by Laura DeLuca
As Darlene worked, the silver bells on her ankle bracelet jingled in time with her graceful movements. It reminded Rebecca of watching her beautiful belly dances. The way she undulated her hips never seemed to lose its enchantment. Even in her simple black Bohemian skirt, with her abundance of raven hair cascading down her back in a blanket of curls, she still carried herself with an air of exotic regality. She looked magical, especially with the pleather of silver necklaces that dangled around her neck, each baring some symbol of witchcraft. In comparison, Rebecca’s own mother looked like the stereotype of a middle-aged housewife, complete with widened hips and a flowered dress that was a throwback from the nineties.
“Nice place you got here.” Justyn’s stepfather Matt nodded his blond dreadlocks in approval as he studied the tiny two-room apartment. The kitchen and living room were merged into one room, with a counter nook in one corner. That left just enough space for a loveseat and small entertainment center that housed a television so old Rebecca was amazed it didn’t have rabbit ears. The bedroom wasn’t much bigger. Their landlord had barely managed to squeeze in a double bed and one tiny nightstand. The closet was little more than a crack in the wall. Still, it was cheap, larger than the average dorm room, and had no rules about co-eds intermingling. It was even within walking distance of the campus.
“I got you a little housewarming gift,” Matt continued. “Actually, I got you two.” He winked a green eye at Rebecca as he handed Justyn a brown bag. “I didn’t wrap it. No reason to pollute the earth with unnecessary garbage.”
Justyn rolled his eyes. “Of course not.”
As he reached into the bottom of the bag, Rebecca heard something clinking. It made her curious. She moved in a little closer and peered over Justyn’s shoulder to get a better look. She watched him pull out a beautiful wind chime. It was made from a piece of dried driftwood, and dangling down from the thick base were a half dozen crystal points and a few brass bells, all woven together with copper wire. It sparkled as it caught the light from the open window, making a family of rainbows dance across the still barren walls.
“It’s beautiful!” Rebecca exclaimed.
“Made it myself. I even dug the crystals from a mine out in Arizona,” Matt declared proudly. “Back before I met Darlene, I spent ten years traveling with the Rainbow Gathering. That’s pretty much a bunch of hippies living off the land,” he explained when Rebecca’s family gave him a questioning glance. “I used to sell these things on street corners for thirty bucks a pop. Made it all the way cross country that way, when I wasn’t hitchhiking.”
Rebecca felt her mouth drop open. Whenever she thought Justyn’s family had ceased to amaze her with their adventures, they shared some new story that left her astounded and even a little envious that her life wasn’t nearly as interesting. She often wondered how Justyn didn’t get bored with her.
“Thanks, Matt.” Justyn gave this stepfather a comradely pat on the back. “Not just for this, but for everything. As far as stepparents go, you’ve been pretty decent.”
“You’re welcome, kiddo. You know, I’m really gonna miss having you around. Of course, on the bright side, now I can walk around the house naked.”
Rebecca saw her mother’s eyes widen. She was, after all, a strict conservative. Luckily, Darlene had just finished up her house blessing. She ran over and gave Matt a nudge with her shapely hips.
“Matt, darling, there is such a thing as too much information. Now, why don’t you go carry some of those boxes into the bedroom for us, hmmm?”
“Yes, dear.” Matt gave her a good-natured smile and smacked her butt on his way out the door.
Rebecca’s mother Mary cleared her throat. “We got you something as well.” She at least made an effort to give Justyn a friendly smile, which was better than what her father was doing. “I know my daughter is horrendous in the kitchen—well, you are”, she added when Rebecca narrowed her eyes, “so we thought a microwave might come in handy.” She gestured to a large box that sat in the corner of the kitchen, ready to be unpacked and placed on the bare countertop. Then she handed Rebecca a little envelope. “We also grabbed a few gift cards for the convenience store down the street, just in case you need something and are a little short on cash.”
