Witcha'be (20 page)

“Give me that!” Bianca howled, tickling Lenni, wrestling away the water hose, and squirting her.

“No fair!” Lenni screamed, chasing her. Bianca ran backward, spraying Lenni as she advanced. I doubled over with laughter.

“Hey, you’re not immune.” Bianca aimed, soaking me through. Boo barked and chased her around the yard. She soaked him, too. He stopped barking and shivered, tail between his legs.

Lenni and I exchanged glances, hair and eyelashes dripping water on our faces. “You thinking what I’m thinking?” I asked.

We rushed Bianca from both sides, wrestled her to the ground, and pried the hose from her fingers. Her fish-netted legs and slick black boots bicycled in the air. Boo barked, nipping her fluttering hair as hose water fell like rain around us.

“Payback!” Lenni yelled.

“I give! I give!” Bianca shrieked. Lenni threw down the hose and we collapsed, laughing.

“Mom’s gonna kill me.” I pulled my knees up, pointing to the grass stains on my jeans.

“My elbows!” Lenni laughed, crooking her arms. “I look like Shrek.”

Bianca stood. “Looks as if I am stain-free,” she bragged, twirling, examining her elbows and knees. Lenni and I dissolved into hysterics. “What’s so funny?”

“You might want to check your backside.”

She whipped her head, looking over her shoulder at the green stain on the rear of her gray miniskirt.

“Oh, that? It was already there,” she said dryly, causing Lenni and I to melt into a fresh fit of giggles. “You like?” She bent over, shaking her hips.

* * *

As the sun dipped in the horizon, Bianca insisted on walking me home. “Who knows what you’ll get into?”

“Yeah, but this neighborhood isn’t buried in some forest of sinister trees.” I glanced around. “Just plain old, ordinary oaks.”

A brownish-green grasshopper whirred in front of me. I screamed and darted. Boo barked and nipped at the huge insect as I yanked his leash.

“Are you finished?” Bianca called down the block. She picked up the grasshopper.

“What are you doing?” Panic rose to my throat.

“Checking it out.” She examined the insect, holding it close to her face.

I picked up Boo, poised to run.

“Later, Charlie.” She tossed the bug in the air. It flew to a neighboring lawn, wings crackling. I tried to disguise my relief.

“They’re actually locusts, you know, like the ones that swarmed in the Bible,” she said, catching up to me.

I cringed, able to picture a plague of Biblical locusts much too clearly.

“I drew one. It’s hanging in Lopez’s class.”

“I’ve seen it. Very realistic.” Cornerstone was just up ahead. “So, what was it like coming back to church?” I asked, changing the subject.

She gazed at the stone building. “Having my business aired in front of all those people? Mortifying and degrading. But, after I got past that, it wasn’t too bad.” She smiled a little. “Dad really enjoyed playing the piano. I haven’t seen him passionate about anything—including life—since I was small.”

“He was amazing,” I said. “Did you see the dust rise when he first started? It looked like smoke.”

“He has a natural talent. I loved watching him play again. We’re coming Wednesday night.”

Goosebumps prickled my arms and the back of my neck. So many changes in such little time. I knew God was involved. I felt very small and very grateful at the same time.

“What about
Toil and Trouble
?” I asked.

“I talked to Ms. Velma, about my dad’s decision to get sober. She said even though she understands, my quitting puts her in a ‘bit of a pinch.’ No one except Lenni prepared for the role, and Lenni refuses to take it. Ms. Velma said the only alternative is to play Witch Wilhelmina herself. Deep down, she’s excited—I could tell. She hasn’t performed onstage since she started teaching. She’ll make a great witch. And, speaking of witches, what exactly is that monstrosity on your front porch?” Bianca stopped walking and stared at my house.

“The Wicked Witch of the West.” Heat rose to my cheeks.

“I know
that
. What’s it doing there?”

“Mom collects Wizard of Oz memorabilia. She dragged it home from some flea market.”

Bianca sauntered up the walk, onto the porch. “This will sound dumb, considering…everything. But, when I first saw it, I thought the witch was a jab at me.”

“Sorry. I was afraid you’d think that.” I joined her next to porch witch.

Bianca lifted a handful of the statue’s hair.

“Check out the red roots,” I said. “Mom thinks the sun turned it, but that’s impossible. Her head was covered by the hat—right up until the neighbor’s dog ate it.” I dropped my gaze to the witch’s pointed shoes. “I have a different theory.”

