by Rose Pressey
He took off running, but I didn’t chase him. I let him go. He glanced back a few times to see if I was racing after him. He didn’t stop. Soon he disappeared out of sight and I headed in the opposite direction. It was about time for me to get back to the family now. I wouldn’t need to tell anyone what had happened.
Nana and my grandmother were already waiting there for me when I got back.
“Did you hear someone screaming?” Nana asked.
“No,” I said innocently, hoping they wouldn’t notice my terrible acting.
“It was pretty terrifying-sounding. Like the person was scared senseless.”
“I bet he was,” I said.
They looked at me strangely.
“I mean, she, he, whoever it was. It was probably just another animal.”
The others returned. Now we were all back to camp, which meant it was just that much closer to getting out of there.
“What the heck?” my aunt Sheila asked, peering down at her body.
I noticed the patches of missing fur. It looked as if she had started to shave and then changed her mind. Clumps of hair were missing from my body too. My mother and Nana realized at the same time.
“Oh, my word. What’s happening?” they said in unison.
“I know what it is,” Cousin Whitney announced.
“Well, what is it?” my uncle Smith asked.
Everyone had big patches of missing fur. It looked terrible. Was it something we’d eaten? Nothing would work that quickly without killing us first. Everyone was staring at me. Did they think that I was somehow responsible for this?
Cousin Whitney pointed. “It’s her fault. This has to be the work of the spell and the witch. She was the one. I think she’s still cursed.”
My mother placed her hands on her hips. “My daughter is not cursed.”
Cousin Whitney shrugged. She was happy with what she’d said. I should have known I wouldn’t get out of here without some sort of squabble.
“I agree. I think it’s because of the spell,” my other cousin said.
“That spell is gone now,” I said.
“How do you know that? You could definitely still have it.”
“No, it’s not here anymore, and I know for a fact.” I stormed away.
I didn’t know for a fact, but I had to say that. I couldn’t let them accuse me of this. I had nothing to do with this. Or did I? Maybe the new witch had cast a spell on us. It could have been the guy. The witch could have sent him.
Chapter 17
How to Date a Witch Rule #17
Don’t tell her you hate the Bewitched TV show
Tonight was Gracie’s date with Tim from the graveyard tour. I was really concerned about how it would work out. I was worried that I had fixed him up with someone who was just as wacky as Lily. So for that reason, I was doing something that I normally wouldn’t do. I decided that I would just casually show up at the location where I knew they were having their date. I’d just see how things were going and leave before they realized what I’d done.
Jennifer was coming along with me. At five minutes to seven we reached the Italian restaurant at the corner of St. Charles Avenue and Fern Street. The place was tucked away in a small green-painted wood building. Marble Roman goddess statues flanked the door as we stepped inside. We’d arrived a few minutes early so that we could get inside without Gracie and Tim seeing us. If Gracie spotted me she would know that I was there to check up on her. She’d probably throw a hissy fit. That wouldn’t be good for business.
“Where should we sit?” Jennifer asked.
“Under a table,” I said.
She laughed.
Flickering candles in the middle of each table added to the ambiance. The smell of herb-infused sauce filled the air. I sniffed. Was that Italian sausage I smelled? Of course it was. As I scanned the room, I realized that Gracie and Tim were already sitting at a table in the corner. How had that happened? Why were they early? At least they weren’t arguing, which would have been the case if she was exactly like Lily. Maybe the date would work out after all.
“They’re already here,” I whispered.
“Where?” Jennifer asked.
“Over there by that big plant.”
“Look, there’s an available table right behind them. They won’t even notice us.”
“How will we get over there? We have to walk past the table, of course they’re going to notice us sitting behind them.”
“How may I help you, ladies?” the gray-haired man asked as he approached.
I stepped to the side, hoping that I was hidden. “We’d like a table for two.”
I wasn’t sure we should continue this idea, but I had to do something quickly before Gracie and Tim noticed us. Luckily, the man led us down the other side of the restaurant. With the dim lighting I was pretty sure we could avoid being noticed.
“Can we have that table over there?” I gestured.
Jennifer looked at me strangely as if to ask why I’d want to sit all the way across the room. But I had my reasons.
“Certainly,” the man said, escorting us across the dining room floor.
I kept my eyes on the couple the entire time.
When we reached the table, I said, “You know, I think I changed my mind. Can we have that one over there?”
Jennifer smiled when she realized what I was doing. We could sneak to the back of the restaurant, over to the other side, and avoid their table. The plant would probably shade us as we sat down. I said probably because there was always a chance they things wouldn’t work out. Actually, they usually didn’t work out as far as I was concerned.
We made it over there and sat down without the couple noticing. This was a great spot where I could hear every word they said. They were talking about music, movies, and books. Gracie was laughing and being completely charming. Not one weird comment from her. Tim seemed enthralled.
“I suppose now that we know everything is working out as planned we can leave,” I said.
