Witcha'be (21 page)

“Thank you,” I said. The woman grunted and straightened her plastic gloves.

“Over there.” Lenni pointed to Jake and Kit, sitting at a nearly empty table at the end of the room. Bianca rolled her eyes. “Come on, Bianca, give them a chance. They’re nice.” Lenni strode toward the table, unaware she walked like a runway model. The boys straightened their shoulders and elongated their spines in her presence. “Can we sit down?”

“Sure,” Jake said, starting to stand, stopping halfway.

“You know Bianca, right?” she asked.

“Yeah, we have Timble together,” Kit said, picking his braces.

“I’ve seen you around,” Jake said beneath his sloppy joe mustache.

“Charmed.” Bianca examined a French fry.

“Oh, hey, Molly, check it out.” Jake took his phone from his pants pocket, smeared sauce across the screen with his huge finger, and then held it up to me. “What’s your number?”

I chewed my lip.

“Come on, Molly. I’m not gonna stalk you or anything.”

I gave him the number.

He tapped his screen with the tip of his thick finger. I fished my vibrating phone from my pocket. My breath caught. A little skull with crossbones stared out at me. I clicked it. Its hinged jaws opened like an envelope, displaying a text message.

I got the app, the message read.

“Where’d you get it?” I asked.

“My cousin loaded it after I told him about your phone.”

I turned to Bianca.

“It’s a pretty simple app.” She shrugged.

“Simple, yet terrifying,” I said.

“Want my pudding?” Lenni asked Jake.

“Sure.” He slid her tray in front of him and took a huge bite.

“I used that spoon.” Lenni flapped her hands at him.

“I don’t care.” He took another bite, adding a layer of chocolate to his sloppy joe mustache.

“Let’s go outside. It’s cold in here.” Lenni rubbed her arms.

“Guess you won’t be eating your pudding either?” Jake asked Bianca and me as we rose from our chairs. We slid our trays to him. “Thanks.” He shoveled pudding in his mouth with our used spoons.

“Disgusting,” Bianca mumbled as we walked through the doors.

Lenni ran toward an empty picnic table and perched on top, motioning us over. She was right—the warm sunshine felt good. I glanced at Bianca. So did everything.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“Your mom’s finishing up the nursery,” Pam said, when she picked us up after school. “She’s making a mobile with flying monkeys.”

“Sounds frightening.”

Pam giggled. “Yeah, I thought so, too. But let’s keep that between us.”

“Would you mind dropping by the store? I need to run in and grab something,” Bianca said.

“Don’t mind at all.” Pam turned on her blinker.

Lenni unbuckled her seatbelt as we rolled to a stop.

“No, Lenni, stay here. I’ll be right back.” Bianca slid from the backseat and walked briskly to the store, her gauzy top flowing. She returned a few minutes later with a single bag.

Lenni nudged her. “What’d you get?”

“You’ll see.”

“Pam, can we take Molly home first, today?” Bianca asked, hurting my feelings a little. I gazed out the window.

“Thanks for the ride,” I said, wiggling from the backseat when we arrived in front of my house. “See you guys tomorrow.”

Bianca exited from the other side and passed me on the walkway. She clicked up the steps, stopping in front of porch witch. “I bought this for you. Thought you might like it. Looks like something you’d pick out for yourself.” She reached into the bag, took out a witch hat and worked it onto porch witch’s head. She tied the chinstrap then stood back, holding the statue’s shoulders. “You look bewitching.” She clipped down the steps. “See you tomorrow, Molly.”

Mom opened the door and peered through the screen. “I thought I heard you out here. Oh, my goodness! You got her a new hat.” Mom darted outside. “It looks great.” She walked around the statue, admiring it. “I like it even better than the old one.”

“I didn’t buy it, Bianca did. I think she’s taken a liking to porch witch.”

“
Porch witch
? That’s funny.” She walked to the door, chuckling. “Come help me with dinner. It’s been a long time since we’ve cooked together.”

“Is there cabbage involved?” I asked cautiously.

“We’re having nachos. I’ll more than likely be up half the night filled with heartburn and regret.” She patted her baby bump.

Mom drained the sausage, spooned it into the melting cheese, and then added a little milk.

“Smells good,” I said.

She held a dishrag under the faucet and then wiped grease splatters from the stovetop while I pulled glasses from the cupboard.

“Where’s my boot-shaped glass?” I asked, rummaging through the cabinet.

