Ember Page 2

  “It’s good to see you Uncle Frank,” I said with relief.

  “Max I’m so glad you took me up on my offer.”

  “I can explain…” I tried to say.

  “Later my boy…” he said as he hugged me. “…Lets get you settled in first.” He grabbed my bag as I slid my guitar behind my back. Together we walked to the front door of the house and my newest buddy followed close behind with a bounce in his resurrected step.

  2000 Miles_02

  ~(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay: Otis Redding~

  Walking into the house I felt instantly at ease. It was exactly how I had pictured it. A modest 2 bedroom, 2 bath home that looked like it was about twenty years old. There were more windows than you’d expect in such a small house. Two large ones in the living room over looking the front yard and four more in the little kitchen that let the natural sun light wash over the tiles. The kitchen led to a decent sized patio with a grill and a place to eat. The living room was simple with a medium sized TV at the back wall and two small couches surrounding it.

  “So Max…what do you think? Do you approve?” he asked excited.

  “Not bad uncle…” I said quietly. “…But it’s obvious that Aunt Sharon got all the money,” I teased. He laughed and tossed me my bag.

  “Your room is on the right…smart ass,” he teased back and pointed down the hallway.

  “Thanks.”

  My room seemed awfully big for the size of the house and surprisingly much cleaner than the rest of the place. He must have really wanted me to feel at home. There was a large window behind my bed with an amazing view of the distant mountain lines. An endless shower of sunlight lit every corner of the room. There was a small closet by my door and a desk next to the bed with a newer laptop computer on top of it. A small dresser on the opposite wall with a few framed pictures strategically placed along it.

  One picture was of my dad and my uncle standing together, arms locked around each other as if they were caught off guard during a wrestling match. They looked like they were in their early twenties and both seemed as happy as I have ever seen them. Another picture was of my mom and I. I was about eight or nine in it and so happy. My smile was huge and looked just like my mother’s. I had inherited that and her playful laugh. We also had the same dark brown hair.

  The third and final picture I only glanced at quickly and reached out and flipped it face down so I couldn’t see it. I closed my eyes and inhaled a long deep breath, trying with all my might to make the image disappear. It did after a few seconds and was replaced with darkness. I shook my head and opened my eyes.

  “Do you like it?” Frank asked from my door way. It startled me.

  “The rooms perfect…more than I deserve.” I ran my hands through my bangs and they quickly fell back into my eyes.

  “Thanks uncle.” As I spoke his eyes glanced over at my dresser and the over turned picture frame. His face filled with a grimace and he understood completely. I never could hide anything from him. We’ve always had this weird connection since I was born. I think my dad was a little jealous of that bond we shared.

  “Thank you for the bed and computer...” I was changing the subject. “…I’ll take the best care of them.”

  “I know you will,” he smiled.

  Suddenly with the force of a rocket, the little stray wiener dog came bounding through my door and launched his dirty body into my arms. I almost dropped my guitar from the impact. His head turned toward Frank and he barked as if to say hello with his tongue hanging from the side of his mouth. He was as happy as could be and Frank and I looked at each other and laughed.

  “You ever seen something so small act so big before?” he asked curiously.

  “I know, he has absolutely no fear,” I added. Frank walked over and put his hand on the dogs head and patted softly. The little bodyguard was enjoying all the attention.

  “When that jackass on the bike hit him he spun so high in the air, like a little top, I thought for sure he was heading to Oz,” he laughed hearty at his joke.

  “That’s perfect,” I said cutting him off.

  “What?”

  “Oz!” I snapped. “I think that’s what I’ll call him.” I was proud of myself and looked down to see if he approved of his new call sign but he was much more interested in rubbing his filthy back all over my fresh blankets. My eyes shot over to my uncle and he nodded in approval.

  “Oz it is,” he agreed turning to the door. “I’ll see if I can find him something to eat, you see how well he takes to a nice, hot bath.” Oz’s head whipped around at the word and his ears folded back.

  “Ah…it seems he is familiar with the procedure,” Frank chuckled.

  I grabbed him gently and felt where I had burned his fur away, under his left front leg. Picking him up he began to lick my face in a last attempt to change my mind about the impending bath of doom. I smiled and tucked his long torso under my arm like I was holding a football and walked to the bathroom.

  “Sorry about the fur little man…” I ran my hand along the faded fur. “…But I’d say that it was a fair trade though,” I smiled and placed him in the shower. He just sat there pouting as I began scrubbing the earth from his hair. After about ten minutes of scrubbing he was good as new. His reddish brown coat filled with a shiny glow. He quickly jumped from my hands and ran through the house like a dog possessed. I let him be and made my way back to my room and unpacked.

  As I finished up, I went to the window and opened it letting the fresh air rush in and intoxicate me once again. Oz ran back in the room and onto the bed. One, two, three turns in a little circle and he plopped down right in the center. He fell asleep almost like someone had pulled out his batteries. Snoring was only minutes behind and it made me laugh inside. While I stood at my window a thought crossed my mind, a thought that hadn’t done so in a long time. Maybe I could be part of a family again.

  “Maybe,” I whispered out the window.

