by Ava Day
“That was before we moved to Spring Valley. Last night a ghost destroyed our kitchen. That would change the way anyone sees the world. Me included.”
“True, I never imagined in a million years that we would be casting actual spells and dealing with real ghosts,” I say in agreement.
Remembering why I came up from the basement to begin with I go over to one of Brent's toolboxes and pull out two screwdrivers and hand one to Joy. We head back down through the secret stairs in the kitchen and get to work on dismantling the table. Together we lift the heavy tabletop and extract it through the maze of hallways. Each corner is carefully navigated until we finally arrive on the stage.
“Let's set this thing down and take a break,” I suggest. Joy nods as she puts her end down and we lay it on its side gently.
“How about we clear out one of the rooms in the basement for future spell casting? That way we don't lose another table if another spell goes haywire,” Joy says.
“Good idea. Actually, we should move everything that's stored here in the auditorium into the basement. I want this to be part of the retail space eventually and we can't leave magical things laying around for anyone to grab.”
“There's so much work to be done, Penny. Are we ever going to get this business off the ground or will we be stuck with this mess like the sisters that owned it before us?” she asks.
“We'll get it done, together,” I reassure her.
After a little rest, we pick the tabletop up and haul it into the lobby and take another break before hauling it up the stairs to the apartment. With sweat pouring from my brow, I grab a glass of water and flop into the nearest chair. Mahogany is beautiful and all but it sure is heavy. When I look up, I find Brent standing in the doorway.
Chapter 15
“This was in the basement?” Brent marvels as he run his hand along the table. “I hope you have the legs.”
“It was and we do,” I reply without my usual energy to banter.
After a few minutes of sitting down, I'm ready to grab the legs from the basement. I have to cajole Joy into coming with me so we can get it done in one trip. With the table reassembled in its new home, we all take a seat and decide what project to tackle next. The lobby is starting to resemble something that could pass for a storefront. Joy decides that she is going to take a nap.
“Penny, do you want to go somewhere and talk,” Brent asks.
“If you still want to talk to me.”
“Of course I do. We could go out to the lake. Maybe have a picnic or swim if you don't mind the cold water.”
“I am hungry…”
Brent and I head off to the store to pick up some supplies for sandwiches and some ice for the cooler. By the time we get back to the Beacon to assemble our lunch, Joy is nowhere to be seen. The drive out to the lake is short. I haven’t been out here for years.
A few other couples are meandering around the lake. We find a nice shady spot under an oak to spread out our blanket. After snuggling next to each other and watching the ducks swim around, Brent pulls a small neatly wrapped package from his pocket.
“I made this for you,” he says while handing it to me.
“You're so sweet,” I respond as I carefully untie the twine that holds the wrapping on the small object. Pulling back the paper. I'm left speechless by the intricately carved black cat.
“It's ebony,” Brent explains. “But you probably already knew that.”
“I think it's beautiful. Stunning. What did you use for the eyes?” I ask as I hold it closer to my face to inspect the sparkling green eyes.
“Some green glass I found littering the lobby at the Beacon. I thought it would make it more meaningful.”
“These sure sparkle a lot for being glass. Ebony isn't cheap either. You must have paid a small fortune for this.”
“Not really. I've had it in my workshop for years. The piece that it was carved from was only a little larger than the cat itself.”
“Still, ebony is hard to come by. This is such a precious piece of art,” I remark.
“I'm glad that you like it, I was worried you wouldn't.”
“Like it? I love it! It's so perfect for what's going on in my life right now. The best part is that you made it for me,” I gush. Leaning in, I plant a kiss on his cheek. “So did you make this before or after you found out I’m a…”
“A witch?” he finishes for me.
“I still don’t like to say it out loud. It makes it feel more real.”
“It felt pretty real for me when your nose started bleeding.”
I can’t do anything but shrug at him. “So you’re okay with it?”
“No,” he answers quickly. “But it sounds pretty permanent. I’ll adjust.”
“I hope I will.”
“Will you promise me that you’ll be careful, though?”
“I promise.”
“How’s the investigation going?”
“Nowhere,” I grumble.
“And the ghost?”
“Haven’t seen her.”
“I can’t say that I’m disappointed,” he laughs.
“How’s the roof coming along?”
His eyes widen. “Maybe we shouldn’t talk about work for a while.”
“Agreed.”
I carefully wrap the little black cat back up and tuck it away in my purse. The rest of the afternoon is just as perfect. We laugh and share stories. Brent tells me more about his time in the military. I tell him more of my life story and all the reasons why he should visit Chicago with me.
