Moon White: Color Me Enchanted with Bonus Content by Melody Carlson Page A

Of course, I don’t show that I’m irked by this, but when I take my second ball, after the pins are reset, I only manage to knock down one pin.
    “Uh-oh,” says Porter. “Looks like there’s not enough magic to save you guys tonight.”
    And so he and Liz win our second line. Everyone except me thinks we need to play a third line. But I keep my thoughts to myself and try to be a good sport.
    “Let’s break up the winning team,” Liz says to Porter. “This time I’ll partner with Hudson, and you can be with Heather.” And justlike that we switch. Okay, I realize this isn’t really a big deal, but it does bug me. Consequently, my bowling gets worse. And I must be rubbing off on Porter, because his does too. Meanwhile, Liz and Hudson are on fire.
    “What’s up with you guys?” asks Porter.
    “I think Liz is good luck,” says Hudson after his third strike.
    “Guess I should’ve partnered with you,” I say to her.
    She laughs. “Who knew I’d end up being a bowler? But I love this!”
    It seems to take forever, but finally we are done and I quickly take off my shoes, return them to the rental place, and head off to use the restroom. I take a moment to stand in the stall and center myself, repeating a relaxation chant in my head three times. Then I grasp the beaded bag and do the passion poem five times. Then I hurry out, wash my hands, and emerge from the restroom just in time to see Hudson giving Liz a hug. Okay, maybe it’s a victory hug, but I can’t help but think it’s something more.
    “Hey, you,” says Liz. “We thought maybe you were a sore loser and had walked home without us.”
    “Yeah, right,” I say as Hudson hands me my coat. “It’d be a long walk.”
    “Wasn’t that fun?” says Liz as we go out to the car.
    “I don’t know,” I say. “I don’t think I’ll ever be much of a bowler.”
    “We’ll have to work on her, guys,” says Liz, “cause I think I’m really into this bowling thing. I can even see me joining a league someday. I’ll get my own ball, maybe in pale pink, and one of those cheesy shirts with my name on my chest pocket.” She laughs. “My mom is going to freak.”
    “Ballerina turns bowler,” says Hudson as Porter pulls out of theparking lot. “You might even make the local news.”
    The three of them laugh and joke about bowling and small towns and Saturday nights, and I know I’m being quiet, but it feels like something is wrong. Like something just broke and I’m not quite sure how to fix it. I just want to go home. Maybe I can fix it there.
    I’m not surprised that Porter drops me off first. Hudson walks me to the door and asks if I’m okay. “You got kinda quiet just now.”
    “Yeah,” I tell him with a forced smile. “I think all that bowling wore me out.”
    He laughs. Then I lean forward just slightly, expecting him to kiss me. It’s how he says good-bye to me at school and after our last date. But tonight he surprises me by taking my hand. “Thanks, Heather. Tonight was fun.” And that’s it. Just like that, he turns and walks away. It’s all I can do not to run after him. I want to apologize and say, “Sorry I was such a wet blanket tonight. I know I can learn to bowl better . . . and I can even learn to like it . . . and give me a chance . . . I’m just as much fun as Liz.” But, naturally, I don’t do this. I just walk into the house, go straight to my room, sit down on my bed, and ask myself, What went wrong?
    And then it occurs to me, I need more power, a stronger magic. Obviously, I’m just a beginner in the craft. I need to be more disciplined. I need to learn more about the elements, the moon, the stars, the planets. I need more control.



ten
    “W ANT TO GO WHALE WATCHING WITH US ?” MY DAD ASKS ME THE NEXT morning. He and Augustine look like an Eddie Bauer ad in their matching blue nylon jackets and Chaco sandals. “I heard the big guys are heading down south right now.”
    “No thanks,” I say as I pour a