“That’s awesome, Mom!” Rebecca gave her mother a hug as she accepted the gift. “Thanks so much! I’m sure there’ll be many late-night study sessions when this will come in handy.”
Mr. Hope folded his arms across his chest. “I certainly hope you plan to spend your time studying.”
Justyn was used to her father’s snide comments. He barely raised an eyebrow and went right on unpacking, completely unfazed. But Rebecca felt her smile freeze on her lips. Her father’s miserable attitude put a damper on what should have been an exciting day. She had to struggle to keep her voice pleasant when she replied, “Don’t worry, Dad. Schoolwork is my first priority.”
“If you can call singing and acting schoolwork,” Mr. Hope grumbled. “I don’t know how you ever expect to make a living with all that nonsense.”
Rebecca gritted her teeth, but still managed to keep her voice civil. “I’m also getting my teaching degree,” she reminded him. “I have a backup plan if the Broadway thing doesn’t pan out.”
Her father still didn’t seem satisfied, and Rebecca could feel her eyes starting to burn. Darlene could sense the tension growing and put her arm around Rebecca. “Since we’re all exchanging gifts, I should give you mine.”
Darlene grabbed an elaborate gift basket from one of the boxes she had carried in. The basket was actually a foldable carry bag, in black of course, with a silver pentacle hand stitched into the center. It was filled with a variety of antique glass bottles, each labeled and filled with different herbs. In the center was a ceramic teapot set complete with cups and diffusers. Intermingled with the jars were smaller vials of oils, scented sachets, colored candles, and smudge sticks.
“These are the most commonly used varieties of herbs,” Darlene explained. “I’ve already taught you about most of them, Becca, but Justyn will know how to use the rest. There’s lavender, spearmint, feverfew, St. John’s Wart, willow bark, dandelion, stevia, and oh my … so many more.
“I could stand here jabbering about them all day, but there’s a little recipe book in there to tell you how to mix teas and whatnot. I also threw in some oils, just the essentials like lavender and tea tree…great for all-natural bug repellents, which you’ll need out in those woods. And of course, eucalyptus in case one of you comes down with a cold. And well … you’ll see. There’s just about everything you could need in the way of healing and magic. And that little basket will be the perfect way to carry your groceries back from that store down the street.
“Really, Mary, we couldn’t have planned it any better if we tried!”
She flashed Rebecca’s mother one of her brilliant smiles, and immediately the little bit of tension that had survived her speed talk evaporated. Somehow Darlene’s upbeat and carefree personality always managed to calm everyone down, even Rebecca’s overprotective father. The discomfort in the room settled into comradeship, and they were about to start unpacking a few of the boxes when Matt emerged from the bedroom and shoved his gift bag back under Justyn’s nose.
“Hey, you forgot about my other gift.” He pouted. He shook the bag to emphasize it wasn’t empty yet.
“You’ve already done so much,” Justyn told him. “You helped us find this place and drove up with us. You really don’t need to do anymore.”
Matt patted Justyn’s back. “Don’t sweat it. This is just something small, but definitely a necessity.”
Justyn narrowed his eyes at that explanation. Sometimes, even he was surprised by what his twenty-something, hippie stepfather considered a necessity. Nevertheless, he reached into the bag good-naturedly, with the whole room watching. He pulled out a box that very clearly read All Natural, Organic Condoms in bright, bold ink. It was a variety pack. Some of them were even flavored.
> “We don’t want any babies before graduation,” Matt told them proudly.
Rebecca knew her checks had turned scarlet. Even Justyn blushed a little before quickly shoving the box back into the bag. He wasn’t fast enough though. Mr. Hope had seen the gift, and all the shocked expressions in the room paled in comparison to the horrified look on his face. Rebecca’s father had turned almost purple. She could actually see the veins pulsating in his bald head.
“You know what?” Darlene stretched her arms and gave an exaggerated yawn. She pretended not to notice Matt’s slightly inappropriate gift. “I think the kids can handle unpacking the rest of this on their own, don’t you? It’s getting late and we still have a three-hour ride back home.”
