Witcha'be (14 page)

“That’s a weird question,” Lenni said.

“Well?” Pam turned to look at us.

“Plenty.” Lenni fanned her arm between us.

“Good.” Pam pulled from the curb.

“Now that you mention it, Mom, sometimes you crunch my knees with your seat shoved so far back.” Lenni unlatched her seatbelt, wiggled to the middle, and buckled the center belt. “
Ahh
, now I can stretch my legs.” She extended her long legs, one on either side of the hump in the floorboard. “Molly, we can snuggle,” she teased, cuddling my shoulder.

“Funny.” I shrugged her off.

“I called to check on your mother earlier today. She’s better and raring to go,” Pam said, parking in front of my house.

“That’s great news.”

“See you tonight!” Lenni screeched.

“What time?” I asked, opening the car door.

“Around five-thirty,” Pam said. “That will give us time to drive to the city and get you girls something to eat first. We’re taking you to
Build a Bite Sandwich Shoppe
before the show. Then Madeline and I are heading to
Daffodils
.”

“Fine, Mom. I see how you are. Take us someplace cheap so you can go somewhere fancy.” Lenni slid from the backseat to the front.

“Well, if you’d rather, I guess we can all go—”

“I’m kidding. Who wants to go to that place where you melt your own cheese, anyway?” Lenni snarled.

“It’s called fondue, and it’s delicious.”

“Five-thirty. Me and Mom will be ready.”

“Can’t wait!” Lenni wailed.

The front door was open. Boo scratched at me through the screen.

“Mom?” I walked down the hall and peeked into the bathroom. “Wow, you look great.” She wore a long, rose-colored dress with a high waist and sandals with silver buckles.

“Thank you. Would you mind straightening the back of my hair?”

I took the flatiron from her and lifted a section of hair from the nape of her neck.

“Pam said you’re feeling better.”

“Yes. The nausea was gone by nine, just like yesterday.”

“Weird.”

“Any word on Jesse Parker’s condition? He’s lucky that hook didn’t rip his eyeball out. It hurts just thinking about it.” She shuddered.

“Mom, please.”

“Sorry.”

“Mr. Parker said he’ll be back Monday. Okay, all done.” I misted Mom’s hair with hairspray. She looked radiant, her skin glowing. “My turn to get ready. I’ll be down in a little while.” I kissed her cheek and scooped up Boo. “What’s Dad going to do tonight, while we’re gone?” I asked over my shoulder.

“More bowling with Neal.”

We both burst out laughing.

I plugged the charger cable into my phone and tossed it on my bed.

“What am I going to wear, Boo?” I slid hangers back and forth in my closet.

“Hmm, what about this?” I placed a bright green shirt to my chest and gazed in the mirror. “Lime popsicle,” I grumbled, replacing the hanger. I held up a longer, plum-hued t-shirt, the color of Mrs. Piper’s SUV.

“Better.” I found my gold-chain belt looped over the bar, peeking between two hangers. Searching for something to wear on my bottom half, I hesitated over a pair of never-worn, jet-black leggings. I tugged the stretchy material. “What would Lenni do?” I looked in the mirror. “She’d definitely go for it.” I gathered my black ballet flats then headed for the bathroom.

“They’re on the way.” I experimented with mascara as Mom called upstairs.

I slid one shoe on, and then tossed my school ID inside the other before slipping it on. “Mom!” I shouted, galloping down the staircase, chain belt jingling.

“What is it?” She met me at the foot of the stairs, eyes wide.

“How do I look?” I pulled the cross from inside my shirt and straightened the chain.

“Oh.” Mom put her hand to her throat. “Is that all?” She exhaled, hunching her shoulders.

“How do I look?” I asked again, tugging at the leggings.

“Amazing.” She grinned. “And I love your hair.” She cupped the strands at my jaw line.

“Thanks.” I stepped down from the last stair. “My heart is pounding out of my body.” I held her hand to my chest.

“Take a deep breath,” Mom instructed, inhaling through her nose, exhaling slowly through her mouth.

“No time to breathe.” I dashed to the door. Butterflies the size of seagulls flapped inside my stomach as I saw Pam’s car out front. I jumped up and down and waved my arms. “Hurry up, Mom!” I strained to see Lenni through the car windows, but the tint was too dark.

“Okay, chill out.” Mom carried a large tote bag. “Essentials,” she said.