  4:17 p.m.

  Home…that is what my uncle was offering me, a place to call my own. A second chance at making things right and maybe even being happy again. I personally didn’t think I deserved the chance, but he did. I would always be grateful to him for the unconditional trust. The truth was that I was alone and my uncle Frank was the only family I had left. Now I know that sounded bleak but I felt like I had won the lottery.

  The smell of the barbecue firing up filled the air through the house, grabbing my senses. Frank was grilling some kind of meat, I think pork and it smelled delicious. I changed my shirt quickly and ran out on the back patio to see if I could help with anything. Oz was right beside me as I walked with his little stomach already growling.

  “Well uncle, how can I help with dinner?” I asked slapping my hands together in a loud clap. He smiled and slowly looked around the backyard.

  “For starters…I’m having a little trouble with this darn grill. I can’t seem to keep this right burner lit,” he said annoyed. His eyes grew big watching me as he leaned over the burner.

  “Do you think you could give me a hand?”

  “Let me see,” I said gently nudging him out of the way. My eyelids pulled together as I leaned over the grill and began to concentrate. I could feel Frank’s stare intensify.

  “Well?” he asked impatiently.

  “Stand back a little,” I warned. The fumes from the grill were already making my eyes water so I decided I better make this quick. My chest filled with heat and my neck covered with tiny goose bumps. I snatched a quick breath and exhaled in one fluid motion, letting a thin reddish orange flame spring from my lips. It stretched like a stream of water, flipping and twisting through the air. The burner popped with a burst of fire, igniting instantly. Quickly the flame settled into its new home and I let my body power back down.

  “Ta da!” I said turning to Frank. His eyes were wide and I don’t think he was breathing but he stepped closer to the grill again, letting out a long relieved breath.

  “I’ll never get t
ired of watching you do stuff like that. You’ve really learned how to control your gift haven’t you?” he asked proudly. I shrugged a little embarrassed.

  “Anything else?” I asked quickly. He went back to flipping the meat on the grill and pulled a new piece of meat up, placing it on the empty burner.

  “Grab us a couple cold ones and I’ll handle the rest.”

  “Got it…but I don’t drink alcohol, so I hope you have something other than beer,” I smiled. He looked at me surprised.

  “There are some sodas in the fridge too.” He paused and smiled. “I wish I had that kind of will power when I was your age. I mean, what kind of eighteen year old doesn’t drink?” he said to himself.

  “I’m not like most eighteen year olds,” I called from the kitchen.

  “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised though, you were always a pretty good kid.” He quickly placed a couple pieces of meat on a plate, watching me as I walked back out on the patio with two cold drinks.

  “That is except when it came to that famous temper of yours,” he teased. My hands began to heat and I looked at him wincing. Please don’t say it…please.

  “Isn't that right…Mad Max?” he said with a huge smile.

  “Ugh,” I groaned.

  In a full blown laugh now he sat down at the patio table and handed the plate of meat to me. I placed the dish next to a fresh bowl of salad he had already prepared. Oz sprang from the kitchen door and slid right beside me with his tail wagging. I sliced him a chunk of pork and sat it in front of him.

  “You know Frank…I haven’t been called that in a few years,” I was annoyed. His laugh faded as my tone changed.

  “I wasn’t trying to get a rise out of you son…” he paused. “Well, maybe a little.”

  “I guess I have earned the name though.” I let a small smile return to my face.

  “My abilities kind of make it easy to be a hot head…so to speak.” I reached for the salad bowl.

  “I’ve known about the fire starting stuff for years, ever since you purposely burned my carton of cigarettes when you decided it was time for me to give up the habit,” he winked. I blushed when I remembered the scene.

  “I think you were around seven,” he thought out loud. He was right. He leaned in and whispered in a serious tone.

  “Now what’s the story with that neat little trick you did out front this morning?” And if on cue, Oz’s tiny head popped up from his piece of meat. He licked his mouth quickly and wagged his tail gently.

  “About two years back I was stringing my guitar one afternoon and I accidentally jabbed the end of one of the strings into my palm.” I held up my right hand. “It hurt something awful and blood gushed from it everywhere. It got all over my clothes, making me mad of course…” Frank’s eyes filled with the glee from before when he mentioned my old nickname. “…My hand quickly ignited into a flame and slowly it healed beneath the flame…I was shocked.” I sipped a drink from my bottle of soda and continued.

  “No matter what I did to myself it healed and every time it seemed to speed up. So that made me wonder if it only worked the one way or if I learned to control the flame, maybe I could do the same for others.” I sighed lightly and Frank’s face filled with cautiousness.

  “I haven’t had too many opportunities to practice on others,” I said glancing down at Oz. He barked at me as I patted him on the head.

  “But it seems to be working fine.”

  “How far do you plan on pushing this…gift?” he asked bluntly.

  “I don’t know…” I sat silently for a second. “…I just figured if I could make up for my past mistakes…maybe I’d be forgiven. Maybe the nightmares would finally stop.”

  “You still have that same nightmare huh? About that day? About her?” he asked cautiously. I nodded yes.

