Queen of the Crows Read online

  Despite her full belly, Elsa had a hard time concentrating all morning. It was hard to care about what had happened in ancient civilizations when it took everything she had just to make it through a day. Ms. Witherspoon could feel her distraction and kept asking her pointed questions.

  At last it was recess. Elsa took the doodle she had been working on outside with her. Leaning up against the wall, she disappeared into her sketch of a crow with wings outstretched.

  Lenore, Gabby, and Breagh paraded by in their matching brand-named fleece sweaters.

  “Artsy fartsy,” Breagh stressed over-loudly as they passed.

  The other girls snickered.

  Elsa pretended not to hear it, but inside her blood boiled.

  Why do people who have it so easy make it so hard for everyone else?

  “Nice purse!” Lenore shouted at Eh Ta Taw, the Karen boy. He carried a traditional hand-woven cotton bag over his shoulder every day.

  Eh Ta Taw didn’t flinch. Instead, he surprised them by piping up in a very clear and mature voice: “I am proud of my Karen heritage.”

  “Ka-ren? Isn’t that a girl’s name?” scoffed Gabby.

  “Goes with the purse,” hissed Breagh.

  The girls scuttled away haughtily, but Elsa could see they were thrown off guard by his strength. She felt ashamed of their teasing him after all he had been through.

  “Don’t let them get to you,” Elsa called out to him.

  “Oh, I don’t,” he said with confidence.

  He makes it look easy.

  Right after school, Elsa went to pick up her laundry. The woman at the counter lifted up a basket all neatly folded.

  Elsa was shocked by the little act of kindness. “Wow, you didn’t have to fold it for me.”

  “It’s okay, sweetie. Seemed like your day was a bit crazier than mine.”

  Elsa tucked the bundle of clothes into her shopping bag.

  “That’s really nice of you. Thanks.”

  “Anytime, kiddo.”

  Elsa thought about treating herself to a ginger ale, but decided she had better hold off and see how things went for another day. About a block away from her house, she stopped to tuck her remaining money back in her shoe.

  As she opened the door, she saw Claire sitting at the table looking worried and haggard.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Elsa.

  “It’s your mum.”

  The hospital waiting room was hot and stuffy. Claire had said very little, so Elsa knew it was bad. She had seen two cops talking to a stern-looking nurse. Doors swung open and closed. Nurses zipped to and fro with furrowed brows and busy feet. No one was around to answer any questions. The chairs were uncomfortable.

  Claire broke the long silence. “Are you hungry?”

  Elsa shook her head, tight-lipped. “When are they going to tell us something?”

  Claire gave a helpless shrug, rubbing her forehead.

  Elsa was going to burst with frustration. She had to do something. “I can get you a tea if you want.”

  Claire looked up. Her eyes were loving, but wistful. “Elsa, that would be wonderful. Thank you.” She fumbled through her leather bag and handed Elsa a bill. “Get yourself whatever you want. I’ll have a peppermint with no milk.”

  Elsa wandered through the long hallways. The stale air, bright lights, pastel walls, and bad art seemed to push in at her from all sides. She felt like a wild animal being forced into a pen. A scream was welling up inside her.

  She started to run. She ran past the café. She ran out the front doors. She kept running. She ran into the stand of woods behind the hospital. The scream erupted.

  She sank down onto the ground and burst into tears.

  After a few minutes, they stopped flowing, but her guts continued to spasm silently. There was a surreal peace as a warm wind tossed the leaves around her. She almost felt as if she was under the sea.

  “Hullo,” a startlingly close voice called out above her.

  She looked up with sudden alarm. There was no one there except a crow on a branch in a tree nearby.

  “Hullo,” it said again.

  Elsa couldn’t help but giggle. “Oh. It’s just you.” The crow adjusted its perch on the branch and looked at her expectantly. “Hello,” she said. The crow seemed satisfied with that and flew off. She brushed the leaves off her butt with a little smile.

  Elsa had heard of people keeping baby crows as pets. She had always wanted one. Without fail, they flew off eventually, but she had heard stories of crows learning to repeat words and even coming back to visit their former owners.

  Logically, Elsa knew that the crow that had said hello must have been raised by a human. And the crow in the backyard, the graveyard, and this tree were all just…chance experiences. There were thousands of crows in this city; each encounter surely must have been with a different crow. But walking back to the hospital, Elsa couldn’t help but think about how cool it would be if they had all been the same crow. She delighted in the idea of having a crow looking out for her.

  Claire took the tea and change with a quiet “Thanks.” She could tell Elsa had been crying, but didn’t press it. Elsa was relieved that Claire didn’t prod about where she had been.

  “They’ve got her stabilized.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “We should just go home for now. She’s going to sleep for a while.”

  “What happened?”

  “There was an incident downtown. The police were called. But, it’s all…well, it’s over now.”

  “What happened?” Elsa was sick of being treated like a child. “Why won’t anybody ever tell me anything?!” she squealed with frustration.

  Claire let the echo of the shout settle down the hall. She looked into Elsa’s burning eyes. “All right. I’ll tell you in the car.”

