“I’m calling in reinforcements.” I push the last digit in James’s phone number. “We will be stronger with more witches to cast and protect.” Luna nods, a meek smile attempting to curl across her lips.
James’s dad answers the phone.
“It’s late on a school night,” he says. “Make this call short.”
“Yes, sir,” I say and I’m left to hold while he retrieves James.
“Hey,” James says, picking up the line. “What’s up?”
“Luna and I could use your and Jeanna’s help tomorrow after school. Do you think you could be here by five o’clock?”
“What’s happening?” his voice rises.
“We’re going to go save Luna’s dad.” I glance at Luna. Her eyes are wide and her muscles, frozen.
“But, how? Where? I haven’t yet gotten any solid information from John regarding the green car used to transport Luna’s dad,” he says.
“Your brother isn’t our only source, and we think the info we just received is dependable.” I give Luna a look, inferring I’d like to give James more information, and she nods, giving me the go ahead. “Luna’s uncle says he’s partly to blame for the situation. His guilt led him to investigate through his sources, and he says he now knows where to find Mr. Flores.”
“Okay. We have a location,” he says. “So, we’re doing this tomorrow then?”
“That’s the plan.” I fill him in on the few details I know, and we agree to meet tomorrow. I then repeat the process with Jeanna.
After ending the call with Jeanna, Luna and I stand in the dark dinette with the phone between us.
My head is buzzing and my stomach, churning. Are we really going to kidnap one of the bokor’s zombies out from under his sharp nose? Yes. Yes, we are. And we’ll succeed.
Because… we can do this. We can do anything we set our minds and hearts upon. With our desire and support system, nothing will hold us back.
We’ve totally got this, I tell myself.
We go to bed with wavering confidence, and it fills our night with disjointed sleep and uncomfortable dreams.
Come Friday morning, as I stand at the window, watching the swirl of fog outside, trying to envision what adventures await, I listen to Luna’s conversation taking place behind me.
She leans against the wall, separating the kitchen and dining area, talking on the phone to the hospital.
Today is the day. Release day. And a part of me selfishly wishes Luna’s mom would require a longer hospital visit. I’m not ready for Luna to leave the comfort of my grandma’s home… or my company.
Today is also rescue-Luna’s-dad day.
Picking up her mom, rescuing her dad; the two important events lead to a rather conflicted schedule. How will Luna save her dad if she is dutifully collecting and caring for her mom?
The hour is still early, and the weather blooms within me the desire to fall back onto the sofa and sleep longer. Prolong this day as much as possible. But Luna wants to be prepared, and I can’t say I blame her.
“They can’t give me a time yet,” Luna says, hanging up the phone. I spin away from the window and turn to face her. “It depends on the doctor. He needs to discharge her. Sign the paperwork or some such stuff, and he’s not currently on duty. They don’t even know when he’ll be there or if he’ll be there.” She drops into one of the dining chairs. “There’s a chance it might not even happen today.”
I take the seat at her side. “If she doesn’t get released today, would that be so bad?” Her face falls and her muscles slacken. “It would make the schedule a heck of a lot easier on you.”
“True.” With a slight nod of the head, she manages to tug a meager smile across her lips.
“Welp.” I slap the table and stand. “Now, it’s my turn at the phone. Need to wrangle my brother’s support for tonight’s mission.” He’d been less than certain when I’d asked for his promised support on Tuesday.
Good luck, Luna mouths.
I call the school, wishing Michael had his own phone. Not that anyone in my family has money for one of those cell phones that some people have. Maybe at least a pager, like Phillip has for work
The communal school line is answered, and I ask for my brother.
“Michael can’t come to the phone,” a guy says. “He’s indisposed.”
In other words, he’s in the shower or on the pot.
“It’s extremely important I talk to him,” I press.
“Leave a message, or call back later,” the guy on the other end deadpans.
“If I leave a message, can you promise me, he’ll get it as soon as possible?” I chew on the inside of my lip and wonder about the message system at Michael’s curious school
“All I can do is tack the message to his door and hope for the best.”
“That doesn’t sound super promising.” I sigh. But then, what choice do I have? “Okay. Write the message exactly as I give it to you,” I say. “In dire need. A must mission. Meet me at the house by three thirty, unless you’re okay with me maybe dying tonight.”
“Got it.”
“Please see that he gets that message as soon as he’s no longer indisposed.” I glance at Luna. A semi-supportive smile pulls into place across her features.
“We do our best. Good luck to you.” The line disconnects.
“That was some message you left,” Luna says, pushing to a stand.
“It was, wasn’t it? I’m fairly confident we’ll see him semi soon. Once he sees the letter, of course. I’m guessing he doesn’t want me to die trying to do something he’d likely deem reckless.”
Only, three thirty arrives, as do James and Jeanna, but there is no big brother Michael in sight. The four of us are dressed in dark, cold-weather attire and wearing shoes with tread. I am also sporting my multi-pocketed apron Luna made me, and I have it fully stocked with magickal herbs. I even included a few crystals. James brought small
