Meows, Magic & Elves

by Madison Johns

  “I don’t believe I’ve ever met Mallory.”

  Petunia flashed Mallory’s online photos to Kenneth. “This is Mallory.”

  Kenneth leaned closer and squinted. “I don’t remember seeing anyone resembling that woman today.”

  “Have you worked at the counter all day?”

  “I have today to cover shifts. Most of the younger workers are probably Christmas shopping.” He chuckled.

  “So they’re calling in sick?”

  “I’m not in the habit of quizzing them about their absences.”

  “I understand. I’ll take the two T-bones, the ones on top will do.” Petunia fidgeted and wrinkled her nose at the smell of raw meat and blood that was splattered on the meat-cutting table behind Kenneth.

  Kenneth pulled on plastic gloves and with a sheet of plastic picked up the steaks and placed them on the scale. “What about another woman who might look a little similar?”

  “Well, I already told you I can’t be sure.”

  “She has dark hair … oh, and she’s with a little boy.”

  “You’ll need to be more specific.”

  “The little boy is about three and his name is Timmy. He’s quite rambunctious and nearly squeezed the stuffing out of Pansy.”

  “Ah, I see. Now that you mention that, there was a woman in here earlier with a little boy, and now that I think about it, she did resemble the photo you showed me.”

  “And did you happen to overhear the boy’s name?”

  Kenneth frowned. “Sorry. I wish I could be more help.” He wrapped the steaks in butcher’s paper and taped it closed, handing it to Petunia, who thanked him.

  Petunia turned around and nearly bumped into Ned Lewis. Ned scrunched up his face and his brows furrowed. “Don’t you ever look where you’re going?” he grumbled.

  “Excuse me, Ned, but did you happen to see a little boy named Timmy in town?” Petunia asked.

  When Ned’s brows furrowed even further Petunia took her leave. That man was impossible and Petunia hoped she’d never run into him again. Even a visit from three ghosts wouldn’t change his disposition.

  “Hello,” Petunia greeted the cashier with her package. She dug into her purse, only to look into Sharon’s hateful blue eyes.

  She gnashed her teeth as she rang up the meat and leaned over to see if Petunia was sneaking Pansy inside her purse again.

  Petunia held up her purse. “I couldn’t fit my cat in a purse this size.”

  “What about under your jacket, eh? Why don’t you unzip it and let me have a see.”

  “Don’t be such a pervert, Sharon!” Petunia exclaimed. “Why do I have to be frisked every time I come here?”

  Heads turned in the direction of Sharon’s register and a flush grew across Sharon’s cheeks. “I-I uh —.”

  “It’s about time you’re tongue tied, Sharon,” Mr. Thompson, the owner, said. “How many time I’ve I told you not be rude to Petunia?”

  “I was just doing my job.”

  “That doesn’t give you the right to be rude to the customers. Why don’t you take the rest of the day off?”

  “Oh, please don’t do that,” Petunia said. “You can’t totally blame Sharon. We just don’t get along.”

  “Very well, but Sharon, I expect my head cashier to behave appropriately.”

  Sharon smiled at that and Petunia said, “I was about to ask you if you happened to see a woman with a little boy in today. His name is Timmy?”

  “Is that all you have for a description?”

  “I’m afraid so. Although I believe the woman might be Lucy’s granddaughter.”

  “I wasn’t aware she had a granddaughter.”

  “She’s not from town, but she’s coming to stay with Lucy.”

  “Sorry, that doesn’t ring a bell. Will that be plastic or paper?”

  “I’ll purchase a reusable cloth bag,” Petunia said as she completed her purchase.

  Petunia unzipped her coat to get a cool blast as it was so hot in the store.

  “Any luck?” Noah asked.

  “No, but I nearly ran into grumpy Ned Lewis. I don’t think he likes me.”

  “I wouldn’t let it bother you,” Noah said. “I don’t think he likes anyone.”

  “We should set him up with Lucy,” Petunia suggested.

  Noah handed the leash to Petunia. “I thought you liked Lucy.”

  “Good point.”

