Page 7 of Sweet Madness

“You’re my Venus.” - S

Chapter

One

CANYON CREEK

Ella

“Good girls go to heaven and bad girls go to…” — E

When my siblings and I were little, we traveled a lot with our parents—maybe three times a year. With our parents’ busy schedules, it’s a miracle we got to see them as much as we did. Don’t get me wrong; they were always present. Even if they couldn’t make it for some reason, they made sure we felt their presence by either sending us meaningful gifts or ensuring our bodyguards were always with us to keep us safe and cheer us on. Banning never missed a single parent-teacher conference or science fair when our parents couldn’t make it.

Our family vacations were sacred too. Mom and Dad always put aside time for travel. A crystal globe Dad gifted Mom when they first fell in love is always spun to decide where we will go next. Each kid gets a turn, and each time, a magical place is chosen.

When I turned thirteen, it was my turn again to spin the crystal globe and choose the place we would visit for our family trip. I spun the globe, and it kept turning until Evie, growing impatient, stopped it. Her small hand landed on Monaco.

We were all excited for different reasons.

I couldn’t wait to experience all the beauty the gorgeous country had to offer—the food, the culture, and the magical places to discover.

I have many fond memories of that trip, ones that will live in my heart until it stops beating, but one that I always revisit is when I dragged my very chic, non-believer Mom into an antique store where I thought I’d find something unique to bring back home to my cousins. Raiza was obsessed with crystals at the time, and Willow loved nature. She was also going through a phase where she wanted to be a witch—not the ugly kind from scary movies, but the kind of witch that works alongside the earth to heal and bring balance.

Kind of kooky, but that’s my Low. Wonderfully different, and I wouldn’t have her any other way.

After Mom gave me a thousand reasons not to go inside, she relented when she realized how excited I was to enter the tiny antique store with the spooky decorations and broken door that squeaked as if we are entering eternal doom.

Some of my siblings stayed behind with Dad and Uncle Benji because they were either afraid or uninterested.

Mom didn’t want to go in, but she gave in, though she complained all the way. She even told the kind lady who works there that she didn’t believe in witchcraft and that it was all a bunch of hocus pocus. Yet, she waited patiently while the lady, with the colorful outfit and flashing jewelry, helped me pick out the souvenirs for my cousins.

That day I saw and felt just how much Mom truly loved me. She went as war as to participate in something she didn’t believe in just to make a little girl happy.

The memory is still fresh, as if it was just yesterday and not years ago.

“That’s an Amethyst,” the store owner says, pointing to the purple crystal I am holding. I examine it closer, noticing how it glistens in the light. “That one is known for its ability to amplify positive energy and create a harmonious environment.”

I look up and show Mom the crystal. “I think this one suits Azariel better. Can we get it for him?” My cousin Azariel is different from most boys, or so Aunt Kadra says. I think so too. Azariel is brilliant but a silent type of brilliant. He doesn’t brag about his accomplishments or make us feel less than because our IQs aren’t as high as his. He’s also quiet, but if he truly cares, he’ll give you a piece of himself, even if it’s small. It means something—at least it does for me.

Mom gently brushes my hair back and smiles. I love my mommy’s eyes; they remind me of emeralds. “That’s sweet, baby. I’m sure your cousin will love it.”

Beaming, I place the crystal into the shopping basket Mom is holding and turn to look at Davina. That’s when I notice the purple tarot cards in her hand.

Like Mom, I don’t believe in the supernatural or that anyone can predict my future, but the longer I stare at the purple cards with constellation symbols, the stronger my urge to know what she does becomes.

“Miss Davina, can you read my future?” I ask politely.

Feeling Mom’s strong but gentle hold on my left shoulder, I turn to look at her.

“Ellaiza, no one knows your future but you,” Mom tells me sternly.

Scrunching up my nose, I roll my eyes playfully. “It’s just for fun, Mom. I know I’m in charge of my future and no one else.” A soft smile appears on Mom’s face. She isn’t convinced but at least she loosens her hold on my shoulder.

Turning back to Davina, I ask, “So, will you?”

Davina nods and leads us to a black wooden table with more crystals and a few lit candles in the far corner of the store.

Feeling excited and curious, I ask impatiently, “Miss Davina, if it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to know if I’ll fall in love when I’m Mommy’s age. If so, who will he be? Will he be handsome like the prince in every fairytale? Smart? Funny? A politician like my Daddy? Or will he be scary but loving like my uncles Riagan and Vitali?” Mom tenses at my question.