“Chill out?” I grabbed her arm. The air smelled of earth and sulfur, signaling an approaching thunderstorm. I gasped as the screen tore from my hand and banged against the house. Porch witch’s hat took flight into the neighbor’s yard. The yellow dog seized it, shaking it in his teeth.

“Oh, no!” Mom yelped as the witch’s hair danced wildly around her face, the green paint darkened by the overcast sky.

“It’s okay. We’ll get her another hat. The stores have tons since next month is Halloween.” I led her down the steps and over the walkway. She gaped through the chain-link fence at the dog, surrounded by black shreds, still shaking the hat’s brim.

I made silly, excited faces at Lenni as we approached the car, hoping she was watching behind the blacked-out windows.

Mom opened the passenger door and slid in, already crying to Pam about porch witch’s hat.

I reached for the back handle as lightning flashed. For an instant, I thought I saw Bianca through the window. My shocked expression stared at me from the dark glass. I chuckled, imagining how I must’ve looked to Lenni. Thunder cracked as I opened the door.

“The lightning really played a trick on—”

Every mammoth butterfly in my stomach dropped dead.

“Surprise!” Lenni and her mother shouted in unison.

Bianca sat smack in the middle of the backseat, one long, fishnet-clad leg on either side of the hump in the floorboard. Her green gaze ingested me slowly as I stood motionless, car door open.

“Get in, Molly Lou, it’s starting to sprinkle.”

I didn’t move.
Couldn’t
move.

Sprinkles grew into drops. Lenni leaned across Bianca’s lap and tugged my hand. “Get
in
!” She laughed.

Slowly, I slid into the seat, my hand nearly brushing Bianca’s as I fastened my seatbelt. Her fingernails were flesh-toned.
Sensuous Skin
. The polish missing from Lenni’s dresser.

“Nice witch.” Bianca smirked, looking past me to the porch.

I stared straight ahead.

Pam turned to face me. “Are you surprised? Lenni sure was.”

“Yeah. Surprised.” Heat rose up my neck. I braced for the hiccups.

“We haven’t been properly introduced. Bianca, isn’t it?” I watched, mortified, as Mom turned and extended her hand. “I love your name. I told Molly that just the other day. I’m Madeline.” She smiled as Bianca took her hand.

I wished I would melt into a puddle.

“So, let me tell you how I orchestrated the surprise,” Pam said. “I went into the liquor store Thursday to pick up champagne for Brenda’s wedding and ran into Bianca’s father.”

“
That’s
no surprise,” Bianca whispered, staring at the headliner. I wondered if her father had a drinking problem.

“And I got this brilliant idea to ask him if Bianca could join us. The more the merrier. I knew Lenni would be thrilled to have her two best friends at her very first concert. Seth liked the idea, so I called and ordered an extra ticket. Miraculously, they had a cancellation in the VIP section. High five!” She thrust her hand to the back. Lenni energetically slapped it.

“Away we go,” Mom chimed as Pam pulled from the curb. “By the way, I checked the weather. Thunderstorms, but no tornadic activity in the forecast. Just a lot of rain. So…” She hunched over, rustling around her feet. “I brought rain bonnets.” She passed out baggies.

My cheeks warmed as Bianca frowned, tweezing the packet between her finger and thumb.

“Good thinking,” Pam said, unfolding the plastic hood. “But I’m not sure it will fit over all this.” She shook her blonde curls.

Lenni chatted all the way to the city, trying to pull me into her conversation with Bianca at regular intervals. I replied with one-syllable answers, unable to believe what was happening. This night was for Lenni and me. Alone.
Our
time. Now it was ruined.

I rested my head against the window and watched rain drag over the glass. Sensing Bianca’s stare, I locked the door.

“Here we are, girls—
Build a Bite Sandwich Shoppe
.” Pam turned into the parking lot. My hand twitched on the seatbelt. I jumped out the second the car stopped.

“Take your rain bonnets, in case we get another shower,” Mom said as I splashed toward the restaurant.

I’d sooner die.

Lenni caught up to me. “What’s your hurry?” she asked, then gestured for Bianca to walk faster.

“Just want to get this night over with,” I said through clenched teeth.

“Over with? Why?” Lenni looked shocked.

“If you haven’t figured it out by now, you never will. Forget about this
thing
you want to happen between me and Bianca. She can’t stand me.”

“You keep saying that, but it’s not true.” Lenni’s voice shook.

“Shhh.” I dropped to a whisper. “I know she has…personal problems. But I’m not strong enough to wait them out. I can’t keep being her victim until she grows out of this witcha’be phase.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but can we all get along, only for tonight? Molly, please, will you at least try?”

