A Witchly Influence

by Stephanie Grey

  “You’re doing great!” he mouthed.

  “I see that you have several signatures here,” the councilman who had spoken earlier said.

  “Yes, sir. There are one million, two hundred ninety-three thousand, and four signatures.”

  “I have to ask you how you were able to obtain so many followers of this petition without our knowledge.”

  “I don’t believe that you can ask me that,” I said. My heart pounded inside my chest.

  He chuckled. “No, I suppose I can’t. I’ll just assume that you’re a very clever woman.”

  “Roland, quit badgering her,” Councilwoman Dolores chided. “Let us discuss this in more depth. Do you mind waiting, Ms. Devereaux?”

  “No, Councilwoman. Please, take all of the time that you need.”

  She nodded and waved her hand. A soundproof wall appeared as the Council debated.

  The chambers were filled with whispers as the crowd spoke amongst itself. There was a mixture of agreements and disagreements with my proposal, and I found myself disappointed. I had hoped the people wouldn’t be so divided.

  At last, the soundproof wall vanished and a hush fell over the room. Grim faces looked back at me and I tried to swallow my mounting anxiety.

  “The Council has decided that we will allow your proposal to be an amendment after a trial period of one year and one day. We will add the gag order charm to the tattoo along with a detector to alert us should the mortal attempt to speak with others who haven’t been approved to know about us. If this trial period is successful, this will become a full amendment.”

  “Hell yeah!” someone cheered from the back of the chambers. An applause erupted.

  “There will be order!” Councilman Roland roared. The room fell silent again. “Ms. Devereaux, is there anything else that the Council can help you with today?”

  “No, sir. Thank you for your time.”

  Unable to hide the smile on my face, I turned to leave the chambers. Simon followed closely behind, congratulating me on my victory.

  “I am so proud of you, Carmen. You really are an Influencer.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without Egbert,” I admitted.

  “And yet you haven’t thanked me properly,” he said, appearing on the windowsill next to Simon and me. “Good to see you, Simon. Will that lovely wife of yours be cooking another French cuisine? The chocolate mousse she made last weekend was utterly delightful.”

  “Cindy made chocolate mousse and you didn’t invite me?” I asked.

  “You were busy.”

  “You didn’t know that.”

  “Pardon our dear Carmen. She forgets her manners from time to time. Allow me.” Egbert turned to face me directly. “Sometimes you don’t get invited to dinners. It’s sad. I would suggest that you do something that makes you happy, or, if I may, do something that would improve your position in life so that you get invited to such dinners in the future.”

  “Isn’t he just the nicest pencil you’ve ever met?” I said, my teeth gritted.

  Simon frowned. “Egbert, you were rude. I believe Carmen is owed an apology.”

  Egbert’s mustache quivered. “But, sir, I was only suggesting a way to improve her station.”

  “Her station is just fine. You, on the other hand, could stand to be a little more humble.”

  His mustache quivered even more.

  “Simon, you made him cry,” I whispered.

  “You’re still a good pencil, Egbert. We are all grateful for everything that you do,” Simon added hastily.

  Egbert straightened and threw back his shoulders, proud.

  “We would love to have you back for dinner. I believe Cindy is going to prepare Japanese food this weekend if you would like to join us.”

  Egbert bowed deeply. “It would be my honor.” To me, he added, “I’m sorry for insinuating that you were lower than the filth on the bottom of my shoe and that you have no manners.”

  “Thanks,” I replied, unsure of how to respond.

  “I have been called upon for other lobbying tasks. I am quite good at this, aren’t I?” He smiled. “Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to showcase my real talent, Carmen. Without me, you wouldn’t be where you are today!” He smirked and added, “Simon, I will join you and Cindy on Friday. Goodbye!” He disappeared in a puff of sparkling black smoke.

  “I can’t believe he was actually sincere to me just now.”

  “I can’t believe he’s still using the black smoke that has glitter in it. I told him he needed something more business appropriate.” Simon shook his head. “He’s a pencil, though. He marches to the beat of his own sharpener.”

