July (The Year of The Change Book 1) (27 page)

“
Now, how’d you come up with that?
” Whatever he was seeing, I sure wasn't.

“
Look at how perfect her teeth are.
”

She opened her mouth to stuff two cookies in. Sure enough, her teeth were flawless.

“
She probably has lots of money.
”

“
Nope, not with those shoes.
”

Her shoes were cheap and worn down. How’d he notice these things?

“
And the outfit might be new, but it's cheap, too. I would say she saved for a long time to take this trip.
”

“
How do you know?
” My stomach complained as the woman took yet another cookie.

“
I spend a lot of time observing, I know these things. She's a working stiff … who works in a dental office.
”

My stomach sounded off again.

“
Boy, that was loud.
” Drew cocked an eyebrow.

I didn't know whether to believe him about the woman, so I just shook my head. The start of a headache made itself known and I rubbed my temples. I needed to eat soon.

The line of affected guys gathered around us. They even had the plump woman with the romance novel peeking over her sunglasses.

“
Okay, you made your guess, how about if we move along?
”

“
Okay, let's go see what the ranger is doing.
”

“
I completely forgot about that. Do you think he's still talking?
” If he wasn't, I was in big trouble.

“
I don't know. Watches don't work in Phase, so I quit wearing one
.”

I tugged him faster and he sneered at me.
“If we're going, let's do it. I have to get back to my cabin soon, I really am hungry.”

“Yeah, I'd forgotten how Phase Walking can work up an appetite for newbies.”
His lips pulled wider. His sneer was getting on my nerves. Now, he tells me about getting hungry.

We rounded a corner to the front of the boat where Ranger Bob was holding up a huge bear claw. I was safe for the moment. That is, if my family was still here. To my relief, Dad and the twins sat up front sharing a chaise lounge like a toboggan. I leaned against the rail for support. It was an odd feeling, knowing I wasn’t actually touching the rail, but held up all the same.

“
Come on, I want to see that bear claw.
”

Drew jerked me off the rail and dragged me away. He came to a halt in front of the ranger. It was creepy, being in the way, even if I wasn’t. Drew wouldn't let me wrap his arm behind his back so I was forced to stand almost nose to nose with the fifty-something man with dark, graying hair and beard. He seemed nice by the way he smiled and it was interesting to see his eyes light up as he told about the giant Alaskan grizzlies. Not this close, though.

The worse part about it was how hungry I’d become. Weakness seeped in. With my stomach sniffing around I could smell the ranger’s breathe. He smelled faintly of peppermint and cheeseburger. If I was still in Phase, should I be able to smell things? Am I in Phase? No one seemed to notice me. Drew was fully engrossed in the bear claw. It took shaking his arm to get his attention.

“
Drew, I can smell his breath
.” There had to be something wrong.

He shrugged me off. “
Yeah, I can too
.”

“S
hould we be able to? I mean … if we can’t touch wouldn’t it be the same for smell?”

“
Nah, once it leaves their body it’s no longer solid so we can interact with it … I think
.” He turned back to the claw. “
It’s like the sea air
.”

“
That’s right, I can smell the ocean. I hadn’t thought of that
.”

About the time the ranger put the bear claw down and picked up the moose paddle, the affected guys caught up with us. They gathered around the ranger, where we stood. The ranger didn’t quite know what to think of the invasion.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Dad sit up and look around. Tim and Tam pointed even as Dad shushed them. My father would know all the weird signs, and could guess I was around, even if no one else knew what was going on.

“
Drew, I'd better get back, now!
”

“
Why?
”

I motioned over my shoulder where Dad craned his neck, no doubt looking for me.

“
Oh, okay.
” He frowned and dropped his shoulders.

We walked back slowly, as I was unable to get him to move any faster. He sure could be frustrating when he wanted to be. We barely made it to my door before we heard the affected guys around the corner from my hall.

“
Thank you, Drew, for taking me outside. It was great.
”

He looked at the floor. “
You're welcome.
” He brought my hand up and kissed it, looking into my eyes. “
I'll take you anywhere, anytime.
”

I smiled. What he offered was very tempting. To tell the truth he was getting on my nerves. “
Thank you, but I can't.
”

“
Why?
” He was angry again. The mood shifts were getting old.

“
I have to get through this year before I can make any plans to go anywhere.
”

“
You keep saying that. What is so special about this year?
”

“
I have a …
” This was difficult. “
...a family ailment that has to run its course. Until then, I have to stick close to my family.
”

The affected guys were at the corner and peeked around.

“
I have to go.
” I pulled out the room key. “
Thank you again.
”

I kissed his cheek and let go of his hand, pulling mine from his grasp. I shoved the key into the lock and scooted in before any of the guys could zero in on me. It took only a couple of seconds to lock and bolt the door and smooth down the tape.

Drew yelled at the guys. “Get out of here, all of you!! Leave her alone!” The confused voices got further away. Drew must’ve scared them off. “And don't come back!” Man, he was angry.

I sure hoped Drew disappeared before my dad showed up.

It was at that moment my stomach flipped. Sue. With great care to appear nonchalant, I looked over my shoulder. I expected to see my stepmother sitting with her arms crossed over her chest and her jaw clenched, waiting to pounce. Instead, she was burrowed under the covers. The only sign she was still alive was the slight, steady rise and fall of the blankets.

I’d made it! I walked all over the ship, felt the sunshine and breeze on my face, and didn't have one marriage proposal. YESSSSS!