  The world was grey and wet as they drove.

  “Dana was pretty revved up. She was raving and singing on a rooftop.”

  “Why is that such a big deal?”

  Claire sighed as she changed lanes. “She was naked.”

  Elsa was stunned.

  If the mean girls find this out, I will never hear the end of it.

  “Anyways, she was making a scene. The cops were called. She wouldn’t go easily. She threatened to jump.”

  “What?”

  “I don’t think she had that intention when she went up. I think she just added that to the drama when they tried to bring her down. But it complicates things now. There will be a mandatory observation period at the hospital to make sure.”

  They pulled up to the house. Elsa and Claire sat still in the car, the heaviness of the truth sinking in.

  “How long were you on your own, Elsa?” asked Claire after a while.

  “Five days,” she mumbled softly. She tensed, waiting for the scolding.

  “Wow,” said Claire quietly. “You did a really good job.”

  Surprised not to be in trouble, Elsa floated into the house. Claire was definitely the coolest aunt ever.

  “But you know you can call me anytime, right?”

  Claire closed the door behind them. The house seemed neat and tidy. Claire inspected the forlorn cupboards and fridge.

  “I guess I’ll go get some Chinese. I have to grab some work from the store anyway. I have a big order to finish.”

  Elsa nodded, slumping into a kitchen chair.

  “Are you okay?” asked Claire. “I promise I won’t be long.”

  “Just don’t take five days,” she said dryly. Claire couldn’t help but crack a smile.

  Alone in the house again, Elsa took the money out of her shoe and put it in a jar on the windowsill. Outside, the light was fading and the highway of crows flew over the house, heading for the park. She listened to the beckoning calls.

  S
he slipped on her coat and out the door. It was unusually mild for a late November evening. The air filled her lungs and relaxed her shoulders. She followed the trail of crows to the park.

  CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW!

  The sound of their calls was deafening as she entered the dim woods. They streamed in from all directions as the sun set, settling in the bare branches. There were so many crows it was as if the trees had leaves again, made of black.

  A crow swooped down and flew low, straight towards her. She stood still, hoping it would fly close. As it glided nearer, she saw two gaps in the right wing. Her heart lurched with excitement, then a pang of sudden fear. The crow was flying directly at her!

  She froze her body and her fear. Elsa could feel the wind on her face as the crow’s wings gathered above her and it landed right on top of her head.

  Its body was surprisingly light and its talons surprisingly gentle as it perched in her hair. It looked down at her from above.

  “Hullo.” The crow tenderly studied the shape of her head with its feet.

  “Um, hello,” she managed to croak, looking up with disbelief.

  “Oh, don’t mind me. The rest of the crows seem to think they might need a new queen, so I was just testing your head for crown suitability.”

  “What?” Elsa couldn’t help but laugh. The crow lurched up in the air to accommodate the sudden movement of her head and then settled right back down. The weight of his feet even felt kind of nice as he pawed at her scalp.

  “Yes. Suitable, very suitable.”

  Elsa laughed again, but this time he held on. He peered down at her from his perch.

  “Actually, I was really just hoping to see if I could make you laugh.”

  “It’s hard not to when you’re having a conversation with a crow on your head,” beamed Elsa.

  “Good. Well then, I have done my job, whether the queen is here or not.”

  “Your job?”

  “I’m Cracks. The jester.” He lifted one foot up off her head and held it in the air, waiting expectantly.

  Not sure what to do, she held up one finger towards his foot. He clutched it firmly and gave her finger a little shake.

  “Very nice to formally make your acquaintance.”

  “Uh, it’s very nice to meet you, too. I’m Elsa.”

  CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW!

  There was a burst of volume in the symphony of crow calls. With a flurry of flaps they erupted out of the trees and into the air, sweeping in all directions.

  “Oh, please do excuse the other crows. They’ve got their feathers all in a ruffle.”

  “How come?” asked Elsa.

  “Normally the queen chooses the trees we will roost in for the night and now they are arguing about High Crow and Low Crow.”

  “What does that mean?” wondered Elsa.

  “Well, certainly not what they think.”

  Elsa’s eyes were getting tired from rolling up to look at him. Cracks seemed to sense it. With a gentle pump of his wings he was up and then down on the ground below her.

  “So sorry. Is that better?”

  “Uh, yes, thank you, Cracks.”

  The crows flitted above from tree to tree, unable to settle. The light was almost gone.

  “It’s almost dark, Elsa. I should go up. You had better get back, too.”

  “Okay,” she mumbled. She didn’t really want this to end.

  “I’ll see you again,” Cracks said, as if reading her mind again. He disappeared into the flurry of black.

  “Goodbye,” she said to the chaos in the woods.

  When Elsa opened the door, she saw, for the first time, Claire making the customary “grown-up” scowl.

  “Where were you?” she demanded.

  Elsa could see that beyond the anger, Claire had been beside herself with worry.

  “I went for a walk in the park.”

  “Why didn’t you leave me a note?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t think. I guess I’m just used to having run of the roost.”

  The crows quieted in the distance.

