by Amy Gregory
“Whatever it is,” he opened the space between them, his palms holding her upper arms, “I promise it won’t upset me as much as seeing you near tears, my love. Now, out with it, then we can fix it.”
Jenny clenched her eyes closed, gritted her teeth, and took one long deep inhale. Counting to four, she exhaled, opened her eyes, and whispered, “Mom?” She threw her hand up. “I don’t want to know about her. I don’t care about her. I just need to know about wrinkles and transporting.”
“I was expecting this visit ever since you took the book about Hawaii home with you.” He winked. “Come, let’s go sit.”
“Where?” It was a knee-jerk question and a rude one at that. Her father only chuckled and pulled her gently by the hand toward the front porch.
Ah-ha. The only place that has chairs and no books.
“By the way, how did you know about the book? Or, better question, how could you even notice it was gone, Dad? This place…”
“Is in a very precise order. That’s how I know.” He tapped his head.
“You saying you have it in order in your head is no help to the rest of us in town.” She forced a smile. Jenny eased down onto the metal chair with a missing armrest, giving the nicer of the two to her father. “I don’t want to bring up something that makes you so sad. I just need to know how to transport without…you know. Getting lost.”
Confusion lined her father’s face. “Why would you get lost?”
“Or trapped in a wrinkle or stuck in some Goddess-knows-where realm. I don’t know.”
“It’s no different from how you transport now, honey. You just know where you want to go, and you’re there.”
Jenny studied her father carefully. “We’re not on the same page. I’m missing something. You don’t transport either. I thought it was because she got stuck…you know, and that’s why she never came back.”
“Jenny, darling, I transport all the time. It’s how I find a lot of my books for the library. It’s a perfectly safe form of travel. How do you go anywhere now?”
“Walk.”
“I know you live close to work and the square. But other places?”
“If I need to visit Mac or Zelda occasionally, I just drive.”
“But—”
“I’ve never left Assjacket, Dad. The only thing I use any delivery magic for is shipping products. That’s it.”
Her father was quiet for several long moments, then leaned back in his chair and looked upward at the peeling paint on the porch ceiling. “This is all my fault. I remember now, the wrinkle.
“Jenny, back then, when you came to me with that assignment, it caught me off guard. I didn’t know what to say when you were younger. I didn’t know how to make sure you knew it was never your fault that your mother went away on her own, so I said she couldn’t come back, but that she wanted to. I never meant to scare you. And I sure never meant for you to miss out on so much. I just never realized you didn’t go anywhere, and looking back, we never took any trips because I’m such bookworm. I like my quiet old dusty house filled with stories. I never had to leave, because reading could take me anywhere and not cost a dime. Can you forgive me, honey?” He reached out his hand.
“Oh, Dad. There’s nothing to forgive. I like our life. I even like my own home and never felt any weird need to get out and explore other places. I’m very much a creature of habit and routine.”
“You are old enough to know about your mother.” He paused for a several moments, his gaze set on the driveway, the two gravel strips with grass and weeds filling the spaces between them. His car was hidden in the rickety detached garage. “She didn’t get stuck in a wrinkle. That doesn’t happen unless under very odd circumstances, usually dealing with magic between two forces, and one outpowers the other. Basically, if you’re fighting with anyone, especially with any amount of dark magic—stay put. Other than that, you’re perfectly fine to travel anywhere you want, any time you want.”
“So, is there still a chance I could get stuck?”
“It’s only happened once I know of, and Zelda could explain it in better detail than me. Nothing to worry about, I promise. But that isn’t what happened to your mother. She…we…aren’t from here. Before you were born, she and I both grew up in a town very much like Assjacket, but on the West Coast.
“Lydia and I grew up going to the same school. And I can tell you with absolute certainty, so you know and never question your bloodline, she is all white magic. However, as much as I wanted her to love me, you, and our family—there was always someone else. I was too blind to see it, or so in love with her, I ignored it. Until I couldn’t. When you were two, she said she wanted a life with Alfred instead. I would have stayed there in Oregon, but she said she wanted to move away with him and just him. She scribbled a note and signed it, giving up any claim as a parent.”
Jenny watched as her father blinked a couple of times and then ran a knuckle over his eyes. Pain and heat ran through her like she’d never felt before. Seeing him so torn up made her own tears start to pool. “Oh, Dad. I’m so sorry.”
“No, don’t you see?” He turned toward her, sandwiching her hand between his. “I’m the one who’s sorry. You grew up without a mother, and there was nothing I could do about it. I thought if I let her go, let her have her new love, she’d still be a good mother. I had no clue that if I gave her what she wanted, she’d take it to such an extreme.”
“I’m better off. Our life together, it’s been perfect in every way, Dad. I wouldn’t have changed one single thing.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because I have the best father in the whole entire realm.” She smiled through her tears.
Chapter 13
“Tell ya what, kiddo, let’s do something, an experiment of sorts.” Jenny let her father lead her back through his front door, then stopped in the living room beside him. “You stand here.” He nudged her into a space only a few inches in front of him. “Now, what I want you to do is close your eyes, think of your kitchen, and then, when you’re ready, whisper to yourself where we’re going to go. I’ll hold your hand, and that way, you’ll take me with you.”
