Resolutions

Fourteen-year-old Dotty scowled as she looked over her paper. She would go back to school tomorrow and had put off doing this assignment because she was afraid that Mrs. Phillips would ask for these to be read aloud.

She decided to reorder her list of resolutions, putting the most important one last. Doing it this way maybe the other girls would not tease her so much. They certainly didn’t need more ammunition for their bullying. She has hated the Kool-Aid Funny Face commercials ever since they began calling her pimple-faced Dorothy in sing-song voices.

Dotty finished eating a large package of chips. Still hungry, she searched through her hidden stash of goodies, then munched on peanut butter and cheese crackers. Her junk craving satisfied; she started over on a new page.

My Resolutions

1. Be more help to Aunt Thelma.
2. Be kind to everyone.
3. Get better grades, especially History.
4. Lose weight.
5. Do more exercising.
6. Ace my sewing class.
7. Get a job.

Dotty had searched through the remnants at the fabric store in September. Even though she’d chosen the two cheapest ones, Aunt Thelma had quibbled at the cost. She had said, “This means no packages of Twinkies for you this month.” Dotty nodded that she understood.

Maybe she could wash dishes after school at the greasy spoon where Aunt Thelma worked. The only problem was that she hated scrubbing pots. Getting a job would mean having enough money to purchase the kind of cloth that was shown in Vogue. Making new clothes might help her fit in with her classmates. Snotty Susan Ames seemed to have a new article of clothing every other week.

Dotty glanced at the clock, then put away her homework. In the kitchen, she washed up her breakfast and lunch dishes because her aunt would soon be home. Finished, she picked up a Harlequin romance novel to read.

Aunt Thelma arrived carrying take-out packages. These contained BLT sandwiches and onion rings tonight. Her aunt, as always, puffed on a cigarette as she ate, then put it out in her food. Knowing Thelma would grab a beer and drink several, Dotty gulped down her meal then excused herself. She grabbed the novel she’d left open on a chair arm, then fled to her bedroom.

She cried as she closed the book. Heroines always got their man. She wondered if she would ever have a boyfriend. Fantasizing how hers would look, she drifted off to sleep.

After eating bacon and eggs along with toast slathered with butter and grape jam, Dotty stared into the mirror as she popped the pimples and poked up the black heads then brushed her teeth. Glancing at the bedroom clock, she rushed to dress. After putting on her galoshes, she picked up the mountain of textbooks and her three-ring binder. She locked the run-down trailer’s door and put her key in a pocket.

Yesterday’s sleet had turned into snow overnight. She very carefully walked the two miles to the high school. Startled, she almost fell when a jalopy filled with guys tooted their horn beside her. Dotty was still putting her things into her locker when the first bell rang. She almost bumped into Susan as she turned with her English book in hand.

“Look at pimple-faced Dorothy in her same old clothes.”

Her clique giggled as they walked past. One said, “Watch out! Got to be careful. Don’t wanna catch her Cooties!”

Dotty glanced at them. Each wore go-go boots, and their skirts were more than an inch above their knees. She didn’t say anything, just put her head down and walked to homeroom. She couldn’t help gloating when Susan was sent to the principal’s office because her skirt wasn’t just rolled at the waist. It was actually that short. Dotty said, “present” when her name was called.

When she got to last period Social Studies, Mrs. Phillips surprised her. She said, “I asked you to write down your resolutions. Now I want you to think hard about those. Will you achieve each goal? If so, how will you accomplish it? Is any unrealistic? If so, why did you include it?” She paused. “You have till the end of class. Put both papers on my desk before you leave.”

Dotty glanced over her paper then detached it. She began writing on a fresh page.

1. Do dishes before being told. Don’t complain about going to the laundromat.
2. Better to be quiet than to answer back when they tease me. Lord says to turn the other cheek.
3. This could be difficult. I can’t seem to retain dates and events together. I’m going to try using  flashcards.
4. Going to limit myself to only one package of potato chips a day and go without any sweets. This will be extremely difficult for me.
5. Get up earlier and follow the exercises on the Jack LaLanne show.
6. I’m sure this is perfectly possible.
7. I may be too young, but I won’t know unless I try.

Dotty checked the blackboard, then wrote down the homework assignment. She placed both papers in the inbox on her teacher’s desk.

When she reached home, she tuned the kitchen radio to WCFL. As she washed dishes, she sang along to the Beatles song:

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Taking the song to be an omen, Dotty smiled. “I know I will succeed.”

The Vixen

“Oh, hello Don. Nice of you to visit me. What’s up?”

“Came to see how you’re doing. I’m worried about you, bro.”

I turn to stare at him. “Why?”

“You seem a little off your feed.”

“So what?”

He mutters, “A bit grouchy too.”

I frown. “Heard that. Wouldn’t you be upset if it happened to you?”

