by ERIN BEDFORD
“I’m sure you are.” My mom rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “In any case, you have nothing to worry about. You don’t have to live under her rules or her thumb. You can do whatever you want. No need to worry about an inheritance because you don’t have one.”
I threw the back of my hand over my forehead and gasped. “Oh, whatever will I do? For shame!”
Chuckled, dad shook his head and picked up his plate. “That’s enough of that. Let’s do presents, then we can see if we can manage not to burn the turkey this year?” He raised a brow at my mom, who gaped at him, her hand going to her chest in mock offense.
“I’ll have you know that was entirely your fault.”
“How was it my fault?” dad argued back, taking our plates from the table to the sink with my mom trailing behind him.
“You were supposed to set the timer.”
“I did set the timer.”
“Oh no, you didn’t, or I would have heard it go off.”
My dad wrapped his hands around my mom’s waist as they continued to argue over whose fault it had been when the turkey burned, and I watched with a warmth in my chest. I’d take their silly arguments any day over any perfect Hallmark movie Christmas. We might not be perfect, but at least we were family, warts and all.
“How about we open up some presents?” my mom clapped her hands together with excitement.
I hopped out of my seat, mouth still full of pancakes. “Don't have to ask me twice.”
I rushed into the living room with my parents laughing after me. Settling onto the couch, I waited for my dad to get into position to divvy out presents.
He handed a few to my mom and a couple to himself but the majority of them ended up beside me. My parents had always been good about making Christmas special even if some of the gifts weren't always what I expected.
“Oh wow,” I gaped at a shiny blue blouse that changed colors in when I moved it in the light.
“Do you like it?” my mom asked with restrained glee.
“It's really great. The best of all.” It wasn’t a lie. I’d already torn through all my presents. I received some books about magic that I knew I would devour the moment I had a chance alone, a set of decorative hair clips, and a variety of other things I could use for college and every day life. The blouse was by far the best gift. I could already see myself wearing it on a date with one of the guys.
“I’m so glad you like it.” Mom beamed at me as dad sat next to her on her side of the couch. “I was worried it would be too flashy.”
“No way, it’s perfect.” I jumped up and fell into both of their arms hugging them tightly. I couldn't wish for better parents.
We spent the rest of the morning and well into the afternoon mixing, cooking, and just being a family. The time flashed by so fast I had forgotten all about the impending doom coming our way.
Unfortunately, it hadn’t forgotten about us.
Our family time got interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. I hold my hand up and stop my parents from leaving. “I’ll get it. Probably Callie anyway.”
I took another drink of my coffee cup I had just poured for myself as I made my way to the door, I thanked God for whoever invented caffeine. It really was a miracle worker. I could already feel my energy boosting back to full capacity.
Turning the knob, I opened the front door a big smile on my face only to come face to face with my maternal grandparents. And there went my good day.
My grandmother stood on the doorstep with a sour expression her mouth pinched, and her eyes squeezed together tight. She seemed to have a theme about her outfits. The last one was a pastel as well, but at least this was green. It counted as Christmas-y, right?
Grandfather matched her clothing but not so much the expression. From our first meeting, I knew he would be the balm to any burn my grandmother deemed to dish out. He had a hopeful grin with curious eyes, taking everything in as he held a package in his hand, perfectly wrapped in silver paper and a big bow on top.
“Are you going to stand there and stare at us all day, or invite us in?” my grandmother demanded, and I quickly stepped to the side, holding the door for them.
“Sorry, we weren’t expecting you so soon,” I tried to explain as she made her way into the house like she owned the place.
My grandfather stopped before me to drop a kiss on my cheek and a soft smile. “Don’t worry about her. She’s always early for everything. If we start on time, then we’re late. I have a feeling even when I die, she’ll think I should have died sooner.”
I frowned at his words but didn’t comment. What went on in their relationship was their business. As long as she didn’t expect me to hop to it, we’d be fine. Though, the way she was already reorganizing things in the house had me feeling like that was a wish that wouldn’t get granted.
