The Curiosity Shop: A comedy of errors about witchcraft Page 2

  “I saw him in my dream,” Lucinda said with a matter-of-fact tone, as if Cassandra should understand.

  Cassandra laughed, while Spider jumped up on the windowsill, startling her. Spider sat there for the longest time watching Mitch below and then turned to Cassandra with a tilted head.

  Cassandra finally turned and looked up at Lucinda. “Don’t start that with me,” she teased in a mocking way.

  Cassandra had spent many a meal at her other four aunts’ houses, where she was being set up with a friend of a friend in hopes of hooking her up with a boyfriend finally. For some reason Cassandra wasn’t interested. She knew her soul mate was out there someplace but wasn’t willing to settle just for the fact of having someone in her life. She was waiting for Mister Right, and when he came she was sure she would know it. Lucinda was the only one of her aunts who didn’t feel the need to have her married off.

  “No. Honest,” Lucinda said, as she moved closer to the window. “When he looked over at the shop, that was the vision I saw.”

  “And, pray tell, what does that mean?”

  “I don’t know,” she responded, as she glanced around the room and then finally turned back to Cassandra. “I’ll have to consult my cards.”

  Cassandra just shook her head and walked over to the candle on the nightstand. She picked it up, and then turned to Lucinda and motioned for her to get back in bed.

  “You aren’t going anyplace right now, except to bed. We don’t need you falling and hurting yourself.”

  “I may be old, but I’m no invalid. I can still get around.”

  Cassandra laughed gently. “And we want to keep it that way.”

  Lucinda slowly walked over to the bed. She sat down on the bed and then lay down. Cassandra reached down and pulled the covers up around Lucinda. The old woman just lay there for a moment, not saying a word. She looked frail in that large bed. Cassandra only hoped that in time Lucinda would be able to manage on her own.

  “Tomorrow,” Lucinda whispered, not really wanting to deal with anything that night.

  “You rest now. The lights should be back on soon.”

  “His coming is for a purpose.”

  Cassandra turned to Lucinda with a puzzled expression on her face as Lucinda quickly continued.

  “The officer. He is in the masterplan.”

  Cassandra shook her head. “It’s late, I’m tired. You can talk your mumbo-jumbo all you want in the morning

  “You will see and then you will believe.”

  “If the lights hadn’t been out, I wouldn’t have been downstairs in the shop getting candles. It wasn’t destiny, it was the electric company’s fault.”

  Lucinda nodded with assurance. “You will come to believe.”

  Spider jumped off the window onto the bed and slowly walked over to Lucinda. All Lucinda did was reach for the furry animal and pull him into her chest and stroke his black fur as the cat purred loudly.

  *

  The storm soon subsided with just a light mist, but enough to make walking his beat uncomfortable. Normally he liked the night shift when the city slept. He enjoyed having the city all to himself, checking doors to make sure they were locked, getting to know the various shop owners as they closed for the night. He especially enjoyed his talk with Lucinda’s niece. He smiled to himself, thinking about her, but then he quickly put that thought out of his head when he once again reminded himself of Rosy. In four hours when his shift was over, he would be going home to her. It had been six months since she’d moved in with him. Mitch didn’t know how he got conned into that move but didn’t have the nerve to halt it. All he knew was the sex was good and Rosy didn’t put many demands on him. So life was as good as it gets, he thought.

  The sound of a trashcan tipping startled him back to reality as he quickly entered the darkened alley. He shined his flashlight around and then picked up the can and put the lid back in place. Mitch glanced around. Not seeing anything else out of place, he quickly turned and was about to walk out of the alley when he kicked something lying on the ground. Shining the flashlight down, to his surprise he saw it was a book, Moby Dick. Mitch wiped off the cover; he was about to throw it in the trash but then had second thoughts and just stuffed it in his jacket pocket. For what reason, he wasn’t sure.

  *

  Once Mitch was done with his shift he walked slowly into his apartment, took off his badge, set it on the dresser, and then took off his gun and holster and put them safely in his top dresser drawer. He reached for the jacket on the chair and took out the book, unclear why it was so important not to throw the book away.