“But we haven’t eaten yet.” Jennifer pointed at the menu.
“Yes, but we don’t want to get stuck here, do we?” I asked.
“Oh, come on, I’m starving.”
“All right, but I just hope we don’t get caught.” I picked up the menu.
As luck would have it, Tim and Gracie left before we finished our meals. They didn’t even look over our way. They seemed too enamored with each other to notice any of their surroundings. Now I really felt like Cupid.
Jennifer and I finished our food and headed home. The next day I planned on paying Tim a visit. I had to ask what he thought of the date and I wanted all the details. Gracie would probably call to thank me for fixing her up with her soulmate, the love of her life.
When we pulled up to our apartment, Jennifer said, “Isn’t that Gracie?”
“Where?” I asked.
“Over there by that gray car.” Jennifer pointed.
“I don’t see anyone,” I said.
The car’s taillights appeared and then it pulled away from the curb.
“Was Tim in the car with her?” I turned off the ignition.
Jennifer looked at me. “It looked like a different guy.”
***
The next day when I thought it was time for Tim to start the haunted tour, I headed that way. When I reached the graveyard entrance, a group of people were just standing around.
“Is the tour guide here?” I asked a man standing by the gate.
“No, he’s not here. Are you with the tour company?” he asked in an irritated voice.
“No, I’m just looking for Tim the tour guide,” I said.
A woman had been listening. “Well, if he’s not going to show up then I want a refund.”
This was odd that Tim wasn’t here yet. Surely he would be here soon. Twenty minutes passed and no sign of Tim. The people left, complaining that they wanted their money back. I didn’t blame them.
An odd feeling had settled in my stomach. I picked
up my cell and dialed the number for the haunted tour company.
“New Orleans Haunted Tours,” the woman said.
“Yes, is Tim there? He never showed up for the tour tonight.”
She paused. “He’s not there?”
“No sign of him,” I said.
“He should be here,” she said.
“I know. That’s why I’m calling.”
She sighed and then said, “Someone will be over right away.”
A woman wearing a “New Orleans Haunted Tours” shirt arrived a few minutes later… not Tim. She hadn’t heard from him and didn’t know where he was either. It was too late for the tour now. All the people had gone. The woman seemed annoyed that I didn’t want the tour. I’d been on this tour so many times that I could have practically led it myself. I dialed Jennifer’s number.
“Hey, what’s up?” she asked.
“Tim’s not at the tour.”
“What do you mean?”
“He never showed up. I think that’s a little strange, don’t you?”
Jennifer paused. “I guess it is a little weird. Have you talked to Gracie?”
“No, I haven’t, but I think I need to give her a call.”
“Maybe they really hit it off and they eloped.”
“I guess that’s always possible. I mean, I am a good matchmaker,” I said. “But I doubt it. Don’t you think it’s unlike his character not to show up for work?”
“You’re right, it’s not like him,” Jennifer said. “Of course, I don’t know him that well. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll let you know what I find out,” I said.
Tim’s day job was a short walk from the cemetery so I decided to go over there and see if perhaps he had been delayed. The sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach didn’t go away though and the closer I got to the school the worse it got. Once I arrived, if he wasn’t there then I’d know something was definitely wrong. I reached the campus and had to walk all the way to the other side to find the building where his office was located.
When I stepped into his office, I asked for him, but they said that he hadn’t shown up to work today. That was when I felt as if I would throw up. What had happened to him? Was he still with Gracie, like Jennifer said? I thanked the woman and then took off. I’d give Gracie a call as soon as I got outside. What if she didn’t answer either? I would be in real trouble.
What if something had happened to Tim after they left the restaurant? I dialed Gracie’s number and she answered right away.
“Gracie, I’m so glad to hear from you.” My voice sounded a bit frantic.
“Oh, hey,” she said less than enthusiastically.
I’d thought I would get a better reception. Hadn’t she had a great time on the date?
“I was just wondering if Tim is with you?”
She laughed. “Why would he be with me?”
“Because you had a date with him last night,” I said.
What was wrong with her?
“Are you implying that I’m a slut?” Anger filled her voice.
“No,” I said.
This was getting worse by the second.
“It’s just that he didn’t show up for work and I thought possibly he was still with you. But I certainly didn’t mean anything by it.”
“He’s not with me because I didn’t go out with him last night.”
It was as if someone had smacked me in the face. I knew for sure she’d gone out with him because I’d seen them together.
“What do you mean you didn’t go out with him last night? I saw you.”
She paused. “You saw me?”
Oh, now I was going have to explain exactly what had happened. “Yes, well, I happened to be at the restaurant where you guys went for your date. It was just by coincidence, you know, and I saw you.”
She scoffed. “Well, it must have been someone else because it certainly wasn’t me. Like I said, I didn’t go. I just changed my mind and didn’t feel like going on a date. I can’t believe that you followed me.”
“You said you weren’t there. How do you know for sure that I followed you?” I asked.
