26 Years Online
••• The International Writers Magazine - Extract from The Heaviness of Genie Magee

Meeting Grandma Munby • Sam Hawksmoor ‘Scat.’ She told the racoon. It just looked at her for a second and went back to eating.

Genie Magee was suddenly eleven years old she heard noises outside... It definitely wasn’t the wind. Genie had been sure it was a tree branch or something brushing again the back window but now she looked out she realised that there wasn't any wind. In fact it was hot and humid inside and even hotter out. One of those evenings when you know it isn’t ever going to cool down and you’re never going to get to sleep.

She wandered through the old house to the kitchen – and there was still that weird sound at the back, like someone was swishing something against the wall. She was under strict instructions not to open the door – not to go outside, despite the sweltering heat. Her mother was all about her damn rules about what Genie could or couldn’t do. That’s the trouble with being eleven – they treated you like you a dumb ass, like a piece of property that had no mind of it’s own. The swishing noise was there again. She was in the kitchen and there was something, or someone outside the back door. She wasn’t afraid. It was just spooky that's all. There had to be some simple explanation right?

She unlocked the door. Her mother always locked her in, but luckily Genie had long ago found the spare key and kept that particular secret from her controlling mother.

She nervously walked out onto the back porch and suddenly broke out laughing. A raccoon was sitting there scratching itself and eating on a corncob scavenged from the garbage. That accounted for the swishing noise at least.

‘Scat.’ She told the racoon. It just looked at her for a second and went back to eating. It wasn’t going to move one centimetre, like it knew she had no authority in this house. Her mother would have attacked it with a stick of course, but Genie stood and stared at it as it continued to eat unperturbed.
‘Might bring you luck – you never know, racoon knocking on your door like that,’ a voice called out from the swing in the backyard. Genie started. There was an older woman sitting on the rusted swing smoking a cigar. She was wearing a light blue cotton skirt, cowboy boots and a pink shirt. Her straw hat hung on her the back tied with a shoelace.

‘No smiles for your Grandmother, Genie Magee?’ Genie watched as the raccoon walked over towards her grandmother, lying down besides her, as if it was her pet.
‘Ma said you were in Alaska.’
‘You believe anything your Ma says?’
Genie shook her head.
‘She at the church, I guess? I’m kind of banking on it since I’m sat here on your rusted swing.’

Genie shrugged. Her mother was always at the Church of the Free Spirits between seven and ten, or sometimes longer, every night. She was obsessed with praying and the very Reverend Schneider.
‘You know Ma hates you being here,’ Genie stated. Despising herself for even saying it.
Grandma Munby shrugged. ‘Did you know it’s against the law to leave a minor at home unsupervised?’
Genie nodded. That’s why all the doors were locked – supposedly to keep her safe…
‘I get a hug maybe? Not seen you in a year or two.’

Genie reluctantly moved towards her grandmother. It had been way longer than a year or even two, she was sure of that.
‘I missed your birthday again. I know that.’ Grandma Munby said as she stood up. She drew close and slipped a banknote into Genie’s hand. Genie glanced down, saw it was fifty bucks. She was amazed. More than she ever got from her Ma.
‘Wow ... Thanks Grandma.’
‘And you have good manners. Glad to see your Grandma? I’m real sorry that I’m never allowed to see you, Genie. You don’t know how much sorrow it gives me to never see you. You could always visit me, y’know. It’s not far to my place. You’d always find a welcome. You know that, right?’

Genie hugged her. Didn’t want to admit that she’d cycled over to her railside shack at least twenty times in the last six months and never once dared to make herself known. Her mother hated Grandma Munby with a vicious loathing and if she even thought she’d gone within ten metres of her shack she’d scream and shout and punish her. It just wasn’t worth it. ‘I wish that…’ Genie began. Grandma Munby blew a smoke ring with her cigar and blew it over Genie’s head.

‘That’s for my little angel. You got real pretty. You know that? You’ll be driving the boys mad soon enough. God, if you think you got troubles now girl, wait till you have a boyfriend. Your mother will probably shoot them. She’s one piece of work that girl. How she is my daughter I just don’t know. Must have been swapped at birth at the clinic, that’s what I think.’

