“Why was that?”
“Well, not literally, it’s just he was too perfect to be true. I guess I should have known that it would end too soon. It’s impossible to be happy for so long.” She pulled out a chair and sat next to Aspen. “He had the same eyes as you. Silvery blue. You were his little angel, and he used to call you his sweetest dream walker.” She smiled.
The skin on her arms prickled as she listened to her mom. “Did he ever talk about his dreams?”
“Yes, he loved talking about his dreams.” Her mom smiled in remembrance. “He said he wished that he could take me with him when he dreamed, and he wanted to take me to his special house. He said he’d built the most beautiful veranda and a lake was close by. He’d made a room especially for you, and he’d dreamed of taking you there while you slept.”
Aspen gave her mom a wan smile as her chest tightened with emotion.
“He said he was working with a spell master in his dreams, and he’d be able to take me over someday. I just laughed at his stories. He’d get sad when I wouldn’t believe him, so I eventually played along and told him that I’d love to go there. I miss him so.” Norma stared at the dream catcher, deep in thought.
“How did Dad die?” Aspen asked quietly.
“Your father had a job as an electrician’s assistant at Pilkington’s just outside of town. He worked with heavy current. They were setting up electric pylons when a large storm developed. His friends told him to go inside but he wouldn’t listen. He said he knew what kind of storm it was and that he was prepared.”
Aspen tilted her head toward her mom. “What happened next?”
“The workers say that lightning hit the ground constantly, louder than they’d ever heard before. They were too scared to go outside until much later.” Norma shook her head sadly. “They found his melted rubber shoes. That was all that was left of him.”
Aspen swallowed with difficulty. Suddenly Stephan’s footsteps thudded on the staircase.
“Hide the necklace under your sweater, Mom!”
Jumping up, she grabbed the box while her mother tucked the necklace out of sight. She tucked the box into the back of a drawer and shouted, “’Bye, Mom,” then sprinted to the bus stop before Stephan got to the kitchen.
Chapter 10
Strength
“Hey there. You need to practice your aim today.” Sandy met Aspen in the parking lot as soon as she’d left the bus. She laughed and sent a small current of electricity through Aspen’s arm.
“Ouch, you witch!” Aspen ran after her friend and tried to return the favor.
“Wait, don’t do it.” Sandy held out her palm and giggled. “You don’t know how strong you are.”
“You should’ve thought about that before you started.” Aspen turned this way and that, trying to find an open spot of skin around the top Sandy wore.
“Wait, stop.” Sandy gasped, holding up her arms to defend herself and shifting back and forth as she laughed.
Aspen danced around her, looking for a target. She was too scared to shock her friend’s bare skin, so she settled for the back pocket of Sandy’s jeans. Sandy yelped and jumped into the air, even though the shock was mild because of the leather strap Aspen wore. Luckily it seemed to give her more control of her power.
“No more, no more, I give up!”
Aspen and Sandy were still laughing as they entered the small courtyard in front of the main building. The bell rang and students raced around them to get to class on time.
They were stopped short by Miriam, who stood directly in front of them, blocking their path.
“Aspen Walker!” she rasped. “You’re acting like a kid.”
“We are kids, Miriam, in case you haven’t noticed.” Sandy glared at her, hands on her hips. “We are acting our age.”
“I wasn’t speaking to you, trailer trash,” Miriam spat at Sandy.
Static electricity hummed around Sandy, making her pale blond hair rise around her cheeks. Her eyes sparkled with anger. “What did you just call me?”
“You heard me. You’re new at our school and you’re a nobody.”
Sandy lifted her chin and stepped forward menacingly. “It takes one to know one.”
Aspen’s head barely reached her stepsister’s chin, but she pushed Sandy back and stood between her and Miriam. “Leave her alone. She hasn’t done anything to you at all.”
Miriam smirked. The ugly grin didn’t look good on her. “What are you two up to? You’re as thick as thieves lately. Don’t you know she’ll ditch you once she finds out you don’t have any money?”
Aspen’s temper rose suddenly. Tendrils of power licked within her fingertips, and the hair on her arms lifted up.
“Leave. My. Friend. Alone!” she said, enunciating each word forcefully.