Page 14 of The Neighborhood Witch

“My spit touched your spit. It’s like we kissed,” Alice replied with a wink and a smile.

“Well”—Hugo blushed—“That’s one way of looking at it.”

“You need to learn the history of the spit swear, Hugo Dodds.”

“That sounds like something Elizabeth would have said,” he replied with a smile.

“I like her already. Well, Hugo Dodds, take excellent care of that dog. She’s a good girl, regardless of what you say.” Alice locked onto Max. “Who’s a good girl? You’re a good girl.” Alice raised the pitch in her voice.

Max wagged her tail and gave out a bark that pierced through their ears and directly into their souls.

“That woke up the neighborhood,” Alice said as she slid behind the fence. “Have a good night, Hugo. It was nice to meet you.”

“You too, Alice Primrose.” He bowed his head, smiling. He gazed back up at the full moon one last time before turning his attention toward Max.

“Next time you come when called,” he commanded. “Come on, let’s go get a biscuit.” He led Max back up the wooden staircase. Hugo held open the door as Max entered.

Hugo paused before shooting a glance back at the purple house. He smiled—a smile unlike any he’s had in a long time.Finally.Finally, someone who gets me. His eyes dropped to his black onyx ring. He bit his lip to quell the smile, but it lingered. His smile wouldn’t let Hugo dismiss his moment of joy. He once more glanced toward the purple house, nodded, and then joined Max inside.

Chapter 5

Alice’s Reflection

Alice Primrose sat on the pillowed cushion of her dining room window nook sipping tea. Her long legs stretched almost the full length. She wore black leggings and a dark gray hooded sweatshirt that contrasted her brightly colored purple hair and matching lipstick. She stretched her bare toes back and forth.

She leaned against the wood frame, resting her shoulders in the corner where the wood met the window. The chilled fall air gave her goosebumps as she leaned against the glass. Her vantage point was high enough to see over Hugo’s privacy fence. She shifted slightly to get a better view of the comedic show that transpired in his backyard. Alice clutched a black and orange mug with both hands.

He had to have seen me last night. He had to, Alice thought as she took a long sip of the steaming tea.And he didn’t say anything.

Hugo was playing ball with Max, although Alice considered it more of a game of chase rather than fetch. Hugo reared back and underhand tossed the ball high into the sky. Max ran around the yard, judging the correct spot where the ball would fall back down toearth. She bent forward; her shoulders clenched and tightened. Her tail wagged. Eyes focused. Waiting.

The ball achieved its apex. It hung in the air for a moment, spinning, teasing the waiting dog below.I should hold it there a little longer.Just to see what he’d do.She smirked, but took another sip of her tea.

Max’s eyes traced the ball as it fell to the ground and bounced back up. She jumped with her mouth wide open. The springing tension and her exuberance caused her to overshoot the target. Max tried to stab at the ball, rather than simply catch it. Her youthful inexperience betrayed her.

The ball ricocheted off her mouth and bounced to the other side of the yard. She ran after it. She scooped up the ball with her mouth, but the momentum of her body pushed her forward as she tumbled over a few times. Her eyes were wide as she had flipped over. She stood up, smiled, and wagged her tail over her retrieved item.

Alice heard his muffled commands through the window.

“Bring the ball back,” Hugo said. “Bring the ball here, Max.” Max ran in circles around the yard. “Max! Bring it here.”

Alice chuckled as Hugo ran after the impish golden retriever.

A knock at the front door broke the silence in the room. The dining room was a rectangular space, large enough for an elongated table and multiple chairs. It was mostly empty, except for a square folding table and two collapsible chairs. Another mug sat waiting on the black padded table. Alice got up from her spot and placed her mug on the opposite side. She hurried down the barren hallway to the black front door.

A sheer, black veil covered the window set in the center of the top half of the door. Alice saw the shadow of someone on the other side. The sounds of wood hitting wood came from up the winding Victorian staircase. The staircase was a dark brownish-black stain. Detailed rectangular wainscoting traversed the walls as it followed the angular winding path of the stairs.

“It’s okay,” Alice shouted up the staircase.

There was another knock at the front door. The noise from upstairs intensified at a quickened pace. It reverberated off the walls, causing them to shake.

“It’s Ez. Knock it off!”

The clamoring stopped. Alice gripped the ornate, diamond shaped vintage knob and opened the door.

“This day has already been ruined,” a boisterous Esmeralda proclaimed as she entered the house, holding a purse in one hand and removing her overcoat with the other. “On the drive over here, they had the audacity to mentiontheScottish play on the radio. It set me off.”

“Nice to see you too, Ez,” Alice said as she closed the door.

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