“Wake up, Jennifer,” I stated, gesturing toward Hastings. “He’s practically crawling up your ass. Go with him.”
“Wha . . . what … Well, I’ve never,” she blubbered.
I grinned maniacally at her and then at Hastings. “Maybe that’s the problem.”
I walked out of school. I was ashamed of my outburst. I didn’t swear. I wasn’t cruel or someone who made fun of people. I was Mr. Nice Guy to all I met and had been since kindergarten. What exactly had that gotten me? Nothing. Zip. Zero.
I was going to change.
My house was empty when I got home. I still felt awful about dumping my anger on Jennifer and Hastings but couldn’t change anything now. At half past twelve, my parents were both workingso I trudged up to my room. The reality of what I’d said to two of the most popular kids at school finally settled in. I didn’t know where the rage came from but I would have to apologize or beg for forgiveness if I wanted to be included ever again.
I stared across the street at Mikey’s house. A purple VW Beetle decorated with giant flower stickers was parked in the driveway. I hadn’t noticed the car until then and it stood out like a clown car. The glare from the sun hid whether Mikey was in his bedroom or not. It probably didn’t matter anyway. I’d pushed him away and to add frosting onto the proverbial cake, I’d just insulted the other two stars of high school.
I pulled the bottom drawer out from my desk and rifled under old school work, doodles, and other junk, including a Reese’s candy bar I had forgotten about until my fingers felt the glossy picture that I sought. The photo was of Mikey and me at Campbell lake last summer. Jennifer had snapped the picture on her cell phone and then made two copies and gave them to Mikey and me for our birthdays last year.
We were both bare chested with our arms around each other. Mikey was giving me rabbit ears and the two of us were grinning like fools. I leaned into him while he held me close. I’d cut the picture into a heart shape and hidden it from him because I thought he’d think my act too much for guy friends. Sun lit our faces, our white teeth even brighter due to our tans. Several people said we could have been brothers because of how similar we looked at times. We were very close, but I’d never wanted that comparison to be true.
I brought the photo closer, noticing for the first time the weird rings of light around our heads. Blinking my eyes, I squinted and tilted the photo towards my window to make sure the circles weren’t a weird reflection. At that moment I had one of those déjà vu feelings pass over me as if I’d visited the lake recently, which I knew I hadn’t.
I flipped the photo over, carefully reading the date. July 2012. “Itwaslast year,” I whispered, running my hand over the date. I nearly fell off my wooden chair when dried ink from a year-old photo smeared onto my finger.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX: Mike
“Nice to meet you, Druzella,” I said, extending my hand as I made my way to her. I wanted a closer examination of the woman who’d been involved in turning my life literally upside down and inside out. I wasn’t sure how to describe moving between cosmoses.
She rested her hand gently in my open palm. Her grip tightened as she gazed into my eyes. If you had asked me a month ago if we exchanged something unspoken during the handshake, I’d have laughed at the absurdity, but now?
“You’re an intuitive soul, young man,” she said, looking at Mom and nodding to confirm her assertion. Her free hand moved across my inner arm when she squeezed harder with the one holding my hand. “Very strong impulses,” she added.
“Strong willed,” Mom interjected. “Like his father.”
“Oh, yes,” Druzella agreed. “Your late husband’s spirit is inside this creature.” I gently tugged my hand back but she held tighter and wouldn’t release me. “You Cancer’s are a willful bunch, aren’t you?”
“I never mentioned that Michael was born under Cancer,” Mom said, looking from her mystical friend to me.
“You didn’t have to, Kathleen,” she purred. “I can spot someone born under the fourth sign immediately. He’s just like his mother.” She turned to Mom, not letting go of me. “Your son is sensitive and protective.”
“I’m not sure I believe in those things,” I admitted. “I get that Mom likes this stuff, but I’m harder to convince.”
As soon as I spoke I had an electrical sensation flow through me. Mompicked up on it too and grabbed Druzella’s arm, linking all three of us.
“That’s not true, child,” she stated, surprising me when she called me out so easily. “You and your mother share a powerful astrological sign for sure, but I’m sensing a trinity.” Her eyes closed suddenly.
I quickly looked at Mom and made a face that saidwhat the fuck is this?
“Druzella?” Mom whispered.
Druzella’s eyes popped open. “But your departed husband is not Cancer, Kathleen.” Mom shook her head, confirming Dad wasn’t. “But there exists a trinity? There is a bond within this trinity that involves some kind of jewels,” Druzella murmured.
What the . . . ? She knew about the ring and the three rubies in the setting.
And then as if she’d been jolted by an unseen power, she jumped back and released my hand. Her eyes widened while she studied me closely, her eyes darting between Mom and me.
“Are you okay, Madame Druzella,” I asked, fearing her head was about to spin three hundred and sixty degrees.
All color faded from her face in an instant. “Where did you hear that name?” she asked.
Mom turned her attention to me. “Michael?”