“Mother,” mom exclaimed, coming out of the kitchen with my dad close behind her. “We weren’t expecting you for another hour. What are you doing here?”
My grandmother turned to my mom, and you could just see how her eyes scanned over my mom’s rumpled shirt and jeans, the disapproval clear in her eyes. Well, screw you too, Mrs. Fancy Pants. I already decided I didn’t like her. No amount of buttering up or gifts would change that. That’s my mom, God damn it, and no one would look down on her like my grandmother just did.
“Margaret.” The clear indignation in her voice made me step toward them a bit. “I see you grew your hair out.”
My mom’s hand went to her braid, and a tight-lipped smile covered her lips. “Yes, a few times over the years. You’d know if you’d been here.”
“Well.” My grandmother smoothed her hands over her skirt as she sat down on the edge of the couch, all prim and proper. “We’ve been quite busy with our fundraising and charities. Your father has turned into quite the businessman.” Her eyes moved to my dad, and I just knew poison would spew out of her mouth. “Are you still playing with the dirt, Walter?”
“Wesley,” my mom corrected her and laced her fingers with my dad’s. “And he’s the top archeologist in his field. We just came back from a dig in Cairo.”
“Oh, I see,” my grandmother said as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world. “And your business allows you to up and leave whenever you want, Margaret?”
“Peggy,” I corrected her this time, causing her to look my way. “She goes by Peggy, and mom’s shop is the best in town. She’s the owner, she can do whatever she likes.”
“Well, that’s nice.” Grandmother’s words said one thing, but her tone and face said another thing entirely.
Thankfully, my grandfather had the good sense to change the topic. “I’m happy to see we got here before dinner. We brought you something.” He held up the silver box for us all to see. “Would you like to open it first?”
I glanced at my parents, not to get their permission but because I didn’t want them to think I was unthankful to them. Mom nodded, and I moved toward grandfather, taking a seat beside him on the love seat. “Thank you, you didn’t have to do that.”
“Oh, nonsense.” My grandfather shifted and waved me off. “It’s only natural for a grandparent to buy presents for their only grandchild. We need to catch up after all.”
His grin was infectious, and I smiled as I pulled at the bow on the top. After the ribbon came undone, I started to slowly pull at the tape holding the paper together, not sure how they would react to me ripping into it. When I realized I was changing myself for them already, I made a show of ripping the paper off with vigor and throwing it in the air.
“That a girl,” my grandfather cheered with a laugh while my parents watched from a distance.
A white box sat beneath all the wrapping paper. I lifted the lid of the box with a giddy grin. I loved opening presents, even if it was from a long-lost grandparent who only wanted to buy my affections.
I unfolded the tissue paper inside, and my fingers touched the ridged surface of a silver garment. The ridges came from crys
tals sewn into the fabric, spreading across the neckline and down into the box. I lifted the item up and out of the box, the bottom of it falling from my hands in a waterfall of silk as the dress brushed the floor.
“Wow,” I couldn’t help but let out as I stood to admire the dress. “This is really pretty.”
“You like it?” my grandfather asked with a hopeful tone.
I smiled down at him and, in the spur of the moment, gave him a hug around the neck. “I love it.”
“Good,” my grandmother stated. “I wasn’t sure what style you would like, but the woman at the shop said it was the height of fashion. I figured you could wear it to your coming out this summer.”
“This summer?” I glanced over at her my brows furrowed. “I don’t remember ever agreeing to that.” Suddenly, the dress in my hands wasn’t a beautiful gift but a bribe to get me to do her bidding, just as I knew it would be.
“I know, but one can hope you’ll change your mind?” She smiled at me a knowing gleam in her eyes.
“Even if you don’t, you can wear it to a party or something at school,” my grandfather quickly interjected. “You don’t have to decide now.” He patted my hand as I sat back down beside him.
