wicked witches 06.9 - you only witch once (9 page)

“Watch the fire, Thistle.”

I joined Terry a few feet away. He was leaning against a tree, his arms crossed over his chest, and his face was thoughtful as he watched the kids.

“Are you going to be happy to send them on their way tomorrow?” I asked.

“They’re a good group of boys,” Terry said. “They haven’t been any trouble.”

“That must be a nice experience,” I joked.

“Yeah, it looks like you had another eventful night,” he said. “What’s the deal with Lila’s face?”

“She woke up with poison oak this morning.”

“That’s inconvenient,” Terry said, nonplussed. “She just woke up with it? Out of the blue?”

“She must have accidentally rubbed against it while out in the woods yesterday,” I said evasively.

Terry barked out a coarse laugh. “That girl hasn’t set foot in those woods since she got here,” he said. “I’m guessing she got the poison oak by other means.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“The kids have been talking,” Terry said. “The rumor is that Bay, Clove and Thistle cursed the people in Lila’s cabin. I notice most of the girls look fine, though. Just a handful of them are suffering. How does that work?”

I felt he was putting me on the spot. “Why are you asking me?”

“Because I saw the look on your face last night when Lila went after Bay,” he said. “I have a feeling you know what happened.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“I didn’t say you did anything,” Terry said. “In fact, I’m guessing Aunt Tillie is the ringleader, and she dragged Bay, Clove and Thistle along for the ride.”

“I guess anything is possible.”

Terry smirked. “Are the ones still scratching the ones who refuse to apologize?”

“The ones still affected are the ones lying and plotting,” I said. “If they stopped both of those things, they would go back to normal.”

“That’s an interesting punishment,” Terry said, rubbing his stubbly chin. “It would teach most kids a lesson.”

“Most,” I agreed.

“Was that Aunt Tillie’s idea?”

“I told her to do whatever she wanted,” I admitted. “If you think I’m proud of my actions, I’m not.”

“I’d be proud of it,” he said. “It’s kind of like the best of both worlds. You get to see the ugly within on the outside. If everything in life was like that, it would make my job a whole lot easier.”

“They’re still just kids,” I said. “I kind of feel … guilty.”

“Don’t,” Terry said. “A lesson learned is a valuable thing. A lesson ignored is also a valuable thing. Lila is going to learn something here this weekend. We don’t know what it is, but I guarantee she learns something.”

“I’m worried Bay, Clove and Thistle are going to learn something, too,” I said. “I’m worried I’m teaching them that revenge is the way to go.”

“Sometimes it is.”

“Not always, though.”

“No, not always,” Terry agreed. “In this case, though, revenge is the only weapon they have. Let’s just see how it all plays out.”

“You’re being awfully calm about this,” I said. “Usually when we talk about … this stuff … you like to pretend you can’t hear us.”

“Did you say something?”

“I … .” I rolled my eyes, realizing what he was doing. “You’re a funny guy.”

“I am,” Terry agreed, pushing himself away from the tree. “Let’s get this show on the road. I realize I’m starting to feel my age. Long days watching twelve boys who have boundless enthusiasm is making me feel old.”

“I think we all feel that way,” I said.

“DO
we have any more chocolate?” Thistle asked, scanning the area around the campfire. “I want another s’more.”

“You’ve had three,” I said. “You don’t need another one.”

“I’m on vacation,” Thistle said.

“You’re at camp.”

“That’s still a vacation for kids,” Thistle pressed.

“What are you getting at?”

“When you’re on vacation, you get to eat whatever you want,” she said. “I want chocolate.”

She’s such a pain. “If there’s more chocolate, go nuts. You’re still going to bed early, and if I catch you out of bed I’m going to make sure you don’t see a bar of chocolate for two weeks once we get home.”

“You really are a downer,” Thistle muttered.

I turned to Twila. “She’s your little bundle of joy,” I said. “Can’t you make her behave?”

“Not if history is any indication,” Twila said. “She’s her own person. I can’t change it, and I don’t want to.”

“You don’t have to change her,” I said. “Can’t you … I don’t know … gag her or something?”

Twila smiled. “I think she’s cute.”

Of course she did. I turned my attention back to the campfire, counting heads. When I came up two short, I started over again. The outcome was the same. Two girls were missing, and I didn’t even have to conduct a roll-call to figure out which ones.

