Walk Through Thorns

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Avery helped me get my shirt into a plastic bag before I dripped blood into the apartment. I still couldn't believe Victoria had done that, and what for? Did she really hate us enough to try to ruin prom like that?

Avery ran off to find me a shirt. Linda poked her head out of the bedroom.

"You okay Celeste?" she asked.

I became suddenly aware I was standing in their living in just a bra. Covering myself, I said, "Sorry, a girl at school ruined my shirt. Avery's finding one to lend me."

Linda came out of the bedroom, her brow furled. "Something isn't right," she said, "Are you cursed?"

I didn't really know how to react. I said, "With the stuff that happens to me, probably."

I had meant that to be funny, but Linda was dead serious as she came up and held my wrist. She lifted my hand up as though inspecting me.

"Who did it?" Linda asked.

Avery came out of the room and said, "Mom, stop. You're gonna scare my friend away."

"She's been cursed," Linda said, "I have to cleanse this."

Avery rolled her eyes.

I said, "No, it's cool. It seems really important to you."

Linda said, "Who knows what her intent was. This could cause bad luck for years if we leave it."

Avery said, "No, you can tell her off. Don't let her force her beliefs on you."

It was super awkward to have so much attention on me, but I said, "Really, it's cool."

I took the shirt from Avery. It had band art on it, some sort of disgusting zombie face with illegible text over it. It was very Avery, but not me at all. That was fine though, we'd get into our dresses soon.

Linda's cleansing ritual involved a sea shell filled with slow burning herbs. With the living room coffee table pushed aside, she circled, and fanned the smoke over me. Her words formed prayers to the lord of each element. I stood still, not really sure what I was supposed to do. Linda seemed content with me my passivity, so I swallowed my anxiety and let her do her thing.

When she finished, she covered the shell with its other half to extinguish the herbs.

I said, "Is that it?"

"Yeah," Linda said, "You should be cleaned off now."

Avery rolled her eyes from the couch. "Great, can we get dressed yet?"

Linda said, "Aren't you going to wait for Greta?"

Avery said, "She went home to shower the grossness out of her hair. She'll be here soon."

"Did she get cursed too?" Linda asked, "Does she need me to cleanse her?"

"Mom!" Avery said, "We barely sneak her coming over here at all. Her parents will never let her speak to me again if you do weird stuff to her."

Linda smiled. "That's fine, but I am always available to help in matters both spiritual and personal."

After whatever that was, we started to get dressed. Avery's dress was pure black, like she'd ever wear any color. Mine was green and sequined.

Avery asked, "Do you want to borrow some make up?"

I said, "I never wear any, should I?"

Avery said, "It makes me feel more confident. Do you want to try?"