Page 19 of Somewhere Without You

Eighteen

Before

Gran lived on the outskirts of town—sheltered by the mountains and magnolia trees hugging her never ending driveway. You couldn’t see the old farmhouse from the main road, but you knew it was there.

Everyone in Windhavenknewitwasthere.

Granhada reputation. Shewasa spiritual woman, an eccentric woman.

She spoke to the earth as if itwerea living thing, and she threatened us with Karma instead of God.

She danced in the rain, carried crystals in her pockets, and insisted on consulting her tarot cards before making anybigdecisions.

The squeak of my sneakers echoedloudlyon the linoleum. Kat, her hand in Gran’s, trailed behind me. My eyes darted to the aisle crammed with cheap toys and candy.

“Can Igeta toy?”I asked Gran, batting my eyelashes.

With a smile, she glanced back and nodded.“What about you Kitty Kat? Want to tag along with your sister while I grab what we need?”

Kat shook her head.“I’drather stay with you.”

Gran gave her hand a firm squeeze, before turning to me.“Don’t stray,”she instructed,“I don’t want to have to hunt you down later.”

With a gleeful squeal, I skipped over to aisle twelve, where the Barbie knockoffs and generic Hot Wheelswerewaiting.However, I skidded to a stop a few feet away. A girl with hair as bright as sunlightwasexamining a miniature castle containing a tiny fairy princess.

“Hi,”I approached,excited.“That’s areallycool castle.”

Shelookedup, her blue eyes mirroring the vibrancy of her hair.“One day, I’m going to live in a castlejustlike this,”she smiled, revealing a gap toothed grin.

“My names Emily,”I told her. Gran’s reputation made it difficult to make friends. My closest palswereKatherine, and whatever salamanders I managed to catch beneath the floorboards in the old barn.

“I’m Lilly,”she replied, her gaze returning to the castle. We stoodtherefor a moment, both of us lost in its miniature world.

“Do you think she’s real?”I whispered, a mix of playful curiosity and genuine wonder.

Lilly’s eyes stayed fixed on the princess.“I hope so,”she breathed.

“My Gran says magic is everywhere,”I confided.“Peoplejustdon’tseeit.Maybeshe comes alive at night, eating all the candy and having tea parties with the other toys!”

Lilly giggled, andthatmade me giggle too.

Then, a woman with eyes like chipped steel appeared, yanking Lilly away with a harsh tug.“It’s time to go,”she snapped, her unfriendly gaze lingering on me.“Now.”

“Butmom,”Lilly protested,“This is my new friend, Emily.”

Her mother didn’teventry to lower her voice.“That’s Mae Hart’s granddaughter. You are not to associate yourself with them. Do you understand?”

Lilly’s eyes filled with sad understanding. “Yes Mommy,” her struggle ceasing as her mother dragged her away.

Something cracked in my chest, like someonehaddroppeda heavy stone on it.

“Emily?”Gran’s soft voice startled me. I blinked back tears as I picked up the miniature castle,carefullysetting it back on the shelf.“Don’t you want it?”She asked. I shook my head, unable to speak without crying.

Katherinegentlyslipped her hand into mine.“Come on, let’s go.”

The car ride homewasquiet. Gran didn’t push me to talk, but she kept glancing at me, concern etched on her face. Everythingshe’dsaidabout magicfeltpointless now. After what happened, I couldn’t help but wonder iftherewasany magicpowerfulenough to change how peoplesawus.

That’s when I realized we lived on the outskirts of town for a reason—because wewerenevertrulywelcome in it.