Crossroads (Page 49)
I HEAR FREY CALLING ME FROM THE KITCHEN BUT I'M too disoriented to get up right away. I'm not sure my legs will support me.
What happened wasn't a dream. Was it?
The last few minutes replay in my head as vividly as a movie. Sani's words are imprinted in my brain, there for me to call up when I falter.
The thought fills me with warmth.
It's as if I have a little of Sani's spirit inside.
When I walk into the kitchen, Frey and John-John are seated around the table. Frey tilts his head, peers at me. "Are you all right?"
"Sure. What's going on?"
I slide in next to John-John. He looks a little happier, his eyes clearer. He holds out a hand to me and I blow into his palm. He grins.
Frey isn't so happy. "I've made a decision."
I beat him to the punch. "You're staying here with John-John."
He looks startled, as if I've pulled a chicken from behind John-John's ear. "Don't look so surprised." I muss the child's hair. "It wasn't so hard to figure out. I knew before you did."
Sani's words, the boy will not be alone.
And Frey's admonition: magic always exacts a price. The bigger the magic, the bigger the price. Isn't that what he said?
This is my price to pay.
"You could stay with us," John-John is saying. "I could teach you to ride and speak Navajo."
"I wish I could. But I need to get back to work. I'll come visit, though. I think it's time I learned to ride a horse, don't you?"
He is smiling. I touch his hair, softly, and stand up. I don't know how long I can pretend to be upbeat about Frey's decision, even though I know it's the right one. The only one. Sadness is so close to the surface, I'm afraid it will overwhelm me. How will I get along without my friend?
"Besides," I say through the huge lump in my throat. "I've been thinking about my own family. I think it's time I paid them a visit. Trish has been scolding me for staying away so long."
With a side trip to New York. I missed Stephen's debut network appearance. Maybe I can catch the next one in person.
"He knows," John-John pipes up. "He's going to miss you, too."
Frey and I laugh. "I forgot how smart you are." I hug John-John to my chest. "You take care of your dad."
I let John-John go, fighting back tears. "I'd better call my pilot and have him pick me up in-Ah, where would be the closest airport?"
John-John's eyes get big. "You have a plane?" he asks before Frey can answer.
For just a moment, excitement and wonder sweep the cloud of sadness from his eyes.
I bend down so our faces are close. "I sure do. Tell me, John-John, how would you like to take a ride on a private jet?"