He laughed. Kate was hurt. She hadnt really expected Kyle to understand everything she was telling him, but she certainly hadnt expected him to react so disdainfully. He was treating her news as if it were some kind of joke.
Kyle, this is really important to me, she said. Ive gone through a lot to get Mom and Dad to understand that. For crying out loud, they even sent me to a shrink.
And I dont blame them, Kyle retorted. Kate, Im sorry theyre not letting you see Tyler, he said.
But I cant say that I blame them. The guy may be nice, but if he thinks hes a witch hes not entirely there upstairs, you know?
What would you know about it? snapped Kate. How many Wiccans do you even know?
A few, Kyle said. Theres a group of them at school. They hold these monthly rituals and theyre always protesting something or trying to save the trees or whatever. Theyre freaky. One of them is in my American Lit cla.s.s. She wears black all the time and doesnt shave her legs.
No! Kate said, feigning shock. Hairy legs? Burn her at the stake!
Laugh if you want to, Kyle said. Im just saying theyre freaky.
Well, youve met Tyler, replied Kate. Is he freaky?
If he thinks hes a witch, he is, Kyle answered.
You didnt know that before, argued Kate. Did you think he was freaky before that?
No, Kyle admitted. But I didnt think that sportscaster on channel seven was freaky, either, until they found the bodies in his cellar.
Tyler didnt kill anyone, said Kate exasperatedly. He just practices a religion that you dont understand.
Religion, scoffed Kyle.
Look, Kate said, Id really love to sit here and educate you about Wicca, but I really dont have *
time. Are you going to help me or not?
Kyle looked at his sister. You know I love you, he said. And normally Id be all over any attempt at overruling Mom and Dad. But I have to tell you, Kate, I think I agree with them about this one.
Kates heart sank. Shed been counting on Kyles help. It hadnt even occurred to her that he might side with her parents. Shed expected there to be some misunderstandings on his part, but his total refusal to take Wicca seriously was something she hadnt counted on. All she could do was stare at him.
Im sorry, he said, noting her expression.
Not as sorry as I am, said Kate, getting up and walking out of the kitchen.
Where are you going? Kyle called after her.
Out, said Kate. Tell Mom Ill be home after cla.s.s. And no, I dont need a ride. Ill just take my broom.
She s.n.a.t.c.hed her jacket from the hook by the front door and left, pulling it on as she stormed down the sidewalk. Her anger was bubbling over, and she wanted to get away from Kyle before she said something she might regret later. She really did love her brother, and she understood that he didnt know what Wicca was really about. But hed hurt her, both by mocking her involvement in witchcraft and by acting as if he was older and wiser than she was and therefore knew what was best for her.
She caught the bus going downtown and arrived at Crones Circle well before the start of cla.s.s. She walked in and was surprised and delighted to see Tyler there. When he saw her come in, he walked over to her.
What are you doing here? he asked.
Its nice to see you, too, said Kate, taken aback by his tone of voice.
Thats not what I mean, said Tyler. I meant cla.s.s doesnt start for another hour.
Were you timing your visit so you would miss me or something? joked Kate.
Tyler laughed. Why would I do that? he asked. I just came to bring Sophia something from my mother.
Then fate brought us together, Kate said. Although who knew fate looked like my big, stupid bear of a brother?
Your brother? Tyler said. What does he have to do with anything?
Kate sighed. I was trying to enlist his help in loosening my parents up about us, she explained. I thought with him here for the holiday and all we could get my parents to change their minds about our seeing one another.
I see, Tyler said. And he didnt like this idea?
Kate shook her head. He wasnt wild about it, she said. So I left and came here. I needed to be *
around people who actually know something about Wicca. Im tired of being the only pagan in the family. She smiled. Plus, I got to see you.
She leaned up and kissed Tyler. When she pulled away she looked at him curiously. Is something wrong? she asked.
No, Tyler said. Why?
Because you seemed about as excited by that kiss as you would be if Simeon kissed you, said Kate, nodding at the big gray cat who was the mascot of Crones Circle and who was sleeping on the counter behind them.
Im very excited about seeing you, Tyler said.
Okay, said Kate doubtfully.
But I have to go, continued Tyler. Im late. Im sorry.
Kate groaned. Our weekly ten minutes and youre cutting it short by five, she remarked.
Im really sorry, Tyler told her. But my mother is expecting me home. Well talk soon, okay?
Yeah, Kate said. Ill write you letters and have Annie smuggle them to you.
Ive really got to go now, Tyler said. He picked up a bag that was sitting on the counter and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Bye.
He left the store, walking quickly. Kate, watching him go, said, Bye. I love you. But the door had already shut and Tyler was gone.
Aaaaahhhhhh, Kate said. This sucks!
Bad day? asked Sophia, appearing from the rear of the store. She was carrying a small box, which she set on the counter and opened with a small knife.
That would be one way to describe it, answered Kate.
Sophia pulled some packing paper out of the box, then reached in and pulled out some decks of Tarot cards. Anything I can do to help? she asked.
