Chapter 2

  Meredith And Grandma

  Meredith and Cici followed Grandma and Mama Cat inside while Meredith’s broom leaned itself on the wall beside the front door. A magical chill wafted over Meredith and made the young witch shudder. The shop was bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun that poured in from the wide windows. Scattered throughout the shop were tables, shelves, and racks displaying gemstones, trinkets, enchanted jewelry, jarred specimens, crates of peculiar gourds, lotions, potions, ointments, and stoppered tubes filled with different substances that swirled and shimmered. Tall, book and bauble-filled shelves lined the walls, interspersed with large, spice and herb-laden apothecary cabinets. It was all so confusing and convoluted but also mesmerizing. Meredith thought it was a wonderful mess.

  Before them stood a long wooden counter with packed display shelves recessed underneath it, which almost spanned the width of the shop. A colorful myriad of stacked goods sat atop the counter. The organized mess covered every bit of available space, save for the slight gap next to where the large, intricately designed tiller sat, where, over the years, countless products and currency had slid across and worn the top of the counter. Cabinets stood behind the counter amongst a jumble of larger, rarer, and more expensive products. Small orbs of light lazily bobbed overhead, emitting a dull white glow just beneath the ceiling, painted to display the night sky. It was almost too much for Meredith to take in.

  “It’s just like I remember it!” Meredith stared in awe as she inhaled the familiar scent of wood and spices. Nostalgia rankled her heart. She always loved Grandma’s shop.

  “Not much has changed,” Grandma replied, leading her family through the maze of displayed goods.

  Though some of her favorite relics were missing, she spied the dusty globe atop the counter she used to play with as a child.

  “You still have the globe!” Meredith gave it a twirl as she passed it. “And Mr. Shiny!” Beside the globe sat a bejeweled skull on a stand. She tapped it with her fingernail, and its jaw popped open to reveal a candy. Meredith knew better than to reach for it.

  “Do you remember the last time you tried to eat his candy?” Grandma asked wryly.

  “I’m not making that mistake again.”

  Grandma led her family towards the wooden door in the back that opened to the house proper. Meredith weaved behind her and snuck a peak behind the counter. Amidst the pile of treasures sat a large, long-handled, and jewel-encrusted warhammer.

  “You still can’t get rid of that thing, can you?” Meredith asked. She remembered failing to lift it as a child.

  Grandma glanced at the hammer.

  “Unfortunately, the market for fancy weapons has significantly decreased.” Grandma pushed through the door.

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  Meredith wasn’t ready to leave; she wanted to poke through the shop but followed Grandma anyway. She would have plenty of time later.

  Through the door, they entered Grandma’s house proper, where numerous odors slammed into Meredith’s nose. The dark interior had been bewitched to be much larger inside than outside, just like Meredith’s purse, and was lit by streams of light pouring through the side windows and small floating candles that bobbed lazily above their heads. Grandma’s house was just as cluttered with magical curios as her shop and stretched out twice as much across a dark wooden floor.

  On one side was the kitchen with a wrap-around counter, an island in the center, and a brick fireplace set into the far wall. A simmering cast iron cauldron floated lazily above the low fire. The counters were cluttered with multiple jars of ingredient powders, spices, gels, and mysterious substances alongside scattered beakers, burners, and utensils. Above the counter, on slight shelves, sat jumbles of books and scrolls. Underneath were heaps of cauldrons of various sizes stacked within each other. Throughout the kitchen floated multiple small black cauldrons; green flames flickered underneath and enveloped the bottoms while wooden spoons slowly stirred their contents.

  The other side of the house was filled with overstuffed bookshelves and cabinets. They lined the walls alongside display shelves that held all manner of witchy arts. Between them, another door led to the side of the house by the garden. Within the cocoon of books sat a pair of red, velvety cushioned chairs beside another fireplace. Scrolls were stashed between anything that could hold it. Atop one of the side tables sat a small enclosure that hosted Grandma’s pet three-eyed toad, Thomas. Besides his bulky stature and third eye atop his head, Thomas was a marvelously normal-looking toad.

  “You remember Thomas, don’t you?” Grandma gestured toward his enclosure.

  “He’s hard to forget!” Meredith replied. “Hello, Thomas!”

  The toad belted a loud croak.

  Meredith soaked everything in: the warmth, the smells, and the nostalgia of the familiar coziness that Grandma fostered in her living space.

  A short wooden hallway split the wall between the kitchen and sitting room. On opposite sides were doors leading to Grandma’s room and the guest room, now Meredith’s. The door at the end of the hallway led to the washroom.

  “Make yourself at home, dearie.” Grandma spun around as she stepped towards the kitchen and waved Meredith towards the hallway. “Set your things down and make yourself comfortable. Dinner will be out soon. Your first day starts tomorrow!”

  Meredith, excited, skipped down the hall and into the room where she would be staying, with Cici prancing at her heels. It was a rather empty room, but Meredith saw it as an empty canvas. The walls and floor were made of the same dark-colored wood planks. A narrow, wrought iron bed with purple sheets was shoved up into a corner just under the sole window. Beside it sat a small wooden desk and chair. Opposite them was a small closet with sliding doors. Meredith whipped the black curtains open, allowing the remaining light of the setting sun to brighten the room. Minute dust floated in the orange sunlight. Cici bound onto the bed and padded around while Meredith set her bag on the desk and kicked off her boots.

  “It’s starting to feel real!” Meredith exclaimed. “I’m so excited! This summer is going to be the best!” She picked Cici up and spun. “I’ve always wanted to be a great witch like Grandma! This is practically my dream job! What do you think? Are you excited, too?”

  Meredith held Cici aloft before her face. He slowly blinked, then said, “I do not dream of labor.”

  “Whatever, you ol’ grouch.” Meredith frowned.

  The pair returned to the kitchen, filled with bewitched utensils clattering about. Dinner was soon served, and Meredith and Grandma spent the evening in the sitting room talking and laughing as they ate a plateful of pork, beans, cheese, and bread while Mama Cat and Cici sat before the fireplace and shared a large fish.