The Wishing Star (2 page)

She stood peering into the shadows beneath her. Some said such holes were Indian diggings, but now it was moss-carpeted, crowded with young hickory and elm. It was a place to hide and, sometimes, to dream.

She wiped her damp face, but her breath still caught at her aching throat in ragged sobs. Somewhere a twig snapped. With a quick jump, Jenny launched herself into the middle of the hollow and burrowed into a pile of wind-tumbled leaves.

She held her breath, listening. Finally, cradled by the quietness and growing shadows, she dared relax against her pillow of acrid leaves. She knew those gray-brown leaves were nearly the shade of her eyes, and somehow that knowledge made her feel secure, like a creature of the forest.

Overhead one crack of dusky sky was visible through the arch of trees. It wasn't dark enough for stars yet, but no matter—it was worth a try. Jenny whispered, “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, wish I may, wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.” For a moment she waited wistfully. If only, just once, that distant star would wink in response, telling her she was heard. She needed to believe there were good things ahead. Since the day she had learned to read, the world of books had opened the door of hope, but sometimes the hope grew dim.

Jenny sighed, but before she had time to escape into a distant world of castles and thrones, bowing servants and halls filled with unending tables of food, she heard the crunch of Tom's boots. Only half hoping he wouldn't guess her here, she pushed leaves about her shoulders and waited.

“Jen,” he called. His boots crunched to the rim of her hiding place. “I know you're there, so say so.”

“So,” she muttered and waited for him to slide down to her. “Pa sent you?”

He nodded. “Whatcha been up to now?” His voice was harsh and impatient, but the hand that reached for her hair was gentle. His calloused hand under her chin forced it upward.

While the aching misery seeped back into Jenny, she studied her brother's face. Beneath the rough cap of tow hair, his pale gray eyes shone like bright marbles in his rough-hewn, wind-burned face. She saw the gentleness in his eyes, and knew that part of that gentleness for her was because of Pa. Tom accepted their lot, at least on the outside, but she couldn't. She muttered, “You're not like Pa, never.”

He sighed, “Ya poor little urchin, you're scrawny black and white like a baby skunk. Times I wish you were, then Pa'd leave you alone.” He ran his hand across her shoulders and arms while he studied her face. “Pa's drunk. You're too little to remember him when he was different.” His face brightened. “But, Jen, it's all gonna change. Not having money and a chance to get ahead has been makin' him this way.”

“Tom, you're tetched,” Jenny retorted. “Every penny he's had has gone to the tavern in South Bainbridge. You know every cent Ma's earned for fetchin' the babies into the world has gone there too. Now he's stormin' like it's her fault a real doctor's moved into town and does all the fetchin'.”

She paused and studied his face suspiciously. His grin made her uneasy; he'd been involved in shenanigans in the past. Slowly she said, “I don't mind you fetchin' a stray chicken home, but I mind you gettin' caught and feeling the strap like I did.” Her hand crept down to her bare leg and Tom pulled her up onto his knees.

His voice crooned comfort as he gently examined the welts. Jenny fought tears and squared her shoulders. “There weren't no call, either; I was just lookin' at his old book.”

“The green one, the witching one. Jenny, you know he's smacked you for that before! Why do ya get into it? I can't even read it, and neither can you.” His eyes were mildly curious. She moved impatiently. How could you explain it to one like Tom? She knew how he was prone to take whatever life pushed at him.

“I can so read, Tom. You quit treatin' me like a little baby. I'm nearly twelve, or will be come January. There's even littler ones pushin' me out of my place.”

“Just two,” he replied. Tom was cuddling her close in his warm, rough arms.

With a sigh of contentment she snuggled in. “Tell me about the Indians makin' these holes. About the treasure buried deep down. Tom, what does it take to get down to the money and such?”

Tom got to his feet, sliding Jenny to the ground. “I don't know, but I sure aim to find out. That's one of the good things I have in mind. Come along, or we'll both feel the strap.”

“You didn't say what you're up to.” Jenny stood up. Her legs were stinging; oozing blood had clotted on the welts. After taking one painful step she sat down again.

