Chapter 8

Eyes glued to the sidewalk in utmost humiliation, Marcy led the three ducks up the grubby path to the crumbling stairs, cheeks burning with shame.

It's ok, Zwei comforted her in her mind. We don't care, and you shouldn't either. It's just a nest, it doesn't define who you are. Marcy nodded mentally. Don't mind Alice, either. She's always such a beak brain!

At this Marcy had to smile, and she was still smiling when she eased open the door to reveal an interior almost as shabby as the exterior. Rickety stairs led upstairs, the wood so worn it looked as if it might collapse. Off the front hallway was the kitchen, more of a closet really, with only a toaster and a mini fridge, mostly empty except for beer.

"Marcy?" Her mother stumbled in from the tiny family room that contained only a leaning couch and a miniscule TV.

"Yes, mom?" She asked reluctantly. It was obvious her mother was drinking again; her faded pink robe tied loosely around silky pajama, topped by a pale skinny face with deep circles under the distant eyes. Lank greasy hair hung to her shoulders, poking out in all directions.

"I need you to go to the store and get some beer," she slurred, swaying dangerously and having to clutch at the stair railing for balance.

"Mom, you know you're not supposed to drink any more beer," Marcy admonished cautiously, knowing her mother wasn't herself at the moment.

"I'm not going to drink it!" Her mom protested, "I'm going to…" she seemed to think for a moment, raking her brain for an excuse. "I'm going to…give it to someone!"

She looked down at Marcy with pleading puppy dog eyes like a child begging for a new toy. "No mom, you don't need anymore beer."

Suddenly her eyes turned fiery, face fierce and commanding. She stood up straighter, looming over her daughter with anger. "What did you say?" This was spoken softly, though that made it all the more threatening.

"I…I said I'm leaving right away to get it," Marcy gulped nervously, fearing what her mother might do if she was refused.

"Good," she seemed to wilt back into the frail, drunk woman she had been a minute ago, again sagging against the wall. Marcy breathed a brief sigh of relief, turning toward the door. "And," her mother added as an afterthought, "take the twins. They could do with some fresh air." This rare burst of motherly insight surprised Marcy, but she nodded as the girls came scrambling down the stairs. "Hurry back!" Their mom was already bumbling back towards the couch.

"Well," Alice said thoughtfully after they had all darted out of the door, "you're mother seems to be a very nice person." Kimi and Zwei shot her a contemptuous glare while Marcy, detecting her sarcasm, blinked tears away from her eyes.

"Did that duck just talk?" Alexa pointed to Alice, eyes as wide as dinner plates.

"Oh," Marcy had forgotten the twins didn't know yet. "Um…er, yes. Yes she did."

"Whoa," Alexa breathed again while Cassandra watched in awed silence. "Oh wow! That is soooooo cool!" She gushed, turning to Alice.

"How'd you meet Marcy? What's your name? Are you going to live with us now? Can you fly?" The questions came pouring out of the talkative twin's mouth, a river of endless curiosity.

"Of course I can fly, you idiot!" Alice interrupted, looking unhappy.

"oh," Alexa looked down, hurt, as they walked towards the corner store. "Well, can you guys talk too?" Her disappointment was short lived as she rounded on the other two.

"Yeah, we can talk!" Kimi smiled back at her, pleased to have found someone as talkative as she. "I'm Kimi, and this is my sister Alice and my other sister, Zwei. Marcy saved us, er…well she saved Zwei from some bullies by the big brick nest and now she and Zwei can read each other's minds and what's your name? You look a lot like your sister! Are you twins? Can you, like, read each other's minds? I knew two twins at home that could do that!" She rambled on and on to Alexa who nodded eagerly, soaking up information.

Marcy smiled to herself, pleased that Alexa was getting along so well with Kimi. Sandra, well, she was walking quietly by herself in her own little world. She was so quiet, Marcy was seriously worried sometimes. At home she melted into the shadows, and even Alexa was close to silent. But out of the dark house and into the sunlight they bloomed like blossoming flowers, opening up and smiling.

They had reached the store and Marcy found herself confronted with another problem. "Um, well…" she began awkwardly to the ducks, who eyed her with curiosity. "The store has a no-pets rule and…"

"So?" Alice demanded pointedly.

"Don't take this the wrong way…but I think they might count you guys as pets." She finished lamely, gauging their reactions.

"Ok, we'll wait out here then," Kimi plopped herself down onto the grass next to Alexa, not at all offended. Zwei too gave her a slight smile, acknowledging her awkwardness, and sat down contentedly. Alice, on the other hand, was furious.

"Pets? What kind of people would mistake us for frivolous little house pets?" She huffed indignantly, sparks beginning to dance along her wings.

"Whoa," Alexa breathed again. Marcy silently kicked herself for not remembering to tell the twins about the ducks unique talents.

"Just, please wait out here!" She pleaded until Alice, grumbling settled down next to her two sisters.

Sighing in relief that no trees had been burned down, Marcy headed into the store, feeling the tangible change in temperature after the hot afternoon sun. She walked right up to the counter where Greg, a tall red-headed college student worked after school.

"Hey, Marcy," he greeted, used to her coming in each afternoon.

She smiled shyly at him and asked, "May I have the usual, please?"

He gave no comment at a thirteen year old asking for a case of beer, well adapted to her retrieving her mom's orders. She rummaged around in her pocket for a moment, hand searching desperately for the money she hadn't remembered to take with her.

"Oh, um…" she couldn't finish the sentence, a blush creeping up her neck.

"Forgot money?" He guessed her discomfort. "Here, just pay me back tomorrow or whenever," He handed her the beer as she smiled gratefully. "Have a good day!"

Outside, Alexa lounged against the back of the telephone pole, soaking up the sun's rays next to her new best friend, Kimi the duck. She had never before met someone she got along with so well! Distractedly, she reached a hand out to stroke the feathers on top of Kimi's head. Upon contact her brain exploded.

Marcy was halfway out of the store when she felt it; someone else mind-bonding. She wasn't sure how she knew, or who it was, but she raced outside to find out.