Genie had already worked out that she was going to have a problem having any kind of life at all when she was a teenager. She spent hours thinking of ways she could runaway and survive, but that’s not easy at eleven. They'd call the cops first chance they got to get rid of you. But if Spurlake was famous for anything it was for kids running away. First chance they got.

‘You know you can run to me? You know that right,’ Grandma Munby said earnestly, placing a hand under Genie’s chin and fixing her with one of her stares. ‘I know you think I’m crazy and not respectable an’ all, but I promise you girl, I’m a whole lot more sane than that mother of yours, and a lot more fun too. Come over next week, I’m making blackberry wine. Nothing better to get you through a harsh winter, believe me.’

Genie grinned. She loved her grandma’s weathered face and the twinkling eyes. You just knew looking at her that she wasn’t ever going to be mean, or change her mood and start screeching for no reason at all. How she longed to live with someone who was even half-way normal. Not that anyone was exactly 'normal' in her small family. No one else's grandmother smoked cigars, for example, or dressed liked a rodeo queen. She remembered being made to hide behind the household goods aisle in the supermarket as her grandma went by with her basket, unaware that Genie and her mother were there at the same time. Her mother never wanted to be seen in public with her own mother - ever. She never said why, but Genie figured it was the cigars.

‘Now the way I see it young lady. Your mother’s gone to church, it’s nearly 30 degrees out here and not likely to get any cooler, so what any respectable grandmother should be doing is taking her niece for a nice stroll to the ice-cream parlor. What do you say to that Miss Magee?’

Genie laughed. Nothing more she’d like to do than stroll to the ice-cream parlor. If her mother found out though all hell would break loose.
‘It will be our secret,’ Grandma Munby whispered with a smile. Genie took her hand and the conspirators left the house. She didn’t lock it. This was Spurlake, you never locked until you went to bed. It was practically a rule. The racoon followed them to the sidewalk and Grandma Munby signalled to it to stay. It lay down in the shade, panting in the heat.
‘It’s your pet?’ Genie asked surprised.
‘Abandoned by the mother. I took it on, raised it. Was going to release her to the wild, but kind of got attached and she’s the best guard dog I ever had.’
Genie laughed again. Her crazy grandma had a pet raccoon. It was perfect. ‘Is it true you make evil charms, Grandma?’
Her grandma looked affronted for a moment. ‘Is that what worries you?’
‘Ma says people come to you to make bad spells and charms that harm people.'
‘Your mother is full of spite. I’m not going to defend myself against such stupid things, Genie. All I can say is that I never made a charm in my whole life. I’m a fortune-teller, that’s all I do. Tell peoples fortunes.’
‘Mine?’
‘Wish I could, but your mother would know if I told you anything. I can tell you that you’re destined for great things, but that’s it. You’ll be loved. That’s important. I’m saying nothing more on that subject.’

She wiped some sweat from her eyes. 'My Lord, it’s hot, don’t you think? Let's stick to the shade girl. We’ll walk under the trees. Your great–grandfather planted these oaks. You know that?’
Genie had no idea. She knew nothing whatsoever about her ancestors. Her mother expressly forbade it. ‘Once us Munby’s were respected in Spurlake. Whole town was designed with these wide avenues, because one day he knew that you and me would need the shade in summer. Had quite a vision, old man Munby. He was a total swine; don’t let me kid you otherwise. Ruthless bastard in business, but he planned Spurlake to be a beautiful town up here in the mountains and sometimes I think he got it right.’

Genie looked down the wide avenue of trees and the neat well tended family houses and tried to imagine what it looked like a hundred years ago when it was all new. She wondered what it was like to live here then when it was a wild gold rush town.
‘You a vanilla or chocolate girl?’
‘Chocolate chip.’

Grandma Munby laughed. It was a throaty, cigar smoking kind of laugh. ‘Anytime you want to run away, you come to me, Genie. I mean that. You deserve better than the life you got.’

Genie said nothing. It was a good feeling to know that someone wanted her. Most times she knew that her mother resented her whole existence. Grandma Munby wiped her face and neck with a tissue. It was seriously hot out on the sidewalk, even if they were under the trees. Genie noticed her many gold rings and a big scar on her right arm. She wondered about that but decided it would be rude to ask.
‘Now tell me this, girl. What’s been troubling you? And don’t deny it. I know you have been having bad dreams.’

