Page 16 of Midlife Witch Unexpected

“Wonderful!” she enthused. “You know what it’s like being the single woman our age.”

“Actually, no,” I said. “I don’t know. Not yet anyway.”

“So, you’re new to the single life still?” Bianca asked, sipping her drink.

“I’m just getting used to the idea that I’ll be divorced,” I said. “And, you know, the rest of it.”

“Yeah,” Bianca commiserated. “Must be really hard for you,”

“You know what’s the hardest?” I took a big swig of my drink. “Everyone is so focused on him coming out. Everybody tells me I should be happy for him, and I am, but still, him coming out ruined my life and destroyed my fairytale.” I held up my hand. “I know what you’re going to say. You’re going to say it’s better to live in reality than to live in a fantasy world. But you know what? I liked my fantasy world. I thought it was quite okay. And now, I have to come to terms with the fact that most of it wasn’t even true.”

"Yeah, reality is a strange one," Bianca nodded. "Mine was much the same but different. My husband was in the military, and I got tired of traveling around so I said I'd settle down here and he could come and visit when he could. The visits got less and less and eventually, they stopped altogether. I got the divorce papers, along with papers where he signed complete custody of our son over to me. I had no idea somebody would willingly give up their child. I know sometimes you have to do it because of circumstances, but I would've done anything to help Josh have his birth father."

“Did he have a stepfather?” I asked.

“No, not really,” Bianca said. “I had a boyfriend for five years, but we never lived together.”

“What do you do around here for fun?” I asked.

Bianca grinned. “It’s mostly outdoors stuff,” she enthused. “We go for hikes, to the coast, and help out on the ranches. Surely Branson has mentioned it. What’s with him, anyhow?”

I felt a tingling at the mention of Branson’s name. I chewed my lower lip.

“He works for The Estate,” I said. “I don’t really know anything other than that. I still have to look into all the paperwork, but I haven’t even started in the house yet. Do you know I think my renters we’re doing some sort of witchcraft?”

“Seriously?” Bianca said. “That’s so cool.”

“It’s cool they didn’t burn the house down,” I said. “Do you believe that stuff?”

She shrugged. “What’s the difference between witchcraft and Christianity?”

I glanced around but no one could hear her talk. “Little sacrilegious, no?”

“They both say prayers. I guess one feels empowered by a magical spirit and one feels empowered by the magic of Christ.” Bianca explained.

“You’re going to burn in hell,” I giggled.

“I know.” She winked. “But they both burn incense, for example.”

“You are going to burn in hell for sure.” I laughed.

“I’m sure I won’t be alone.” Bianca waved the bartender over for more drinks.

“Two is my limit,” I said. “I’m driving.”

“You might want to stick around a while,” Bianca said, looking pointedly toward the door, which had just

Chapter 10

“Hey Branson,” Bianca called him over as he walked in the door of the Waldorf.

“Are you kidding me?” I asked. “You seriously didn’t just invite him to our table, did you?”

“It would be rude not to,” Bianca said with a shrug, “we know him.”

“We barely know each other,” I said.

“This is Cougar Creek,” Bianca chuckled. “We all know each other.”

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