Wolfsong (Green Creek 1)

“You’re staying for Sunday dinner,” she said. “It’s tradition.”

I didn’t have many traditions. “I wouldn’t want to bother anyone.”

She said, “I see you opened your gift,” like I hadn’t spoken at all.

Joe grinned at her. “He loved it!”

“I told you he would.” She looked back at me. “He was so worried.” Dinah Shore picked up again in the background as Elizabeth began to cut a cucumber into thin slices.

Joe flushed. “No, I wasn’t.”

Carter came in through the back door. “Yes, you were.” His voice went high and fluttery. “What if he hates it? What if it’s not cool enough? What if he thinks I’m a loser?”

Joe scowled at him and I thought I heard a rumble come from deep inside him. “Shut up, Carter!”

“Boys,” Elizabeth warned.

Carter rolled his eyes. “Hey, Ox. Do you have an Xbox?”

Joe laughed. “Ha! Rhymes. Ox and Xbox.” He let go of my hand and began to pull silverware from a drawer near the stove.

I rubbed the hand against the back of my head. “Uh. No? I think I have a Sega.”

“Dude. Retro.”

I shrugged. “Don’t have much time for it.”

“We’ll make time,” he said. He took plastic cups down from a cupboard. “I need to ask you about school, anyway. Kelly and I will be starting up with you next year.”

“I wish I could go,” Joe grumbled darkly.

“You know the rule,” Elizabeth said. “Homeschooled until you’re twelve. It’s only one more year, baby.”

This did nothing to ease his mind. But I’d never been homeschooled before, and I didn’t know if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

“Ox, invite your mother, would you?” Elizabeth asked as she spun back and forth between the countertops. Back and forth.

“She’s at work,” I said, unsure of what I should be doing. They all moved like they’d lived here forever. I was the elephant in the room. Or the Ox. I wasn’t sure which.

“Next time, then,” she said as if there would be a next time.

“Because it’s tradition?”

She smiled at me and I saw Joe in her. “Exactly. You catch on fast.”

I was suddenly very aware of my appearance. “I’m not exactly dressed for this.” I brushed a hand through my hair and remember my fingers were dirty.

She waved a hand at me. “We’re not formal, Ox.”

“I’m dirty.”

“Well-worn, more like. Take this out back, would you? Thomas and Mark will be glad to see you.” She handed me a bowl of fruit and I held it along with the box that carried the stone wolf. Joe tried to follow me out, but she stopped him. “You stay here with me for now. I need help. Ox, away with you.”

“But, Mom—”

I walked through the back door. A large table had been set up in the grass. It was covered in a red tablecloth held down by old books set on the corners. Kelly was unfolding chairs around the table. “All right, then?” he asked me as I set the fruit down.

“Things happen… fast here,” I said.