Whispers at Witching Hour

Chapter 9

Musical inspiration: Wildflower Wildfire – Lana Del Rey

"I live on sheer willpower"

Hilda had almost finished preparing breakfast when Sabrina ran down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Morning, love."

"Morning auntie," Sabrina smiled, "What's for breakfast?"

"Pancakes, as you like them."

"Where's auntie Zee?"

"Oh, you know, probably with baby Leticia."

"Yeah," Sabrina agreed, "Isn't she always? It's almost as if we didn't exist anymore, only when we're doing something wrong."

She crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked out the window.

"Don't be so hard on her."

"But it's true. She totally obsesses over Leticia."

Hilda sighed and patted Sabrina's shoulder before she put the dishes on the table. What her niece was saying was true. Zelda has been acting so weird lately, off-balance, but she could not let Sabrina know. It would do more harm than good.

As if on command, Zelda waltzed into the kitchen with her usual morning cigarette. She sat down at the table where Hilda had put the newspaper for her like she always did, but as always, Zelda did not acknowledge it. This morning, she did not even greet any of them, just sat down and unfolded the newspaper, covering her whole face.

"How's Leticia auntie Zee?" Sabrina tried to start a conversation.

"Fine, why shouldn't she be?" Zelda responded coldly.

"Sorry," Sabrina spat sarcastically, "Didn't know we weren't allowed to talk to you anymore."

Zelda rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Sabrina, I don't have time for this nonsense!"

"'Cause you're so busy fussing over the baby."

Zelda crashed her hands on the table still holding the newspaper.

"Are we jealous now? Of a baby? Grow up Sabrina! Get used to not being the centre of attention all the time."

Sabrina dropped her fork on the plate, making a loud clinking sound.

"Grow up? I just sacrificed my freedom to save you all!"

"Well, we didn't ask you to, did we now?" Zelda's expression was stone-cold, almost lifeless and her stare provoked Sabrina even more.

"I can't believe you!"

"No, Sabrina. You just have to accept that not everything is about you. Baby Leticia needs me or else she'll end up as much a disappointment to our family as you did."

Hilda had tried to keep out of her sister's business, but this was going too far.

"Zelda," she admonished cautiously, but did not try harder or she might end up dead again.

It was Sabrina who decided the fight was not over yet. Her aunt's vile statement had hit her hard and she would not let it go without giving her a taste of her own medicine.

"Oh, well you raised me! Maybe it's yourself you should be looking at, have you thought about that? Maybe you're the disappointment here!" she noted with a nuisance of superiority.

Zelda took some time before she would comment, folded her Newspaper neatly and pulled on her cigarette before she turned her head towards Sabrina.

"As a matter of fact, I have thought about that," she explained calmly, "Now, will you excuse me, I'll need to attend baby Leticia."