Witch Ball - BK 3 (18 page)

"If anyone can, it's you."

"Can't hurt to try. Although I didn't tell him
how I'd look-that's not something I want getting
around. Besides, I can't guarantee it'll work."

I wished her luck, then we hung up.

I probably should have let Nona know Thorn
was delayed, but I didn't. My grandmother was busy
in her office, and I saw no reason to disturb her. Besides, the day was already half over and nothing had
happened. This confirmed my theory that since the
witch ball was locked away, I was safe.

Finding quiet time alone, I wasn't sure what to
do. TV was boring and I couldn't concentrate on
computer games. I wandered into my room and
pulled out my craft bag, deciding to start a new
project. Sorting through my supplies, I pulled out
a skein of variegated orange-red yarn perfect for
knitting Nona a scarf She appreciated homemade
gifts, unlike my mom. After finding a pair of slippers I'd crocheted for Mom in the Goodwill box, I
never made her anything again.

Mom was like a burr that stuck to me, and
hard to shake off. Sitting on my bed, I stared out
the window, wondering how I could love my mom
even though she drove me crazy. Emotions were
complicated, I guess. Like how Jill felt about her fa ther. She still suffered because of him, even though
he was dead. I think she wanted to hate him, and
he definitely deserved it, but she loved him, too.
My sisters were dealing with love-hate issues, too.
The twin bond that united them now seemed to be
ripping them apart. Love and hate were opposites,
yet the same.

How was I supposed to know about my own
feelings? Dominic continued to confuse me,
shifting from dark to light moods. I was intrigued
by him, yet frustrated, too. I couldn't exactly call
him a friend, so what kind of relationship did we
have? And what about Josh? Did we still have a
relationship?

If only I'd gone to school this morning. Here I
was, ready to be totally honest with him, and I lost
my chance because of a stupid prediction. That
damn witch ball! Nona was right about it causing
trouble. That's all it had done since I brought it
home. I wanted to go to the shed right now and
smash it, destroy it so completely it could never hurt
anyone again. But was that even possible? What
would happen if I destroyed the ball? Would Hortense seek revenge on me?

My thoughts chased themselves in a dizzy circle. I just wanted to shut off everything. I unraveled
some orange-red yarn and reached for my knitting
needles. I was on my third row-when the phone
rang.

Dropping needles and yarn, I grabbed it quickly
so it wouldn't disturb Nona.

"Sabine, have you seen her?" It was my mother
and she sounded panicked.

"Seen who?"

"Amy. She's-" Mom broke off with a sob.
"She's run away."

Sometime after Mom dropped my sisters off at
school, Amy had left. Classmates didn't remember
seeing her. Her teacher assumed she was absent. Apparently last night Amy and Ashley had a "minor
disagreement" (as Mom put it), and weren't speaking. They had different schedules, so she figured
Amy was avoiding her.

I told Mom I hadn't heard anything and promised to let her know if I did.

My first impulse was to rush downstairs and
tell Nona. But was that really a good idea? Nona
had been so shaken by getting lost, and this could
trigger another episode. There wasn't much to tell
anyway. Amy would show up soon and then all the
worry would be for nothing.

Where would Amy hide out? I wondered. She
loved books, so maybe a bookstore or library. I could
easily imagine her huddled between tall shelves, concealed in a public place. Or she might have gone
to a museum or the mall. Also, I tried to think of
friends who might have heard from Amy. She mentioned a girl named Vanessa in a recent email.

Email!

I jumped up, startled by memory. I had heard
from Amy last night. She tried to call only I hadn't
been home, and she'd left a message. She'd told me
to check my email, only I'd been thinking about
Josh and had completely forgotten.

It took only a few minutes to power up my
computer, connect online, and start scrolling
through my messages. When I found the one from
Amy, I clicked on it.

Hey Fave Sis,

U won't believe what Ashley did! Totally hateful!
I REFUSE TO LIVE WITH HER!!
So I'm moving 2 live with U. I got enough $$ for a
bus ticket to Lodi. Can U pick me up? Email ASAP!
C U tomorrow. Luv Amy

I read the message one more time, blaming myself for not checking my email sooner. She'd sent
this last night and could already be at the bus station, waiting for me. I was a terrible sister! She was
so young and vulnerable. If anything bad happened
to her, it would be my fault.

I had to get to her fast!

Grabbing my purse, which contained a spare
set of keys to Nonas car, I raced out of my room
and down the stairs. I glanced at Nona's shut office
door, tempted to confide in her. But then she'd
worry and that might trigger another memory lapse.
I couldn't risk her health. It would be much better
to bring Amy home, then we'd explain everything to
Nona. If I told Nona now, she'd want to drive to the
bus station herself and make me stay home. After
her driving experience this morning, that was not a
good idea.

After leaving a note explaining where I was, I
quietly left the house.

As I turned the engine of Nonas car I heard a
crunch of gravel. Before I could move, someone
jerked open my car door. Dominic stood there,
scowling, his arms folded across his chest.

"Where do you think you're going?" he demanded.

His attitude pissed me off, and I snapped,
"None of your business."

"Keeping you alive is my business."

"I'm fine, but my sister might not be."

"Amy?" he guessed, his tone softening.

I nodded. "I have to go look for her at the bus
station."

"Forget it." He kept a firm grip on the door.
"You're not going anywhere."

"But Amy needs me!" I exclaimed, then quickly
told him about Mom's call and Amy's email. "She's
only ten and traveling alone. Don't try to stop me."

"Okay-I won't," he said in a surprisingly
agreeable tone.

"Thank you," I said in relief.

"But I'm driving-and you'd better call your
mother."

