“They wanted me to mate with a werewolf. Every werewolf does. It’s easier. But they didn’t say they wished you weren’t a witch because they didn’t like witches. They love you. Or they did.”
“They don’t love her now?” Nonna Soppressata’s voice came through the smoke.
“What’s not to love?” Nonna Tortellani asked.
“Well, I agree.” Daniel swatted the cloud from his face. “But you have to understand my parents care for me the same way you do for Jackie.”
“Oh, yes.”
“Of course. Of course.”
“You laughed at me. You didn’t stand up for me,” Jackie said, fighting the tears burning behind her eyes. “The entire school laughed, even the damn human kids, and you did nothing.”
“You chose that path.” Daniel’s voice rose. “I told you not to do it, but you had to prove something. What you were proving, I don’t have the slightest idea because you can’t prove you’re not a witch when you are a witch.”
“You shouldn’t have laughed when it happened,” Jackie said.
“I didn’t laugh. You’re confused if you think that happened. I never laughed at you losing the horticulture fair, and I certainly didn’t laugh when your attempt to suppress your magic killed every plant inside the auditorium.”
“Jackie! You didn’t!” Maria’s voice sounded through the thin sludgy vapors covering the entire room. “Is that what happened? I don’t believe it.”
“Oh, dear,” Nonna Tortellani said.
“Well, that explains a lot,” Nonna Soppressata said.
Jackie’s dad groaned. “Didn’t she tell us it was a heating issue in the building?”
From somewhere hidden in the fog Nonna Tortellani gasped. “Another lie!”
“This has been going on since she was little! There may be no way to save her,” Nonna Soppressata said.
“I didn’t lie. It was a heating issue. The room got really, really hot.” Jackie remembered the science teacher fumbling with the thermostat and then overhead paging the facilities man for an emergency repair.
It had been a nightmare. Everyone around her dripped sweat. Mascara ran down the face of the first place winner while the second place winner’s hair was matted to his head. Everyone stared at Jackie, who somehow did not sweat even one drop.
“Oh.” Tony frowned.
“How was I supposed to know the heat in the building would rise like that?”
“You know things happen when magic is misused,” Tony said.
“I didn’t use magic!” Jackie practically shrieked. “You think I purposefully caused that catastrophe? Are you kidding?”
“We’re witches. We can’t deny who we are. It’s not only impossible, it’s dangerous,” Maria said, and all around the spot where her voice sounded the smoke churned. “When you deny your magic the opportunity to do the good it’s supposed to do, you misuse it.”
“Maybe it’s the denial of the witch heritage that brings on the lies,” Nonna Tortellani said.
“Oh, I bet you’re right, Nella,” Nonna Soppressata said.
“I am not a liar,” Jackie mumbled because she wasn’t quite brave enough to take on multiple arguments in one session.
Ignoring both grandmothers, Tony said, “Well, I can understand your in-laws wanting the best and easiest life for their son. It’s what we have always wanted for you, Jackie, but we also wanted you to be yourself and to be proud of who we are.”
“Jackie, sweetie, um, how long has your magic been this thick, dark goop? This cannot be good. I hope this hasn’t aged us unnecessarily,” Nonna Tortellani said.
“I hope we aren’t dead but don’t realize it,” Nonna Soppressata said.
“Oh, that is something to be concerned with. And to think I was only worried about wrinkles,” Nonna Tortellani agreed. “Death would certainly be worse than looking like a dried fig when this is over.”
“It’s only been like this since I got here, but it’s not really black, not in the sense of black magic. It’s just…” Jackie couldn’t explain because in all honesty she was worried she might have somehow gone over to the dark side by betraying herself. “What if I’m evil now?” she whispered.
Her parents and grandmothers laughed.
“Oh, don’t worry, darling, this is mood coloring. The color of your magic changes like a mood ring. Right now I’d guess you’re miserable,” Nonna Tortellani said.
“I am,” Jackie admitted, once again considering teleporting away. The very next chance she got she was revoking her promise to Daniel.
“But why?” Nonna Soppressata’s voice was on the move.
