Page 33 of Bewitched & Bewildered
I leave before she can get mad at me for using the nickname.
JUNIPER
We barely get a moment to breathe. It’s cathartic to see so many familiar faces popping in and out—and a few new ones, too. Witches from all over central Maine come to the grand reopening of the Hawthorne Apothecary.
As I told Ozan, it’s an institution. Evenhecouldn’t disagree with me.
I’m still reeling from the conversation with him when someone else approaches. At least this time, it’s a welcome face.
My mother’s old friend, Janice, visits us a few hours before closing. She’s the same age my mother would have been. Her hair is gray, and her face is wrinkled beautifully. Aging is a gift to witches. Humans buy anti-aging potions from us, but we rarely use them ourselves. Each wrinkle is a sign of wisdom.
I can still remember celebrating my mother’s first gray hair.
“I am so pleased to see Hawthorne Apothecary is open once more.” Janice holds my shoulders. “You did it.”
I let out a breath. Tension releases from me, and my eyes are misty again. It’s been a long, strange day of wearing my mother’s shoes.
“You’re pleased?” I ask.
It’s childish, but if I can’t please my mother... Janice is the next best thing.
Her warm, green eyes twinkle. “Of course, I am. Nothing makes me happier than seeing your mother’s legacy live on.”
“Nothing?” I lift a brow, smirking. “Not even being able to buy your herbs in town?”
“That is a close second.” She chuckles and glances in the corner of the room. “Is Laurel doing tarot readings?”
I nod. “She’s taking over Mom’s old position. She’s pretty good, too.” Aside from the dud reading she gave me.
“I’ll go see for myself,” Janice says, wandering away.
There’s no time for me to shake off the nostalgia and mourning before my eyes lock onto another familiar face. My lips part. Shock hits me like a burst of air.
“Denise?” I close the space between us, striding toward the crystal display she’s admiring.
“What?” My old boss turns to me with a smirk. “You didn’t think I would hear about this?”
I shake my head. “I didn’t realize news spread so far.”
“Well, it did.”
“And…?”
“I’m impressed.” She nods. “When I told you to find something you care about, I didn’t think this would be it.”
“Neither did I.”
“But you do care, right?” Something about the way she looks at me makes me uneasy. It’s not as if she has ill intentions. Her gaze sweeps over me, and it feels like she’s trying to figure me out…
Like she knows something I don’t.
“I do,” I say.
It doesn’t feel like a lie. Caring about the family apothecaryis synonymous with caring about my mother. Of course, I care.
“Good.” Denise smiles. “I’m excited for you. If you need any help with the business side of things…”
“I still have your number.”