Fuck a duck. No way. Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy.
“I’m not ready, Dad.”
“You’ve always been ready, and as your father, it’s my responsibility to show you that you’re safe and completely in control of this. I know you’re nervous, and if you puke on me, I may chain react on you.” He winked. “Let’s go. Don’t think about it so hard you get spooked.”
“Get spooked? I’m fucking terrified out of my gourd, are you kidding me?”
“All the more reason to get it over with.” He held out his hand.
Jenny stared at his skin. A bit of age had left its mark, a small sunspot, a few wrinkles, but the same strong, safe hands she’d always trusted to catch her through life. “Are you sure about this?”
“I would never do anything to hurt the one thing in my life I truly care about. Now, off to your house. Get, get, get.”
She took his hand, let the warmth and trust she had in him seep through her, and took a deep breath. As she was told, she closed her eyes and pictured the antique baby-blue stove and matching refrigerator, the white farmhouse sink, the pale blue checkered curtains fluttering in the breeze.
“My kitchen,” she whispered.
Nothing happened. She didn’t move, she didn’t feel any whizzing, hear any loud whooshing rushes of air zapping past her. Just nothing.
“Open your eyes, darling. You did it.”
Her father’s voice was full of pride. When she did as she was told, Jenny opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She turned a full circle, taking in every inch of her beloved room, the one she spent hours in, baking and creating new sweet treats. “Oh, my Goddess. What? How? But we never even moved?”
“What did you expect? Some big tornado of a gust that was going to blow us here?” He chuckled. “It’s not that dramatic, sweetheart. You just decide when an
d where, and then…” He shrugged. “You go. Simple as that. Want to try again?”
Jenny grinned, nodding. “Can we? Will you come with me again?”
He lowered his head, his brow raised. It was a look she’d seen dozens of times over the last century at least. One that made her know she was ridiculous to question him. “Do you even have to ask? Of course.”
Jenny reached for his hand once more. “Lessy’s yard.”
“Well, hello, you two,” Bill greeted them.
Jenny opened her eyes and glanced around. “What did I do wrong?”
“I’m assuming you mentioned Lessy’s, but did you specify where?” her father asked.
“I said yard.”
He shrugged. “That’s okay. You’re in the yard, just the back instead of the front. I’m assuming you meant to be able to knock on the front door?”
“That’s all right. Here, sit down, join us.” Lessy pulled out two patio chairs, and Jenny and her father sat. “How in the world did you get her to try transporting, Mr. Von Zuzle? I’ve been trying since I moved here. This is awesome, Jenny. Think of all the places we can go now.”
“I don’t know about that yet. I can’t even end up exactly where I meant to. I think I’ve got a few things to learn. This is way harder than just driving,” Jenny replied. “How embarrassing.”
The patio door opened, and Bill’s friend walked through, holding a glass of juice. Jenny wanted to transport her way out of his view, but it was too late. His smile broadened.
Bill piped up. “Mr. Von Zuzle, this is a good friend of mine from back in Vermont. Joshua Englewoodie, meet Jenny’s father.
The men shook hands. “Englewoodie? That name rings a bell.” Her father tapped his lip, looking perplexed. “Have you ever been…yes… I read an article about you and your father. You have quite a corner on niche real estate deals. It’s nice to meet you, young man.”
I will not laugh. I will not laugh. I will not laugh.
Jenny bit the inside of her cheek and dug her nails into her palms. Nothing was helping. She turned away from the table, covering her mouth, trying to fake a cough to cover the gasp of air. It was a losing battle.
“Jenny, honey, are you all right?” her father asked. She shook her head but didn’t dare turn around. “Have you met this young fellow yet? The Englewoodies have an amazing reputation in the travel world. I bet he could tell you all about Hawaii, more than what’s in the book you’ve been reading. And if you go, you could visit Grandma Von Zuzle while you’re there. You know how much she’d love that.”
Jenny lost it. It was mean, wrong on about three different levels, rude, and insensitive. But not even the mention of her grandmother could rip her mind from the gutter. Lessy had already revealed that Joshua was particularly sore about growing up with a name that offered so many obvious jokes to be made against him. It didn’t stop her fit of laughter. The more she tried to stop, telling herself she was being an awful immortal being, the less she could contain herself.
“Jenny, what is so funny?” her father asked.
“You know, only someone as beautiful as you can get away with this.” Joshua’s voice was as smooth as honey, with a hint of teasing. But he’d stopped all laughter with one word.
Beautiful? Me?
Her chair started to turn, and she realized Bill was moving it back to face the table and the people around it, but mainly the one man across from her.
“Well, well, well. I take it you two have met already?” her father observed.
“Yes, sir. Under some rather embarrassing circumstances that I had to apologize for. I don’t think I’ve made the best impression on your daughter, although I believe she’s left quite a mark on me.”
“Me?” Jenny squeaked.
“Yes, you. Why would I say something like that and not mean it? Especially in front of your father.”
