When Autumn Leaves: A Novel (33 page)

At first the implications of what Autumn was saying went over Molly’s head, and Autumn didn’t blame her. “Autumn, it’s really cool how you can move things with your mind and all, but what does that make you, exactly? What am I?”

“To be honest, Molly, I don’t completely know,” Autumn replied truthfully. “I mean, I know that we are a part of a group called the Jaen. Where the Jaen comes from, how it was started and when, I don’t have an answer to these questions. We take a lot on faith around these parts.” Autumn looked tenderly at Molly. She was a remarkable girl, with such incredibly energy that it poured out of her like some kind of karmic tap. She understood why she would meet her now, just as she was leaving. More than any other Sister or friend she had ever had, this one special child would have become like her own. She would never have been able to leave her. Molly filled that hollow, childless place that had been empty for hundreds of years. Autumn would have lost her objectivity; she would not have been a good teacher.

“I get the feeling that you’ve seen quite a bit about what we can do and how we’re set up. Am I right?”

“Yeah. No, I get it. Little groups, all over the place. But what I don’t get is, why? I mean, why are you all in the closet?”

“Well, that is a discussion for another day,” Autumn said, a little sternly. “You have to learn right away that we aren’t leaders. We aren’t heroes or daredevils or showmen. We follow orders; we serve for the greater good. This will frustrate the hell out of you, Molly. You’ll have to do things that you don’t agree with. And then, maybe years later, you’ll understand why, and it will all make sense. The Jaen always have a plan, and annoyingly, it’s the right one.” Autumn took her journal and placed it gently in Molly’s arms. “I can see you’re not afraid. And that’s good. You won’t be alone. Mentors will be sent, and there will be a lot of time here in Avening for everyone to master the basics. You’re brave, and a natural leader; you’ll do a fantastic job.”

Autumn read the look on Molly’s face as what was about to happen began to dawn on her. “You are free to move in here,” she went on. “Actually, as of right now, the house and everything in it belongs to you, along with a substantial bank account. Thank Goddess you’re eighteen, as that solves one problem. The money is such that you can live off the interest alone. My lawyer arranged everything in advance; all we have to do is sign these papers together.” Autumn pointed to a stack of papers on the desk.

“Oh my God, you’re leaving, aren’t you?” Her voice rose in something close to panic.

“Yes, my dear, I’m afraid I have to go.” Autumn’s very real regret came through in her voice. “If I had found you earlier, I suppose I could have been able to provide more training. But once the Book is passed on, officially, the previous owner has to step aside. It’s a little like being thrown in the deep end. But I have all the faith in the world that you’ll do just fine.”

Molly drew the book up to her chest. Autumn could tell that already the pull of it was offering her a semblance of security. “But you can’t just leave! You’re probably the most important person in this town. People love you, people depend on you, and they sure as shit are not going to come to some snot-nosed kid for advice.” Molly blinked twice, and sputtered, “Where on earth are you going to go? Where are you going to find a place where you’re needed and wanted as much as Avening?”

Autumn put a hand on her knee to reassure her. “Long ago, more years than I could even begin to count, Molly, I met a woman who changed my life. What she offered me is much the same thing as I’m offering you. Together, we found twelve other women who, like us, like yourself, had a gift for magic. When the group was complete, the woman went away to meet up with her own group of twelve. That’s where I’m going now, to my sisters, for the next part of the journey. This may surprise you, but up until five minutes ago, I didn’t have a leader for the twelve other magical women I’ve found here. I was going to settle, but the Universe corrects itself, so here you are.”

Molly breathed in deeply, obviously trying to digest. “Are you absolutely sure about this? Because without you, I’m not. Aren’t I too young or something? I’m pretty sure I need you here.”

Autumn shook her head dismissively. “The first thing you need to do is go over to my desk and look through the essays of your new sisters. There is quite a diversity of talents here. There are charmers and menders and sentries and warders and psychics. But the most important thing I should stress is that you are the High Sister. You will lead these women. And you will eventually be able to do a fair bit of whatever talent they have. But that’s ages away. For now, each one of them has something to teach you. You won’t be alone. There will be thirteen of you, and among the lot, you’ll be able to figure out the answers.”

“Okay, okay, so we all do this together? That’s comforting at least.” Molly mulled for only moments, and then issued a series of precise questions. “But how long does it take, and will the Jaen send people to oversee us? How often will they come?” She was intent on remaining clear-headed and getting as many questions answered as she could before Autumn left.

“It takes as long as it takes. But once you formally initiate, the answers will become more clear, as will your direction. You will all live here together in Avening as initiates. Once that level is done, one by one, you will begin to leave. The others will be sent away to apprentice elsewhere in their particular gift. But not you, Molly; you will remain here, like I did, overseeing this community and the twelve others, wherever they are. And then it will be time to move on, just like I’m doing now.”

“But where do you go? I mean, will I even be able to contact you if I need to?”

“Yes, and no. It’s complicated. It’s not really a location as much as a place between places. But I promise that I will be watching out for you, and the Book will be your guide.” Autumn could see the relief in Molly’s face, and was glad the girl trusted her, which meant everything at that point. “So, what do you say, Molly? I wouldn’t ask this of you unless I absolutely knew you could handle it. Every bone in my body tells me you are the one. Shall we sign the papers?”