  “Did you know that another one of my students got a gig with a band?” Finn was beaming ear to ear.

  I had just returned home after convincing Abby to play the lottery. Finn was right. It wouldn’t hurt her to try. I even drove her to the gas station myself so that she could buy her ticket and had let Marcy know she needed to fulfill her end of the bargain. I had already dropped the complaint against her in good faith.

  “Another school band?” I murmured, distracted by my thoughts about Abby and her great future fortune.

  “No, a real band!” he said excitedly.

  “School bands are real bands,” I pointed out.

  “I’m talking about Justice Flowers All.”

  My attention snapped to Finn completely. “Wait, are you serious?”

  “Yes!” He was pulsing with energy, ready to burst. “Their guitarist decided to leave because they didn’t like his girlfriend. Stupid of him, but great for Phoebe!”

  “Holy shit, Finn, that’s incredible!”

  “She’s doing a press conference with the band to announce the switch. It’s coming on soon. You have to watch it with me!” He was already dragging me toward the door.

  “We’re not going to watch it here?”

  “No, I want everyone to see her, so we’re going to Dad and Evelyn’s house.”

  “You want to rub it into Cecily that you’re not a ‘nobody.’”

  “That’s right.”

  “I don’t think she’s ever called you that.”

  He slammed the door to his truck. “Not in so many words, but I know she thinks that about me.”

  Finn excitedly drummed his fingers against his steering wheel as we drove to our parents’ home.

  When we arrived, Mom set out several trays of finger food. “What if they haven’t had dinner yet?” she asked Lewis.

  “I’m sure they’ve eaten. We don’t need this much food,” Lewis said gently.

  “I might,” Randy said, stuffing his face with small cucumber sandwiches. “Aren’t these meant to go with tea?”

  “Would you like some tea?” Mom asked.

  “No, but a soda would be great. Cecily, why don’t you get me one, honey?”

  There was the briefest of pauses as everyone waited for Cecily’s reply. “Sure, dear,” she said cheerfully, disappearing into the kitchen and returning with beverages for her husband and herself. She handed a juice box to Apple. “So this is a big moment for you, isn’t it, Finn?” she asked, settling on the couch with Kiwi on her lap. “Uncle Finn is a big guitar teacher now!” she cooed toward her baby. Kiwi squealed happily.

  “Let’s all take a seat. The press conference is about to start!” Mom ushered everyone into a seat and turned on the television.

  Dolls hanging from fishhooks with flowers for their eyes loomed in the background of several empty chairs. Slowly, band members began to appear on the screen, sitting down heavily as if the world’s weight was on their shoulders.

  Phoebe, with her bright pink hair and magenta streaks, bounced on the screen like a child on a trampoline. She was practically giddy as she sat next to the bass player.

  “We’ve decided to air some awesome news today,” one of the band members said, his voice monotone.

  “That’s Leo,” Finn explained. “He’s the lead vocalist.”

  Only Mom and Le
wis were unaware of who he was. “He needs a haircut. It keeps getting into his eyes,” my mother said.

  “That’s the style,” Lewis replied.

  Leo continued on the screen, his voice still without inflection. “Our former guitar player who shall not be named has decided to part ways with us.” There were several boos from the audience. He held up his hands. “The band comes first. Always. Always.”

  The other bandmates nodded solemnly while Phoebe beamed.

  “We have found a great guitarist. She’s everything this band embodies and more. Give it up for Phoebe Witherwasher!”

  The crowd cheered enthusiastically as the camera focused on only Phoebe.

  “Hi, everyone!” she said, still grinning. “I am beyond excited about being a part of this wonderful band and I want to thank Leo for reaching out and asking me to join! He saw me playing just for fun at a coffeehouse and look at me now! I hope that I can live up to your expectations and then some as the new guitarist!” She paused. “I’d also like to add that this would never have happened if it hadn’t been for my guitar teacher, Finn Cleary. If you want an amazing teacher who gets you mega-band worthy in just a few months, go see him!”

