Getting There: How I Learned to Love Dragons And Crazy, Talking Cats

Andi was surprised as she walked the halls at school, that many people were waving to her. Some even stopped to wish her a good birthday. Her locker had surprises too, a couple of cards wedged in the vents, and a pink Minnie Mouse balloon tied to the handle. She could not help the bubble of joy that rose to see the changes in the people around her. The school looked the same as did the people and the teachers. But to have so many smiling at her and the wishes stuck in her locker was truly awesome.

Even the ride to school with Dad had been fun, he had the radio tuned to KRTH and belted out a song just for her, Stevie Wonder’s, ‘Isn’t she Lovely?’. Man, it was almost embarrassing. But it was a good thing Dad had a nice voice otherwise it would have been painful.

Andi recalled the real birthday, and wondered if it would also be a repeat of her adventure in the library. One of the nominees running for office, Patty Sharp even in passing commented on her outfit and gave her an orange pencil.

“I’ll come to the rally. Yup, I’ll vote for you.” She answered when Patty mentioned it and needing her vote.

“Don’t you want to vote for your boyfriend, Scott?” Patty quested.

That would be a tell-tale perhaps. “Oh, yeah, I forgot he’s running too. I’ll think about it.” She waved to Patty as she hurried away from her locker. First bell rang and both she and Scott scooted in at the same time, he even held the door. They made it to their seats before the last bell rang. Andi knew this was different than the last time.

Scott plopped his bag on the floor and retrieved his chemistry book. Andi noticed he wore the same blue shirt, and his letter jacket but didn’t look sweaty. He smelled nice, his dark hair only slightly mussed. She leaned forward to sniff and Scott caught her.

“What you doin’?”

“You smell nice, what is it?” She asked boldly.

“Thanks, but you should know, you gave it to me last Christmas.” Grinning, he patted her head. “What are you doing for lunch? Wanna pop over to Mickey D’s with me?” he whispered happily.

“Quiet, class.”

“I’ll tell you later.” She hissed.

“Since you two want to chat, you both come on up here and help with this experiment.” Chemistry teacher Carol Stuart announced.

“See what you did?” Scott grinned. “Yes’m.” He acknowledged as he stood.

Andi scrambled to her feet and followed him to the lab table. There, they both helped to set up the experiment, something about the use of acids and alkaloids. Remembering the stinking boiling fiasco of last week, she nudged Scott. “Remember to do it slowly only a drop at a time.”

“Right. I will.”

Andi did her part of the experiment and the class oohed as the compound changed colors. Scott’s tiny drops of hydrochloric acid, only smoked a little and the bubbles remained in the flask. She was caught thinking how different it was today, and missed the question by the teacher, but Scott answered it correctly. They were dismissed to return to their seats.

Scott was ribbed by a classmate, “Someone did their homework, last night.” The pair fist-bumped and Scott sat down wearing a huge grin.

Andi, less enthused by it all, thought Scott resembled the Alpha chimp from King Sefu’s garden. “Big ape.” She murmured and sat at her desk.

The class went on uneventful, yet she was often lured away by thoughts of her adventure and what was wrong, or maybe right about this new life. Andi wished she could talk to Ain-u-tep about it, but then she was just a bit tired of the bossy little cat.

Scott grabbed her as she left class, draping an arm over her petite shoulders. “So, you wanna hit a movie or something Saturday?”

“Actually, Dad wanted me to invite you and Dylan for paintball.” She waited for Scott to say something about his dead brother.

“Awesome! Now that’s a birthday party. Yeah, we’re in. See you Annie.” He squeezed her in a hug then sped away.

Andi went to her locker, flabbergasted by Scott’s reaction and her nickname. He never called her that in the past. And of course, lately it was some other derogatory name. Then Peaches and Jason tag-teamed her at her locker, this time both wishing her a happy b-day. Peaches gave Andi a tiny gift bag with orders to open it when they met at lunch. They headed upstairs for history class.

Later, Andi purposefully went to the library before going to the pep rally. Mrs. Van was there with her owlish scowl. “You are supposed to be going to the pep rally, Andrea.”

“I know. I just need a book super-fast, ’kay?” Andi scurried to the back of the library near the carrels. She looked about wondering if the cat would appear. Then she covertly went to the fire exit door. “Do I dare?” she put her hand on the metal door.

