Page 3

A va hummed to herself as she cleaned up the flower field, pulling the spent plants and tossing them into her wheelbarrow for composting. Eleanor was coming over for dinner tonight and though it seemed silly, she wanted the farm to look the way Eleanor remembered it from her grandfather’s care.

Smiling at the thought of having a close friend, she didn’t notice the truck driving down the dirt road until it pulled in front of her house.

Rocks crunched under the tires as it inched up the driveway. Ava shielded her eyes from the morning sun, watching it approach. It was a run-down truck, blue paint flaking along the hood, and the rumbling of the engine ceased as the owner turned it off.

The door opened and out stepped an absurdly handsome man. Tall, with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, he wore jeans and a red flannel, barely concealing his lithe muscled frame.

“Can I help you?” she asked, shifting on her feet. Who was he and why was he here ?

The man brushed his hand through his hair as he strode toward her, leather boots crunching on the gravel. His lightly tanned skin hinted at his time spent outside.

“I’m sorry to alarm you,” he said in a low voice that warmed her cheeks. “I used to work for your grandfather, and I just thought I’d swing by and see if you needed any help.”

She reached her hand out, scrutinizing the stranger. “I’m Ava.”

“Henry,” he replied, shaking it.

The moment their hands touched, a tingle worked its way up her arm. She sucked in a breath and looked up at him, but he didn’t seem to notice. The sensation spread throughout her body and she cleared her throat, letting go of his hand.

“He didn’t mention anyone working on the farm for him,” she said, trying to feel him out. He didn’t mention anything at all because she hadn’t talked to him in years. “What type of work did you do?”

“Mostly odd jobs. Things he was unable to do himself physically.” He shoved his sleeves up to his elbows and her eyes caught on his tanned forearms. “Repairs on the buildings. Hauling soil. Stuff like that.” He smiled, seemingly friendly, then gestured to a large barn off to the side of the property.

“I repainted that for him a couple of years ago.”

“I could use the help,” she admitted. “It’s just…” She sighed, toying with her braid over her shoulder. “It’s just that—I don’t know you.”

“I know. I’m sorry, it’s weird. A random man shows up while you’re here by yourself. I know how it looks.” He winced. “What about a trial run?”

She tilted her head, hands on her hips. “Meaning?”

“Give me a few small jobs and see if you like my work. I promise not to come inside your house or bother you. And if you’re satisfied, then I’ll do more. If not, I’ll leave.”

Ava crossed her arms, but knew she was in a bind. “Alright,” she said. “I’ll make a short list of repairs I need done. Can you start tomorrow?”

“Absolutely.” He smiled disarmingly. As if he couldn’t get any handsomer, the wide grin transformed his face, his eyes bright. “Is nine o’clock too early?”

“That’s fine. I’ll see you then,” she said as she tried to keep her voice steady.

Henry gave her a broad smile and re-entered his vehicle, waving out the window as he pulled away. The truck disappeared down the road, and as the dust settled, she wondered if she’d made a mistake. Was it rash to allow a strange man access to her property while she was alone?

String lights illuminated the porch as Ava and Eleanor ate dinner, their small feast spread across the large outdoor table. Music played from a small speaker sitting on a side table, next to the bottle of wine they had brought outside for refills.

Her favorite thing about this farmhouse was the massive wrap-around porch, front and back connected by verandas on both sides.

There was enough room in the back for a large outdoor sectional, a dining table and chairs and a conversation set.

There was also a hammock Ava had spent many an evening in, drifting off as she read herself to sleep.

Ava loved to cook for others. It was something that had always brought her joy and she delighted in trying out new recipes on her guests. Tonight, she’d made flatbread pizza with arugula, hot honey and goat cheese accompanied by a large chef’s salad and homemade lemonade.

“Middle school was rough,” continued Eleanor, about halfway through her favorite stories of childhood mishaps. “One time, I was asked to read aloud in science and instead of saying organism, I accidentally said orgasm. It was so embarrassing.”

Tears streamed down Ava’s face, and she nearly choked as she took another sip of lemonade.

“I’m sure you’re not the only one who’s done that,” she said.

“Once, I was walking in the cafeteria with my lunch tray and somehow tripped over my own feet and fell backward. My tray spilled all over me and I was covered in food.”

“It seems old habits die hard,” Eleanor teased, nodding at Ava’s shirt.

Ava looked down at the glob of honey on her white tee. “Well, fuck.” She laughed as she dabbed at it with a napkin. “You know,” Ava said. “I’m glad to be back here. It’s been way too long.”

“Me too,” Eleanor replied, smiling. “Middle school wouldn’t have been so awkward if you hadn’t left me!”

“I didn’t leave you! I was whisked away to south Texas just before seventh grade. I didn’t want to stop visiting…” Ava’s tone turned solemn. “I missed you.”

Ava didn’t realize how much she had missed her friend until she said it out loud. They’d spent every summer together for twelve years. Then it all stopped. She hadn’t even gotten to say goodbye.