  “What’s in the bag?” Noah asked.

  “I smell raw meat,” Pansy said. “I hope you bought steak for me too.”

  Petunia smiled at Noah. “I thought you deserved a steak dinner. After all, you’ve worked so hard on your Christmas display.”

  “I’ve tried, but I have a feeling I don’t stand a chance.”

  “Not when Cora paid Steven and Chastity to do hers. I don’t understand why she can’t play fair.”

  “Well, who says that either of them are visually artistic?”

  “So is that it? You’re visually artistic?”

  “Apparently I need to hire a cheerleader,” he grumbled.

  “I didn’t mean anything by that. I imagine there will be plenty of competition in town.”

  They crossed the street and Petunia handed the steaks to Noah to take home. “I need to speak to Lucy about her granddaughter. I’m hoping she arrived since I last spoke with Lucy.”

  “Why can’t I go with the lughead? I’m tired of walking.”

  “It’s not far.”

  “I-I think I’m feeling faint.”

  Petunia nearly tripped as Pansy slumped on the sidewalk. “Would you get up,” Petunia hissed to the prone cat.

  “I’m much too weary to go on.”

  “I’ll pull you down the sidewalk.”

  Pansy laughed. “I’d love to see what people in town might think of that, especially the Humane Society or cat lovers in general. Cats are practically worshipped in case you don’t know.”

  Petunia picked up Pansy and groaned. “You know I’d never do anything to hurt you, silly.”

  “Besides turning me into a cat, you mean.”

  Petunia climbed the steps at Lucy’s house and noted the black Buick parked in the driveway.

  “Lucy opened the door, tears streaming from her eyes. “I’m so glad you came over. I was about to bring Mallory over.”

  Petunia put Pansy down on the couch and forced a smile at a slim woman with dark hair. “I’m Petunia and this is Pansy,” she greeted the woman. She wasn’t the woman Petunia spoke to yesterday at the store.

  “It’s nice to meet you. My grandmother has told me so much about you.”

  Petunia ventured a glance in Lucy’s direction. “Don’t worry, I didn’t tell her any of our secrets,” Lucy said.

  “Secrets? Now that sounds like fun,” Mallory said.

  “Why don’t you girls get acquainted while I fetch us some eggnog.”

  “I’m game,” Petunia said. She could never get enough of the seasonal drink.

  “Make sure mine has rum in it,” Mallory said.

  Once Lucy was in the kitchen, Petunia said, “Lucy was so worried about you.”

  “I know. I didn’t mean to worry her, but I left Grand Rapids later than planned.”

  “No trouble, I hope?”

  “Not now that I’m here. I’m sure my grandmother might have mentioned that I’m going through a divorce.”

  “I was too worried to go that in depth,” Lucy said, bringing the drinks back in the room.

  “Do you have any children?”

  “No, thankfully. I’d hate to drag a child through a divorce.”

  “I can understand that, but it can’t be helped in many instances.”

  Petunia frowned. “Jobs are hard to come by in Lake Forest.”

  “I already have a possible job lined up at the sheriff’s department. I put in an online application. I’m hoping to get a position as the sheriff’s secretary.”

  “I had no idea that Sheriff Pinkerton was in need of a secretary
,” Petunia said, as if she wanted the job.

  “You know men,” Lucy said. “They wouldn’t know what to do without us women.”

  5

  Petunia walked past Noah, who was staring at his Christmas display with a notable frown. She placed Pansy on the couch before scooting back outside. Petunia put a hand hesitantly on his shoulder. “Is there something wrong, Noah?”

  He turned to Petunia. “Someone stole the elf decorations.”

  Petunia surveyed the area. The Santa and carolers were lit up, but the corner where the elves once stood was vacant. She bit her fist. “You think someone stole your decorations?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying. I can’t believe someone in Lake Forest would do that.”

  “I can’t think of anyone who would stoop so low as to steal decorations. Not even Cora would do that.”

  Noah’s eyes met Petunia’s. “That’s exactly where I’m going; to confront Cora about the decorations.”

