Chapter 15: Dinner
(Strix’s perspective)
We are on our way home. Ben wants to discuss what happened. I want to forget about it. So, instead, we start discussing where we should go for dinner. Neither of us know what kind of food the Cavenaughs will like. We decided to do Italian, we hadn’t had it in quite some time. We will go to Café Bello, the place Ben saw in his vision. Suddenly, Ben stopped talking.
“Strix!” He sounded a little panicked. I missed whatever it was that he saw- I tried to stay out of his head most of the time- and his tone had me worried.
“What is it?”
“We have to stop her!” He was anxious now.
“Who?”
“Scarlett.”
I saw it then. Scarlett, as a favor to Jason, is going to attack the Cavenaughs tonight.
“Absolutely.” I agreed.
She is reasonable. And she likes Ben and me. But she doesn’t like going against her brother. She does what he asks, even if it doesn't make sense. I never know exactly what she is thinking. She always has songs in her head, unless she wants something from me or even Rose. I don’t know if that is because she is trying to keep us out or if she really loves music that much. Either way, she is my personal commercial-free radio. She is pretty smart too. Once in a while, I will catch her thinking about the mathematical composition of a song. It seems she is always trying to figure out what makes people like certain songs so much. And she wonders if there is some equation in the music that can help explain it. I find that rather intriguing.
So, what are we going to do? His thoughts interrupted me as we approached the house.
We’ll just talk to her and explain that Jason is jealous. She’ll understand.
You’re right she’ll listen. He said as we saw it play out.
“Hey Dad,” we said as we walked into the house. He was on his way out to buy Elizabeth a gift for their anniversary.
“Hello.” He said. “Strix, are you alright? You seem upset.” That was an understatement.
“It’s nothing. I’m handling it. Whatever it was, it’s under control now.”
No it’s not. Ben thought.
Leave me alone. I don’t need you constantly worrying about me. I can handle it myself, thank you very much! I said tersely.
I’m not staying out of this. You’re going to need my help to control this. I’ve never seen you like this before. I’m worried you might do something you will regret later. Let me help. Please.
Whatever.
You are so stubborn sometimes. But it’s not going to help if you want your sanity to stay intact.
Alright you can help, I won’t stop you. Let’s find Scarlett first, okay?
But afterwards we need to figure out what happened.
Fine.
“Dad, where is Scarlett?” I asked.
“She was in the attic.” Then he left.
I couldn’t hear her thoughts anywhere in the house. She must have left already.
We have to find her. I told Ben.
I know. I’ll stay down here and look for her.
Right. I’ll be in my room scanning the area as far as I can.
My room is a cross between a cave and a nightclub. It’s dark and cold with neon lights everywhere. I have all the latest in electronics. My music center is on the wall where my door is. My video game center is on the wall adjacent to it. And my movie station is across from my music center. (And of course I have a futon couch against the final wall.) My room is all about fun and entertainment. It is the envy of all who enter.
I sat in my window and began my search. And a few minutes later, I found Scarlett.
Ben, I found her. She’s in the woods.
We headed out to confront her.
Okay, how are we going to get her attention without her running from us?
We need her to listen. So we tell her they are our friends and you will have to show her what you saw earlier. We have to make her see.
That will work.
I’ll talk to her first.
Scarlett, I know what Jason wants you to do. I know you don’t want to do it and that you think you have to, but just listen, okay?
I’m listening. She thought.
They’re our friends. Ben told her. See, this is what I saw, before Jason talked to you.
But how do you know?
Because that’s not where we were taking them tonight. That is further in the future. Well it was, anyway.
Oh. So I was going to succeed.
Yes, but we want to be their friends. And they want to be ours; we can’t let you destroy them. We will stop you! I warned.
Alright. Since I don’t really want to anyhow and I do like both of you and don’t want to fight you either, I’ll stay out of it. But why did Jason want me to do it?
Jealousy. He was annoyed by the girl, so I invited them to dinner so he wouldn’t come… You can come, if you want.
Thanks, but I don’t want to explain anything, especially to Jason.
Right, sorry.
Okay Ben, let’s get ready”
We’ll need two cars.
Uhh, right. Well you can drive your Mustang. I can take my—
Not your Cayenne! He thought, cutting me off.
Okay, okay. I’ll ask Rose if I can borrow her Jetta. This is why you saw her there, isn’t it.
Yep.
Alright, I’ll ask her.
“Of course I’ll come.” She butted in, curious. (We can’t hide anything with two mind-readers in the family. I’m just glad Rose is the other, she is more powerful than I. She is also a peaceful girl.)
“Okay, that makes eight. Both cars are full. I’ll meet you guys in the kitchen.”
“So, we’re going to have dinner with humans, are we?” She laughed.
“Yeah, we are.” Ben replied. “Um… Just don’t do anything that would be weird, okay?”
“I won’t. I’m just fascinated. Jason doesn’t seem to like them and I just heard you stop Scarlett from… a massacre.”
“Well it would have been wrong not to. Since our family is supposed to value human life. Besides, Sissie appears to be fun.” I told her. Adding to Ben so that Rose was the only other one to hear, maybe she’s annoying to Jason, but that’s not a bad thing.
“Yeah,” he agreed, to both my spoken and unspoken words.
“Okay, let’s go have fun then.” She said with a smile. “Nothing weird, I promise.”
We are on our way back to Harvard to meet the Cavenaughs. We are going to be early, so that Rose can hear their thoughts before they see us and then after.
“Thanks for letting me drive Rose” I was excited, not just about driving. We had our first human friends in a decade. And they annoyed the hell out of Jason.
Ben was laughing when we pulled into the school parking lot at 5:30. Why is he laughing? Oh! He is laughing at me. He thinks I’m a reckless driver. I’m better than he is.
I’m not reckless! I said a bit defensive. How could he think that?
Oh. Defensive are we?
I know what the other drivers are thinking. I can avoid accidents. Maybe even better than you, Ben. I objected.
I know you can hear their thoughts. Yet, you still drive like that. Silly girl. I thought you’d be a pro by now. He was laughing again and Rose joined him.
“I’m not reckless.” I whined. Then I became incensed, “Ugh! Just…just leave me alone! We have dinner plans, remember?”
“Of course. And remember, best behavior girls” Ben teased.
“Right,” Rose laughed.
“I hate waiting,” I groaned. “Who wants to play?”
“How ‘bout a race?” Ben threw in.
“Where? There are people everywhere.” Rose grumbled.
“Hey, Ben,” I said slyly. “Is that trail clear?” I pointed across campus to the woods.
“Yes it is. We can run at full speed, without getting caught.” He was thrilled.
“Let’s go.” I said, jogging toward the trailhead. They followed.
Ben is the fastest in our family. He will surely win if I can’t distract him. And Rose doesn’t care either way. She isn’t into competitions like we are. If I ask for her help, he will see it coming. But then again, he won’t know the thoughts behind it; he would only see the decision made. I’ve got it, the perfect plan.