Wicked Hungry

“That’s normal, though, right? For Unitarians?”

She shrugs. “Yeah, I guess. I mean, look at you. Your Mom. Zach. Me.”

Why does religion have to be so complicated in my church? I mean, Enrique and his family are Catholics. They go to church and they know what to believe. Jonathan and his family are Episcopalians. At least they know they believe in God. My parents though are into Earth-based Judaism and all forms of mysticism and tree hugging. And though that sometimes seems too much to handle, it’s not all. My mother is also a witch, and has regular meetings with other like-minded Wiccans at our church. Because we are also Unitarians, like Karen and Zach.

“I’m sorry about Mom being creepy,” I say. “She likes to squint at people. I think she’s looking to recruit people for her coven.”

“It’s okay, I guess,” she says. “But does she do that to all your friends?”

“All my friends?” I ask. “What, you mean you and Enrique?”

“I thought I was the loner.”

“That’s just because you hang out with Zach. All the time.”

“Yeah, well, Zach and me called it quits.”

“Yeah, right,” I say. “I’ve heard that before.”

She shakes her head. “No, this time it’s really over. As far as the relationship goes. And I won’t be seeing him at track practice either, unless this shoulder gets better. But what about you? Don’t you and Jonathan still hang out?”

“You didn’t hear?”

She shakes her head.

“Jonathan’s

at camp. Learning how to draw manga and speak Japanese.”

“Where? In Boston? New York City?”

I shake my head. “Japan. For all summer. He’s even going to miss the first week of school.”

“No way,” Karen says. “How did he convince his parents to let him go?”

“You know that’s all he’s been interested in since fifth grade. Japanese movies, Japanese graphic novels.”

“Yeah, but still. That must cost a fortune.”

“His parents have the money. Have you seen their house? I just wish he had more time to write. He seems to be spending all his time drawing and speaking Japanese.”

“Maybe he’ll be the first black man to write a graphic novel in Japanese.”

“Maybe he will,” I say.

With Jonathan, you never know. The boy is full of surprises.

“But you know,” she says. “You didn’t answer my question. Does your mother squint at Enrique like that? Or Jonathan?”

“They’re not Unitarians,” I say. “And they’re boys. No boys in a coven.”

She grins. “You could be wizards, couldn’t you?”

“Yeah, we just need cauldrons and magic wands. And then we’re off to Hogwarts. Anyway, I haven’t had anyone over lately.”

“If I’d known you were this lonely I would have called you sooner.”

Am I imagining it, or is there something wicked in her smile? Is she flirting with me?