Tom studied her for a moment. “I'll have to carry you then,” he warned. She shook her head and got up. When she was standing, Tom started to speak, then cocked his head to listen. “I hear something, and I'm guessin' it's Pa comin' after the two of us. Let's head down the trail and come out on the other side of town. 'Twill give him time to forget, or get drunk. Quick!” Grasping her hand, he hurried her deeper into the woods.

Jenny trotted after Tom, trying to ignore the pain in her legs. When the trail rounded a hill, Tom suddenly stopped. Jenny stumbled into him and gasped with alarm. In front of them a shadowy figure, crowned in white, crouched in the middle of the trail. “Ghost!” she gasped, reaching for Tom.

“Hallo,” Tom called. “Fancy seein' you here.” Jenny scooted closer to Tom as the large figure moved. A face emerged as he rose to his feet. He shook himself and came toward them.

Jenny tilted her head backward and studied the figure. “Why, you're just a young'un, but 'bout the biggest thing I've ever seen.”

He blinked slowly as if just awakening, then courteously removed his white hat. His bright blonde hair seemed full of sunshine, and his blue eyes sparkled as he grinned at both of them.

“A prince,” she murmured. “But where's your steed? And what's that?” She jabbed at the tattered white object. The hat flew out of his hand, and when it struck the ground a stone rolled out from the crown.

Jenny poked at it with her bare foot. “I'd expect a toad or an elf, but an old rock—”

In a flash he grabbed the rock and shoved it into his pocket. He still smiled, but now his eyes were cold as he bent down to her level. “Little girl, you're as ugly as something found under a rock.”

“She's my sister,” Tom explained. The fellow turned at the recognition of Tom's voice, and Jenny watched the careless, happy grin again claim his face. “My friend!” he exclaimed. “Have you settled your mind to join us?”

Tom cast a quick look at Jenny and nodded. “I'd be a fool to do otherwise.”

The stranger turned toward Jenny, warning, “Now, keep it quiet; there's no profit if we're including the whole village in the scheme.” Jenny stopped studying the length and breadth of him and focused her attention on his face.

Eyeing the bright hair and sharply arching nose that dominated his pale face, she demanded, “Tom, who is he?”

Tom touched her shoulder, “I told you. Remember the silver? We're gonna be rich, then Pa—” She moved her shoulders impatiently. Tom turned back to the youth, saying carelessly over his shoulder, “This is Joe. That rock—he sees things and he knows where there's buried treasure that the Spaniards got tired of totin' and hid in these hills.”

Jenny studied Joe curiously a moment more, and then looked at the ground. Stubbing her bare toes in the soft black soil, she thought about it all. Their dream of buried treasure didn't seem much different than the thoughts and pictures that filled her head when she was alone in the glen.

She tilted her head and looked up into the blue eyes watching her. “It's like havin' pictures in your mind and makin' them come true, isn't it?” She paused a moment. “Does sayin' it all out loud
make
it come true?”

Caution crept into Joe's expression. “Like putting a curse or a blessing on something? That's so, little girl. But you're far too smart for the size of you.” He turned abruptly to Tom and said from the corner of his mouth, “I'll be talking to you later when there's no threat of the news spreading.” He ducked his head and without so much as a glance at Jenny strode rapidly out of sight.

“What was he doin' down there on the ground?”

“I'll be switched if I know.” Tom's voice was perplexed. “But I'm guessin' it has something to do with our huntin' for the silver. Somehow that fella makes me believe he can find it.”

“Just sayin' so makes it come true,” Jenny mused thoughtfully. “Well, that bein' the case, I'm goin' to marry that Joe when I grow up.”

Tom threw his head back and laughed in astonishment. She watched him silently and resentfully until he wiped his eyes. “Now, why did you say that?” Tom was sober now, staring down at his sister.

“It's just in my bones. And if sayin' makes it so, why, then this'll be the way to find out.”

“Jen, you're just a tyke—you've no idea what you're sayin'.” His voice was the grown-up one, the one that signaled the five years between them, and she hated it. Giving voice to her thoughts had cut him off from her. Her shoulders sagged.

Turning, she started down the trail. His long steps brought him even with her, and in silence they trudged through the woods to the far side of South Bainbridge. Avoiding the saloon on the town's main street, they hurried on. As they neared home from the opposite side, their steps became slow and cautious. Tom took Jenny's hand, and they walked down the lane leading to the ramshackle farm.

