05 Meows, Magic, & Wands

by Madison Johns

“I’m not sure yanking down decorations qualifies as vandalism.”

  “She broke half of my light sets,” Noah complained. “I want to press charges.”

  Petunia rolled her eyes. “That will only make her worse. And she knows where we live, don’t forget.”

  “I know.” He sighed. “I just wish she’d keep her views at her house. She’s going to be a pain tonight. The trick-or-treaters don’t need her ruining their night.”

  “Why do I imagine Cora picketing?”

  “Because it sounds like something she’d do.”

  “If I had known she was this bad I would never have bought my house,” Petunia said.

  “But then we’d never have met,” Noah pointed out.

  Petunia smiled. “I’d be sorry if I never met you. I-I mean, you’re lucky you met me.” She laughed. “Just kidding.”

  “Are you hungry? We could take a run past the bistro,” Noah said.

  “I don’t think I have time. I need to find another witch costume.”

  “You think the one Bonnie gave you is enchanted?”

  “Good observation. I think the whole town is enchanted. I only hope it doesn’t get any worse.”

  On the way to the costume store they passed Cora slogging along the sidewalk, a grimace on her face. She wasn’t far from the sheriff’s department, so Petunia surmised they must have just cut her loose. Petunia ducked down in the car so Cora wouldn’t see her.

  They strolled into the Halloween store and the manager smiled. “You’re back?”

  “I need a witch costume after all.”

  “I’m certain the sales clerk will be happy to help you.”

  “Yes, I can’t wait,” Ginny said.

  Petunia smiled at Ginny. “I’m sorry I acted like that yesterday. Your witch costumes are much nicer than the one I got.”

  “I should dress as a warlock so we match,” Noah suggested.

  Petunia cocked an eyebrow, but allowed herself to be led to what remained of the costumes.

  “It appears we don’t have anymore witch costumes,” Ginny said evilly.

  Petunia didn’t care for her attitude, but before she could tell her so the manager shouted, “Look in the back, Ginny. She should be a size nine.”

  “Thank you,” Petunia said.

  While Petunia waited for the clerk to return from the backroom, Wendy and her sisters approached her. “Hello there,” Wendy said. “We met you at Bonnie’s house.”

  Petunia smiled in recollection. “Of course I remember, but I’m afraid I can’t tell you apart.”

  “Tell who apart?” Noah asked.

  “I met triplets at the mayor’s house.”

  “It’s funny to hear someone say ‘the mayor’s house’ rather than ‘Bonnie’s house,’ because she’s the one with all the money,” Mona said. “It’s so nice to meet you, handsome.”

  Noah’s brow shot up. “So Bonnie is the mayor’s cash cow.” He swallowed hard. “Sorry, badly put joke.”

  “That’s fine. I’m certain you didn’t mean to disrespect Bonnie,” Mona said.

  “It doesn’t matter who has the money, sister,” Wendy scolded Mona.

  “Wow, you really do look alike,” Noah observed.

  “What about me?” the other sister asked. “I’m Holly. These are my sisters Wendy and Mona.”

  “I’m really confused now. Do you always dress alike?” Noah laughed.

  “We really like black,” Wendy said.

  “Are you here to buy costumes, too?”

  “Oh no. Bonnie would have a fit. We came here to warn Petunia.”

  Chapter 6

  “What about the costume?” Petunia asked.

  “How did you know?” Wendy asked.

  “I had the costume on, don’t forget. What I don’t understand is where Bonnie got the costume and how that equates to danger?”

  “What are you warning her about?” Noah asked.

  “Not to wear that costume. Your cat shouldn’t wear that hat, either.”

  “I already figured that out. I haven’t felt right since I put that costume on.” Petunia wanted to continue about how things in Lake Forest felt off to her, too, but she didn’t really know the sisters.

  “I appreciated the warning, but what can you tell me about the place where she purchased the costume?” Petunia asked.

  Mona glanced around and said, “You’ll find Forgotten Relics across from the bakery.”

