmi scrambled out of her bed and raced for her door. “The thing is back, let’s go.”
Andy stumbled forwards, skidding along the carpet towards the growing vortex. “Tahmi, it’s got me!”
She turned around and within an instant she was flying through the air. She grabbed onto her door frame. The wood ripped and finally split in half. Her arms and legs flailed through the air. The breath in her lungs evaporated. Was this what it felt like to be in the middle of a tornado? That’s what she thought as the pink cloud spun her till she was dizzy.
“Tahmi,” Andy was purple. He couldn’t breathe at all. She reached out to grab his hand but the force of the cloud took hold of her and slammed her into the flat screen.
It was a 50 inch and a gift from Charles for making honor roll again. What was he going to say when he saw the TV in two pieces? She rubbed her neck. It throbbed with pain.
Andy lay on the floor groaning. “What the heck is going on?”
“I dunno.”
“TAHMI!” Donna screamed. Her eyes widened. “Charles is going to have a heart attack.”
“Mom.” Tahmi tried to stand but stumbled to her knees. “See, I wasn’t making it up.”
“You broke your television just to make a point? Tahmi, you’re ridiculous. You’re not going horseback riding now. Not ever.” Donna’s hand rubbed against the splintered door frame. “And you’re going to pay to repair this door, too. Really, Tahmi this behavior is ridiculous.” She slammed what was left of the door and stomped down the steps.
Lark's End Page 4