“I missed you too. So much.” Eleanor gave her a sad smile. “What happened? I remember my mom bringing me to the farm and playing with you whenever you were in town. Then you just disappeared one day.”

Fidgeting in her seat, Ava took a drink and remained silent a few moments before answering.

“I don’t know. I just remember my mom saying we had to move and we lived too far away to visit.

” She paused, deliberating on whether she should show Eleanor her grandfather’s journal or not.

Though they hadn’t seen each other in two decades, Ava trusted her.

She had been there when her mother performed magic, when her grandfather told his strange stories. Eleanor wouldn’t judge her.

Standing up, she said, “Wait here. I have something to show you.”

Ava retrieved the journal, then sat back down at the table and handed it to her friend. “I found this when I moved in.”

Eleanor opened it and flipped through the pages, eyes scanning the entries. “This is… what does any of this mean?” she asked.

“I don’t know.” Ava shook her head and pursed her lips. “Do you remember my mom doing anything weird when we were kids?”

“Um—like what?”

Ava grimaced. “Like… God, it sounds stupid saying it out loud—” She took a breath. “Like witchy stuff…”

“The journal mentioned magic…” Eleanor trailed off. “Actually, I?—”

Before she could finish, a scream echoed in the forest beyond.

Ava froze, heart leaping in her throat as her eyes shot to the woods beyond the backyard.

“What was that?” Eleanor whispered, looking around.

“I don’t know.” Ava’s heart raced. “Let’s get inside.”

They started to gather the dishes as another cry resounded, closer than before. Ava’s hair stood on the back of her neck. The scream was not quite animal and yet not human either. Ava searched the yard again, dark save for the faint illumination coming from the porch lights, but saw nothing.

“Forget the dishes,” uttered Ava as she pulled Eleanor inside and locked the door behind them.

Ava poured two glasses of wine, handing one to Eleanor as they settled themselves on the couch. All was quiet now and the forest resumed its usual nighttime sounds. An owl hooted in the distance as the women listened for any more sounds indicating danger.

Still on edge, Ava pulled a green throw onto her lap and turned back to Eleanor. “Do you think it’s gone?”

“I don’t know. What the hell makes a sound like that?” she asked.

“No idea…” Ava couldn’t help but glance to the window.

“Do you think that’s why your grandpa wouldn’t let us go in the woods?”

Ava’s eyes snapped to Eleanor. “You remember that?”

She sipped her wine. “I remember a lot of things.”

“Like…”

“What you asked me earlier…” Eleanor adjusted her glasses. “I always thought I was imagining this, but one time I swore I saw your mother wave her hand over a dead sunflower.” Eleanor lowered her voice. “…and suddenly it was alive again.”

“You didn’t imagine it,” Ava whispered, looking at her hands in her lap.

“Seriously?” Eleanor’s eyes widened as Ava met her gaze. “Is magic… real?”

“I—” Ava stuttered. “My mom told me it was,” she said, a pang of sadness ringing through her at the thought of her mother. Eleanor studied her silently. “Do you believe me?”

Eleanor’s eyes brightened. “Of course I do. I just—it’s been so long. It feels weird to talk about…”

“I know.”

“Have you ever been able to do anything like that?” Eleanor asked.

Ava shook her head. “No.”

“About the journal… Do you think your grandfather was just—” Eleanor began.

“Crazy? ”

Eleanor huffed a laugh. “Yes.”

“Probably.”

They remained silent, a thoughtful expression on Eleanor’s face. “Okay.” Eleanor sipped her wine. “What do you want to do?”

“What do you mean?”

Leaning forward on the couch, Eleanor scrutinized her. “Let’s figure it out.”

“How?”

“Let’s just say this is real…” She paused. “We search for clues. If we can’t find anything then we’ll know that your grandfather was senile and maybe your mother was a witch or something.”

“And if we do find something?”

Eleanor gave her a half smile. “Then I guess we aren’t crazy.”

Ava laughed quietly to herself, pondering Eleanor’s words. It sounded like a good plan. She just needed to prove or disprove her grandfather’s ramblings and then maybe she would have some answers. As the women remained silent, Ava’s mind wandered back to this morning.

“Sorry to change the subject but do you know a guy in town named Henry?”

“Cunningham?” Eleanor asked.

Ava took a sip of wine. “I didn’t get his last name.”

“Tall, blonde… Ridiculously good-looking?”

“Yep. That’s the one.”

“Yeah, I know him. Not well, but he’s nice.” Eleanor crossed her legs. “Does odd jobs around town. Why?”

“He showed up at the farm this morning, claiming he used to help and basically asked for work,” she answered.

“What did you tell him?” Eleanor took another drink.

Ava scrunched her face. “He starts tomorrow.”

Eleanor laughed heartily .

“What?”

“Ava, he’s hot ,” she blurted.

Ava bit her lip before replying. “Yeah, I know. I guess now I’ll have something even prettier than flowers to look at while I work.”