A dark web of words spooled from Mussini’s lips The boy stared into the black pools of his eyes caught in the ebb and flow of his voice And when the story was over the secret told only then did the boy realize what he had done The mistake fresh in his mind the boy pleaded for mercy But the magician roared with laughter his contract ironclad No room for second chances The raucous crowd around Mussini drifted toward the boy Fearing for his life he burst out of the tent The night rang in his ears the air stung his lungs A sudden burning on his flesh brought him to his knees a tattoo appeared on his wrist the mark of the magician himself Mussini It was then through the pain and fear the boy decided he would study the strange ways of the magician learning everything he could about the world science stars and magic anything to combat the wicked curse laid upon him return and collect his price The only thing the boy was sure of clutching his wrist was that when Mussini came back in fifty years the soul he took would not be his
Suspension was just another word for vacation Jack Carr dug his hands into his pockets and strode right out of the principal’s office past the receptionist’s desk and out the front door He could use a little time off from the sordid hallways of McDovall Academy crowded with misfits and delinquents Reform school was having a bad influence on him A rusted Buick idled in front of the school and a cloud of cigarette smoke drifted out when he opened the door and climbed in Mildred Crosby his social worker had been courting retirement since she met Jack He wasn’t sure why she didn’t kick back and start collecting her Social Security checks but Mildred just wouldn’t quit Once she told him it was to keep him from raining terror on poor unsuspecting foster families but Jack had a feeling she had a soft spot for him despite his bad behavior
A cigarette dangled precariously from Mildred’s lips A thick coat of rose lipstick clung to the filter Her right eye was clenched shut to avoid the upward flood of smoke rising from the bright cherry tip Mildred told Jack smoking was a disgusting habit but it was her one vice and overall one vice wasn’t too bad A ribbon of smoke curled in the air Jack pictured the Nile River and the way the water flowed northward not south like most rivers the muddy silt-filled river gushing upward against the sag and pull of the heavy earth trying to drag everything down He rested his head against the back of the seat and glanced over at Mildred her hair a football helmet of white curls Every once in a while she would leave a pink sponge roller in her hair way in the back where she couldn’t see it and he would have to fish it out while she screeched Get it out Get it out before someone sees Jack didn’t know what the big deal was It was just a hair roller it wasn’t like her fly was open but she was old fashioned always wearing dresses When he thought about it he was just thankful she didn’t have a fly She glanced over and motioned to his seat belt He dutifully put it on Well mister you’re lucky the principal owes me a favor This is your second suspension in two weeks One more and you get kicked out for good Mildred clicked her tongue and shook her head What were you thinking hitting your gym teacher in the fanny with a dodgeball That could seriously hurt a man He’s lucky he turned around when he did Jack said rolling down the window to let in some cool air Because I wasn’t aiming for his fanny
Young man You can’t solve your problems with violence Did you try taking deep breaths and counting to ten like I told you Mildred put her cigarette in the ashtray and gripped the steering wheel in both hands She probably wanted to strangle him No but I didn’t throw the ball that hard Jack squirmed in his seat Plus he deserved it He makes me do extra push-ups and run the track three more times when the other kids get a water break He says it’s character building But that’s not fair I know it’s not fair but we talked about that You certainly got shortchanged in the fair department but you have to get over it Life isn’t fair Mildred said reaching over and brushing the hair out of his face If you get suspended again I don’t know what I’ll do Sorry I’ll try harder next time Jack glanced out the window avoiding her gaze Well when you apologize at least try and sound like you mean it Sorry Jack said in a sappy voice then burst out laughing Mildred had him so figured out Hey at least you got to leave your office to come pick me up Actually the timing was perfect She pressed her lips together and smiled widely too widely That smile was a sign Jack had grown accustomed to and it was the sign of oncoming lightning-strike change She continued I was going to wait and tell you after school today but since I’m here I have some good news for you She beamed Emotionally Mildred could turn on a dime disappointed one minute and happy the next I found a new foster home for you
