Page 21 of Brews and Banishments
Tessa sighed. “Three.”
“I can’t imagine.”
“They’re bright kids,” Tessa said. “I was in the library last weekend and they were using the computer lab for their schoolwork.” She shook her head, her eyes holding onto Maria scrambling around. “All three of them made the Honor Roll, from what I could see. I know Maria is proud.”
“But can you see yourself raising three kids, working three jobs, all on your own?” Daisy asked, though she wasn’t really asking anyone in particular. The question hung in her own mind as she grew wistful for a time long gone.
Tessa scooted closer to her. “Are you thinking about Gary?”
“Do you even have to ask?” Daisy laughed lightly, though there wasn’t any humor in it.
“It’s okay to still feel that pain. Especially when there’s someone going through it in their own way.”
Daisy shook her head. “It feels like an insult to Maria.”
“Whatever for?” Tessa faced her. “Do not compare your pain, Daisy. You both feel it all the same, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
No matter what emotion began to wash over Daisy, she couldn’t take her eyes off of Maria. The woman was barely over forty, looked like she was still thirty, and had experienced a tragedy most would never have to know. Her late husband had perished in a horrid accident, one that was even out of the state. How could a mother of three survive when she didn’t even realize her husband wouldn’t be coming home one night?
Daisy felt choked up with memories, the image of Gary hovering in the back of her mind. If she closed her eyes, even for a second, he would appear there, as if he had never left in the first place. And if she concentrated, Daisy could imagine him growing grey, the age she never got to see him reach gently showing across his skin.
“Daisy,” Tessa suddenly said. “Talk to me.”
“Losing Gary in my twenties was a pain I never thought would be possible,” Daisy whispered. “We were practically newlyweds still. He hadn’t a grey hair on his entire head. Though he might’ve been quick to disagree.” Daisy smiled wistfully. “But Maria…she had her husband beside her for years. She saw himchange, saw him age, saw him grow and fall. To suddenly have that ripped from your hands is unimaginable.”
Tessa watched her closely.
“And three kids?” Daisy shook her head with a scoff. “Maybe if mine -” She stopped herself short, wrapping a protective arm over her stomach, like she always did when she imagined her child, the soul she was unable to keep safe. “Maybe if life played out differently, I could understand her pain better. I could support her more.”
“Daisy,” Tessa cooed, “your pain is as powerful as hers. A simple smile is more than enough.”
“But if that was the most painful thing for me, can you even begin to imagine the life Maria will be forced to live?”
Tessa sighed. “No,” she whispered. “I don’t think I can.”
Keeping her gaze focused on Maria, Daisy swallowed the tears that threatened to fall. The last thing she needed was to be burdened by her own heartache once more. Though she knew that it always clung to her, never once leaving, Daisy couldn’t allow it to run her when there was someone like Maria lingering nearby. If Daisy was in her shoes, she would’ve wanted a smiling face to greet her, a helping hand to keep her moving forward. Not more unwarranted sadness.
Tessa reached, gently taking Daisy’s hand into her own and squeezing. Without saying a word, Tessa began to rub her thumb along Daisy’s palm in rhythmic movements. Only a second or two passed, and Daisy felt the magic begin to seep into her skin, in the same way that sunscreen settled against the skin. Tessa traced symbols and words against her hand, her lips moving so slightly she could barely catch it.
Daisy pressed her lips together. The ease was beginning to travel into her, but she wasn’t sure how much she wanted it, when someone like Maria didn’t have a thing to lift the sorrow off her shoulders.
“I only wish,” Daisy paused, the words hanging in the air, “I wish Maria’s life could be easier. For her and her children.”
Tessa sighed. “Me too.”
From across the street, Maria looked both ways before jogging across the street. As she came up to them, they got a better look at her. Deep bags rested below Maria’s eyes, the exhaustion obvious in the way her shoulders sagged, how her hair looked like it had been unwashed.
“Enjoying the sun, ladies?” Maria asked, her voice hollow and coarse.
Daisy gave her the best smile she could muster. “We are,” she said. “You look to be working hard, Maria.”
“Well,” she paused before shrugging, “you know how it is.”
Tessa leaned forward. “How are the kids?”
“Better,” Maria replied with a firm nod. “They have a nice therapist at school and spend most of their time at the public library before heading home. It’s better not to be there so much, you know?”
Daisy felt a pit grow in her stomach. “And what about you, Maria?”