  Mitch quickly undressed and walked in to the bathroom with book in hand. After the water had run in the tub, he climbed in, savoring the warmth, and started to read the book. He was well into the second chapter before he realized how much time had passed and the realization of how tired he actually was hit him.

  Slowly he got out, wrapped the towel around himself, and then walked into the bedroom, where he followed the trail of women’s clothes scattered on the floor. Rosy had never been one to pick up after herself, and all the begging he did, did not help matters any. He seemed to spend all his spare time picking up after his love interest so as not to offend her with arguments about the messes she left on a daily basis. He only hoped in time she would catch on to picking up after herself. Not to mention being able to cook.

  Mitch tossed the book on the nightstand as he quickly dressed for bed and then crawled in. It didn’t matter that the light of the day filled the room, as his body ached for the much-needed rest he desired.

  *

  It had been a busy morning, and the afternoon wasn’t any less busy in The Curiosity Shop. Cassandra was surprised at the number of people who required the oddities the shop had to offer, especially seeing she had no real knowledge as to what any of it was used for. She was learning as she went about the daily routine and was thankful that most everyone who came into the shop, came in with a purpose. Cassandra had a few moments of quiet and her thoughts went back to the officer of last night, and then she glanced at the shelf with the curious bottles that always bothered her. She walked over and dusted them while arranging them alphabetically. There was a bottle of dried Mugwort, and powdered elder leaves: she wondered what on earth any of it was used for. She picked up one of the bottles and turned it around; there were no instructions on the back to help her determine its use.

  Cassandra remembered the book Lucinda consulted often before picking items off the shelf for the customer. She went to the counter, reached in the drawer, and took out the old leather-bound Book of Shadows. Even touching it gave her chills. She never paid much attention before to what this book contained. She opened it. It was all in Lucinda’s own writing. She quickly flipped through the pages until she came upon the Peace and Protection Spell. Quickly she read the ingredients needed for that spell. There was dragon’s blood, which made Cassandra laugh to herself and wonder where on earth Lucinda could come up with that item. There was fresh or dry rue. Cassandra walked over the shelf and found that item. The other items listed were items found in every woman’s kitchen. There was black peppercorns, red wine, fresh or dry mint, and fresh or dry basil. After the list of ingredients there were clear instructions on how to prepare all the ingredients. The incantation was written clearly, so as not to miss any words.

  Cassandra just shook her head, staring at the page, and wondered if her aunt had actually prepared any of these spells on real people or if she was just writing a fictitious book to pass an old woman’s time in a shop that specialized in oddities. That made more sense than her aunt being a witch.

  It was the door opening that startled Cassandra back to the reality of where and who she was. Mrs. Wilcox, a young woman in her late twenties, walked into the shop. She went to the shelf of potions, picked a few items, and then quickly walked to the counter and laid them next to the register.

  “Did you find everything you needed?” Cassandra asked, curious as to what purpose t
he potions would be used for but not wanting to appear nosy.

  Mrs. Wilcox looked up at Cassandra with cautious eyes. “Lucinda said she was getting some fresh sagebrush in this week.”

  “I don’t think it came in yet,” Cassandra said and then quickly added, “We have incense, though, if that would help.”

  Mrs. Wilcox frowned as she glanced nervously around the shop. “That won’t do.”

  Cassandra looked at her with a curious gaze and then asked, “Now, what was that used for?”

  Cassandra had a need to know what fresh sagebrush was used for and didn’t want to pull out Lucinda’s Book of Shadows. Normally she would not have shown the customer just how ignorant she was when it came to the need for such an item but Cassandra just couldn’t let it pass.

  “Why, for cleansing the house,” Mrs. Wilcox said, with a puzzled look on her face, and then looked curiously at Cassandra. “I thought you were Lucinda’s niece.”

  “I am, but I’ve never worked in her shop before. Plus, I’m not really into all of this stuff,” Cassandra said, motioning to the shelves and the contents scattered about the room.

