Avenging Cupids

Chapter 12: Feathers and Shadows

“Some people seemed to get all sunshine, and some all shadow…” 

― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

“Willow dear, please do us the honor and lead us in prayer,” Azaria bade. She was smiling kindly at Willow despite the premarital carnal acts she was caught red-handed in just a few moments ago. 

Everyone at the table turned to look at her, except Cassius who wouldn’t take his wintry eyes off of Alden. He deliberately sat in such a way where he could keep his eye on Willow and scowl at Alden at the same time. The tension in the dining room was as tangible as a cold front in July. 

Willow—in spite of her heretic views—took Elle and Azaria’s hand and bowed her head in false subservience. She began to pray. “Almighty and ever-living God, give us new strength from the courage of Christ our shepherd, and lead us to join the saints in heaven where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Our dear Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for this food. Feed our souls on the bread of life and help us to do our parts in kind words and loving deeds. Amen. ” 

“Amen,” sung the diners.

“Everyone,” Azaria announced, “despite the events that have occurred, may we have a pleasant Easter dinner as a family. After all, a house divided against itself cannot stand and we must stand as one in order to vanquish our foes.”

Vanquish. Foes. So literary and terrifying. But, thought Willow, it’s nice to hear that Mom still considers the Blackwoods and Halsteads family. 

It had always been that way. “The Halwood Clan, established in the Big Bang era,” Elle often joked. Azaria and Nicollette were best friends just as Willow and Elle were. 

“Yes,” Nicollette sided, “the stronger our bond, the more resilient we are.”

“But a chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” grumbled Cassius moodily as he glared at Alden. He was glowering so intensely that Willow thought even the faintest of smiles would never illuminate his face again. Cassius was not unlike a raging bull that was dying to charge Alden who held the red rag. 

Oh, Alden. Willow’s heart ached for him. The degree of acrimony he was receiving from Cassius was heartbreaking and was a painful show to watch. If it were a movie, Cassius would no doubt win the Oscar for best villain. But perhaps the most heartbreaking thing of all was that Alden embraced the hostility out of sheer respect for his elders. His face was as placid as a forgotten pond void of swimming fish and diving fowl.

Willow secretly wished Alden hadn’t come down for dinner. Azaria had insisted that he join them despite Cassius’ rude objections. And now there they all were, crowded around a feast fit for the gods, none of them speaking to one another. Willow was still ashamed of herself and Elle was disappointed at her own lack of responsibility. Both girls were staring at their plates in contemplation while the mothers and Alden ate quietly and Cassius crunched loudly.

Willow’s mind shot back to the events of the last several days. Nothing made any sense anymore and she didn’t know what was real and what was fiction. Her whole world was topsy-turvy and spinning, much like a top. Her practicality tried to banish any supernatural thoughts from her mind, including Telocvovim, Cherubim, angel wings, and even the concept of soul mates. She vowed to prove those things to herself even if she died trying. She wanted guarantees, not uncertainties. 

They say doubt is the beginning, not the end of wisdom. Willow's thirst for knowledge would be satisfied. She just had to find out when her dad was leaving. As she stared at the mountain of mashed potatoes that sat untouched on her plate, her mind was developing a blueprint of a plan that she would execute as soon as her father left for his business trip. She would discover her parents’ work because she knew it held the key to all of the paranormal mysteries that were afflicting her life. She didn’t know how she knew. She just did.