My stomach rumbled. Boy, was I hungry! Digging into the food basket, I devoured two bags of something before I even looked to see what it had been. Ah, cookies and chips. Then, two apples and an orange disappeared with only the seeds left behind. I was still hungry and dinner wasn't for another hour.

A box of crackers, and another bag of cookies later, I heard Dad's key in the lock. I rushed over to pull up the tape as guilt rushed in and thunked me on the conscience. What was I feeling guilty about? No one saw me. There wasn't a riot. No harm done. My slight headache now throbbed. The door flung open and hit me in the shoulder.

“OW!” The pain shot through my arm.

Tim and Tam rushed in with Dad bringing up the rear. I avoided looking at him for fear he could read the guilt on my face.

Tam threw her coat on her bed. “Sylv, you won't believe what we saw. There was a bunch of guys at the ranger program that acted like guys who are affected.” She talked way too loud and I rubbed my forehead.

Tim butted in. “The cool part was the ranger had a huge grizzly bear claw!” He dropped his coat on the floor as he held up his small hand like a claw and growled.

I suppose I’ll have to pick that up.

Tam shoved him. “Hey, I was talking first!”

“Who cares about the stupid guys?” Tim stepped over his coat as he walked to me.

“Dad, Tim interrupted me.” There was that whiney pout again.

Tim ignored his sister. “Sylv, he had a rack of Elk antlers that was bigger than Tam!”

“I was talking first! Tim, shut up!” Tam stepped over Tim’s coat and shoved her brother.

“No, you shut up!” Tim shoved her back.

My head exploded and everything in my vision took on a pinkish hue.

“Both of you, SHUT UP!!” If I’d yelled any louder my head would’ve blown off, which might’ve been a relief.

The room went perfectly quiet. The pain rippled through my head causing me to wobble.

“Whoa,” Tim breathed from behind Dad where he’d scrambled after my outburst.

“Sylvia?” Dad's voice sounded concerned. I refused to look at him.

The covers flew off Sue and she sat up, her eyes barely open. “Whass goin' on?” She slurred.

Dad waved his hand at her. “Go back to sleep, Sue.”

I felt for my bed, I needed to lie down.

“Sylv, what's the matter?”

I shrugged. Flat, I must lay flat.

“Sylvia Anne, talk to me.”

There it was. That authoritarian tone of voice that always scared me. This time I wasn't scared, I was … mad?

“Or what,
Dad
?” I turned slowly to face him, my eyes mostly shuttered to the blaring light. He took a step back. “Or you'll do what?” I straightened to my full height and clenched both fists in front of me. “Are you planning on hitting me?” I raised my fists daring him to try. I wanted him to try. He would probably get in a few good hits. As sure as the sun would rise, I was going to get in a few good hits of my own.

“You're too old for a spanking.” His brows were knit together as he studied me.

“Well, it's about time you realized that!”

Sue was still awake, sort of. “Shouldn't talk … dad … like that.”

“Shut up, Sue!” I wasn't taking any of her asinine lectures.

Tam climbed into bed with her mother and patted her shoulder. Sue just sat there with her mouth open. The ache in my head worsened.

“Sylvia, what's the matter with you?” Dad’s whispered voice was stern.

“What's the matter with me? I stand up for myself and there's something wrong with me? Maybe I'm not the one who has the problem!”

“Sylvia, calm down.” His voice was soft now and that irritated me even more. He reached out.

I slapped his hand away. “Don't touch me!” My fists were balled tight in case he tried that again.

“Sylvia?” Sue slurred. “Treat, no, Dad.” Her eyes rolled up.

Dad edged toward the bed, Tim staying behind him. “Shhh, Sue!”

Her head rolled on her shoulders and she fell forward.

Dad turned his attention back to me. “Sylv, it's obvious you've been cooped up in here too long. I promise when we get to Talkeetna you won't have to stay inside. The area isn't heavily populated and we have a big backyard. It'll be better, I promise.”

“Yeah, sure, as if your promises are dependable.”

I could barely see through my quivering vision as Dad put his palms up to me. “What can I do, Sylv?”

My stomach growled putting in its two cents worth. I clutched it, wishing it would go away and leave me alone, wishing everyone would go away and leave me alone. “I'm hungry, again.”

“Get the food basket.” Dad nudged Tim.

Tim sucked in a gasp and looked up at Dad shaking his head. Dad huffed and walked over to the table with Tim glued to his side. He picked up the mostly empty basket and held it out to me at arm’s length. Not even he wanted to get any closer. I snatched it and headed for my bunk.

“As soon as you're calm, the twins and I will go get dinner.”

“I AM CALM!” Yanking the lid up, I plopped on my bed. My head pounded. I was too hungry to pay attention to it.

“Right, then I'll give you some time before we go.”

It didn't matter what they did as long as there was food to appease my stomach. I tore into an apple and a box of crackers. Tucking my legs up beside me, I closed the curtains and ate until my stomach was quiet. I swallowed the last of the licorice and shoved the basket away.

Now that my stomach was sleeping, my head moved into center stage with a drum solo. Laying down, I closed my eyes and covered my head, wishing someone would bring me a bottle of aspirin. I was so tired. The throbbing held strong, so I gave up on sleep and sat up.

Aspirin, I need aspirin.

With the scrap of curtain, Tim leapt from the floor. Leaving the comic book, he rushed over to Dad. They stared at me as I stumbled to the vanity and dug through Sue's toiletry bag, another virgin territory, for pain reliever.