This was getting really annoying. Skye rubbed her eyes and willed away the pesky dark spots plaguing her at the shop. She opened her eyes and dang if they weren’t still there. Floaters, Michael called them. Like little black flies at the periphery of her vision. As if the backaches weren’t enough.
The floaters had started about a month ago and usually showed in the early evening. Probably something to do with stress or too much reading.
“What’s wrong with you?” Glenna asked. “Someone needs your help picking out crystal charms.”
“Thanks for your concern,” Skye said with a sigh, going over to a girl peering through the bins, looking uncertainly at the many rows of colored crystals.
“Can I help you find something in particular?” Skye asked. “Every crystal has its own special vibration and purpose.”
The girl gasped and dropped a citrine from her hand. “Oh, um . . . sort of.” Her eyes darted around the room, probably looking to see if anyone might overhear the conversation. Satisfied no one was close enough, she said, “My boyfriend, that is, my ex-boyfriend, he won’t even talk to me anymore.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’ve got to get him back —”
A familiar story. Half the students who entered The Green Fairy came for the same reason. The other half mostly showed up in a last ditch effort to magically pass a final or raise an abysmal GPA to avoid academic suspension.
Skye picked up a large, heart-shaped tumbled rose quartz and pressed it into the girl’s hand. “This stone is known for easing heartache and attracting love.”
“But – will it bring him back?”
If it was that easy she’d have snagged Tanner long ago. “You can only focus on yourself,” she said. “The rose quartz is for you to accept and love yourself. Then, when the right guy comes along, you’ll be ready for him.”
The girl looked at the pink crystal, doubt and confusion clouding her teary eyes. “I don’t want just any guy – I want my boyfriend back,” she repeated. “Can’t you put some kind of magic potion on it and do a spell or something?”
Sure. Just do a spell. “We have some drams of a love potion and even a love magic spell kit where you can do your own spell. It’s got a pink candle in it and some printed incantations.”
“That’s it! Just what I’m looking for,” the girl said, a grin transforming her face.
Skye grabbed the kit from the shelf and directed her to the cash register. “But remember to use the rose quartz for self-love and –”
“Sure, got it.” The customer impatiently paid for the purchase. “Thanks!” she called out when she reached the door, no doubt in a hurry to test the spell kit’s power.
“What this store really needs is a basic Witchcraft 101 class,” Skye grumbled.
Claribel looked over from the bookracks. “Tried that once. The city almost closed us down.”
“But it’s so frustrating. They don’t understand the first thing about raising energy and developing their own strength with the goddesses.”
“Or the fairies,” Claribel agreed. “But I’m not going through all the protests and hoopla we had here last time I tried to teach a class.”
Several black flecks flickered by the corner of an eye. Skye blinked rapidly, hoping they’d go away.
Claribel peered at her. “Something wrong, Skye?”
“No ma’am, I think I’ve been reading too much late at night and my eyes sting a bit.”
“Honey, you need a break. Go have a seat in my office and I’ll bring you something to drink. Diet Coke, right?”
“Really, I’m fine.” Skye protested.
Glenna shot her a dirty look. “Maybe she should go home for the rest of the day.”
“Maybe you should mind your own business.” Skye sailed past her and into Claribel’s office, fuming. Even if she went home, Glenna wouldn’t give the customers the help they deserved. She sank into the purple velvet chair across from Claribel’s desk as her boss rummaged through a drawer.
“Uh oh, I know I had my coin purse right here and now it’s gone.” Claribel lifted papers, set aside a pile of books, and started picking up and putting down everything on top of the desk. She frowned, absentmindedly adjusting the hair falling from her bun. The more she hunted, the more agitated she got.
“Guess the fairies hid it.” Skye worked to keep the amusement out of her voice. Claribel blamed them for anything lost or temporarily misplaced.
“The little tricksters are at it again.” Claribel grabbed a glass jar by the phone, half-filled with buttons, and began to rattle it and chant:
“What’s gone today
Be here tomorrow
Fairies bring back
What you did borrow.”
It was just this sort of behavior that earned Claribel a reputation for being more than a bit eccentric. Many customers came only to watch her special brand of craziness. Hmm . . . not a bad marketing move. “It’s okay, I’ve got some money to get a drink from the vending machine.”
“Can I convince you to try some stimulating rosemary tea instead? You know we have the best herbal teas.”
Claribel always made this suggestion, always trying to get Skye to occasionally put something healthy in her body. A hopeless cause—Mom had tried the same thing for years.