-I actually really like this part, it was pretty fun to write.
-I think something may be . . . out of cannon? but I couldn't find anything wrong throughout the book (1st)
I glance out the window to make sure the other three are far enough away, “Aunt Nia, when I’m done helping Mr. Oscar, can I stop by Papa’s?”
“Make sure he doesn’t see it,” she tells me, glancing at my arm.
“Is there a better way to hide it than pulling my sleeve down?”
“I’ll see if I can find one while you’re gone.”
I give her a hug, grab my bag, and head out.
Going out the back door, I walk just inside the woods. I pause for a moment and watch my cousins chasing each other around. Janner, even after nine years, still seems shocked how fast Leeli is. I guess it’s because he never managed more than a few steps the couple times he's tried with her crutch.
I adjust my bag and go a little deeper into the trees.
It’s your-no it’s not-but you-he doesn’t-but you knew-I was five-it doesn’t change anything-yes it does-nope-yes-you knew better-so did he-you’re blaming him?
I pause, halfway between town and home. I want to close my eyes, but it only makes it worse. Instead, I lace my fingers behind my head and press the heel of my hand behind my ears. I pull my hands out and apart, forgetting the tips were sharp.
“Ow,” I mutter, not really feeling it.
I’ve scratched myself too many times to be bothered by it anymore. I wonder if it bothers Papa?
I glance at my hands and continue on the path. There’s a little blood, but it usually scabs over pretty quickly.
I hear the bell as I open the door to Oscar’s, but don’t pause this time. I weave my way back to his desk and piles of books across the floor.
“Hello, Maddie,” He greets.
“Hello, Oscar.” I respond.
I smile and he hands me the list of expected books. One of them catches my eye.
“The journal of Bonifer Squoon?” I manage to keep the bitterness out of my voice.
“Ah, yes. There is to be one crate from . . . “ he glances around, “Across the sea.”
“I’ve read Pembrick’s Creaturepedia. I tink Think would like that one.”
“They’re supposed to arrive the day after the Festival. Would all three of you be available?”
“Yes sir. Well, we should be. I’ll have to check with Mama.”
“Read off the titles and we’ll figure out where they go.”
“Ridgerunner Rhyme: Poetry of the Mountains”
“Ah, Zouzab has been expecting that one. Once he finishes, shall it go in ‘Poetries Across Aerwiar?’”
“Seems like a good fit. Nasal Dysfunction in the Woes of Shreve?”
“‘Noses, Eyes, and Other Body Parts?”’
I continue reading out books from the page and we work through them until the sun sits at midday.
“Mr. Oscar, Mama wants me home not too long after lunch and I hope to go somewhere else before the cottage,” He waves a hand in dismissal and I head to the door. Luckily, I only get lost once.
Finding Peet is easy. Even after years, people still watch him like a street performer. I follow the sound of laughter to the side of the jail. I lean against the wall, closing my eyes.
When the people leave, I walk up to him, opening my bag. I pull out the knitted socks with a smile at the obvious improvements to previous ones.
“Hello Mr. Peet. I made you some more socks. They’re a little thinner since it’s getting warmer.”
He doesn’t say anything. He carefully takes them from my hands and nods. He turns to Glipwood Forest and runs into the trees. I want to follow him. I want to talk to him like a daughter should.
I climb most of the way down the old tree. I swing my legs over the branch, only a few feet above Janner’s head. I let go and fall on top of him, careful to watch my head.
“AA–” His yell is cut short.
I roll off him, me and Tink laughing.
Nice! So, she’s a Cloven too right? A bird? How does she hide it?
Btw, the convo with Peet was sad 😭
But good! Very good.