Sitting under the tree, I watch the sun pass its apex and continue its journey to the horizon. We decide to call it a day and begin packing up our little picnic. I can't keep the smile off of my face as we drive back towards town. Brent pulls up in front of the Beacon and we sit in his truck for a few minutes, getting the last few bits of conversation out before we have to go our separate ways.
“Can't you come in for just a minute?” I plead.
“I would if I could, but I have to close up the hardware store tonight,” Brent replies.
“I'll text you tonight. Let me know if your schedule frees up.”
“You know I will,” he says leaning in for one final kiss.
I push the door open and hop out. Standing on the curb I wave at him like an idiot while he drives away. Get a hold of yourself, Penelope. Inside the Beacon, I find Joy in the lobby. She's got all the pots and pans from the kitchen lined up along the concessions counter.
“What are you up to?” I say.
“Oh, hey! I'm just doing an inventory of all the cooking supplies we have in the kitchen. How was your date?” Joy asks.
“It went great. Look what Brent made for me,” I say proudly as I pull the small black cat figurine from my purse.
Joy turns it slowly in her hands as she inspects it. “That man sure loves you,” she says.
“Do you really think so?” I ask cautiously.
“Of course. Just look at how much work he's doing around here. I'm not paying him are you? No? Didn't think so. Brent's only here for you.”
“I guess when you put it that way,” I admit.
“Are you going to help me or do I have to explain the birds and the bees too?”
“Sure, let's get to it.”
We work long into the night, pulling out each and every item we can find. Once we've got an inventory together, we organize it neatly as it all goes back into the kitchen. Joy is really in her element when it comes to baking and it shows in her ability to organize a kitchen so well. Now if I can just convince her to whip up a quick batch of cupcakes. Both exhausted, we take a step back and smile in unison.
“Penny?” Joy says tentatively.
“Yeah?” I ask.
“I think we might actually pull this off,” she starts as she spins to look around the lobby. “The work in the lobby is almost done, we just need places for people to sit. This kitchen is already very well equipped for our needs. I can't believe that we did it!”
/>
“I knew we could get it done together,” I reply. “There is still the small matter of solving the mystery of Laverne's death. We aren't making any progress.”
“Cheer up, something's bound to shake loose as long as we keep looking.”
“You're right. What I really need is some sleep. What time is it anyway?” I wonder. Fishing my phone from the depths of my purse, I answer my own question. It's 3:30 am and I see that Brent has sent me about five text messages.
Hey, you awake? – Brent 11:43 pm
I had a great time. – Brent 12:13 am
Still not answering? – Brent 1:00 am
Are you ignoring me? – Brent 1:15 am
I'll be over in the morning to check on you. – Brent 1:45 am
“See! I knew that man was in love. Look at how many times he texted you,” Joy laughs from over my shoulder pointing at my phone. “There’s a little stalker in him, isn’t there?”
“Shut it, Joy. He probably thinks I’ve been impaled on a magic wand.” I text him back quickly to let him know I’m fine. “Alright, enough for one night. I'm probably going to sleep until noon.”
“Just like college,” Joy replies.
“I'm not in college anymore. Besides, I like to be awake before the sun leaves the sky.”
“You really—”
Joy begins to speak but a piercing shriek cuts her short as we throw our hands over our ears. Staring at each other blankly for a split second, we both realize that the sound is coming from the alarm we had Brent install. Since I'm looking at the front door and it's shut right now, I know it must be that damn basement door again.
Chapter 16
I'm determined to stop whoever in this town thinks it’s funny to break into our home. Grabbing my cellphone from the counter, I rush towards the kitchen and through the small door into the basement. Joy's gaze follows me but she doesn't. My mind is spinning with all the possible scenarios of how this is going to end. The metallic ring of the stairs echoes and fades as I finish my descent into the blackness. The sound of the alarm is so muffled by the depths of the basement that I can't hear it unless I stop and hold my breath. I hesitate for a moment before turning the corner to confront the hooligan who has been breaking into the Beacon.
As I come into the corridor, I spot the villain I have been seeking. A short figure stands swathed in a black robe and illuminated from behind. It had to be the same creepy person I've seen lurking around town. They were at the courthouse on the day we won the Beacon at auction. I watch as they move their hands methodically, waving a wand of some sort along the doorway to the basement. Another witch!
“Hey! What are you doing?” I shout towards them as I clutch my phone tightly just in case I need it.
The person stops their ritual and pulls back the hood hiding their face. I'm shocked to see the woman who is standing at the back entrance to my theater, trying to gain entry in the middle of the night. Beth, the sister and former co-owner of the Beacon Theater, stares daggers at me and begins to speak. No sound finds its way to my ears, but her mouth is moving. Taking a step closer, I struggle to hear what she is saying, if anything at all. I hear footsteps approaching over my shoulder.
