Page 100 of Bewitched & Bewildered
I’m not the only one who notices the change. Heads turn to look at the sign whenever they pass by. My shop has been slow, too.
Is their business slow enough for them to give up?
The shop already looks closed, but I have a feeling it’s not. I take a risk, banging on the door the way she did mine weeks ago. My fists rattle the glass.
At first, I think no one will answer. There’s a chance the shop is already vacant.
After a few moments, Juniper shuffles out from the back.
When she opens the door, my heart falls into my stomach.
Her face is tear-stained, and her eyes are red-rimmed. Her pretty little outfits—the ones that make her look like Morticia Addams incarnate—are gone. She’s in sweatpants, with her hair in a messy bun.
Something is wrong. How did I miss it?
“What’s going on?” I step inside.
“It’s nothing.” She shakes her head.
This is the first time I’ve seen her cry.
“It’s something,” I say. “The shop is shutting down? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to ruin our fun.”
“You wouldn’t ruin anything. What happened, baby?”
I never use the honorific outside of the bedroom, but even in this setting it doesn’t make her so much as flinch.
“I’m not happy.” She sniffles.
“You’re not?”
“No. Not with the business—and not at all. I’m not good at this…”
She sounds like me before my divorce. I was stuck in a job I hated and a field I wasn’t passionate about. And, like me, Iknowshe will find something better.
“What? You think you’re not meant for business?” I ask.
She shrugs.
“Running a business is hard, but you’re doing great—you’ll get used to it in a few years. I’m struggling too.”
“No.” She lets out a sad laugh. “It’s not about the business. It’s this business. I don’t love it…and I see how muchyoulove it.”
“I do.” I touch her arm. “You deserve to do something you love.”
“I know, and I feel good about this decision. It feels right, but.”
“It doesn’tseemlike you feel good aboutit.”
“It’s not that easy. A business decision is one thing.” Her voice trembles. “This feels like I’m saying goodbye to my mom!” She lets out a loud sob, and her shoulders shake.
My heart cracks and shatters. Mrs. Hawthorne was a kind woman. She always made me feel welcome in the shop. If she could put me at ease, I can only imagine what she did for her daughters.
I wrap my arms around Juniper, and she accepts the crushing hug, her hands meeting at the base of my back. I bury my face in her hair.
“Saying goodbye is hard”—I kiss the top of her head—"but this place will still be here. You’re not leaving it behind.”