  Claire released a big sigh and started serving out the Chinese food. Elsa set the table with plates and took her place. She noticed a little tremor in Claire’s hands as she doled out the food.

  “I didn’t know what to do. The last thing in the world I want to do is call the cops about you right now, okay?”

  Elsa slurped her noodles. She understood what Claire was implying. Social workers would probably be checking in as it was.

  “It won’t happen again,” Elsa promised soberly.

  Claire softened. Her sad, loving eyes gazed deeply into Elsa’s as if seeing into her very soul. Not used to such attention, Elsa went back to focusing on her plate.

  “I’m not mad. I’m just stressed out,” said Claire in a tired voice.

  Elsa nodded and enjoyed the warm, yummy meal in silence. A restaurant meal was a rare treat, but even more than that, Elsa was glad to have company at last.

  As they cleaned up together, Claire handed Elsa her mother’s cell phone.

  “I put some minutes on this,” Claire smiled with a knowing wink.

  Caw! Caw!

  Elsa awoke with the crows. She found Claire asleep on the couch with her jewelry pliers still in her hand. Elsa gently pried them from her grasp and covered her up with a blanket.

  Quietly Elsa ate breakfast and packed a lunch of leftovers. Claire didn’t stir. Knowing she must have stayed up late working, Elsa didn’t want to disturb her just to say she was leaving, so she left a note:

  Went to school. Thanks for everything you do. E

  She thought about signing it Love, E., but chickened out.

  Elsa had not stopped thinking about Cracks since their encounter. She made sure she had enough time to take a detour through the park on the way to school.

  She listened to the caws and followed them into the woods. She came to a clearing in the middle of the woods near Dead Man’s Pond. With a large throne-shaped stone by the pond and trees all around, it seemed like the perfect place for crows to hold court. She found the crows flying to and fro in state of confusion.

  “Make way! Make way! Make way for the princess!” shouted a swooping crow in a shrill voice.

  “Yes, make way! The princess is waiting!” added another anxiously, swooping back and forth over the pond amongst a mess of other crows doing the same.

  No one was listening. Crows took perches on tree branches, then picked up and flew around again in a great tizzy. It was as if no one knew what to do or where to sit.

  The largest crow in the whole group landed beside the stone and jumped up and down, flapping his strong wings. “EVERYONE TAKE YOUR PLACE!” he bellowed in a deep, commanding tone.

  Still no one paid attention.

  “Huzzah!” yelped Cracks, as he did an awkward double somersault in the air and landed directly in the seat of the stone throne. He spread his sparse wings wide and shouted, “I hereby apply for the job!”

  The shock of seeing the jester where the queen should have stood had a settling effect on the chaos. Everyone quieted down and took a spot to listen. Cracks saw Elsa spying in the woods beyond and gave her a private wink with a glint in his eye. Then he bowed graciously to the group.

  “Just kidding! I’m sure someone else can do a much better job.” Cracks gave a sidelong glance to Lustre, a shiny black crow who stood with a regal air just off to the side of the big crow.

  “Ahem, yes,” said Lustre, narrowing his eyes at Cracks and then shooting a darting look of disdain to the big crow, Boughbend.

  Boughbend shrank a little, but then puffed up his chest as he jumped over behind Lustre.

  Lustre stepped in front of the stone and turned to address the gro
up with charm. “Now that I have all of your attention, if it would please the court, I humbly request to welcome the princess to stand on the throne, while the queen is…while the queen is…” His noble manner diminished slightly as he paused as if at a loss for words.

  “Where is the queen?” “Where is she?” “Where is the queen?!” suddenly burst out hundreds of shouts from the masses of crows in the treetops.

  It was total cacophony.

  Lustre was very uncomfortable now. He motioned to the princess, hoping she could calm them down.

  The princess circled down from her perch and alit on the stone throne, followed quickly by her two shrill-voiced ladies-in-waiting, Breezy and Careen.

  “Be quiet for the princess!” screeched Breezy.

  “Listen to the princess!” wailed Careen.

  “BE QUIET!” shouted Boughbend.

  “Ahem!!” screamed the princess herself.

  “What’s happened to the queen?” “Where is she?” “Is she hurt?!!” continued the waves of shouts from the treetops.

  Cracks took it upon himself to fly up above the throne and then dive-bomb straight down into Dead Man’s Pond with a loud splash.

  It stupefied the crows into an attentive silence. He came out, his whole body wriggling with shivers. He flapped to shake off the water and warm up. “Well, she’s not in there.”

  Elsa smiled.

  He’s helping them get what they need and they don’t even notice.

  With quiet restored, the princess turned back to Lustre. “Yes, so where is she, Lustre?”

  Lustre cringed. He loved nothing more than being minister of the court. The power, the prestige, the position in society. The only thing he would have loved more would be to be a king himself. But he had not been named for that.

  “The queen is…the queen is…” He paused, looking around at all those wanting eyes. All those wanting eyes that he loved to captivate, but who wanted an answer he did not have. Their silent, expectant gaze was unbearable.

  “The queen is indisposed at the moment,” he blurted out at last, trying to sound as official as possible.