Page 141 of Charmed, I'm Sure
Mother above, I was tired of crying.
But how could I not, when the man I loved had told me,“It’s called a sunset pendant, so now you can carry our sunsets with you wherever you go.”
Needless to say, I’d swooned—hard. Then I’d fussed at him when I realized exactly how much he’d spent on it.
I let my mind drift as I watched customers chatter in the booths and browse the display cases. The grand reopening ofCharCutiewas going off without a hitch. I’d arrived to a line at the front door, and cheers erupted as I flipped the sign toopen.We’d been slammed since, and I’d never been more grateful for this small town.
I’d never been the one they rallied behind, and finally being on the receiving end of that kind of support? It was a feeling like no other.
“We’re out of mini king cakes, Mags,” Jaelyn said, rounding the counter with a fresh tray of pastries.
“Already? It’s only one o’clock.”
“They sell like hot cakes… Pun intended.”
We both laughed, but mine died off as the bell chimed over the door.
Sophie Larson had only set foot in my shop once in the three years I’d been open. And yet, there she was, looking no happier than I was to have her there.
“Sophie,” I greeted in my cherriest customer service voice.
She rolled her eyes, scoffing, but took another step forward as the bell chimed again behind her.
“Sophie Marie Larson,” a woman scolded as she stepped inside, and that’s when I realized exactly who she was—hermother.
And the way she was glaring at her daughter made me want to burst into laughter.
Sophie was Taylor’s age—thirty-four—so seeing her get reprimanded like a misbehaving teenager wascomical, to say the least. I risked a glance down at Jaelyn, who was crouched behind the pastry case, eyes wide, lips curled inward to keep from laughing.
“What’s happening?” she whispered.
“I don’t know—”
“Go. Now.” Mrs. Larson shoved her daughter forward.
“Shit, she’s coming this way.”
“Brace for impact,” Jae joked, ducking lower and busying herself with the pastry case.
Sophie huffed as she approached the counter, and I prayed to the triple goddesses that I could keep from cracking up. I had no ideawhat was happening, but I had a distinct feeling I needed a bucket of popcorn to fully enjoy it.
“Sophie. Mrs. Larson. How can I help you ladies today?”
“Hi, sweetie. I’ll grab some pastries in a bit, but first…” She nudged her daughter again, and I couldfeelthe way Sophie’s skin must have been crawling under her mother’s scorching glare.
“My daughter has something she’d like to say to you.”
Sophie took a deep breath, glaring at me as she ground out, “I’m. Sorry.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. I raised you better than that, missy. You do it right, and you do it right now.”
Sophie’s eyes widened, jaw tightening, but when she spoke again, her voice was less strained. “Magnolia, I’d like toapologizefor my part in making you feelunwelcomein this town. I was raised better than that, and bullying is wrong.”
There was no way inhellI believed a single word. But watching her squirm?Thatwas repentance enough.
Apparently not for her mother, though.
“Sophie,” Mrs. Larson ground out, her face turning a mottled shade of red.
