Page 60 of Witchy Woman

“We lost a member of our family recently,” Grandma says. “My daughter. Their mother. And we’ve just now learned she’s not gone after all, and she needs our help. It’s a bit to process.”

“Did you have enough time to start the grieving process? Accept that she may really be gone just for the rug to be ripped out from underneath you?” Dr. Farrow’s pen zooms across the paper, writing notes on all our dysfunction. The fun part? She’s not holding it. A branch from the small potted tree in the corner is controlling the pen.

Grandma nods. “At least, Hazel and I did. Laura always had a feeling things weren’t what they seemed—Laura’s the one who figured it out, actually.”

Thanks for the spotlight, Grandma. I was kind of hoping to slip through here unnoticed for the first time in my life.

Dr. Farrow turns her gaze to me, watching me with beady brown eyes behind thick glasses. “It must’ve felt vindicating to show your family that your feeling was correct.”

I see your trap, lady.

“They didn’t feel what I felt, and I don’t hold that against them. Why wouldn’t they start grieving?” Lie number one of the day. Of course I hold it against them.

They didn’t believe me, just like they never believe me.

I’m Laura—the silly, airheaded, bitchy one who never has anything of true value to contribute.

“Because you warned them. Why wouldn’t they believe you?” Dr. Farrow is relentless. Like a dog with a bone.

I cross my arms. “I don’t know, Dr. Farrow. Why wouldn’t they?”

A small smile graces her lips. It’s not condescending...Maybe amused? Like she’s appreciating that I’m not making this easy for her or something. Maybe she likes a challenge.

“Why don’t we all drink some tea as we contemplate what Laura just shared?” Dr. Farrow waves her hand and another branch emerges, lifting a tray from the little kitchenette and bringing it toward us.

We’re in her house. Apparently most witch therapists do their work from their homes. Something about the healing energy grounding them.

The branch places the tray on the little wooden coffee table in front of the couch, and Dr. Farrow encourages us with a gentle nod.

Grandma takes the first sip, delicately sniffing it first. It must be deemed safe as she grins and relaxes back against the cushions. Hazel picks up her mug after watching to make sure it was okay.

“I’m an Earth witch, first and foremost. I use my talent with emotions to infuse my herbs with healing and safety. It helps to open your heart to tough discussions,” Dr. Farrow explains, obviously noticing my hesitation.

Definitely not drinking that, then.

“It makes sense that Laura would think we didn’t believe her. And maybe we didn’t. But it wasn’t that we didn’t believe her because we thought she was wrong, it’s more that we couldn’t put hope into the idea that she could be right,” Hazel says, sipping the tea.

They’d have to hold me down and force that truth juice down my throat. My mug stays on the tray, softly steaming.

“We have a complicated relationship with our mother. She’s a tough subject all around, but the thought that she didn’t reallydie? My brain couldn’t process it.” Hazel’s eyebrows raise as if she’s surprised that came out of her mouth.

“So what I’m hearing is that while it would be perfectly natural for Laura to take that rejection personally, it was more that you were rejecting the idea itself? Not Laura’s intuition?” Dr. Farrow’s pen is still wildly scratching along. We’re going to give this woman enough content for a book.

Hazel nods. “I guess so? Yeah.”

Everyone turns to me as if I’m supposed to respond to this.

“Cool?” I shrug.

Dr. Farrow chuckles. “I’m guessing therapy wasn’t your idea, Laura.”

“How did you ever come to that conclusion?”

Grandma slaps my arm lightly. I’m probably embarrassing her by being rude. Holding up the honor of the Pruitt name in public is real big with her.

“You’re more likable than you’d like to believe,” Dr. Farrow says, winking at me. “And you’re also not required to participate if you aren’t ready. We can focus on everyone else’s feelings about Sarah—I believe that’s what you said her name was over the phone—and her potentially being part of your lives again.”

Works for me.