“Careful dear. We don’t know what lies in front of us,” Nonna Tortellani was moving, too.
They moved together, bumping into the coffee table. “I think I put that there.”
“It’s a terrible spot.”
Then they hit the end table and toppled a lamp. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Daniel said.
Jackie debated slipping out the glass door before they got to her but figured running once again would only make this whole situation worse. That was assuming she could get through the wall of wild weeds working their way up the house.
“Where is she? Can you see her?” Nonna Tortellani asked.
“I’m right here.” As soon as Jackie said the words, both grandmothers descended on her.
“Your parents love you. We love you. Daniel loves you. We are all happy to have you home. I thought you were able to figure all that out, but maybe you’re a bit slower than we thought,” Nonna Tortellani said.
“She’s not slow. She’s sad.” Nonna Soppressata hugged Jackie.
“My magic is brown and sometimes gray and occasionally has a hint of green. It used to be pretty and purple and pink with that cool green, like forsythia in spring. Now…now it’s…” Jackie choked on the sob trying to make an escape and pressed the palms of her hands to her eyes to keep any tears from escaping. “My magic is the color of shit.”
“Shitty magic?” Nonna Tortellani laughed. “Shitty?”
“Tut! We are creator witches, every one of us. When your magic is brown, it’s the color of soil, the starting point for all growth. It’s not shit,” Nonna Tortellani explained, then giggled.
“It’s not funny. I hate it.”
“You simply need to work with it instead of against it and you’ll see.” With a whoosh Jackie’s magic smog split creating a path for Maria to walk to her daughter. “You cannot deny who you are. That’s lying.”
“We are not liars. No. Absolutely not. My daughter is not a liar,” Tony said from somewhere across the room.
Maria’s hands rested on Jackie’s shoulders. “Do you truly hate your magic?”
Jackie wasn’t sure. She’d been refusing to use it and hiding from it for so long she’d grown accustomed to thinking her magic was horrid.
But was it? Was it possible she could control it and use it in a positive way? Could she be of help to someone? To Daniel? A bit of hope swelled in her chest. “Maybe not.”
A loud pop sounded, followed by glass shattering and the poison ivy flopping into the room made Jackie realize the chances of her using magic in any way other than to cause destruction, infestations, and a multitude of weed issues was impossible. She didn’t necessarily trust herself to do the right thing with it.
“Ah, see.” Nonna Tortellani pointed at the mass of greenery lying on the floor. “You’ve already solved one problem.”
“What?” Jackie’s whole body drooped at the sight.
“This place has been a barren wasteland since you left. Now, look at it. There are plants everywhere.” Nonna pointed at the poison ivy working its way across the living room floor. “You. Out.”
Vines of ivy shot out, scooped up the poppies that had managed to hop off and scatter, and inched its way back from whence it came.
“We should clean this place up,” Nonna Soppressata said, and with a twirl that changed her grieving widow garb back
into a cute, form-fitting cocktail dress she managed to replace the broken glass door, clean up the broken lamp, and put every single plant into a pot.
“Lovely,” Nonna Tortellani said.
Maria patted Jackie’s shoulder and kissed her cheek. “Okay, well good to hear you don’t hate your magic. Your father and grandmothers and I have someplace to go right now so we’ll leave you to sort through the rest of this on your own.”
“Yes, right. Good idea,” Nonna Soppressata said.
“I almost forgot,” Nonna Tortellani said.
“Where the hell are we going now?” Tony asked as Maria dragged him over to Jackie. “Kiss your daughter good-bye so we can go. We don’t want to be late for the thing.”
“Where are you going? I need you to stay. Someone has to help me clean up this magic shit storm.”
Maria glared at Tony. “Our allotted time is over, and we don’t want to get in the way of anyone else.”
“Well, all right, but as usual, I don’t know what you women are up to.” Tony kissed Jackie. “See you later kiddo and don’t leave town without stopping home.” He lowered his voice. “Your mother is making carbonara and orecchetti with sausage. I don’t know what she’s up to, but come for dinner. Cannolis for dessert.” He nodded and Jackie’s mouth watered.
