Page 120 of The Witching Hours

I could’ve been knocked over when he chuckled and said, “I know! That’s why I’m playing it.”

Yeah. I was confused, contemplating whether alarm might be fitting. Since I didn’t feel alarmed, I began my interrogation. “That’swhy you’re playing it?”

“Indeed, it is.”

“First obvious question. Do you know me? Second and third obvious questions. How did you know about this song and what made you think I’d come into your store?”

“I know everything about you because this experience has been custom designed for you.” He touched the side of his nose. “I do my homework. Goes with the job, you know.” No. I didn’t know, but I kept quiet and let him continue. “Of all the songs your mother played for you, this is the one that gave you the biggest boost of energy.” I thought about that.Was it true? I suppose it could be true.“So far as coming into the store. Of course, you couldn’t resist. Everything about the displays werechosen to grab your attention and pique your curiosity.” He chuckled again. “That’s what we do.Curiousgoods.”

“Yes. Um. Nice name for a store, but look. I’ve got to be honest. This is creeping me out.”

“No, it’s not.”

“It’s not?”

“No.”

“Why do you say it’s not?”

“You’re reacting that way because you think being ‘creeped out’,” he did use air quotes, “is the appropriate response. Not because you really feel that way.”

I checked in with my inner workings.Damn. He might be right.I wasn’t really creeped out. I was charmed by everything I saw. I was curious about what was going to happen next. But I wasn’t really creeped out. At least not yet.

“So, this is an experience custom designed for me?”

He nodded and smiled. “Yes!”

“Like Make A Wish?”

“Oh no. Not like that at all. Nothing’s been staged or set up for you because you’ve yet to make a choice. You’ve earned a custom experience. After you choose what it will be, your other choices will vanish and what will be left is your heart’s desire.”

“My heart’s desire,” I repeated. I wasn’t entirely sure I had a heart’s desire. When I pursued a college degree, it was my heart’s desire to get it. When I divorced, it was my heart’s desire to move to New York and work for the Met. Both those things happened. “Thanks very much, but you’re too late. I’ve already manifested my heart’s desire.”

He waggled his head. “In a sense.”

“In a sense?”

“You’ve set realistic goals within the confines of what you believe is possible and achieved those goals. I’m not being the least dismissive when I say that was a lovely accomplishment.Brava! But here, in the shop of Curious Goods, you can choose from what you’ve previously thought to be impossible.”

“Like what? Learning Chinese?”

He laughed. “Mary Marie Campbell. You’re entertaining. What a welcome development. It will make our time together all the merrier.”

“You know my name.”

“I told you I know everything about you.”

“I know you said that, but I didn’t believe you.”

“Oh.” He threw his head back. “Misread that. I thought you did.”

“No.”

“Hmmm.”

“Here’s a secret. I still don’t. I haven’t figured out how you knew my name or that I’d respond emotionally to ‘The Muffin Man’ or that I’d stop in here, but that doesn’t mean you knoweverythingabout me.”

The twinkle was back in his eyes. “Is that a challenge?”