The Girl from the Well

The teenager is far from amused. “I’m serious, Jen. There’s something strange going on.”


“Sandra’s one of my students, too, remember? She’s always been a little spaced out. I don’t think she’s been weaned off imaginary friends yet. There’s one of those in every class.”

“No. I mean, yes, she’s a little unusual, but I meant Tarquin.”

“Your cousin, the Halloway boy? The one they say has all those tattoos on his arms? Poor kid. The one with the crazy mother? No offense,” she adds quickly, but Callie shakes her head.

“I’ve never met Aunt Yoko. Uncle Doug told me it wasn’t exactly abuse, but he didn’t explain how it wasn’t. It’s not something they like talking about, and Mom always felt we shouldn’t push.”

“He’d say that, of course. Kid’s got a hard enough life without having to advertise to the whole school that his ma’s got several screws loose in the brain department. Have you seen them? The tattoos? He’s always wearing those big shirts so I couldn’t get much of a look. Not that I blame him for wanting to hide them.”

“A few times, and always by accident. There are some small circles, right above his wrists, with very peculiar writing. I…I got chills just by looking at it. You know that cliché about the hairs standing up at the back of your neck? I feel that every time I see those tattoos, and I don’t even know why. I have a feeling there are more of them he isn’t showing.”

“Have you asked Mr. Halloway anything more about them?”

“Where would I even begin? ‘If you don’t mind my asking, Uncle Doug, I’d like to know exactly how many tattoos Aunt Yoko gave Tarquin during her mental breakdown. Oh, no reason, they just scare the bejesus out of me.’”

“I think you’re worrying too much about things that shouldn’t be your problem, family or not. Know what my solution is? A boyfriend. I know this really cute guy a couple of years older than you. His name’s Everett. Works part-time at the gym, planning on being a rocket scientist, literally. Aerospace engineering major. Has this sort of Jake Gyllenhaal vibe going…”

The blonde makes a face. “I’m serious, Jen. I don’t like this.”

“Neither do I, but we don’t get to pick the kids they give us to teach, either, and we still have to like it. If we could, maybe I wouldn’t have to read book reports that start: ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow begins when Johnny Depp goes into this weird town and gets chased by some guy with no head.’”

Both women laugh. “I have to go,” the older one says. “Speaking of the hypothetically questionable upbringing of family members, I’m already running late. Jackson’s working ’til eight, so it’s my turn to pick Sean up from day care. I have no idea how they’re both going to manage things here without me.”

“So you’re really set on going on that cultural studies program?”

“Absolutely!” Jen grins, excited. “Practically a month in France, all expenses paid—what’s not to like? Well, most expenses paid. I don’t think any planned shopping trips will count as research. Jackson’s not happy about me not spending the summer here, but he agreed I shouldn’t pass this up. You were accepted, too, weren’t you?”

“I was—but I haven’t decided on a country yet. Spain, Australia, India…they all sound tempting. I just feel a little guilty about leaving here before the school term officially ends.”