  “You must be mistaken. The only thing across the street from the bakery is the bank and a parking lot.”

  “Be careful, Petunia, and your little cat, too. Where is he, by the way?” Wendy asked.

  “Home and sleeping like a baby.”

  “You know, in certain cultures cats are known as protectors.”

  “You must not know my cats.”

  “Suit yourself. But I’d keep that cat of yours close.”

  Ginny came out of the back with the costume, and Petunia and Noah walked to the register in the sisters’ wake.

  Outside the store, Petunia said, “I think we should bring Pansy with us.”

  “Bring him with us where?”

  “To check out that Forgotten Relics store.”

  “It sounds like a title of a Science Fiction Channel movie.”

  * * *

  Petunia pulled out her big black purse with a grin.

  “Don’t tell me, I’m expected to be asphyxiated in that big bag of yours?” Pansy asked.

  “Not the entire time. Only if we go to the bakery.”

  “We’re going to the bakery?”

  “Actually across the street. But I can’t go there without stopping at the bakery. I have a sweet tooth, unless you’ve forgotten.”

  “Don’t remind me. I’d hate to tell you, Red, but your butt is getting big.”

  Petunia gasped.

  “What’s wrong?” Noah asked, clueless that Petunia could speak to her cat.

  “I have a hangnail.” She laughed nervously.

  Petunia carried her bag and Pansy into Noah’s car.

  “I hope the bakery isn’t out of glazed doughnuts,” Noah said.

  “Why do you humans think about food so much?” Pansy asked.

  “Us. What about cats? I nearly go broke trying to feed four cats.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t have four cats, then. You could always re-home Merlin.”

  “Ha ha, not funny.”

  Noah parallel parked by the bakery and Petunia noted that what was referred to as a thrift store was actually housed in a bus.

  “Now I’ve seen everything,” Pansy said. “I hope it’s a food truck, too. I’m really hungry for a hot dog about now.”

  “The triplets were right; it’s across the street from the bakery,” Noah said. “What now?”

  “Let’s head into the bakery first and find out what Chastity has to say about that bus.”

  Pansy hopped into the purse and Petunia was careful to keep it open enough that Pansy could breathe.

  “Hello, Chastity,” Petunia greeted the bakery owner.

  “Come over here, you two. I haven’t seen either of you since I don’t know when.”

  “We’ve been busy,” Petunia said. “I’ve sure missed your baked goods.”

  “I hope you have a glazed left,” Noah said.

  “I do, and plenty of Boston cream for you, Petunia.”

  “We’ll take one of each and chocolate milk for me,” Petunia said.

  “Make that two chocolate milks,” Noah added.

  “Quit with the drivel and get this party moving,” Pansy said. “I’m not getting suffocated for nothing.”

  “Be patient. I can’t start asking questions before we have our sweets.”

  “Humans!”

  Petunia smiled as their doughnuts and milks were set down. She then stared across the street. “What’s up with that bus over there?”

  Chastity leaned on the counter. “You know, I’m not sure. One day it just pulled up and there it is. I wasn’t aware that Lake
Forest allowed buses to stay parked on the main drag. It nearly blocks the main entrance to the parking lot.”

  “Why hasn’t anyone complained?” Noah asked.

  “It won’t be me. Forgotten Relics sound like a place I need to stay away from.”

  “Have the owners ever been in here?” Petunia asked.

  “I don’t remember seeing anyone come or go.”

  “I suppose they could exit the bus from the parking lot side,” Noah suggested. “That might account for you never seeing the owners.”

  “Or they have been in here before and you didn’t even know it,” Petunia said.

  Chastity thought for a moment. “The thing is, I haven’t seen any strangers in town, or none that come in here, anyway.”

  “I can’t imagine visitors not wanting to shop here. It smells so wonderful.”

  “The bakery isn’t really in the downtown area, but I do well with the dozens of doughnuts ordered daily. I really should hire another girl.”

  “I’d love a job like that,” Petunia said. “Of course I’d eat more than my share, and you wouldn’t make that much money.”

