Page 1 of Scarred

Chapter 1

Amma

Don’t wake her.

But I’m hungry.

“You know I can hear you both,” Amma groaned and turned on her stomach. It was the same thing every morning. She had tried closing her window, but the two brothers would just talk louder or thump on the window until she climbed out of bed. Some mornings she regretted rescuing the two baby squirrels from starvation and dehydration, like when they woke her up before her alarm. Other days, she felt like Cinderella with all the animals that flocked to her. With only five hours of sleep, it was going to be a Cinderella day.

You woke her up.

No, you did.

Amma threw a pillow at the window and glared at the brothers. It wasn’t like she was really upset, but she would have liked a few more hours of sleep. They were just too cute for her to get mad at. The night before, she had stayed up with her sisters and cousins playing truth or dare. With a house full of women who practiced magic, the dares got a little out of hand.

She turned to her side and sighed. Mike was the older squirrel by a second, and he never let anyone forget how cute he was, unless food was involved. He had pretty, floppy ears and thick bronze fur that shimmered with gold when the sun hit it. Sam’s fur was all black except for a white streak down the center of his back. He also had a cowlick that made him look like he was ready to burst into song at any moment.

“Good morning, you two.” Amma sat up and stretched. “Did you sleep well?”

We did. Mike answered. Our den is warm and ready for winter.

And a lot of food. Sam chimed in.

“Oh,” Amma smiled to herself. “Does that mean I don’t need to give you any food this morning?”

NO! They yelled in unison.

“I was joking.” Amma stood and walked to the cabinet where she kept their snacks. “You know I would never deprive you of your nuts and raisins in the morning.”

Raisins? Sam asked. I like them.

“I know you do.” She poured her special trail mix into a bowl and put it on the windowsill. “You both need to share, nicely.” The brothers started stuffing their cheeks. “Another thing, we are hosting the generational celebration and family starts coming in today.”

We do not like a lot of people around. Sam stopped long enough to glance up at her.

“I know, but this is family and the celebration is needed.” She gave each brother a stroke down the back. “We have spread so far around the world, I promise no one will mess with you. Have you guys found any girls yet?”

Why? Sam asked. I am still young and do not need kits right now.

“What if I want to see cute little baby kits?” Amma asked. “I want to spoil them rotten.”

You can spoil us. Mike flicked his tail. No need for kits.

“Mike, you and your brother will always be my babies,” Amma promised. “I just miss when you guys looked like little furballs. I’m going to take a shower.”

Amma took a quick shower to wake up and put on a little shimmery green eyeshadow and lip gloss. Only her family would be around, and she wasn’t heading to town, so full makeup wasn’t required. Her dress of choice was an ankle-length dark green maxi dress complimented by a pair of black strappy sandals. She took a moment to stand in front of the floor-length mirror on the back of her bedroom door and spun in a circle. Her cousin Michelle was a designer and Amma was always happy to try out her new lines every year. She loved the soft material and the way it hugged her figure without being clingy.

Clean, awake, and ready to face the day, Amma threw open the double doors leading to her balcony and stepped out into the early morning. Taking a deep breath, she let the peace of generations past soak into every cell of her body. The sun was still just starting to kiss the mountains surrounding the valley her family had settled on six generations ago by the first woman who was stolen from along the Congo Rainforest. Amma remembered the stories she’d been told when she was learning about her lineage, and how the first of their ancestors on their family land had started out with nothing but two seeds, dirty blankets, and the desire to be free. Now over twenty acres, their land hosted one large ranch-style home with twenty bedrooms, two living rooms–both with massive gothic fireplaces–a kitchen any five-star restaurant would envy, a dining hall that functioned as the main gathering place during family celebrations, and a two-story multi-car garage. The winding driveway was lined with vibrant rose bushes of many colors pruned into the shapes of animals. Amma had fond memories of sitting in a chair too big for her, eating a popsicle while watching her mother work. They would make up stories about each animal as they emerged from the leaves, some so outrageous the two of them would laugh for days. The carefully manicured lawn spread out in front of the househeld flower beds on either side of the front path–monuments to each branch of their extended family.

The real family magic went on behind the house, where only those trusted walked. A large safsaf willow tree grew in a place of honor, its branches the center of many games of hide-and-seek. Now as an adult, Amma loved curling up under it with a blanket, a good book, and a bottle of white wine. The tree was also used in many of their monthly rituals. It was believed to embody the spirits of all who had come before. Amma took another deep breath and felt her body relax as the familiar scents filled her nose. “I welcome the sun as it starts its path across the sky bringing life and good will. I welcome the spirits of my ancestors and the path they have left for me to follow. I give thanks for the powers Mother Earth has blessed me and my family with the bounty of food we will have today, and the life that’s running through our veins.” She raised her arms to the sky. “May this day be blessed and filled with love and hope.”

“What she said.”

“Jo!” Amma glared over at her cousin, who was standing on her own balcony in her pajamas. Jo was the only battle witch to be born in generations and had a sense of humor that kept the family on their toes. “You just had to ruin a perfectly good moment.”

“I was comfortably sleeping in my bed when you started talking to your little pets.” Jo leaned on the railing of her balcony. “When are those two going to find girlfriends and start families?”

“I keep asking them the same thing,” Amma chuckled. “What do you think? Should I go out and find some for them?”

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