Old Magic(7)

‘I’m taking you to see my grandmother,’ she says.

‘Is she a nurse?’

Her mouth twitches a little, just in one corner, as if she’s holding back a cynical laugh. Slowly an incredible smile forms. ‘Not exactly, but she’s a whole lot better than the office staff playing with first aid.’

For some reason I suddenly trust her. OK, maybe I really do know the reason – it’s all because of that smile. I’m a sucker for smiles. Having changed schools so many times, a smile has often been a lifeline. But this one is something special. It changes her whole face. Makes her look … ethereal. Now, where did that word come from?

We shove our way through the scrub to the main road and follow this for a while until we reach a fork in the road. I think for a minute she’s taking me home as the road to the left leads directly to the property my parents are renting; but then she turns right, taking the narrow dirt and gravel road into the rainforest. It looks fairly steep from here, winding upwards. I lose sight of the main road after the first hairpin bend. I realise now how Kate gets her fantastic legs; climbing this road every day would shape the legs of a rhinoceros.

The further we climb though, doubts set in. It looks lonely and secluded. ‘Where does your grandmother live? You know, at this rate I could bleed to death before we make it to her front door.’

She spins around, giving me an incredulous stare that makes me feel like a real wimp. So, Mr Garret’s not the only one who doesn’t like the sight of blood. I feel my face fire up in embarrassment.

‘If you’re still bleeding, apply some pressure to that bandage. That’s the idea.’ She looks at my wound, winces when she realises it’s probably deeper than she first thought, then rewinds the bandage, making it tighter.

Her fingers dealing with my wound are steady and warm. I glance into her face when she finishes. ‘Thanks, Kate.’

My words stun her for some reason. Her head shoots up and our eyes lock. The moment is intense. We could be lovers on a secret rendezvous. At least, this is what my vivid imagination comes up with. Sure. As if.

Then somehow the sensation intensifies, as if her eyes and her mind have found a secret passage inside my head. I recognise the buzz. I felt this same sensation in the classroom, when my head had felt invaded. I swear loudly, giving myself a good shake. ‘Hell, what was that?’

She breaks away and starts climbing the lonely road again, ignoring me.

‘Hey!’ I catch up with her, needing an answer. ‘Do you know what happened just then?’

She doesn’t stop walking, just looks straight ahead. ‘Yeah, of course.’

So casual, when my head is still spinning. ‘So, what was it?’

‘You don’t know?’

‘If I knew,’ I practically yell, ‘would I be asking?’

She smiles as if she’s playing a game. ‘What do you think it was?’

She’s testing me. It’s in her voice, challenging. I don’t like challenges. I have a golden set of rules I try to live by. Challenges sometimes force me through my self-imposed limits. ‘I have no idea. Only that it doesn’t follow any of the rules.’

She slows a little but keeps walking. I’m grateful but don’t say anything. My legs are tiring from the climb.

‘What rules?’ she asks.

‘I don’t know … normal, everyday life rules.’

‘Does everything in your life follow the rules, Jarrod?’

I don’t have to think long about that. Of course they don’t. Maybe that’s why I dream of an ordered lifestyle. I’ve never had it.

When I don’t answer she says, ‘It’s funny you know.’

Though I try, I can’t see the humour. That intrusive feeling in my head was unreal. Actually I’m starting to think Kate is bad news, a little crazy even. ‘What’s funny?’

‘You’re completely oblivious of yourself.’

‘Interesting observation. Don’t stop there.’

She does stop, walking that is. She looks me straight in the face, unflinching. I want to look away but can’t. Both her hands lift, palms up. ‘Your power. You have so much of it.’

I stare, not understanding a word she’s talking about.

‘Inside you.’ She taps a long finger at my chest. ‘I sense it. No, I feel it. And I’m good at that sort of thing.’

‘You’re a little funny, aren’t you?’ I point to my head and rotate a finger in little circles.

She snorts and grunts. The only thing she hasn’t done is stomp her feet. She takes off and I catch up with her, trying to ignore the throb of my arm. ‘Sorry,’ I mumble.