He wasn’t joking. The tone of his voice definitely held a fair amount of concern mixed with confusion. It reminded her how little she knew of him, but from what she’d pieced together, they would never have been in the same inner circles anywhere else in the world. She was too small town; he was big city. She was T-shirts and ponytails; he was designer labels. She loved working at the Assjacket Diner; he traveled the globe for a living. Given some time, Jenny was sure their list of differences could grow longer.
“Joshua, why don’t you tell me a little bit more about yourself, work, family, all the nitty gritty details a father should know about a young gentleman caller interested in his one and only daughter.”
“Dad?” She tried to squash the interrogation, which was embarrassing already, but to have it be so obvious, and in front of her friends… “What are you doing?”
“It’s fine. I’m flattered by the response, actually.” Joshua winked at her. “I’ve never met anyone’s father, at least not who I didn’t already know from business, that is. I think it’s charming. There’s something very classic, almost as if it’s a tradition.”
“Definitely not with the East Coast, especially New York, kind of women who have been texting all day and night since you got here, huh, bud?” Bill joked.
Women had been chasing Joshua while he was here? Who was she to think she’d ever be able to compete with the kind of crowd it sounded like he ran with? And she sure as hell didn’t want to join him there. Out all hours, clubbing, listening to loud music, wearing short dresses and pretty shoes that hurt to wear for more than a hot minute… Just the vision of that life gave her the chills.
Chapter 14
Just when Joshua had her attention, Bill had to throw in tidbits of truth to ruin any chances he might have had with their one-of-a-kind neighbor. Her father was still looking to him for answers, but Joshua couldn’t pull his gaze away from the crestfallen expression so obvious in her eyes, her breathing, the way her shoulders fell in defeat.
“It’s not like that. Bill’s exaggerating.” He lied, a little white one, but a lie still the same. If he was sitting closer to her, he’d pat her shoulder, give her some reassurance. But truth was, they still barely knew each other. “So, Mr. Von Zuzle, what can I tell you?”
“Johnathan, please.” He waved off the formalities. “Obviously, from what I’ve read about you and your father, you don’t live like we do. You’re out in the mortal world. What’s that like? How do you blend in without any issues? I’ve always been curious about those immortals who have the talent to do so.”
“Sir—”
“Johnathan, please.”
He smiled at the older warlock. It was apparent where Jenny’s soft heart had come from. The two had so much in common. Even the softness in their voices matched each other. He was jealous in that split second. Having everything money could buy suddenly made his own world even colder and lonelier. The kindness and love these people shared was so much more valuable.
“Johnathan, sorry.” He couldn’t help but grin. It felt off to call her father by anything but his formal name. “It doesn’t really have anything to do with talent as much as discipline and just plain remembering where you are and who is around you at every moment. I was raised that way, so for me, it’s a way of life. But hearing stories of my own parents, it’s been hard at times. Now, would it be easier to live completely in an immortal town such as yours? Hell yes. Just in the short time I’ve been here, I realize how much I’ve been able to relax and not feel so on every minute of the day and night. But my career, unfortunately, doesn’t lend itself to this environment. I will confess I’ve been a bit worried I’ll screw up after I’m back in Vermont. I’ve been trying not to think about it too much.”
Joshua dared a quick peek at Jenny. Her gaze was fixed on him, and, if he had to guess, it was worry lining her face. Her sweet heart was definitely worn where anyone could read her feelings. For him, it was completely out of the ordinary for someone other than his parents to care about his thoughts, his worries, or to think about him in any way other than what he could do for them. He appreciated it, and it was better
than the hurt look she’d had moments prior to hearing of other women who wanted into his life.
“This is fascinating. Can I ask more?” Johnathan pressed on, his chin resting in his palm as he stared at Joshua.
“Of course. Ask away.”
“I can understand the day-to-day tasks. But how do you work? How do you do your job? And no one knows?”
He thought about a few scenarios that would help the two Von Zuzles understand. Especially Jenny, since he’d witnessed her transporting for one of her very first times. She was being bit more discreet than her father, who was soaking up every word he spoke, but Joshua had caught the wide-eyed, shocked expression, the furrowed brows, and confusion all crossing her face at various moments, while she tried not to get caught looking at him.
“I have a better idea. What if I show you instead? We could all buzz over to Hilton Head for the day, walk on the beach, have a nice dinner, and be back by dark. In that case, I’d make a reservation at a resort I use all the time.”
“No way, seriously?” Lessy clapped as Bill smiled, patting her back.
“You’ll have to walk me through how you do this, Joshua. But I’m definitely intrigued,” Johnathan answered.
Jenny’s face was void of any emotion. If he had to guess, she registered somewhere between wishing she was anywhere else but involved in this conversation and plain scared out of her mind.
“It’s very simple, really, I promise. Instead of just transporting to the lobby and making a very obvious spectacle, I make the reservation ahead of time. I’ll use magic to get the key cards before we leave so we know what room to go to. Then we’ll transport straight into that room from here, where no one will see or be the wiser. Once in the room, we can each have whatever we want zapped there, say, swimsuits and a change of clothes. Much easier than hauling baggage like poor mortals have to deal with.