“Interesting,” she said, dropping the strands. “Well, guess I’ll get home, out of these wet clothes. Though they’re almost dry now.” She ran a hand over her skirt. “Dad should be home soon.”

“Do you want a ride?”

“Nah. The weather’s nice. Besides, I don’t want to disturb your mom. Especially now that she’s—you know.” She made a pregnant belly gesture.

“Okay. But I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.” I looked around, unsure what to say. “Thanks for your help, earlier. I was really scared.”

“No problem. I deal with those losers every day.” She walked down the steps. “See you tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, by the way.” She turned to look at me from the walkway. “Stores sell spray-on hair color this time of year, for Halloween. It scrubs off with a damp sponge.” She shot a glance to the porch witch.

A smile tugged at my lips. Not a confession, but close. “I’ll keep that in mind. Do you need a ride to school in the morning? My mom can pick you up, if she’s not puking, or maybe Pam can drive us.”

“I’ll think about it and text Lenni.” She spun and strode away, the large green splotch swishing on her backside.

I opened the door and unhooked Boo. He ran toward the laundry room. I followed, looking for Mom. The room was empty with the exception of Boo, lapping noisily from his water dish.

“Hello?”

“In here.” I followed Mom’s voice to the antique room. The smell of paint wafted through the open door.

“Come on in,” Dad said.

“Wow! I can’t believe it.” The dingy white walls were soft yellow. High on a ladder, Mom dipped a small sponge into a darker shade of yellow then pressed it to the wall, creating bricks. The yellow brick nursery. Cute.

“What do you think?” Dad asked, pulling strips of blue tape from around the open window.

“Amazing. But Mom, should you be on that ladder?” I frowned.

“I told you.” Dad narrowed his eyes at her.

“Stop, you two. I’m fine.” Mom climbed gingerly down to fill her shallow pan with paint. “I’m not helpless.”

“You can never be too careful,” I repeated one of her favorite phrases. “By the way, Dad. Congratulations on the baby.” I gave him a side-hug, avoiding the front of his paint-splattered shirt.

“Thanks, Mol.”

“What on earth happened to your knees?” Mom asked, squinting.

“Uh…love you both. Goodnight.” I turned and sprinted down the hall and up the stairs, Boo at my heels.

* * *

“Molly Lou, wake up,” Mom cooed from the doorway. “Time to get ready for school.”

I opened my eyes and glanced at the alarm clock. I had forgotten to set it. I lowered Boo to the floor and rolled from bed. “Can we pick Bianca up for school?”

She glanced at her watch. “We’ll have to leave early.”

“I’ll text Lenni and tell her to be ready.” I picked up my phone and shot Lenni a quick message. She answered right away.

I sang Dizzy songs while I went through my morning routine. My favorite jeans were clean and it was a good hair day. I slicked on a dab of lip gloss then pulled the gold cross from my neckline.

“Time to go,” Mom called. I grabbed my dream journal. No new dreams to share, but I felt some were on the way. Good ones.

I switched off my light and skipped downstairs. Mom stood on the porch, holding the screen door open. “Thanks.” I scooted past porch witch and waved, making Mom laugh.

We slid into the jeep and I glanced into the back. “I hope Bianca doesn’t mind cuddling with Lenni.”

“I didn’t think of that. I really need to start using the van again.” She frowned slightly. “I’d love to keep driving this, but it’s just not practical. I’ll need the van for the baby and all its accessories.” She chuckled. “Your dad’s picking up another car, an older-model sedan. He said it’s pretty good on gas and nice enough to transport clients. He’s getting a good deal. But three vehicles? Where on earth will we store them?”

“So, we’re keeping the jeep, even though Dad’s buying another car?” I asked, hoping she’d say what I wanted to hear.

“We figured since you’ll be getting your driver’s license next year, we’ll hang onto it.”

“Yes!” I kissed Mom’s cheek.

We pulled into Lenni’s drive and Mom tapped the horn. Lenni breezed through the door wearing a purple t-shirt, purple-and-black striped leggings, and cutoff denim shorts.

“Eighties look again?” I bent forward in my seat as Lenni climbed behind.

“I’m really into it.” She tucked her legs under and toyed with a crunchy curl.

“You girls will have to tell me which house is Bianca’s. It was dark when we dropped her off Friday night,” Mom said as we entered the shady neighborhood.

“Turn here. That one, with the door open.” Mom stopped beside the crumbling curb.

Bianca hopped from the porch and clipped toward the jeep. She peered inside, blinking.

