Mayhem in Jinx Cove

by Savannah Mae

  “See, I told you. Eventually, people figure out that we’re not as bad as they think we are.” Calypso winked at me.

  I didn’t know how to take that, so I splashed a silly grin across my face, hoping that would satisfy the sisters.

  Lyra squeezed her way into the booth, next to Calypso. “Your parents said we’d find you here.

  “My parents?”

  “Sure. We had a nice talk with them. They’re such wonderful people,” Lyra offered.

  “You spoke to my parents?” I asked for clarification.

  Lyra giggled. “Oh, Calypso didn’t tell you? Yes, we paid them a visit after your mother contacted us.” She paused while I gasped at this revelation. “At any rate, I’m just glad they’ve found a new place to live. They’ll love living in town. It will be so nice to have your family next door to us.”

  I clutched the table to keep myself from toppling over in shock.

  Chapter Ten

  “All I’m saying is I don’t understand why you would have sought advice from the Jinx sisters. Aren’t they the very same women you spent nearly every day of my life warning me to steer clear of them?” I’d spent the last two hours trying to make sense of the inexplicable developments.

  My father removed his reading glasses from his face to rub his eyes. “Honey, we never told you that they were bad people. Our only concern was that you’d fall prey to some of the vicious tales spun about them and their rather eccentric way of life. We’d never tell you not to speak to someone, unless of course, they were dangerous people or involved in illegal activities.”

  His words weren’t doing anything to halt my frustration. The fact of the matter was we were still moving into a small house situated a mere five feet from the Jinx sisters’ lifelong home. How did that become my new reality?

  I sighed. “We’re honestly going to move into that house?”

  “Sweetheart, don’t pout. You’ll get wrinkles,” my mother warned me.

  “Good. Maybe, I’ll ask the witches to cook up a potion to help me with that someday,” I groaned.

  My father’s eyes narrowed for a moment, before he realized I was joking. “If they can do that, where do I sign up?”

  I grinned. “Why are you giving in to Zephyr’s demands? Where did you meet him?”

  My parents exchanged glances.

  All my life, they’d been upfront with me about everything, keeping things age appropriate, but never once had they intentionally mislead me. Now, I worried why the sudden secrecy. What weren’t they telling me?

  “Melanie, we’re fine. We’ll be fine. We don’t want to add any unnecessary stress to our lives. What matters is that we are all together again. We can be thankful for that,” my mother tried to assure me.

  I sunk deeper into my seat on the sofa, determined to not let myself get worked up over things I couldn’t control.

  My father patted my leg. “Change will be good for us. We’ve enjoyed this house. We’ll miss it, but that won’t erase our memories.” His voice cracked.

  I had to turn away from him. I didn’t want him to see how much it angered me. No matter what happened, I was determined to do whatever I could to fix their situation, even if that meant having to face Zephyr alone and using Miss Maita’s advice to get me there. As for the Jinx sisters, I still had my doubts about them. It seemed like every time they were anywhere nearby something crazy happened.

  “Dad, you know I love you and Mom with all my heart, but I can’t sit here and watch you ride off into the sunset without putting up a fight,” I said. “Where did you meet this man?”

  My mother looked to my father before hanging her head and answering, “We didn’t seek him out; he found us. Your father and I were beginning to feel the pinch and we sought counsel from a friend… well, she tried to help and the next thing we knew Zephyr Willis gave us a call.”

  I asked, “What friend? I hope you’re not friends with that person now.”

  My father chuckled nervously. “We’re still friends. There’s no reason to end a friendship.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Are you kidding me?”

  My mother answered. “It was Naomi.”

  I knew it! Naomi and my mother had been friends my whole life. She was a longtime patron at the library. That led to her volunteering to run the annual book giveaway and the summer reading program. Naomi was nice enough, but tended to lean heavily to the eccentric side. If she didn’t also happen to be Ben’s mother, I’d warn any and everyone who had occasion to visit Jinx Cove to steer clear of her, more so than the Jinx sisters because Naomi had a reputation for being the town nuisance. Every new fad became her new cause. I can’t tell you how many cockamamie ideas she cooked up over the years. From the one and only Swimsuit Parade down at the local nursing home to the Naughty Book Club at the Senior Center, Naomi always had some wildly elaborate cause to take up, usually volunteering friends and family to participate alongside her.

  My father intervened. “Naomi is the way she is. We can’t change that. She meant well, so no reason to get upset. “I’m sure she didn’t know how things would turn out.”

  “I don’t blame her. I love her. She’s like my crazy aunt, but still, you took her word for it that Zephyr was reputable? Where did she find him?” I rolled my eyes, knowing full-well where Naomi got most of her information - the internet. For someone who read as much as she did, you’d be surprised how often she turned to social media for important details, like places to eat and hotels to stay in when she traveled. I can’t tell you how many times searches like that landed us in seedy hotels and with several bad cases of food poisoning over the years.

  My mother hummed as she tried to recall.

  “I think she met him when he first moved into the area,” my father said.

  “Where does he live? I asked Ben and he said he’d never seen him before.” I noticed my mother’s eyebrow twitch. The stress was clearly getting to her.

