Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 63214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“God may be trying to show me something?” I moved the curtain again and the snow man waved at me from the campfire. “Mom, you’ve lost your mind.”
“I’ve lost my mind? You’re the one calling me about snow people jumping around and having sex.”
“I didn’t say Santa had a threesome with the mermaids. I just said he seemed pretty horny and. . . What am I talking about? Mom, I need help!”
“You need to stop smoking weed.”
“I don’t smoke anything.”
“You’re always trying to hide your smoking from us. You don’t have to be perfect. We love you and we can pretty much smell that nasty smoke all over your clothes when you go out for your walks.”
“I don’t smoke and we are way. . .and I mean way off topic.” I pulled out my pack of cigarettes, put one in my mouth, and lit it. “What do I do? Is there a spell or something? Will they try to kill me? Why did they come alive? Was it the bag? It has to be the bag.”
“Okay, Faith. Get a pen and paper out. I’ll help you.”
“Thank God!” I blew out smoke, rushed to my everything drawer, scrambled through wrinkled receipts, discarded business cards, bent straws, forgotten keys and coupons, and even sticky ketchup packets. Finally, I found a pen and grabbed one of the receipts to write on. “Okay. What do I do?”
“Get a large glass of water.”
I wrote that down. “Okay.”
“Drink the water.”
I paused. “Okay?”
“And go to sleep.”
“Jesus Christ, woman! I need some help over here!”
“Stop yelling and breathe. You’re under a lot of stress. This is the first time you’ve been away from your girls. And let’s face it, baby, you’ve always been a little crazy—”
“I’m not crazy.”
“But we’re all a bit crazy.”
I threw the pen down and rushed back to the window. “Damn it! Santa is on the car, dancing and gyrating on the hood—”
“Lord. Lord.”
“Mom, I’m serious.” My fingers shook. Tears fell from my eyes. “I’m not having a break down. Something is happening.”
“Everything is going to be okay.”
“It’s not!”
“You want me to come over there?”
“Yes.”
“Me? The little old woman that’s close to Alzheimer and can barely see. You want me to get in my car and drive down the snowy road to save you?”
“Yes and bring all your magic stuff.”
“My magic stuff?”
“Crosses and things. I don’t know.”
“Your house and property is protected. I strengthen the foundation every week. There’s more than fifty herbs and barks that went into the chant. All types of blood.”
“Blood?”
“And prayers and sacred water. Nothing bad could break through to get you. Plus, you’re strong. You have my blood and brain and God’s light burning inside your body. You are fine. Nothing is going to mess with you. If this were evil, you would already be dead.”
My voice cracked. “You’re not coming?”
“Faith, I’m old and you’re high. Good night, baby and get some rest.”
“But, Mom—”
The phone clicked.
“Shit!” I dialed her back.
She didn’t answer.
I considered calling the cops and then put the phone down.
What the hell would I say?
I checked the window.
The snowman still stared back at me.
Santa returned to chasing mermaids. Those beautiful tailed-goddesses swam fast in the snow. Each time he came close, they splashed him with ice and giggled.
Interestingly, the elves that I’d carved weeks ago, remained still. And the guitar didn’t move.
Maybe I should’ve focused on sculpting Prince. That might’ve been an interesting evening.
I sucked on my cancer stick, pushed away my pride, blew out smoke, and dialed the police.
Fuck this. I’m calling the cops over here and I don’t care if I look crazy. I’ll rather be alive and embarrassed, then unashamed and dead.
An operator came on the phone. “9-1-1—”
“There’s someone outside of my house!”
Fifthteen minutes later, a cop car pulled down my driveway.
That was something that would’ve never happened in New York City. Here, it was more of a small-town feel. Everyone knew each other and where they lived. Many had grown up together. Most were related by blood or marriage. Few people committed crimes. I hadn’t heard of a murder happening in years. The biggest news this year deal with when the Quincy boy had robbed the Mason’s corner store with a fake gun.
Everyone knew each other here. And unfortunately, out of all the cops that could’ve came to my house tonight, it had to be my ex-boyfriend, Daniel.
Great. Just great.
Daniel had been my first love. He used to help me catch lightening bugs and butterflies during the spring and summer. By fall, he captured my heart in the process and had taken my virginity. He’d been a great guy, but at seventeen I didn’t want great. I wanted bad and adventurous. Brett had been Daniel’s best friend who’d come by to visit me on the days Daniel couldn’t get away from football practice.
Mom would make a special brew of tea for Daniel to help him with football. I didn’t know why anyone never questioned it. Even his parents and coach made sure he picked up that tea in the afternoons so he could drink it after practice. She claimed it was just to keep his body in good condition. I knew she was lying, but wasn’t sure why.