Page 44 of Everything She Does Is Magic

“This place is cool,” she says.

There are stacks of books on witchcraft, family tomes and regular fare, everywhere the eye can see. Crystals and melted candles cover every surface that isn’t adorned with relics and offerings. “It’s very Cal,” I say, hoping that somehow explains it all.

“Reminds me of you too,” she replies. “Witchy.”

My heart leaps at the comment. “I can’t believe I’m the one who’s made a believer out of Darcy Keller.”

“A powerful witch indeed,” she teases, stroking her thumb along the top of my thigh.

My mom excuses herself to bring out the plates of food, ending our ability to keep ourselves together. The adults choose their spots along the table, and the dinner begins in earnest.

“It’s good to see you, Cal,” Mrs.Keller starts, even though she’s already said a form of this without me and Darcy involved. “And, Rhonda. It’s been years.”

They know each other, which makes sense, because Cal’s lived here a very long time, and the Kellers have too. It’s still strange to witness this connection, like it’s incorrect somehow that these two worlds intermingled long before my inclusion.

I wonder again about Piper Blake’s dad. If Darcy’s parents know about Cal’s breakup with him. There must be stories between all of them. Lore that could take up hours of this meal. That’s how this town operates.

“We’d love to see you at the shop more,” Mrs.Keller says, and Cal actually looks down at her hands, bashful. It’s so rare to see—Cal uncomfortable in a way she can’t hide behind her stony glances.

I hate that I recognize myself in it. All those times I thought Iwas hiding away were exactly when I was the most exposed. It’s braver to own the discomfort than it is to act like it doesn’t exist.

“I stopped in recently,” Cal says. “Looks very nice in there.”

“You did? I wish I knew! We’d have loved to catch up.”

“Yeah, she was there at the costume parade,” Darcy tells her parents.

“We’re old friends,” Mr.Keller says.

A tense moment passes, something decided among the adults that isn’t for us to discuss here. It must be about Piper Blake’s dad and Cal. Since Darcy and Piper are friends, the Kellers are probably good friends with the infamous Mark Blake too.

“So!” Mr.Keller says good-naturedly, looking down the table at me. “What’s next for you, Anya? Any plans for after high school?”

I shift in my seat, acutely aware of the fabric of my shirt, the sweat that’s pooling underneath my armpits, seeping through the black.

“Tough to say,” I tell him, meaning it.

My mom laughs, taking the opportunity to pat my head. “Anya has a home with any of us in the family, but I know she’s been loving it here in Fableview. She’d probably be thrilled to stick around.”

Sweat.

Dripping.

“Music to our ears!” Mr.Keller says back. “That’s exactly what our Darcy’s planning to do too. She’s taking over our art shop for us when we retire. Hopefully next year, if all goes well, but certainly in the next two!”

“How about that?” my mom says in amazement. She gazesacross me to look at Darcy, offering her a genuine smile of excitement. “You must be thrilled.”

“We’re ecstatic,” her dad says. “I’m sure you know how badly the Holtzenbergs want control of the Halloween festivities. We’re happy to be able to keep it in the family.”

“The Holtzenbergs still want in on that?” Mom asks. “Goodness, the people around here really don’t change, do they?”

This makes Darcy laugh. It’s a bitter, uncomfortable sound, drawing all the attention to her. “Actually,” she says, “I might go to college out of state.” She takes a huge bite of her ravioli.

The ripple of shock moves in slow-motion, bouncing off me and sailing down the table until it reaches her parents. Her dad cocks his head to the side, almost like he’s shaking water out of his ear, confident he hasn’t heard her right. Her mom leans forward, elbows on the table. Darcy holds herself up straight, continuing to look my mom in the eye as she chews.

“That’s probably for the best,” Aunt Cal says, pulling the focus off Darcy for her first offering of the meal. She sits at the head of the table, looking straight forward.

If anyone other than me had a sense of what was going on, it’s lost now. Only I understand the message Cal is sending, and all I can do is hope she doesn’t feel the need to share that message aloud.