“I’ll have to agree with that, but I wouldn’t miss tonight’s activities for anything. Besides, there is something important that I need to speak with Bonnie about.”
“She offered to give me a Halloween costume, but I told her I’d already bought one,” Noah said.
“You didn’t buy it at the costume store.”
“No, but I have ripped jeans and a plaid shirt. All I have to do is buy makeup and I’ll be a scary-looking zombie, don’t you think?”
“I’m not certain, but I’m glad you didn’t accept a costume from Bonnie. I really need to speak to her, so I hope you’re ready to leave.”
When they arrived downtown empty buses lined the main street. Strings of lights twinkled and masses of costumed revelers packed the streets. Everyone in costumes except Petunia.
Aunt Maxine, Wanda and Hazel approached them, appropriately dressed as witches. “Where is your costume?” Aunt Maxine asked. “I would have thought you’d have bought one earlier.”
“I planned to, but Bonnie told me she had a costume for me. But... .”
“That’s quite the but. Get it over with and tell us,” Aunt Maxine demanded.
“I suppose you’ll think I’m crazy, but some strange things have happened since I tried on the costume.”
“Don’t forget to tell her about me,” Pansy said.
Noah gave them some space by checking out the selection of pumpkins for the carving contest.
“She gave Pansy a witch’s hat and he behaved very badly afterward.”
“What else is new,” Wanda said.
“This is serious,” Petunia said. “But I won’t bother you with it if you think I’m crazy.”
“Crazy? I hardly think so, dear. There must be some reason she offered to provide you with a costume,” Aunt Maxine said.
“I assumed she wanted me to look good for Halloween night. I wasn’t aware I was expected to dress up now. There is just no way I’m going back home and putting the costume back on. I don’t even want it in my house. I put on red lipstick, as you can see, and I don’t even buy lipstick.”
“Oh my,” Hazel said. “Now that sounds like the work of a witch.” She grinned.
“Are there any other witches that we’re not aware of, Aunt Maxine?” Petunia asked.
Aunt Maxine thought for a moment and then said, “I suppose anything is possible. It is Devil’s Night, after all.”
“Seriously?” Pansy muttered. “I suppose that must mean everyone turns into a witch tonight.”
“That’s not funny or possible,” Petunia told Pansy.
“Do any of you know of any thrift stores in Lake Forest?” Petunia asked. “That’s where Bonnie told me she bought the hat for Pansy. Now I wonder if she bought my costume at the same place.”
“That will teach you for not buying a costume from Halloween America,” Wanda said.
Petunia wanted to make them understand that something quite strange was happening. And she feared it would only get worse tomorrow on Halloween.
“Where is that boyfriend of yours, Red?” Pansy asked as Petunia browsed the craft tables placed before the storefronts.
“He’s around here somewhere,” Petunia said as she picked up a brooch from the craft table. The amber stone caught her attention; it looked lovely with the gold beading.
“How much is this brooch?” Petunia asked the young girl behind the table.
“You can have it,” she responded.
“I can’t accept this.”
An older woman dressed as a witch joined the conversation. “Don’t mind my granddaughter. She doesn’t really care to come to events like this. I’ll take a dollar for that.”
“Really? A dollar?”
“Watch it, Red. I don’t like the sound of that,” Pansy said.
“I suppose you might be right.”
“So what will it be? Do you want the brooch or not?”
Petunia didn’t like to be pressured, so she set the brooch back on the table. “I think I’ll pass. Have a nice evening, ladies.”
She spotted Noah and headed toward him.
“That was strange,” Pansy said. “I have the feeling that those two wanted you to buy that brooch.”
“I know. How strange.”
“You don’t think they could be witches, do you?”
“I hope not. I mean, I don’t mind if there are other witches in Lake Forest. I’d just be concerned about their intensions.”
“Oh, there you are,” Noah said. “Mayor Hopkins here would like us to be the first into the corn maze.”