I placed the dress back in the box and put the lid back on giving them a tight smile. “Thank you, I really appreciate it.” My grandmother opened her mouth, but I spoke before she could. “And I will think about a coming out but not right now. Now ...” I sighed and gave my parents a genuine grin. “Now, I want food. Lots and lots of food.”
“Sounds good.” My dad did a flashy sort of half bow waving his arm toward the dining room. “Right this way to this evenings delights.”
I giggled at him as I led my grandparents to the dining room. I had just finished setting the table a few minutes prior to their arrival. My dad usually sat at the head of the table, so I gestured for them to sit at the other end. The way my grandfather allowed my grandmother sit at the end of the table and took the seat to left said who exactly wore the pants in their house. Not that there was any question.
Mom followed us into the dining room while my dad went to check on the food. We sat awkwardly at the table none of us knowing what to talk about. I fiddled with my water glass glancing between the three of them. What to talk about? Couldn't bring up school because I knew that would lead to an argument. I so wasn’t talking about my love life. It didn’t leave much to talk about.
“You have a lovely home,” my grandfather said with a small smile.
Mom nodded barely smiling back. “Thank you. We enjoy it.”
“Yes. Well, it's easy to be comfortable in this kind of place when you don’t know what you’re missing,” my grandmother interjected.
Mom’s brows furrowed, and her face started to turn red. The chandelier above the table began to shake. I gave my grandfather a panicked look, but he didn't seem that worried. He didn't know my mom like I did. She may not have shown me her magic before last year but that didn't mean she didn’t have her own way of blowing her top. Now that she could let loose I feared for more than hurt feelings. Any minute now and she'd explode.
Ding dong. Saved by the bell!
“I'll get it.” I rushed out of my seat and to the door. I shot a ‘help me’ look to my dad as I passed the kitchen. He only grinned and shook his head.
Opening the door, I didn’t give Callie a chance to say anything before pulling her inside. “Good. We need a distraction.”
“Uh, okay?” Callie answered allowing me to drag her toward the dining room.
“Look, mom. Callie's here!”
The chandelier stopped shaking as my mom's eyes locked onto Callie. Her face visibly calmed in the presence of my best friend. “Oh, Callie dear. I don't believe you've met my parents.”
Callie dipped her head at my grandparents and took. The seat next between my grandmother and me. “Hello. I’m Callie, Max's best and most well-dressed friend.”
Everyone but my grandmother laughed.
“I see you haven't quit taking in strays.” My grandmother sniffed, dismissing Callie with barely a glance.
Callie's eyes met mine and I could clearly read the ‘Is she for real?’ in her eyes. I nodded reluctantly and sighed.
“Here we are,” my dad came into the dining room with the Turkey placing it in the middle of the room. “Give me a hand would you Callie?”
I started to stand but my grandmother waved me down.
“Nonsense, no need to waste precious energy on servants work when you have magic.” She quirked her brow and then waved her arm in an elaborate swoop.
Rattling came from the kitchen and then the door separating it form us came bounding open. Dishes flew through air, pies danced, and the salt and pepper shaker jiggled. I ducked as a plate full of stuffing almost conked me in the head.
“Mother!” my mom snapped, standing up and just barely missed getting hit by the cranberry sauce. “We don't use that kind of magic in our house.”
“Why ever not?” she huffed, the dishes coming around to find their homes on the table. “Either you’re a witch or you’re not. There's not in between.” There was an underlying message to her words that I had a feeling was an age-old argument between the two of them.
“For one,” mom slapped her hand on the table. “We are in the presence of humans. Do you want Max to think she can just do magic whenever she wants?”
Grandmother didn’t answer, her nose was stuck to far in the air it was affecting her hearing.
“Second,” my mom continued. “In this house we believe in doing what we can by hand. We don't want Max to grow up abusing her powers and never learning to do anything herself.”
