Owls and Rainy Evenings

I still remember the rain that evening. It drummed steadily against the windshield of my brother's sleek black '67 Mustang as we glided down the quiet city street, blending its rhythm easily with the quiet thrumming of a Scottish guitar playing over the radio. Street lamps, traffic lights, and neon signs illuminated the waters trickling down the cool glass, turning them into a shining collage of red, yellow, blue, and green. Strangely beautiful, considering such radiance was created by artificial light. I peered up through the water-stained glass. The late June sky above us was a dark grey canopy of clouds, heavy but not ominous, the western edges already turning a faint orange, indicating that this shower would be done before night fell completely. I sat back in my seat with a quiet sigh.

"You know, Will, I could have made the drive myself."

A muffled snort burst from the driver's seat to my left, cleaving the air and abruptly interrupting the almost pleasant undertone of harmonies that had been accompanying the radio. Soon followed a clever voice slanted with a hint of a British accent...much like mine. "Could you, now? Using what, I wonder... You know you're not to touch the wheel of my darlin'." The voice's owner patted the dashboard affectionately. I suppose it was only right for him to be proud of that car. He'd been working and saving for it since he was twelve years old.

I rolled my eyes and scowled at the rain patterned window of the passenger door. "I could have taken the Subaru... Dad says I can use it whenever I like."

"As long as 'whenever you like' doesn't involve an evening excursion in pouring rain. Mum would never allow it, kid. Everyone knows I'm the better driver!"

I turned my glare from the window to the imp in the driver's seat. He was smirking at me. Bright, mischievous green eyes. Mop of dark hair. That familiar cheeky grin. Will. My ever-watchful, ever-irritating twin brother. He was barely six minutes older than I, but he never failed to hold those six minutes of "extra charm, wisdom, and experience" over my head. Mischievous as he was, however, he was always looking out for me, always there for me. Even at the grand old age of 18 with his big plans and his bright future, Will always took it upon himself to look after his "little" sister.

I widened my eyes in imitated shock. "You big insensitive bugger. How dare you state the obvious to my face like that?!"

He just winked and reached for the radio volume. "I aim only to please, sister of mine."

The remainder of our journey passed quickly, time filled with The Proclaimers, intentionally bad sing-alongs, and various accent imitations. As we moved up the tranquil neighborhood drive, nearing our destination, my brother-in-law, Jamie, waved to us from the sheltered front porch of the pricy cream-colored suburban house that he shared with my sister and their two children. Will waved back, pulled up to the curb by the perfectly manicured front lawn with its blue mailbox marked Evans, and put the Mustang in park.

"Okay, kid. That'll be eighty-four dollars, tax and extra expenses not included. I'll write you a bill. Now get your stuff and get out."

I punched him hard on the arm, causing him to yelp loudly, though his grin remained. "There's your payment, ya devil. Thanks for the lift. Have fun bowling and tell Ryan and the guys I said hey."

He ruffled my hair playfully. "Will do! I'll text you the scores later. Maybe I'll bring you a slice of cold victory pizza for breakfast tomorrow."

"That's my lad." I grinned at him, grabbed my backpack, and hopped out. Golden light of evening began to filter through the fading clouds and the rain lessened to little more than mist as I drifted up the porch steps, the sound of Will's car engine fading away behind me. Things to do...places to be...

"Hey, Lara," Jamie greeted me warmly with a one-armed hug and a smile. "Glad you could make it."

"Of course!" I said, returning the embrace. "Wouldn't miss it." I stepped back and smiled up at him. My brother-in-law was dressed quite handsomely in a pair of slacks, smart leather shoes, and a blazer of darkest charcoal over a neat button down shirt of light blue that enhanced his eyes. His sandy brown hair was neatly styled and his overall posture was that of the cool, quiet confidence that came so easily to him.

"Is Kat inside?"

