Scent of Magic

by Clark, Lori L

  “Juliette, could you come here for a moment and wait on Mr. … I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name,” Francesca said.

  “My name is Nathan Gilmore, Nate,” he said. He extended his hand toward Juliette.

  She grasped his hand. “Hello, Mr. Gilmore. Juliette Duchesne.”

  When Juliette shook his hand, in the brief instant their palms touched, she got a very clear picture of what was going on with Nate. Nate was a very lonely man. Nate needed a date. She bit the inside of her cheek. Attractive enough, but totally not her type.

  “Were you looking for something special?” Juliette asked, and even though she knew he had no one whatsoever in his life, she added, “Wife, significant other, sister? Unless of course you were perhaps looking for something for yourself?”

  Nate hung his head. “No significant other, I’m ashamed to admit.”

  “No shame in solitude,” Francesca interrupted. “You know what they say.”

  Nate’s eyebrows dipped in the center. “No, I’m afraid I don’t know what they say.”

  Francesca took a deep breath. “They say that you have to love yourself before you can give your heart away to another person.”

  Nate rubbed the back of his neck. “Am I that obvious? Do I have ‘Loser’ written on my forehead?”

  “Of course not,” Juliette said. “We’re businesswomen; it’s our business to intuit exactly what our clientele needs.”

  “I’m an attractive guy, maybe not God’s gift to women, but I don’t think my looks send people screaming in the other direction like a bad zombie movie,” Nate said. “I’m intelligent. I bathe regularly. What’s wrong with me?”

  Francesca’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Fate will bring love your way when it’s time, and not one instant sooner.”

  Juliette smiled and handed Nate the bottle of her latest creation.

  “What’s this?” he asked.

  “Go on, try it. See what you think,” Juliette said, urging him to open the bottle.

  Nate touched the glass as though he was afraid it might burn him. He carefully took it and sniffed. Peacefulness passed over his face. ‘Say, this stuff doesn’t smell half bad.”

  Nate paid for his purchase and was about to leave the store when Starley skated up.

  Starley removed her skates and walked into The Perfumery stocking footed. Her eyes went wide when she saw the man at the counter. A giant tortoise. Starley never realized turtles could walk on their hind legs. When he noticed her, his neck disappeared, almost as though he was trying to withdraw into his shell.

  She blinked a few times and shook her head, watching him go down the sidewalk away from the store. “Was it my imagination, or did he just float down the street?”

  “He just needed a little something to come out of his shell,” Francesca said.

  “You have no idea,” Starley whispered.

  PRINCE CHARMING

  Starley and Rue sat together at lunch every day. Sometimes a few other girls sat with them, other times it was just the two of them. One day, Starley heard a loud commotion outside the cafeteria.

  “Wonder what’s going on out there?” Starley said. She stood on her toes, craning her neck to see. “Rue, let’s go check it out.”

  Rue looked at her chips and sandwich longingly. She sighed and hopped to her feet to tag along.

  Starley pushed through the cluster of people gathered around a girl. Several people watched as a trio of girls shouted and pointed fingers.

  “Who is she?” Starley whispered.

  “Beatrice Freeman,” Rue said.

  Beatrice had moved to Prosperity the previous year and had the misfortune of Hamilton Landry asking her out on a date. Not a big deal, except for one small problem. Hamilton already had a girlfriend. Elise Garner.

  Beatrice hadn’t known; she had been totally innocent. Elise found out and became furious. She went after Beatrice with a vengeance. Elise, the queen, and her three best friends, the royal court, had been constantly looking for ways to make Beatrice’s life a living nightmare ever since. They were always doing unbelievably mean and vicious things to her.

  Starley gritted her teeth and started forward to break it up. Rue put her hand on Starley’s arm and shook her head. “No,” she mouthed.

  “We can’t just stand here and do nothing!” Starley said and pulled free of Rue’s hold.

  Rue bit her bottom lip and hugged herself. She knew this wouldn’t end well if Starley stuck her nose where the royal court didn’t think it belonged.