  The band finished their press conference with questions about their upcoming tour, though no one was listening anymore. All eyes were on Finn.

  His own eyes were misty, his jaw working as he tried to form words.

  Lewis got up and hugged his son. “I’m so proud of you, son!”

  “Finn, did you bang her?” Randy asked, thinking no one could hear him.

  “No,” Finn answered. “She’s a student.”

  “Honey,” Cecily began after an hour of indulging on finger foods, “I’m ready to go home. Aren’t you? Or would you rather stay for a little while longer while I take the kids home and put them down for the night?”

  “Why don’t you go ahead and take the girls outside and put them in their car seats? I’ll be out in just a minute.”

  Cecily kissed him on his cheek and left with their daughters.

  “Is no one going to say anything about this?” Finn asked, breaking the silence.

  Randy looked at each of us sheepishly. “I put my foot down,” he said softly.

  Finn cupped his hand around his ear. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you. What was that?”

  “I put my foot down,” Randy said, louder this time. “We had a conversation about her behavior and treatment toward me. She’s better now, isn’t she?”

  “Or she’s patiently plotting your death,” I suggested.

  “No, it’s not like that. We really connected. I think she respects me as an equal now in our relationship.” He turned to Finn. “Congratulations, brother. Good job.” He slapped Finn on his back and joined his wife.

  “I can’t believe Randy finally let his balls drop,” Finn said, incredulous.

  “It’s about damn time,” Mom said. “It’s a great day for both of my boys!”

  Within days, Finn had received so many calls for new student enrollments that he had to start turning down people. “There’s no way that I can do this and my day job.” His face was tense with guilt. “I hate telling people no.”

  “You could always make this your full-time job.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t. What if this is just an influx because of Phoebe?”

  “I’m sure that’s a huge part of it, but you do have a natural talent for this, Finn.”

  “What if students start quitting because they either can’t afford it, don’t like it, or for whatever other reason and I’m left without enough money to pay my bills? I can’t live with you for forever, Carmen.”

  I smiled inwardly, happy that Finn had already thought about this and had reached a conclusion without help. “Then keep doing what you’re doing. If you continue to grow, down the road, this could be it for you. You could even rent a studio where you could meet students.”

  His eyes brightened. “I could call it The Acoustical Ear.” When I didn’t respond, he added, “The name could use some work.”

  “Agreed,” I said, heading downstairs to the family room.

  “Where are you going? Aren’t you meeting your friends or something? It’s Friday night.”

  “I kind of wanted a quiet night,” I admitted.

  “Oh, because the house is going to be filled with students each evening now?”

  “Something like that,” I murmured. Tonight was the night the lottery numbers were going to be announced and I knew that, once Abby won, it would be a whirlwind for her.

  “You hardly ever see your friends anymore,” Finn pointed out. “I know it’s a far drive for them, but it seems like they haven’t been home to see their families in a long time.”

  “I’ll see them soon.” I glanced at my feet, guilty. I had seen my friends quite often; we had a daily lunch date lately. I was anxious to tell Finn the truth, but I had to wait until the forms were developed before I could fill them out for his proper vetting to begin. Supposedly that was going to happen before Halloween, but I wasn’t holding my breath.

  “Do you mind if I watch some TV with you?” he asked, already following me downstairs. “I won’t even ask for control of the remote.”

  “I’m watching The Golden Girls,” I warned.

  Finn stopped halfway down the stairs. “I’ll see if Randy wants to go grab a beer. With Cecily’s new attitude, maybe she’ll allow it.” Without saying goodbye, he bounded up the stairs, the door slamming in his wake as he went through the back door.

  “I don’t know why men don’t like that show,” I said to myself. I plopped down on my couch and turned on the television. I had a copy of Abby’s fortune in my hand to ensure that the numbers were correct and waited patiently for the evening news to finish before the numbers were announced.