  Mrs. Wilcox leaned toward the counter and whispered, “Did you know she was the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter?”

  Cassandra looked puzzled and then counted something on her hand, and when she got to six she stopped. Just then, Lucinda walked into the room holding Spider. She turned to Cassandra.

  “Mother lost one of her daughters at birth,” Lucinda said softly.

  “I didn’t know,” was all Cassandra said. Her eyes widened when she realized the implication. She swallowed hard, because all these years she felt comfortable with the knowledge that Lucinda was not a witch, and now the one fact she used as her proof had been taken away.

  Cassandra just stood there staring at Lucinda as the old woman walked over to a shelf and started sorting through the bottles, putting them back in place. Lucinda was finicky about everything being put in its proper place to the point of being obsessive about it. Cassandra busied herself ringing up Mrs. Wilcox’s purchases.

  “That will be $15.33,” Cassandra said.

  Mrs. Wilcox glanced over at Lucinda as she reached in her purse for the money. She quickly set it on the counter as the door opened and Mitch walked in. He was in street clothes as he browsed about the shop.

  Lucinda turned to Mrs. Wilcox. “It’s going to rain out soon,” she said with an air of certainty.

  Cassandra glanced out the window at the bright blue sky.

  “The sun is shining,” Cassandra quickly corrected Lucinda.

  “Spiders don’t lie,” Lucinda said softly.

  Mrs. Wilcox turned to Lucinda. “I better bring in the clothes then.”

  Cassandra turned at Mrs. Wilcox. “You believe her?”

  “Spiders don’t lie.”

  Cassandra laughed mockingly as Mrs. Wilcox opened the door, but then stopped and turned to Lucinda.

  “I’ll stop back in a few days to see if the sagebrush came in.”

  “So be it. And so it is so,” Lucinda said in her soft-spoken voice that was hardly above a whisper.

  Mitch walked over to a shelf lined with books. Lucinda picked up Spider and walked over to the door leading to the apartment above. She turned to Cassandra and then glanced over at Mitch. A mischievous smile crossed the old woman’s face as she stroked the cat and then turned and walked out.

  Cassandra walked over to Mitch. “May I help you with something?” she asked.

  Mitch picked a book off the shelf. Then he looked at the old weather-beaten leather-bound book cover that said Moby Dick.

  “I’m reading this,” he said proudly.

  Cassandra smiled politely. “That’s nice,” is all she mustered up to say.

  “Don’t you remember me?” Mitch asked.

  Cassandra leaned back a little and took a good look at Mitch. She appeared puzzled and a little embarrassed because she didn’t have a clue as to who he was.

  “The cop last night. That was me.”

  “Oh. I didn’t recognize you out of uniform.”

  Mitch motioned to Lucinda’s retreating form and then turned back to Cassandra. “What was it she was referring to when she said ‘And so it is so.’”

  Cassandra appeared somewhat embarrassed. She took a deep breath and then said. “Those are the last words in most spells.”

  “As in witchcraft?”

  “Not necessarily,” she replied, rolling her eyes because she knew what Mitch was referring to.

  “Then what?”

  “It’s not like that,” Cassandra argued.

  Mitch walked over to another shelf. He picked up one of the bottles sitting there and handed it to Cassandra just as Spider walked back into the shop. He rubbed his body around Mitch’s leg. Mitch glanced down at the cat and then up at Cassandra.

  “Maybe you could sell me something to put a spell on my girlfriend.”

  “In order for a spell to work, you have to believe in its power.”

  “I can believe.”

  “You must also have the intention that it is for the good of all.”

  “I’m not such a bad catch,” Mitch said, and then he wished he hadn’t said those words.

  “What’s this spell?” Cassandra said mockingly as she grinned. “Is it supposed to make her love you more?”

  Mitch just laughed at Cassandra and then put the bottle back on the shelf. “I’m just kidding.” But in reality, if there had been a spell to make Rosy more conscientious about keeping things clean and neat, he might have considered becoming a believer.

  “You have to allow it the time to take effect.”

