But I came out of my deep sleep in the woods with a kind ofknowingabout how magic works, some of the time. And I know that we can create spells with the old gods and they would be just as effective as something ancient from some unearthed book.
Teal would’ve never believed in a spell we just made up. But when I said it was from this powerful old book? She created a line of supernatural light. We followed this line to our mother. And Teal got her stolen magic back.
Maybe I should feel bad for lying to my sisters, but I don’t. Teal is more whole, and healed, for it. Sage got to confront our mother and hopefully find some kind of closure, which she desperately needed.
But because of that whole event, because of the knowledge I had been given by possibly the old gods themselves, I know that the most powerful magic is one that I—or anyone—can imagine into being. Old books are awesome, but it is the intent of the practitioner that provides the energy behind a spell—like plugging into a primal source of world-making electricity. Which means old books are never necessary, except for sometimes making us a little more confident in our own abilities.
My phone pings when the candle is three-quarters of the way burnt. It’s Sage.Hey, how have you been? I feel like we haven’t spoken in forever.
Just as the flame burns out, leaving nothing but a trail of spiraling smoke, a text comes through from Teal.What’s up? Carter says he saw you at the festival last night with Adam?
I open our group text and address them both at once.Not to be dramatic or anything, but my entire life feels like it’s falling apart, and I need my sisters. Please come to Nadia’s for lunch. I made enchiladas we can heat up. Plus there’s plenty of coconut flan.
I wince when they respond back, mostly expecting them to blow me off once again. But instead, what happens is this:
Sage:I’m on my way.
Teal:Me too.
I immediately make my way to the kitchen to thank the old gods Nadia’s way. With a fresh cup of espresso, poured directly into the earth, the caffeine making its way to their old-god cups just like veins and fountains.
It’s Teal who arrives first.She’s got on a spandex black tank top and some loose joggers and Nike shoes, like she’s either just completed a run or is planning on one right after this. When she walks into the kitchen, I point to the white pan on the stove. “Everything is hot. I’m just getting out the top—” But before I can finish, she has run up to me and has wrapped her arms around me.
“What’s happening?” I cry out, trying to hold back the tears stinging my eyes. “It’s just enchiladas.”
“You’re bananas if you think I’m here for enchiladas.” When she pulls back, her own eyes are glazed over as well. “Well, just for them, anyhow.”
Then Sage is pushing through the door, the baby carrier in her hands.
“Oh! You brought Oak!” I reach for him but pull back when I remember what happened the last time I wanted to hold him. “Sorry. I forgot.”
And Sage instantly bursts into tears. “Oh God. I’m the worst sister in the whole world.”
“Will everyone stop crying?” Teal says through her own tears.
“I’m so sorry, Sky.” Sage places the carrier on the floor by the pantry and throws her arms around me. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t myself. I really wasn’t. Tenn made me go to the doctor.” She pulls back, wiping her face. “It’s postpartum depression.”
“Oh…” I nod, thinking about how weird she’s been. “That actually makes sense.”
“Postpartum depression? Are you on an SSRI now?” Teal asks. Maybe I shouldn’t be, but I’m a little bit relieved that she doesn’t know, either. That this, too, wasn’t a secret they both decided I was too naïve to know.
Sage nods. “Yeah. The doctor doesn’t think I’ll need to be on it long.” She swallows. “I think it’s already helping, to be honest. Even though she said it could take a while for me to notice an improvement.” She turns to me. “I unloaded on you the worst, Sky. I’m sorry. I know you don’t have bird flu or whatever. I just got so damn paranoid because of the depression, you know? I wouldn’t even let Tenn hold him…I didn’t realize it until Tenn sat medown and told me I was wrecking myself by pushing everyone I loved away.”
“That’s why you stopped responding to my messages,” Teal says.
Sage nods. “That’s why.”
“Let’s go in the living room,” I suggest. “Get everyone comfy. And fed.”
Teal and I serve Sage’s plate and bring her a tray so she can eat while nursing Oak. Then we get our own food, and as we’re settling on the sofas, I say to Teal, “So why haven’tyouanswered my last several hundred texts?”
Teal sighs. “I’m a bastard. No, seriously. I became a freaking workaholic. I was sewing bags and wallets till two in the morning, and then I wouldn’t even let myself sleep in. Carter told me I was using my work as a way to escape…which, you know. Is kind of a thing people with bipolar can be prone to do. Anyway, I’m sorry for blowing you off. When Carter told me about seeing you and Adam—”
“Sky!” shrieks Sage. “You and Adam?”
Teal rolls her eyes playfully at the interruption. “As I wassaying. When Carter told me about seeing the two of you, it made me realize I didn’t know anything about what you were going through. Either of you. I’m so sorry about that, you guys.” She gives me and Sage additional hugs.
“Thanks.” I’m not sure what else to say. I’m glad for this reconciliation, but what if everything just goes back to how it was once they both leave? My heart doesn’t want to open to the idea that my sisters are back. I want to curl in on myself and protect it instead.