Don shakes his head. “The big guy knows what he’s doing. It will work out just great.”

“That upstart can lead. I have no difficulty with that.”

He stares at me a long moment. “Then what’s your problem?”

I sigh. “I’ll never understand the female psyche.”

Don gulps. “Don’t know. I’m not inclined in that direction.”

“What does she even see in him?”

“Dunno. I don’t find him the least bit attractive.” He clears his throat. “You going to roast chestnuts for her this year?”

“How many did the big guy give you last year?”

“Only five.”

“Then no. I got 20 for leading. Five won’t be enough to bother.”

“Uhm.” He rubs his nose. “Maybe you could ask Buddy to get you some.”

I shake my head. “Guess you haven’t heard. He went south. Said he didn’t fit here.”

Don grunts. “Yes, he was definitely oversized. Don’t let her get you down, big guy.” He walked away.

She continued ignoring me. I couldn’t sleep. Lost without her warmth beside me. I even almost stepped on Pepper two days later.

“Hey watch it you big galoot! Pick up your head and look where you’re going.”

“Geez. Sorry Pepper.”

Pepper stared up at me. “What’s the matter with you?”

I frowned. “Vixen is giving me the cold shoulder, and I don’t know how to get her back.”

“She’s a player that one. True to her name.” Pepper chuckled. “You’re better off without the likes of her.”

A week passed and I remained in a funk.

On the special day, I was placed beside her. But her gaze was fastened on him. Her beauty overwhelmed me. Hypnotized, I stared at her, oblivious to our surroundings.

Thirty minutes later, Don kicked me.

“Ouch. Watch where you’re going!”

Don yelled. “Yo! Been calling you. Rudy can’t handle it. We’re gonna crash. Dasher do something!”

Shaken out of my reverie, I saw Rudolph was straining to carry the load by himself. His red nose was dim, and his strides were off kilter. The blustery Chicago wind was pushing us off course.

I concentrated hard, sending my thoughts to Rudy. “Don’t shut us out. Let us in.” I focused more. “Believe me. We can help. Feel the joy. Share the love.”

Donner, Cupid, and Comet joined their concentration with mine. “Believe. Feel joy. Share love.”

Prancer, Blitzen, and Dancer echoed us. “Joy. Love.”

Rudolph quit straining and matched his glide to ours. We narrowly passed Sears Tower and came down on Wacker Drive. Santa looked shaken for a moment, then emitted a hearty chuckle. “Well, at least we didn’t land in Lake Michigan.” He rummaged in his sack, then was gone in a flash.

The big man called me into his office when we got back to the North Pole. He looked firmly into my eyes. “I need Rudolph to light our way, but today you proved you are the leader of the pack.” He counted 20 chestnuts and handed those to me. “Thank you.”

As I roasted the nuts to share with everyone, I thought about Vixen. She hadn’t helped us when we needed it. Though we had often shared carnal pleasure, I doubted she knew true love. I was better off without her.

The Forest

He was not, then he was. He sprang from nothing. Well, not exactly nothing. He had no sense of time, past or present. He did not know right from wrong, good or evil. He did not know his name, yet they called him by several.

At first, he was a shadow-like form that drifted through the heart of the woods. But his form changed based upon the imagination of others, growing with their thoughts, becoming increasingly terrible.

In the beginning, a boy named Mark described him to his friends. As a gang, they came to his sanctuary, taunting him to appear. When he did, the youngest boy, who had survived rheumatic fever, fainted from fright. The others carried this child home where he died a few hours later.

Each repetition of an encounter with him gave this creature strength. One day he suddenly had eyes that glowed as red and black as burning coals. For the first time, he could see his twig-like appendages. Over time these solidified into actual digits. They described him as gruesomely horrible, and so it was what he became.

A hunger grew in him. He craved their energy, feeding from their fear. As he changed, so did the forest. The trees closest to his proximity turned into deadwood. These skeletal shadows enhanced his form.

After the boys and teens, men approached carrying ghost-busting equipment. This didn’t help them, because he wasn’t a ghost. He was now more than any shadow. He emitted a barking laugh, deep and guttural. Hearing this, they fled in terror. He enjoyed dining on their fear, thought it a marvelous feast, and hoped they would come again.

People continued to talk and to visit. Thanks to them, he had become the phantom of the forest!

Music Box Magic

Ronni phoned and invited me to stay at her place for several days in late June. Our family was going to have a reunion, and she hoped I would come. After getting the details, I said, “This is great. I’ll see you then.”

I got a rental car at the airport and drove to her home. The expressway was hectic. Turning onto the country road was a relief. After an hour, I began recognizing sites along the Michigan highway. I finally spotted my next turn. I almost missed it because I was looking for a gravel road.