  “What’s going on here?” A male voice boomed authoritatively.

  The crowd dispersed like cockroaches after the lights are turned on in the middle of the night.

  Beatrice cowered on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest. Tears flowed down her cheeks, and she had a trickle of blood smeared at the corner of her mouth. Mr. Eriksen, the Gym teacher, reached his hand out and helped her to her feet.

  Starley blinked when she saw who Mr. Eriksen was. He wore a shiny golden crown and a cape of some sort. She glanced around, half expecting to see the white horse he’d ridden in on when he came to Beatrice’s rescue.

  Rue elbowed Starley. “Close your mouth and stop gawking.”

  Starley clicked her teeth together and shook her head to clear her thoughts. “Prince freaking Charming.”

  “Come on, can we finish our lunch now?” Rue asked.

  Starley ignored Rue and went toward Beatrice. Starley handed her a business card from The Perfumery. “I’m Starley Duchesne. Come to this store after school today. You should meet my sisters.”

  Starley didn’t give Beatrice a chance to respond before she turned on her heels and went back to the cafeteria.

  “I know you meant well, but to stick your nose in that situation would have been social suicide,” Rue said to Starley.

  “So, what, I’m just supposed to stand around and watch them torment her that way and not do anything?” said Starley.

  “You’re creative, Starley. I’m sure you’ll think of some way to help Beatrice without painting a big bullseye on your back,” Rue said.

  A faint smile crossed Starley’s face. Isn’t that why she’d handed Beatrice the business card? Juliette and Francesca would know how to fix the problem, and no one would suspect a thing. “I’m on it.”

  “By the way, if one of your sisters could maybe do something to Elise Garner and those skanky friends of hers, I’d be totally all for it,” Rue said.

  Starley chuckled. “Francesca always says there’s no need for revenge. We just have to sit back and wait, and those that hurt you will eventually screw up all by themselves. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to watch.”

  After school, Starley ran home to take care of Poe and Larry. She put on her rollerblades and headed off toward The Perfumery.

  “What’s on your mind, Starley?” Juliette asked as soon as she noticed Starley’s pinched forehead.

  “Today, at school,” Starley started. She sat down on the counter and tugged off her skates, exchanging them for her running shoes. “I stood by and watched some girls bully another girl until she was in tears, and I didn’t do anything to help her.”

  “Oh, that isn’t good,” Francesca said.

  Starley hopped down from the counter and began to pace the shop. “I know. I started to help, but Rue warned me to mind my own business, she said if butted in, those girls would turn on me, and I’d be as bad off as Beatrice — the girl they were picking on.”

  “She was probably right,” Juliette said.

  “I know, but that doesn’t make it any easier,” Starley said with a sigh. “I gave her a business card for The Perfumery and invited her to come in.”

  Francesca tapped an ink pen against her lips. She did that when she thought. “I’ve never helped a victim of bullying before.”

  Starley scowled. “But you will, right?”

  “I think what Francesca is trying to say is that she’s not a hundred percent sure there’s anything we can do for
her,” Juliette said.

  “There must be something,” said Starley. “If we don’t do anything to help, then we’re no better than the girls who do the actual bullying.”

  “Now, if you could get them to come in…” Juliette said. Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

  “Juliette,” Francesca cautioned. “Do not encourage her. You know yourself that Karma’s a wicked foe.”

  “There has to be a way we can help,” Juliette said draping her arm over Starley’s shoulders. “Don’t give up Squirt. We’ll figure something out.”

  In spite of Juliette’s words of encouragement, Starley still felt defeated.

  “So, if you didn’t stop the bullies, who did?” Francesca asked.

  Starley pushed her glasses up and smiled. “Prince Charming, of course.”

  It was nearly closing time before Beatrice finally walked through the front doors. Starley had wondered if she would show up.

  “Hello,” Beatrice said quietly. She was a very pretty girl, and it was easy to see why she had attracted all the attention as a new girl in town. Maybe in another life, she had been a strong, confident soul. Now, she just seemed so … defeated.

