Chapter Thirteen

Ambra and Cillia stood on the wharf watching a tearful Frog load a long green rowboat with all his belongings.

“Don’t feel bad Frog. This is just temporary. You’ll be back home in no time,” said Cillia.

“Think of this as an adventure. You’ve visited your Nana before. This will just be a longer visit.” Ambra tried to think of encouraging words.

“I hate it out on the island. It’s so lonely!” Frog wailed, then wiped his eyes with his shirttail.

“I’ll fly over and visit at least once a week and bring you news. What would you like me to bring?” Cillia asked.

“I’ll bet some of Old lady Lyman’s cheese straws would please you,” Ambra offered.

“Or maybe a chocolate bar?” Frog asked, perking up slightly.

“You got it! I promise I’ll bring you a chocolate bar next Saturday, okay?” Cillia said.

“And I’ve heard that your Nana makes some pretty great feasts herself,” Ambra added.

“Her deep-fried catfish is the best!” Frog was smiling now, his mind on to new food delights.

Mother Nash climbed onto the wharf and called for help.“Oh, I can’t decide what to bring and what to leave. It’s so primitive in Nana’s cave. Oh, my poor Freddie!” She began to weep.

Frog put his arm around her. “There, there Mother. It’ll be all right. You’ll see --we’ll be home in no time. You should think of this as an adventure!”
Ambra winked at Cillia, glad to see Frog rallying. They loaded the last of the bags into the boat, filling it to capacity. Hugs were exchanged all around and Frog and Mother Nash climbed into the boat, rocking precariously until they were settled with the boat riding low in the water. The two friends stood watching and waving until the little boat was a tiny speck on the sound.

“It’s a good thing they aren’t going out on to open ocean, as full as they’ve got that boat,” said Ambra.

“They’ll be fine. Nana’s isn’t far,” Cillia said. They turned back toward town.

“It sure is going to be lonely around here this autumn. So many folks have gone,” Ambra said.

“I miss him already,” Cillia sighed.

“Hey, you want to come with me to the Lantern for some lunch?” Ambra asked.

“No, I promised Lilli and Trissa that I’d meet them in the park.” Cillia flew by Ambra’s cheek planting wingtip kisses in her wake, then flew up and off.

Ambra headed to the Lantern. “Maybe Willy’s up for a game of chess,” she thought. Walking south along the wharves she saw signs of other troll families making the same trek as the Nash family. The brownies that lived all along the streets, in drainages and pockets of green, were nowhere to be seen. Even though humans were bustling about as usual, the world seemed muted, as though some of the colors had leached away.

Turning east on Main Street Ambra saw several Otherlings gathered at a bus stop. As she got closer she realized they were with a human. She recognized the woman as a bag lady that often hung out over on 3rd Avenue. Curious, she stopped in a nearby doorway and watched. Ambra had never seen Otherlings and humans talking. Everyone appeared to be having a good time, but what on earth could they be talking about?
Her curiosity overwhelmed her and she sneaked closer, hugging the building, using the shadows for cover. She recognized one of the sprites; it was Tom Waddin. He would be here; he never missed an opportunity for mischief. A brownie, it looked like Meghan through the grime, was perched on the woman’s lap, playing with her buttons, seemingly right at home.

The old woman suddenly laughed, a laugh from deep within that shook her flesh like a strong wind through trees. All the Otherlings scattered from sight, startled by the outburst.

“Ayee, come back now, won’t ye? I won’t harm ye. Ye’re safe with me. Come on now. Little people? Where are ye?” Passersby watched the bag lady as though she were dangerous, and walked farther around her, quickly getting past to continue on their ways.

Ambra couldn’t help but pity her. She looked crazy by human standards, that was certain. Still, she was glad that the other humans streaming around her hadn’t seen through the veil, at least not this time. Heading on to the Red Lantern, she was wary, expecting at any moment that someone would spot her. Wait until she told Willy about this one.