My cousin opened the door as I parked. She smiled as she came out to the car, and we exchanged kisses. “I’m so glad you came. It’s been a long time since I saw you. C’mon and take a load off.”

“Let me grab my suitcase.”

Once I was inside, she said, “I made tea and lemonade, or I can make coffee if you like.”

We took our iced drinks out to her patio. We caught up on family news, but she didn’t mention Robbie. She stood and fired up the grill. I helped her fix supper, then we ate.

I noticed the music box as soon as she showed me into the guest room. Immediately remembering the summers spent with my grandparents at their cabin on Lake Michigan. I had run into Grandma’s arms as soon as Dad parked our car. She smelled like cinnamon and vanilla as I hugged her ample frame. She always baked snicker doodles because those were my favorite. Grandpa smelled of cherry pipe tobacco when he kissed my forehead.

Cuddled into her lap in the evenings, she would stroke my sandy blonde hair and rock me asleep as we listened to the box’s chiming melody. I had loved going there until the accident. After that, things had never been the same.

I picked the box up, turned its key, then held it close. Lifting its lid, my tears rained down on the tiny dancer. Within a short time, a feeling of tranquility filled me. I fell asleep listening to its sweet sounds.

During the night, I dreamed of the day my dad died. I saw it with a clarity that I hadn’t had at age 8. Dad had become so different after losing his job, always reeking of alcohol and cigarettes. Since Uncle Ed was working, Dad was only supposed to drop Robbie off at football practice and come right back. Instead, he’d gone to a liquor store then wrapped his car around a tree. Reliving the scene, I realized it wasn’t my cousin’s fault, though I had blamed him for years.

While eating breakfast, Ronni suggested we spend the day in Shipshewana. “It’s the largest flea market in the Midwest. It’s ages since I went.”

I wasn’t keen on shopping in my condition but could see this would make her happy. Grabbing my fanny pack and floppy hat from my luggage, I followed her out to her SUV. She took Route 12 east from New Buffalo until we reached 131 and headed south into Indiana. It wasn’t long before we came upon Amish and Mennonite buggies on the road.

The parking lot was half full when we arrived. She slung a large tote over her shoulder. Ronni often stopped to examine the gewgaws inside the stalls. She loved wind chimes and bought three, stuffing each inside her bag.

I was extremely fatigued from walking when she asked, “How about an early dinner? I know a fantastic restaurant.”

She drove us to a converted barn. Inside were wooden picnic tables covered with red-checked cloth. A girl in a long dress and bonnet greeted us. She led us to a table and handed menus to us.

Ronni pointed and said, “See there. Butterscotch meringue pie. Wonder if it tastes like Grandma’s.”

The simple country food was delicious, and that pie was divine.

Draining my third glass of Cabernet later that night, I asked, “How’s your brother?”

She gave me a searching look. “He’s become a loner, especially since his divorce.”

“Will he come?”

She shook her head. “Doubt it.”

I gnawed my lip. “Could you please call him. I need to make amends.”

As she grabbed her cell, I refilled my glass with liquid courage.

“Hello Robbie. I’ve got someone here…” She handed it to me.

I heard, “Ronni, I don’t have time…”

“Coz, could you please do it for me?”

His gasp was followed by silence.

“I am so sorry for how I treated you. I sincerely hope you’ll come to the reunion. I have something to give you.”

He remained quiet.

“Pretty please.”

He mumbled, “fine,” then hung up.

***

We were munching on watermelon late in the afternoon when he finally arrived. At first, I didn’t recognize this heavy-set, bearded man. It was only when Ronni ran to hug him that I realized it was Robbie. She brought him over to me.

“How about we go sit on the dock?”

He nodded and followed.

“Again, I am so, so sorry for blaming you. I idolized my dad and didn’t want to blame him.” Tears glistened on his cheek. “Mom had such a tough time raising us four, trying to squeeze a quarter’s worth of food from a nickel. I now realize it was all his fault.”

Robbie put an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. We cried in each other’s arms. I pulled slightly away and reached inside my fanny pack. “I want to give you this.” I handed my dad’s most prized possession to him. I had brought it on the trip to give to my oldest nephew, but now knew my cousin should have it.

He removed the plastic case and examined the baseball. Robbie gasped when he noticed Shoeless Joe Jackson’s signature. As he hugged me, I was filled with peace and childhood joy.

***

Back at home a few weeks later, I was enjoying the soothing chimes and watching the dancer twirl when my phone beeped with a text.

Calling the specialist’s office, I was put on hold until the doctor came on the line. “Donna. Wonderful, almost unbelievable news. Your cancer is gone. There’s not a trace left.”

Forgiveness, along with being gifted Grandma’s music box, had worked a miracle.

Mystery

As our school bus turned onto a dirt road, I bounced on the seat. “Oh Em, I’m so excited I’m gonna pee!”

