Tyger Tyger (5 page)

"Finn?" Mr. Wylltson said. "Are you all right, son?"

"What kind of painkillers did they give you?" Mrs. Wylltson asked.

"None today," Finn said. "I'm all right."

"Nice to meet you." Aiden marched over and stuck out his hand.

Finn leaned down to shake it. "Nice to meet you, my man," he said. "That's a fine castle you have there."

Aiden beamed.

Finn nodded at Teagan. "Nice to meet you, as well."

Abby made a squeaking noise.

"This is my friend Abby Gagliano." Teagan waved toward her.

"Her best friend," Abby said. "I'm over all the time."

"Gabby." Finn nodded.

"Let's get your things into your room," Mr. Wylltson said. "We'll have a talk as you settle in."

Mrs. Wylltson and Aiden followed him up the stairs.

"It's Abby," Abby said as Finn went past.

"Oh. My. God." She collapsed against the wall as soon as they were out of sight. "Brad Pitt just moved in with you. I swear, Tea, he looks just like a young Brad Pitt, and you get to keep him! This is so not fair. Walter looked like Jack Black. You know he did."

She stopped and looked at Teagan. "Tea? What's wrong with you? You're face looks all ... funny."

"It does?"

"Not funny ha-ha," Abby said. "Funny sick."

"Yeah," Teagan said, and bolted for the bathroom.

"Oh, my god." Abby was waiting in the hall when she came out. "You threw up, didn't you? Just like you used to do before spelling bees. Oh. My. God!"

"Will you stop saying that?" Teagan wiped her mouth. "It's blasphemy or something."

"You're in love," Abby said.

"Sure," Teagan said. "Like I was in love at the spelling bees. I'm just ... nervous."

"N
ervous,
" Abby said knowingly. "You ever meet a boy who made you
nervous
like that before? You know what? I don't think I like this guy."

"You just said he looked like Brad Pitt. You said it was unfair that he was going to live with us."

"That was five minutes ago. Now my hair is standing on end. There's something about him, Tea, I swear."

"It's the way he smells," Teagan said. She'd noticed it as soon as he stepped in the door.

"Smells?"

"Didn't you think he smelled ... really good?" Teagan could tell by the way Abby frowned that she didn't.

"Like what?" Abby looked puzzled. "Cologne? I didn't smell anything."

"No, it was more..." Teagan shook her head. "I don't know how to describe it." Finn smelled
wild.
Abby would never let her live it down if she said that.

"Oh, my god," Abby said. "That's how Bartholomew Dark seduces his victims ... they're drawn to his smell. Lock your door tonight, okay? I'll get some holy water from the font at Drogo's tomorrow."

Teagan sighed. "How long has it been since you read a book that didn't have vampires in it?"

"They write books with no vampires? Wait ... the penguins made us read that Shakesrear guy, right?"

"Shakespeare," Teagan said.

"Whatever. I'm pretty sure Mercutio was a vampire. He had the attitude, you know? He just never got a chance to show his fangs."

"Did I hear you referring to the Sisters of Mercy as penguins, Abigail?" Mrs. Wylltson came down the stairs, towing Aiden behind her. "You'll be respecting godly women in this house."

"Sorry, Mrs. Wylltson," Abby said contritely. "I'll confess it next time I go to Mass. Can I spend the night again?"

"Not tonight," Mrs. Wylltson said. "You'd best head home."

"But ... I helped cook dinner! Can't I help eat it?"

"We need to give Finn a chance to settle in." She ushered Abby toward the door.

"I think the spaghetti sauce needs more garlic," Abby said as Mrs. Wylltson herded her onto the porch. "Lots more!"

"I'll consider it," Mrs. Wylltson said.

Abby made a pinky-thumb phone and held it to her ear.
Call me,
she mouthed to Teagan as Mrs. Wylltson shut the door.

"Garlic?" Mrs. Wylltson asked.

"Vampires," Teagan said.

"Abby thinks...?" She shook her head. "You can call her later and tell her Finn has no fangs. The boy has a broken arm. That would make anyone pale. Let's get supper heated before they come downstairs."

"I'll be the lookout," Aiden said as he stationed himself at the foot of the stairs, "and tell you when they're coming."

Mrs. Wylltson set plates on the table, while Teagan poured milk for herself, Aiden, and Finn, and wine for her parents.

"They're taking their time up there," Teagan said.