"Yep. She's just getting the kids settled." He glanced at the screen door, through which the empty hallway could be seen, and leaned toward me conspiratorially. "Between you and me... She's been driving me crazy all evening. 'Do you think Lara will manage? Do you think the kids will behave? Maybe we should just order takeout and call it good.'"

I rolled my eyes. "You know Kat. Seeing smoke where there's no fire. Freaking out about giants when they're only windmills. It's a talent of hers."

"AUNT LAWA!" A streak of blue and gold crashed through the screen door and plowed into me, latching onto my legs with a grip like iron. I staggered and looked down into the huge, beaming eyes and toothy grin of little Alec. Just two months shy of three years old, Al was cute as a bug. He had golden curls above eyes of blue and a button nose to round it all off. Anybody to catch sight of the little fella would be instantly smitten.

I grinned and lifted the boy in my arms, holding him out so I could look him up and down. He wore only a blue t-shirt and a pull-up, his chubby legs bare and kicking. "There you are! You ready for a brilliant time with your favorite aunt?" Al nodded eagerly, curls bouncing as a high pitched giggle drifted through the screen door.

"You're his only aunt, Aunt Lara."

I looked through the screen and winked at the young speaker. My 5 year-old niece pushed through the door and trotted over to us on bare feet. Her ashy brown hair was neatly brushed and her little lilac colored dress (clearly a favorite) was adjusted to perfection. Her eyes, the same clear blue as her brother's, sparked with glee.

"Hello, Calpurnia. My, don't you look lovely!"

The little girl smiled shyly and shuffled her feet, giving a sudden squeal of delight when her father scooped her into his arms and tickled her. "I think she looks pretty as a goblin princess, don't you, L?"

I grinned. "Oh, yes... The fairest goblin princess I've ever seen!"

Callie laughed and squirmed. "I'm...n-not a goblin, Daddy!"

"Your Aunt Lara knows lots of goblin stories, Cal," came yet another voice from beyond the screen door. "You'll have to get her to tell you one."

My sister floated out to join us on steps as smooth and graceful as a dancer's. Her honey blond hair was twisted up in an elegant French knot at the back of her head and she wore a flattering dress of midnight blue that hung mid-calf and swayed delicately with her movements. In her right hand she held a small pair of trousers, obviously abandoned by my squirming nephew. Kat brandished them in my face. "You see what they do to me?! Animals!"

I laughed and snatched the article of clothing from her. "What've you done, Alec? Don't you like to wear pants any more?" The boy just shook his head, eyes twinkling mischievously. I grinned at Kat. "They get their talent for irritation from Will and me. It's either that or Jamie was a little beast."

"Hey!" Jamie protested. "I was a perfect angel! Just ask my mother."

"No, I see you and Will in them constantly." My sister put her hands on her hips. "It's enough to give me nightmares!"

Katherine was the eldest. The first of the Tyler Trio, as we had been called back in England. She was the perfect daughter, the loving wife, and always the more traditional in our family. The more nurturing. And while she had lost most of her accent during our ten years of American citizenship, she was still very much the British mother. I wished that I had taken after her more... Where Kat was calm, I was restless. Where she was sweet, I was surly. If someone angered her, she was always the bigger person, ignoring them and taking it in her stride. But not me. I could rarely avoid confrontation...often with monstrous insults or fists flying. As if all that wasn't enough, I also lacked her beauty, being shorter and plainer of face...favoring dark hair like Will, over blond. The rose and the rapier... Even our eyes were different. Kat's were warm and hazel like our father's, whereas mine were an almost cold sort of...undecided color. It's probably safest to call them grey.

"It takes skill to be mischievous." I set Alec down, took off my pack, and handed it to Callie. "Take this to the living room for me, will you? Careful not to drop it and don't open it until I say. Dragons are fickle creatures."

The girl looked at me with wide eyes. "There's a dragon in here?"

I winked. "It's a surprise." Callie grinned and walked into the house, taking each step as carefully as if she carried a basket of sleeping kittens. Alec followed quickly behind. I straightened up and glanced between my sister and her husband. "Now, you two are a fine looking pair. Better get out of here so I can ruin your children."