Genie stared at her with astonishment. ‘And don’t look at me like that. I’m your grandmother. You think I don’t know how troubled you are? Sensed it all they way up in Alaska. Told myself, Genie needs my help. Got into my old truck and drove all the way back here just to see you.’

Genie paused at the crossroad as a truck went by. Someone shouted a greeting to her grandmother who joyfully waved back. ‘Everyone knows you, don’t they,’ Genie said. ‘Some people know me my, child. Some would rather not and there’s some who make up malicious nonsense to spread evil. I just go my own way and don't pay them any heed.'
‘Mr Pottesman at the store says you saved his life.’

Grandma Munby took Genie’s arm and they crossed the road to the shade on the other side. ‘I merely told him that his doctor was a fool and he needed a second opinion. Turned out he had a tumor. That’s all I do, child. I let people know what I think they should know and sometimes, unfortunately, I have to tell them things they’d rather not. Mr Pottesman could have ignored my advice, but he didn’t, and he’ll live a long life now.’

‘You still got the crow?’ She remembered a crow that followed her everywhere.
‘Lord no. You remember the crow? It died at least two years ago now. Could peck out peoples names, play tunes on the bells, knew all kinds of things that crow. Damn clever. Don’t suppose I’ll ever find another like it.’
‘I sometimes think about your shack and the caboose and all the wind chimes and dream catchers. Wish I could come and see you grandma. I really do.’

‘Well, you know where I am and I’m back now. Alaska is all well and good in summer and I have some good paying clients, but it’s not a place to spend your winters. Not at my age anyway.’ She was looking at the line up outside McBeans coffee shop and ice cream parlor and made a face. ‘You want me to make a quick spell to make them all go to the DQ?’

Genie laughed, only half-believing she could do it. They joined the back of the line and almost immediately two people in front decided to quit to go to the DQ. Genie looked at her grandmother to see if she'd done anything but she just chuckled. ‘Always some people with no patience, you can rely on that.’

Genie listened to the next couple ahead of them rowing about whether the woman was allergic to pistachio nuts or not. It was getting quite heated and embarrassing for everyone as he protested that she was always allergic to everything good in life. She accused him of hating her and how she wasn’t ever going to live with anyone who couldn’t cope with her allergies. He stormed off in a huff.
‘You swear you’re not doing this?’ Genie whispered.

Grandma Munby shook her head as they watched the woman run off after the man in tears. ‘That particular relationship is doomed,’ Grandma Munby declared. ‘It appears we might be next.’

They shuffled forwards towards the counter and the 36 flavours on display.
‘Take your time. Two scoops I reckon, three and you’ll be too hyper when your mother gets home.’

It was when they were sitting under a spreading oak tree savouring their ices when Genie remembered something important. ‘I keep dreaming I’m going to disappear,’ she said.
‘Disappear? You mean snatched?’
Genie shook her head. ‘Uh-uh. I mean - it’s not like that. Not like I’m dying either. I just vanish, cease to exist.’
‘That’s your nightmare?’ Grandma Munby asked, sounding serious and attentive now. Genie nodded.
‘How many times?’
Genie closed her eyes a second. ‘Every night lately,' she confessed.
‘Walk me through the dream, dear.’

Genie closed her eyes again, licking her ice cream as she tried to focus. ‘I’m suddenly in this huge space. It’s like the IGA supermarket, but there’s nothing in there. Just a big black space. I know it the moment I arrive. There’s no sound, no nothing and I’m there.’

Grandma Munby stroked Genie’s head to relax her as she spoke. ‘Go on.’

‘There’s no way back. I can scream. I can run. I can do anything, but I can’t find a door. Sometimes I can hear voices. I know there’s others in there with me, but we can’t find each other – it’s too dark, way too dark …’

Genie was in there suddenly. The blackness was all around her. She was choking… She opened her eyes; her knee smarted, as if someone had slapped it hard.
‘Sorry. I had to get you back quickly. You slipped right into that, didn’t you girl? Like the easiest thing in the world for you to go there.’

Genie wasn’t sure what she meant. Her ice cream was dribbling in the heat and she quickly finished it up, noticing the red mark on her knee from the slap. She hadn’t felt it, but the mark was there all right.
‘There’s no windows? No door?