“Where are Lila and Rosemary?”

Twila straightened and scanned the crowd, jerking her head every which way. She looked like a constipated chicken. “I have no idea.”

“Sonova … .”

“What now?” Marnie asked, appearing at my side. “I can tell by the look on your face that something has happened.”

“Lila and Rosemary are gone,” I said. “That can only mean one thing.”

“They’re plotting revenge,” Marnie said. “Great. What should we do?”

“We’re sending the boys across the lake and the rest of them to bed,” I said. “I’m so tired of this. I don’t remember camp being this exhausting when we were here.”

“That’s because we were kids and everyone else was doing the worrying,” Marnie said. “Now we know how it feels when the shoe is on the other foot.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t fit and it hurts,” I said. “Okay, gather the girls. I’m officially declaring the last night of camp over.”

“This should go over well,” Marnie muttered.

I clapped my hands together. “Okay, girls, it’s time for bed.”

“It’s not even ten yet,” Thistle complained.

“You’ll live. Let’s go.”

Terry raised his eyebrows but didn’t argue. “Let’s go, boys. I’m tired, and we still have to get across the lake. You can start a bonfire over there if you want.”

“That’s good,” the dark-haired boy said. “This place is freaky. They’ve got girls running around here who look like their faces are about to explode they’re so bumpy.”

“Thank you, son,” Terry said.

“Speaking of, where did those ugly girls go?”

Terry shifted, and I could see his mind working as he looked over the grumbling girls. He glanced up at me. “Is that why you’re sending them to bed?”

“Yup.”

“Do you want me to help look for them?”

“I … .” I broke off, biting my lip. Did I?

Terry sighed. “Stay here, boys. I’ll just be a minute. We have to find the poxed twosome before we can go.”

“Oh, great,” the boy complained.

“It won’t take long,” Terry said. “Girls, stay around the fire for a minute. I need to … what the hell?”

I couldn’t see what happened, but the change in Terry’s tone told me whatever it was couldn’t be good. I scampered in his direction, my mind busy with horrible thoughts.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Davenport.” I recognized Lila’s voice. “We didn’t think you would be the one coming through here.”

When I got close to Terry, I realized he was covered in something. Under the dim light, I couldn’t tell what it was. He ran his fingers over his face, wiping the red liquid from his eyes and scowling. “What is this?”

“It’s just water,” Lila said, wringing her hands. Her face was even worse now than it had been an hour ago. I wanted to shove a mirror in her hand and force her to look, but I didn’t think now was the time. “There was some food coloring in it and, well, we might have put some poop in it, too.”

“I see,” Terry growled. “And who was this little concoction meant for?”

“Bay,” Lila admitted. “She deserves it after what she did to us. We didn’t mean to do it to you. We heard someone coming and we thought it was her.”

“Well, great,” Terry said. “This is just great!”

Uh-oh. The man who always kept his temper in check was about to go nuclear.

“I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed this weekend,” Terry said. “I’ve really loved all the sniping and backbiting and gossiping that accompanies teenage girls. Boys don’t have this problem. They just tackle each other and swear at each other and get it out of their systems.

“Not girls, though. No. Girls have to plot and poke and screech like little banshees,” he said. “Well, you’ve officially pushed me too far. I want every single one of you in your cabins right now!”

None of the girls moved, fear rooting them to their spots.

“Now!” Terry roared.

The girls started moving, giving Terry a wide berth as they raced toward their cabins. They didn’t say a word, the only sounds coming from their shuffling feet.

Bay moved to Terry’s side, her face conflicted.

“I’m really sorry,” Lila said. “You should know this wasn’t my fault. This is all Bay’s fault.”

“Go to bed, Lila,” Terry snapped. He shifted his attention to me. “You were right. They’re monsters. Every single one of them is a monster.”

Terry moved back toward the fire, not bothering to cast even a small look in Bay’s direction. I could see her lower lip quivering, but she didn’t call after him. She didn’t say a word.

“Boys! Get in those canoes and get moving. I can’t stand to be here one more second. Let’s get away from the monsters. Everyone run for their lives.”

