Free Red is for Remembrance by Laurie Faria Stolarz Page A

even know about magic?
    He presses his eyes shut, concentrating on the pieces of paper, pressing them into his palms to feel the grains. And then he remembers something else from his dream, something on Lily's neck. It was a mole or beauty mark of some sort in the shape of an X.
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Shell
    Several of the campers-- including Shell, Brick, Lily, Clay, and Daisy-- pile into the back seat of the camp car, while Mason and Rain take the front. Mason is driving. They're headed to the trading field. Every month or so, like-minded peace groups come together to trade their food, wares, and services. It's like a giant flea market except there's no money involved, since money is considered to be one of
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    man's greatest sins-- the source of greed, only to be used when absolutely necessary
    "That was quite a night we all had," Lily giggles, looking over at Shell.
    Shell smiles slightly, catching the attention of Clay, and looks away.
    "It was a great night," Clay clarifies. "Quick, easy . . . we all came together as a group."
    "Let's not forget Shell," Lily chirps.
    "Of course," Clay agrees. "Shell showed bravery and openness. We should all be as courageous."
    "Indeed," Mason says, nodding to Shell in the rearview mirror. "I heard all about the night's success."
    Lily giggles again, causing Mason's brow to rumple in confusion. Shell glances at her, wondering about his dream, if beneath her knitted scarf there really is a mark on her neck in the form of an X.
    He, too, is wearing a scarf. Underneath his coat, Shell wears the wool scarf Lily made him take last night. He smiles at her, wondering if she can sense that he wears it, but then wondering why she would.
    "Will you be trading the platinum necklace?" Brick asks Clay. "I can't imagine what someone would give for it."
    "What necklace?" Clay asks.
    "The platinum heart one from last night," Brick explains. "The one in the velvet case ... in the woman's jewelry box."
    "I didn't take it," Clay says. "It had the woman's initials engraved on the charm-- much harder to trade that way ... I also thought it might be sentimental."
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    Mason watches Clay from the rearview mirror, taking everything in. A good decision," he says, finally, reaching across the seat to clasp Rain's hand. "Taking without first considering the sentimental value an object has to its owner is defeating the purpose of what we're trying to do."
    "Which is giving people the opportunity to give," Daisy chimes in. She rests her head on Brick's shoulder, her orangy corkscrew ringlets hanging slightly in her face.
    "Very good," Mason tells her.
    They drive the rest of the way in silence, Shell feeling quite relieved that he didn't take the pocket watch from the old couple's place, since it too is undoubtedly sentimental. But he's still not completely clear on the camp's whole taking philosophy What gives them the right to decide the worth of somebody else's possessions? It just doesn't make sense to him.
    He lets out a sigh and looks out the window as they pass by the Bargo Tower. They enter a town called Dalmouth, which already seems more up-and-coming than Brutus. Shell continues to take note of his surroundings. There's a windmill in the center of Dalmouth, as well as a strip of shops-- Beach Blanket Bagel; Cape Chowdah; Fricken Frappe, an ice cream place; and Tidewater Treats, a candy store. The streets are all paved with brick instead of asphalt. The town's quaintness leaves him with a nostalgic feeling, like maybe he's been here before.
    They drive for several more minutes, well past the center, where it's starting to look more vacant.
    There's a long stretch of open fields on both sides of them-- conservation 91
    land, maybe. They turn down a few more streets, finally reaching the trading field, which is almost filled up.
     
    There are four long rows of traders. They've spread cardboard and blankets over the frozen ground to display their trinkets and announce their services.
    Shell and the campers work on setting up