You’ll never know.River lifted her face to the sunshine as she headed toward the café. Given that she knew she’d never see Marina again, she’d said the words at the end of their date because they would have echoed unceasingly in her head otherwise. They had to come out, whether Marina believed them or not. She could do what she wanted with the information. Maybe it would plant a little seed that would grow into something strong, something that let the hurt, soft side of Marina begin to heal.
“Good afternoon, my unlucky in love lingerer.”
“You can do better, wonderous wordsmith.” River sat at the counter and set the travel mugs on it. “I take it Audrey already told you the dirty details.”
He laughed. “I wish they were dirty. Gritty, maybe. Hilariously awful, definitely.” He got the espresso running and then put his hand over hers. “Seriously, are you okay? I know that kind of rejection sucks.”
“I’m fine, really. I don’t know what possessed me to think there could be anything between us. Opposites attract is a theme for holiday romance movies, not real life.” She sipped her latte while waiting for Audrey’s. “She’s haughty, mean, jaded, doesn’t believe in anything she can’t see, and clearly has some idea of what the right woman is like. And she likes to argue, which means drama at home.”
He set the other latte down and then went to get their usual muffins, a tangy lemon for Audrey and a peanut butter cinnamon for River. “And yet?”
River groaned. “And yet. Her energy is banged up like it was hit in a drive-by and left to die on the side of the road. It’s strong, but all dented and cracked. She’s been through some shit that really made her who she is.”
“And you’re an absolute sucker for broken energy.”
“And a hot woman. Don’t forget that she has a body that could cause world wars for the opportunity to see her naked.” River had, in fact, been trying to picture it in great detail from the moment they’d met.
“Broken energy and a hot body? I’m surprised you haven’t already put a ring on it.” He grinned and swiped her card. “Are you ready for the festival tomorrow?”
“We’re pulling everything together today. Hence the extra afternoon coffee. See you there?” She gathered what she needed and headed back to the shop, where Audrey was already puttinginventory into plastic boxes and checking them off a list. River set down their goods and jumped in, and they spent the next few hours gathering what they’d need for the first autumn festival of the year, held in Grant Park down near the lake. It was one of her favorites and as they got the tent out, along with the cash register and bags marked with their logo, a Hecate’s Wheel floating 3D style above a compass, River couldn’t help but wonder if Marina ever went to festivals, or if they were beneath her.
“I think that’s everything.” Audrey flopped into a chair and wiped sweat from her forehead. “Let’s hope we’re busy enough to make it worth it.”
“You know we will be. We always are.” River looked at the well-worn tarot decks in front of her. They were the ones she used specifically for festivals, as lots of people would be touching them. She never used a personal deck; few people understood how someone’s energy could stick to things, like a coating of wet sugar. You might not see it, but it was there. She smudged these decks and cleared them of energy after every festival, but there was no question some residue remained. She chose the old standard, the Rider-Waite deck that most people associated with readings. People were often more comfortable with symbology they recognized, even if they didn’t fully understand it.
“Let’s get packed up so we can get home.” River hefted a box and took it outside to their rented van, with their logo stuck on the sides and back and a sticker that read, “Real witches don’t need brooms.” Audrey thought it was funny, but River didn’t quite get it.
It took another hour before the van was full and they were ready to call it a night. By the time she undid the gate leading to her little house, she was too tired to care about Marjorie, who stood staring down at her from the bedroom window. But as she walked up the stone path, a shape caught her eye and she stopped. It was a new one, concealed in the shadows. There wasno body, no real form. It was a semblance of energy about the size of a teenager maybe. Only the white lights of the eyes gave it away as human.
River waited, sensing that it wanted attention, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to give it. Suddenly, it darted out of the shadows toward her.
River yelled like a child and skittered backward on the path, losing her balance and falling butt first into a mud puddle.
The spirit drifted backward, staring, and then sped off into the shadows of the trees.
River slowly got to her feet and glanced around.Thank fuck no one saw my butch bravery go to hell.She wasn’t afraid of ghosts, but this one felt wild, like a bit of wind that had taken shape and wasn’t all that happy about it. Shaking the mud from her hands as best she could, she headed inside.Fucking ghosts.
Fortunately, she’d slept well and Marjorie had forgone her rousing morning insult, so River was ready for the Harvest festival when she finally made it out of the house. In order to get there for vendor setup, she needed to leave more than an hour early for the eleven-minute drive, since other vendors would be lined up outside just waiting to get in.
On a whim, she decided to make a pitstop for coffee and bagels. Once they were setting up, there’d hardly be a moment for them to hit up one of the local vendors, and this way they’d get their caffeine fix for the day. She headed to Overflow Coffee, a place with a nice vibe and great history, as well as queer staff who always gave River a warm welcome.
Inside, she joined a short line and took out her phone to let Audrey know she wasn’t running late, she was just getting themsustenance. She got prayer hands in response, and she wasn’t sure if that meant thank you, or if Audrey was praying she’d make it on time to help set up.
“You’re kidding.”
River’s head jerked up like it had been pulled by a string. She glanced over her shoulder to see Marina, eyeing her incredulously. River looked her over and parts of her began to twitch. Marina had clearly been out for a run, given the outfit of Lycra, headband, and an arm pouch holding a phone. Little white earbuds poked out between wisps of loose hair.
“I’ve never seen you before, and now it’s three times in a week. Are you following me?” She smiled, and it actually reached her eyes.
“If I were following you, I’d be behind you where I’d have an equally nice view.” River wiggled her eyebrows and enjoyed the resulting laugh. “Maybe you’re the one following me.”
Marina moved to stand beside her, much to the obvious chagrin of the people who’d been in front of her. She clearly didn’t care. “Honestly, I’ve never tried this place. But I finished my morning run and had to detour around the festival barriers, so it seemed like the time.”
River felt that little tingle at the base of her skull that told her something was at work. Synchronicity was a word that often defined her life. She just smiled. “Lucky me. What are you having?”
“Cappuccino, four shots, extra hot,” Marina said to the barista, who then looked at River.
“Hey, Riv! Are you working the festival today? Me and some of the kids might pop down to say hi,” they said, punching in Marina’s order.
