Bad Luck, Baby

11 - Bad Food

Working in Janelle's shop turned out to be easier, and more fun, than I'd anticipated. Most of it was pretty self-explanatory; the shelves were well-organized and clearly labeled, and I soon learned where everything was, even if I didn't know what it was all for, just yet.

Most customers were regulars, too, and knew where to find things better than I did. All I had to do was ring up their purchases when they were done. Meanwhile, I was free to read the books Janelle had given me and practice the skills she'd taught me that morning.

Studying reminded me of something else that had slipped my mind in the chaos of the last day or so: school. Fortunately, my classes were all remote, and I'd only visited campus to use the computers in the library, which were much faster than my ancient laptop. Still, I had assignments due, and...

I started to panic, then remembered that I was ostensibly missing, potentially wanted for murder, and hiding from people who may or may not want to murder me. Paradoxically, this eased my anxiety.

"Big picture, Ellie," I told myself, as I dusted the countertop beside the register. "You know who never fails classes? Dead people. Because dead people don't go to college. You can re-do the semester, if you have to. Besides, what does a witch want with a degree in design, anyway?"

"Actually, quite a lot of things. Magic has a strong visual element, you know."

I'd thought I was alone, and nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of this new voice. It belonged to a petite, plump woman with curly blond hair and a round, pretty face wearing a fur-lined coat. I hadn't seen her enter, or even heard the bell on the door, and wondered how long she'd been listening to me talk to myself.

She smiled as if she guessed my thoughts, and held out a dainty, manicured hand for me to shake.

"I'm Evangeline," she said. "I own the bakery down the street. This morning I saw the lights on in the room upstairs. That window's been dark for months, so I figured Janelle had taken in another one; though from the sounds of it you're not a familiar at all."

"Oh, I... y-yes," I stammered. "I mean no. I'm an Ellie. I mean, I'm a witch, I guess. Named Ellie."

I winced and stopped talking. Apparently, my new magical talents did not include improved social skills. Furthermore, I didn't know how much of Janelle's operation was supposed to be a secret, and who was in on it, and what I could say about it without getting myself in trouble.

Seeming to guess this thought as well, the woman laughed lightly.

"Don't worry, witch-named-Ellie. I got my familiar from Janelle. This is Sophie."

She gestured at the fur lining around her collar, and I stared, confused and slightly horrified. Then the collar moved, and something with short, rounded ears and bright black eyes lifted its head and blinked at me.

"She's a mink," Evangeline explained. "Prefers to stay in her animal form when we go out. She's a bit shy," she added in a stage whisper, gently scratching the mink beneath its chin. It made a soft churring sound, and nipped her fingers playfully. "Anyway, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, and I won't pry. Janelle only accepts the most deserving cases—whatever the case may be. In fact, I only stopped by to bring you this."

She reached into her large purse and drew out a small pink box tied with a bit of white string. It smelled like sugar and happiness.

"Oh, um... thank you," I said, taking the box with the least amount of awkwardness I could manage (which was still quite a lot of awkwardness).

Evangeline smiled, her pink cheeks positively glowing. She looked like she probably smelled like sugar and happiness, too.

"It's just a little 'welcome to the neighborhood,' if you will—nothing much. And not entirely innocent." She winked. "If you like it, stop by the bakery; there's plenty more where it came from. Well, I'll let you get back to work. I've got to get back to it, myself!"