“Penny, what's going on?” Joy asks from behind me. “I called Brent. He called Nate, they're on the way over right now.”
“Don't you recognize her? It's Beth. Laverne's sister.”
“Holy crap! You're right What does she know? Where has she been?” Joy rambles as I put a finger up to shush her.
“I can't seem to hear what you are saying. Will you just write it down for me?” I ask Beth.
She hasn't taken one step farther than the alley. The door was wide open when I arrived, maybe she can't come in. Beth nods at the recommendation of using the written word to communicate. Joy zips away and I can hear her clatter up the stairs that lead to the kitchen.
Beth and I eye each other with suspicion. Although, I assume that if she was going to blast me with magic she would have done so already. The glow of headlights illuminates the alley behind Beth. She glances toward them nonchalantly and points her wand in the direction of the light source, the alley goes dark once more. Joy arrives just in time and hands me a pad of paper and a pen.
“Beth, just tell us what’s going on. Is something after you?” I say, taking a few tentative steps towards her holding the pad of paper like a makeshift shield.
Just as I'm an arm’s length away, Beth's eyes go wild and she stares behind me as if she's seen a ghost. She tosses the hood over her face once again. As she turns away from me, I catch a glimpse of sorrow creeping across her face. Beth races down the alleyway. I start to chase after her, but I hear Joy's strangled voice behind me.
“Penny!” Joy whisper-screams at me.
“What?” I ask irritably as I spin around to see what all the commotion is about.
We just let Beth slip away. A small yelp finds its way out of my mouth as I see the ghostly figure of Laverne standing between Joy and I.
“My sister?” Laverne's melodic voice emanates from my amulet.
“I think it was. Where have you been?” I ask.
“I'm always here. You two have no idea how hard it is to materialize in the physical world,” Laverne replies.
“But we tried summoning you,” Joy adds.
“Yes, and I have a couple of things to say about that nonsense. Did you really think that I was the only spirit in the area? Even if I wanted to, there was no way I could have fought that other ghost for access to the vortex you two created. I'm not a raging poltergeist.”
“Oh. Sorry,” I murmur. “We’re new at this.”
“Secondly, do you realize the cost of the reagents you used? Some of those items were irreplaceable and priceless. Novices!”
“You don't get to talk to us that way. We're only trying to help you,” Joy responds.
“Joy, leave it alone. Laverne has a point. We really don’t know what we're doing,” I say.
“At least one of you has some sense and please do call me Verne instead,” the ghost replies.
The sound of a blaring horn cuts me off before I can ask Verne the questions that Joy and I have been chasing our tails over. Joy and I exchange glances before we realize that Brent and Nate are in the alley.
“Verne, are you going to be able to stick around this time so we can talk?” I inquire.
“I'll try my best. There is a spell to help amplify spirit activity, but you'll get the good and bad with that one.”
“I don’t want any more of the bad…”
“Hmm, well there was one artifact that I had cataloged when I was alive, but who knows where it has gotten to,” she says.
My cellphone starts buzzing in my hand. It’s Brent. “I'll be right there. Are you ok?” I ask as I answer the phone.
“We're fine, but the doors won’t open. Whatever that person did to my truck totally disabled it. I can't even get the engine to turnover,” Brent tells me, exasperated.
I can hear Nate in the background swearing like a sailor. Deciding between helping Brent escape from his truck or staying here to talk with Verne is tearing me apart in my sleep deprived state. What if Beth did more than just disable the truck? For all I know, it could explode.
I have to help the living, first and foremost. Hey, great slogan. I motion for Joy to come with me and we step out into the alley to find Brent's truck. Relief spreads across his face when he sees me. Nate is still slamming himself against the door trying to brute force his way free.
“What are we going to do, Penny? Neither of us is strong enough to do any good,” Joy asks.
“We could just break out the windshield, but I' want to try something else first,” I say casually over my shoulder as I approach the truck.
Brent looks at me with through the window. “Please don't destroy my truck,” he says.
“Don't worry. I have a plan,” I reply.
Actually I have no idea how to control my new powers but I'm going to give it a try anyway
. Placing my hand in front of me, I focus on gathering magical energy. I turn my palm to face myself and simply motion with my fingers for the door to come towards me. The door flings open with a loud pop. Brent tumbles out of his truck and Nate scrambles out after him.
“Whoa, what the heck was that?” Nate asks bewildered.
“Just a fluke malfunction. I was half asleep when Joy called me. I probably messed something up,” Brent quickly explains.