"Your da is explaining the house rules," Mrs. Wylltson said. "Ms. Skinner was hovering at the hospital. She didn't even let Finn ride with us on the way over. That woman knows nothing about the boy. He's a Mac Cumhaill through and through."

"What does that mean?"

"It means he's a Traveler. He wasn't meant to live by Ms. Skinner's rules."

"They're coming." Aiden scooted around the corner on his hands and knees.

"Good," Mrs. Wylltson said. "Now go wash your hands."

"I don't want to wash my hands. I want to stay here and see Cousin Finn."

Mrs. Wylltson tipped her chin down and gave him the Look.

"Yes, ma'am." Aiden ran for the bathroom.

Finn still had the satchel strap over his shoulder when he came into the kitchen. Teagan turned so she could just see him from the corner of her eye as she arranged the napkins. There was a moment of awkward silence, Finn studying the painting of Ginny Greenteeth and the older Wylltsons studying Finn, before Aiden came back, his hands still dripping.

"How'd you break your arm?" Aiden asked.

"Fell out of a tree," Finn said.

"What were you doing in the tree?"

"Being foolish."

Aiden poked the satchel. "Is that a man purse?"

"It's my kit."

"What's in it?"

"A change of clothes," Finn said. "An extra pair of socks, the sort of things you need when you travel. Do you want to see?"

"Yes." Aiden reached for it, but Finn caught his arm. "Dry your hands first."

Aiden dried his hands on his shirt while Finn set the satchel down and opened it. Aiden dug into it and pulled out a pair of clean socks, then a roll of duct tape.

"What's this?"

"Duct tape. It's the most useful stuff on earth," Finn said seriously. "You can fix anything with duct tape."

"Not animals." Aiden shoved the tape back in the bag. "Teagan fixes hurt animals at the zoo."

"Does she, then?" Finn said. "What kind?"

"Naked mole rats." Aiden shrugged. "Ugly things like that. Tea thinks apes are just ugly people."

"Not really." Teagan was surprised to find that her voice wasn't shaky. "Not exactly. But I think they are more than we give them credit for, and they should be given space to survive. To live free."

"How can you like the zoo, then?" Finn asked.

"I don't have to like the cages to love the animals." She set the noodles on the table.

The Wylltsons sat down, and Finn took his place across from Mrs. Wylltson. Teagan bowed her head.

"
May the blessing of the five loaves and the two fishes be ours,
" they all spoke the prayer together. Finn clearly knew it—he didn't miss a word. "May the
King who did the sharing bless our sharing and our co-sharing. Amen.
"

He had a little difficulty using his left hand for the silverware, and it was obvious he wasn't used to eating at a table. But he wasn't embarrassed or awkward, just ... observant.

He took a portion of every dish that was passed to him, just like Mr. Wylltson did.

Teagan was sure the spaghetti would defeat him. He studied Mr. Wylltson's method of twirling a neat knob of noodles on the end of his fork, using his spoon for support, and Aiden's capture-and-slurp-the-worm method. Since he couldn't use the spoon, he settled for a twirl and slurp and managed to get tomato sauce on his chin.

Mr. Wylltson picked up his napkin and wiped his lips and chin, and Finn immediately did the same. Teagan looked away quickly to hide her smile. Her father had figured out what Finn was doing and was giving him cues.

"Where is Mamieo?" Mrs. Wylltson asked.

"Around," Finn said. "You didn't mention her to Ms. Skinner?"

"Finn Mac Cumhaill," Mrs. Wylltson said. "I've lived the Traveler way. Of course I didn't."

"I don't know where she is, exactly," Finn said, relaxing a little. "I didn't know you were still in Chicago, either, Aunt Aileen. Not when I gave them your name. Mamieo has scattered the family."

"Why?" Mrs. Wylltson asked. "Why would she do that?"

"I don't know. It was years ago."

"How long have you been living on your own?"

"Five years," Finn said. "I was in a foster home for a year after my parents died. They were good people, for rooters. It's why I had to leave. I stayed with Mamieo for a year. I've been on my own since then."

"You've been living on the streets since you were twelve?" Mr. Wylltson asked. "How did you manage?"

"Let the boy eat in peace," Mrs. Wylltson said. "He's home now."

"This is how it works around here, Finn," Mr. Wylltson said when the meal was finished. "Teagan cooked, Aileen's on a deadline with her painting, so that leaves you and me to clean up. Do you want to do the dishes, or read aloud while I do them?"

"Never been much for books." Finn eyed the pile of pots in the sink.

