Where the Devil Says Goodnight (Folk Lore 1)

“I know nothing about horses. In fact, I can’t even keep cacti alive, so maybe that wouldn’t be such a good idea,” Adam said with a laugh that sounded so fake he wondered whether he shouldn’t just leave Emil in peace with the man who was willing to give him everything Adam wasn’t.

“It’s okay, I’ll work something out,” Emil grumbled.

Radek groaned. “You always say that.”

Adam hated himself for relishing in their discord.

Mr. Nowak’s booming voice resonated in the air. “It’s now time for bonfire jumping! All those brave enough, line up over here!”

“Let’s go,” Radek said with a big grin on his freckled face, but Adam touched Emil’s arm before he could have followed his friend.

“I need to talk to you. Can we join you in a moment?”

Emil nodded at Radek. “See you in a sec.”

Had he winked, or was that just the flickering light from the fire playing tricks on Adam?

Adam’s cassock had never felt as hot as it did when they faced one another among people who might spot the flush creeping up Adam’s nape or the dark shade of Emil’s gaze. “I didn’t forget your birthday either,” he said, even though he had nothing to give. He had to buy himself time. “I’ll give it to you later. I don’t want people talking.”

“Adam…” Emil smiled. “No need, but thank you. Can’t wait for it, you tease.”

Adam’s nape burned as if the flames dancing in the middle of the clearing were only inches away. The double meaning of Emil’s words was obvious. “The shepherd can’t single out one sheep from his flock. Especially if it’s the black one.”

“And yet he does.” Emil started walking toward the fire backwards, and this time, Adam was sure he winked. At him.

Adam’s heart galloped, and he was painfully close to following Emil, as if they were tied together with an invisible thread. But he stayed in place, safe in the cassock that would be his armor for the night.

Girls, who’d been dancing in a circle around the fire, retreated, and as soon as Emil joined the crowd consisting mostly of young men, Radek sped through the empty space and leapt over the dancing flames with the grace of a young fox.

He was the embodiment of everything Adam wasn’t. Wild, free, taking a risk where Adam stood back and watched from the sidelines. A few more men followed his example to great applause, and when it was Emil’s turn, he didn’t hesitate for a second. He pulled off the white tunic and all but flew above the dancing flames, which could’ve burned him alive if he’d made a misstep.

He didn’t care. As soon as he was on the other side, Radek passed him a cup undoubtedly filled with mead, and they both laughed, pointing to the next man in line.

Adam stood outside the invisible wall that separated him from what he most craved, yet could never have unless he smashed the glass to pieces and cut himself in the process.

A warm hand tapped his shoulder, and for the briefest moment he feared to hear the hoof beats again, but it was Koterski.

“You’re not joining the fun, Father?” the forest ranger asked, pulling closer a young woman with a wreath of wild flowers in her hair.

Adam laughed and gestured at the long folds of his cassock, but the woman chuckled and put her arm around the ranger. “I’m wearing a long skirt too, and we’re still going to jump. You’re making excuses, Father.”

“Maybe Father Adam doesn’t care about earning some luck for the approaching year. God’s watching over him anyway.”

“Maybe next year,” Adam said, cringing when a couple jumped over the flames, which bloomed high enough to lick their bare feet, about to grab them by the ankles and pull their bodies into the flames for roasting. Only that next year, he’d no longer be here.

“And now, it’s time for the single ladies!” Mr. Nowak shouted with glee.

Adam caught a glimpse of Mrs. Janina and Mrs. Golonko arguing about something by a car. Mrs. Golonko’s daughter, Jessika, rolled her eyes and threw away the wreath she’d been holding. It was such a unique crown too, made out of orchids and other exotic plants instead of the offerings from local meadows.

Mrs. Golonko got into her fancy SUV and drove off so fast the tires threw mud as soon as her daughter slammed the door behind her too. Adam made a note of it, because he thought the two women were friends. Oh well, maybe Mrs. Golonko had insulted Mrs. Janina’s cake. Adam would never make that mistake.

Not that Mrs. Janina’s food deserved insults.

Young women left the fire behind and descended on the lakeshore like a herd of frolicking does. They marked their flower crowns with colorful ribbons, and single men hurried along the shore, to where they would catch the wreaths carried by the gentle stream passing through the lake. A man who caught a particular girl’s wreath was owed a kiss, though Adam had already heard that many of the ‘singles’ were actually couples, or had flirted before. Catching the wreath would be just an excuse to make out in public. Or cause massive scenes if the man got his hands on the wrong flower crown.