  Starley grasped Beatrice’s hand and tugged her forward. “Juliette, Francesca, this is the girl I was telling you about. Beatrice, meet my sisters.”

  Beatrice took a couple steps and faltered. “I don’t know why I’m here.”

  “You’re here because Starley invited you,” Juliette said, reaching toward the girl.

  Beatrice shook Juliette’s hand and nodded. “I guess.”

  The vile images that flashed in Juliette’s inner eyes made her sick to her stomach. How human beings could be so cruel to other human beings was beyond her comprehension. The thought, poison them with their own medicine, flashed before her like a mental ticker-tape.

  “I have an idea,” Juliette said quietly.

  Francesca’s eyebrows shot up. “Do tell, sister dear.”

  Juliette winked. “Beatrice, I have the perfect perfume for you. You’re going to just love it. The only thing is, well, I need to place an order for a special ingredient. Would you mind waiting a few days?”

  Beatrice blinked, and she looked like she might say no, so Starley linked elbows with her. “Of course! What’s a couple of days to wait for perfection, right?” She infused her words with as much enthusiasm as she could muster, hoping it would be contagious.

  It must’ve worked. “You’re right! I can wait a few days, no problem,” Beatrice said.

  “That settles it then. I’ll get the order placed first thing in the morning. Tomorrow’s Tuesday,” Juliette said, shooting Francesca a look. “How does Friday after school sound?”

  “Great! I’ll see you then,” Beatrice said and started to leave.

  “I’ll see you at school tomorrow,” Starley called out.

  “Yeah, see ya!”

  CAREFUL IS MY MIDDLE NAME

  The Perfumery business began to thrive, and had several repeat clients. Francesca was over the moon happy, but Juliette remained cautiously optimistic. Juliette spent most of her time checking and rechecking figures.

  “Why on earth did you tell that girl, what was her name? That you’d have something for her by Friday?” Francesca asked, planting her hands on her hips. “This might be one of the dumber things you’ve done.”

  “Oh, are you really going to go there? Compare notes on stupid moves?” Juliette asked, quirking an eyebrow.

  “Well, so far, this move has proved to be profitable, wouldn’t you agree,” Francesca asked nodding at the ledger where Juliette had her nose stuck.

  “So far, yes,” Juliette agreed. “And to answer your question, about that girl, Beatrice, I know what I’m doing.”

  Francesca shook her head. “I hope so. Are you going to let me in on the big secret?”

  “It’s no secret, really,” Juliette said.

  The bell over the front door jingled, interrupting their discussion.

  “Good morning, ladies,” Pastor Byrd greeted.

  “It was. Until you came in,” Juliette muttered beneath her breath.

  Francesca kicked her in the shin behind the counter and beamed a fake smile at Pastor Byrd. “What a pleasant surprise, Pastor Byrd.”

  Juliette coughed and went toward the back room. “If you’ll excuse me, I have some potions to whip up.”

  Francesca gave Juliette a heated glance.

  “What can I help you with today, Pastor Byrd?” Francesca asked.

  “Mrs. Byrd’s birthday is this Saturday. I’d like to get her something unique,” he said. “It’s so hard to buy for a woman who has everything.”

  “How thoughtful of you,” Francesca said.

  “What do you recommend?” Pastor Byrd said.

  “Hmm,” Francesca said. She twisted her mouth to the side while she thought about what perfume the pastor’s wife might like. Having never met the woman, Francesca was at a disadvantage. “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you give her a gift certificate? She can come in for herself, and I’ll help her find something tailor-made.”

  “That’s a fine idea. A fine idea indeed,” Pastor Byrd agreed.

  Francesca went behind the counter and dug out the gift certificates. “How much would you like me to make it out for, Pastor Byrd?”

  The pastor twirled his hat around in his hands while he contemplated. “Fifty. She should be able to get herself something nice with that amount, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Francesca tugged at the front of her blouse, her breath caught in her throat and her eyes watered. She didn’t like the way Pastor Byrd smelled. The foul odor seemed to suck the fresh air right out of the room. She couldn’t put her finger on what it was exactly, but it smelled canine, but not nice canine like Larry. No, this was something more feral. More … dark.

