Inherited Magic (2 page)

“Yes, we. Two people can finish the
job faster than one person.”

Allison emptied her backpack,
dumping books, pens and loose papers all over her bed.

“What if they’re home?”

“They’re gone, trust me.”

Allison walked past him and into
the bathroom. Her grandmother always kept Charmin in bulk. She began stuffing
the backpack with toilet paper while Vinnie stood at the doorway.

“I don’t know if we should do this.
Its daylight; and what if something happens? I don’t want to get in trouble for
destroying property.”

“You won’t. Even if we were caught,
we would just have to take it down and maybe do some community service. It’s
not like we’re throwing eggs or breaking windows.”

Vinnie followed Allison as she exited
the trailer, locking it behind her. They walked through the large lot filled
with trailers, of various size and age. Some were well kept while others looked
like they could fall in at any moment. Ruby’s trailer was definitely one that
had been well maintained. Her grandmother always said there was no shame in
living in a trailer, but there was certainly shame in living in filth. She kept
the inside spotless, and she worked with the small bit of land she had on the
outside, planting beautiful flowers and making sure the lawn was well
manicured.

This particular trailer park was
referred to as “The Dirt Lot”. The name developed because the large area, which
housed at least sixty trailers, was once nothing more than a bare piece of land
with more dirt than grass. It was literally a dirt lot: however, that was in
the 70’s. The term lasted long past the time when grass was grown and trailers
were put down. It was now used as a derogatory term, meant to describe those
who lived in the trailer park as being dirt. There may have been people who
lived there that deserved such a title, but, that could not be said of Allison
or most of her neighbors. Using those words, The Dirt Lot, was all the reason
Allison needed to attack Jane that day at school. So what if she was suspended
for an entire week, giving Jane that black eye was well worth it.

 Allison and Vinnie walked through
the trailer park, waving and speaking to various neighbors who were outside.
Some were working on cars, while others were watching their children play or
just relaxing on their porches.

“If you’re scared, just go to the
comic book store and I’ll meet you later,” Allison said to Vinnie, “I don’t
want you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

Vinnie walked in silence,
considering the option. Allison knew Vinnie was much more worried about
consequences than she ever was. Sometimes he probably wondered if she even knew
what consequences were. She also knew how much he hated being in trouble, which
was why she did not want to pressure him into the idea.

“No, I’ll help. The two of us can
get it finished faster.”

Allison smiled. She had hoped he
would come around. When they approached the house, the Escalade was gone. They
looked around to see if any neighbors were outside on their porches or in their
yards. It looked clear. Allison dropped the bag on the ground and began to take
out the toilet paper.

“Make sure to get the trees,” she
said, handing Vinnie a roll and keeping one for herself. 

They threw the rolls as high as
possible, watching them unravel in the air and fall into place. One roll after
another took flight until they were all gone. Allison took a moment to step
back and admire their work. It could have used a few more rolls, but this was
good. She was pleased.

“What are you kids doing?” asked a
voice from behind them.  

Allison felt her stomach drop. She
turned to see that the neighbor across the road had walked out on her porch.
Allison glanced at the old woman, who was using a walker.

“Go, Vinnie.” Allison said. 

She sprinted down the street and he
followed, both running at full speed. Even though the woman could never catch
them, she might call the police. Once they were out of sight, they stopped
running.

“Let’s go watch a movie,” Allison
suggested, “in case she calls the police, we won’t be out where they can
identify us.” 

“Okay.” He said, still catching his
breath.

They were not far from the theater.
When they reached the building, they stood in line and purchased tickets for
the latest romantic comedy. They rushed inside the theater, forgoing soda and
popcorn. Once they were seated, there was a sense of relief. Before the movie,
Allison expressed her disdain for most romantic comedies, wishing there had
been a better choice available.

“I just think these movies set up
unrealistic expectations. No man is ever as good or thoughtful as they write
them in these films. Then they always end up together when everything is
finished. It just doesn’t relate to the human experience,” she said.

“Yeah, but it’s sweet. You are too
bitter to be just sixteen.”

