Free Red Witch: Book Two of the Wizard Born Series by Geof Johnson Page B

said, “but my two best friends have always been boys — Jamie and Rollie.”
    “Those are two good friends to have.” Melanie surveyed Fred’s room, a shrine to all things Fred. The colors were red, pink, and white. A couple of posters of women tap dancers were on the wall and there were little figurines scattered among the books on the shelves. One beside the bed caught Melanie’s eye. “That’s pretty.”
    Fred picked up the small glass sculpture and showed it to Melanie. “Jamie gave me this a few years ago. We call it the Dream Fairy. I kiss it every night before I go to sleep.”
    “I bet you’re sending him kisses.”
    “I am! Good guess.” Now I send him dreams. Strange.
    “I love this.” Melanie put her hand on one of the posts of the canopy bed. Stuffed animals were neatly arranged on the red satin comforter and the white bed skirt was trimmed with lace to match the canopy. She looked around the room and her gaze settled on Fred’s dresser. She walked to it and leaned closer to inspect some photos tucked into the mirror frame. “Is this you?”
    Fred joined her and said, “That’s me, Jamie, and Rollie when we were about ten or so. It was after one of our shows.”
    “You tap dance, right?”
    “Yeah. You can see Rollie’s ventriloquist’s dummy — he calls it Rufus — and Jamie’s got his magic wand in hand.”
    Melanie looked closely. “Y’all look so cute. I’ve never seen one of your shows before. Do you have any coming up?”
    “The Talent Search is next Saturday, but it’s in Asheville.”
    “I’ll come.” Melanie nodded emphatically. “I’ll make Michael drive so I don’t have to take my clunker.”
    Fred regarded Melanie’s earnest face . She really is a nice person. Wish I’d figured that out sooner. “Hey, um, you’re taking Latin 2 this semester, aren’t you? Do you want to study together for the test?”
    “The one on Monday? Sure. When?”
    “Why don’t you come over late Sunday afternoon and we can study for a while and you can stay for dinner.”
    “You sure that’ll be okay with your mom?”
    “No problem.”
    * * *
    “Fred, are you kidding?” Lisa said, eyebrows lowered in a look of total disbelief. “Melanie? The Melanie? Melanie who kissed Jamie? Your mortal enemy Melanie?”
    “She’s not that bad, Mom. In fact, she’s kinda nice, and she’s really smart, so she’ll be a big help as a study partner. Is it okay if she stays for dinner?”
    “Of course, but it seems so strange. Just over a month ago you were ready to strangle her.”
    “Yeah, well I got over it.”
    “I never knew you to be so forgiving.”
    “I’m maturing Mom. Get used to it.”
    * * *
    The road workout that day was the hardest Jamie had ever attempted, and when they finished, he felt like he’d been drained completely dry, a washcloth that someone had twisted and squeezed until every last drop had fallen into the sink. It seemed to take a toll on Bryce, too, because he was limping on the way to the locker room.
    “You okay?” Jamie asked as he trudged beside him.
    Bryce grimaced with every other step. “Yeah, just a little case of the shin splints, that’s all. Probably time to buy some new running shoes.”
    * * *
    Jamie heard Fred’s voice in his head. “Jamie, are you asleep?”
    “Huh?” I must be , he realized. “I think so. How are you talking to me? We’re not on the couch.” A moment later, he found himself lying on his back with his head in Fred’s lap, only they were in a meadow somewhere. The sunlight was warm and soft. Flowers and tall grasses swayed in the gentle breeze and a butterfly fluttered nearby.
    “How’s that?” Fred said.
    “How did you do that?”
    “I don’t know. I just thought about it and…I’m not sure.” She giggled. “It’s wonderful, though, isn’t it?”
    “Yes.” He watched the butterfly light on his knee, folding and unfolding its wings as if it were waving a silent hello. “How did you send your thoughts to