Paragon to meet him. He’s already there, standing on the sidewalk, and he gives me a big hug. I’m getting used to all the hugging. It’s kind of nice.
The hostess shows us to a booth with brown leather seats and a white cloth on the table. The high backs of the seats give nice privacy. I set my purse beside me as I scoot in.
We order coffee and our lunches, Joe going for the chicken pot pie, me the wedge salad with bacon and bleu cheese.
“So.” Joe pulls his coffee closer to him. “How’s the tutoring going with Trace?”
“Okay, I guess.” I lift one shoulder. “He’s very patient with me. I’m eager to try things, but he won’t let me.”
Joe smiles. “It’s important to know what you’re doing.”
“I get that.” I smile. “I’m working hard though. Since I only have a year to learn everything.”
“Yeah. I know it’s a lot.” The skin around his eyes tightens. “It’s not an easy thing to do. Others have tried and failed.”
“What? Nobody’s ever done it?”
“Oh yeah,” he says hastily. “Sure, they have. But some can’t.”
“Great.” I sigh.
“We’ll have to set up your interview with the Board of Elders.”
“Ugh. Trace mentioned that. It kind of freaks me out.”
“You’ll do fine. You’re an intelligent, well-spoken, poised young woman.”
My insides warm at his words of praise. “Thank you.”
“I have something I need to talk to you about.”
“Oookay.” I sip my coffee. Those words never sound good.
“It’s about your mother.”
My chin jerks down. “Oh. What about her?”
“Trace thinks that you have strong powers.”
I wait.
“Stronger than we’d expect from someone who’s half witch, half Rucker.”
“Oh.”
He gnaws his lip briefly. “We suspect that your mother might have had some witch blood.”
“No.” The word pops from my mouth involuntarily. “That’s not possible.”
“I guess we have no way of knowing. You never knew your grandparents?”
“No. They both died before I was born.”
“And no other family?”
“Mom was an only child, and so was her mom. Her dad had a sister, but she died years ago and had no kids.”
Joe nods. “Well, we’re just making some educated guesses here, but I wanted to talk to you about it. It may also explain why I could never find her. She might have used a spell to block me.”
“She didn’t use spells! She would laugh at this!”
“You don’t know anything in her background that would have made her deny her witch heritage?”
“No!”
“It’s okay, Romy.” He leans closer to the table. “We don’t know for sure, like I said. But it might explain some things. It doesn’t change anything.”
“But…” I shut my mouth. “Okay. I guess I just need to think about it. Process it.”
“Of course. I’m glad you’re doing so well with your tutoring.”
“Trace said I’m doing well?”
“Yes.” He gives me a puzzled look.
“He tells me I’m doing okay.” I roll my eyes.
“Ah.” Joe’s eyes twinkle. “I’ll let him know you need more feedback.”
“No! I don’t. It’s fine.” I adjust the cutlery in front of me.
“Okay.”
We spend the rest of our lunch chatting about a bunch of different things—my job, what I’m doing for the Charming Chalice, Cassie’s job as a youth career coach. He tells me stories about his brothers and working for their dad when they were younger.
I focus on work for the rest of the day, but when I get home, I sink down onto my couch and put my feet up. I stare at the colorful print on my wall that says magic in making.
There’s no way my mom could have been even part witch. She was in no way magical. She was down-to-earth, no-nonsense, and steady.
But then… not every witch I’ve met is like Felise—vivacious, creative, impulsive. There are some witches who are… well, dull.
If Mom was part witch, how could she have denied me knowing that about myself? How could she not have nurtured that part of me? Was she in denial about that part of herself?
“Mom.” I look up at the ceiling. I’m not sure if I believe in an afterlife, but yes, I’m talking to my deceased mother. “Why do you have to be gone now? Why couldn’t you have told me things before you went?” I swipe at a tear that escapes my eye. “Damn.”
Sometimes there are questions we never get answers to. I wouldn’t have these questions if Mom were still alive though. It’s only been finding my witch family that has raised all these issues for me.
Be careful what you wish for.
Maybe I should have left well enough alone. Maybe I never should have