“I’ll scoot up some more.” I folded forward. Bianca, struggling with her tight skirt, tumbled into the back with Lenni.

“Can you turn up the radio, please, Madeline?” Lenni asked. She squealed as the volume elevated. I turned to look at her. “Dizzy!” she shouted.

Bianca balled into the corner as Lenni danced on her knees. “Hey, watch those arms!” she yelled, ducking. “Tell me when it’s over.”

Mom glanced into the rearview, chuckling. “Here we are, girls.” She pulled in front of the school. “Have a great day.”

“You, too.” I pecked her cheek before sliding from the passenger seat.

“Thanks,” Bianca said to Mom as she squeezed out.

“You’re welcome.”

“Congrats on your baby,” Lenni said, following Bianca from the jeep.

Mom smiled and rubbed her tummy.

We walked to the schoolyard. “Your hair looks amazing,” Lenni said to me, walking backward.

We received more than a few double takes as we rounded the basketball court and strode toward the entrance. A girl cupped the ear of the girl beside her, whispering as we passed.

Bianca sneered at them.

The bell sounded. We merged into the crowd as it sucked us through the doors. My dream journal bounced from my hand. I lost Bianca and Lenni as I jostled along, trapped in the swell of people. Finally, I caught up with my foot-printed journal, picked it up, and then tripped into the locker hall. Bianca worked the combination while Lenni stood beside her, waving to passersby. I squished a jealous pang.

“I lost you back in the whirlpool,” I said, reaching around Bianca, grabbing my morning books.

Misty Lincoln sauntered up, hands on her hips. Her dark hair was stick-straight, no doubt flattened by some outrageously expensive piece of styling equipment.

“Hey,
witch
. Heard you went to church on Sunday. Did it catch fire?” She turned to smile over her shoulder then faced Bianca again. “Or maybe you went to get exorcised. Probably threw up demons and pea soup all over the sanctuary.” Again, she glanced over her shoulder.

I followed her gaze straight to Saul, across the hallway. My cheeks burned, as if slapped. I narrowed my pulsing eyelids. His gaze swept from Misty, landing in my heated glare. He slumped.

Lenni stared at Misty, her eyes blue flames. “Misty, get out of Bianca’s face, or I’ll have
my
dad call
your
dad and tell him about your bullying tactics. Which, by the way, reek of low self-esteem and insecurity.”

Misty’s face fell.

“I don’t think Mayor Lincoln would want that kind of publicity with the election coming up, do you?” Lenni cocked her hip and drummed her fingers against the cell phone in her front pocket.

Misty took a shaky breath and turned on her heel.

“
Eh, eh
, not so fast,” Lenni called after her. “My friend is owed an apology.”

Misty stopped, spine stiff, shoulders rising to her ears. She turned slowly. “Sorry,” she blurted.

“Sorry to whom?” Lenni asked, cupping her ear with one hand, tapping her front pocket with the other.

“I’m sorry, Bianca,” she said, resolve lost, invisible tail between her legs.

Bianca looked amused. Lenni nudged her. “Bianca,” she whispered harshly. “Accept her apology.”

“It’s okay,” Bianca said, holding Misty’s gaze.

Misty nodded and walked away.

“Wow, Lenni, I’ve never seen that side of you before,” I said.

“That was pretty intense.” Bianca slammed the locker and straightened her skirt.

“I love my friends,” Lenni said, chin in the air, chest out, fists on her hips like a superhero.

“We love you too,” I said. “See you at lunch.”

* * *

“Hey!” Lenni slid up beside me. “Bianca should be here any sec—there she is now.” She flapped her hand.

“Hey, Len, Molly.”

I experienced an absurd rush of pride when Bianca called me by name. We stepped to the cafeteria. Lenni rambled from one topic to the next with scarcely a breath in between, while I nodded and Bianca stared straight ahead.

In the lunch line, Lenni stood on tiptoe. “Looks like some kind of barbecue sandwich,” she said.

“Sand-
what
?” Bianca asked, arching her brows.

“
Wich
,” Lenni answered, still squinting at the reddish mixture. “We’re having sandwiches—with sauce.”

My lips twitched, itching to smile.

“Oh, I get it. Sand
wiches
, right? Ha-ha, very funny.” Lenni said. “Should I call it sloppy joe instead?”

Bianca chuckled.

The lunch ladies plunked down our trays. Bianca snarled, lifting the bun. A server glared at her.