Page 21 of Mistaken Magic

"Butthose boys..."Mrs.Sparkssaid.

"Verydifferent,"Liamassured her. "Thoseboys had serious psychological issues.They'regetting help."

"Itwas more than that!"Mrs.Sparkshissed.

Liammurmured something that almost sounded like agreement. "Thebad news, though, is she'll stay here through the weekend.I'llpick her upSundayafternoon and move her into the dorms.Afterthat, she'll be completely taken care of.Oh!"Therewas some rustling. "Ihave a paper for you both to sign.Thisgives me the authorization to act as her legal guardian while she's enrolled atSilverOaks.Now, the checks will still come here, but just put that to the other kids, ok?"

"Really?"Mrs.Sparksasked.

"It'sa full ride.Allher meals, clothes, and supplies will be provided.Iknow things are tight with seven kids, so you can use it,"Liamsaid.

"Istill don't want her around the others,"Mr.Sparkstold his brother. "Wegot these kids behaving well, and the last thing we need is for them to all start acting up."

"John, she's fine,"Liamsaid again. "You'vealready taken all the precautions.Theonly thing you need to worry about is typical teen drama."

"Thecrows are still out there,"Mr.Sparkshissed. "Didn'tyou see them?"

"Iwasn't paying attention,"Liamassured him. "Look, some of these kids have mental issues.Someof them have delusions.Lorrainedoesn't.She'sjust a bored girl who is sick and tired of being on lockdown.Giveher a little space andIhave a feeling she'll be good.Ihad a nice talk with her on the way back, andIcan get her some books to keep her occupied, but you can't jail her in that room."

"Whatdo you want us to do,"Mrs.Sparksasked, "let her destroy all the order we've made?"

"Lether eat dinner with the family,"Liamsaid. "Lether sit outside and throw some bread to a few stupid birds.Lether read a fantasy novel,Nancy.She'sleaving onSunday.Treather like she's a guest."

"I'mnot changing the doorknob,"Mr.Sparkswarned.

"Fine,"Liamsaid. "Don't.LikeIsaid, she's staying in her room because she was trying to be good.Gocheck if you don't believe me."

"IthinkIshall,"Mr.Sparkssaid.

"ThenI'mgoing to get a few books from the library for her,"Liamsaid. "Thirtyminutes.Donot harass her between now and then.I'mwarning you,John, this kid would pass a psych eval, and you do not want a complaint of abuse against you.Notafter the boys."

"Gether the damned books,"Mr.Sparksconceded, "butI'mgoing to check if that knob works.Kepther in so far."

Whichwas my cue to get my ass in my room.Hurryingwhile stepping lightly,Imade it around the corner and then put the bag with my new clothes on top of my suitcase.Desperateto look busy,Idecided to pull outTheOutsiders, then opened it to a random page and plopped down on my belly with it just asMr.Sparkswalked into my room.

"Whatare you doing?" he asked.

Iturned the cover toward him. "Reading.Oneof my last moms gave this to me.Shesaid it's a classic, but it's still pretty good."

Hegrunted, sounding like he wasn't sure what to say to that. "Mybrother says you got into this school.Isthis really what you want?"

Settingthe book aside,Isat up and crossed my legs to face him. "Ineed to go to college,Mr.Sparks.OnceIage out,Iwill have no one to rely on but myself, soIwant to have a degree that will make enough for me to pay any student loansIrack up and maybe buy a house.This?It'slike a head start, so yes.I'meven excited for it."

"Isee."Hestood there nodding at me for a moment like he was analyzing my every movement. "Sowhat are you thinking about doing with your life?"

Theterrifying thing was that this man had never been this nice to me.Ikinda wanted to get up, walk over there, and grab the doorknob so he'd leave already.Atthe same time,Iwondered if maybeIhadn't given him enough of a chance.

"I'vebeen trying to keep an eye on the jobs that are needed,"Iexplained. "Imean, at my last homeIhad access to a laptop, so it was easy.Iwas thinking about being a professor.Alot of times, there's student loan forgiveness, and it pays more than a teacher, but it's hard to get into.Maybetranslations?Thatseems to do well, and only requires a four-year degree."

"Soyou don't know," he said, making it sound like that was a bad thing.

"Notyet,"Iadmitted. "Iguess that's whyI'mso excited aboutSilverOaks.IfIcan finish high school while earning college credits for the basics,I'llbe able to see what it's really like.Youknow, to test it out and figure out whatIlike and hate.Plus,I'mgetting a scholarship, so the debt won't ruin me."

"Well," he said, "since you'll only be with us tomorrow and part ofSunday,Isuppose you can read your books instead of doing chores.Justdon't make problems for the other kids, and you can even have an extra piece of bread for the birds."

"Areyou sure?"Iasked. "IfiguredMrs.Sparkswas so mad because they make a mess."

"Wheredid you learn about birds anyway?" he asked.

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