Maria was by far the best cook Jackie knew, better even than her own mother, which Jackie wouldn’t admit out loud if her life depended on it.
“I’ll try, but Dad, can you clean this mess up?” She kissed his cheek.
“No can do, Jack-Attack.” He lowered his voice to another whisper. “Your mom will turn me into a goat if I do.” His eyes widened. “Don’t want the warden mad.”
“Am I supposed to do anything else for Daniel or is the magic garden enough?” she whispered back. If at the very least someone could explain what she was supposed to accomplish, maybe then she’d be able to control this mess.
“There’s more,” Tony whispered. “But, please don’t ask me. Your mom will kill me where I stand if I tell you.”
“Why?” Jackie’s demanding whisper was shoved through gritted teeth. “You’re my parents, you’re supposed to help me.”
“Mom says some lessons have to be learned alone or something like that.” Tony hugged Jackie. “I was only half listening so I might have gotten it wrong. Maybe that was when she was lecturing about loneliness or loyalty or maybe it was the leopard chair she wants. I can’t be sure.”
“Let’s go.” Maria tugged Tony away. “Say good-bye to your son.” They both turned, and Jackie squinted in vain to see if what she thought was happening was really happening.
“Bye, son.” Tony turned away from Jackie with his hand out, grasping in the clouds. “Always good to see you.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Daniel said, and Jackie heard what sounded like the hard, loud patting of backs that happened when men hugged.
A kiss squeaked. It sounded like Maria kissed someone’s cheek, and Jackie knew for sure it was not her dad because first, he was now standing in front of her and second, Maria only ever kissed his cheek if she was in the mood to kiss his cheek and most certainly that moment was not now.
“Okay, honey. I see everything’s going to be fine,” Maria said.
“How can you tell?” Jackie asked.
“I’m not speaking to you and don’t interrupt.” Maria’s voice was as sharp as whenever she was lecturing. “We’ll figure it out, and you know you can always come home if she’s too much,” Maria said in a gentle tone and not to Jackie.
“I know, Mom. Thanks,” Daniel said.
Another kiss.
Jackie’s back stiffened.
“Bye sweetie,” the Nonnas said, and Jackie was afraid to answer because she was fairly certain they were crowding around Daniel. “Such a lady-killer,” Nonna Soppressata said as she and Nonna Tortellani laughed.
And just like that all four of them vanished, leaving the echo of her grandmothers’ laughs to follow.
“If this whole thing has been love, I’m not sure I want it.” Daniel’s not-too-happy voice came from behind Jackie.
Chapter Fourteen
“You have some nerve being annoyed with me.” Jackie spun around to jab a finger into the cloud where she was almost certain she’d find some part of Daniel’s chest. “You have been pilfering love from my family! Where are your parents? Why are you calling mine Mom and Dad, and when did that start?”
When Jackie left town, Daniel had not exactly been on her parents’ list of favorite people. In fact her father had gone so far as to buy a rifle, which was preposterous because the man hadn’t the slightest idea what to do with it. But the point was he had an eighteen-year-old daughter who had run off and married some boy (who had been liked up until the marriage), so now he needed a gun.
“Pilfering love?” Daniel’s chest bumped into Jackie’s finger. “If my wife hadn’t run off and hidden for twelve years I wouldn’t have had to pilfer anyone’s love.”
He might have had a point, though Jackie was not conceding.
“Yeah, well, stop calling my parents Mom and Dad. You’ve got your own. Where are they, anyway?” Jackie’s hand opened up on Daniel’s chest where she felt his heart pounding. “Aren’t we about due for a visit or something?”
Goddess knew they could not possibly have a moment’s peace because that would allow Jackie to figure out what the hell else she was supposed to do to help Daniel, which would allow her to leave Rhode Island, which she knew was for the best.
“My mother hasn’t spoken to me in years.” Daniel’s hand came to Jackie’s wrist and his thumb caressed the skin in such a way she had to look.
The fog of soil-y colored magic lowered, and Daniel’s face came into view. He stared down at her with such sadness Jackie reached for his cheek. “Why?”
