Phoenix Child Read online

  * * *

  Rain. I sighed as I gathered up all my things. Camp ended for the day, and it was time to go home. After changing back into my pants I looked for Anali.

  "I'm going to have it tested." I heard Gavin say. It sounded like his voice came from upstairs. The door to the apartment stood open, so maybe Anali was up there too.

  "That's fine, but please don't get too hopeful or do anything rash. It will take a week before we know anything for sure." Philip said.

  "It could be her. If Gabriella died it would explain everything." Gavin's voice cracked.

  I backed away, not wanting to intrude on a private moment.

  "Do you need something?" Taliesin asked, with as much snootiness as possible.

  "Anali," I said rolling my eyes at his attitude.

  "Gavin, where's Anali?" Taliesin said loudly looking up at the apartment.

  "In the shower. Why?" Gavin replied, coming down the stairs.

  I held out the pants she'd let me borrow. "Will you give her these and thank her for me?"

  "Of course. How are you getting home?" he asked, taking the pants.

  "The bus."

  "I'll drive you," Gavin said. His happiness bubbled around me.

  "Thank you, but I'll be fine." I started walking to the door. I needed some space from all the crazy—at least the crazy that affected my life. Bus crazy is entertaining.

  "It's pouring out there. Really, it's no trouble."

  I saw Gavin's hopeful face, and Taliesin's curious one. I wasn't sure how to get out of this without being rude, and I wasn't at all excited about getting home in the rain. "I would have to have permission from my caseworker. I can't just go with people."

  "Here." Gavin handed me his cell phone.

  I dialed, not sure whether I wanted to face the rain or Gavin.

  "Hello."

  "Hey, Five, it's Sara. One of the teachers here has offered me a ride home. Is that okay?"

  "That's nice of him," Five hummed. "He isn't a serial killer is he?"

  "Hold on, Five. Gavin, are you a serial killer?" I looked at him with mock suspicion.

  Gavin's green eyes widened for a moment, then a mischievous smiled brightened his face. "I have never killed a Frosted Flake in my entire life."

  Five chuckled.

  "What?"

  "Frosted Flakes, cereal." Gavin grinned, rocking on his feet and obviously pleased with himself.

  I rolled my eyes.

  "As long as puns won't kill you it’s fine," Five said. "Tell him thanks for me."

  "Thanks, Five. Have a good day."

  "You, too, Sara, take care."

  I closed my eyes. Gavin radiated happy, it felt like soda bubbling against my skin.

  "Ready?"

  "Sure." I followed him out the back door. I saw a bright red, sporty-looking car and a white Prius parked in the alley. I expected him to head for the red car, but he led me to the Prius.

  "Anali insisted we rent something practical." Gavin explained when he saw me looking at the cherry-red Mustang.

  "You'll have to give me step-by-step directions. I haven't driven in San Francisco for seven years," Gavin said as we pulled out of the parking lot.

  "No problem. Go right." I imagined my flimsy bubble getting stronger and thicker but I couldn't block Gavin's emotions.

  "So while we're visiting, where should we go? Things have changed in seven years. I know all the standard places, like Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown, but what are your favorite places to go?"

  "I don't get out much. Turn left at the light. This pizza place on the corner is one of my favorites," I offered. I didn't care for small talk, but tried being polite.

  "What's your favorite kind?"

  "The pesto."

  Gavin beamed as if I'd given him some wonderful bit of information. "My sister Gabriella loved pesto. I'm a pineapple, onion, and green pepper fan myself."

  I wasn't sure what to say to that so I stayed quiet. I suppose if I knew for certain we were related, it would be interesting information.

  "What about places to visit? Is there something we shouldn't miss?"

  "The Monterey Bay Aquarium, it's wonderful," I said, with a soft smile.

  "Do you go often?"

  "No, I've only been once. A charitable group donated a bunch of tickets, and we got to go." I could have sat watching the fish swim in the large tanks for days.

  "That’s nice of them," Gavin said. The happy, bubbly feeling faded as cool, smooth sadness took its place.

  "We get donated stuff all the time." I didn't want him feeling sorry for me. "Last Saturday, one of the big law firms brought over a ton of Christmas gifts for all of us. I helped Melanie, my houseparent, go through all of it and pick out gifts for the other girls in my house."

  "That must have been fun." Gavin still felt sad, but he tried to sound happy.

  "I guess. Tonight another group is bringing fried chicken, stockings, and a Santa."

  "You seem a bit old for Santa," Gavin said with a smile.

  "I am, but there are a bunch of younger kids in the house. Turn right up there," I directed, pointing at the next street. "After this stop sign is a bright yellow house—that's mine."

  He turned off the car, and unbuckled his seat belt.

  "You don't have to come in," I said.

  "A gentleman always walks a lady to her door."

  "Thanks, you don't have to."

  "I know, but I want to."

  I walked through the little front garden and opened the door. "I'm on the third floor."

  Gavin grinned. "I will be able to make it up the stairs."

  I rolled my eyes and headed up.

  "Melanie, I'm home," I called, opening my house's door.

  "Thank you for the ride," I said to Gavin. I wondered how long he planned on staying.

  Gavin peered into the house. His curiosity tugging at my skin. "No problem."

  "Hey, sweetie. Thank you for bringing her home," Melanie said, all in one breath.

  "No problem. I'm Gavin Marsh, one of the instructors at the circus camp." Gavin gave a bright smile and held out his hand.

  "Melanie Klein, Sara's houseparent," she said shaking his hand.

  "I wanted to make sure Sara got home safe. Is it okay if I bring her home again if the weather is bad?" Gavin asked.

  "It's fine with me." Melanie turned to me.

  "Sure, thanks Gavin," I answered automatically, my mind racing to make sense of everything. His last name was Marsh, he had to be my uncle. What do I do now?

  "Great, see you tomorrow." Gavin waved.

  "Bye." My stomach felt queasy, relief and sadness battled while I watched him leave.