Page 39 of Thirsty
It wasn’t until they’d said it aloud that it seemed to strike both of them that everyone else in the room had gone. Their eyes met for a loaded moment.
“Okay, well—” Charlie said, as Lorenzo chimed in with “Yes, goodnight.” They both stood, and Lorenzo busied himself with cleaning up the game so he didn’t have to watch Charlie leave.
He turned back just before he’d reached the door. “Oh, hey—are we still on for that thing tomorrow night? You finally found me some witches?”
Lorenzo had almost forgotten. He was seeing a lot of Charlie these days, and it was starting to feel natural in a way he didn’t want to examine. “Yes,” he said. “We are.”
“Great,” Charlie said with a wide smile. Lorenzo’s lifeless stomach fluttered. “Can’t wait.”
He smiled again as he left. Lorenzo only relaxed when he was gone, and realized when he opened his hand that he was still holding a rumpled card that saidLIAR.
From: [email protected]
Date: Feb 26, 9:08 AM
Subject: [Anon Please] House-Flipping
Dear Crone,
I own a house-flipping company: I mostly handle the financials and sales aspects, and my business partner handles the construction and is also a medium who can speak with the dead. Lately business has been booming—we’ve been on this amazing streak of getting properties at rock-bottom prices. But when I mentioned this run of luck to my partner, he reacted oddly—almost like he felt guilty about it. I later heard from one of the parties we purchased a home from that the only reason it went for so little was that every time tours came through, there was moaning in the walls and dismembered arms trying to crawl out of the toilet in the powder room. I didn’t notice anything strange on our walk-through, but now I’m wondering if my partner might have been using his abilities to direct ghosts to these houses and get them for us for a bargain. Should I confront him with my suspicions?
Sincerely,
Ghost Flipper
From: [email protected]
Date: April 5, 1:13 PM
Subject: Leprechaun Litmus
Dear Wise Old Crone,
This is probably a stupid question, but—how can you tell if you’rereallya mystical creature? I know it’s technically all about bloodlines, and my mom’s family are leprechauns (my dad’s are human), but I have barely any magic, and I do “pass” as human. I still think of myself as half-leprechaun though—except that when I say that around my mom’s family, they get really offended. I know leprechauns have to deal with a ton of prejudice and bullshit that I’ve never had to. But I don’t want to just call myself a human when I know that’s not true. But maybe it is, in every way that counts? How do you know if you’re paranormal “enough”?
Sincerely,
Hearts, Stars, and Questions
Wise Old Crone
How Do I Know My Own Feelings?
My friend is marrying into a great pack, but I want her to howl at me.
June 2
Dear Crone,
My best friend “Xara” and I have been BFFs our whole lives—we literally grew up across the street from each other, and our parents’ photo albums are full of pictures of us both as toddlers running around playing together. We went to high school together, made the same fashion mistakes, went through all the millennial traumas together, and still hang out almost every night to this day.
A few months ago Xara got engaged to a great guy who I totally get along with. Her family’s really excited about it because he’s a werewolf just like she is, so I guess that’s great for the pack or whatever. But ever since Xara got engaged, I see so much less of her than I’m used to, and it’s really bugging me. I get that wedding planning is a lot of work (especially when you’re dealing with moon phases and blood feuds between packs). But it’s like she’s never emotionally available anymore—all our hangouts are quick catch-ups, not the all-night deep talks we used to have. It feels like the Xara I have now is just a pale imitation of the woman I used to have in my life.
And all this emotion that’s being stirred up has me wondering if maybe my feelings for Xara are stronger than friendship. The thought of her moving in with her fiancé and starting a family with him makes me sick. I can’t stop thinking about her. All I want to do is spend the rest of my life with Xara, just the way we’ve always been. Does it sound like my feelings are romantic, or is this normal for friendship? And if it is love, what do I do? Beg herto leave her fiancé? Tell her that I want to be the one she chases through the woods under the moonlight? I just don’t know.