Her quivering lip annoyed me. The tickets were mine to begin with. I was generous enough to give one to her and this was how she repaid me.

“It’s not my fault Bianca’s here. My mom cooked up this surprise by herself,” she said, as if reading my mind.

I exhaled sharply. She was right. As we walked, I looked over my shoulder at Bianca, ensnared in conversation with our mothers. “I’ll try. Just for tonight. For you.”

“Thank you.” She gave me a peck on the cheek. I flinched and looked back. Bianca walked slowly between Mom and Pam, staring directly at me.

We stopped to let them catch up. Lenni opened the door and held it, releasing the aroma of lunchmeat and pickles. From a huge, flat-screen television, cartoons blared.

Pam paid the girl in yellow overalls behind the register then led Mom toward a bistro-style table for two in the corner.

Holding my empty red platter, I gazed confusedly at the wall menu behind the buffet tables. The list seemed endless, the instructions complicated. I built a nameless ham and American cheese on white with light mayo. Lenni made a
Twist and Sprout
with chicken and bean sprouts, while Bianca constructed a
Bloodsucker
on Russian black bread, adding an extra dose of ketchup.

We walked to a brightly colored booth and Lenni and Bianca slid in on opposite sides of the table. I wiggled in beside Lenni.

“We forgot our drinks,” Lenni announced, pointing to the soda fountain. Slipping out of the booth, we crossed the room and grabbed plastic goblets and straws. After filling our glasses, we walked back to the table. Bianca slid into the booth next to Lenni, stealing my spot.

I flicked my gaze between them, pulse accelerating. Bianca sent a cold glare my way. I dropped my eyes and slid onto the empty bench, scooting until I was across from Lenni.

The sky darkened behind the rain-streaked window. I slumped toward the glass, angry. Mostly with myself. Bianca and I both knew who was in control, and we both knew it wasn’t me. The self-control Mrs. Piper spoke of was nowhere to be found.

I pushed away my half-eaten sandwich, slurped my soda, and glanced at the triangular clock. Almost 7:30. We’d have to leave soon.

Mom and Pam drank from their twisty-straws, giggling like girls. I huffed to their table. “Mom, we need to go.”

Pam glanced at her silver wristwatch. “She’s right.” They rose, hoisting their bags to their shoulders.

“Girls, put on your bonnets. It’s raining harder now.” Mom dug her crumpled rain bonnet from her purse as she walked and wrapped it hurriedly around her head. Pam dutifully tied the plastic flaps under her chin, tucking curls in as best she could. She linked arms with Mom and they ran across the parking lot.

Lenni stretched her bright pink shirt over her head and peeked through the neck, exposing the lacey black tank underneath. She shoved the glass door open, squealed, and splashed through puddles to the car. Bianca sauntered behind, her wet spirals lifting in the wind like Medusa’s snakes.

My breath fogged the glass. On the count of three, I burst from the door and ran, losing my left shoe in the first puddle. My school ID floated in the oily pool. I wrenched off my right shoe, fished the ID and left shoe from the puddle, and sprinted barefoot to the car.

The locked door handle slipped from my grip as I yanked. Bianca caught my gaze as the dome light illuminated the interior. She flipped her hair, turning her back to me. Heat zipped up my neck to my ears. I tapped the glass, causing Lenni to peek around Bianca and wave. I twisted an imaginary key in the air. She widened her eyes and nudged Bianca, who took her time unlocking the door.

“Thanks so much, Bianca,” I said sourly.

“Anytime.”

My t-shirt stuck to my body, making slurping noises as I tugged it.

“Here, girls.” Mom threw hand towels from the front seat. “You can never be too prepared.”

I scrubbed my face, wrung my hair, and patted my clothing.

“Give them back when you’re done.” Mom clicked off the dome light. I handed her my towel and slumped in the seat.

“Someone smells like a wet dog,” Bianca said loudly, pinching her nose. I sniffed, inhaling the musky aroma of incense wafting from her hair.

“I smell like baby powder,” Lenni said, holding a damp strand of blonde hair to her nose. “And hairspray.”

Nonchalant, I ran a hand through my hair then pretended to yawn while sniffing my fingers. Good. Artificial strawberries. Not wet dog.

“We’ll be there in a few minutes.” Pam maneuvered through the rain-splattered streets, wipers blurring the fogged windshield. Heat blasted from the vents, turning the car into a sauna. I tugged my neckline, wincing at my chafed skin as I shoved on wet shoes.