Luca chuckled and patted his pockets. “Sorry, don’t have any on me.”
“Damn. Well, it was worth an ask.”
We talked for another couple of minutes, until Eva handed Luca their food.
“I’ll catch you later then?” Luca said.
“Yeah, I’ll be here. Just follow the sounds of Zale having a panic attack, and that’s where you’ll find me,” I replied.
Luca laughed. “Mom, you ready?”
Veronica patted Bea on the head, and wished us all luck, before following her son out the door.
“Here,” Eva said, handing me a paper bag. “Sustenance. How’s Zale?”
“Melting down. We should go feed him,” I said.
Eva checked her watch. “Yeah, I’m officially off for the afternoon. Let’s go.”
“See you later, Bea!” I called.
Bea stifled a yawn as she waved goodbye.
It was a full-time job between lunch and evening time, keeping Zale distracted. After we fed him, the cast arrived for a quick walk-through on the outdoor stage. It went fairly well—no one fell off their stilts, and the choreography for the fight scene went smoothly with no injuries, accidentalorintentional. Everyone took their costumes and accessories so they could get ready before our call time at 7:30pm. We took Zale for a walk along Main Street, checking out all the stalls. A walking tour was making its way up the street; I recognized Phoebe from the Historical Society in a pointy black witch hat, pointing out the sights. She winked at us as she passed. Little stalls were selling merchandise that celebrated the sun—sun-shaped pinwheels, sunglasses, hats and masks, and windchimes and flags. Restaurants were selling street food in the theme as well—round hand pies full of strawberries, and cookies decorated to look like flowers, suns, and candles. There was a tangible joy in the air on this, the longest day of the year. It felt as though the town itself was collectively trying to squeeze as much celebrationand joy into the hours before the sun went down, and the waning of the year began.
Zale and I found some dinner while Eva went to change into her nymph costume, and at last, the time came for the cast to return. They arrived in twos and threes, looking every bit the wood nymphs and frost fairies they were supposed to be, thanks to the revamped costumes and Kaia’s makeup design. For once, the teenage apathy wasn’t strong enough to burst the bubble of excited anticipation. Even Ethan and Sergei looked both excited and nervous as we helped them climb into their costumes. Without telling anyone, I took out Persi’s vials and applied the contents to the staffs, before handing them off to the nymph and the fairy who would be swinging them.
While we got ready, Ostara herself took the platform to welcome the visitors to the festival and to explain, in layman’s terms, what the Litha festival was all about. The crowds milling up and down Main Street began to corral themselves together near the platform, drawing in closer to where the action would clearly be starting soon. I spotted my mom and my aunts in the crowd, waving at me. Children were being hoisted onto shoulders so they could see over the heads of the adults. Someone was lighting tiki torches up and down the street, bathing the festival in a warm, golden light, even as the sun was drifting closer to the horizon. Finally, the clock in the tower of the library chimed 8 o’clock, and it was time for us to begin.
“Break a leg,” I whispered to Zale, and kissed him impulsively on the cheek as I handed him his microphone. I turned to the platform to make sure everyone was in place. Eva waved down at me, her face aglow with excitement. I gave her a thumbs-up, and went to join my mom and my aunts in the crowd.
“Here we go!” I whispered breathlessly to my mom as the music began, and Zale’s voice sang out from the speakers.
18
The words had drifted over the gathered crowd like snow, landing softly and silently, and transforming the landscape. Curious faces turned rapt. Confused faces turned content. Bored faces turned mesmerized. The movement of the performers fell into a rhythm, almost like choreography. The arms of the wood nymphs swayed and fluttered in perfect synchronicity. The frost fairies seemed to be floating around the Holly King like they really had swirled down from the dark of the sky in a kind of twirling dance. The lights that glowed from their fingertips darted and dipped through the gathering twilight, like lightning bugs. Whether it was the excitement of having an audience or simply sheer luck, our modest pageant had transformed into something much more than a reluctant group of teenagers going through the motions. I felt the thrill that only a theater kid can feel, the feeling that your performance has transcended the mess and frustration and monotony of rehearsal, and has been elevated to something more—something cohesive and enchanting. Something magical.
I tore my eyes from the performance and turned to grin at my mother and aunts, sure that they were as surprised and impressed as I was, but none of them were looking at me. Theywere staring, utterly entranced by the performance as well. My grin widened, and I enjoyed myself for a minute watching their expressions. Then I leaned over and spoke into my mother’s ear.
“So where would you rank this year’s pageant compared to the year Persi beat up that kid?” I asked, chuckling.
My mother didn’t answer. She was still staring at the pageant.
I laughed. “Hello? Earth to Mom! Come in, Mom!”
She didn’t reply, and I felt the smile slide off my face.
“Mom?”
I waved my hand in front of her face. She didn’t so much as flinch.
Unease pooled in my stomach, cold and congealed. I reached out and took her by the shoulder, shaking her roughly. “Mom!” MOM!” My voice had risen to a shout now, but I didn’t care. Something was wrong. Was she having a seizure or something? A stroke? “Rhi? Something’s wrong with Mom!” I cried.
I was so focused on my mother that it took me a moment to realize that Rhi hadn’t responded. I turned to see her staring with the same rapt attention as my mother, her eyes following every movement of the performers on the platform. I stepped past my mother and tugged on Rhi’s arm.
“Rhi? Rhi!”
She didn’t react at all. It was as though I didn’t exist.
