Part 17 (1/2)

Kate laughed. I thought you might like that.

I must say, your att.i.tude seems to have changed since we last saw one another, said Dr. Hagen.

Youre much more”

Confident? Kate suggested.

Yes, the doctor said, nodding her head. Much more confident. Why the change?

Lets just say I had a talk with a friend, she answered.

The doctor looked at her curiously but didnt ask anything more about the subject. Kate thought about the necklace of green and black beads beneath her s.h.i.+rt and leaned back in her chair, content.

Do you want to talk some more about your suspicions of a romantic relations.h.i.+p between Tyler and Annie? Dr. Hagen asked.

If you do, Kate said.

The doctor tapped her pencil on her notebook. You and Annie are very close, she said. And bonds between friends, especially girlfriends, can often be much more intense even than the bonds between romantic partners. You and Annie have also been through a lot together in terms of your involvement in Wicca. If what you suspect is true, how do you think that will affect your relations.h.i.+p with her?

I wont be able to trust her, Kate said quickly. How could I?

Do you think you could remain friends with her?

I really dont know, Kate said. It would be really, really hard. When you work with people doing magic, you have to be able to trust them. If I couldnt trust her, what would be the point?

So your involvement in Wicca would be changed as well? asked Dr. Hagen.

I wouldnt stop studying it because of this, Kate said. But I would probably have to stop practicing it with Annie. Or with Tyler, for that matter. How could I ever be in a coven with him, knowing what he did?

These are all enormous questions, the therapist told her. Theyll probably take some time to work through and figure out.

Oh, good, Kate said brightly. That means you and I will be spending even more time together.

Dr. Hagen put down her pad and pencil and folded her hands. Im pleased that youre so looking forward to it, she said. Has anyone ever told you that sarcasm is often a cover for deep-seated anger?

No, Kate replied. Never.

Later that day, while her brother was out with some friends, her aunt was taking a nap, and her parents were busy with their own pursuits, Kate went downtown to Crones Circle. After peering in the window to make sure that Tyler”or anyone else she didnt particularly want to see”wasnt there, she went inside. She was happy to see that Archer was working the counter. When Archer saw her come in she smiled broadly. Hey there. What brings you in, and where are your cohorts?

Im solo today, Kate replied. I came in looking for something to go with my a.s.signment for cla.s.s.

A book? asked Archer.

Kate shook her head. Music, she said. Im studying Santeria, and last weekend I went to this ritual over at Botanica Yemaya. They played drums, and I really liked them. I was wondering if there were any recordings of that kind of stuff.

Archer came out from behind the counter. Lets check the CDs, she said. I know we have a lot of drum music, but I dont know if any of it is specifically Santerian.

Kate followed Archer to the CD racks, and they began looking. Archer was right”there were a lot of drumming CDs. But most of them were either Native American or a blend of New Age cultures. Then, just as she was about give up, Kate saw something. She picked up the CD and looked at it. Hearts of the Saints, she read. The cover showed several large African-type drums with what looked like spirits coming out of them.

Kate turned the CD over. This magical recording captures the essence of a traditional Santerian tambor , or gathering, she read out loud.

Kate looked at Archer. This is exactly what I was looking for, she said. Thanks.

So youre having a good time with this a.s.signment, then? Archer asked as they walked back to the counter so that Kate could pay.

I am, Kate said. Its really interesting. A lot of it is like Wicca, but a lot of it isnt. Its cool seeing how other people do things.

When I did my year and a day and had to do this a.s.signment I picked Sufi mysticism, Archer said. At first I wasnt sure about it, but the more I read and the more I met people who were into it, the more I fell in love with it. I still am.

But you stayed with Wicca, Kate said.

Yes, said Archer. When it comes down to it, Im at home in the Craft. I appreciate bits and pieces of many different paths, but they arent my paths. Witchcraft is. One of my big breakthroughs during that year was realizing that it was okay to take pieces from other traditions and use them if they work for you.

You just have to do it with respect for the tradition, otherwise its just kind of stealing.

I never thought of it like that, said Kate, taking her change and her bag from Archer.

Have fun with the CD, Archer told her. Well see you on Tuesday, right?

Oh, I wouldnt miss it for anything, replied Kate. Bye.

She left the store and walked back to the bus stop. As she walked she thought about what Archer had just said about borrowing from different traditions. She was definitely borrowing from Santeria. But it wasnt like shed done it on purpose. After all, Oggun had chosen her as his child, right? She hadnt chosen him. So why shouldnt she take advantage of that?

Theres no reason you shouldnt, she told herself as she stood waiting for her bus home.

When she arrived at her house a little while later, everyone was putting on their coats.

There you are, her mother said. Were all going to go to a movie. Do you want to come?

Kate thought for a moment. What are you going to see?

The new Meg Ryan, Aunt Netty said.

Oh, Kate said, feigning disappointment. I saw that with Annie and Cooper last week. But you guys go. Its really good. And Im kind of wiped out anyway. Im going to take a nap.

Are you sure? asked her mother. We can always see a different movie.

No, Kate said. You go. Well do something tonight when you get back.

Well bring home pizza, Mr. Morgan said. How does that sound?

Perfect, said Kate.