“Darlene is right.” Rebecca quickly nodded. “Dad, you have to be up early tomorrow for work. I’d hate for you to be exhausted on my account.”
“I guess we should get going,” her mother agreed reluctantly.
Rebecca went over to her parents and gave them each a big hug. That seemed to settle her father down, but Rebecca suddenly felt a little more emotional. She had been looking forward to freedom from her parents’ rules and regulations since she had officially become a teenager. Now that she was really leaving home, however, it was a little overwhelming. She realized how much she would miss them.
“Mom … Dad … I-I love you guys so much,” she stuttered.
That was when her mother finally lost it and started crying. Rebecca was actually surprised she’d made it that far. Mrs. Hope had cried at almost every single landmark in Rebecca’s life, from her kindergarten graduation to her first violin recital. Even her father forgot to stay angry; he was so choked up over the thought of saying goodbye to his little girl. Rebecca had to wipe away a few tears as she watched them walk toward the door.
Matt had already disappeared, but Darlene lingered behind a few minutes after Rebecca’s parents had gone. She gave Rebecca a huge hug before turning to her son. Justyn looked as calm and collected as ever, but Darlene’s eyes were misty with tears. For once, she seemed a little less ethereal.
“Make sure to smudge the apartment at least once a week,” she instructed and reached out to wrap her arms around her son. “And if your shoulder bothers you, I have some all-natural massage oils in that basket. I made it myself. Becca, you’ll take care of him for me, won’t you? Make sure he doesn’t overdo it?”
“Of course,” Rebecca agreed.
“Darlene … please,” Justyn rolled his eyes, “you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
“I know that.” Darlene’s voice was thick with emotion. “Your father would be so proud. In fact, I know that he is proud. He tells me so all the time in my dreams.”
Now Justyn had to clear his throat. It was never easy for him to talk about his father, who had died when he was just a baby.
“I wouldn’t be here without you,” he told Darlene. “You always supported me, no matter how far out my dreams were. You made so many sacrifices, especially all those years we were on our own. I don’t know if I ever thanked you for that.”
She nudged his arm and wiped away a few tears, careful not to smudge her eyeliner. “How dare you make me cry?”
“I love you, Mom,” Justyn whispered. “You’re the most amazing woman I know.”
“I love you too, kiddo.” She embraced him one last time. “You call me later this week and let me know how things are going, okay?”
He nodded. “I will.”
Again, Rebecca felt a little sad as she watched Darlene glide out the door and disappear down the stairwell. Over the last few months, she had become like a second mother to Rebecca. She would miss her almost as much as her own parents.
“You called Darlene mom,” Rebecca said once they were alone. “I’ve never heard you call her that before.”
Justyn shrugged. “It’s a special occasion.”
“I guess it is,” she agreed. “I can’t believe we’re actually here. In our place. It sort of feels like a dream.”
“A dream come true.” Justyn smiled. “I’ll miss Darlene, but having you all to myself definitely has its advantages.”
Rebecca blushed for what must have been the tenth time that day. She glanced awkwardly at the freshly made bed that was visible through the open bedroom door. She and Justyn had only been able to sneak in a few nights alone together since the prom. As much as she looked forward to waking up beside him every morning, she was still a little nervous about things like bedhead and morning breath. She wondered if he would still think she was beautiful with sleep-encrusted eyes.
She didn’t have time to worry about her insecurities for long. They still had tons of unpacking to do, and only the sound of Gizmo’s cheerful chirps to speed them along until they located their MP3 players. As Rebecca went through boxes from her bedroom, she came across the crystal geode Justyn had given her shortly after they met. He had been busy unwrapping one of his favorite gargoyle statues, but stopped to peek over her shoulder as she placed the stone on the nightstand by their bed.
“You still have that?”
“Of course I do. It’s the first gift you ever gave me.” She smiled at the memory of him turning over the plain rock to surprise her with the glistening crystal cavern within. “It means a lot to me.”