She laughed as she said, “Gross! Get away from me.”

In a quiet voice, I asked, “Are you sure Jase will come?”

She whispered, “Ron said they’d take a canoe and expect them here about 11 or so.”

We grabbed our duffels from under our seats and joined the line of girls. A camp counselor greeted us, checked names and assigned our cabin, then handed a list of rules to us.

I looked around the compound. The sparkling blue lake, massive greenery of forest surrounding it, and ten numbered log cabins. It was a pleasant April afternoon, but too cold for swimming.

Em led the way to No. 4, which was the second from the lake. Bette and Vic were right on our heels. I slung my duffel on the lower bunk to the right. Bette sighed and headed across the room. It didn’t take long to unpack our jeans, tees, and hoodies. I waited until they left before asking, “How far away is Camp Olympia?”

“Bout two miles west along the shoreline. Can’t even see it from the dock.” Em bit her lip. “Dee, please don’t argue with the staff. Just nod and do what they say. I don’t want their attention on us.”

When I opened my mouth to complain about the undercooked hot dog, Em poked my ribs. “Thanks for the yummy food.” She mumbled, “shut it,” as she pushed me toward a table. She hissed, “Keep a low profile.”

I did my best to enjoy the festivities around the campfire. Jodi, recently returned from a Texas trip, dressed in cowboy boots and hat, came forward with guitar in hand. Her fake country twang made my nerves jangle. When I squirmed, Em pinched my arm. After three songs, Jodi quit caterwauling. I barely clapped.

Back in the cabin, Em and I shrugged off pants and left them on the floor. Vic muttered, “Slobs.”

I ignored her and slid under a quilt. The bed shook as my bestie went up. I closed my eyes, pretended to sleep, but listened to their chatter. Checking my watch when Bette snored, I found it was 10:15. I waited until I heard one from Vic before I got up.

The frame creaked, then Em stood beside me. I held my breath as I forced myself into my pour-on jeans. With hoodie on, I grabbed my flashlight and put it in the pocket. The door squeaked as I opened it. We both stood silent for several seconds. Outdoors, I let out a relieved breath.

We crept across the courtyard, then ducked between the cabins. A few yards past those, we entered the woods. The trees cast eerie shadows in the glow of our flashlights. Twigs snapped underfoot no matter how I stepped. “Sorry.”

Em whispered, “Shush. Voices carry out here.”

We finally reached the sand. She took off jogging and I followed. I was panting when she slowed. She gasped, “kill your light,” as she turned off hers.

A small fire lit the beach ahead. Em dashed forward to hug Ron. I hung back, looking at Jase. Tall, blonde, and athletic. A mythical Greek god. He added more driftwood, then turned and smiled at me. Heart hammering, I approached. When he took my hand, I thought his touch was magical.

We chatted with Em and Ron for several minutes. When they began to suck face, he led my bestie away.

I chattered nervously. Jase touched my arm and said, “You’re so beautiful. I will never hurt you.” He pulled me close. I shivered with anticipation. Our lips met. It was divinely marvelous as our kiss lingered, growing into a desire for more.

I worried if I had done something wrong when he pulled away. He fumbled in his pocket.

A sudden spotlight enveloped us. Blinded and immobile, I was lifted from the ground.

***

“Dee, what’s with you. If you don’t get up, nothing good will be left in the cafeteria. Bette and Vic went over 10 minutes ago.”

Aching all over, I struggled out of bed. “I don’t feel good. Something weird happened to me and Jase.”

“I don’t know any Jase.”

“Em please don’t tease me. My head hurts.”

She raised her voice. “Dunno what you talking bout.”

“Oh pullease. He transferred here in October. We met up with Ron and Jase last night.”

“We did not! You’re delusional. Ron and I broke up last weekend. You know not to mention his name. That’s downright mean.” She slammed her way out.

Em wouldn’t sit or talk to me on our way home.

On Monday, I visited the school office. “Miss Hanson, I’m worried about Jason Argos.”

With an odd look at me, she asked, “Is this some sort of prank? We’ve never had a student with that name.”

***

“Commander.”

“Make your report.”

“Argonaut retrieved.”

“Was there a problem?”

“No…but…”

Her gaze shifted from paperwork to glare at me. “What?”

“Ma’am, we barely arrived in time.”

“So what?”

“I think our Routine Operation eXecutive Interface Encoder has failed in this enterprise.”

“Explain.”

“New memories were implanted in everyone. However, one had a Hera proclivity. She resisted all attempts to wipe the Argonaut from her mind. Jason has already had more modifications than any other Titan. Roxie just cannot downgrade his charm gene any farther. He is irresistible. Worse yet, as soon as Jason comes near a comely girl, all he wants to do is procreate. If this continues, we may have to wipe the planet again.”

“You scientists always predict doom and gloom. Dismissed.”