The Haunted - Jessica Verday [27]
I couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled out of me. “You? Are a dork.” The Haunted
Chapter Seven
AN EMBARRASSMENT
However wide awake they may have been before they entered that sleepy region, they are sure, in a little time, to inhale the witching influence of the air…
—“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
I sat up groggily as Mom knocked on the door, and then glanced over at the clock. 9:34
a.m.
“Do you know that at this time, seventeen years ago on June twenty-first, you arrived after fourteen hours of labor?” she said.
Groaning, I pulled the covers over my head. I had totally forgotten what day it was. “Not the fourteen-hours-of-labor story, Mom.”
She sat down on the bed, and I poked my head out. In her hands was a tray that held plates of French toast, chocolate chip pancakes, a Belgian waffle, and a little bowl of strawberries. She put it on the comforter beside me. “Happy birthday, sweetie.” She kissed my cheek before looking sappily into my eyes. “My little baby. So grown up.”
“Mom, please.” I sat up and dug into the waffle, taking a moment to scatter some of the strawberries on top of it first.
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. What do you want to do today?” I thought about it for a minute, then said, “Mani-pedis, lunch at Callenini’s, and then a trip to that supply store up by the cabin, A Thyme and Reason.”
“Sounds good,” she said. “Finish your breakfast, get dressed, and we’ll hit the road.” I swallowed and then asked, “Are you and Dad going to have a birthday dinner for me tonight?” That was Mom’s usual custom, before everything with Kristen happened.
“Of course we are.”
“Nothing too sappy, Mom,” I begged. “Pleeease?”
“And here I was looking forward to the slide show of all your naked baby pictures.”
“Mom!”
She laughed. “Okay, okay, I’ll cancel the slide show and the tribute band.” I cut off a small piece of pancake and waved it at her. “Thank you, Mother. Now go, so I can eat in peace.”
˜ ˜ ˜
Three hours later Mom and I had freshly painted fingers and toes (her color: Pretty in Pink, mine: Rock Me Red), our stomachs were full of delicious Italian food, and we were on our way to A Thyme and Reason.
“I can’t believe how long it’s been since we’ve stopped in here,” I said. “Too long.”
“It was last year, right?” Mom asked.
“Yup. You wanted me to make you that Christmasy perfume.” Mom smiled. “Ahhh, I love that one. You captured the scents of winter perfectly. You’re such a great perfumer, Abbey.”
“You’re just saying that because it’s my birthday.”
Keeping one hand on the wheel, she turned and gave me a serious look. “No. I’m not just saying that. Your perfumes are amazing. I know I don’t tell you this very often, but you make me proud.” She switched lanes. “And I’m glad you’ve already decided what you want to do with your life. Although I hope you’ll rethink the whole college thing, I won’t push. I want you to be happy.”
I glanced out the window so she wouldn’t see me getting all choked up. “Thanks, Mom.
You make me pretty proud too.”
We pulled into the parking lot, where a glossy green sign proclaimed the store’s name. I got out of the car and just took everything in for a minute. The store was located inside a gorgeous old-fashioned house that was painted in stunning shades of green and magenta. A quaint wrought-iron sign post had been added to the front porch with an ALL WELCOME banner hanging from it.
“Have I mentioned yet how much I love this place?” I sighed happily. “I can’t wait to have my own store.”
Mom followed me inside. “Anything in particular you’re looking to stock up on? Maybe some oils for your violin perfume?”
“Yeah,” I said automatically. “And I need a few more oils to fill my new supply cabinet.”
“How many is a few?” Mom asked suspiciously as she eyed the very large essential-oil aisle.
She knows me so well. “Birthday girl,” I reminded her.
She put both hands up and retreated. “I’ll leave you to your shopping. Call me when you’re ready.”
“Okay.” I grabbed an empty basket from a nearby display and started at the A’s. Amyris,