Spell Catcher Chapter Five (working title)

I had waited in bed for mom to come and talk to me. I guess she didn’t come by because I fell asleep waiting. But this morning I was going to have to face her.1

I reached out and pulled my purple cotton robe on and shoved my feet into purple fuzzy slippers then headed for my bedroom door. I paused to listen and could hear mom banging around the kitchen. The sweet scent of waffles and cinnamon caught my attention and my stomach grumbled in protest of being empty. Everything seemed normal, so shuffled my way to the kitchen.2

I was so nervous that my palms were sweaty enough that I had to wipe them on my robe already. I paused at the entry and watched my mother. Her red hair was pulled back into a high ponytail but it still hung almost to her waist. Her back was to me, across the yellow room and she was in the process of pouring another waffle. She was wearing jeans again with a long sleeved shirt, red today.3

I tiptoed in and sat at the oval table off to the right. “Good morning mother.”4

Mom turned her head towards me and smiled, “good morning Baylee. I trust you slept well?”5

“Not bad and you?” I asked politely.6

“I’m afraid to say my sleep was troubled last night.”7

I stayed silent. I wasn’t sure what to say to her. She shut the lid to the waffle iron and walked over to the table with a plate full of waffles. “Waffle?”8

I took a couple and started pouring on the syrup. “What did you learn last night, Baylee?”9

I stopped with the fork half way to my mouth. “What do you mean? I studied hard on my colors. They always trip me up. I want to write white for everything,” I was babbling.” Because white can be substituted for any color.”10

“Baylee stop.”11

“But mother you asked what I learned.” I shifted on my seat.12

Mom sighed and put her elbows on the table. She clasped her hands together and laid her chin on the top of them. She looked weary. “That’s not what I meant. What did Elder Eden and McCarthy do and say while I was gone.”13

I hated to lie so I didn’t this time. I looked at her sheepishly. “Well Elder Eden searched your bookshelf and Elder McCarthy searched you trunks. They just talked about Elder Graves wanting an object.”14

“Did they say why?”15

I shook my head.16

“Did they say anything else?”17

I thought back to last night. Something was poking my memory but it wasn’t coming out of the shadows. “I’m sorry mom I can’t remember anything else.”18

She reached across the table and patted my hand, ”it’s alright. Now what are we going to do about you hiding in my workroom?”19

I took a big mouthful so I wouldn’t have to answer. I chewed slowly to savor the maple taste and to buy myself some time.20

I was saved by a knock on the kitchen door. Sienna popped her head in, followed my Jenna’s.21

“Good morning girls. Come on in,” mom invited.22

“Hello Elder Younge.” They said in unison.23

“That’s enough of that you two,” and they giggled. “No Elder while you’re in my house, just River.”24

“Yes River.” They said together still giggling.25

“Waffles?’ My mom offered. “There’s plenty here.”26

They both sat down and mom got out plates. Sienna had jeans on with a dark turtleneck and Jenna wore the same. Jenna’s hair was pulled back like my mom’s.27

We passed the time talking about school with m mom until she said, “Well ladies I’m must get ready. I’m due at Elder Scott’s house at noon. Make yourselves useful and clean up after you’re done.”28

After she went upstairs we finished up breakfast in silence.29

Sienna was the first one to break the silence. “Did you get the lecture from your mom?”30

I looked at her not understanding. “What lecture?”31

“Both Jenna and I got a lecture about those books we were looking at at the library yesterday.”32

“Oh that. I didn’t get a lecture. Mom just asked me what we were up to.”33

“What did you tell her?” Jenna asked.34

“I really didn’t want to lie to her but I told her that we were looking for a subject to write a research paper on.”35

“She believed that?” Jenna again.36

“I don’t usually lie so yes she believed me.”37

“We both said similar stories to our parents.” Jenna plunged her hands into the bubbly water and started on the breakfast plates. “So if they check with each other they’ll basically get the same story.” She then handed a washed plate to Sienna.38

I set about clearing the table. “Mom had some unexpected company last night.”39

Sienna set a rinsed plate in the drying rack. “How do you know it was unexpected?”40

“Because I was hiding in the cabinet again.”41

“You were not!” Exclaimed Sienna.42

Jenna shook a soapy finger at me,” one of these days you’re going to get caught.”43

“I already have been.” I put the syrup in the refrigerator. “After the meeting she told me to turn off the light.”44

Sienna laughed, “I wonder if she’s always known you were in there?”45

Someone from the doorway cleared his or her throat. We all jumped and turned to see who it was.46

“Yes, I have always known Baylee was hiding in the cabinet.”47

“Mom!” I gasped, almost dropping the butter. “How long have you been standing there?”48

“Not long. But you’ve been hiding in that cabinet since you learned how to open doors.”49

“How could you tell?” I asked leaning up against the counter beside Jenna. Sienna and Jenna continued to wash while trying not to be noticed.50

“This last time I knew because of the light, but before it was because of the change in vibrations or energy.” She walked all the way into the room and started searching.51

I grabbed the keys off the windowsill and hung them from my index finger. Mom smiled and reached out to take them.52

“Now you three be good. Stay out of trouble. And Baylee?”53

“Yeah mom?”54

“Remember what we talked about last night.”55

“Yes mother. Get out of here or you’ll be late.”56

“Bye girls.”57

“Bye,” we all said.58

With the dishes done and everything put away we trudged upstairs so I could get dressed.59

“That was close.” I said on the stairs. Jenna and Sienna followed.60

“Your mother’s sneaky. No wonder she knows everything.” Sienna said.61

“She doesn’t know everything. If she did she’d never leave us alone in the house.” I said as I walked towards my closet.62

“Why’s that?” She asked.63

I slid open my doors and started pushing clothes aside. “Because we are going in her work room and finding that item.”64

“What are you talking about?” Asked Jenna from the window seat.65


Sienna had wandered off to my dresser and was in the process of putting on my new eyeshadow. “Why don’t you start at the beginning? What happened last night? And what was your mom talking about?”66

So I told them about the talk and about the meeting between the two Elders and my mom.67

“So somewhere in that room is the ‘item’. Oh and I remembered something else Elder Eden said. Elder Graves has something on Elder Eden and Elder McCarthy. Something they don’t want anyone else to know about.” I ended.68

Sienna and Jenna both got up from the window seat and headed towards the door.69

“Where are you guys going?’ I asked. 70

“To the work room. We have to find that ‘item’.” Sienna said as she pushed Jenna out the door.71

I shook my head, slipped on some clogs and followed behind them.72