Page 59 of Witchy Woman

We’re a family. Dysfunctional as they come.

“Have you learned anything?” I finally ask after the appetizers of spring rolls and potstickers have been devoured and we’re well on our way through our main courses.

Good food can only distract me for so long.

“Not much, yet. I have a few meetings this week though, and I’ll share what I know after dinner,” Grandma replies.

Annoyance buzzes around my head like little bees. Considering I’m the one who actually communicated with Mom, shouldn’t I be in these meetings? It makes me feel a little better knowing that Hazel has been covering the shop completely to allow Grandma to make her rounds. She’s not involved either.

Hot cocoawith marshmallows and chocolate sprinkles warms my fingers as I hold the mug close to my chest. Grandma finishes off her tea before joining us in the living room, and the house creaks in an ominous way.

Like a warning.

“I’m sorry if I’ve drawn this out, girls.” Grandma glides into the room. “As I said before, I haven’t found out too much yet. Fire witches are so rare that nailing one down for a conversation is difficult, and they are generally a secretive bunch on top of that.”

I preen a little. Part of me likes being unique.

“So you called a family meeting to tell us you don’t have any information?” I snark. And everyone says I’m the dramatic one.

“I was not finished.” Grandma holds me with her gaze, daring me to oppose her. “Despite there not being muchinformation available, I have set up a meeting with a Fire witch that Dotty knows in a couple weeks. I’d like you both to join me.”

“Weeks?” My mouth drops open. “That’s practically forever! Mom needs help now.”

“I couldn’t get her to agree to anything earlier with the holidays coming up. We’re just going to have to get past the new year,” Grandma says, resignation in her tone.

Hazel huffs a little. “Mom can wait a second. If we’re doing this, we’re not going in blind. I would rather have all the information and do this rescue right the first time.”

She’s not wrong, but the disregard for Mom makes me bristle. I get it, though. She hasn’t seen the letter. I don’t know how to tell her about it. I don’t know how to tell her anything.

“Between now and then we will resume magic lessons and hone your craft. And I would encourage the two of you to have a real conversation. You were making progress the other night and got interrupted. Our family therapy sessions should start soon.” Grandma sits taller. “I got us bumped up the list after last week.”

Nothing like hearing your mother begging you for a rescue from Hell to get a therapist to take you more seriously.

Hazel and I both nod, but don’t say anything else. I have a feeling it will be radio silence until we get into therapy.

As usual.

Chapter 27

Family Trauma

The clock tick-tock-ticks in the corner as we sit in silence. Discomfort falls on us like a layer of dirt while being buried alive.

We’re in the office of Dr. Penelope Farrow, witch-family therapist only a few days later. She made us a ‘special priority.’

Dr. Farrow clears her throat, her black bob tickling her chin. “Does anyone have anything in particular they’d like to address first?”

I snort. Where the fuck do we even begin?

Grandma smooths her muumuu, bangles jangling on her wrist. “We’ve had a lot of trauma as a family. For many years, and we’ve needed to address it.”

“It’s a big step to seek out therapy, especially with how much stigma still surrounds it. You’re allowed to be proud of this step,” Dr. Farrow says.

This entire thing is going to kill me. The only reason I’m here is because Ash encouraged it. Told me over and over about how wonderful therapy has been for him and how it could really help fix things between me and Hazel. How much he’d love to have a sibling to lean on for help during his dad’s cancer treatment.

He was naked while he said it, which heavily influenced how much I was listening to him, if I’m honest.

Ash could ask me to do anything while he was naked, and I’d probably do it. Stupid pretty abs.