Page 91 of Witchful Thinking
The man in the turtleneck came up to him. “What happened? Did you lose your nerve?” he sneered.
Alex smiled. Nothing was going to ruin his good mood. “No, sir, I wised up.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The Grove Pavilion, a landmark building, was where all anniversaries, reunions, and other celebrations were held for all local shore towns. The pavilion had seen its share of scandalous and exciting events over the last hundred years and continued to be a gathering place for all the Grove. Now the graduates of Freya Grove High School gathered here to brag or forget their collective memories. The main room was decorated for the Class of ’12 with purple and gray balloon arcs around every entrance. It was packed with people decked out in suits and dresses, clutching their half-empty champagne flutes, making hushed conversation. A portable DJ booth played a mix of one-hit wonders and popular songs from their high school years to get everyone in a nostalgic and jovial mood. Flashes of cell phones went off like exploding stars, making Lucy shield her eyes from the bright lights.
People approached her throughout the evening. They came up to her with outstretched arms and big smiles, hugging her. Classmates approached her, and their words troubled her thoughts.
“Your class notes update made me feel so lazy. I need to get my life together.”
“You’re who I want to be when I grow up.”
“I wish I had your life. You deserve the Class Cup!”
They envied a life that wasn’t real. Their compliments, sweet and thoughtful, lowered her spirits but confirmed that she was making the right choice. She hoped everyone had enough space on their phones to record what was going to happen next. It was time for the wish to end. Technicolor lights flashed on the dance floor, while various tables had been abandoned and clutch purses were ditched on the plush seats. Classmates went back and forth between the dance floor and the bar, cradling drinks and bopping to the throwback music. Purple and gray tulle artfully decorated pillars around the ballroom.
The centerpieces were vases filled to the brim with pink and purple stargazer lilies in full bloom. Lucy clutched her phone, focusing on the task to come. She opened her email and read the real class notes. Mixed feelings surged through her, but one feeling stood out. Love. She loved herself enough to be honest about her life with everyone. She was done with feeling afraid and ashamed of the life she’d worked to create. It was time to tell the Grove. The music was turned down. The DJ called for everyone to return to their seats. Once everyone was seated, Quentin made his way to the stage. He stood in front of a table lined up with different trophies and awards.
“Welcome to the Freya Grove Class Reunion Awards. We’d like to say hello to everyone here in person and hello to those joining us on our livestream—”
Did he say livestream? Lucy blinked away the rising hysteria in her chest. Great. Now her downfall was going to be broadcast all over the internet. She prayed that she wouldn’t be turned into a GIF or—worse—a meme.
“It’s time for the event you’ve all been waiting for! Let’s hand out our awards.”
For the next twenty minutes, Lucy watched as person after person went up to the stage to claim their award. She slipped her phone into her dress pocket and patted it.
“The Freya Grove Alumni Committee would like to present Lucy Caraway with the Class Cup.” Quentin held out the award.
Lucy took a calm breath. Applause erupted from the crowd. She got onstage, thanked Quentin, and took the brass cup from him. It felt hollow and empty. She approached the podium and spoke into the microphone.
“Thank you for this honor,” Lucy said. “I know many of you probably saw my class notes earlier this summer.”
A knowing murmur went through the crowd. “The note I sent Quentin was what I wished my life was. It was every wish I had for my life but didn’t have the courage to make come true. I had never cooked a croquembouche or designed a house or finished a race or fallen head over heels in love with my soul mate—or my starfish—but since making that wish, I did. I made a wish, and somehow it all came true, despite me getting in my own way. It was wishful thinking that made me into the person I’ve always dreamed of being.”
There was absolute silence. Lucy placed the award back on the podium.
“I’d like to make a late correction.” She took out her phone and opened her email. “‘The last ten years have been kind of busy for basic home witch Lucy Caraway. She’s had the pleasure of teaching history and economics at Freya Grove High School for the past seven years to great, amazing students, occasionally finding sticky notes in the oddest places.’”
Light laughter bubbled from the crowd. She continued reading, keeping her eyes on the class notes.
“‘She loves her porch plants, tries not to burn down her kitchen baking desserts, and plans to get up the energy for a weekend run one day soon. When she isn’t reading tea leaves for neighbors or organizing her tea closet, she’s buying more tea in bulk.’”
There were light chuckles, but no one interrupted or yelled. Keep going, Lucy. Keep going.
“‘She does her best to be a good sister, daughter, and friend, but sometimes she messes up. Nothing’s changed much, but she sees her life as it is and knows that she’s beyond blessed to be loved and cared for.’”
Her voice broke. She thought of Callie and Sirena. Of Ursula and of all her family and friends who were always on her side. She couldn’t have wished for a better family. Lucy opened her mouth, but her voice failed her. Shouts of encouragement came from the crowd. “You’ve got this!” “We’ve got your back, sis!” were repeated. She pushed through and picked up where she’d left off.
“‘She’s going to take more risks, make wonderful mistakes, and not let fear hold her back from living. She hasn’t claimed her soul mate yet, but she knows she’s one wish from finding her happily-ever-after or happy-for-now ending.’”
Lucy looked out at the audience. Eyes shone with unshed tears. Heads were lowered in thought. Hands were pressed to lips.
“If you have the courage to wish, you have the courage to act. I’ve found it, but I found it a little too late. That’s why I’m respectfully turning down the Class Cup. I’ll earn it one day, but I haven’t earned it yet. Thank you for making me want to be better and do better.”
Lucy stepped away from the podium. She walked offstage and walked out of the pavilion.
With every step she took, she felt the wish wash away from her skin. Once she was outside in the warm summer air, she was exactly who she wanted to be.