Unearthing the Roots: Butterpond Mysteries, #2

1

If you read Mira’s story then you know that we were saddled with the responsibility of saving Butterpond from losing its identity as a Magical community. You know that we have to find ten other Roots and convince them to help us, and you know that I am possibly a Glazier Leprechaun (and yes, I was still holding out for the possibility that all the adults in my life, plus Mira were wrong about that).

What you don’t know is how much my life changed after walking out of that stupid ring of sunflowers. This is where you find out. I hope you’re ready.

The piece of paper in my hand was certainly a sign of change. The positive result from the Glazier Cobbler Test shook in my hands as I continued to read it. The excitement of being special welled in my belly for a moment before withering and dying in the pit of despair I keep for occasions like this.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Mira. I needed her cool, level- headed advice right now, because my brain was whirling.

Hi, Mrs. Betty, I know that Mira is grounded, but can I talk to her please, I said, my ears ringing from the octave I hit on ‘please’. I rubbed the sweat from my hands and I paced in front of my ship-shaped bed. As I made my way back and forth in front of my bed, across the treasure map rug under my feet, I felt Ernie’s eyes following me.

It didn’t exactly bother me, he’d been doing it my whole life. I think it would be weird for me if the painting of the giant octopus spreading out from the corner of my room didn’t follow me. The bright orange color of my octopod friend had faded from eleven years of being stuck on the wall, but it was what mom and dad wanted.

Are you okay, honey? You sound… panicked.

No, I wasn’t all right.

Ummm, yeah, I just need to talk to Mira. I won’t keep her long, I promise.

There was a pause on the other end and then I heard the phone being passed to someone else. My friend answered a moment later.

Hey! Did you feel it too?

What are you talking about? I asked, momentarily stunned by her abrupt tone. She sounded just as agitated as I felt.

The shield, it fell. Like was no longer holding Haven together, or protecting Butterpond. It lasted a whole minute before I felt it come back up? You didn’t feel it? Is everything all right?

Why would you think something was wrong? I asked.

You’re deflecting.

Fine, I got my results back.

They’re positive?

I nodded.

You’re nodding?

I nodded again, my throat caught and no longer able to produce sound. Lucky for me, Mira is perfectly able to have a one-sided conversation.

So, now you have to tell your parents and you’re freaking out?

I nodded again. I was starting to feel a little bit like a bobble head.

Meg, take three big breaths. Ready, inhale. Hold it for three seconds, exhale.

I did as she said. I felt my brain start to slow down and by the third breath I was able to speak again.

I’m so scared, Mir.

Relax, Papa Walsh said you had to tell them, but he didn’t say you had to tell them on your own. Do you want me to see if Mom will let me come over for a little bit? I bet she’d let me. This is a big deal.

I shook my head. No. I don’t want to push your grounding barriers anymore than we already have. You’ve only been grounded for three hours.

Okay, well, what if you ask Papa Walsh to come help you. I’m sure he’d be willing to be there with you at least.

I picked up the lava lamp I made for a class project a couple of years ago. It was the only thing in my room that was actually a piece of me. I’d seen the ring of fire in it not long ago, and we had escaped it only a couple of hours ago. It was weird to think that at midnight we’d come back from the fairy-ring, had to deal with our parents' perfectly normal reactions to our apparent disappearances, and started our immediate groundings. I’d woken from a nap to find the letter with my results resting on my chest.

I sighed. That’s an excellent suggestion. I mean, I have to tell them no matter what. The letter says stuff about training and I have to get it signed off by my parents or guardian.

Yeah. Oh, and send the letter through the closet, I want to read it, if that’s okay. I’ll also see if I can sneak some of Mom’s cinnamon rolls to send your way.

I laughed. You are the absolute best, Mira Overcourt. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise… including me.

She laughed. Whatever.

Her voice turned serious. Were you able to hide the jewelry box where we talked about?

Oh, yeah. Safest place it can be. I was thinking about wearing some jewelry to school on Monday. What do you think?

The line was quiet for several moments and I could almost hear her thinking.

I think you should be careful, maybe wear one more piece than your item. We don’t know if they have extra powers or what. The Founders were pretty vague about that bit. But if the shield dropping is any indication, we need to find the rest of the Roots yesterday.

I looked down at the ruby ring gleaming on my pointer finger. What magical powers could it have?

Yeah, you’re right. I agreed. Do you and Maya want to try wearing other pieces too? That might be a good idea. Maybe they’ll glow like they did for us. She was quiet for a minute, then whispered, Mom is giving me the stink eye. Are you good, cus I have got to go?

Yeah, I’m a lot better. Thanks. And tell your mom I said thanks for letting you talk.

I will, she said, then lowering her voice she added, I’ll talk to you through the closet. Remember, no risk.

No magic.

I pulled the phone from my ear, and hit the end button with a small smile on my lips. It was a bitter smile. I always hated when my mantra was used against me, but Mira wasn’t wrong. And the risk was worth the magic I could possess.

I slipped off my shoes, sat cross-legged on the bed, and dialed Papa Walsh’s number.

2

My heart was hammering in my chest, my hands were sweating and my parents were looking at me expectantly. My voice seemed to be caught in my throat again. Papa Walsh sat in the comfy armchair next to where I was standing. I looked down at him. He nodded at me.

I turned back to my parents, took a deep breath and launched into an explanation I knew was going to start a fight.

Mom, Dad, I have to tell you that I have just received the Glazier Cobbler Test back with a positive result.

I closed my eyes waiting for the burst of angry yelling I knew was going to come blasting my way, but instead there was only silence. I peeked my eyes open to find my Dad’s face a mask of anger. Like he was so angry he couldn’t find the right words to yell.

Daniel, do not be angry with the girl. She didn’t choose this for herself. You know that. She has been chosen by the ancestors as the next worthy, Papa Walsh chided softly.

Dad found the words then. Before Papa Walsh had finished speaking Dad was up from his seat.

WHAT? SHE’S BEEN CHOSEN? SHE STOLE THAT TITLE, JUST LIKE SHE STOLE HER LIFE. THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY BOY’S GIFT. DECLAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE NEXT CHOSEN, NOT HER. GIRLS ARE NOT MEANT TO HAVE THE GIFT.

His face was a deep purple and I would have been nervous about whether he was getting enough air, if I wasn’t being ripped apart by his words. It was always eye-opening to hear what people really thought of you. I’d only gotten this insight once before, when I was in second grade, but hearing it from your parents, the people that created you and brought you into the world? Well, that was just brutal.

Papa Walsh stood in front of me now, Dad had started moving closer. I don’t think he would hit me, but I didn’t exactly want him yelling directly in my face either.

HOW WAS SHE TESTED? HOW DOES SHE KNOW SHE’S BEEN GIFTED?

Papa Walsh stood in front of me, blocking Dad, his chin lifted. I saw the understanding flicker through Dad’s eyes. Something more than anger showed there. I’m sure Mira could’ve told me what it was, but I didn’t know. It could have been jealousy,