“Pep Rally!” Mrs. Van called.

Andi darted away, “Yes, Ma’am.”

“What about your book?”

“It wasn’t there.” Andi said as she exited into the last of the throng of kids. Like before, she floated along in the crowd, mechanically took the posters and election roster, tucked another orange pencil behind her ear. This time she joined the students in the gymnasium. She headed up the rows of bleachers and found a seat, squeezing in near ‘Phil the Pill’.

He looked at her surprised. “Why aren’t you down there with your sister?”

“Why, should I be?”

“Well, yeah, you usually bang the Celtic Drum for the rally. You got someone else today?”

Andi looked about shocked, the school colors had changed to Scarlet and Black, there was a Dragon emblazoned on the banner reading Celtic Dragons Rule!

Brook wore a black and red tartan kilted skirt and a red sweater. Her dark ponytail bound with a red ribbon bobbed as she jumped around on the floor in front of the stands with red and black pom-poms. She caught sight of Andi in the crowd and hollered, “Come down here!”

Phil leaned away eyeing her curiously. “You gonna go or not?”

Andi confused, shaking her head, stepped down and around some of the kids coming up the steps. She looked about wearing a tiny smile as she joined Brook. Her sister handed off a two-foot diameter skin drum with a Celtic dragon design on it and scarlet ribbons tied on the base. Passing the leather mallet to her, she said, “Count us off.”

Andi unsure, looked confused.

Brook, still impatient in this life, patted the drum head, “You know, one and two, three. Hit the bodhran right on the dragon.” She shook her head, “Well, this is a fine time to get stage-fright. I know it’s your birthday, but c’mon, kid.”

Andi timidly tapped the drum. Its tone low and rumbling.

Brook whispered harshly, “Step it up,” then pranced away to the other cheerleaders waiting on the floor.

Andi struck the bodhran, and the crowd in the gym went crazy. They began clapping and she kept time, hitting the drum, and even began to feel the rhythm. The crowd and cheerleaders went nuts as the football team ran out onto the floor. They jogged around the gym, pumping their fists and beating the air in time to the Bodhran’s luring call.

The principal came on the PA system and calmed the crowd. Andi, feeling flushed and wondering at the changes and the odd feeling she had beating the drum, sat on the floor with the cheerleaders.

She spied Scott across the gym with some of his basketball team. She waved at him and he waved back then blew a kiss at her. She flushed hotly.

Melinda Peters sitting next to her leaned over and said, “You are so lucky. Scott is hot.”

“Thanks.” Andi replied no longer able to watch the antics of Scott and his friends. “Big ape.”

As the pep rally, broke and everyone was heading back to class, the fire alarm went off.

“Now, that is weird.”

The students crowded out the doors to the quad and yards. The principal directed the traffic as the kids exited the gymnasium. Teachers were rounding up the students and counting them. After checking in with her homeroom teacher, she went to Scott. He was on his phone, but this time he lifted an arm and Andi ducked under to his side. “Heya, Babe.”

Andi felt her heart swell. She had no idea what endearment she might use on him, and simply echoed, “Heya.”

Scott pocketed his phone and looked down at her. “You look nice in pink. You should wear it more often.”

“Thanks.”

“So, I’ve been thinking, maybe it’s time we stepped it up … you know, you’re sixteen now and I’m well …”

Andi felt a bit sick, “What are you saying?” worried he might be wanting to do something naughty. They had only kissed a few times, but nothing else. Maybe she was a tart in this life, like the rumors about her sister Brook.

Scott this time, swept a hand over his brow, and looked away for a second then down at her. “I-I really like you Andi, but,”

“It’s always the but that hurts. It’s okay, I understand if you want to date someone else.”

“What? No! That’s not, wait —do you want to date someone else?” His dark brows furrowed as he glowered at her.

“No. I mean, you’re a jock and popular and I’m just … me.” She shrugged.

Scott leaned down and whispered, “A hot you. Don’t you know how much I care about you, Annie?” he sneaked a quick kiss which was forbidden on school grounds. She almost wiped it off her lips but then looked up at him.