"The boy's injured, John," Mrs. Wylltson said.

"I can manage well enough," Finn said. "I'll do my share."

"Think before you make your move, Finn," Mrs. Wylltson advised. "You should never take the first deal offered. This is where negotiation comes in."

"Negotiation?"

"For instance"—she pushed back her chair and stretched—"I could delay my deadline just a little, and you could play me a game of chess while John reads. I'd wash the dishes when we're done. You could rinse. Everyone's happy."

"As a fellow male, I feel it only fair to warn you, Finn," Mr. Wylltson said, "my blushing bride has never lost a game of chess. Or Monopoly, or checkers, or Risk. She's luring you like a lamb to the slaughter, boy."

"John! I'm doing no such thing!"

"Yes, she is," Aiden said. "Mom doesn't lose."

"Right." Finn stood and picked up his plate. "It'll be the dishes, then."

"I'll help." Teagan stood as well. It would take him forever to do the dishes one-handed. "Abby helped me cook, after all."

"Excellent," Mr. Wylltson said. "That means I read. When I meet someone who says they're not 'much for books,' I can guarantee that they haven't met the right book yet." Mr. Wylltson stood up. "I'd be happy to make some introductions."

Finn jumped right in as soon he had figured out the proper way to do things, rinsing while Teagan washed. Her arm tingled every time she leaned close to hand him a dish, like he was carrying some kind of electric charge.

Mr. Wylltson came back in with two books. "I'm feeling poetic. My first choice for the evening: Songs
of Experience,
by William Blake!"

"I don't think so," Mrs. Wylltson said.

"Why not?"

"'The Tyger' is tucked into that book, isn't it? That poem gave Aiden nightmares the last time you read it."

"I'd forgotten that." Mr. Wylltson set the book down reluctantly. "The
Boyhood
Deeds of Fionn, then, by James Macpherson. I expect Finn knows this story." Mrs. Wylltson went back to selecting a brush. "But he'll enjoy Macpherson's version."

"Why would he know the story if he hasn't read the book?" Aiden asked. It was past his bedtime, and he was starting to get grumpy.

"Because," Mrs. Wylltson said, "Fionn is another way of saying 'Finn.' Your cousin Finn is named after the great Irish hero Fionn Mac Cumhaill."

"This is the story of Fionn's parents," Mr. Wylltson said. "And how he came to be."

The story was all in poetry, the kind of old words Teagan's father liked best. He read how Cumhaill, the leader of the fierce Fianna of Éireann—as Ireland was called in those days—fell in love with Muirne, the beautiful daughter of Tadg Mac Nudat. Tadg's veins were blue with royal blood, and his heart black with royal pride.

When he found out that Cumhaill came from the Travelers Clan, a people who owned nothing but what they could carry on their backs and went about the country practicing the tinker's trade, Tadg forbade the marriage. Cumhaill and Muirne went to the Druids of the deep wood and were married there.

Teagan tried to slide the dishes into the suds without allowing them to clink or clatter—then tried to hand them to Finn without touching him. Or looking at him. Because every time he caught her looking, he smiled, and she got goose bumps. It was a good thing her dad was reading and her mom painting, because she was sure they would notice. She focused on her father's voice.

Tadg learned of the marriage and made a blood covenant with Fear Doirich, the goblin god, known as the Dark Man. The Dark Man cursed the lovers, sending goblins after them and their children through all eternity.

Cumhaill was betrayed to his death, but Muirne, heavy with child, fled into the deep woods. There she gave birth to a baby boy and died soon after. The boy was raised by a druidess and a warrior woman. They named him Fionn Mac Cumhaill and taught him the skills he would need to fight against all goblinkind.

"That's not a happy ending," Aiden said when Mr. Wylltson stopped reading. "I don't like it."

"It's an Irish story, love," Mrs. Wylltson said. "We don't do happy endings."

"Still, you're a very good reader," Finn said. "You read it almost as well as Mamieo tells it."

"Thank you." Mr. Wylltson took a bow. "I have sworn to use my great powers of literacy for the good of all mankind. That is why I became a librarian."

"Don't tease the boy, John," Mrs. Wylltson said. "It's not his reading, Finn. It's his voice. I married him for that voice."

"I thought you married me for my good looks," Mr. Wylltson said.

"Now, dear," Mrs. Wylltson said. "Be realistic."

"Women can tear the heart right out of you, Finn," Mr. Wylltson said. "Never forget it."

"Is Finn really named after that guy?" Aiden asked.