  “Almost every night.” My eyes fell to my hands as I began to rub them together nervously.

  “I don’t sleep that well. I hope that won’t bother you too much?”

  Smiling he said, “I’m a pretty heavy sleeper. No worries my boy.”

  He fell silent pondering what to say next and I just watched him waiting.

  “No matter how many stray animals you save Max, it won’t change what happened that horrible day.” His words hurt a little. “And it will not change the truth,” he added. I was scared of what the truth was and Frank knew it.

  “Mia loved you…and your gift.”

  Ouch. I was right to be afraid.

  “And she forgives you son,” he said with a heavy tone. I was absolutely speechless. I hadn’t heard her name spoken out loud in a long time and it hit me like a sledgehammer. I felt sick inside. My fingers fell across my right inner wrist where I had her name tattooed in black and red lettering.

  “My beautiful Mia,” I spoke under my breath.

  Frank saw the rawness in my face and he felt bad for bringing her up. He took another minute to pour himself another drink as I squirmed in my seat.

  “You ever hear anything from your mother?”

  “Not a peep,” I said through my teeth and shook my head in disgust.

  “When she left after the accident years ago, she cut all ties…forever it seems,” I said angry.

  “I don’t even know if she heard about dad’s heart attack. Even if she had, I’m sure she would have just blamed me anyways,” I squeezed my drink and it began to bubble with heat. “…Just like last time!”

  Frank slid the bottled drink from my hand with a napkin in hand. His face winced from the heat of the glass but he said nothing.

  We sat for a few minutes saying nothing and finished our dinner. Finally he spoke up.

  “This islands awfully beautiful, don’t you think?” he was changing the subject but I was glad he did.

  “From what I’ve seen…yes,” I said as I started to feel settled again.

  “I know every inch of the island. If you have any questions just ask,” he said with a grin.

  “I like my privacy sometimes…any secluded beaches or coves I could have to myself?” I had already begun to feel happy just talking with him. I lit my finger with a snap of my wrist and a flame reached for the sky. His eyes grew bigger.

  “You know…for practice,” I finished.

  “Hmmm…I think I know the perfect spot.” His eyes relaxed as I let the flame fade away.

  “Really?”

  “Very secluded, very private,” he smiled.

  “Where?”

  “Not too far from here. Mokule’ia Beach.” His smile wilted slowly. “But the kids have a newer name for it though.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Slaughterhouse,” he groaned.

  “Nice.”

  “It’s just some stupid name that seemed to stick for some reason. Most Maui locals call it by its true name.” He stretched his back. “Anyways, it will probably be exactly what you’re looking for. It used to have a steady stream of visitors but that’s changed in the last couple of years.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “I’m not sure. It’s a great place to surf but a little dangerous. You might encounter a stray surfer with a death wish but it’s secluded enough for what you’re asking.” He paused again. “Most of them can’t stand it anymore.”

  “I’m not following,” I said and in the distant background more thunder rumbled again. He smiled and looked off in the direction of the storm.

  “The weather. It always seems to be raining at that beach. Big thick dark rain…all year round.” He leaned across the table “Some of the locals say that it’s cursed.” He contorted his face in a sad attempt to be scary but he failed miserably.

  “It should be perfect,” he finished.

  “Sounds like a plan,” I said excited. I’ve always been attracted to the rain…every aspect of it. The coolness of the drops on my skin. The smell as the first raindrops touched the desert floor. The breeze that seemed to carry every smell it passed over. I loved all of it. So the haunted beach sounded just fine to me…gh
osts or no ghosts.

  Back in my new room I felt spent. My weary eyelids were growing heavier by the minute. Just before I gave into the sandman I spied on my desk a small blue and white pamphlet. It was folded neatly next to my computer. I opened it up and pulled another folded piece of paper out.

  “Maui High…home of the mighty Sabers,” I read aloud. It didn’t look like it was that big of a campus, only 1700 students total. Most of the schools I had attended had at least 1000 kids in each grade.

  “Sounds fun.” I leaned back on my bed, sliding my ear buds in and turning on my music. My eyes closed as the days events ran through my head. The miserable flight, the gorgeous landscapes and the mysterious girl behind the wheel of her truck and then I remembered the man on the motorcycle.

  I wasn’t sure why I thought about it but I did. As he drove away, after crushing my little friend without a single glance, I notice his back. Well, not his back exactly but the back of his pullover. It had two words scrolled across it…‘MAUI HIGH.’

  “Great,” I sighed. Monday should be fun. In a school that small, running into him shouldn’t be too big of a problem. I felt my anger rising and took a couple deep breaths until I was calm again.

  I thought it would take me hours to fall asleep with all the thoughts running around my skull but I was wrong. Sleep fell on me like gravity and I faded into my dreams. I was also hoping that in my tired state I wouldn’t dream this night but I was wrong…again.

  The nightmare came harder and faster than usual that night. I had been through this many times before but tonight was different. This time, as I watched Mia catch fire and fall away from me over and over again, her screams were drowned out by the pounding thunder above us. I couldn’t see any clouds or rain, just the slow rolling thunder. It turned out to be a very long night.