Nine

“Did any of them get up last night?” Marnie asked early the next morning, running in place and swinging her arms to get her circulation going. Her face was unnaturally pale, the shadows under her eyes pronounced. She looked as tired as I felt.

“I didn’t hear a peep from them,” I said, rubbing my lower back. Despite Terry’s tirade, I opted to sleep in the hammock after all. I told myself I was doing it to make sure the unthinkable didn’t become a reality. Part of me wanted to be close in case Bay needed me, though. Her face after Terry’s outburst was enough to break my heart. He’d never ignored her before. She didn’t come to me, though, and that made for a restless night. Because I was up with the sun, I made sure my sisters shared the privilege. They’d been less than thrilled when I shook them awake.

“Well, that’s something at least,” Marnie said. “Two more meals and we’re out of here.”

“I can’t wait,” I said. “Next time I volunteer us for something like this, hit me over the head and lock me in a closet until I regain my senses. This was one of my worst ideas ever.”

Marnie smirked. “Do you think Terry is going to bring the boys over for lunch? He was supposed to, but after last night … .”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” I said.

“I’ve never seen him that way before,” Twila said. “He never gets angry.”

“He never gets filthy poop water thrown on him.”

“Yeah, that was something,” Twila said. “Do you think Lila learned her lesson?”

“I don’t think Lila is ever going to learn her lesson,” I said. “It’s not in her nature. She’s one of those people who will keep pushing people until she meets someone willing to push her back.”

“The girls did push back,” Marnie said. “Instead of knocking her down a peg or two, though, all it did was make her go to a really … gross … place.”

“Yeah, who thinks of something like that?” Twila asked, wrinkling her nose.

“Rosemary.”

Marnie and Twila turned to me, twin expressions of confusion etched on their faces. “Why do you think Rosemary thought of it?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “It’s just a feeling. I think Lila would have been more … generic … with her revenge choices.”

“Well, Aunt Willa should be coming for her this afternoon,” Marnie said. “We’ll be free of her.”

“It will be the highlight of our day,” I said. “Well, other than seeing Aunt Willa, that is. Maybe we can hide when we see her car. Why don’t you guys go wake the girls. I’ll finish getting breakfast ready.”

“Are you sure you want to poke the sleeping beasts?”

“Don’t you mean the monsters?”

Marnie sighed. “He didn’t mean that about our monsters,” she said. “He was just … angry.”

“I know he didn’t mean it,” I said. “Bay doesn’t know that he didn’t mean it, though. Did you see her face?”

“Once Terry has time to cool down they’ll make up,” Marnie said. “I’m sure he has no idea how much he upset her. He’s going to feel awful when he realizes he hurt her feelings. He would never purposely do that.”

“I’m sure he’s already sorry.” I shook my head, dislodging the morning melancholy. “Go get the girls up. The sooner we start this day the sooner we can end it.”

“So mote it be,” Marnie said.

“WHAT’S
for breakfast this morning?”

I jumped when I heard Lila’s voice, shifting so I could study her out of the corner of my eye before fixing my full attention on her. Her face was the same as before, red bumps everywhere, and she’d clearly been scratching at the infected areas, which was only making things worse. “Pancakes.”

“I don’t like pancakes.”

“Then don’t eat,” I said.

Lila narrowed her eyes. “You don’t like me, do you?”

Well, this was a sticky situation. I’m not big on lying, but should I really tell the truth to a vindictive child? “No, Lila,” I said. “I don’t like you.”

“Is it because you wish Bay was more like me? That’s what my mother thinks.”

“Your mother is an idiot,” I said. “I would much rather have ten of Bay than one of you.”

“You know there’s something wrong with her, don’t you?”

I forced myself to ignore her.

“Of course you know there’s something wrong with her,” Lila said. “There’s something wrong with you, too. There’s something wrong with your entire family. I know all about it. Rosemary told me.”

Things shifted into place. That’s why Rosemary was here. It wasn’t just to spy, although that was surely part of it. It was to spread Aunt Willa’s agenda. She did the same thing through Nettie when we were teenagers. I should have realized what she had planned.

“I’m sure Rosemary told you a lot of things,” I said. “The problem is, Rosemary doesn’t know any more truth than you do, Lila. You make things up in your head to explain what you don’t understand. You purposely go after anyone who is different from you.