"Bess!"Tilly interrupted
"Right! Sorry. Okay, so he was getting his caramel latte, which I told him had been paid for like a pay it forward kind of thing because that Astra chick saw him coming from the sidewalk and paid for his drink with atwenty-no-change," she mimicked in a high voice. "Being a psycho witch must pay well." Tilly's impatient look made Bess continue quickly. "But when I handed him his drink and told him she paid for it and he took one, longlook at her until she was looking back at him and sat the cup down with a very pointed rejection. And then while looking her dead in the eye he asked me to make him a different one he would pay for because he doesn't break bread with, and I quote, 'evil.'"
Shocked faces stared back at her.
"But," Tilly shook her head, confusion clouding everything. "I saw them kiss."
A shrug. "I don't know," she replied. "I'm just telling you, it doesn't add up and I don't get asshole vibes from him."
"He did save your life," Ursula reminded her.
"Well yeah, but even if he saved my life and I believed he would treat Aunt Tilly like a cheating scumbag, I would not hesitate to join everyone in hexing him to only be able to pee in public bathrooms."
"Oh my god," Kelsea and Carol said in unified horror.
"She's in charge of the next hex for sure," Crystal said with a smile at the grinning teen.
A loud, feminine grunt came from the barn pulling all of their attention to where Jessica picked up a few eggs in each fist, a monstrous look on her face.
Jessica heaved one more time, both hands releasing three eggs each before her legs gave out and she collapsed onto the ground.
All the women were up and running toward her. Jen got to her first, swiftly checking over her body by sight then light touch before she cast aside the need for medical help. Jessica's shoulders heaved and six pairs of hands lay over her. Eyes sought out Crystal.
"Rob filed for full custody of the children." Crystal's words landed harsh and cold. Ursula flinched and Eloise gritted her jaw.
Tilly closed her eyes, her frost-covered ribs pulsing inside of her.
Cream-covered arms wrapped around her legs, her face buried into her power-blue knees as the women looked around at each other, silently communicating.
This was it.
It was time.
25. Magic in the Graveyard
Crystal and Ursula tucked Jessica into the four-poster bed at the farm, making sure the fluffy duvet was pressed around her tired-out body like she was wearing a cloud.
After a while on the ground of the barn, as a good, long cry can do, Jessica's body was overworn, and they didn't need to wonder if her mind needed the bliss of rest.
They, however, would make their way to The Lost Souls, walk to the graveyard like they had so many times, moonlight lanterns in hand and a need to call to magic resting on their shoulders.
Bess was the first one eagerly collecting supplies.
"Come on, dears!" Crystal called. "Magic can get impatient!"
Tilly grabbed ice while Kelsea and Eloise got the dessert. Jen and Carol had their hands full of moonlight lanterns, and then they were off.
Ursula wondered many times if the way that they were bringing up Bess was too nonsensical, too odd.
But before those wonderings could fully take root, Bess was leading the group, hands full of fragile glasses, her dark hair flying behind her, as well as an orange calico gliding by her side.
The walk to the graveyard was the same as it always was when they walked as a coven seeking out the magic buried there - solemn and popping with hope. The trees above bent closer, feeling their intention to call to the magic. Blades of grass seemed softer, the ground stayed steady and even.
Eight women gathered under the new moon - Carol, Eloise, Ursula, Tilly, Jen, Kelsea, Crystal, and Bess. The antique cut-crystal goblets were handed around carefully, and a pitcher of mojitos poured.
"Coconut?" Tilly asked with a smile as she sipped the cool drink, enjoying the slide of the tropical flavors. The girls had been plying her with comfort food, flowers, and one-armed hugs for the last few days. Being taken care of had been odd, almost chafing. Still, after years, she wasn't used to it, so much loving attention without her having to earn it.
Love and respect were earned. That is what her parents taught her.
