* * *
"Hurry up!" Gavin called out. "I have a surprise for you."
"I'm ready," I answered, walking towards the door. It was a beautiful day, and Gavin insisted we go on a picnic. "Can I carry anything?"
"Thank you, sweetie. Will you take this, please?" Anali held out a large cloth bag with blue and white flowers all over it.
"Sure, anything else?"
"Nope, it's all packed," Gavin said, shooing us out the door.
"Spring is here," Gavin sighed, letting the sun warm his face. "It's perfect, the first weekend of March and bam, spring."
Anali smiled warmly. "It’s a very nice day, dear. I'm glad the Universe is working with you today."
"As it should," Gavin said, puffing out his chest and strutting to the car. I now understood why some kids got embarrassed by their parents.
We drove to the west end of Golden Gate Park near the windmill. The tulips were blooming in a breathtaking array of colors. I lay the blanket out for the picnic when I heard someone squeal my name. Turning, I saw Shante running up the path, her black curls bouncing around her face.
"Shante," I whispered, my eyes filling with tears. Kneeling down I caught her in a hug.
"I missed you," she said, holding onto me tightly.
"I missed you too, Shante. How did you get here?" I asked.
"My mentor brought me." Shante pointed behind her. Taliesin's mom followed. Cordelia looked elegant in a light blue dress, her golden blond hair flowing around her shoulders. "She made me this dress too, isn't it pretty?"
"It's very pretty and such a lovely pink."
"I like pink, it's my favorite color," Shante said, twirling for me so I could get the full effect of the dress which shimmered in the sunlight.
"Hello, Sapphire, how are you today?" I felt scruffy as I stood next to her. It’s easy to see where Taliesin's GQ perfection came from. Thankfully, Ms. Gadarn was much warmer than her son.
"Hello Ms. Gadarn, I'm well and you?" See watching British comedies does pay off. I learned some manners from them.
"I'm quite well, thank you. Please call me Cordelia, we're all friends. Shante and I made cookies to share with everyone." She held up a Tupperware container filled with cookies.
"Oh, what kind?" Gavin asked.
"Chocolate chip!" Shante shouted. "Sara, will you take me to look at the pretty flowers?"
"Sure, if it's okay with Mrs. Ga—... um, Cordelia."
"Is it okay, Cordelia?" Shante asked, her brown eyes wide and begging.
"It's fine with me. Go have fun."
Shante gave Taliesin's mom a quick hug, then grabbed my hand and dragged me to the flowers. For a while I listened to Shante ramble. She caught me up on all the gossip. It had been several weeks since we talked, and a lot had happened, according to Shante. Jessica, who went home with her parents six months ago, came back. This time we didn't have enough room for her siblings, so they were split up. Caitlin was spending a lot of time with her aunt, and Rhonda and Myra were going home with their mom tomorrow.
"Wow, things are busy," I said, once Shante took a breath. "When did Cordelia show up?" I felt bad I hadn't gotten to talk to Shante in so long. I'd called a few times but Shante hadn't been home.
"I don't know, a few weeks ago. She has a son. She left him a few cookies," Shante said, giggling. "Anyway, Cordelia said her son was getting older and going to be traveling soon, and she always wanted a smart pretty girl to hang out with, and she picked me!" Shante threw her hands into the air and twirled in joy.
Gavin arranged this, it was the only option. Gavin somehow arranged for Shante to be taken care of. "Of course, she picked you."
"She's very nice and very pretty." Shante stopped for a moment to sniff a bright pink tulip with a ruffled edge. "It smells sweet. Cordelia said she would take me to a class if I want. It can be anything, dance, or gymnastics, or music. Anything I want."
"That sounds like fun, want do you want to learn?" I’d never seen Shante this happy before.
"I want to be a ballerina like Angelina Ballerina." Shante twirled and danced all the way back to the picnic. I smiled as she danced away. Angelina Ballerina, Shante’s favorite book for me to read at bedtime.
"Did you see any pretty flowers?" Cordelia asked when we got back.
While Shante went into great detail about every flower, I walked over to Gavin. I wasn't sure what to do or say and stood there uncomfortably.
"Are you all right?" Gavin asked his brow furrowed.
Stepping forward I hugged my uncle. "Thank you."
Gavin's arms folded around me gently. "You're welcome. I knew you were upset about leaving Shante. I couldn't fix that, but I could try to make it easier. At least now you know Cordelia will be with Shante, watching out for her."
"Thank you," I said again into his chest. His spicy cologne filled my nose and I knew it would mean safety to me from now on. I also knew that Gavin would listen to me and help with my problems.
"Everyone makes mistakes, some are small little things, and some are huge and rather scary. The key is knowing when you have made a mistake and working to fix it. Forgetting to pick up milk at the store is an easy mistake to fix. However, there will be times when a mistake is big, and you will need help. Never be afraid to ask for help from those who care about you. A true friend and loving family might be disappointed, but they will always help you as best they can. Even if help is holding your hand as you slowly work your way through the mistake and get back to where you want to be."
"I can't access my powers. I tucked them away so tight when that evil man came that I can't get to them anymore. At first I felt happy to feel normal, but I've been trying and I can't," I confessed, in a single breath.
Gavin's arms tightened around me and he began to stroke my hair. "Don't worry we'll get it all sorted out. Thank you for telling me."
That’s it? No lecture, or interrogation, or consequences? Maybe I should ask for help more often.
"Can we eat now?" Shante said.
"Of course," Anali said, petting my hair as she walked past us.
Stepping back, I pulled a lock of hair forward, focusing on the ruby red streak instead of looking up at anyone.
"I promise that we'll figure this out. I will help make it better," Gavin insisted.
Looking up I smiled. "I believe you."
"Sara, come and eat!" Shante demanded.
"We better go, your princess awaits,” Gavin said.
For the first time since I woke up on my birthday I felt like everything might turn out all right.