Acts of Violet(17)

CAMERON FRANK: How did Violet’s classmates react to her talents?

ELEANOR TOBACK: It’s a funny thing. They were a tougher audience than we teachers were. They appreciated Violet’s tricks but were suspicious and rigorous in their attempts to figure out her routines or catch her in a mistake. She learned to show off only her most polished material and not to perform it too many times.

CAMERON FRANK: Because otherwise they’d catch on to how she did the trick?

ELEANOR TOBACK: Once in a rare while—if a palmed coin slipped out of her hand, for example. Usually, the children would lose interest once they were fully stumped and Violet made it clear she wouldn’t reveal how a trick was done. The novelty wore off surprisingly quickly for them, though it never did for her. There was an obsessiveness in the way she practiced. Often she asked to spend recess in my classroom so that she could rehearse a trick without the other kids seeing her.

CAMERON FRANK: Did you let her?

ELEANOR TOBACK: About fifty percent of the time. I felt it was impor-tant for her to socialize with her classmates, but I also knew she had a gift. Not only that, she possessed the compulsive drive that someone gifted needs in order to elevate themselves. It was remarkable, how Violet never seemed to tire of practicing. She could spend a half hour repeating the same series of finger movements without expressing a hint of boredom or frustration.

CAMERON FRANK: How did things change the following year, when Sasha skipped a grade and entered your class?

ELEANOR TOBACK: Honestly, the biggest change I noticed was that Violet incorporated playing cards into her lunchtime practices.

In terms of how she was with her sister … There was something … inscrutable about them. They were cordial enough to each other, and I did catch them passing notes from time to time, but there was also … Sometimes I picked up a sense of apprehension, particularly from Violet. Perhaps it was envy?

CAMERON FRANK: Envy toward Sasha?

ELEANOR TOBACK: Yes. Sasha was a beautiful child. Don’t get me wrong, they were both lovely girls, but Violet … she was not as outwardly striking as her sister. Both had dark hair and blue eyes, but Sasha’s hair fell in perfect waves, her eyes were large and vivid like cobalt glass, and her skin had a rosy glow—she’s still luminous today, and without a stitch of makeup. Violet’s hair was more unkempt and had less luster, her eyes smaller and cloudier, her skin pale and waxy. One of the downsides of spending so much time indoors practicing magic tricks, I suppose. She was also small for her age, whereas Sasha had an early growth spurt, which made many think she was the older sister—goodness, did Violet find that irksome.

There was something about Sasha that was sweet, effortless, and drew people to her. She was quick to loan her school supplies, share her snacks, help a classmate struggling with an assignment. If it was easy to be kind to Sasha because she was pretty, it became easier once she mirrored that kindness. Perhaps that created a positive feedback loop. Whereas Violet, who did not possess the same genetic advantage and had endured physical abuse from a trusted figure early in life, was more guarded, prickly.

CAMERON FRANK: Did Violet have a tougher time making friends?

ELEANOR TOBACK: Yes, though it was clear Violet wanted to make friends. And Sasha, who collected friends effortlessly, tried to include her sister but was met with resistance. Violet wanted to earn the attention and admiration from her classmates on her own terms. That didn’t happen until Cyndi Yanoff’s eleventh birthday party.

CAMERON FRANK: Why don’t you take us through that party?

ELEANOR TOBACK: It took place the weekend after Halloween. Cyndi’s father owned a number of successful car dealerships, and while he could’ve easily afforded to move the family to a tonier area like Haddonfield or Mullica Hill, they decided to stay local. I guess he liked being a big fish in a little pond. The Yanoffs lived in a custom mansion and threw lavish parties. Half the town must’ve been invited to Cyndi’s birthday celebration. It was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. There was a petting zoo, an inflatable ball pit, a cotton candy machine, face painting … the works. The Yanoffs also had a stage area set up in the backyard and hired a magician to perform just before the cake was served. A fellow named Ace Morgan, who embodied the typical look of a magician: top hat, vest, cape, all of it. You should’ve heard the gasp that came out of Violet when she saw him.

CAMERON FRANK: Was he any good?

ELEANOR TOBACK: I’m no expert, but he struck me as proficient. He did the standard fare with playing cards, silk scarves, coins, metal rings. It was entertaining, but it got more interesting when he asked for a volunteer and Violet joined him onstage.

He had her pick a card, which she showed to all of us while he turned around. Now, my memory is good, but not that good, so let’s say it was the five of clubs. Once we all saw the card, Ace had her put it back in the deck, which he shuffled and had her cut. He flourished the top card and she shook her head. Another shuffle and cut, another card brandished, and once again, it was not the five of clubs. Then Ace contorted his face and said he had something in his teeth. He rooted around in his mouth and took out a folded playing card. At this point, we were all certain this would be the five of clubs.

It wasn’t.

When Ace unfolded the card and Violet shook her head again, he accused her of lying. He tried to be playful about it, but you could tell he was frustrated. Violet calmly named her card, and we all backed her up, since we’d all seen it. Then she gave him this wicked little smile and said she hid the card, and he would never guess where.