By Julisa Basak
An old wives’ tale says that you can only see the froombas if you pluck a magical ‘shroom from below the frozen lake. A simple task. And I don’t say that as a gullible maiden or to tell lies out of my pantaloons. No—I say it because I’ve already plucked it. For no other reason than getting back at Charlotte Butler.
My ankle-length dress is drenched from hem to collar, and the winter winds turn my body stiff. But I manage a smile. Yes, that’s right! I revel at holding a fresh froomshroom in my hand.
“All this just to see if your best friend traduces you behind your back?” The lake witch shakes her head and tsk-tsks at me through the cracks in the ice. “You bored spinsters would do anything simply to—”
“Oh, be gone, hag!” I wave her off. I don’t need the negativity of some underwater sorceress, though I’m sure she’s merely surprised that I accomplished such a feat after her enigmatic warnings.
In any case, I know what I must do now. Shivering, I grab my shawl and throw it over my shoulders before trekking back to the village. I have to find Charlotte before she leaves today.
The farmers’ cottages border our little settlement next to the woods, and when I pass the Frothinghams, my eyes fall on the greenish furry globs strapped to their hunching backs.
“Constance, hello.” Ol’ Frothingham’s wife throws a bland greeting at me, ignoring the fact that I’m dripping wet. The little sucker on her back curls its little green arms around her torso. Goggling eyeballs bobble aimlessly, and I let out a loud chortle. The froombas look ridiculous!
She narrows her eyes at me. No doubt the woman has wished ill will of me several times. That’s why the froomba on her back is so big.
“Sorry. Hello,” I reply before clearing my throat. “Do you know where I can find Charlotte?”
“She’s at church—” Her tone reeks of admiration. “—praying for a safe journey to wed the minister’s son, and to live a long, happy—”
“Thanks!” I mutter hastily and dart away. The last thing I want is to fill my ears with Charlotte’s perfection.
Sure, she and I have been best friends since birth, but ever since she got elevated to social elite status for her purity, I can’t stand her. No doubt she’s the one who spreads rumors to her new posse about me being some loony lake witch’s apprentice. And now she’s won the lottery of a lifetime by becoming a wife to some wealthy waddler while I remain an unwanted spinster forever.
Well, today I’ll find out for sure how deserving of a reputable marriage she really is.
I trudge through the wet snow toward the church, passing more people in the village. And more froombas. I hold back laughter again as I see them piggybacking off every individual who ever said something bad about me—the carpenters and blacksmiths, a few of whom I’ve chatted with about their trade; the women from our prayer group, who shoot me looks as I pass. Not that that is surprising.
“You’re quite a drenched washcloth today, Conny!” The shopkeeper calls out teasingly, and I see a big green one behind him. It’s a shame—I actually enjoy visiting his shop.
A group of children pass, many of whom I recognize from our little stoolball matches. Mini froombas hang from their backs, sending a small pang through my heart. They’ve always been welcoming and full of smiles when I play with them. I suppose the parents already planted their wicked opinions of me in their little heads.
Regardless, I keep going. By the time I reach the church, I must have seen dozens of those furry monsters. But I don’t care. What they think of me is not my concern. I only have to settle my conscious with one thing—that Ms. Goody Two-Face Charlotte Butler, with her pure promises and piety, is capable of being a backstabbing snitch. Just like everyone else.
I wait by the side of the church as people file out, and once again I see those nasty froombas bumbling up and down. Of course these people are Charlotte’s insufferable new friends. Of course they’ll spread the nasty scoop about me thanks to her. Heaviness fills my chest. I shouldn’t care. And yet…
“Constance?”
Aha! I recognize that voice. I whip around, ready to catch the little devil all wrapped up in furry green blemishes.
I stagger back, wide-eyed. Instead of a froomba, Charlotte has a golden ball of light over her head. I search for the words that I’d rehearsed coming here, but they don’t come.
“Thank goodness!” She steps forward and wraps me in a hug, and the light envelopes me with warmth that I feel to my toes.
“Sorry.” Charlotte steps back. “I needed a real friend today.”
I prepare to answer, but all I feel is a shameful tug in my gut.
“We can take a walk,” I respond. “Before you leave.”
She nods and slips an arm around mine. Months of putrid thoughts leave my body, and I wonder what I even wanted to accomplish from this confrontation—to tell my ex-best friend a bunch of goggling goblins exposed her as a deceitful wench? To convince her soon-to-be-husband that he isn’t marrying the purest of them all?
It seems more ridiculous now that I know I’ve been so wrong about her.
“You are glowing,” Charlotte points out, poking my cheek. Her eyes then dart to her posse and the villagers we pass. “Ugh, unlike those green things everywhere,” she says under her breath. “Two-faced as usual…”
Her words grab my attention just I catch something in her apron pocket. The stem is barely visible at the bottom. I let out an audible gasp.
It’s a days-old froomshroom.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This story is so fresh and original! I loved the character’s narrative voice and the theme of true friendship!
thanks so much Beka! :)
Aw, I love the themes you explored in this story! Gossip and true friendship and piety and all that. Great story, Jules!!
thanks so much Cassandra! I really enjoyed it :)
Wonderful! I enjoyed this story.
What a heartwarming little story; or not? Perhaps there was doubt in the heart of dear Charlotte too… This is a delightful twist at the end. But the world isn‘t so dark, the people‘s evil thoughts or gossip not half as terrible if there is true friendship and real sincerity.
My compliments also for the clarity of this wonderful tale; I speak to the author as someone who has read other works and perceives an evolution in clarity. What you wish to say, you do so with increasing precision. It is the way of Art, of course, to become more clear with less abundant means in due course, but it is something with which I mean to compliment you nonetheless.
Great story! Amazing how easy it is to see the sins of others and miss our own faults!
Intriguing, wearing your emotions on your back, for others to see.
Wow! The deep emotions and insecurities of friendships when dealing with the gossip. Such an amazing read Julisa. Great job!
Such a fascinating story!
Started out all funny and rather zany, but then continues deeper, twistier, and far more thought-provoking than expected. I really love it!
Another awesome short fiction by up and coming writer Julisa! Love the detail and scenes she creates!!
Loved the whole idea of the froombas and the description of the main character getting them. It felt like a culture and mythology that worked. Really appreciated the happy ending and positive friendship theme.
A wonderful heartwarming sci-fi with an uplifting friendship filled humane touch at the end :-)
“I don’t need the negativity of some underwater sorceress,”
Haha! This was awesome!