“Really?” He was teasing her, but she could tell by the sparkle in his dark eyes that he was pleased. “Some girls would prefer diamonds over crystals.”
“Some girls are idiots.” She touched her new ammonite pendant. “Luckily, I have an amazing boyfriend who taught me what really makes a relationship magical.”
Justyn grinned. “Perhaps you should show him how much you appreciate those lessons.”
He dropped the statue he held back in the box, crept up behind her, and kissed the back of her neck, sending shivers up and down her spine. His hand ran along the outline of her waist, admiring each curve. Instantly her heartbeat accelerated. Even after a year, his touch still sent electric currents surging though her body. It made her throb with a yearning that was hard to ignore.
“Maybe I will.”
Rebecca turned to face him and pressed her lips against his, savoring the sweet softness as his tongue explored the contours of her mouth. She wasn’t usually so assertive, but the thought of being alone with no worry of interruptions made her feel more aggressive than usual. She used one knee to pin him against the wall. She was pressed close enough against him to feel his urgent response to her touch.
“I think the rest of these boxes can wait until tomorrow,” he whispered huskily when she finally allowed him to come up for air.
Rebecca nodded, almost too breathless to speak. Justyn led her over to the bed, and any nervousness she had felt before completely melted away as she fell into the luscious security of his familiar arms. Hours later, when they were both spent, she slept soundly beside him, filled with hopes and dreams of what their future together would hold.
Chapter Two
As usual, Rebecca was a nervous wreck as she prepared for her first semester at college, while Justyn hardly seemed fazed at all. It was just one of the ways they were polar opposites. She was a high-strung mess, while he was the epitome of calm and collected. He ate two bowls of cereal, whereas she could barely choke down her coffee. He winked at her nonchalantly as he combed his hair into place while Rebecca applied her lip gloss with trembling fingers.
“How can you be so calm?” she asked. “I haven’t been this terrified since the opening night of Phantom.”
Justyn shrugged. “I’m from Vegas. The college campus here isn’t much different than my old high school.”
“Really? The campus seems so huge. My classes are spread out farther apart than the whole neighborhood I grew up in.” She shook her head in defeat. “I just know I’m going to get lost.”
“You aren’t going to get lost.” Justyn put his arm around her shoulders. “Everything is going to be fine. So calm down!” He laughed lightly. “Stop being so dramatic.�
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“Well, I am a drama major, after all. I think I’m entitled to occasional hysterics.” She sighed as she locked the clasp of her ammonite necklace. “I wish we had some classes together.”
Even though Justyn and Rebecca were both majoring in acting and drama, they had a wildly diverse schedule. It was mostly due to the fact that Justyn had been studying acting and music for the last decade while Rebecca was just a novice. Even though she had what Mr. Pessagno the scout had called “raw talent” she didn’t have half the discipline that Justyn possessed. So her campus advisor had stuck her in what was basically Acting 101 while Justyn was in more advanced programs. They both had some standard math and English courses that were required for their teaching degrees, but because the rest of their schedule didn’t mesh, they couldn’t even take those classes together.
“Listen to me. You’re going to be fine. After a few days, it will all be second nature,” Justyn promised. “And at least we’ll be in the drama club together. I heard a rumor around campus that we’re doing Demon Barber this semester.”
Rebecca crinkled her nose in distaste. “Isn’t that play about a crazy barber who kills all his customers? Then his girlfriend bakes them into meat pies? I think I saw the movie version awhile back.”
Justyn nodded. “That’s the one. Delightfully demented, isn’t it?” He rubbed his hands together excitedly. “I hope we get good roles.”
Rebecca wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic. “Demented maybe, but I’m not sure how delightful it is to make a musical out of a throat-slashing maniac.” Rebecca sighed. “But it doesn’t really matter how I feel about the play. I’m sure you’ll get a good role, but I’ll be lucky if they let me in the stage crew. This is a much bigger pond than it was back in New Jersey.”