This time grandmother snorted. “Well, that's not exactly true. If you had your way she would have never learned of them in the first place.”
“Now, dear...” my grandfather placed his hand on top of hers trying his best to soothe her.
“No dear nothing.” She pulled her hand away and picked up her fork. Instead of waiting for my dad to take a seat and cut the turkey the turkey cut itself and a few pieces flew to her plate.
My mom was ready to boil over again, and we hadn’t even gotten through the first course. Dad quickly took his seat and started to divvy up the rest of the food.
“Why don't we dig in before it gets cold?”
Following his example, I piled food onto my plate before shoveling it into my mouth with approving sounds. “This is really great, dad.”
“Quite right. Excellent job.” My grandfather nodded approvingly.
“Right on, Mr. N.” Callie grinned, holding her fork up.
We ate in silence for a few moments the tension in the dining room thicker than the gravy. Eventually, my grandmother decided she had had enough of the quiet.
“Maxine,” the addressed me and I snuck a why is me look at Callie before answering.
“Yes?”
“How are you liking Winchester Academy so far?”
Happy she had picked a topic that they couldn’t argue about I eagerly said, “It's really great. I mean besides the obvious drama I had last semester.”
My grandmother hummed over my answer and then took a drink from her water glass. Sitting it down, she cut at her food. “And how are you holding up with the tuition payments, Wesley?”
My parents visibly stiffened. They exchanged a look before my dad cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “We're doing just fine.”
“Really?” my grandmother's voice went up an octave her brows shooting to her hairline. “Because I have it under good authority that you are currently behind.”
“Mother, this is not the kind of thing we should be discussing in front of Max and Callie.”
“Why ever not?” my grandmother glanced my way. “I would think Max would like to know that her education is being taken care of.”
Feeling embarrassed for not just myself but my parents, I sunk down in my seat. Mom turned to me, her expression soft. “Don't worry, honey. We're taking c
are of it.”
“Okay,” I nodded my throat thick with emotion. Callie placed her hand on top of mine giving it a squeeze. I smiled weakly at her.
My grandmother didn't seem to notice or care how humiliated she was making my parents feel. Before she could hit them while they were down my grandfather jumped in.
“I think what she's trying to say is that if you are having issues you can come to us. We would be more than happy to help pay for Maxine's tuition.” He offered me a kind smile.
“And what will that cost?” the barely contained rage in my mom's voice was not light. “What part of her life will you wrap her bony controlling fingers around?”
My grandmother didn’t even try to pretend what my mom was saying was outrageous. Her lips pressed together in a thin line and the skin around her eyes pulled at the edges. “I want what every grandparent wants. What you have up until now have refused us.” My mom made a disgusted outraged sound. “Involvement in Maxine's life.”
My dad anticipated my mom's explosion and placed his hand on top of hers. “While we appreciate your offer. I...we...will take care of Max's tuition. As far as your involvement in Max's life, that is completely up to her.”
“That's fair.” My grandfather answered, keeping my grandmother from saying anything further. “Please keep us in mind should it come up.”
“We will.” Dad nodded and then picked up his fork. “Now dig in. There's a pumpkin pie with my name on it.”
When everyone went back to their plates Callie leaned over and whispered, “Holy crap on a cracker that was intense.”
“You’re telling me.” And I had a feeling it was only going to get worse.
Chapter 4
New Year’s came sooner than I expected, and for once, I was dreading it.
“I don’t know why you’re so long in the face,” Callie called over her shoulder as she flipped through the clothes in my closet. “You have four hotties waiting for you back at school. I’m sure you could call up any one of them, and they would rush to be your kiss at midnight.”
I tipped my head back from where I laid on my bed to look at her. “I’m not about to text one of them this close to New Year’s like some kind of desperate loser. Besides, I might not even get to stay there. Why get attached?” While my parents reassured me that everything was fine, I knew they were lying. Things were not fine, but I didn't know what I could do to fix it.