I pursed my lips, knowing arguing would only
waste time. So I shot him a furious glare, then agreed. I followed him to his truck, climbed inside,
and pulled out my cell phone. I did not want to talk
to Mom, but I did it anyway. And when I heard the
tearful relief in her voice, I was glad I called.

Dominic and I didn't say much on the way to
Lodi. I resented how he'd pushed me around, yet was
thankful for his support. I'd never been to the bus
station, but knew where it was because it was close to
my favorite movie theatre. Fortunately, Dominic
knew the way. The parking lot was full, but we
snagged a close spot as another car was leaving.

Before Dominic shut off the engine, I was out
of my seat belt and racing toward the station. A
large family sat outside on a bench, luggage towering as tall as the little kids, and some guys in uniforms with military haircuts leaned against a wall.
I rushed past them and entered the building.

But there was no sign of Amy, and when I
checked the schedule I discovered her bus wasn't
due in for over an hour. So I plopped down on a
bench next to a group of elderly women all wearing blue-and-white bowling shirts. Dominic stood
near the door, his gaze watchful.

I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, giving into weariness. I dozed in and out, looking up whenever a bus arrival was announced, then closing
my eyes again when it was a false alarm.

Time passed. I stirred a few times, then drifted
back to sleep. When I felt a gentle shaking, I looked
up to find Dominic beside me with his hand on my
shoulder. "Her bus just pulled in," he told me.

"Thanks." I blinked, then sat up straighter.

"She'll come in through that door," he said,
stepping away from me. My shoulder tingled from
where his hand had touched it. But there wasn't
time to think about this. A rush of people poured
into the station and there was my sister.

"Amy!" I shouted.

"Sabine!" she cried out joyfully.

We both ran, meeting with a fierce hug.

"I am so glad to see you!" I cried, reaching out
with my finger to a tangled strand of brown hair
on her forehead.

"I was afraid you wouldn't be here."

"I almost wasn't. This is the stupidest thing
you've ever done."

"No way!" She sounded proud and not at all
contrite. "This will show Ashley! She was wrong
about my being dull. You wouldn't catch her skipping school and running away."

"You scared everyone!" I said sternly. "Mom is
sick with worry."

"You talked to her.' Amy shot me an accusing
look. "Did you tell her where I was?"

"I had to or she would have called the police."

"I don't care. I'd rather get handcuffed and taken
to jail than go back."

"Take my advice and skip the cuffs," I said with
a rueful glance at my bruised wrist. Then more seriously, I asked, "Why did you run away? Whatever
Ashley did couldn't be that bad."

"Worse!" Her face twisted into fury. "I hate her."

"Tell me about it outside," I said, raising my
voice over the noise. Nearby a family reunion
seemed to be going on with lots of hugging and
exclamations.

Dominic came over, smiling at Amy as he offered to carry her bags. "Wait here and I'll get the
truck," he told us. The truck wasn't parked that far,
so I guessed he was tactfully leaving us alone so we
could talk privately.

"What happened?" I asked, sitting beside my
sister on a wooden bench.

"Yesterday I was in my room reading, when
Ashley burst in." Amy's lips puckered. "She didn't knock-she never does. Then she tells me to put
down my book and hang out with her. I ask why
isn't she with one of her zillion friends. She says
they're all busy. So I tell her I'm busy, too."

"Why did you say that?"

"'Cause I hate being last choice. She never has
time for me when I'm bored, so why should I drop
everything to do what she wants?"

"You used to be inseparable," I said sadly.

"And you used to live with us. Things change."

I nodded sadly. Then I listened while she described what happened next. Ashley could be the
sweetest person in the world-as long as she got
what she wanted. Amy's refusal lit her fuse. She
stomped over to the bed and snatched Amy's book.

"It was a rare copy of Discovery at Dragon's
Mouth in a mint dust jacket," Amy added indignantly. "I yelled at her to give it back, but she
waved it in the air and refused. I lunged for it, only
I missed the book and hit Ashley. She's such a
drama queen, she screamed that I tried to kill her.
Well I had to get my book and lunged for it. She
jerked back as I grabbed it-then there was the
awful sound of paper ripping! I went crazy and
started pounding on her. Then we were on the carpet, totally going at it, when Mom rushed in."

"Oh, no!" My hand flew to my mouth.

"When Mom saw that Ashley's nose was bleeding, she freaked. She wouldn't even listen to me.
And ... And she didn't care that my book jacket
was ru-ruined." Amy covered her face, sobbing.

I held her close, smoothing her hair and aching
with sadness. What had happened to my family?
My sisters used to fight-sometimes with me-but
never like this. Ashley had a quick temper, but was
easy to reason with once she calmed down. Amy
held anger in like a corked bottle, simmering in silence until I made her open up and talk about her
feelings.

"Let's get out of here," I told Amy. "We'll go
to Nona's."

She wiped her eyes and nodded numbly.

Dominic was waiting by his truck. He came
around and opened the door. I stepped up inside
when there was a screech of tires. Turning around,
I stared at my mother's car.

"Oh, no," Amy whimpered, clutching tight to
me, her palms sweaty.

"It'll be okay," I told her. But I wasn't so sure.
Dad may be the lawyer in the family, but not even he
was a match for Mom when she was angry. Although
usually I was the one in trouble. I felt protective of Amy, and was determined to defend her. I braced
myself for an ugly scene.

But Mom took one look at Amy, and started
crying. No shouting or criticizing; she simply
stretched out her arms and rushed for my sister.
The passenger door of her car opened and Ashley
stepped out, tears streaming down her face too. She
apologized to Amy, adding that she'd searched online and ordered another copy of the book she'd ruined. This made Amy start crying. Then the three
were all sniffling and hugging.

I stood on the outside looking in. Like I wasn't
part of my own family. A knot formed in my throat,
and I turned to get into the truck with Dominic. I
didn't fit in here with the happy reunion.