  A car accident, mystery meat in the cafeteria, and a heartwarming puppy story later, a young, buxom woman with bleached blonde hair and bright red lipstick appeared on the screen. Her dress matched her lipstick and sparkled when she moved. She stood next to five tubes that were empty. A man’s voice boomed as it announced the date and, one by one, a ping pong ball with a black number printed on it popped into each tube.

  It was a perfect match to Abby’s fortune.

  I unconsciously held my breath, waiting for Abby’s phone call. My phone remained silent and, after another hour passed, I decided to visit Abby in person. I created a clear, glass vase filled with yellow roses and drove to her home where I found her outside putting up Halloween decorations.

  She furiously drove a sign into the ground that read TREATS, NO TRICKS on it. A witch that looked like it had ran into her front door was already hanging up and I winced when I saw it. Riding brooms was old-fashioned and I had never known a witch or wizard to have green skin. When she saw me approaching, she waved, though her smile was wary.

  “Is this a bad time?” I asked.

  “No, I can put you to work helping me,” she said. She handed me a lifelike dummy and some rope. “Will you hang this up from my tree? I think you can reach the lowest branch without me having to get out the ladder.”

  I set down the flowers and did as she asked me. “Abby,” I began after I was finished with my task. Before I could continue, she handed me Styrofoam tombstones.

  “These will make a cute graveyard, don’t you think?” She laughed at herself. “I meant to say spooky! These will make a spooky graveyard!”

  Side by side, we slid the stakes into the ground so that she had a small, ancient-looking graveyard. Once completed, she looked over at her yard. She had really outdone herself on her decorations. Along with what I had helped her with, she had also installed several fake spiders eerily crawling over her windows, a coffin that looked real that opened and closed when someone got too close, and a zombie that crawled out of the bushes on its belly when someone rang her doorbell.

  “How did you set it up to do that?”

  “That was the easy part. It’s all based on an app that you d
ownload for free. It’s part of having a Smart Home.”

  “Halloween decorations are Bluetooth capable now?”

  “Yeah, isn’t it cool?” She smiled broadly. “Thanks for helping me! I just love this holiday.” She noticed the flowers sitting on her front porch. “Are those for me?”

  I nodded. “Actually, I came over to deliver some good news since you seem to have missed it.”

  She picked up the vase and sniffed the roses. “They smell so good and they’re yellow for friendship! How thoughtful! I needed these. I was supposed to attend a Halloween party tonight.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “I found out Lauren was going.”

  Following Abby inside to her living room, I said, “Abby, I told you that you shouldn’t let that woman get in your way. You missed a perfectly good party just because of her.”

  “I was busy.”

  “Decorating could have waited until tomorrow.”

  She placed the vase on her dining room table and joined me in the living room. She sat down in her overstuffed armchair and sighed. “She told me today that some of the games I came up with for the kids were stupid.”

  “Abby, go to the principal and complain.”

  “I don’t like conflict. It’s easier this way, I promise,” she said, trying to reassure me.

  Her tone made it clear that she was finished discussing Lauren Lennox. I hid my frustration as I informed her, “You missed the lottery number announcement tonight, didn’t you?”

  “I was busy,” she repeated.

  “That’s too bad.”

  “It’s too bad that I saw that I wasted my money on a lottery ticket? I told you that would happen.”

  “Abby, you won.”

  Abby’s face was a series of expressions: shock, surprise, anger, happiness, disbelief. “There is no way that I won that jackpot.”

  “You did,” I said.

  “Carmen, stop joking with me. What happened? Did I get one number right and so I win twenty dollars?”

  “Abby, you won it all!” I pulled out my cell phone to show her.

  She began to breathe quickly and, fearing that she was about to hyperventilate, I rushed into the kitchen to retrieve a paper bag. Finding none, I created one and gave it to her. She breathed into it, trying to calm herself. “I can’t believe this! This is incredible!”