She knew the situation was killing him. The Ridgebacks were a very close family, as close even as Jackie’s, which everyone knew meant there was not one secret to be kept. It also meant Daniel was the center of their world. So why would his mother not speak to him.
“I can’t believe she hasn’t spoken to you.” Without thought her hands wandered up around his neck, and she stepped in closer.
Daniel’s mother made his lunch, did his laundry, and even showed up to practices with snacks when he played football senior year. To say he was the love of her life was an understatement. It was also one of the most anxiety provoking thoughts of Jackie’s life, but that was another story.
With a sigh that told Jackie the situation wasn’t one-sided, Daniel said, “She’s not the only one not talking. We haven’t spoken in six years.” He kissed Jackie’s cheek, then her neck. “Not since Vegas.” He nibbled her ear.
“Vegas?” she whispered, barely able to follow the conversation. “What…” She couldn’t finish the sentence because a soft breath blew while he sucked her earlobe. “…happened in Vegas?”
“I let you slip away instead of demanding you leave with me when you were losing at the Craps table.” His tongue circled a spot on her neck. “You lost ten thousand dollars, and my parents couldn’t believe I let you leave.”
“You were there?” Jackie opened her eyes. “You were in Vegas? Close enough to see me lose?”
“Close enough to see you lose and to try to intervene, which got me into some trouble with the locals and once again, you slipped past me.” His lips dotted kisses along her jawline. “Once again I gave my mother another disappointment.”
That had actually been a very good night. Ten thousand sounded like a lot, but that was nothing when you won two hundred thousand and twelve dollars earlier.
“What were you doing in Vegas?”
“What do you think?” He leaned in for another kiss.
Jackie shoved out of his arms. “Well! You should not have been there, doing that!”
Wild spins of putrid greenish, gray, brown spun at their feet.
“Do you know how dirty those women are?” Jackie clenched her teeth to try to keep fro
m scream-crying. It was bad enough thinking Daniel had been with other women, but in Vegas? Who did that? “Is that the woman, the one whose kid you might have fathered?”
He grabbed her shoulders and held her at arms length. “Do you mean to say you actually think I was in Vegas picking up women? You think that low of me? You think I’m out dating other women while we’re married?”
“Yes!”
“How many men have you been with since our wedding?” His eyes narrowed.
“None. That’s how many, jerk! I have not been with one other man because in spite of how you treated me, like I was not good enough for you, I have not broken our vows, which is more than we can say about you!” Jackie tried to shake out of his grasp, but that turned out to be impossible.
“I was in Vegas chasing you. For twelve years I have neglected every other duty I’ve had, run my land into the ground, missed every holiday with my family, and ignored every other woman on the planet to chase after you. I was not in Vegas for sex.” His voice was considerably louder than only seconds before.
“No one told you to do that.”
“Just like no one told me to fall in love with a woman who’d run, but I did that, too.” He shook his head. “Why do I bother? What’s the point? You don’t love me. If you did, you’d have never run, or if you had, you’d have come home sooner.” He relinquished his grip and stepped back. “Go. You don’t need to stay. I’ll file for divorce in the morning and you’ll be free. Just go.” He bounded up the stairs. “Just do me a favor and get rid of the wall of weeds covering the house. That can’t be too much to ask.”
Suddenly everything slipped into place. It felt as if an internal key clicked open a lock that had long been bound. The magic pulsing through her felt good and right. Her heart was full, brimming with the truth of who she was and what she felt for Daniel. Jackie knew her true purpose for being here had nothing to do with Daniel’s land and everything to do with Daniel’s love.
She almost squealed when she realized what her grandmothers had been up to. From the innuendos they so often dropped about Daniel having to fend off women at every turn to getting her to use magic again. She wasn’t sure if it was their genius at being able to get Baba Yaga to move this situation along or her own for figuring it out that was more impressive. But either way the feeling of true joy from finally realizing her purpose was almost as wonderful as admitting she loved Daniel.
Magic and Mayhem: The Witch, The Weeds, and The Were (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Spaghetti Romance Book 1) Page 7