“How can I be bitter? I haven’t
even had my first true love,” she said in a mocking voice, “I’m not bitter, I
just see through the BS.”

“I can see it now. You are going to
be an unmarried, crazy cat lady. But it’s okay; I’ll still come visit you at
least once a week.”

Allison laughed but said nothing.
She considered the option of single, crazy cat lady. It didn’t sound too bad,
much better than a house full of screaming children. And at least cats were
more independent than dogs. 

The lights dimmed and the movie
started. The film had all the makings of a typical romantic comedy. The main
character was a woman who was attractive and single, but uptight and slightly
abrasive. She ended up falling in love with the man who seemed all wrong for
her in the beginning. The man had been her rival at work and she could not
stand him. Then, unusual circumstances forced them to work together. While they
spent more time together, she realized that he was only a conceited, womanizing
jerk because he had been hurt in the past.  She began to open up around him,
becoming less uptight. Spending time with the woman made the man realize that
the risk of being hurt is worth pursuing real love. In the end, they overcame
their differences and all the other obstacles. He proposed and the credits
rolled.

Allison spent most of the movie
relishing her recent victory, and hoping that Jane would realize she was behind
it. Before she knew it, the lights were on and people were making their way out
of the theater. Allison noticed that the ending must have resonated with
Vinnie, who was wearing a big smile.

“How are you going to say that
proposal wasn’t the sweetest thing ever?” Vinnie asked.

Allison shrugged.

“That is so you and Josh.”

“Yeah right. First, Josh and I get
along. Second, he isn’t some womanizing sleaze and I’m not uptight. Maybe
abrasive, but not uptight.”

“Whatever. You are the future Mrs.
Burke.” 

“First I’m going to be a single
crazy cat lady and now I’m marrying Josh?”

“Yes. The movie made me realize there’s
still hope for you. It’ll be a beautiful wedding. I’ll be Josh’s best man and
Sam can be your maid of honor. She’ll be so excited when you marry into their
family.”

“You are insane. I don’t even think
of him like that.”

“Well maybe you should. He likes
you, look at the bracelet you’re wearing right now. You even said he was
looking good when we all went swimming in August.”

“Well, he was tan and half-naked,
but it doesn’t matter. Just because he’s not bad to look at doesn’t mean I want
to go out with him. I know him too well.”

“Oh, perfect sense. God forbid you
know someone beforehand. That is so much better than just meeting some random
tool like that guy from Cleveland.” 

“Hey, Randy was fun.”

“He was sixteen and had already
been arrested twice. Plus, he got a girl pregnant and dumped her.”

“He didn’t dump her for getting
pregnant; he dumped her for griping at him all the time. Besides, I never said
he was relationship material, I said he was fun.”

“You pick the worst guys. Here’s
the question, if you met Josh out somewhere and didn’t know him, would he catch
your eye? Would the fact that he’s funny and nice make you want to spend time
with him?”

Allison had never considered this
before, but just on looks alone- yeah, she would be interested in Josh.
“Maybe,” she said.

“See, you’re still thinking of Josh
as the chubby boy who used to follow us around when we went to Sam’s house to
play. He’s grown up a lot since then and like you said, he’s not bad to look
at. Just think about it.”

Thanks to Vinnie, she was thinking
about it. There were so many potential problems, though. For one thing, this
was high school. They were sure to break up at some point and that could cause
a strain on her friendship with Sam, as well as problems in their little group.
She thought about the possibilities while they walked home. Her thoughts were
cut short when a police car rolled past them, going at a slow pace. The window
was down, and Allison looked up, making eye contact with the officer. She
looked away as soon as their eyes met.

“What are you kids doing out so
late?” Asked the officer.

“Late? Its only 7:30.” Allison
said.

“We are on our way home right now,
sir,” Vinnie said, giving Allison a severe look.

“Good. We’ve had some complaints
about adolescents causing trouble, you probably should go home.”

“Yes sir,” Vinnie said.

The police officer continued down
the road while they looked at each other in disbelief.

“I thought they had us,” Allison
said, “what a rush.”

“A rush? I just about had a heart
attack right here,” Vinnie said through nervous laughter.

