Page 14 of Witchful Thinking

“I wish.” Lucy cradled the candle in her hand, but she stopped, unsure.

It danced and dared her to act. There needed to be a sacrifice to the flame, a promise that she believed in the spell. She, unlike her sisters and cousin, felt compelled to give more, give a gift of credence because she’d turned away from magic since Nana’s passing. She was the firstborn witch, a powerful and blessed position to have in the family, yet she used magic sparingly. Lucy fetched the Madame Zora fortune and a shallow glass bowl. Let go of what scares you. Seek the life you desire. She held the fortune over the candle until it caught on fire. It burned quickly, and she watched it as it was devoured by the flame. Then she let it drop to the bowl and burn, until nothing was left but smoldering ashes.

What do you want? Late-night calls. Kisses sweeter than honey. Someone that will stir my soul. Stupid inside jokes. Fun dates. Sharing hopes and fears. To feel safe and secure. A space of my own. In a long, steady breath, she smothered the flame until all that remained was a simmering curl of smoke that tickled her nose. Ursula tucked the dime away in her pocket. Lucy let out a long, audible breath. It felt as if a dimmer switch had turned on within, her inner light once dull, turned up. The net was thrown. The wish was cast.

Chapter Five

Ad Astra was not the place to throw a tantrum. The upscale restaurant, voted one of the best places to dine in Monmouth County, was the place to go for special events and tastings for those who wanted a touch of elegance. Countless anniversaries and engagements were celebrated at Ad Astra, which promised customers a trip to the stars with every dish. Alex felt like he was on the planet formerly known as Pluto at this moment. He stared at the dish in front of him, which wasn’t the seaweed and kale wrap he’d ordered but a pair of keys with an address tag attached.

“I don’t think I ordered this.”

“No, we did,” Mom sang.

Alex glanced over at his brother, Horatio, who held up his hands in confusion. From his wrinkled forehead, it was clear he had no clue what was going on, either. Alex looked to his mom. Her graying locs were pinned up with a seashell clip. She wore a bright tropical-blue dress that reminded him of the Caribbean Sea. Mom reached into her bra, where she always kept her phone and mad money, and aimed the camera at him.

“Happy birthday! We bought you a house!” Mom snapped a few pictures. The flash made his brain hurt. “The look on your face is priceless! Nate, I knew he’d be so surprised!”

“You don’t have to thank us, son,” Pop said in a baritone that practically shook the water glasses at their table. Alex blinked, then clenched his jaw. An old joke repeated in his head, teasing from all the times he’d found himself the target of the class clown during his school days.

How did the mermaid get a loan for a new house? She went to the riverbank.

He didn’t want his cursing to ruin anyone’s romantic moment at Ad Astra. He scooped up the keys, trying to figure out whether they were real.

“Say something,” Mom encouraged, snapping another picture.

“I don’t—” He stammered to a stop, trying to figure out the rest of the sentence. I don’t want this, his mind screamed, but he didn’t say those words. He didn’t want to ruin this day. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Ask us anything!”

“How did you afford this?” he asked, dread creeping up his spine. Mom and Pop did well for themselves, but they were close to retirement age. They needed to save money for future emergencies, not buy random stuff, like a whole house.

“That’s not what you ask when you get a gift.” Mom pouted. “We had money saved up, and well, we saw a property that we couldn’t pass up.”

“The bank was eager for a buyer, and the neighborhood is enchanting,” Pop said with a wink. Alex held back a dubious cough. Everything in the Grove, even public dressing rooms on the boardwalk with painted suns and moons on the doors, was touted as an “enchanting experience.” The word meant nothing to him anymore. He paused for a moment. That statement wasn’t completely true. His mind flashed back to Lucy standing by the fortune-telling booth, covered in magical symbols. She had been enchanting as usual. It wasn’t until he was back at his car did it occur to him to invite her to join his birthday dinner. He focused back on the gift in his hand.

Alex read the address tag: “1324 Summerfield Street.”

Once Horatio heard the address, he visibly paled. He stared blankly at their parents. “Seriously, y’all?”

Alex sat back, watching the exchange.

“It’s not a big deal,” Pop said, without an ounce of apology. “It’s one of those old houses. It’s a good investment.”

“It’s more than that,” Horatio responded. “You should’ve called me before you bought any house—especially this house. I would’ve inspected it for you.”

“Sometimes you just have to move on a good deal.”

“You know what also moves?” Horatio asked no one. “Termites. Water bugs. Ants.”

“Please don’t get so upset,” Mom said. She reached for the saltshaker and sprinkled a generous amount into her water glass. Like most merfolk, they enjoyed a cold glass of saltwater with their meals. The couple across from their table watched her with interest. Alex let out an annoyed sigh. Humans.

“Can we discuss this later?” Alex asked in a low voice.

“Ants won’t wait to damage your wood,” Horatio said in a foreboding tone.

While Horatio outlined the horrors of not thoroughly checking a property before purchasing it to Mom and Pop, Alex peered at the keys. The silver clashed against his scales, making for a disjointed image. No one in his family owned a house. Dwyers moved. Traveled. They didn’t stay still. They did month-to-month leases just because it was easier than having to deal with the paperwork. Once Horatio brought up ideal weather conditions for water bugs in houses, Mom’s face fell. Alex held up a hand. Horatio stopped talking. Pop remained silent.

“We didn’t want to ruin the surprise.” A slightly tentative look entered Mom’s bright rust-brown eyes. “I hope you’re not upset. We wanted you to have a special gift.”

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