He had a set of worry lines on his brow, his dark eyes searching her face as he spoke. “Do you feel the same for me? Because if you do, then I was gonna ask you to go steady with me.” He reached into his letter-jacket pocket, “I got you a little present. It’s kinda dumb, but, maybe you’ll like it.”

Andi took the small white box, with trembling fingers she opened it. A silver ring with twin dragons entwined upon it, gleamed in the November sun. The dragons had tiny ruby eyes.

Andi looked up at Scott with tears in her eyes. “I love the ring. Yes, Scott, I’ll go steady with you. As long as you don’t call me Dork-face or Boob-less anymore.”

Scott gaped, “I never called you that. And Dork-face was in third grade. Man, I guess I won’t ever live it down, huh?”

Andi raised up on her toes and hugged Scott. “It’s okay, I just wanted to make sure.”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” He hugged her back. “Hey, I was kinda waiting for the right moment to give it to you, but I couldn’t wait anymore. You know my Dad always says, ‘Life is short, do what you want, and seize the day.’ He’s kinda smart.”

Andi gulped, knowing that everything in this timeline was how it should be. Maybe it was her other life that was wrong. “Yeah, the Romans said, ‘Carpe diem’. It helped Caesar conquer the known world.” Feeling tears flood her face, she thought of the multitudes of former soldiers, including Dylan Bays who had been ready to seize the day for The Sword, King Sefu.

“Gee, I didn’t mean to make you cry, baby.” He put the ring on her finger and squeezed her hand.

“I’m okay. It’s just a weird day. Thanks for my present and the gift of you.”

Scott held her under his arm. “You are kinda poetic today, but then you have always had a way with words. Not me. In fact, I am gonna concede my nomination for class historian. Patty Sharp deserves it. She’s a great writer.”

“Why that is humble, Scott.”

“Hey, not humble. I’m being realistic here. Besides, I might not have much time for sports, plus writing and a cute girlfriend.” He hinted with a darling grin.

Andi’s heart swelled, feeling it and the dam of tears ready to burst. “Scott, I am glad you are my friend. Maybe I have loved you all along.”

“Vice versa.”

They stood with Scott’s arms around Andi, his chin propped on her head as they waited for the all clear to enter the school. Again, Andi watched as a pair of firemen brought out a smoldering trash receptacle, Scott remarking, “Some bozo probably was smoking in the boys’ bathroom again.”

A short while later, everyone was called to classes. Andi and Scott left at lunch on his motorcycle, she bought a salad and fries and he ordered his usual two Big Macs, double fries, apple pie, and strawberry shake. She shared some of the shake with Scott. They ate under the trees in the quad. When the bell rang, they split apart as if they did it every day, Andi to Home Ec., and Scott to Spanish class.

That’s what was missing, Andi missed Spanish class. She didn’t recall having Home Economics, not since eighth grade. But Scott insisted she bake him some cupcakes in class. He’d heard a rumor that was the lesson for the day. Andi could cook, not great, but having never been in the class she wasn’t sure what to expect. But she could follow directions.

The lemon cupcakes came out fine, a few lopsided, but they tasted good, so did her vanilla frosting. She left the cupcakes in the class fridge and hurried on to Geography class.

It was there she had a shock.

The teacher someone she did not know, a tall black fellow, pulled down the world map. “Today, we are taking a tour of Zimbabwe along the Zambezi River. Get out your books and turn to three-fourteen.”

Andi quailed, her heart raced as she pulled out her book. The cover looked the same, except when she opened the page, she caught a drawing of the king of Moyo. The man was regal, wearing a cheetah robe, gold armor, a scimitar in one hand and a decorated spear in another. “King Sefu!” She said in awe.

“Yes, King Sefu, the ninth. He was probably the greatest king they had …” The teacher went on almost in a rant about the greatness of Sefu, his generosity, his benevolence, his prowess in battle, and his ability and fame in uniting the many nomadic and indigenous tribes of his country.

Andi sat in awe, wondering if it was the same Sefu, she knew. Maybe like the pharaohs of Egypt, each dynasty and king took on the same name. Maybe Sefu really wasn’t that old. But why did he speak of his kingdom as if he had ruled all those centuries? She turned a few pages and found a photograph of King Sefu, this time in color. He looked almost the same, except he wore a uniform. But the label was for Sefu the tenth. Some of the history the teacher told sounded like Ain-u-tep and Sefu’s stories, but some clearly were not. She began to wonder if in this timeline Sefu was still a king. But then turning the page in her book, she saw he was assassinated in 1959 and replaced by his grandson, Sefu the twelfth, who later abdicated his throne in favor of a parliamentary government.