Not unless you have a spell for making my brother less pigheaded, Kate told her.
Cant help you there, said Sophia, removing more cards. But how about a spell for working out problems?
Does it work? asked Kate.
You know better than to ask me that, Sophia said. It works if you put the right energy into it. She reached into a drawer beneath the counter and pulled out a length of string. She held it up. This is your problem, she said.
And what do I do with it? Kate asked.
Cast your circle, Sophia explained. Sit in it and do your favorite energy-raising activity. When youre feeling all charged up, hold the string in your hands.
Sophia stretched the string between her two hands. Think about the things that are bothering you, she said, bringing the ends together. For each one, tie a knot in the string. When youve got all your problems tied up, hold the string in your hands and feel the energy filling it.
She tied several knots in the string and held it up. Now for the good part. When you feel ready, untie the knots you made and imagine all of the energy being released. That energy is the energy youre wasting right now by worrying about those problems. When you untie the knot youre freeing that energy for other purposes. Youre undoing the problem and letting the universe handle it for you.
She untied the knots as she spoke. When she was done she wiggled the string at Kate. Theres knot -thing to it, she said.
Kate groaned. Stick with the magic, she said. Comedy is definitely knot your thing.
Try it, said Sophia.
I will, Kate told her. Although Im going to have some pretty big knots. She thought about the things she was having trouble with. Her parents. Kyle. And now Tyler. He wasnt a problem, really, but he was definitely acting strangely.
How was the ritual over at Botanica Yemaya the other night? asked Sophia.
Intense, Kate replied. One of the orishas talked to me.
Ive heard about that happening, said Sophia.
Youve never been to one of those things? Kate asked, surprised. Shed a.s.sumed that Sophia would know about all things pagan.
They almost never invite outsiders, said Sophia. You were very lucky. What did the orisha say to you?
He said that I was one of his children, Kate said. And he blew smoke in my face. It was sort of weird. I mean, Im not even Santerian.
Youre not Asatru or Native American or Mayan, either, Sophia said. But youve worked with deities from all of those cultures. Wicca doesnt have any one G.o.d or G.o.ddess who belongs only to us.
We draw from many different traditions"sharing them, if you will. Theres no reason why this orisha wouldnt come to you.
But what am I supposed to do about it? Kate asked.
Talk to Evelyn, said Sophia. She can tell you better than I can. Im sure shed be happy to see you again.
The bell over the door tinkled and Kate turned to see Cooper and Annie coming in. She waved at her *
friends. Hey, she said. I got here early. You guys missed Tyler.
Oh, said Annie.
Look, Cooper said. New Tarot cards!
She and Annie began to look through the new decks, inspecting them with great interest. Kate watched them for a moment. Why are they acting all weird, too? she wondered. First Tyler and now Annie and Cooper. They were all acting strangely. It must be the holidays, she told herself. They always stress people out.
Annie caught her eye and gave her a big smile. Kate smiled back. If this keeps up, she thought, by Christmas well all be totally nuts.
CHAPTER 11.
How are the potatoes?
Cooper poked at the pile on her plate, spearing a lump. She picked it up and examined it, then put it down. Theyre good, she said.
I got the recipe out of Martha Stewart Living , said her mother.
The dressing is good, too, Mr. Rivers told her.
There are oysters in it, explained Coopers mother.
The three of them settled into a morose silence as they ate. As Cooper chewed on a bite of squash she stared at the platter of turkey sitting in the center of the table. Her father had carved the bird up and it sat there in pieces, the two legs on either side of a mound of bits and pieces that used to be its body.
Thinking of having to eat it, Cooper was glad that she had declared herself a vegetarian years before.
Not that these vegetables are much better, she thought grimly. She might have gotten the recipe from Martha Stewart Living, but they taste more like something out of Arts & Crafts Monthlys Fun with Paste! issue.
Thanksgiving wasnt until the next day, but Mrs. Rivers had decided to hold the event the night before because Mr. Rivers was going out of town on business. Shed also, in a move that had completely shocked both Cooper and her father, decided to cook the dinner herself. Since her mother was known more for how well she ordered in than how well she worked a stove, Cooper had been doubtful about her ability to pull a complete Thanksgiving spread off. And shed been right. While the food was edible, it wasnt particularly good. Mrs. Rivers was attempting to make the best of it, but Cooper could tell that her mothers false enthusiasm was failing.
More green beans, anyone? Mrs. Rivers asked.
Not for me, Mr. Rivers answered, pulling what looked like a twig out of his mouth and laying it on his plate. But the cranberry sauce is great.
It came out of a can, Mrs. Rivers said dully.
Coopers father looked at her and raised his eyebrows helplessly. Cooper knew that he wanted her a.s.sistance in trying to salvage what they could of the tense get-together.
You did a great job, Mom, she said brightly.
Mrs. Rivers looked at her. No, she said. I didnt. We all know it, so you two dont have to pretend just to spare my feelings. Im a big girl. I can take it.
It doesnt matter, Janet, Mr. Rivers said.