Honey Scented

Unexpected Company

A honey-gold bubble popped lethargically releasing the scent of seawater which told me two things; firstly, that the potion was progressing nicely and, secondly, that I should expect a visitor. Begrudgingly, I pulled off my worn apron and left the pantry closet, gently shutting the slender, faded doors to not disturb the cauldron. 

The sound of rain, which I hadn't heard due to the lack of windows in my pantry, greeted me as a knock echoed through my house. "That was quick," I muttered, reaching for my oversized sweater; there's nothing like living in an old house, during autumn, with no central heating.

"Emerald, honey," Aunt Sukie's voice rang out, "It's rude to keep your old, rusty aunt out in the rain. Unless you want another yard decoration, that is."

As I hurried to put my sweater on, I rounded the corner into the front hallway and caught my reflection in the mirror. I sighed, smoothed out the front of my dress, and attempted to quickly pull my hair out of my face. 

Another knock echoed, "Little Bat, there will be more than a storm brewing if you don't open up." Through the frosted, stained glass of the front door windows, I could make out a familiar outline: unruly curly hair with a turtle-neck, and sharp shoulders. Standing barefooted in the front entryway, a cold sweat gripped me as I realized just how long it's been since I've visited anyone. 

Taking another deep breath, I yanked the wooden front door open, wincing as the glass shook in its molding. "No Aunt Suckie, I wouldn't want that." The smell of bergamot and rain washes over me as she swoops me into her arms, swallowing me up in her curls and ruffles.

"Oh, honey, honey." She leans back, soft hands framing my face, rings clacking against each other. Her warm brown eyes drank me in, "Your hair, it's losing its vibrancy, it used to be so red. Have you not been sleeping lately? What about your teas, brewing them properly? Spring water, right?"

Pulling out of her ruffles and curls, I shut the door and the chill outside. "Well, I've been working doubles at-"

"Doubles! Don't be silly, you're not still... where was it you're working at again?" Before I can even turn around to answer, she's already disappeared between the French doors leading to the living room, head in the fireplace. "Honey Bat, I think there is a spirit in your fireplace."

I plopped on the couch and watched her shuffle around for a moment, "While you're in there, would you ask if it'd pay part of the rent?"

A snort that led to a cough came from her, echoing up the fireplace followed by the smell of cider. "Oh, my sweet girl." She momentarily pulled her head out of the fireplace, before bending back in. "Is that why you're working at that... where is it again?" 

"Mystic Pizza."

"Ah, yes! I remember, the place owned by the man who asked your Uncle Marcelo to teach him how to salsa?" She leaned out of the fireplace, and pushed a rogue curl out of her face, "Honey, bring me your cinnamon broom, matches, and a bushel of sage. We'll have this bugger out of here in no time." 

I peeled off the couch and headed back towards the front door, where my cinnamon broom hung above the doorframe. Before pulling it down, I grabbed my garden sheers and headed onto the front porch where my potted sage bush lived. After collecting both, and grabbing the matches, I found Aunt Suckie sprinkling salt into the fireplace. 

She took everything from me, lying them in a row before her, and stuck her head back into the fireplace. I plopped back down on the couch and watched as she shoved the broom into the neck of the fireplace, mumbling to herself, before pulling out,  lighting the logs, and dropping the sprig of sage onto the flames. 

She stood, dusting off the knees of her ruffled dress, and glanced at herself in the mirror above the fireplace. "You know if you moved home, you wouldn't have to worry about rent?" Her eyes met mine through the mirror and I knew she was correct, but all I could do was shrug. The fireplace popped playfully, causing her to look away and laugh. 

"What brought you out here, Aunt Suckie?" I asked, heading into the kitchen. She followed and watched as I filled up the tea kettle with water and placed it on the stove. I reached for her favorite tea, a ginger and peach blend, and one for myself. The warmth of the fireplace had finally created its way into the kitchen, wrapping around us like a cider and peppermint-scented scarf.

She took a seat on one of the stools and began tidying up my island, which was, honestly, very disorganized at the moment. Her slender, tanned fingers seemingly danced across the items as they straightened themselves, her rings glittering in the last few rays of sunlight sneaking in through the kitchen window. "I had a visitor the other day... a friendly face from the past."

 "Is there such a thing?" I asked, allowing myself to smile as I poured honey into our mugs.

"At the right time, yes." Her words were light but when I glanced back at her, my items perfectly straightened on the island, her eyes held a sparkle. Mischief.

"Are you meddling again?" My own surprise surprised me as I stared at her, eyes wide. Of course, she was meddling again, it was her nature. "Aunt Suckie I-"

Before I could finish my sentence and right before the kettle began to scream, Aunt Suckie was up removing it from the heat. "Oh, you know I can't stop! Even if it wasn't my income, what fun would it be to stop meddling." She handed me a cup that I don't remember her pouring. 

"Well, who's the poor sap this time?" I asked, taking a seat at one of the stools, remembering the last man to attempt to buy one of her love brews. "Please don't tell me you've got another man wanting to marry his mom-"

" 'Somone like my mom' is what he said." She waved her hand, waving my comment away. 

"Aunt Sukie, your potion made his mother's best friend fall in love with him!"

She laughed behind her mug, eyes sparkling. "I can't help that he didn't choose his words carefully."

"Okay, okay," I yielded, leaning against the kitchen island, my hands laced around my mug. "Now tell me, who is the poor soul you'll be meddling with?" 

Aunt Sukie patted her hair, avoiding my eye contact for a moment and I began tasting silver at the tip of my tongue. I quickly sipped some of my tea to wash the flavor out but when she finally turned toward me, her eyes were almost yellow. "You."