“Calm down. It’s in that one.” Mom pointed to the cupboard where she kept candles that lost their scent and the kitchen gadgets we never used.

“Why’d you move it?” I asked, standing on my tiptoes, reaching for my glass on the second shelf.

“I thought maybe you were getting too old for it. I didn’t want to risk embarrassing you around your friends.”

“You think I’ve outgrown it since last week? Mom, I’ve loved this glass since I was six. What friends would make fun of me? Lenni and Bianca?” I considered this for a moment. “Well, Bianca might, but definitely not Lenni.” I filled the boot with ice.

“Are you implying Bianca is your friend?”

“Something wrong with that?”

“Not at all. I just haven’t heard you refer to her as a friend. I think it’s great. You can never have too many.”

“Things are different between us now. Better.”

“Cool,” Mom said. “Now hand me the chips.”

I handed her the bag just as Dad walked into the kitchen. He leaned in and gave Mom a kiss. “How’s my family?” He snatched a tortilla chip and dipped it into the pot.

“Your family is starving while you eat in front of them,” I said.

We dished up and walked into the dining room.

“Just think, soon there’ll be a highchair sitting there.” I pointed between Mom and Dad. They gazed through the empty space at each other.

“And Boo will be one happy dog. Babies are always dropping food on the floor,” Mom said.

Boo recognized his name and wagged his tail.

“So, how’s the bowling?” I asked.

Dad nodded as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Not too bad.”

“Have you given up golf?”

“No. Just taking a break to try some new challenges.”

“Speaking of new challenges, Bianca’s dad, Seth, came to church Sunday. And not only that, he played the piano. It was incredible. No one had played it since he left the church years ago. When his song picked up tempo, dust rose from the keys like smoke!” I got excited telling the story. The way everything fell together—Mr. Cecil convincing Seth to come back to church, Seth giving up alcohol, the church still needing a pianist—

it really was a miracle. I got goose bumps every time I thought about it.

“They let Seth Ravenwood into the church? That
is
incredible.”

“You know him?”

“He stops in the bowling alley for a beer once in a while. Always looks down on his luck. Johnny, the owner, said Seth used to work for him. Said he’d maintained the equipment and was a good worker. Smart as a tack, Johnny said. But after he lost his wife, he developed an alcohol problem and had to be let go.”

“Church is for everyone who wants to come, regardless of their past.” It felt as if Mrs. Piper spoke through me. “You should’ve heard him play, Dad. Like he had a gift from God. And he quit drinking. You won’t see him back in the bowling alley. At least, not to buy beer. Bianca told Lenni he poured all his liquor down the drain. He’s trying to find a job, so they can get back on their feet. But it’s hard without a car.”

“I had no idea Bianca’s mother had passed away,” Mom said solemnly.

“She’s not dead, Mom.”

They stared at me, awaiting an explanation.

“Seth and Jocelyn’s youngest child, Sam, passed away when he was two years old. Jocelyn is still living. She’s just…away.”

“What a terrible tragedy, losing a child,” Mom said. “Did the strain lead to divorce?”

“No, Mom, they’re not separated.”

“You mean she ran off? Oh, poor Seth must be devastated. Not to mention his daughter. They’ve already lost that precious little boy—”

“That’s not it!” I exclaimed, flinging my hands. “Bianca’s little brother, Sam, died after eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that she made for him. He was allergic to peanuts. Her mom tried to kill herself by taking pills afterwards, but it didn’t work. Instead, she got brain damage. She’s lived in Sugar Creek Manor, over in Hopeford, ever since. Bianca’s Dad tried to dull the pain with alcohol, which caused him to lose his job. Bianca tried to cope by pretending to be a witch.” I’d summed up Bianca’s entire life in one paragraph. I felt slimy.

“I’m really not comfortable talking about Bianca’s past with you guys,” I said, near tears. “I feel like I’m betraying her family, somehow.”

“Honey, I’m sorry.” Mom exchanged glances with Dad. “We had no idea.”

“You said Seth’s stopped drinking?” Dad asked.

“Yes,” I answered, annoyed. I wanted the conversation to end.

“He doesn’t have a car?”

“No. He doesn’t have a car,” I said stiffly, pressing my napkin to the corner of my eye. “He borrows his brother’s or takes a cab when he goes somewhere beyond walking distance.”

“I’ll talk to Johnny about Seth, let him know he’s cleaned up his act. He could use a good maintenance man. Maybe he’ll hire him back.” He met my gaze. “It’s worth a shot.”