As they crossed the yard the sun dropped behind the wooded hills, and Jenny shivered. Her dreamy thoughts about the afternoon were gone; now she was conscious only of her thin dress and throbbing legs. After a quick glance at her, Tom stepped through the door of the cabin.

Jenny held her breath until she heard the relief in his voice. “Pa's gone.” She heard her mother's rocking chair creak, and Jenny leaped through the door.

“Ma!” Jenny crowded as near as she dared without touching her. Ma didn't much like being touched. “I didn't mean no harm.” Deepening lines creased her mother's face and darkness shrouded her eyes. Jenny's own throat was aching. She shifted her feet, still hesitating, wanting desperately to say and hear the things she needed.

But she swallowed the painful tears and studied her mother, the weary droop to her thin shoulders, the streaks of gray in her hair.

Ma turned from Jenny to Tom, peering through the shadows of the room to fasten on him as if grasping a sturdy oak. Tom moved uneasily. “Pa?” he questioned.

“Followed you a piece and then headed for town.” She sighed and lifted the lamp to the center of the table. “Come on, young'uns. There's bread and milk for supper. I want you bedded afore . . .” Her voice trailed away, but knowing her meaning, Tom and Jenny watched silently as she moved heavily about the room, placing the dishes and lifting the jug of milk.

Suddenly her face brightened. Jenny saw the change—as if Ma had returned from a far country. It was the signal Jenny wanted. She flung herself at her mother, clasping her waist and pressing her face against the warmth. “I'm sorry.” Jenny felt the rough hand on her hair and the quick gentle tug and heard the heavy sigh.

“I don't know what to do with you, child. You and him always at loggerheads.” She shook her head and turned to raise her voice. “You up there, come.”

Overhead scuffled feet, and Jenny looked at the ladder leading to the loft. Her sister Nancy was peering down, her face a pale oval in the dusk.

Jenny didn't need light to remind her of Nancy's blonde prettiness and dainty ways which made Jenny feel grubby and awkward. More scuffles overhead, and two more tiny pale ovals appeared beside Nancy.

Jenny watched thirteen-year-old Nancy lift Matt and push at Dorcas. Jenny's throat tightened again and she scrubbed at her eyes with her fists, quickly, before Nancy saw her. That afternoon those terrified faces had watched as the strap lifted and snapped.

“I'm the one, ain't I? It's my fault Pa's the way he is!” Jenny demanded, her voice shaky.

Ma straightened from her task of dividing the bread and stared. “Child, what's got into you?”

“Tom said I don't remember how it was before, because I was too little.”

Ma looked at Tom before answering. Then, her voice dreamy, she murmured, “It was different.” She sighed and shook her head. “But, no, it isn't you.” For a long time she was silent, and Jenny thought she had forgotten her. Then reluctantly she said, “Could be hard times just bring out something that was there the whole time, but hid.”

Finally Jenny sat down to her bowl of bread and milk, but she was watching Dorcas and Matty. Nearly two years separated them, but by their sober round faces, they could have been twins.

As she lifted the spoon, her heart was still heavy. Her mother was watching. Gently she said, “You could leave his things alone.”

“I only want to read and learn.”

“There's school for that. I don't read well enough to know the book. But I've heard him talk about the magic and such. I wasn't raised that way—to believe in those things. They make—” She stopped and shifted her shoulders uneasily. There was a troubled frown on her face as she slowly started again, “Maybe he's better'n you credit him. Could be he wants you to grow up knowin' the important things, and findin' a man who'll give you a good life.”

She sighed and looked around the dimly lighted room. “Seems if a body looks for the good, he's bound to find it.” Her fingers picked listlessly at a frayed spot on her apron. Abruptly she raised her head. “If you're bent on readin', there's my Bible. I don't know enough to read it for myself. But I know it says things that we're supposed to honor.”

Jenny frowned over her mother's words, then slipped from her stool and pressed her cheek against Ma's shoulder. “'Night, Ma. And I'll try to remember that and be lookin' for the good. Maybe just thinkin' hard and sayin' it out loud will make it be.”