Ghost (The Halloween Boys #1) (49)
I carefully opened the backdoor of my car as the bird pecked at my offering. “Please don’t bite me,” I said nervously. I swore the creature laughed in bird, it’s caw almost bringing a smile to my puffy face. I dug through my costumes and decided on something warmer and easier to walk in, but still festive and fox-like. I plucked out a lacy black crop top with a matching mini skirt. I paired it with black stockings, boots, and a long, black trench coat. I clutched the items and my makeup bag and fox mask and shot the crow an exasperated look. “Any ideas where I can change that’s not here or in my car?”
The bird ruffled its feathers and shot forward. I screamed and ducked as the wind from its wings blew over the top of my head. My mask and makeup clattered to the pavement. I groaned as I knelt to gather it altogether. As I strained to reach the mascara that had rolled under my back tire, I paused. The sound of footsteps echoed through the abnormally empty street and my breathing stilled. My heart froze in my chest as I recognized the sound of boots in the darkness. My hand trembled as I clutched my things. I should have dropped them and gotten into my car. But in the pile, I’d lost my keys. Shit, shit, shit. I scrambled through my costume, frantic to find the keys when the footsteps stopped. Crouched, I peered under my car at the black leather boots that appeared there. One foot tapped and my mouth went dry. This is it. This is where I die. By my car, clutching my favorite tube of mascara.
The footsteps resumed but I couldn’t make out where they were going.
Something touched my back and I shrieked, whipping around.
She jumped back, putting a hand to her chest. “Oh my god, Blythe. I didn’t mean to scare you,” Yesenia said, kneeling next to me and helping gather my things. “I thought I saw your car over here and I thought to myself, that girl is not changing in her car, is she? No way, come on over to the shop. You can get ready with me.”
I put a trembling hand to my forehead and exhaled a shaky blow of air. “I’m a little on edge, sorry.” I forced a laugh. “I’d love to get dressed at Magia, if it’s not too much trouble.”
Yesenia took my makeup bag from my hand and the tube I was gripping so hard it had grown slick with sweat. “This is the best black mascara ever. I might have to raid your beauty kit.” She smiled warmly and placed a tender hand on my back. “Let’s go, girl. I’ve been meaning to catch up with you anyway.”
We walked in the lantern light of Ash Grove as the friendly shop owner chatted my ear off about everything from that week’s sales, local divorce gossip, and the mood-color-changing lipsticks she’d ordered for the store. I only smiled and nodded, my body relaxing at the sound of her cheerful, lithe voice. I loved girls that talked a lot. I loved women with lots of opinions and so many thoughts their words flew faster than their minds could keep up with. For someone quiet, like myself, it was the perfect escape from my inner world of turmoil. The cool October chill danced with the smell of fallen leaves and apple cider. “Anyway,” she said, opening the shop door with a jingle and wah ha ha of a skeleton. “My abuela says no one will buy the lipstick, but now I know you will, right?”
“Oh, absolutely.”
The shop was different at night than during the day. Violet candles swayed their flames, casting little orange orbs onto the dozens of crystal balls along shelves of tarot cards, bones, and colorful glass vials. The dried herbs dangling from the ceiling mixed a floral, herbal scent along with that of cinnamon and clove. Magia Eclectics was sultry Halloween in physical form. “I love it here,” I murmured, following her toward the back. “I certainly feel more at ease here than I did in that godforsaken church.”
She looked over her shoulder at me. “Ah, hangin out with Ames Cove and his boys, I take it?”
I sighed, “I was, but probably not anymore. Ames and I got into a fight tonight. It’s one of the reasons I’m so scattered right now. He said the church is always open, though, and safe, so maybe I’ll need to go back at some point . . . I don’t know.”
She snorted. “That dead old building isn’t nearly as safe as Magia.” She led me up the stairs to a sprawling apartment and office area. “Hey, what are you doing for October since Garden of India closes for Hallows?”
I shrugged, perching on the arm of a gold and pink lounge. “Eating ramen in the Moores very pink guest room, I guess. My basement apartment flooded so they waived rent this month, but I’m not sure how I’ll cover next month being out of work.” Not that it mattered because my stepdad was near, probably just buying time until he caught up with me.
“Well,” Yesenia began, motioning for me to follow. We stopped in a small but cozy room with a white metal bed frame, chest of drawers, and dark purple rug. “My abuela and I were talking, and since I’m not able to man the shop as much while my boys are in school, we thought we’d make you a deal.”
I raised my eyebrows and she dropped my things on the lavender comforter. “What kind of deal?”
“You work here and watch the shop during the day. We can’t pay you a lot, but we can give you a decent-sized check, along with free rent here.” She nodded toward the sitting area. “There’s no stove but there’s a microwave, computer, and bathroom with a shower. I know it’s not much, but it has to be better than staying in a soggy basement out in the suburbs.”
My jaw dropped in surprise. Without thinking, I wrapped her in a hug. She laughed immediately and squeezed me tight. “I take that as a yes?”