Ihadn’tplannedon throwingmyself into the community so soon, butwhat’sthe harm in a little small talk over breakfast? These women have been compassionate and so understanding of my situation. I should give them a chance.It would be nice to not feel so alone.
“Sure,” I agree with a shrug. “Why not?”
They both clap and let out cheers of enthusiasm.Wecrossthe street and walkto Kiki’s Cafe. As I follow behind them,I’mcaptivated by the warm light emanating from the small diner-like establishment. With so much cloud cover, thestreetlightsare still lit, butthere’snothingnear as bright asthelamps hanging from the ceiling inside. Walking through the door,I’minstantly warmer. Not only does the bitter cold remain outside, but the atmosphere is enough to make me feel likeI’mbeing wrapped in a crocheted blanket.
Ithasthe same decor as when I was a kid—something Ihadn’tnoticed when I first appeared here, but given theseriousness of the situation, I can understand whyIdidn’t. Now Ican take my timeobservingallthe old photos on the walls. Various town events throughout theyears,like fall festivals and holiday markets,are hung in black frames. Some feature different people in town, but most are of the two sisters and their families.
Raegan and Joanna slide into a vinylboothand I join them on the opposite side.There’sa television on the back wallthat’sset to a local news channel. The date in the corner of the screenreadsDecember fifth. Almost one week has passed since I died, yet somehow it feels like years.
There’sa laminated list withallthis month’s specialson the table when we sit. I grab it and peruse the options.
“Do you know if they have blueberry pancakes here?” I ask, not looking up from the sign.
Joanna responds. “They definitely have pancakes, and I’m pretty sure Kiki can add any kind of topping you like.”
I glance up in time to see her waving someone over to the table.Iturn tofind Simone hustling toward us.
“Hey!”shegreets us between gasps for air. “SorryI’mlate. I stayed at the coven house last night, and sharing a bathroom with four other girls is a nightmare.”
“No worries.We just got here,” Raegan tells her.
Simone takes the space next to me and starts digging in her magenta bag. She pulls out a miniature bottle of water and chugs the entire thing.
“Slow down,” Joanna says. “Don’t drown yourself.”
“I forgot my emotional support water bottle, and I’ve been parched since I left the house.”
We all laugh, and Simone places her bag between us on the seat.
“What else do you have in there?” I tease her.
Simone grins wickedly. “Anything the situation calls for.I’malways prepared.”
“You must be a Capricorn.”
“Or a boy scout,” Joanna mutters.
Simone beams. “Virgo. But Ilooovethat you know the star signs!”
“It was a hobby,” I say. “When I was alive.”
“You can still have an astrological chart in the afterlife.Ooo!” Her eyes suddenly pop and she takes my arm. “You should let me read your tarot!”
I shake my head slowly. “Maybe once I’ve gotten my shit together.”
“But this could help guide youto get that shit together!Oh,please let me doit!It’ssomethingI’vebeen working on, and I could use all the practice I can get.”
The last time Icame in contact witha set oftarotcards was at my best friend, LanieFallon’s house.Her mom was a witch, and I used to love sneaking into her room with Lanie and looking at all her magical items. She had crystals and smudge sticks strewn across her dresser, and pendulums dangling from the mirror. Behind her bed was a beautiful tapestry depicting long-haired women dancing barefoot in the forest around a fire.
When my sister first told me we were moving, itwasn’tjust the fact that I was leaving my friend that made me sad. I was leaving behind the beauty of magic as well. Moving to the city meant moving away fromparanormals, and growing up I felt connected to them in a way. Iwasn’tlike them, but I shared their label of being different. I stood out in middle school because I was the tallest kid in my class.Thered hairdidn’thelp either. Ididn’tlike playing sports and Ididn’tparticipatein after school activities. I wasthe loud,obnoxious,weird girl whodidn’tfit in, so itwasn’tthat hard to empathize with theparanormals. Iwanted to stay with them—to live in their town—but itwasn’tup to me.
On the drive out ofShadow Hills, afterwe’dpacked up the entire house in one afternoon and said goodbye to none of our neighbors, I gazed longingly out the window from the backseat and wished I could askMrs. Fallon’starotcards for help.
I remember feeling so lost, andit’sthe same way I feel now. I have no idea what my future holds, or if I even have a future anymore, but what if those cards really do hold the answersI’mlooking for?
Raegan and Joanna are watching eagerly, waiting for my reaction. I give Simone a hard nod. “Okay.Let’sdo it.”
She fist pumps the air then touches my arm again with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”