Genie nodded. She suddenly remembered something. ‘There’s always someone crying. I’ve tried looking for them, but never find them.’
‘And when you wake up?’
‘Screaming, sweating. Ma says it’s my hormones or something, or I’m feeling guilty about something I did. But I didn’t do anything. I swear it, Grandma. I don’t want to go there, but it’s like, every night it’s waiting for me, y’know?’

Genie stared out across the park at the sunflowers with their heads bent towards the dying sun. She desperately wanted to never have to dream this again. She glanced at her grandmother who was sitting there with a worried frown on her face. Genie looked away again unable to make sense of what her grandmother was thinking.
‘It’s not a good dream, Genie. Definitely not a good dream.’ She finished off her ice cream and took Genie’s hand squeezing it. ‘I’ll tell you what, girl. Why don’t you take me with you next time you dream.’

Genie turned her head sharply, staring at her grandmother for what seemed like an age.
‘I’m serious, dear. That’s not a healthy dream. There’s something lying in your future you’ll have to deal with. So that’s what I’m asking. Take me with you.’
‘But?’
‘You can see me now, right?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘Then see me in your dream. The moment you can feel this dream starting – pause, find me, grab my hand and take me with you into that place. I don’t want you alone in there. That’s all I’m saying. Then we’ll see what kind of beast we’re dealing with.’
‘Beast?’
‘Figure of speech; animal, situation, understand?’

Genie nodded. Oddly enough she was feeling quite relieved. It was as if a huge burden had been taken off her back. Grandma Munby believed her, was even willing to help. She already knew that she was going to feel safer in that nightmare. Let them deal with Grandma Munby, she was tough.
‘What you really need is a dog,’ Grandma Munby was saying.
‘Mother hates dogs.’
‘She just hates everything. No Munby is ever complete without a dog. Dogs can protect you in the day and at night, y’know? They’ll defend you in your dreams.’
‘Really?’
‘A good dog will anyway.’
‘You don’t have a dog.’
‘Soldier Boy died. It was his time. I guess that’s why I took on the raccoon. Good as any dog. Doesn’t bark, but when intruders get close he rings the bells. Jumps up on the oil tank and swishes the bells. Smarter than any dog I ever had in fact.’

Genie smiled, thinking of the raccoon playing the wind chines at Grandma’s caboose. She was staring at her grandma’s ruby necklace in the silver and gold setting. It was very delicate.
‘You like this?’ Grandma Munby asked. Genie nodded her head.
‘Is it real?’
‘Belonged to my mother. Cost over a hundred grand seventy years ago – so heaven knows what it’s worth now. It’s yours when I’m gone.’
Genie blinked. ‘It is? But you could sell it, live in a nice house and be rich and …’
‘So you don’t think I live in a nice house?’

Genie made a face. ‘Oops. I love your shack, I really do. Ma is embarrassed about it, not me. I adore the caboose and – sorry. I didn’t mean to be so…’

Grandma Munby smiled. ‘I have a ruby worth a fortune. Hell my old Chevy’s worth something these days, it’s such an antique. You’ll learn that happiness doesn’t live in a bank, Genie Magee. It’s how you live your life that counts. Love the world and it will love you right back.’
‘And you can make enough to eat telling fortunes?’ Genie asked, immediately wishing she could take the words back.
‘It’s a living, Genie. People are never short of problems or hopes or dreams. There’s no recession in problems. Now, best we saunter on back home, don’t you think.’

Genie sighed. Being with her Grandmother was so relaxing; she was the complete opposite of her hysterical mother. ‘We’ll do this again, eh? A girl should know her grandmother. Family is all you've got at the end of the day.’

Genie smiled and took her grandmothers hand. There was this other dream she had – the one she didn’t mention to her grandmother – the dream where she became an orphan. And that was her happy dream.

© Sam Hawksmoor 2025- extract from The Heaviness - An original Genie Magee story
Look out for 'Whatever Happened to Genie Magee' -Part Four for the series coming in 2025
www.samhawksmoor.com

'The Heaviness' Genie & Renée have just 36 hours to save Rian or he dies 'Without a doubt, one of the best YA Sci Fi series out there.' Evie Seo - Bookish * Also published as Rüya by Marti Yayincilik - The Turkish publishers of TOZ & Golge Part 2: The Hunting of Genie Magee -

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