Page 65 of Heal Me

“She only smokes in her car on her way to gamble. Aunt Callie would have a conniption if Grandma smoked in the apartment.”

“Where is Callie this evening?”

“Out to dinner with friends. And by ‘dinner’ I mean drinking disgusting green juice in a juice bar.”

“Better her than me.” Aubry’s aunt is a health nut. She’s tried repeatedly to get me to go on a juice cleanse with her. No, thank you. I’ll be cranky enough as it is just studying for my upcoming finals. I don’t need to throw hunger pangs into the mix.

“My thoughts exactly. So when I choose the intention I want to infuse into my dish, I pick the corresponding herbs. Tonight’s dinner is all about protection. Can you chop up the mint and dill for me?” she asks, giving the chicken a turn with tongs. “Mentally set the intention protection while you’re chopping and then add the herbs to the tzatziki. I like to hold my hands over the finished dish for a final infusion of my intention.” I do as instructed, give the dip a stir, then hold my hands over it and imagine the word protection pouring from my fingertips into the bowl.

“Did you check out any metaphysical shops? I just wonder how Memphis Magic compares to ye ole Salem magic shops,” Aubry says as she takes the chicken out of the pan and places it on a plate.

“One. The woman who ran it wasn’t too welcoming. Maybe she could tell I’m a baby witch.”

“Some witches take themselves way too seriously.”

“Way too seriously,” I agree, glancing at our matching Hocus Pocus T-shirts I bought us on the trip.

The doorbell rings. “Can you grab the hummus out of the fridge?”

“Sure thing,” I say.

Aubry walks over to answer the door and jumps like a scared cat when Damion materializes there first. “Stop that, or I’m warding you out. I mean it.” Glad to see it isn’t just me who startles when her boyfriend “pops in.”

He whispers something in her ear before opening the door. Gabe walks inside looking sexy in a navy three-piece suit. “Cupid, you don’t have to prove to us that you’re a lawyer. I’ll vouch for your credentials,” Damion ribs.

“Thanks for that,” he says smartly. He’s now wearing his Ole Miss T-shirt and joggers. Fine by me, because either way is sexy. “I’m late because I was cleaning up your mess.”

“Then you shouldn’t have messed with my office,” Damion retorts.

“And as I predicted, I’ll never hear the end of it.” Gabe walks over to me and greets me with a kiss. “And then I spent the rest of the time cleaning up my boat,” he tells me.

“Why?”

He holds up a picture on his phone. Red glitter hearts are painted all over his boat now named Pristine Condition.

I laugh and he gives me an aggrieved look. “I’m sorry,” I say, trying to wipe the smile off my face. “You did tell Turek to return your boat in pristine condition,” I remind him as I pat his cheek.

We eat a delicious dinner of chicken pitas with hummus and tzatziki sauce. I’m not sure if my intention worked, but I certainly do feel safe and protected around my friends.

“Whose turn is it to pick tonight’s movie?” I ask as we clear the dishes and move to the couch.

“Mine,” Aubry and Damion say at the same time.

“Not so fast. Let me consult the list.” Gabe produces a small notebook. Of course he keeps track. “Damion, it’s your turn.”

Aubry makes a disgruntled noise, and Damion responds with a kissy kissy face. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present There Will Be Blood.”

“Morbid selection, but alright,” Aubry says, shrugging.

“So you’ve seen it, then?” Damion challenges.

“You know I haven’t,” she says with crossed arms.

“If the children will please be quiet,” Gabe shushes everyone and I smile. All’s right with the world.

Once we’ve finished our movie and returned home, Gabe’s in bed going over his file for tomorrow. I’m hiding in the bathroom, feeling a little silly wearing the pointy witch hat he got me in Salem. But how could it hurt matters?

Sewing the finishing touches on the poppet, I add Gabe’s feather and hold it in my hands, infusing my healing intention. I’m not the best seamstress, but the cloth doll will hopefully work for my purpose. I’ve stuffed it with skullcap, marigold, and dried dandelion root, herbs known for their scar-healing properties, and pinned a small picture of Gabe to the face.

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