Felix Silver, Teaspoons & Witches by Harry Cook

Author:Harry Cook [Cook, Harry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781951954154
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Published: 2022-08-26T04:11:16+00:00

Eighteen

I wake from my much-needed nap to find that the storm outside has died down to a drizzle. Newt is fast asleep and curled into a position I can’t begin to describe. He occasionally runs on the spot, dreaming.

I turn onto my side and scratch the sleep from my eyes, the afternoon light fading to dark.

My phone vibrates again from where I threw it earlier, and I crawl across the rumpled sheets to have a look.

Aero: Can I take you out for date number two? No talk of anything other than how I like your smile and your ability to pull off flannel shirts.

I grin.

As cheesy as it is, I really want to see him. Which is weird, because a second date was the last thing on my mind when I was talking to Winifred. Plus, he’s not wrong about my flannel abilities.

We agree to meet at the harbor.

I get out of bed and rub Newt behind the ears; his snores are back with full force.

When I get downstairs, Gran is sitting in the living room, the Silver Grimoire open on her lap and a faux-fur blanket wrapped around her.

I wander over and sit next to her as she drapes her blanket around me and pulls me in for a hug.

“I needed that,” I say, breathing in her perfume as she pecks me on the head.

Gran brushes my hair back from my eyes. “How are you feeling, Spud?”

I shrug. I need some time not talking about everything that’s going on. “I’m meeting Aero tonight.”

“Lovely,” Gran says, sitting back and giving me a once-over. “You just be careful out there.”

I nod. “Of course.”

“I hear Winifred gave you some tips for defense incantations.”

“Yeah, she’s got the goods. I’ll be fine.”

“I know you will,” Gran says, wrapping herself tighter with the blanket. “Now go have fun. Dance under the stars, kiss for hours, fall in love.”

I laugh.

“I’ll do my best.”

When I get to the harbor, the rain has gone entirely, and the purple night sky blankets the horizon.

I get to the pebbled shore and roll my skinny jeans up to my ankles, then sit on the stone wall that gives me a first-class look out at the cerulean sea.

The fishermen nearby haul their fish and crabs into crates and buckets before getting in their rusty old vans and heading home for the night.

I focus my mind on the still water of the harbor and send a fountain of water into the sky, just to see if I can.

A few passersby look on happily as I send jets of water into the atmosphere, choreographing a show worthy of the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

“Nicely done,” Aero says behind me.

I turn as he sits himself next to me.

“Hi,” I say, not wanting to come across too friendly.

“Hey.” He looks out as the water settles back to calm, then gives me a little nudge with his shoulder. “Very impressive.”

I nod.

“I’m sorry about today.”

I shrug.

“Are you mad? What am I talking about—I’d be mad if it was my great-great-grandparent accused of… well, you know.

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