Free Wings of Boden by Erik S Lehman Page B

pool. Someone had filled my tea glass for me so I snatched
it up for a long swallow … Then wiped my mouth with the back of my
hand and swept my gaze around. How long was I out?
    Calm energy filled the yard. Flower-scented
air hung still. Bub lay in the shade of the hedges on the opposite
side of the pool. Even the birds seemed to have lowered the volume
of their chirping. On the flagstone patio at the house, a table
umbrella sheltered the boys as male laughter echoed across the
yard. I angled out of my chair, padded to the pool. With the slant
of the late afternoon sunrays, the water looked flat, no sparkles,
just gentle waves lapping the blue-tiled edges, and the fountain
hissing out a spray. Mom stood waste deep on the far side, her back
to me while she talked and giggled with Angie.
    “Mom,” I said. She didn’t hear me. “Mom!”
    She turned. “Yes, what is it?” She sipped
some water off her lip.
    “I need to talk to you.”
    Her look went to mother mode. She dashed
across the surface of the water, pulled herself up the ladder with
a splash onto the concrete, and guided me back to the chairs. She
draped a towel around her shoulders. We sat facing each other while
she studied me, worried eyes searching under water-clumped
lashes.
    “Honey,” she said in a hushed tone, “did you
have a—”
    “Yeah, but it’s okay. I’m not scared
anymore.”
    She started to lean in for a hug but I
stiff-arm stopped her. “Mom, don’t. Just listen”—a surprised, hurt
look withered her face—“I’m sorry. I just need you to listen for a
second.”
    As she nodded a slow frown, it dawned on me
that that was the first time I had ever stopped her from hugging
me. I’d injured her heart, and it showed. A twinge of guilt lumped
in my throat, but I’d deal with it later. I got to my feet.
    “I want everyone to hear this. Can you please
come up to the house?”
    “Okay, honey.”
    Angie’s eyes were already on us while she
moved across the pool floor toward the ladder, pushing her legs
through the water. I padded over with a towel, waited for her. She
pulled up the ladder, took the towel, went through all the motions
of drying off while I asked her, “Can you come up to the house,
please? I have something to say to all of you.”
    She didn’t argue, just nodded a look and
toweled her hair.
    The flagstone patio surface was cold
underfoot, and my skin chilled in the late afternoon air. Over by
the multiple-paned french doors of the house, Bub had his face
buried in a large potted plant, snuffing at the dirt. The boys were
lost in small talk, sitting around a table that held a bowl of
chips and glasses of iced tea. Mom stood behind Dad, appearing
concerned, her arms folded over her chest while she gazed at me. I
stood back, waiting. Angie was kneading a shoulder rub into
Jaydenn. Until she leaned over him, reached to the table, grabbed
his glass and took a long drink. I waited. The boys were still
jabbering. I waited long enough.
    Adding some stern to my voice, “Can you boy’s
listen up for a second, please?”
    They caught the tone. Dad dropped his brows
at me, waved a flying bug away from his face.
    “I want all of you to know. I don’t want any
more sweet innocent Ellie talk. I’m grown now. My name is Elle. Do
you hear me?”
    Dad cleared his throat, grumbled, “Okay.
Elle. What’s with all the drama?”
    “Dad”—I cast a glare—“I’m not finished, so
please save your comments for the closing credits.”
    “Now listen , young lady, don’t—” Dad
started to say.
    Mom silenced him with a hip bump and a click
of her tongue.
    “My name is, Elle, understand? I’m an adult
now, and it’s time you all treat me like one. I may have
nightmares. I’ll deal with them. I already had one back by the pool
and I’ve come to a decision. I’m not afraid anymore, so I’ve
decided I’m going to fight the hunters with you. The little angels
need my help. And another thing, just so you know, I, am going