Kat took me inside to their huge kitchen and showed me the extensive list of emergency protocol she had left on the fridge for me. I was to remember that the children had already eaten supper, but not dessert. I mustn't give them too much sugar. Graham crackers would do. They could watch TV, but only one program and it had to be over with at least half an hour before bed. Make sure the bath water isn't too hot. Use only the peach scented baby shampoo for the both of them. Their pajamas were laid out on their beds. Make sure to take two minutes a piece when brushing their teeth. Calpurnia could do part of it on her own with supervision. Above all, make sure they were in bed by exactly 7:45. Not a minute before or after. She then proceeded to hug me and kiss the children no less than six times each before Jamie took her by the arm and led her toward the door. I walked them out to the silver Nissan parked in the driveway. Kat hesitated with her hand still on the car door and looked back at me.

"We'll be fine," I assured her. "Go on and have fun. You'll be back around midnight, yes? That's only five and a half hours. Enjoy them."

My sister paled. "Five hours..."

"Get in the car, Katie," Jamie smiled. "They'll be fine. What can happen in just five hours?" Kat sighed, gave me a feeble smile, and stepped into the car. Jamie nodded to me. "Thanks again, Lara. We really appreciate it."

"Not at all, Jame. Have a good time."

My brother-in-law smiled, closed the door, and started the car. As soon as the engine was running, my sister rolled down her window. "Call me if anything happens, Lara. Anything at all." The car backed out of the driveway and turned down the street. "My phone will be on all night! Don't hesitate to-" Her husband rolled up the window. I laughed and waved as they pulled away, my sister's eyes remaining glued to my face until they turned the corner and drove out of sight. Poor Kat... I chuckled and shook my head, turning to make my way back to the house.

I did not see the owl until I reached the first porch step. It was perched in the lower branches of the large elm tree that grew off the right side of the yard. A barn owl. He sat silently, like a pale shadow amongst still damp leaves and branches, watching me closely. I stopped and studied him a moment. It was so rare to find them in the city like this as, generally, they preferred the wider spaces of fields and forests. I loved owls...and this one was particularly beautiful. The feathers on his chest and heart-shaped face were white as snow whilst the ones on his back and wings were a mix of burnt gold, brown, and cream. And his eyes... His eyes were shining black coins in the growing evening and they radiated a strange, inhuman intelligence. I found myself smiling. The bird blinked at me, then tilted his head so far to the right that it was almost upside down, closing one of his eyes. What the...? I stared at him. The owl stared back, opened his eye, straightened up, and repeated himself in the opposite direction, tilting his head left. A light burst of laughter escaped me at this curious display. What an odd creature... The bird righted himself and fluffed his feathers, clicking his beak in satisfaction. It was as if he'd wanted me to laugh. What strange wonders we may witness if only we pause long enough to watch... Still smiling, I climbed the stairs to the house, strangely aware that the owl was watching my every move.

I found my two young charges waiting patiently in the kitchen. "Right, my little salamanders!" I said, clapping my hands together. They grinned expectantly. "Who wants ice cream?"


Author's Note: Hello all! Welcome to my first story. I've been writing for several years now, but I've only just plucked up the courage to put some of my work out there for the scrutiny of others. I know this chapter is a bit long...a bit cliché...perhaps even a bit dull (it will pick up over the next two chapters, I swear it.) But I hope at least to amuse someone... Anyone... I'm talking too much.

Again, this is my first, so please accept my apologies for any errors/short comings in advance. I hope that you can be patient with me, as I'm still trying to figure all this out and I want desperately to spin you all an enjoyable tale. Any feedback, positive or otherwise, is more than welcome!

Oh, and I do not own Labyrinth. The credit for such a glorious creation belongs to the beautiful mind and beloved imagination of dear Mr. Jim Henson. I claim only the Tyler family...and a few others.

Arrivaderci, for now!