“Thank you, Dad.” I jumped up from my chair and hugged his neck.

“It’s not set in stone, Molly. I have to ask Johnny.”

“I know. I’m thanking you for asking.”

“The bowling alley isn’t too far from Old Town. The walk shouldn’t be a problem,” he said.

“Do you think we could give Seth the jeep?” I asked. “He could pay us back when he gets a steady paycheck.”

“The jeep is for you, Molly. You’re getting your license next year.”

“Mom told me, but now we’re buying an extra car. And if the jeep’s going to sit for a year with no one driving it, I think it would be better if we helped somebody.” I gazed at the cheese hardening in my dish.

Dad was silent for a long moment. “I think we can work something out,” he finally answered, looking at Mom. She nodded.

My heart fluttered. “He can always get it back to us later, when he’s on his feet.”

“Or, perhaps, we’ll find something you like better by then,” Mom said.

Dad scooted his chair back and stood. “Great dinner, hon.” He kissed Mom on top of her head, collected the dishes and walked into the kitchen.

“Can I have the key to the jeep?” he asked when he returned.

“Let me get my purse.”

“Dad, where are you going?”

“To see a man about hiring another man. Then I’m going to see another man about a jeep.”

Mom held out the key. He gazed at the ruby slipper and grimaced. “Not very masculine.”

“The key chain’s not part of the deal. Bring that back home.”

“I wouldn’t dream of giving it away.”

* * *

I’d forgotten how roomy the nerd-mobile was, compared to the jeep. Lenni stepped onto the van’s running board and swung inside. “Wow, someone could live in here.”

“Looks like someone already does,” I said, eying the antique clutter in the back.

“Your dad’s been after me to get this stuff out of here, but I don’t know where to put it. The closets are overflowing since I moved everything to set up the nursery.”

“Don’t forget to pick up Bianca,” I reminded her.

Mom stopped at the curb in front of Bianca’s house. She jumped from the porch and strode quickly to the van. Lenni slid the door open.

“Hey, you,” Lenni said.

“Hey,” Bianca replied.

“Hi, Bianca,” Mom chirped.

“Hello, Mrs. Sanders.”

“Call me Madeline.”

I hoped Mom wouldn’t dote on Bianca because she felt sorry for her. Bianca wouldn’t want her pity.

“Um, I just want to thank you guys for what you’re doing for my dad,” Bianca said, clasping her seatbelt. “I haven’t seen him this hopeful in a very long time.”

“Our pleasure, dear. If there’s anything else we can do…” Mom’s voice bordered on sympathetic.

“So, Lenni, tonight’s the big play,” I said loudly, changing the subject. “Are you excited?”

“I’m too nervous to be excited. It’s worse now that Ms. Velma is playing the lead. I’m afraid I’ll choke, because she is such a good actor. Not that you weren’t, Bianca, I just mean I was more comfortable around you on stage.”

“I know what you mean, goof. Stop worrying about hurting people’s feelings so much. You’re going to be fantastic. I’m sorry I backed out on you, but I really want to support my Dad, help him get well, you know?”

“What did he say when you told him you were skipping the play for church?” Lenni asked.

Bianca ran her hands over her frayed black skirt. “I never said when the play was. He’s not normally in any condition to go out.”

“Well, all that’s about to change,” Mom blurted.

I glared at her.

“Sorry,” she mouthed.

“I’m definitely ready for a change,” Bianca said.

* * *

I stood in the foyer of Cornerstone and gazed through the front window, chatting with Mrs. Piper. I didn’t want to embarrass Bianca and her father by standing out front, gawking when they arrived. But I wanted to see them pull up in the jeep. I could only imagine how cute the two of them would look, especially with the top down.

“Here they come!” I exclaimed.

Mrs. Piper stopped mid-sentence to follow my gaze. “Seth and Bianca. How wonderful. Molly, be sure to introduce Bianca to everyone in the youth group so she’ll feel welcome.”

“I already planned on it.”

“What an adorable jeep. Doesn’t your mother drive one similar?”

“She used to.” I didn’t go into detail. It was Seth’s now, and that’s all that mattered.

“They look like they’re having a blast riding with the top down.”

She was right. Seth Ravenwood looked ten years younger, the worry lines buffed from his face. Bianca tossed her head and laughed at something he said, the sun catching her hair, lighting it on fire. He opened his door then walked around to open hers, causing her cheeks to turn pink—a blush she’d have been incapable of less than two weeks ago. He helped her from the running board, her skirt swaying around her ankles.