Inside the Pages

 

            “Happy Birthday, Damien!” Mom exclaimed proudly. “Fourteen years. I can’t believe it.” She handed Damien a present covered in shining gold wrapping paper.

            The package was so heavy that Damien nearly dropped it when Mom gave it to him. “Whoa, what’s in here? I could use this for weight lifting.” He immediately lay back on the couch and pretended to bench press the present.

            “This one’s from your dad.” Mom smiled sadly. “He wanted you to have it when you turned fourteen.”

            This was Dad’s? Damien barely remembered him. He had died when Damien was only three years old. He tore through the wrappings, and out fell – a book. He touched its soft covers and gently picked it up. The outside was plain green except for the title, which was printed on the spine – Gardening for All Ages. “Gardening for All Ages?” Damien raised an eyebrow. “Was Dad a gardener?”

            Mom’s eyes sparkled. “This was his favorite book. It’s actually a family heirloom. It’s yours now.”

            “Great,” Damien said softly. What was he supposed to do with this?

            Mom saw the disappointment in his eyes. “Just read it. You might like it.”

            Dubiously, Damien opened the book. He had zero interest in gardening, but this had been Dad’s. Maybe he should at least read some of it. He settled himself on the couch and started to read. Within minutes, his eyes were glazing over. He was about to give up and put it away when something in the text jumped out at him. Focusing now, he reread the last paragraph. Then he reread it again, just to make sure.

            Here’s what it said: Congratulations on reading this far, Damien. You have unlocked the true nature of this book. As my son, you have the right to use the information found in this book any way you see fit. You come from a long line of magicians and this book is a compilation of all our secrets and spells. Only those of our line will even be able to read it. I wish you good luck for the start of your magical journey. May you find as much joy in it as I did. I love you, son. Love, Dad.

            Damien leaned back as he tried to process this. Closing the book, he saw that it was no longer a plain, boring book about gardening. The ornate gold and dark blue cover was decorated with stars and the title said, “The Magician’s Guide to Magic.” He ran his fingers over the raised letters and felt a prickle of excitement. Was it really magic?

            Much more excited now than he’d been before, he dived back into the book. He was ready to learn everything his dad had to teach him.