“I wasn’t there,” she said. “It’s just that you admitted that you went to the restaurant. That means you were there on purpose.”
“I told you it was a coincidence,” I said.
She had some nerve getting mad at me when I knew for sure she was lying to me.
“What have you done with Tim?” I asked.
I wasn’t even going to pretend with her. Unfortunately, she didn’t answer. Instead she hung up the phone. I tried to dial again, but it went straight to voicemail. I left a message for her, telling her that she’d better call me back. She’d better talk to the police too because they would be paying her a visit. Now panic had completely set in. Where was Tim? What had she done with him? I knew why she’d tried to pretend like she wasn’t with him. That way since he was gone no one could say for sure that she had been there. Jennifer had thought she’d seen Gracie last night with another man. Was that related?
I knew people at the restaurant would back me up, so I headed in that direction. I’d ask them to confirm that they’d had seen Tim and Gracie together last night. While on my way there I dialed the police.
“Is this man a relative of yours?” the officer asked.
“No,” I said.
“Well, is he a friend?”
“No, not exactly.”
“Then why are you reporting him missing if you don’t know him?”
“I know him. I told you I fixed him up on a date. I have a dating service. He didn’t show up for either of his jobs,” I said. “That has to mean something’s wrong.”
“Maybe the guy just decided he didn’t want to work anymore.” I sensed amusement in the officer’s voice.
I sighed. Yeah, I suppose that was possible. It was definitely possible. There was nothing I could do. I would just have to wait and see if Tim showed up or prove that Gracie knew more about his disappearance. I wouldn’t let this go. If the police couldn’t help me, then I would have to figure it out on my own.
Chapter 18
How to Date a Witch Rule #18
Love of nature is a must when dating a witch
When I called Jennifer back she said she would meet me immediately. We would go from there trying to track down Tim. I knew that Jennifer felt bad, but I felt totally responsible for this. I just knew Gracie had done something to Tim, and now it was my fault for putting them together. What could she have done to him? Had she killed him? That was unimaginable to me, but what else could it be? Maybe I needed to calm down. Maybe the police were right. Maybe he’d just decided he’d had enough of the work and the responsibility.
After another minute, Jennifer met me on the sidewalk at the corner of Dauphine Street and Orleans Avenue. We headed toward the restaurant. We were going to ask the employees if they remembered seeing the couple last night. I wished we had pictures of them, but at the moment, I had nothing to help. I was trying to find Gracie online, but couldn’t find anything for her.
“Here, I have a picture of Tim. It’s on the website for the haunted tours,” Jennifer said.
“Great, that’ll help a little bit, although I’m not sure they’ll recognize him without the fangs and the cape.”
We stepped into the restaurant. It was much less busy today than it had been last night. The waiter came over and asked if we’d like to sit down.
“Actually, we’d like to speak with the manager,” I said.
He got that look that I was sure everyone got when they knew they might be in trouble.
“We just need to ask him about a customer,” I added so that he wouldn’t feel as if it was something he had done.
After a long minute the manager came over.
“May I help you?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m looking for a couple. They were here last night. I wondered if you saw them in here.”
He looked at both of us
and then said, “Are you the police?”
“Yes, we are.” Jennifer stood a little straighter, puffing out her chest.
She said this before I could even think about answering. Why had she done that? I was sure that we weren’t supposed to impersonate the police. That was against the law. Anyway, the guy didn’t ask for any credentials, so I just kept my mouth shut. Jennifer showed him the picture.
He shook his head. “I don’t remember seeing any vampires in here last night.”
I chuckled. “Well, that’s just a costume. It’s the only photo we have.”
“What about video? Would you have anything on the restaurant surveillance?” Jennifer asked.
He sighed, as if he really didn’t want to look. Then he ushered us into the back room and got on the computer to show us a replay of the activity from last night. Unfortunately, the camera didn’t angle to that section of the restaurant. Couldn’t they have added one more camera to their system so that we could see that spot?
“Well, thanks for your help,” I said.
Jennifer and I walked out of the place feeling disappointed.
“That was discouraging.” I blew the hair out of my eyes.
“Don’t give up hope just yet,” Jennifer said.
We headed down the sidewalk kind of aimlessly. I wasn’t sure where to go next. I had checked Tim’s work and I’d spoken with Gracie, what else was there?
“Maybe we should check out his house,” I said.
“We don’t know where he lives,” Jennifer said.
“I wonder if the haunted tour would give us his address?” I asked.
“I’m not sure about that, but nevertheless, we can speak to them. We can ask if they have any updates.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” I said.
Jennifer and I hurried our steps. Soon we reached the building that housed the haunted tours. We stepped inside and a woman dressed as a vampire greeted us.
“We’re friends of Tim’s and we’re looking for him.”
The woman’s brow furrowed. “I haven’t spoken to him and I’m not happy about it.”
“We have reason to believe that maybe he’s in trouble,” I said.
Her expression changed. “Are you serious?”