  “You’re far too busy with all the witchy things you do. I don’t suppose you have a love potion.”

  “Absolutely not!” Pansy shouted. “Not happening ... no can do!”

  “In my experience you should never mess with nature. A love potion sounds nice, but wouldn’t you rather have a man fall for you without tricking him.”

  Chastity frowned. “I suppose you’re right. I was only kidding ... sort of.”

  “Whatever happened to you and Steven?” Noah asked. “I thought you two were an item.”

  She sighed. “Steven is wonderful, but he’s dragging his feet. He hasn’t even kissed me yet.”

  “Are you two still dating?” Petunia asked.

  “Yes, but… .”

  “Then you need to make the first move,” Noah suggested.

  Petunia nudged Noah with her elbow. “I was about to say that, Noah.”

  “I’m not sure I could do that,” Chastity’s face flushed with color. “What if he’s not that into me?”

  “If he’s still dating you he’s interested,” Noah insisted. “And his lack of a move should tell you that he respects you.”

  “He might be too shy,” Petunia said.

  Chastity declined the money Noah tried to put on the counter.

  “Thank you for the advice, Noah. It’s so nice to get a man’s perspective. The doughnuts are on the house today.”

  Noah chuckled all the way to the door. Petunia gave him a hard stare. “You’re pretty confident, aren’t you? I only hope Chastity doesn’t get her poor heart broken. What if Steven rejects her?”

  “He won’t. He’s hopelessly shy.”

  Petunia stared at the bus. “We’d better get to work.”

  “Work? This isn’t even a case.”

  “It certainly is. The entire town might be enchanted.”

  “Whoa, I thought you were concerned about the costumes. Now you think that bus is somehow responsible for people in town acting like they normally do?”

  Petunia sighed. “Bonnie isn’t acting like herself, for one. I need to know who really owns that bus. At least then I can hopefully find out if the owners are witches.”

  “Why, are you going to run them out of town?” Noah laughed.

  “Just you wait and see, mister. The magic that is in the works in Lake Forest is far from friendly.”

  Petunia took Pansy out of her purse and walked across the street.

  “Let me go,” Pansy yelled. “I don’t want to go in there!”

  “Well, I can’t go in by myself.”

  “Bring the lughead. Hey wait a minute, where is he?”

  Petunia peeked on the other side of the bus and found Noah by the bakery door.

  “Aren’t you coming with me?” Petunia asked sweetly.

  “I’d rather not, unless you insist.” He winked.

  She waited until he joined her before approaching the bus door. A “closed” sign hung in the window. Petunia pressed her face to the glass. “I wish I could see something.”

  “I wish we weren’t being watched.”

  “What’s going on here, Petunia?” Sheriff Pinkerton asked from his squad car.

  Petunia strolled over to the sheriff’s car. “I was curious about this bus. I was under the impression a new store opened up across from the bakery.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a store in a bus before unless it’s a permanent fixture like at a country store,” Noah said.

  “Believe it or not, the mayor rezoned so the store on wheels could park here through Halloween,” the sheriff said.

  “Really? How long has it been here?”

  “I wouldn’t let it bother you, Petunia. I’m certain they’re not cutting into your potion business.”

  “Of all the nerve,” Pansy said. “Are you going to allow him to talk to you like that, Red?”

  “I don’t see what else I can do.”

  “He’s getting away!”

  “Wait sheriff,” Petunia said. “I think I deserve an answer here.”

  Sheriff Pinkerton sighed noisily. “You’ll have to ask the mayor. All I know is one day the bus showed up in town.”

  “Thank you, sheriff.”

  “I suppose that means we’re going to question the mayor?” Noah asked.

  “Unless you’d rather not go with me?”

  “I’ll go, but please don’t go in there saying the town has been enchanted. It sounds crazy.”

  “So you think witches are crazy?” Petunia grinned.

  “I don’t think I want to answer that question.”

  “Smart man for a lughead,” Pansy said.

  “Really?”

