The Phantom of Fairlake

Anytime

 There was a big, fat C written on her test. At least she had tried. She was so worried and pleased and tense and delighted with learning Charlotte’s name, and everything that had happened since then, concentrating on the test proved to be less than easy.

   “Show me,” he had said.

   “Come,” she had said, and took his arm and floated down the street to Charlotte’s garden. It was neither day nor night outside, but the street lamp had shone patiently. The translucent garden gleamed its ghostly white light, so magical that it had seemed like a dream...

   “Remarkable...” his voice had steadily waned.

   It had only been a dream. 

   Madalyn had woken up that morning never feeling more awkward. Something about it was almost too sentimental to be dreaming about, especially with her sister’s boyfriend. She was still rosy red getting ready for school, and was so thankful she would not have to see him at school.

   But, oh, she would have to see him at the house as long as he and Lyndsie were still together...Then it occured to her. Why didn’t Lyndsie ever go to his house? She could remember her only going twice-to meet his parents, and to a small dinner party. Other than that, Devin was always there. Their house without Devin would be very unusual, she thought.

   Madalyn would go and visit Charlotte today. Maybe she ran away because she was afraid, not angry. It was worth a try. She determinedly set out to the alley after school let out, a bit worried what her mother would say if she knew she had missed the bus. She would come up with a good excuse, but for now, she felt it was important to see Charlotte.

   She arrived to find a group of men, who looked to be in their mid twenties, smoking. Madalyn must have looked quite vapid when they all turned and looked at her and when one asked, “Looking for something?” She just turned away and coughed, not once looking back. No Charlotte today.

   Upon her arrival home, she came across Devin and Lyndsie sitting at the porch swing, Lyndsie leaning against his shoulder as though she were right on the verge of falling asleep. Madalyn stopped in her tracks and went around the back door, her cheeks threatening to flush when she saw the back of his head. Don’t think about talking to him anymore...at least not today. Don’t get on Lyndsie’s bad side.

   She sighed deeply as soon as she closed the door behind her, and opened the fridge, found no lemonade, and resorted to the fresh cup of coffee on the kitchen counter. She heard her mother with another one of her piano students, this time practicing “Winds in the Willow.” Madalyn listened to him play for a spell, and retreated to her room. However, before she could, Devin came bursting into the back door without Lyndsie. His face was even ruddier than it normally was, and he puffed and seemed quite out of breath. His eyes met with hers, and she scrambled to the stairs so he wouldn’t see her pink cheeks.

   “Hey,” he said, swiftly grabbing her wrist. Madalyn flushed and yanked her hand away. He kept talking through the background noise of piano keys banging. “Did you see Charlotte today?”

   “No. I couldn’t.” she said without looking at him, glad that he had remembered Charlotte’s name.

   “Oh,” Devin said with dismay hanging in his voice. He gestured toward the backyard. “Lyndsie thought she could tackle me.” Looking down at his shirt, Madalyn saw that it had grass stains smeared on it here and there. He let out a strained giggle as Madalyn cast him a smile and shut the door to her room to release the blush she had been holding back. For a minute, she had forgotten that he could not peer into her thoughts, and she breathed the air of relief at this awareness.