"I don't think I've ever felt birds looking at me," was Ursula's response.
"The starlings on Carol's roof?" Bess hedged.
Both women immediately nodded and Eloise snapped her fingers.
"Excellent analogy. Those beaked creatures were intense."
"Just give her some time."
Since Tilly's mood had turned gently somber, they checked on Tilly with texts and tender arm squeezes whenever she was near. Ursula made her a bouquet of ivory roses and cream peonies and sprays of first snow aster. Eloise had a constant stream of treats and mugs of coffee or tea going to Tilly, who accepted all with the most gentle, brave smile Bess had ever seen.
She watched Tilly get up exceptionally early yesterday, a large oversized sweater and her hair in a messy bun, glasses fogged up by the steam of her coffee clasped between both hands as she curled up in an Adirondack chair looking out over the early garden.
Bess had been up because she couldn't sleep. Her hexed suiter was taking up too much of her peace. She thought she'd be alone with the early-rising raccoons but then she sat in the kitchen window seat watching over Tilly.
She was the kind of woman who experienced life gently, taking bits and pieces into her hands carefully and then setting them back down, never accepting more than what she felt she was due. And she loved easily, smiled easily, hoped easily.
Bess found herself stopping and admiring that about her now that she lived at the house. She enjoyed her calm and optimism.
To think that someone could hurt her made something inside of Bess burn.
Tom Hanks meowed loudly, jarring Bess from her thoughts about Tilly. As she got him a bowl of food and water, the object of her thoughts rushed into the kitchen, her emerald and black hair coming out of her bun and her cheeks flushed.
"Guys!"
Three pairs of eyes shot to the back doorway where Tilly and Jen were standing with alarm on their faces.
"What's going on?"
"Town hall," Jen got out. She closed her eyes like she needed a moment.
They looked to Tilly who took over for Jen. "We were downtown. There was a town hall meeting led by Astra and her two minions." The way she said the woman's name was like something bitter had touched her mouth.
"I hate her," Bess championed. "Let's hex her to only be able to crawl."
Ursula gave her that look. Tilly smiled with surprise and Bess winked at her.
"Alright, don't love the start to this story," Eloise said leaning against the island as she passed Bess the grilled cheese and whispered, "Love your hex." Bess smiled. Eloise swung her attention back to Tilly and Jen. "Go on."
"So, the town has that petition going to recall Cora."
"Right. We won't forget. Hexes to all who signed it," Eloise said around a mouthful of food.
Jen pointed to her in agreement.
"Okay, so these three Sanderson Sisters held a town hall to announce a candidate to replace her."
Ursula frowned, sitting back. "They don't even live here."
"That's not the bad part," Tilly said. There was an intensity that had built like pressure and all of them were nearly hovering
"Hey," Jenson greeted from the other doorway.
"Shhh!" Bess hissed and pointed to a stool as they all turned back to Tilly and Jen.
"Everything okay?" he asked taking a seat warily.
"Brawny man, read the room," Eloise slashed the spatula through the air, and as he opened his mouth Bess shoved half of her sandwich into it and they gave Tilly and Jen their attention again.