  “He bought the old Keith farm outside of Hog’s Nest. My understanding is that he got tired of living out of a suitcase and traveling from city to city. He and his wife decided to chuck it all and move to the countryside.” My father put his hand on my mother’s shoulder as he often did any time they were near each other.

  My mother placed her hand over his. “Yes, they did a complete renovation. It doesn’t look like anything I’d ever seen before. You’d be amazed.”

  “It’s practically a castle with a moat,” my father chimed in about how ostentatious the Willis property was. I wasn’t impressed.

  “He lives in Hog’s Nest?” That’s what surprised me.

  “Yes, it’s my understanding that they love it there,” my father answered.

  Since they were willing to answer questions, I had a few more for them. “Why did you invite the Jinx sisters over to discuss your situation?”

  My father swallowed hard. Apparently, I’d touched a nerve with him.

  My mother chose to respond this time. “You know, we’ve lived here for many years, long before your father and I married,” she started. “I’ve known the Jinx family for a long time. In fact, I met their great-grandfather when I was just a little girl.”

  “So, because you met their great-grandfather you thought it was a good idea to consult them?” I didn’t see the connection.

  “No, but I’m sure you’ve heard the things that have been said about the family,” my mother said, looking at my father for assistance.

  “Honey, they are old friends. Your mom thought they might be able to provide some insight. They’re quite familiar with people around here and she thought maybe they knew something about Zephyr that could help us,” my father explained.

  All I could think about was Calypso’s heated reaction every time I mentioned Zephyr’s name. Whatever it was they knew, couldn’t have been good. I had to wonder what they’d told my parents that prompted them to rent the house next door to them.

  I shook my head. “How many times did you warn me to steer clear of the Jinx sisters
? I just don’t get it. On one hand, you’re telling me they are not to be trusted and that they’re into things you don’t want me to have anything to do with. Now you want their advice? It doesn’t make sense.” I threw my hands in the air.

  We sat for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. I could see this was a touchy subject for them, but I wanted answers. When I thought about returning home, the only things that worried me had nothing to do with what had suddenly become my new reality. I longed for a conversation about how I’d given up too soon or how I hadn’t fought hard enough to keep my apartment or my job. I never anticipated I’d be sitting across from my normally level-headed parents discussing why they’d taken up with a band of supposed witches and the likes of someone like Zephyr. That wasn’t in the “How to return home after you’ve failed” manual.

  My mother cleared her throat. “Okay. I know you’re not going to like or understand this, but please bear with me.”

  It was either I stomp off like a third grader or I brace myself for what I was sure would be another mind-boggling revelation a la the Abney family - the people I thought I knew better than anyone on Earth.

  I nodded.

  “Your father and I would like to add the Jinx sisters back to the list of people we’d like for you to avoid contact with.” My mother cringed as she spoke.

  “And, please, never go to Hog’s Nest again or have any contact with Maita,” my father added.

  Cringing even more, my mother piped in with yet another addition to their growing list of people they would call when they were in a bind, but didn’t want me to speak to for some unknown reason. “And about Zephyr - stay away from him, his home, his business and anywhere else where he might frequent.”

  Are these people for real?

  “Who are you and what have you done with my parents?” I grumbled.

  “There is a method to our… our…” My father struggled to finish that thought. Admitting they were out of their minds would have been painful for him. He was a man of reason, or so I thought.

  “Madness.” I finished his thought. It was the least I could do given their circumstances.

  “We’re not mad, honey. Let’s just say we have our reasons and you’re going to have to trust us on this,” my mother implored me.

  Even though I’d learned nothing new from either one, I didn’t have any more fight left in me. Too much had happened. I’d had the strangest reading ever from a woman no one else seemed to like. I’d had my mind invaded - at least that’s how I’d explain it to the psychiatrist I’d eventually have to see after all of this was said and done, and I’d made nice with the local witches. Yeah, welcome home, Melanie. Welcome home.

  Left with no other choice, I sighed. The day had been too long already.

  My father clapped his hands together. “Good. Let’s not discuss it anymore. How about we make a nice dinner and sit and read for a spell?”

  Reading was something we did all the time. As the daughter of our town’s only librarian, it was fitting that we were a household that read.

  It would give me some time to look over the books that Ben had found about the Jinx family history. “Sounds like a good plan,” I said evenly.

  My mother’s eyes lingered on mine long enough for me to get the feeling she was trying to read my thoughts. When I tried to read hers, it was like a door shut, blocking me from her thoughts. Maybe the sensations I’d had were just an anomaly and I was miraculously cured from that sudden affliction. I hoped that would be the case.

  I followed my parents into the kitchen to help prepare dinner. I tried to focus on having a pleasant experience with my parents. The reality was this would be one of the last times we’d probably have in this house. It saddened me beyond explanation. This was my safe place. I had no memory of the woman who carried me in her womb, but I did have a plethora of memories surrounding this house.

  My father nudged me on the shoulder gently. “Honey, just enjoy the moment.”