  “Most definitely, pastor,” Francesca said. She hurriedly wrote out a receipt and took his fifty dollar bill. “I look forward to meeting your wife. I’m sure she’s a lovely woman.”

  “Mrs. Byrd is a bit quiet. She doesn’t get a lot,” Pastor Byrd said.

  The second he was out the door and out of sight, Francesca turned the ceiling fans on high and propped the door open a crack.

  “You can come out now, he’s gone now,” Francesca called out to Juliette.

  Juliette walked from the back and wrinkled her nose. “What is that awful stench?”

  “You can smell that?” Francesca said.

  “My stars, yes,” Juliette grabbed a bottle of odor eliminator. Vinegar infused with cinnamon would do the trick. “What did he buy? I hope it was something to cover up that odor.”

  Francesca snorted and covered her mouth. “He got his wife a gift certificate for her birthday. He wanted to do something nice for her.”

  “Maybe when she comes in, we can get her some bullshit repellant,” Juliette murmured.

  “Be nice, Juliette,” Francesca said.

  “That was nice. Trust me, are a lot more nasty things I could think of,” Juliette said.

  “Speaking of which, what are you making for Beatrice?” Francesca asked.

  “Since you’re making me play nice, I’m making her a pheromone-based scent. Something that’ll make her so irresistible everyone will be drawn to her like a moth to a flame. She might just become the most popular girl at Prosperity High,” Juliette stated.

  Francesca shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t like this. It’s messing with fate.”

  “Pfft, as if that’s something we’ve never done before,” Juliette said. “I think it’s a brilliant idea. I’d still like to get those girls who are bullying her to come in. I have an idea for something equally as potent for them.”

  Francesca turned her back on Juliette. She didn’t want her sister to see the smile curving her lips. “Be careful.”

  “Careful’s my middle name, Frank. You know that,” Juliette said.

  HOMECOMING DANCE

  Starley had never cared about homecoming, prom or a
ny of that stuff. Popular girls thought about those things. In fact, she’d never gone to an extra-curricular event with any of the schools she had attended.

  She stared at her reflection in the mirror over the bathroom sink. She took off her glasses and leaned closer to get a better look. Her eyes were the color of a cloudless summer sky. Her hair was the color of rich French vanilla ice cream.

  Frowning, she slipped her glasses back on. She turned sideways and took in her profile. She had boobs. Not big ones by any means, but she still required a bra. Of course, no one could tell since she kept them hidden behind baggy clothing. She glanced down at her butt and groaned inwardly. Her pants were at least one size too big and hung on her like a garbage bag.

  Starley took stock of all of her flaws. They were minor by anyone else’s standards, but in her opinion, everything seemed magnified tenfold. She needed a new wardrobe. She wished she had contacts. She could use a more flattering hairstyle, and she could stand a lesson or two in how to apply makeup. She felt like a walking poster for homely.

  “Why so serious, Squirt?” Juliette asked when Starley wandered into the kitchen.

  Starley waved her hand down the front of herself. “Look at me. I’m a walking disaster. Why would Beau ask me to the homecoming dance?”

  A glass crashed to the floor. “Sorry, must have slipped,” said Francesca. She dried her hands on the towel and walked over to stand in front of Starley. “Did I just hear you right? You want to go to the homecoming dance?”

  “I didn’t say that,” Starley mumbled. “Not exactly, anyway.”

  “You must be thinking about going if you believe he won’t ask you,” Juliette said.

  “Short of a freaking miracle, I’m pretty sure I don’t need to think about it,” Starley said.

  Juliette and Francesca exchanged glances. “Maybe we can help,” Francesca said.

  Juliette nodded. “Yes, I’m sure we can do something.”

  Francesca folded her arms in front of her chest and narrowed her eyes at Juliette and waggled her finger. “No hocus-pocus.”