Keeping secrets amongst friends
989 Words
Breakfast was now eaten, and Mary patted her tummy happily. The good food had helped her calm down and feel better, but she could still feel the tight knot. She tapped her foot on the ground looking up at her parents.
Her mother and father were standing up to take care of the dishes, her younger sister was already down and playing with some toys in the other room, and Mary was reclining in her chair at the table.
"Mary, get up here," her dad scolded her, "Don't make mom and me do all the cleaning."
Mary sighed deeply, but stood up from her chair. She made eye contact with her mom who said, "We'll talk about it when breakfast is cleaned up."
"Talk about what?" her dad asked.
"About me having magic!" Mary said, proudly.
"But we're talking about it after we clean up." Mary's mom looked pointedly at her husband.
"Okay," he said, raising his hands in surrender. He turned to Mary with a smile. "I want to hear all about it."
With all three of them cleaning up, pots, pans, and dishes were put away; and the counters and table were wiped down in a few minutes.
Mary was now sitting back at the table recounting what had happened last night and what she had found out about the elves for her mother and from Matt to her parents.
"Whewph," said her dad, leaning back on his chair. "That's quite the little adventure you had there!"
Mary beamed, "This is literally the coolest thing that has ever happened, Dad!"
"You bet! We're going to have to start your training soon. I think there is an elf magic group here for young elves coming of age." He turned to his wife, "Talya, I'll take care of registering her, I think we can get her started this Monday."
"That would be great, Vince." Mary's mom turned to Mary, "How does that sound? Do you want to start studying magic on Monday?"
Mary nodded, "Yeah!"
"Alright! Let's get you registered!" her dad said, standing up from the table.
Her mom also stood.
"Wait!" Mary said, "You were going to tell me more about our dimension."
"Not now, honey," her mom waved at her, I've got a meeting with Mable's teacher today, and it's in a few minutes, I have to go."
"Okay mum," Mary sulked back into her chair, then sat up brightening. "Can I hang out with my friends?" she asked.
"Yeah, that would be fine, just let us know where you'll be."
"We'll probably be at the park, but I'll text you when I know for sure!" Mary said as she began slipping on her coat. She pulled out her phone and called Paul. "Hey, Paul!" she greeted him when he answered, "meet me at the park, I've got something to tell you!"
"Hey," Mary's mom turned suddenly and motioned for Mary to put down the phone.
Mary pulled the phone down from her ear and held it against her self.
"Your human friends can't know," she mouthed, "We can't tell them about magic."
Mary heard Paul on the phone and put it back to her ear. "Uh, yeah, I'll see you in a bit." She hung up. "Why can't they know?" Mary asked her mom, "Matt already told them."
"It's just important that they don't know, please, darling, keep this a secret."
"Um, okay..." Mary's heart felt heavy in her chest, right there next to the tight knot in her stomach. "Well, I'll see you later." She closed the door behind her and headed off to the park.
She sludged towards the park sighing in the cool air. She stuck out her tongue. "Why can't I tell my friends, mom?" she pouted reaching for her phone and pulling up her contacts. Bethany's number was first, and she clicked it. The phone started ringing in her hand and she put it up to her ear.
"Hey, girl!" Bethany's voice.
"Hey, Beth, I have something I want to tell you, bring your sister, Wendy."
"Okay!" Beth replied, "Hey Wendy, it's May Bae, she has something to tell us. Let's go!" the phone clicked and there was silence.
Mary stopped and turned a corner heading towards a small apartment complex. She knocked on the door.
A little woman answered the door. "Oh! Hi Mary dear," she said, "Matt's in the bathroom, you'll have to wait for a moment." she ushered Mary in, then turned to shout. "Matt! Mary's here."
"Kay!" Matt's shout was heard from deeper in the apartment.
"How are you doing, Dinah?"
"Oh, as well as an old woman can."
"You're not that old," Mary protested.
"Well, 67 and not getting any younger."
"You're not that old," Mary repeated, "and besides, I like your gray hairs."
Dinah scoffed, "Well, they don't like me very much or they'd stay away!" That earned a chuckle from Mary. "You know, my grandson is very lucky to have a friend like you," she told Mary.
Matt walked in. "Hey, mama, you aren't bugging Mary, are you?"
"Oh, heavens, no. Who would do such a thing to this sweet soul?" Dinah chuckled and said in a loud whisper to Mary, "but you are perfect for him, no?" Mary blushed. Dinah laughed more.
"So, what's up?" Matt asked.
"Um, right, I wanted to ask if you wanted to come to the park today, I've got something to tell everyone. It's super exciting!"
"Yeah, just let me grab my coat."
Dinah stood up and patted Matt's head. "Have fun and stay safe." She smiled and left the room.
Matt and Mary left the apartment. "You're grandma is so sweet." Mary told him.
"Thanks, she can be a handful sometimes, but I like having her around."
"Where're your parents?" Mary asked.
"They had somewhere to be this morning, but they'll be fine with me going to the park."
"Awesome. I can't wait to tell everyone."
- Writer