  Petunia stepped in front of Noah. “You certainly can’t accuse her of stealing the elves. You don’t have any proof it was her.”

  Noah gave Petunia an accusatory look. “Since when are you so buddy buddy with Cora?”

  Why is Noah acting like this, Petunia wondered? It was so out of character for him. “I’m not. I just don’t want you going over there half-cocked. You’re usually even tempered.”

  Noah pulled his hat down. “I know, but I’m really upset about this. And they weren’t even my decorations. They belong to Aunt Maxine.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll speak to her about this and see what she has to say.”

  Noah shot Petunia a look. “I’d rather keep this from her for now. I don’t need your aunt thinking I’m not capable of keeping track of decorations, even if those elves were a little scary looking.”

  “They’re just old, not scary. How about I cook you dinner to get your mind off this? I’m sure things will look brighter in the morning.”

  “I suppose I don’t have much of a choice.”

  “That’s the worst response I’ve ever gotten when I’ve offered to cook steaks.”

  Noah pulled Petunia closer. “I’m sorry. I suppose I need to resign myself to the fact that I don’t have a snowball’s chance of winning this contest.”

  As Petunia fed her cats the next morning she heard loud voices outside. She glanced out the front door. Cora stood pointing a finger at Noah in front of his house, shouting Petunia’s name.

  Petunia closed the door gently and stared down at her frog pajamas. She rushed up the stairs and threw on a robe and slippers, tightening the robe on the way out the front door.

  It had snowed overnight and she had to trudge through two inches of snow. “Whatever is going on out here?” Petunia asked.

  Cora’s eyes widened at Petunia and she huffed. “In your pajamas this late?”

  “It’s only nine,” Petunia defended.

  “You were up late, weren’t you?” Cora asked Petunia pointedly.

  “No, I went to bed at … never mind. That’s of no concern of yours.”

  Cora pursed her near purple lips that matched the angry color of her face. “I know you’re a witch and all, but did you really need to conjure up Noah’s Christmas decorations?”

  Petunia’s hands slipped to her hips and she stepped closer to get a better look at the decorations, emitting a small gasp. “Oh my!”

  “That’s my thought,” Noah said. “Cora has been chewing me out for the last hour. I told her you don’t do any conjuring.”

  It was hard to focus when Noah’s entire roof was decorated with white lights and an angel perched on the roof, one of its arms holding part of the light strand as if the angel was putting up the lights. The Santa and carolers they borrowed from Aunt Maxine were replaced by a silver and gold Santa and carolers. There was also a sleigh that matched the Santa full of wrapped presents. Noah’s front yard wasn’t all that big, but the decorations complemented it quite nicely.

  “You’ve really outdone yourself, Noah,” Petunia said.

  “He’s a witch too, or a warlock, obviously!” Cora sputtered.

  “No, but he’s been busy putting up decorations. And here you said you had no chance to win the contest.”

  Noah looked pained, but he turned back to Cora. “I’m sorry you’re upset that my decorations are too much competition for yours.”

  Cora shook a fist in the air. “I smell a rat, I tell you, and I’m going to march over to city hall and speak to the mayor about this. I’ll make certain you’re disqualified for cheating!”

  “Cheating how?” Petunia asked.

  “For putting up decorations using magic.”

  “I don’t possess the skill to do that, so there’s no sense in bothering the mayor.”

  “I believe the rules stated that all the decorations must be set up by the homeowner. Magic isn’t allowed.”

  “Really? They made a provision against using magic?” Petunia asked with a cockeyed smile.

  “Don’t give her any fuel. She’s already on fire,” Noah cautioned Petunia.

  Petunia frowned for a moment as Cora stormed away from them. “But Cora, didn’t you have Steven and Chastity put up your decorations? You might want to consider that before you bother the mayor. Of course I imagine Bonnie will be able to give you a copy of the rules in case you might be breaking one.”

  “She does have the mayor’s ear,” Noah said. “She is the mayor’s wife.”

  “Ugh,” Cora muttered as she stomped away.

