Page 94 of Bargain with Fate
“I don’t feel right about it,” I said, returning to a standing position.
“And I don’t feel right about you handling this on your own,” Edith said. “I’m going to complain to the HOA.”
“Please don’t. Justine doesn’t know anything about this yet. I was waiting until I resolved the situation to tell her.”
“They need to hire someone yesterday,” Bernice said. “This isn’t fair to you.”
“They’re trying. They just haven’t found the right person yet.” And I hadn’t exactly been helpful in that regard. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to do this with an audience. It feels too personal.”
“Then at least let one of us drive over there with you and wait outside until the deed is done,” Margie said. “That way we can bust in with magic of our own if you get yourself in trouble.”
“I’ll go,” Louise said.
Joan’s knees cracked as she stood. “Me too.”
“Fine then,” Meemaw said. “The rest of us will map out the locations for the pinwheels.”
“I’ll need to stop home for my black tracksuit,” Louise said. “I forgot to change.”
I glanced floor level. “You realize you’re all wearing white sneakers, right?”
Margie scoffed. “Well, I wasn’t going to spend money on black shoes just for this.”
“What do you all wear to funerals?”
“We’re witches,” Meemaw said. “Whatever we damn well please.”
While Joanand Louise whispered and laughed in the back seat of my golf cart like giddy teenagers, I called Stephen to let him know I was on the way to Terrapin to see him.
Louise tapped my shoulder. “Should you be using your phone while driving? Isn’t that a rule violation?”
“No one saw me except you, and I don’t think the Pinwheel Princesses are going to report me now, are they?” I glanced over my shoulder to see both witches zip their lips.
There were no available spots, so I parked the cart in the loading zone outside Stephen’s building. “I don’t want to hear a word about this.”
“We need a code word,” Joan said, as I exited the cart.
“How about ‘shadow’?” Louise suggested.
“On the nose, but it works.” I tossed Louise the key. “In case you need to move the cart while I’m gone.”
“We should keep the engine running in case we need to make a quick getaway,” Louise said.
“It’s a shadow. I’m not sure putting the pedal to the metal will make any difference.”
I walked to the third floor, checking my surroundings with each step. No sign of a shadow except my own. A pale Stephen hovered in the hallway outside his condo in anticipation of my arrival.
“Did you find him?” he asked, wringing his hands.
“No, but I have a plan.”
Some of the color returned to his cheeks. “Come in.”
I followed him inside the condo and shut the door, making sure not to lock it in case I needed to make a swift exit. I had to admit, it felt comforting to know Joan and Louise were outside standing sentry. As much as I trusted myself to handle the situation, it was nice to know they cared.
“What’s the plan?” Stephen asked.
“We need to reverse the spell you did and reintegrate you with your shadow.”
