Nora caught a familiar aroma in the air. “Is that your buttermilk fried chicken or am I dreaming?”
“Two thighs and a side of green beans. It was supposed to be Sheldon’s supper, but he isn’t hungry. I knew you wouldn’t turn me down.” June jerked her thumb at the display window. “And I’ll pitch in tomorrow night on one condition. I want my own ham and sausage pie. I’m never sharing with Hester again. Pineapple has no business on a pizza.”
“I’ll buy whatever kind of pizza you want,” Nora said as she flipped over the OPEN sign.
Across the street, a sudden movement caught her eye. A solitary figure in black dropped to all fours on the sidewalk. When she didn’t get up, Nora told June that someone was in trouble and dashed outside to help.
Night had barely fallen, and the sky was a deep, vibrant indigo. Shadows were gathering in the mountains rising above the town, but they hadn’t taken over yet. There was enough light for Nora to recognize Bren Leopold’s purple-tipped hair and surly expression.
“Are you okay?” Nora asked, squatting down next to the young woman.
Keeping her gaze fixed on the sidewalk, Bren moaned, “I’m . . . sick.”
Nora looked to June for guidance. June had worked at an assisted living community for years and knew how to handle situations like this. Crouching right behind Nora, she spoke to Bren in a soft and soothing voice. “It’s okay, baby. Where does it hurt?”
Bren squeezed her eyes shut. She bit her bottom lip as if trying to hold back a scream. Her right arm slid over her belly and she groaned.
“Don’t fight it, honey. If something needs to come out, let it out,” June said. “Your body knows what to do.”
As if she’d been waiting for permission, Bren turned her head and vomited into the grass. She retched and retched, crying as she expelled everything in her stomach. When she finally stopped, Nora offered her a napkin.
Eventually, Bren was able to sit up. She wouldn’t look at Nora or June but stared at the sidewalk instead.
“Should we call your mom?” Nora asked.
“No.”
Nora and June exchanged worried glances. They couldn’t leave Bren alone. She might be sick again, and she didn’t know anyone in town.
“Can we help you up?” June extended her hand. “Walk you to wherever you’re going?”
Bren finally looked at them. Her eyes shone with anger. “Don’t touch me! Just leave me alone!”
Nora grabbed June’s hand and the two friends backpedaled.
“We’ll watch from inside the store,” Nora told Bren. “We just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“Get away from me,” Bren snarled.
Inside Miracle Books, Nora and June stood shoulder to shoulder and watched the young woman in black stumble off into the encroaching darkness.
“What the hell just happened?” asked June.
“I don’t know,” said Nora. “But I don’t like it.”
Chapter 3
But all the magic I have known I’ve had to make myself.
—Shel Silverstein
Sheldon dropped his pizza crust onto his plate and turned to June. “Okay, someone has to say it. Either Bren was embarrassed because you two saw her puke her guts out, or she doesn’t like black people. Which one is it?”
June frowned. “I don’t know. What do you think, Nora?”
“Bren’s hostility was directed at both of us,” said Nora. “Maybe she was embarrassed, but it was still a pretty strong reaction.”
“Another possibility is that she hates older women,” suggested Estella, her eyes dancing with humor. “You’re both old enough to be her mother. And by old, I mean over forty.”
June glared at her. “You’re turning forty this year, Jessica Rabbit, so you’d best mind what you say.”
Estella ran a finger across the flawless skin of her cheek. “But I’ve mastered the fine art of contouring. Everyone thinks I’m Hester’s age, and I plan to maintain the deception as long as I can.”
Hester rolled her eyes. “You’re gorgeous, okay? Can we get back to last night?”
Estella mimed zipping her lips and reached for her wineglass.
“When someone freaks out at me, it’s usually because my skin isn’t the same shade as theirs,” Sheldon said, his gaze on June. “We’ve talked about this. So tell me, mi querida amiga, was the goth girl mad at both of you? Or just you?”
After a lengthy silence, June said, “I don’t know, it really got to me. I barely slept a wink at night.”