Chapter 18
Eighteen
-GRAYSON-
The wheels on the bus go round and round, and its driver doesn’t concern himself with slowing over speed bumps. Body parts bounce in full view of every passenger as we give in to the freedom of letting it all hang.
I’m seated next to Maude, surprised how comfortable she is nude.
“Don’t concern yourself about what nature gave you,” she tells me. “You’re perfect just the way you are.”
“Oh, I wasn’t worried about myself.” I raise my arms to show off my torso. “I swim on weekends. It was you I was concerned about.”
“Oh Grayson, you’re so sweet. Of course I’m not ashamed of my body. What do you think white witches do when we frolic in the forest around a fire chanting stuff? We take our clothes off to channel our inner power, without all those fussy fabrics on our bodies.”
I hope I’ll galivant in the woods one day, evoking mystic forces within. Perhaps the fire will be used to toast marshmallows or cook a barbeque after the ceremony, for some kind of mystical afterparty. Mull wine and magic!
I try to look deep into Maude’s soul, speculating if sacrifices and orgies are part of the deal, because I don’t want to ask.
“That’s an intense stare,” she says.
“There’s so much I don’t know about what’s in store for me.”
Maude glances at Penelope who is asleep on Milo’s shoulder in the seat nearest the driver. “And sadly, the girl in charge of your education...” Her frown turns to a knowing smile. “Well, she did come through for you, at least.”
“What do you mean?”
Maude raises her arms then points down at her own body. “She did this.”
“Penelope is the reason everyone is naked? I thought you did that, Maude.”
She shakes her head. “Nope. Penelope raised her hand and cast the spell. And the damn spell worked.”
I gaze at Penelope. I like the way Milo is caring for her. And I liked the way Penelope cared for both Milo and me with her nudie spell. And thankfully, no one ended up with snouts.
I touch my tummy.
“What’s the matter?” Maude asks.
“I don’t have indigestion.”
She’s puzzled.
“I mean, normally I’d have a stomachache. This wizard stuff must be agreeing with me.”
“Has Penelope ever caused you indigestion?”
“Only when I first met her. She stumbled from my kitchen to tell me I had powers. After that I got used to her surprise visits.”
“Good. Penelope is a good friend. And she means well.” Maude glances at her again, letting out a sigh. “But she also needs a good friend, and if you don’t mind me saying, so do you.”
“I know. But Maude, why the change of heart?”
“What do you mean?”
“You were hard on her when she took me to your place. What’s changed?”
Maude offers a faraway gaze, and for a moment, looks away. I feel she’s summing up whether to tell me. There’s some secret here. But what is it?
“Maude.”
She gives a gentle smile. “I’ll tell you all about me and Penelope, but some other time.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” I put that topic to bed because there’s something more pressing to discuss. “Maude, I think I killed Milo’s mother.”
She’s all wide-eyed. “You think? Is she in a coffin or is she—”
“I’m sure she’s a zombie. I think I killed her then Penelope brought her back to life.”
Maude leans forward, listening intensely.
“She’s all creepy-looking but when she eats, she’s radiant.”
“If she’s been dead a while, then magic spells won’t work, but...” Maude just noticed something over my shoulder. I look behind me, but I don’t know what it is. “My stop is coming up.”
“But...”
“Come and visit me. I think I have a solution to your problem. But right now, we need to wake Penelope.”
I nod, feeling anxious but hopeful. I stand and stroll up the aisle, then gently shake my mentor. She dribbles on Milo’s shoulder. He helps her sit up, then I help her stand up. Maude has joined us at the front of the bus, ready to exit.
“Thank you for your support,” I say to Maude. “When can I visit you?”
“I’m off on a witch’s convention tomorrow. I’ll be back in three days.”
“Three days?” But then I think, I have no proof Amelia is harming anyone. It’s just speculation. “Okay, three days.” I breathe a sigh of relief. Then ponder why Maude’s not taking Penelope back to their realm. “Maude, why aren’t you taking her home?”
“I have a friend like you who only just realised he was magic. She’ll sleep it off at his place before I take her home.”
“Why don’t you take her back to her place now?” Milo asks.
The bus stops and the door opens. Maude wraps her arm around the sleepy witch. “A longer trip gives her more time to throw up,” Maude replies. “And she once barfed inside that revolving entrance into our realm. Piers wasn’t impressed because he had to organise cleaning.”
“What?” Milo is clearly confused. “Didn’t he just snap his fingers or wave a wand or something, and hey presto, clean door?”
“Yeah.” Maude takes baby steps with Penelope toward the exit. “But vomit is vomit, Milo. No one likes to deal with that.”
They step off the vehicle right in front of the house, and Maude seems okay about inching her way to the front door in the nude. And when a few passersby gasp or giggle, Penelope finds the strength to give them the finger.
Watching Maude care for her is like watching a mother look after her daughter. Keeping her on track. Keeping her safe.
Hold on. Mother and daughter. Could they be? The bus has moved on so I can’t scrutinise them.
“You’re going to visit Maude,” Milo says.
I sit with him, though I’m hesitant about sharing my suspicions. We have enough obstacles in our relationship. “Maude’s going to give me some wizard training, because”—I wink—“Maude doesn’t have a drinking problem.”
“Good idea.” He winks back. “My place or yours?”
“I thought we said your place. I’m keen to see where you live.”
“Then we’ll need to get off soon. Mum has my spare key.”
Dread grips me. Will her eyeball be hanging out of its socket?
I clear my mind as we stand to exit, then take one last look down the aisle at the people who’ve shared our naked ordeal. Some eye me back, smirking, nodding, or quickly turning away, blushing.
Their regard lifts my spirits.
I’m being noticed in that way, no longer feeling like a solitary duckling. There’s a whole world to embrace as I turn into a social swan.
I gaze at Milo, who’s looking back from the footpath, waiting for me to step off the bus.
Having a support network has changed me.
And being there for others is my reward.