Wicked Forest (DeBeers 2)

Now that I studied him some more as he spoke.

I realized he was driven by a frenetic neryous energy.

His eyebrows were like Mexican jumping beans and

his hands never stopped moving. Mother wasn't really

listening to the content of what he was saving or

looking at him when he spoke. She was simply too

excited and happy about his talking to care about

anything more than that.

"I'm off." I declared, interrupting him. He

hadn't taken note of my return. barely pausing to take

breaths.

Now he looked up at me. his eyes growing

smaller. darker. He tilted his head as if confusion

weighed too heavily on one side.

"When did you get here?" he asked.

Mother's hands froze. She looked at me, then at

him. 'Get here? You mean. Joya del Mar?"

"Yes, of course. That is exactly what I mean."

he replied.

"A few days ago," I said. He nodded, "Grace told me you were coming back. I

understand you are going to attend a college here." "Yes, Linden. That's where I'm going now-- to

meet with my assigned advisor and set up my

schedule of classes. I thought you heard me say that

before."

"You know we're moving back into the main

house," he said, ignoring me.

Mother brought her hands to the base of her

throat and released a small cry.

"Yes, Linden. I know and I am very happy

about it."