  “I can tell you believe in this hocus-pocus.”

  “And you don’t?” she asked.

  Cassandra had been at Lucinda’s almost a week now and she had seen things that up until then, she had only heard rumors about. She believed whole-heartedly that whatever powers Lucinda had were more to do with the people requesting the potion and their positive thinking than any magic.

  “So tell me what it is you want this potion to do for you, or your girlfriend?”

  “We’ve been together for six months and we aren’t any closer to tying the knot than the first night we met,” Mitch said as he took another bottle off the shelf.

  Cassandra looked at the bottle of Goofer dust and then laughed to herself as she put it back on the shelf. It certainly would not serve the purpose Mitch was striving for.

  “Maybe she isn’t the one for you,” Cassandra said, but then wished she hadn’t spoke so boldly.

  Cassandra looked at the other bottles on the shelf and wondered if a potion could indeed help Mitch change a person’s feelings toward him. She had never really given it a serious thought up until then.

  Mitch turned to Cassandra. He was suddenly nervous for some reason and he didn’t know why. Slowly he moved backward and stepped on Spider’s tail. Spider suddenly yelled out, “Meow!,” startling Mitch and Cassandra. Mitch turned to Cassandra and just stared at her for the longest time without saying a word. Lucinda quickly rushed back into the shop and the cat jumped into her arms. All Lucinda did was look at Mitch and then turn to Cassandra with concern. Mitch quickly walked over to the door.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t see the cat. I hope its tail is okay,” he said, opening the door and quickly backing his way out, all the while keeping a close eye on Lucinda to see what she would do.

  Lucinda just stared at Mitch and then turned to Cassandra, who still had a look of surprise on her face. By then Spider was purring profusely, but the two still were concerned about Lucinda and her possible retaliation for his actions.

  “No harm done,” is all Lucinda said softly with a quaint smile across her face.

  “Nice seeing you again,” Mitch said to Cassandra as he quickly shut the door behind him.

  Lucinda turned to Cassandra and stared at her for the longest time. “What was that all about?”

  Cassandra shrugged her shoulders w
hile shaking her head. “You tell me.”

  “The die is cast,” Lucinda said finally, as if it was something Cassandra should understand.

  “Whatever do you mean?” Cassandra asked with a puzzled look on her face.

  “He stepped on Spider’s tail.”

  “So?”

  Lucinda looked at her with a sly smile. “That means he would fall in love with the first woman he set his eyes on, that being you.”

  “I hardly think so.”

  “That is the truth, as God is my witness.” Lucinda quickly crossed her heart, and then quickly added, “So be it. And so it is so.”

  “Don’t give me that mumbo-jumbo,” Cassandra said, pointing a finger at Lucinda.

  “You will be a believer soon.”

  “He was asking about a spell for his girlfriend.”

  Lucinda stroked the cat’s back as she slowly walked over to the shop door and stared at Mitch walking down the street. He kept turning to look back at the shop. Lucinda smiled to herself, knowing full well that her prediction would come true. The spell was cast and time would be on her side.

  “There may be a girl in his life, but that doesn’t mean she’s the right one for him.”

  Cassandra walked out of the shop leaving Lucinda to tend the afternoon customers. She was tired of listening to her aunt making forecasts about her life. Cassandra was a realist and didn’t believe in the spirit world. There were a lot of things she couldn’t understand or explain, but she didn’t care to even speculate on their causes. But Lucinda putting spells on people and causing life-changing events was too much for her to comprehend. There would be a rational explanation for everything eventually in the end, and it would have nothing to do with a few words spoken to make things happen.

  Cassandra hurried up the stairs to the apartment above, hoping to put distance between Lucinda and herself. And more importantly, between herself and what Lucinda had just said.

  Chapter 3

  Mitch didn’t know why he had felt the need to visit The Curiosity Shop that afternoon; it certainly served no purpose and it angered him that he asked for the potion for his girlfriend. Yet the fact remained that he had a girlfriend, and complicating his life by seeking out this newcomer to the neighborhood would not make life any easier for him right now.