“You mean you want us to look the fool when we can’t find our way out?” Petunia asked the mayor.
“Not me.” Mayor Hopkins winked. “You’ll need to wait for your aunt and her lovely friends.”
Aunt Maxine exclaimed, “Did I hear my name?”
“Come along, ladies. In honor of the Lake Forest Halloween festivities, it’s now customary for the witches to tackle the corn maze first.”
“Customary?” Noah asked.
“Sorry, this is the first year of the Festival of Witches. We’d like to establish it as a custom.”
“Aww, but I so wanted to enter the candy corn eating contest,” Hazel said.
“I think you can skip that one. I believe that Mr. Cooper you’re sweet on might be here later,” Aunt Maxine said.
“You might not make a good impression on him if he sees you shoveling in candy corn,” Wanda added.
Mayor Hopkins clapped his hands. “Now, ladies, please enter the corn maze. I’m certain Noah would rather wait until after you find your way out of the maze. If they can’t find their way out we might have a serious problem.”
Noah’s brow furrowed. “Thanks for your concern, but I’d rather… .”
“Why don’t you wait, Noah,” Petunia said. “I’d hate to ruin the mayor’s plans.”
Noah gave Petunia a quick kiss. “I’ll be waiting right here for you.”
Petunia headed for the entrance of the corn maze. How hard could it be?
Aunt Maxine led the way down the pathway to the cheers of the spectators. Petunia was hot on her heels with Hazel and Wanda, while Pansy trotted behind. The pathway was wider than expected, which helped keep Petunia from feeling claustrophobic.
“At least there isn’t anyone in here but us,” Hazel whispered.
“That doesn’t make me feel comfortable,” Wanda said.
“What about you, Petunia? Are you wimping out this early, too?” Aunt Maxine asked.
“I must admit that corn mazes freak me out. How can you be so calm about it, Aunt Maxine?”
“I’ve been in plenty of corn fields in my teen years.”
“Do tell,” Wanda said. “Can’t you share at least one story about a man?”
Aunt Maxine came to a halt. “Now ladies, we’re not here to talk about the men in our lives, past or present.”
“She said men in our lives,” Pansy said.
“Are you seeing someone Aunt Maxine?” Petunia asked.
Aunt Maxine’s face flushed. “I do believe we’re at the fork in the trail. Which way should we go?”
“The way that will take you to the man you’re seeing,” Petunia said with sly smile. “Will there be a wedding soon?”
“Petunia Patterson, you know better than to talk to me that way!”
“What?” Petunia asked. “I was only joking.”
“Well, it wasn’t funny,” Aunt Maxine said, taking the path to the right.
“Why is she acting so sensitive?” Petunia asked Wanda and Hazel.
“She must have something on her mind,” Wanda said. “We shouldn’t talk about men.”
“True, but I’ve never known my aunt to be involved with a man.” Petunia knew that something was off about everything. Or was her imagination running wild with the season?
They let Aunt Maxine choose all the turns until they halted at a dead end. “You know, I’ve never actually been good at this sort of thing,” Aunt Maxine admitt
ed. “Perhaps one of you girls should decide where to go next.”
Petunia shrugged and hurried up a path that led further into the maze.
“Isn’t this the long way around?” Hazel asked.
“Usually they don’t want you to stop short. They usually want you to go in much deeper before you find your way out.”
“We’ll let you call the shots this time,” Wanda said.
Petunia walked for a time before freezing. She had the strangest feeling. “Has anyone seen Pansy?”
“No,” Aunt Maxine said. “He was here a moment ago; or I thought he was.”
“I don’t remember the last time I saw him,” Wanda said. “I’m sure he’s fine. He probably found his own way out.”
“I hope you’re right,” Petunia fretted.
It was hard for Petunia to walk the maze when she was so worried about Pansy. She already had bad feelings, and his disappearance wasn’t helping. She screamed when something came up the pathway toward them.
“Noah, what are you doing here? You almost scared me to death,” Petunia said.