“That’s wrong.” Andi said a bit too loud.

“Yes, Miss Fallon, many of Moyo’s people believed he was a coward. He bent to popular demand of the current militia.” The teacher stepped to her, “So what else do you have to say about him?”

“I know his father, I mean, I read he was very brave as were all of his family before him. He wouldn’t give up a worthy cause or fight.” She flushed hotly. “I think it is a travesty to give up his kingdom.”

“Right, very good. Someone did their reading.” The teacher paced away to the map to show how the tribes broke up after Sefu’s abdication.

Andi thought it was weird because last week’s lesson was about the Amazon rainforest. She wondered just how much more would be different. “I definitely need the cat.”

☼

The day finished in a blur and Andi took the bus home. Part way there, Andi heard something buzzing in her backpack. She dug around and came up with a cell phone. Scott scolded her for leaving him waiting in the student parking lot.

“Sorry, I’m an airhead today.” She said, surprised that Scott had waited for her. And more surprised she had a mobile phone.

“Forgiven. I’ll call you later.”

Then it rang again and Peaches ripped her one too, for not meeting her for lunch. Andi ran home from her bus stop, wondering what else would go wrong today.

She recalled last week they had the housekeeper Flora, and she wondered if she might be there. But Mom greeted her in the kitchen. At least she was dressed in jeans and a light sweater. She was getting a cup of coffee and heading off to pick up Mattie from Karate. “I’m glad you are home on time. Do you have homework?”

Andi slurping a juice box, shook her head, “I don’t think so.”

“You want to ride along?” Sandy asked as she picked up her bag and plucked the keys from its pocket.

“Nah. I have some stuff to do.”

“Okay, but keep in mind the time for dinner. Make sure you wear your pink dress, you know, from confirmation. You look so good in it. I want to get my money’s worth, before you grow out of it.” She pecked Andi’s cheek and left the house.

Looking about the house, things were neat, a couple of dishes probably from Mom’s lunch were in the sink. Snickers was snoozing in the sun on the back porch. “I’ll let sleeping dogs lie,” she retorted and took to the stairs to her room.

Andi found her bed made, clothes picked up and with a lurch in her heart, realized Petunia wasn’t there, it was the dark form of Ain-u-tep.

The cat lifted her head, and yawned widely. She rose arching her back and stretching. She hopped to the next perch below. “So how was your day, birthday girl?”

“Just plain weird.”

“How so?” She remarked while she watched Andi changing out of her clothes.

“It was like the same, yet everything was different. Like, Scott is my boyfriend …”

“He does have fond feelings for you.”

“He asked me to go steady and gave me this ring.” Andi held it out to the cat.

“Curious.”

“What do you mean, curious?”

“Continue.”

“Well, I guess we are a thing. And I’m on the cheer team. Oh, and get this, our school team aren’t the Mavericks, we’re now the Celtic Dragons.”

“Maybe that’s why Scott gave you lovey-dovey dragons.”

“Hm maybe. Oh! And I’m in home econ. Shoot, I forgot the cupcakes. And here’s the biggest thing of all, today in geography, we studied Zimbabwe and the reign of all the King Sefus and the Zambezi river.”

“There is only one King Sefu.” Cat snapped.

“It’s different here. There were like twelve of them. One was assassinated and the next one abdicated his throne in 1959.”

Cat sat quietly listening to Andi, then she sprang up and hissed, “Cat Scratch!”

“What now?”

“Something is wrong. That is not the right history.” She pawed her head, moaning, “Oh, I am dizzy. Something is very wrong …”

Andi watched in disbelief as the smoky cat began to fade. She ran and grabbed up the cat holding her to her chest. “No, you can’t go. You are mine!”

“I may have failed you and The Sword. Hurry, get your charm and wish us to his palace again.”

Andi grabbed up the charm from her jewelry box saying, “I wish to go to Sefu’s palace, right, where we left him. Aaliyah, take us there, safely.”