  “Fine, so some witches aren’t totally crazy.” He laughed. Petunia strolled up the sidewalk and Pansy and Noah caught up with her. “I was just kidding.”

  “I know that. But I want to clear this up before tonight when the trick-or-treaters arrive.”

  “Is it safe ... I mean since the town is ... enchanted?”

  “That’s not my call, but I don’t think it’s fair to ruin the night for the children. I’ll just have to make sure nothing bad happens tonight.”

  “I hope you know you can’t do that all by yourself. You’ll need help.”

  “I plan to enlist my aunt and her friends to assist me.”

  Chapter 7

  Wendy opened the door of the mayor’s house.

  “Is Bonnie here?” Petunia asked.

  “She’s outside with Mona and Holly.”

  “Who?” Noah asked Petunia.

  “They’re Bonnie’s cousins from out of town. Remember, we just saw them at the costume store,” Petunia said with a cockeyed smile.

  “When Bonnie told us about the festivities in Lake Forest we just had to join in the fun,” Wendy said.

  “Are you going to stand there all day or are you planning to come inside?” Bonnie asked as she greeted them.

  Noah, Petunia and Pansy walked just inside the door.

  “We thought you were in the backyard,” Petunia said. “We hate to bother you, but could we speak with you about something?”

  “I figured you’d stopped by and tell me why you aren’t wearing the costume I bought you.”

  “The material made me itch,” was all Petunia could come up with.

  Bonnie’s brow shot up. “And the witch hat?”

  “If you’re talking about the one you put on Pansy, I can’t seem to find it anywhere. For all I know, one of the cats buried it in the litter box.”

  “Litter box?” Noah asked.

  “I’ll bring the costume back. That way you can return it.”

  “I had it special made.”

  Petunia swallowed a lump in her throat. “I’d be happy to pay you for it. I just can’t wear it. I’m sorry.”

  Mona and Holly moved into the room.

  “We’re not really here to discuss the c
ostume. I have a few questions for you if you don’t mind ... in private.”

  Bonnie sat down. “We don’t need to speak privately, Petunia. My cousins already know you’re a witch.”

  “What I want to ask you has nothing to do with that. Have you heard of the Forgotten Relics store on wheels?”

  “I already told you I bought your costume at a thrift store.”

  “You didn’t mention it wasn’t a permanent store and that the mayor rezoned that area to allow the bus to be there through Halloween.”

  “I didn’t think I had to tell you everything, Petunia. What does it matter anyway?”

  “I know the mayor has always been adamant when it comes to changing ordinances or zoning.”

  “I don’t get into my husband’s business decisions.”

  “So you mean you didn’t even check out the bus before it parked here in Lake Forest?”

  “You’re irritating her,” Pansy warned.

  “I’m not trying to irritate her; I’m only trying to find out how long the bus has been there,” Petunia said out loud.

  “Who are you talking to?” Bonnie asked sharply.

  Petunia sighed. “Sorry. I was thinking out loud again.”

  “It didn’t sound like that. It sounded as if you were talking to someone,” Wendy said. “Do you have psychic abilities?”

  “What my sister means is do you see dead things?” Mona asked.

  “As in ghosts?” Holly spoke up. “I think Mona meant dead people, not things.”

  “No, nothing like any of that.” Mona sighed.

  “Petunia is feeling overwhelmed today,” Noah said.

  “I’m worried. I don’t know anything about that store. It was closed when I dropped by. How long has it been parked there?”

  “Only since Friday. We found the traveling store online and thought people would think it was unique,” Bonnie explained. “The mayor, I mean my husband, gave me the approval to make arrangements for the bus to be here for our festival.”

  “I’m certain if you check in an hour the store will be open,” Holly said.

  “Will that satisfy you?” Bonnie asked.

  “It would, but aren’t you a little worried about the trick-or-treaters arriving later today? You don’t think the people who operate the store would harm them, do you?”

  “What?” Noah choked out. “Bonnie and her cousins are going to think you’re missing a gear. Of course, I hope you checked the owners out.”