4. Athan
Chapter Four
ATHAN
My appearance at the exhibition at Pine Lodge appears to be causing a stir.
I tend to forget that people in small towns like to keep tabs on who’s doing what.
And our family keeping out of the way, plus what happened to Mother, makes us a natural talking point.
So I usually avoid big social events like this although I shop in town for groceries like everyone else, normally at antisocial hours.
When Caitlin mentioned she was performing at the exhibition, I decided I had to see her here.
I have two sketches of local views included in the exhibit and I’ve been invited, I just wasn’t intending on coming.
But now I’m standing here with a glass of champagne in one hand, extremely out of practice at small talk.
Magnus comes up to me. I like him, he has a keen intelligence and doesn’t persist with unwanted questions.
“Athan, I am delighted to see you here. Your pictures are greatly admired. The sun rising over the mountain range with Snowflake Falls in the background is my favorite, I think.” He smiles.
“Thank you, Magnus. The light was perfect and very difficult to replicate. I would very much like to draw it at sunset.”
“I am producing a coffee table book about Snowflake Falls which includes some work from local artists. The proceeds go to charity. Do I have your permission to put your pictures in?” Magnus takes a sip of champagne.
“Yes, of course. I’d be honored.” I smile. The large main hall is busy with people looking at the artwork, crowding around the bar and queuing at the buffet table. Many of them are in costume, in honor of Halloween tomorrow, but I can’t see Caitlin.
“Wonderful. Be sure to check out Natalie’s eco-sculptures outside if you have time. I’ll email you a proof copy of the book once it’s done. Enjoy yourself, Athan.” Magnus walks over to talk to Taylor, one of the many Bells siblings, who is in charge of the buffet.
As I begin to walk outside to look at the sculptures, the sound of an amplified acoustic guitar stops me in my tracks.
I make my way through the crowd to the adjoining room, where Caitlin is sitting on a low stage in the corner.
She’s wearing a white dress cut in a deep V-shape to reveal her lustrous fair skin, with a crown of flowers on her flowing dark hair, and her beauty is astonishing.
Gently plucking the chords on her guitar, she plays a slow version of the beginning of I Put A Spell on You.
I’m familiar with the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins version, which is angry and intense, with growls and whoops; this version is different.
Caitlin’s voice is low and mesmerizing, as if she was delivering an incantation.
I’m not the only one to be spellbound; the room gets quiet as people pause to listen.
A tall man draped in a sheet to make a ghost costume stands to the left of the stage, as entranced as I am by her incredible talent.
His shiny, black lace-up shoes poke out of the bottom of the sheet, slightly ruining the effect.
She finishes the song and there is a round of enthusiastic applause. I walk forward before that idiot in the ghost costume has a chance to monopolize her.
“That was beautiful. I’m glad I came.” I smile down at her as she puts her guitar in an old and very battered case.
“Athan! I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” Her cheeks flush. Her eyes are a stunning deep blue, almost violet, shade.
“I decided I must see you perform. It was more than worth the journey. I have some sketches in the exhibition.” I pick up a glass of champagne from a tray a passing waiter is carrying and hand it to her.
“Oh, thank you. For coming. And for the champagne.” She pauses. “I’d love to see your work, will you show me?”
“I’d be delighted.” I walk into the exhibition space, which is nearly empty as most people are outside taking in the view as the sun sets and sampling the Snowflake Falls signature Halloween candy apple punch.
“This is the town square at Christmas.” I point at my sketch.
She draws a sharp intake of breath. “That’s amazing, Athan. You are a great artist.”
I smile. “You flatter me. It’s more of a hobby. This is my favorite. The view from the mountains as the sun rises. Snowflake Falls looks like something from a fairytale.”
Caitlin takes a long time to look at the drawing in detail, walking closer to appreciate it. “I love this. It reminds me of all the reasons why I left the city and came here. There’s space to breathe in this place.”
“Do you mind me asking why you left?” I gaze down at her, hoping I’m not being intrusive. I just want to find out everything about this gorgeous woman.
“Um… I had a bad break up. I needed a fresh start. My mother and father died in a house fire a year ago, and there was nothing to keep me there except bad memories. My grandmother used to say Snowflake Falls was a magical little town and I thought living here might...I don’t know, fix me somehow.
It’s been a tough year.” She grimaces and takes a long sip of her drink.
“I’m sorry, Caitlin. Losing your parents like that must have been so awful.” I want to reach out and put my arms around her.
“It was. I haven’t really recovered but life goes on, you know?
And despite being attacked by a bat and told I’m a witch by the Howl sisters, my experience in Snowflake so far has been pretty good.
Although I have to get used to being alone in the apartment.
I think all this Halloween stuff has me a little edgy. ” She smiles.
“Here is my number. I apologize for it being on an old-fashioned card, but I do have a cell phone. If you’re ever worried by anything while you’re alone, just contact me. My family and I will be there for you whenever you need us.” I hand her the card.
“That’s so kind. Can I give you a ride back to Sleekton Drive? I’m just going to say goodbye to Magnus, Paige and Natalie.” She puts the card in the pocket of her guitar case.
“That’s very kind, thank you.” I had walked here through the forest with Mr. Ren but he had flown back once we were in the grounds. I was intending on going back the same route, but the chance of spending more time with Caitlin is an offer I can’t refuse.
In her car, she puts the guitar case in the back seat and drives carefully down the winding road which leads from Pine Lodge to Peppermint Lodge and then back down the mountain.
I could watch the way her dark hair flutters in the wind for hours but instead I ask her questions about her music on the journey.
Outside our house, Mr. Ren is sitting on our mailbox. If crows had eyebrows, one of his would be raised as he watches us pull up. Caitlin looks shyly over at me, as if she’s going to say something.
Her seductive rose and amber scent fills me with desire, and I’m not used to that feeling.
I reach forward and pick up her hand. It’s small and warm in mine as I hold it, gazing into her eyes.
Her pupils dilate and I can’t resist leaning forward and crushing my lips on hers.
Her lips are soft underneath mine and she gives a little sigh, reaching her hand up to caress the back of my neck.
I run my hand from her jaw down her white throat and she trembles at the sensation.
I explore her mouth with my tongue, drinking in the minty taste and the silkiness of her hair as it drapes across my hand.
There’s a knock at the car window.
The ghost from Pine Lodge is standing there. There’s an unhinged-sounding laugh and the ghost runs away, his big feet in the black lace-up shoes making clicking sounds on the cement.
Caitlin draws back. “I should get inside. Thank you for coming to see me perform.”
I want to kiss her again but instead, I smile and open the door. “It was wonderful. Thank you for an incredible night.”
Mr. Ren flies in front of me as I walk to my house. I linger on the porch, drawing the shutters in case Father wants to walk tonight. I watch through the slatted wooden shutters as Caitlin goes into her apartment. On the street, it’s quiet and fog is rising in cloudy whorls, obscuring the trees.
A tall figure walks past my house. He is trying to be quiet but there’s the faintest clacking noise from his lace-up shoes.
It must be the fool in the ghost costume.
I don’t recognize him, although he is very interested in Caitlin’s house next door, checking his phone and the number on her mailbox several times.
Perhaps this is the boyfriend from the bad break up she mentioned. I want to run out and order him away. A thought comes over me - what if Caitlin wants him to be looking for her? Maybe she is hoping for them to reconcile?
The man in the lace-up shoes takes a final look at Caitlin’s lit window and walks back down the drive. I follow his retreating figure until he gets into a car and drives back in the direction of town.
I need to keep an eye on him.