“I didn’t mean to do that, but the mayor was worried when you witches didn’t find your way out. Can’t you cast a spell to find your way out?”
“I don’t cast spells, so I wouldn’t know.”
“None of us will be casting spells,” Aunt Maxine said. “They are extremely dangerous, especially at this time of the year.”
“So you believe in all that season of the witch mumbo jumbo?” Noah asked.
“I live it, my boy. Let’s get out of here. My feet are aching,” Aunt Maxine said.
When they finally surfaced from the maze Mayor Hopkins rushed over. “Are you ladies okay?”
“I suppose that depends on your definition of okay,” Aunt Maxine said. “I have to give it to you, that is one tricky maze.”
People began to line up at the entrance of the maze. Petunia asked, “Has anyone seen my cat? He’s black with a red collar.”
People, at least those who didn’t ignore her, shook their heads. Petunia frantically called Pansy’s name. “Pansy, where are you? Pansy!”
“You need to calm down, dear,” Aunt Maxine said. “You’re frightening people.”
“I just knew coming here was a mistake.”
“Now don’t think about leaving. We’re expected to pose for photos. Apparently people like to have their photo taken with a witch.”
“Why didn’t they just hire someone who looks like a witch? I’d rather not be on display like that.”
“It’s too late for that. We promised Bonnie Hopkins that we’d participate.”
“I got lost in a corn maze. Isn’t that enough?”
Chapter 5
“I’ll look for Pansy while you do the picture thing,” Noah said.
She barely felt the kiss on her cheek.
“Come here, Red,” a man said. “I’ve always had a thing for redheads.”
“Now, Stanley, if you want your photo with the witch you’ll have to watch your tongue.”
Petunia’s nerves were on edge as she posed with the man and then hurried from him after the shutter clicked.
“I want my picture with the old witch,” a little boy demanded.
Petunia locked eyes with Aunt Maxine and bolted. She wasn’t a zoo animal and didn’t care who she angered by leaving. Noah took hold of her arm and she swung, missing him.
“What’s the matter?”
“This whole festival is the matter. I don’t mind meeting the trick-or-treaters, but I won’t stand one more minute at this festival!” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I don’t even know where Pansy is.”
“Let’s find him together.”
Petunia walked along the craft tables, spotting the older woman who wanted her to purchase the brooch. She was holding Pansy!
She ran to the woman and tore Pansy from her arms. “Oh, Pansy! I was so worried about you.”
“T-That makes two of us.”
“What’s the meaning of this?” Petunia demanded. “Why did you have my cat?”
The older woman backed up a step. “I assure you I merely found him and expected a witch to come along after him. He’s a great specimen.”
“Get me out of here,” Pansy cried.
“I think we should head home now,” Noah said stiffly.
“You can’t be serious. The fun hasn’t even begun yet,” the young lady behind the table said.
“Who are you?” Petunia asked.
“I’m Aspen,” the young lady introduced herself.
“I’m Melba,” the old woman said. “I had hoped to get better acquainted, but I can see that’s out of the question now.”
While walking them home, Noah spotted Cora yanking down his Halloween decorations.
“What are you doing?” Noah yelled. “Do you have any idea how long it took me to put those up?”
“I imagined Petunia would pull something like this, but you Noah? You know how I feel about the Devil’s season. Our church group plans to rip down as many decoration as we can tonight.”
A squad car rolled up. Sheriff Pinkerton powered down his window and ordered, “Come over here, Cora.”
Cora sighed as she moved to the car. “If you were any kind of sheriff you’d pass an ordinance against putting up Halloween decorations.”
“You’d have to ask the mayor about that, but I have a feeling he won’t be authorizing any more ordinances suggested by you. How about I take you home?”
“I live just around the block.”
“Won’t you be afraid walking at night with so many witches around?”
“You might have a point there.”
Pinkerton held the rear door open and Cora calmly settled in behind him.
