Strong Magic
A faint glow rose from the eastern horizon.
Dawn approached. Most homes in
Halloweentown stood still as tombs, the occupants sound asleep.
In the Skellington
kitchen however...
"I can't believe you didn't tell me you had
ice-cream! I definitely like
ice-cream."
"You didn't ask anything about ice-cream.
It didn't occur to me until now."
Sally answered. She poured chocolate sauce over the two dishes
of chocolate and vanilla
ice-cream, then handed one to her guest. "We can take the ice-cream
upstairs Shock, in
case the babies wake up."
Shock followed Sally up to the bedroom, talking as they went.
"Argh, Sally doesn't it drive you crazy to
always have to do all this stuff for the
babies? It would drive me crazy! Me, I don't know if I
ever want kids. I didn't want em
before, and after staying here tonight I really don't want em!
All they do is....need stuff!"
Sally smiled. She sat down on the bed with her ice-cream.
"I don't know why, but when you have children
and they are yours, it isn't so
bothersome. Tiring, yes, but it's a job that suits me, this motherhood
business. I had
some second thoughts while I was expecting, especially when Jack had
to have the front
door widened so that I could fit in and out. I kept thinking
that when they were born it
couldn't hurt that bad, because of how I am. I was wrong, it
was the single worst thing I
have ever known. Ever. I think that's why they are so cute!
They had to be cute to make
me forget!" Sally laughed gently. "I forgot all the pain
as soon as I
saw them. You can't imagine it now, but you could change your
mind
someday, Shock."
Shock made a face, then clambered back under the quilts to enjoy her
ice-cream. All else
aside, ice-cream sundaes and pumpkin muffins would be reasons enough
to continue this
friendship.
"Do you remember your mother, Shock?", Sally
asked, then said: "I'm sorry.
You don't have to answer that if you would prefer not to."
Shock waved her hand in the air signifying that the question didn't
phase her.
"Nah, I really don't remember her. I
don't think I do anyway. To be honest, I try
not to think about it. If I remember her, it's not like that's
going to get her back, ya
know? So what's the point of thinking about her and getting all
depressed? I don't care
about her." Sally seemed saddened by this, and Shock spoke up
again. "I mean, it's not
like she was a mother like you are. You're here feeding, and
cleaning, and getting up
umpteen times all night long just so that your little snappers don't
ever feel like no one
cares! If Jack is home, I'll bet he gets up all night too doesn't
he?"
Sally nodded. Shock made a knowing face and gave a small shrug.
"Yeah so, if you have a mom and dad like that, you'd remember 'em!
If not, oh
well. Hey Sally, can you see in the dark?", Shock suddenly inquired
through a mouth full
of ice-cream.
Sally shook her head.
"No, I can't. Why do you ask?"
"I was just
wonderin', because you know, some Halloweenfolk can, and
some can't. I can a little bit, but Lock is better at it than
I am. Barrel, well, I don't know
because he says he can, but I think he's just lying."
"I can't.", Sally answered. "I guess
the doctor didn't think it was necessary for
me. Jack, of course can see perfectly in the dark. To be
honest, that was a bit unnerving
until I became used to it.", Sally laughed. "Bright light is
rather uncomfortable for me
though, so between the two I would rather have darkness."
"Wow, that's me too! I hate it when
it's all bright and sunny out! I can't get
anything done on days like that anyway because I can't sneak around
as easily.", Shock
said. She set her empty bowl on the nightstand. "Everything
the boys and I do involves
sneaking around. We know all the best places in this town to
hide out."
Sally thought, then said:
"Jack and I are partial to the Mayor's office.
There's a lock on the door, and
during the day the Mayor hardly uses it because he's out talking to
people and going over
plans. Often, he's distracted looking for you three.
He gets nervous if he doesn't know
where you are." The queen finished her sundae and placed the
bowl near Shock's. She
turned off the light again. By this time the room was filling
with the translucent, watery,
blue light which precedes sunrise.
"We really do have to get a few hours sleep, Shock.", Sally said.
"I'm sure the
twins will get me up in a little while, but you can sleep here as long
as you need to."
Shock watched Sally close her large eyes. The small clock
on the nightstand
ticked like a heartbeat. Shock tried to sleep. She shut
her eyes tight and wrapped up in
the quilts. Finally, she reached out her small hand and traced
a line of erratic stitching on
Sally's shoulder. She whispered:
"Sally? Is it...as gross as it sounds?"
Sally's eyes remained closed. She creased her forehead.
"Hm? What do you mean, Shock?"
"You know."
Sally opened her eyes. Shock was looking at her intently.
"It sounds awful.", Shock whispered.
Sally bit her lip.
"I don't know
what you're asking me, Shock."
Shock remained silent, but held her gaze. Her eyes narrowed.
Sally folded her hands under her cheek.
"Do you mean... Are you asking me about..."
Sally mouthed the word silently.
Shock couldn't help but smile at that. Who the hell was going
to hear them?
The witch child nodded. Sally looked suspicious.
"Are you just trying to make me say something
so that you can laugh at me
again?" Shock's face turned serious and she shook her head quickly.
"No, no! Not this time. I was
asking for real. I want to know."
Sally's expression softened. She shifted her gaze to the window.
Her voice was very
soft.
"Noooo, it isn't gross or awful at all, but...sex
is very strong magic.", Sally
whispered. Her eyes closed again. It was a brief answer,
but Shock sensed it was all she
would get.
The young girl fell asleep.
