Page 2 of Magic & Mochas
Without waking Silas, I slipped out and headed for the dining room.Mom finished setting the table as I walked in.
“You’re just in time.I was about to ladle some chili into your bread bowl.I made the sourdough fresh this morning,” she said with a wink.
My mouth watered.Mom’s sourdough was my favorite.No matter how many times I tried to make it, mine just never came out quite right.
She served the food, and the three of us sat down around the table to eat.The blend of spices in the apple cider was divine, and her chili warmed me from the inside out, though the warmth stopped just shy of my heart.
The sounds of splashing spoons and glasses clinking filled the air, but after a while, my mother asked tentatively, “Do you want to talk about it?”
A lump rose in my throat.“Not yet.”
She nodded one too many times.A hint of tension laced the air, until my dad cleared his throat and prompted, “Ginger, why don’t you tell Clove all about Mrs.Virgil’s news?”
I perked up.“Mrs.Virgil?”
The satyr had run a cute little café on main street for as long as I could remember.I loved spending time there after school when I was little, sipping iced coffees while I did my spellwork.
My mom eagerly latched onto the topic.“Yes, that’s right!After her last child went off to college, she decided to travel the world, and left early last year.She’s been planning this trip for ages; I know there are at least seven different forests and five branches of the family she wanted to visit.”
“That’s wonderful news!”She had always worked so hard on her café, so I was happy to hear she was taking a little vacation for herself.“Which one of her older children took over the family business?”
Mom and dad exchanged a look.It was a look I knew all too well, the one that meant they had bad news they didn’t want to break to me.
“Pumpkin, the thing is…none of her children had any interest in running the café.Mrs.Virgil shut it down and put the building up for sale.”He smiled sadly.“Though it hasn’t sold yet.”
My spoon froze halfway to my mouth.“What?!”How couldnoneof her kids have wanted to continue the thriving family business?There weresevenof them, for crying out loud!Had theyalldecided to be adventurers or apothecaries or something?“The café is…gone?”
“I’m afraid so.”My mom patted my hand comfortingly.“I know how much you loved spending time there.It’s a shame to think of it sitting empty—both the café and the apartment above it.”
I slowly lowered my spoon as a crazy, completely ridiculous idea popped into my head.“How much…” I licked my lips.“How much is she asking for it?For the building, I mean?”
The dreams of a younger me flitted through my mind.Dreams of running my own cozy little café, one filled with the aroma of coffee and the sound of music and laughter.And as impossible as it once seemed, perhaps the only thing holding me back now was myself.
For once in my life, I was done putting someone else’s dreams before my own.
Plus, since it came with an apartment, I could move out of my parents’ house and get a shred of my independence and dignity back.
My parents exchanged another look.Mom pulled out her magically expanding bag and rifled through it, until she pulled out a flyer and handed it to me.“This is the asking price.But why do you want to know?”
I scanned the flyer, my turquoise eyes quickly finding the number I was looking for.If I drained my savings, I should be able to afford the down payment.Barely.“Because I’m going to buy it.”
“Now, pumpkin, take some time to think this through.I know you used to love that old café, but you don’t need to give up on your bright future in the big city to save it.”Concern creased my dad’s forehead.
“Ihavethought about it.For longer than you might guess.”My heart was racing, but my voice was steady.I had promised myself that one day, if the opportunity presented itself to escape the rat race, I would take it.
Everyday in my corporate job, I had dreamed of living a slower life, a cozier life.One where I answered to no one except myself, and where I could sip my morning coffee while looking out at my little garden or flower boxes before opening my shop for the day.One where I could finally wear all the cute little dresses and frocks shoved in the back of my closet, and come home before the sun set.A life that truly felt like mine—a life worth living.
Even if that looked different from what I wassupposedto want.From what myparentswanted for me.From what everyone elseexpectedof me.
My mom took my hands, the calluses on her palms from a lifetime of working as a hedgewitch feeling like sandpaper against my skin.“Sweetie, we just want what’s best for you.We want you to be able to do all of the things we never could.”
“I know.”Guilt wormed its way through my heart.My parents had never had the opportunity to go to college, or to leave Willowmere.My mom had worked her fingers to the bone to give me that chance.
Was I a terrible daughter for throwing it away?
My dad put a hand on his wife’s shoulder, his green eyes softening.“Owning a small business is no picnic.Are you certain this is what will make you happy?”
“I am.”I would take mopping floors and polishing glasses over drafting spreadsheets and office politics any day.And at least here, I would not have to hide my magic like I did in the city of Seattle.