“It looks like I’ll have to hold her back at the sheriff’s department until morning. I’m sure she’ll cool off by morning.”
Petunia bit her fist. “Cora is really going to be mad now. Let me give you a hand with your decorations.”
* * *
Petunia groaned at the pounding on her front door the next morning. What now? Pansy slept peacefully among her other cats. Petunia hated to be disturbed this early.
She opened the door and Aunt Maxine shook her head as she entered. Petunia followed her into the kitchen and proceeded to brew a pot of coffee.
“Make it extra strong,” Aunt Maxine demanded. “I need it after last night.”
“Did something happen after I left?” Petunia asked in concern.
“You were right. The take-your-photo-with-a-witch plan was a stupid idea. I don’t know how I let Bonnie talk me into it. I spent most of last night picking bubblegum out of my hair. I’m afraid poor Wanda and Hazel didn’t fair much better. I have no idea how I’ll tell Bonnie that we just can’t do this again.”
“I’m sorry for bailing on you, but I’m glad I did. Cora was ripping Noah’s Halloween decorations down. She claimed her church friends were doing it too. The sheriff took her into custody.”
“Which is why Cora was doing it. I’m shocked he arrested her, though.”
“He didn’t. Sheriff Pinkerton told her he’d take her home, but told me he’d place her into custody until this morning. He seemed to think that would calm her down, but I know better.”
“He’s only lighted a fire under her.”
“My thought exactly,” Petunia said. “I was worried you’d be upset with me. I found Pansy -- or someone else did.”
“Who?” Aunt Maxine breathed.
“Did you notice the craft table? They sold lovely brooches, but I didn’t care for their sales tactics. It was very strange, actually. The young lady at the table wanted to give me a brooch and her grandmother wanted to charge me only a dollar.”
Aunt Maxine stood up and pulled two mugs from the cupboard. “Brooch you say?”
“Yes. It was a lovely amber stone with gold beading. Even Pansy thought something was weird about it.”
“Did you handle the brooch?”
�
�Only for a moment.”
“Do you have any idea who they might be?” Aunt Maxine asked.
“That’s what I wanted to ask you. They told me their names: Aspen and Melba.”
“Melba like the toast?” Aunt Maxine laughed before becoming quite sober. “I don’t know anyone by those names, but you need to be more careful. We have no idea who might show up in town with a festival of this sort.”
“Melba had Pansy, too. I swooped him up in a hurry. Pansy couldn’t wait to get away from her.”
“Did P-Pansy say why? Oh would you listen to me now. Here I’m asking you what your cat said.”
“He used to be human, don’t forget.”
“I know, but I’d prefer you to keep his thoughts in your head, not mine.”
Aunt Maxine poured the coffee. Petunia waited for her to sit before she asked, “Is there a new thrift store in town?”
“Why? Is it connected to the ladies you just told me about?”
“It might be.”
“Well, when you find out let me know. Why would it matter?”
“I already told you about the costumes.”
“So is that all we’re talking about here?”
Petunia was lost in thought. She couldn’t get Melba and Aspen – or the brooch -- off her mind. “Sorry, but something is going on in Lake Forest and it worries me. Those women could be witches.”
“So you think they’re up to something?”
“I can’t help but think that. But I don’t have enough to go on right now.”
Aunt Maxine sipped her coffee. “How about you tell me when you find something more concrete? Or find that thrift store so you and Noah can check it out?”
Another knock rattled the door after Aunt Maxine left. Petunia, now dressed, smiled when she saw Noah behind the door -- until she noticed his frown.
“What’s the matter?” Petunia asked.
“I think we might have trouble.”
“Where?”
“Let’s take a drive.”
Noah drove around the corner. He coasted past Cora’s house, where every tree in the yard was wrapped in white toilet paper. “Oh no! Cora got TP’d,” Petunia exclaimed.
“Apparently we weren’t the only ones she vandalized last night.”
05 Meows, Magic, & Wands Page 3