  His comment, meant to comfort me and bring me back to the here and now, only saddened me more. It proved he had resigned himself to his fate.

  I whispered, “I’m trying.”

  I focused my eyes on the yard outside through the window. The black vultures were high atop their perch on a post across the road. “What in the world?” I grumbled under my breath. “Why are they back again?”

  My mother’s eyes followed my gaze as she placed a basket of vegetables on top the countertop for my father and I to begin to chop. “What’s wrong, sweetheart? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  I gulped, hoping that’s not what these vultures really were.

  My father walked to the window. “They’ve descended like locusts again. We’ll have to call someone about setting out traps and move them elsewhere.”

  I followed him to the window, mindful of the words Calypso had said, the vultures meant evil lurked nearby.

  “Dad, maybe we should just stay away from them too. They’re just waiting for an opportunity to pounce and gauge our eyes out,” I said, only half-joking.

  He snorted. “I don’t think they’re going to attack us. They are opportunists. They’re looking for something to feed from. Hopefully, it won’t be any household pets.”

  We stared up at the vultures for a few seconds more, then the phone rang, startling each of us.

  My mother wiped her hands on a dishtowel and answered the phone. “Hello?”

  We turned to face her.

  Her cheeks reddened. “Who is this?”

  My father moved closer to her, worry on his face. “What’s going on, Nelly?”

  A sharp pain pinched my head. “Ouch!”

  My father turned to me, alarmed by my outcry. “Sweetheart?”

  Behind him, the phone slipped out of my mother’s hand, falling with a crash to the ground.

  My head started throbbing. My vision was blurred. I heard my father say something, but I couldn’t make out the words. My mother’s voice echoed in the distance. The room started to spin, faster and faster.

  “Artemel. Artemel,” I heard a cacophony of voices echo in my head, as if chanting.

  I opened my mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t leave my mouth.

  Suddenly, the spinning became more forceful and my father’s voice rang in my ears. “Melanie. Melanie. Honey, open your eyes!”

  I hadn’t realized my eyes were closed until a flash of light from a flashlight was shining in my eyes as my parents stood over me, calling my name repeatedly.

  “What happened?” I was flat on my back in the middle of the kitchen. “My head hurts. It hurts so much.” I feared it might explode. The pain was too intense. I’d never felt anything like that in my life. I wasn’t prone to migraines. I don’t know where the intense pressure came from suddenly.

  I remained on the floor for several more minutes as my parents scurried to aid. I didn’t want to move. It was comforting to be this close to my parents and have them focusing on me. As sad as it was, my lying on the floor, writhing in pain made all the other problems pale in comparison. They were a non-issue in those few moments.

  “Sweetheart, we’re going to take you to the hospital,” my mother said as she rubbed my arm gently.

  “No. Please. That’s not necessary. I’m just stressed. I’ll be fine.”

  My father helped me into a sitting position, testing my equilibrium. “Honey, you need to be seen by a doctor.”

  I understood that, but I feared what a doctor would tell me. I didn’t need to pay someone to tell me I was losing my marbles.

  “What is Artemel?” I asked, remembering the refrain I’d heard.

  The collective gasp in the room, sucked the oxygen out of my lungs.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked as my parents looked at each other with panicked expressions.

  My father opened his mouth to speak, but stopped before saying a word.

  I looked to my mother, still unable to focus completely. “What is it? Do you know what it means?”

&
nbsp; “I think that’s a conversation for another time,” my father said.

  Despite the throbbing in my head, I wasn’t going to let them off the hook on this issue too. I wanted an answer.

  “What are you hiding from me? Why is everything such a secret now?” I asked.

  My mother rubbed my temples. “Melanie, we really need to focus on your health. We’re not hiding anything. Like I told you before, we don’t want any strife. We’ve had a good life. I’d like to think, we’ve given you the best life we could. There’s really no reason to focus on all the negativity. It really doesn’t matter. What matters is that we are together and that you’re happy. Please, let us take you to the hospital.”

  “No,” I struggled to get to my feet. “Please, stop treating me like a child. Tell me what is going on. How did things get this bad?”

  My father was never quick to anger, but he’d reached his boiling point, speaking sternly, he explained, “Do you want to know the whole story? Are you truly prepared to hear it?” He sighed heavily before continuing, “Your schooling was quite expensive. It was your dream and we did all we could to make that dream a reality. The economy changed and my business began to suffer. I took odd jobs to help keep us afloat. One of those jobs consisted of working for the new mortgage firm in town.” His eyes welled with angry tears.

  “You worked for Zephyr?” I had no idea.

  He shook his head. “I’d never met him. I had no idea who owned the business until Naomi introduced us to him.”

  My mother sniffled.

  I waited for my father to elaborate.

  “We were in a bind. Your mother mentioned it to her friend. Naomi knew someone who was making good money with investment properties. I took what we had to spare and invested it. It wasn’t much, so I thought if we failed, it wouldn’t matter too much. I was wrong. I made a mistake.” His voice broke.

  My mother finished his thought. “We didn’t read the fine print as best as we should have and now we’re paying the price for our negligence.”

  “Did he rob you?” I asked.