They hurried home.

“I thought we were busted.”

“Busted for what?” asked Ruby, her
round face full of suspicion.

“Hi, Mamaw Ruby, I didn’t notice
your car in the driveway. How was bingo?”

“It was fine, dear. Now what did
you almost get busted doing?”

“Well, we went to the movies and we
snuck in two boxes of candy. Who wants to pay three dollars for a candy bar,
right?”

“Oh. On my drive home, I noticed
that someone threw toilet paper all over that Wallace girl’s yard and house. I
thought you might know something about it.”

“No, I don’t know anything. I guess
I’m not the only one who doesn’t like her.”

“What about you, Vinnie? Do you
have any idea who would do that?”

Vinnie was probably the worst liar
in history, because he did not like to hide the truth. He took a minute to
choose his words.

“I would say that there are a lot
of people who would like to do that and more to Jane’s house.”

“I couldn’t help noticing there are
several rolls of toilet paper missing.”

“Okay, fine,” Allison said, “I knew
the family was gone and I did it, but it’s not like we broke anything.”

“And this is the last time?” Ruby
asked.

“Yes.”

“Last time, Vinnie?”

“Yes.”

Vinnie obeyed Ruby as if she were
his own grandmother, because she might as well have been. She paid more
attention to him than his mother or stepfather did. In fact, he stayed over
with them so much that Ruby had fixed the spare bedroom up so that he had his
own room. Allison knew this place felt more like his home than his actual home.

“You have to straighten up,
Allison. It seems like you’re suspended more than you’re attending school, and
the year just started. You go back tomorrow and I need you to make a better
effort. Do not allow people to provoke you. You’ll be an adult in a couple of
years, and all this nonsense won’t fly.” Ruby said.

She nodded, “I will do better.”

Allison meant what she said. She
did not like to disappoint Ruby, even though that was what she ended up doing
most of the time.

“I brought KFC home, let’s go eat,”
Ruby said, “And, the toilet paper thing was funny, but don’t do it again.”

Ruby did not have many rules, but
there was one. She insisted on eating at the kitchen table, with the television
turned off. She believed real conversation was a lost art, and blamed it on two
things, texting and families skipping dinner together around the table. So, the
three of them sat in the kitchen of the 1970’s trailer and ate KFC. After
dinner, they played cards for quite some time. Ruby seemed to know every card
game in existence, and she loved to play everything from Go Fish to Texas Hold
‘EM. Tonight’s game of choice was Gin Rummy. After several hands and a little
television, Ruby was ready for bed.

“Vinnie, do I need to take you home
or are you staying the night?” Ruby asked.

“I’ll just stay,” he said.

“So, are you both in for the
night?” she asked.

“Yes,” Allison answered, already
knowing why she asked. “But is this really necessary every night?”

“Maybe not, but it gives me peace
of mind,” Ruby said.

Her grandmother opened a kitchen
cabinet and grabbed a familiar bottle containing a milky liquid. Dabbing her
fingers with the liquid she walked through the trailer touching every door and
window that led to the outside. She muttered as she walked through the trailer,
“Protect us, and keep us invisible to our enemies. Make this a barrier, a veil
against those who wish us harm.”

One of Allison’s earliest childhood
memories was of her grandmother doing this. Ruby did not attend church and was
not religious, but she did have several curious practices that seemed spiritual
in nature.

Vinnie and Allison were tired and
soon everyone was in their respective beds, sleeping. Allison tossed and turned
throughout the night. She kept having strange, fragmented dreams. In one dream,
she was standing in an unfamiliar house with her Algebra teacher. Miss Tucker
was burning incense and saying some type of prayer at an altar.  Allison woke
up and looked at the clock. It was only 2:30 in the morning. She rolled over
and tried to go back to sleep. She drifted off soon enough. This time, her
dream was of an unusual looking man who was giving orders to a small group of
people. He spoke to the group with fervor. Allison awoke once more. The image
of the man’s face was burned into her mind. It was 3:15 in the morning. She got
up and drank a glass of water before returning to her bed and trying again to
sleep.