Anyway…
We finish early, and since we have to drive past the French Quarter to get back to Grandma’s, I ask Michael to drop me off at the corner of Canal and Rampart, on the grounds that I am meeting a friend nearby.
“I’m not going to drop you off out here by yourself. You gotta know the Quarter ain’t safe for you.”
“This is outside of the Quarter,” I argue.
“Technicalities,” he blurts.
“Mike, she knows the dangers, but needs to start walking her own path at some point. She’s old enough to now do so,” Miri interjects.
Michael scoffs. Turns the car around the corner, then another corner. Before I realize what is happening, we are pulling to a slow stop in front of Caleb’s old house. The building is pristine, no remaining sign of fire damage, nor of repairs having been made.
Silence slips over the entirety of the car as our heads turn, and we all stare at the place where we used to live… before Caleb tried to burn us alive. No words need to be spoken for me to know we’re all remembering that night. Thinking of the horror, change, and growth that came from that event.
For me, everything is printed in a never forget file, stashed at the back of my brain.
“This city has a magickal way of wiping away the significant signs of evil,” Miri says, at nothing more than a whisper.
“It’s got masking down to an art,” Michael adds and presses the gas, taking us away from the scene. At the next corner, he makes a right and drives the remaining distance to my destination. He pulls the car along the curb in front of The Grill and twists in his place to better see me in the backseat. “You going to be okay?” he asks.
“Sure. I have magick on my side.” I wink at him and he frowns. The line is one I’ve heard him use and now I am turning it around on him. I glance past the car window, to the restaurant beyond. Through the all glass doors, I spot Luna sitting at the all-pink counter. “Besides,” I add. “My friend is already inside waiting for me.” She glances toward the street and I wave. She jolts and waves back.
“Alright then,” Michael says. “You’d better be safe getting back home.”
“Of course.” I push open the door and step free from the car.
Miri rolls down the window and reaches for my hand. I clasp and squeeze. “I’m going to be fine,” I say.
“Oh, I know.” She smiles. “I just wanted to remind you to get your dress soon and make sure you pick something both lovely and comfortable.”
“Right, because you wouldn’t want me so pathetically unfashionable that I upstage the bride.” I smirk.
“Stop it.” She slaps my hand and waves me away. “Now go have some fun.”
“That I will.” I turn and make my way into the restaurant. The walls are pink, the theme screams fifties, and the seating is all counter-style. A large counter snakes through the establishment with metal and vinyl stools at equal intervals. The aroma of cheeseburgers, fries, and grease is thick.
Luna is sitting at the counter, sipping on a cold drink. When I step through the door, she slips off her stool and waves, a slight, shy shake of the hand.
“I got here early so I went ahead and ordered a drink. I hope you don’t mind,” she says.
“Not at all.” I slide onto the stool beside hers and grab the menu. She returns to her seat. “What would you say to sharing an order of fries?”
“Sounds perfect.” She waves at the waiter. He motions, signaling he’ll be with us in a moment. She folds her hands on the counter in front of herself and angles her head to gaze at me. “Thanks for going out of your way for me. I really appreciate it.”
I’m unable to fight the smile that jumps to my lips. “You’re totally welcome. Who knows, we could end up becoming fast friends.”
Her brown eyes twinkle. “I’d like that.”
With a smirk, I yank my bag close to my side and dig deep within, pull free a crumpled paper bag. Hand it to Luna.
“Your goldenseal and elderberry. I assume you want this for the quarter moon on Wednesday.” She nods. “You best be sure it’s actually healing you desire, because if it is cleansing that is required, you’ll want to wait until the waning moon at the end of the month.”
My words cause her pause, her lower lip drooping ever slightly. “I—I don’t. How can I tell?”
“Sorry about the wait. What can I get you girls?” The waiter steps up to the opposite side of the counter, pencil and pad in hand.
“Fries would be good,” I blurt. “We’re going to share. Oh, and a coke for me.” I glance at Luna’s partially drunk cold drink sitting on the counter. “Do you mind if we get the fries extra crunchy?” I ask her.
“I don’t mind at all. I love them that way,” she replies.
“Great.” I turn my attention back to the waiter. “Then we’ll have the fries extra crispy with a side of ranch dressing, in addition to the ketchup, also on the side.”
“Gottcha. That will be right up.” He smiles and walks away.
“You know…” I press my elbow into the counter and shift to face her. “My mother has been having issues for almost two years now. I have tried healing spell after healing spell, and nothing has worked. But neither have they made her any worse. So, if you are trying a healing spell and it doesn’t work, we can always move on to cleansing work.”
“You would do that for me?” Her shoulders straighten and shift back.
“Sure. Why not?” I reach forward and rest my hand on hers. “What are we if we do not help our fellow witches in need?”
Her eyes brighten and
