And though she had settled into that ease, something darker was at work around them, hiding itself better. Once she fell asleep with the book held open on her chest, a sad scene of unrequited love pressed to her breast, and her head softly nestled into a pillow, dreams cascaded through her mind.
They were filled with turmoil and dark things like black, gnarled roots grabbing at her feet as she walked through the woods. She felt someone behind her. Close, but not yet in reach, the taunting of their chase and the racing of her heart filling her ears as she picked her way through a forest filled with black leaves dripping dark tar. A few drops landed on her hand, sizzling, and she reached down to wipe it from her skin, leaving a crimson smear, the smell of iron and wet dirt hitting her nose harshly. Her jar of moonlight cracked and then shattered in her hand as darkness took over, a jarring and hot breath spreading over the back of her neck with a whisper.
You shouldn't have run, little Willow.
Eloise woke with a start, her heart pounding, skin damp and her soft cream pajamas soaked through with her perspiration. She blinked several times and took a fortifying breath until she released it slowly. A black and gold tail flicked in her peripheral and she turned her head to see Sulphur curled up against a patch of forget-me-nots, her mismatched eyes bright and watchful as Eloise centered herself in the living world.
Just a dream.
But next to her was a shattered jar where moonlight had once shone brightly. She used the soft flannel of her sleeve to wipe away sweat on her forehead as she threw her hair into a bun, allowing the cool spring air to kiss her neck.
She was safe. She told herself she was safe.
Her dreams were a product of her unstable hormones and now she needed a shower.
But as she got up, stretching her sleep-heavy limbs, she saw something new in the garden, off to the side and taking up a corner where the white and purple irises were bursting to life.
A small willow tree. But what caught her breath was its color; black. From the thin sapling bark to the tender oblong leaves dangling from black cords. It looked like a shadow but it felt like an omen. An omen that she feared was dark and violent.
And she wondered as Sulphur rubbed against her legs if it was time to see a woman in secret about a protection spell.
Her nightmare promised no more sleep for the night, so she showered, taking her time in the hot steam as eucalyptus and freesia filled the warm bathroom. She tried to keep the nightmare at bay. Whenever thoughts of it or of the odd black willow tree drifted into her mind, she pushed them aside and thought of the coffee shop.
She dressed in faded bootcut jeans, her brown oxford flats, and her forest green and cream houndstooth blazer with a cream short-sleeved shirt, should her hot flashes decide to strike again. Layers were key, she'd learned.
With her auburn hair twisted up into a clip, she fed Casper and then walked to the coffee shop. Her manager, Tiffany, would be starting up her shop in Florida, so she gave her a call to check in. Everything was in order, and the fresh excitement of this challenge for Tiffany was felt across the miles making Eloise smile. She remembered that feeling; being handed something so big and important without question that you had what it took to tackle it.
She stopped on the sidewalk across from The Black Cat Coffee House. It was a neat brick building nestled between an empty shop, formerly a tax office, and the postal office. The brick of the coffee shop was painted a modern black with three tall archedlead-paned windows lending it an antique finish. And there was a thick climbing vine of roses trailing up the right side over the door and under the large gold sign, their buds tight and ready for a bloom that she was sure would be spectacular against the black background. There were wooden flower boxes, empty, sitting at the bottom of each large window. It was charming and inviting, the inside much the same. The patio was only partially set up with a couple of tables from being put away for the winter, so she made a note to start pulling out that furniture today.
She talked with Shellee daily, wanting to ensure the shop owner that she wouldn't overstep, but would take over all of the details to keep the place running smoothly. Shellee laughed and told her to make it her own; updates were needed and she trusted Eloise. What an unexpected gift from this woman she had never met.
She tilted her head and studied the dark shop, smiling that soft smile that accompanied peace. Still too early for most to be awake, the street was quiet and dark except for the antique street lamps. It was the perfect place for her to start over.
She unlocked the door and clicked on the warm glow of the antique lanterns hanging from the high two-story ceiling. They had done an excellent job closing out the night before and she was grateful as she lowered the French bistro rattan chairs to the herringbone-laid brick floor. The inside of the shop looked like it had been an outdoor French patio, turned inside-out. There were a few large trees holding more antique lanterns that she clicked on as she made her way around the tables. The bar was old, heavy, and gleaming wood like it had come from a tavern, with a few stools on one end in a mauve pink velvet. The tile behind the bar was a darker rose color with charming white stars and the black cabinets above had golden cat knobs. Above the bar was a garden lattice hung horizontally with growing vines of ivy and string of pearls, their verdant presence warm and lively.The curling staircase, she'd learned on her fake date, would take you up to a loft that held bookcases, two deep leather chairs to sink into, and a few more tables.
Just then a crack of sound lifted her head and she watched the glass panes for a moment then smiled when the tap tap tap of raindrops hit them. She took a moment to lean on the worn wood, her hands cupped around a hot cappuccino as the dark world gave in to unapologetic weeping.
The entire shop was designed with comfort in mind. Come, hunker down, and stay for a while. The lighting was perfectly glowing, not too bright and not too dim. Her favorite time to be in the shop was when it was grey and drizzling outside, with the lanterns and lights inside glowing.
She loved sunshine, could bask in its glory and lift her face to its kisses, but there was something about the rain to Eloise Willow. She felt a kinship with its gloomy presence, understanding that it offered life in its own important way. She liked that she felt as though she had permission from the clouds to slow down, to hang on a little more tightly to the practice of self-care and coziness. Or, you could lift your arms and dance with it, something children understood and adults sadly outgrew.
The coffee was now brewing and tea was steeping to be iced. When the front door opened with a jingle she smiled at Tess, who barely waved in her khaki raincoat as she clocked herself in and joined Eloise for set up with gentle music playing for them.
"Can I pick up an extra shift?" Tess asked her as she set the cherry almond tarts in the glass display case.
"When were you thinking? Actually," she shook her head. "Honestly, any time works because we're getting busier and busier. I think we may need to hire someone."
"Yeah, word of your crazy good coffee will do that," she replied. While pleasant wasn't a word that came to mind whentalking with Tess, something thicker seemed to be layering her voice this morning. Her shoulders looked a little low and she was giving off a smell of old, untreated wood left out in too much rain. She had come to learn that Tess tended to give off smells relating to too-harsh weather; too-hot sun, stingingly cold winds, boggy rain.
"You alright?"
Tess shrugged one of those low shoulders, not looking at Eloise. So Eloise didn't push it and put out the blueberry lemon muffins.
"I was seeing this guy," Tess finally announced catching Eloise off guard. "And we're both leaving for college in the fall, so we weren't getting too serious. But then he tells me he wants to be serious, that he wants to try long distance. Which, was kind of sweet. I don't know. You don't get a guy my age saying that stuff because relationships tend to freak them out, you know?"
Eloise smiled reminiscing. "I remember," she said.
"Right, so I was excited. And our colleges are only an hour apart anyhow."
