Page 29 of Of Poison & Pumpkins (Of Witches & Men #3)

“It’s fine. Don’t you remember the story of when I met my first ghost?”

I think back on our sleepover nights, before Maya was born, when we tried to scare each other with spooky stories, but they all turned into comedies.

Tinsley always wore the same purple pajamas to piss me off.

She had told me that the first ghost who approached her was her grandma, giving her advice on what spell to request for the next Fuzer Ceremony. She was sixteen.

“Exactly. You were way older than Maya is now. She shouldn’t be exposed to anything that could traumatize her.”

“What are you talking about? I was four.”

“That’s not what you told me.”

“Hm, I thought you knew this story. Well, congratulations. Today is your lucky day! You are blessed with the opportunity to learn something new about your BFF!” She glances back at the car, making sure it hasn’t walked off with her daughter.

“I was four when my first ghost appeared. At first, I didn’t recognize her, but quickly realized it was the lady who used to sit next to us at church.

She had died only a week before and she looked so calm that I wasn’t afraid. ”

“What’d she say?”

“She said she knew my future pain, that I wouldn’t have my parents for long and that I shouldn’t fall in love because he would die in the same accident that kills my parents.”

I gasp. My hands clutch the spoon, nearly ripping it. “You knew? The whole time? You knew their accident would happen?”

“No. I had buried that memory until it happened, then I spent months thinking I was crazy, or delusional, or hallucinating something that never happened from my youth.” She sniffs and looks at the ground. “But I desperately wanted the memory to be real.”

“What? Why?”

“Because, that same ghost told me that even though I’d lose my family all at once, I’d gain a best friend for life and eventually a daughter, who would become my everything.”

“Oh, Tinz, come here.”

We crush each other in a hug.

She sniffs again. “Isn’t that terrible? To be glad a horrible thing happened in order for Maya to be born?”

I pet her hair silently and keep her close, unwilling to be the first to let go. When her trembling stops, she half-laughs and wipes her eyes. “I know what you’re gonna say next.”

“And what is that?” I tuck a tear-stained hair lock behind her ear.

“That you would’ve stuck by me forever, whether their accident happened or not.”

“You’d be right.”

Tinsley nods. “I know. And that’s why I don’t mind finding berries for you, or driving to this Goddess-forsaken spot, because I will always be in your debt.

You’ve given me so much of Palooza’s income, not to mention Maya’s college fund.

I don’t think I could’ve done this without you.

” She covers her eyes with one hand. “Not that we need you only for your money. I also appreciate when you play knights and unicorns with her. And tuck her into bed at night and come over when I’m at my wit’s end.

You’re my hero, Rynn. And I love you for all that. ”

A large lump wedges itself in my throat. She’s never been so upfront about this before. We’ve given and taken in our friendship, a balance of sorts. Unease settles in my bones, and I take a deep breath before answering.

“You’re scaring me. Of course I’d do all that. But why are you giving me this sweet speech like we’re in a movie?”

“My credit cards are all maxed out.” A tear falls down her cheek again. “I need a raise, but I can’t ask for one. Palooza has to win.”

I take both her hands. “It’ll be okay. We’ll figure it out together. I could sleep in my bathtub if I need to and you two can take my bed. Maybe, we can fold some purple origami and charge a hundred bucks per piece.”

She snort-laughs and wipes her tears away again. “And the award? Do you think we have a chance?”

“Definitely. We’ll get it. Lias and I need to fix the curse issue first.”

Tinsley starts walking back to her car, and I follow. “Lias, huh? I see you two have gotten closer.”

I bite my lip, wanting to share, but unsure of what to say.

“Rynnlee, look at me.” She sighs. “You have a huge heart. I know people can suck, but you gotta let your wall down at some point. You never looked at Porter the way you look at Elias. Just try, okay? Promise me?”

“I can try.” I peek through her window to see a sleeping Maya, head tilted against her car seat. “By the way, I’d never get sick of you two if you need to move in.”

“I bet you won’t say that when she’s purposefully dumping spaghetti sauce into your favorite shoe.”

I stare at my honorary niece. “She’s an angel. She’d never do that.”

“Oh, by the way, the cops put out a reward to anyone who knows where you’re located. I won’t tell Hudson a thing, but you should stay here for a while. And maybe don’t text me for a few days so they can’t trace your location if they confiscate my phone.”

“Tinz, don’t let them take anything from you.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m gonna go drive this little girl home. Goodnight, chica.”

“Night. Thanks again,” I say, holding the bowl high.

As the headlights from her car finally disappear, leaving me in darkness again, I head to our room of fluff.

Inside our room, the scent of oranges greets me again. To no surprise, Elias snores heavily, dead to the world.

I’m about to text him that Tinsley only found three berries and I’m going out to hunt for the others, so when he wakes he isn’t worried where I am, but my phone is dead. Gently, I nudge his shoulder until he wakes.

“You okay?” His sleepy eyes find mine. “What’s wrong?”

“Tinz gave me three berries. It’s not enough. But she told me where to find more. It’s not far from here, so I’m gonna go search.”

“Now? It’s too dark.” His voice is groggy, half asleep, as he shuts his eyes again. “Come cuddle. We’ll look in the morning.”

“I can’t waste any more time. You stay here and rest, you don’t look too good.”

He pushes up slowly, groaning. “I’m fine. Where’s the backpack?” When he stands, he topples over, losing his balance, then holds a hand to his forehead.

“Elias, you’re too tired. You can barely walk. It’s fine. I’ll be back in an hour.”

“No,” is all he can manage as he stumbles around the room. In a fumbling motion, he finally swings the backpack on and tromps out the door with feet made of lead. “Let’s go.”