  “Be careful, Cora,” Petunia said. “I mean good luck.”

  Noah shook his head. “You’d better head inside and put on some clothes before Cora calls the sheriff and reports that you’re not decent.”

  Petunia laughed nervously. “It-it’s sure cold out here. So how did you do it? Where did you get the decorations?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means that I’m as shocked as Cora about my Christmas decorations. I didn’t do any of it.” He scratched his head. “You certain you didn’t have anything to do with it?”

  “Of course not! I’d never use magic, even for your benefit,” Petunia insisted.

  “Is it possible someone else bought the decorations and put them up for me?”

  “I don’t know? Are you certain you didn’t do it in your sleep?” Petunia stepped closer to get a better look. “There are tiny footprints in the snow.”

  “And a tiny rope ladder,” Noah added.

  Petunia narrowed her eyes. “Tiny footprints and a tiny ladder. I wonder what that means.”

  “I don’t know, but I need to find out before the mayor comes out here. I’d hate to be disqualified.”

  Petunia nodded as she yanked a tuft of fur off the ladder and examined it. “I know you didn’t want me to talk to Aunt Maxine about the missing elves, and now Santa and carolers, but it can’t be avoided. She might be able to make some sense of this.”

  “Go ahead. I’ll stick around in case Cora is able to get Mayor Hopkins to come over here. I don’t know what I’ll say if she keeps on like this.”

  “There isn’t much you can say, but we’ll figure this out. Your house looks amazing.”

  “I know. And I don’t really care who did it. I’d certainly thank them, but I suspect someone will take them down soon.”

  “Who would do that?”

  “The person who put them up in the first place. They might have put them on the wrong house.”

  “That’s a bit of a reach. I’ll head down to Mystical Remedies and speak to Aunt Maxine.”

  “I hope you plan to get dressed first.”

  “You’ve got something against froggy pajamas?”

  “Not particularly.” He grinned. “It’s more than I wear to bed.”

  Petunia playfully punched Noah in the shoulder and hurried back in the house.

  “What’s going on out there?” Pansy asked as he frantically ran to Petunia.

 
“Apparently someone decorated Noah’s house last night. Cora was having a fit about it. She claimed I conjured up the decorations.”

  “You aren’t that powerful of a witch or you’d be able to change me back into a man.”

  “I know, and believe me, it would be first on my list.”

  “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

  “No, but I know you’ve always wanted to be changed back into a man.”

  “I did, but not so much anymore. I can’t even remember what it was like to be human.”

  Petunia sighed. It hurt that she had ruined Pansy’s life and all from a love potion that she had no business making or giving to Jeremy because she was interested in him. She hadn’t known at the time how dreadful a man Jeremy was, not that it excused her in any way.

  “I’m heading to Mystical Remedies if you’d like to go.”

  Pansy jumped on a chair and stared out the window. “I think not. It snowed last night and you know we cats don’t like to get our paws wet.”

  “I promise I’ll be back soon. I just hope Aunt Maxine might have some answers for me.”

  Petunia brushed the snowflakes from her face. She couldn’t wait to see how Noah’s house would look at night. The snow would certainly set if off.

  She stepped into Mystical Remedies and stomped her boots on the mat just inside the door.

  “Look Maxine, your niece is here,” Wanda said, sipping eggnog.

  “I was hoping to speak to you about the Christmas decorations you let Noah borrow.”

  “Do I need a chair for this?” Aunt Maxine asked.

  “I’m not sure about you, but I think I need one -- or a stiff drink.”

  Aunt Maxine plopped down in a chair near the Christmas tree.

  “Noah set up the decorations, but last night the elves went missing.”

  “Elves?” Wanda asked.

  “They were Christmas decorations that we found in Aunt Maxine’s cellar,” Petunia explained.

  “That doesn’t sound good.”

  “What Wanda means is that house once belonged to Anastasia Cruz, and she was a super witch,” Hazel said.

  “I don’t know about that,” Aunt Maxine said. “Have the decorations turned up yet?”

  “No. I’m sure Noah didn’t file a police report.”