Autumn could tell that Molly was trying to connect to something. She was going down deep inside to listen to the visceral machinations of her body. She was looking, listening for an answer. Autumn was impressed that the girl did not jump to say yes. Molly got up silently, the Book still held against her chest. With her free hand, she picked up a pen and began to fill in her name on the stack of papers. A rush of relief poured through Autumn, and she found, surprisingly, that she felt rather light. The knot that had turned her stomach upside down turned into something else: anticipation. She was ready.

After she signed the papers herself, she turned to Molly. “I’m going to go now. Take some time to get used to all of this. In a few weeks, I will help you address this to the others. Maybe then I’ll even have some more information. Don’t tell them I’ve been in touch, though. I want everyone to get used to my not being here. I think that after you read their essays, you will agree that they are all up to the challenge.” Autumn made her way to the door, but Molly stuck out her arm to stop her.

“Wait, you’re just going to leave? Like that? Without even saying good-bye? What about the store? What about Sylvie? She’s right downstairs.”

Autumn hooked her arm through Molly’s and led her down the hallway until they were standing in front of the closed door to her room.

“I am so late already, Molly. I have to go now. The store was mine, now it’s yours. You might want to wait until after you graduate, but you should turn it into whatever you want. Make it into a preschool, a library, a bar, whatever. Demeter’s Grove was my vision. You have to find your own. As for Sylvie, well, you can tell her I’ll be back. That’s the very least that I should do. Good luck, Molly.” Autumn kissed her soft, freckled cheek and opened the door. After she stepped through, the door shut resolutely.

There was a sound. A sound so piercing and so horribly wonderful Molly thought she might have imagined it. She gave it a couple of seconds and then opened the door Autumn had walked through. The hallway was empty, and Autumn was gone.

Alice, Alice, gone down the rabbit hole. That’s how Molly felt. On one hand she was more a woman than she had ever been, in all her eighteen years, and on the other she felt barely eight. There was something about the Book, though, something about holding it close that gave her a kind of distance and strength. She felt connected in that moment, and in truth, she thought she might have the answers to all of the questions that were running around like maniacs in her brain right there, curled up on her tongue. Not that she could have said them out loud or anything. It was more that she just knew, which gave her a kind of courage that she had never felt before.

She made her way down the stairs. Sylvie, she was sure, would be shocked and saddened. Molly knew it would be difficult for her to lose yet another important woman in her life. But she was also sure that once she opened up Autumn’s journal, everything would change. They would read the first page together. She would take her hand and whisper in her ear. She would show her that this was just the beginning. They would turn the dreaming world upside down and live the kind of life that people only imagined was possible. When Molly Moralejo got to the bottom of the stairs, she pulled the Book close to her, and smiled.

Many, many thanks go to my agents at Dupree Miller & Associates, Jan Miller and Nena Madonia, both of whom saw me as a real author before I ever saw myself as one. I feel so blessed to have these fierce ladies in my corner. On that front, thanks go to my dad, for introducing me to them.

To the amazing people at The Overlook Press, most notably Juliet Grames, editor extraordinaire, who was able to take the manifesto I gave her and turn it into an actual book.

To Kristin Barlowe, my gangstar. For the glorious pictures and amazing friendship.

Laura Holder, the Web mistress, who totally gets it.

Special thanks go to the many people that made the writing of this book possible. For location, I must thank Oprah Winfrey who suggested one afternoon on Desolation Sound that British Columbia was just as magical a place as New England. When Oprah offers up some insight,
you listen.
For mood, I have to thank all my girlfriends in the Monthly Dinner club: K-bar, K-russ, Buxy, and Shell—without you, I would have gone stir crazy, I’m sure. How lucky I am to call such strong, powerful women my friends. To everyone at Sanctuary for Yoga, for whipping my butt into shape and keeping me grounded.

For tone, I must thank my best friend and first editor (since 7th grade), Meghan Carter. Your advice and support has always been invaluable. My other best friend, Michael Buble, your loyalty and faith in me has never wavered. I have a career because of you. I have many sisters; there’s a little bit of each of you in the women of Avening. My mother, who has always believed in me.

To my partner and not husband, Matt Freeman. Your love has made me the best me there is.

And finally to my girls, Mike and Eva, who taught me all about magic the moment you were put in arms.

Amy Foster was born in Victoria, British Columbia, to singer B.J. Cook and legendary record producer David Foster. While going to American University in Washington DC, Amy took a course in creative writing that would change the direction of her life. After graduating, Amy moved to London, determined to get a collection of poetry published. It was there that she met producer Martin Terefe (KT Tunstall, Jason Mraz, Cat Stevens), who asked her if she wanted him to put some music to her poetry, and the progression to becoming a lyricist was natural. Since then, Amy has worked with such artists as Michael Buble, Andrea Bocelli, Destiny’s Child, Solange Knowles, Eric Benet, Diana Krall, Josh Groban, One Flew South, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, John Paul White, RyanDan, and The Three Graces. Currently, Amy is writing with Michael Buble for his fourth studio album, and is also working on the next installments of the magical Avening saga.