6. Chapter Six
Chapter Six
T aking my car for a spin, I push through the traffic towards the club. I yawn, hoping the tiredness will go away before my shift. I thought having a drive through town would make it easier to clear my head. It didn’t.
Sometimes, I wonder how long I will continue to work at the club and what my life will look like.
My whole life has always revolved around magic. The intense need to use it and not just feel it teases me from within the shadows. As a little girl, I always imagined I would grow up to be smart enough to lift the curse. As I got older, a part of me despaired at the thought of my curse and magic. It didn't stop me from trying to understand. But it also didn't bring me answers.
Every part of me craves the opportunity to be consumed by magic. And every part of me breaks a little each time I fail.
I suppose that's life—facing obstacles and finding ways to manipulate them.
Sucks, doesn't it?
Thanks to waking up grumpy, the discouraged part is dominant in me right now.
Seeing my grandmother before another shift at the club didn't help. She began again with her demands for me to swear to never agree to any deal involving releasing my power.
Of course, I promised her. She is the only family I have left, apart from Rosie.
Parking the car in the empty space behind the club, I shut off the loud engine.
My old Ford Pinto 1975 has always made me aware of her needs. It’s been too long since I took her for a checkup. My car may be old, but it has been with me through tough times, never betraying me like my mother. It’s kind of ironic since she left the car just as she left me, right before she took her other junk and disappeared. She loved this car, so I guess part of me feels connected to it. She loved us both and she dumped us both. Part of me longs for her to return, if not for me, for the car. The other part hates the idea that she might come back. But she always does. It’s only a matter of time.
Making a mental note to take the car to Harry, my mechanic, I get out.
“See you soon,” I whisper to her. That was my mother’s effect on me too. She used to talk to the car and even named her Dolly because the orange color reminded her of a doll she had. Stupid, I know. Well, Dolly and I have a different agreement. I give her fuel and keep her clean and, in return, she never dies on me. That’s how it’s been for years.
When I enter the club through the back door, I discover the place is packed, and Rosie is already behind the bar, making drinks.
I pull my hair into a messy bun and tuck my bag into one of the empty shelves behind the bar.
"It’s busy in here today," I say, looking around. Practically all the tables are taken.
"Tell me about it. Almost all the peanuts have run out."
"Go get some. I’ll cover you."
“Thanks,” she says, finishing making a drink before heading to the stockroom.
“Where’s Rick?”
“He’s running late. It’s just you and me. ”
“Shit,” I say, moving to take an order from the couple in front of me.
The more orders I take the faster the time passes, and before I know it half the shift has passed and the pressure subsides. I'm more than grateful for the minute of silence.
At some point, Rick appears and takes his place between me and Rosie.
I run a damp rag along the counter as I say, "There hasn’t been such a busy evening in a long time."
"Glad it’s calmed down," Rick says. He walks in with a crate of beers.
We start to arrange the bottles when I feel a vibration in my back pocket. Setting down the bottle I’m holding, I take my phone out, seeing an unrecognized number.
“Hello?” When there’s no reply, I try again. “Hello?” I signal to Rick that I’m on the phone, then leave the bar and move to the hallway.
“Hailey? Hailey Knox? It’s Nora, your grandma’s neighbor. Do you remember me?”
Confused, I say, “Oh, hey. Yes. Is everything okay?”’
“Not really, sweetheart. It’s your grandmother. She’s in the hospital.”
“What? I’m on my way,” I say in a rush, ending the call .
Fifteen minutes later, I hurry through the sliding doors at the entrance. I approach the reception desk and ask which room my grandmother is in and if I can talk to the doctor. The receptionist gives me a wary look before directing me to the right room.
Fear gnaws at me from the inside.
I just saw her today and she was fine. She even managed to scold me and then put on a smile as if nothing had happened.
I enter the room and find my grandmother lying in a bed, unconscious. My eyes scan her still face and the wires attached to her chest and hands. The beeps of the devices only increase the pressure in my chest.
My one consolation is the slight rise and fall of her chest, indicating that she’s breathing.
I take her cold hands in mine and whisper as tears burst free. "You better fight, you hear me? Don’t you dare give up on me now."
Pulling up the sleeves of my shirt, I wipe away the tears just as the nurse walks in.
"Hailey.” Nora says my name tenderly. Her eyes fill with warmth, making me want to cry again.
Blowing out a strangled breath, I shake my head. Nora lives next door to my grandmother with her husband and two kids, and she’s a nurse. Sometimes, when I’m too busy at work, she visits my granny.
"Nora, thank you for calling me," I say as she moves close and squeezes me in a hug. Just what I need.
Releasing me, she takes a step back. "Sure, sweetie. I called you as soon as I saw her. She had a stroke. She’s stable, but we want to do some tests in the morning. In the meantime, we’ll keep her under observation in case there are any changes."
"She was fine this morning."
"Did she complain of a headache? Or numbness to the hands or legs?”
“No. But you know her, always showing a strong front. Even if she was in pain, she wouldn’t tell us.”
“Yeah, that’s just like her,” she says with a light smile. “Don’t worry, she’ll be okay.”
I only manage to nod.
“I’ll stay here with her.”
“Sure thing, honey. My shift ends soon, but I’ll be back in the morning. Sleep. She’s in good hands.”
“Thanks, Nora. I don’t know what I would do without you,” I say, meaning every word.
“You can buy me a drink on our next girls’ night,” she jokes. The last time she said that, I believed her, but she doesn’t really go on girls’ night. Not between extra shifts at the hospital and the kids. Especially not with a drunk husband.
“That’s a date,” I say, and she turns to leave.
I sit on the armchair next to the bed and pull my phone out of my bag.
Me: I'm in the hospital. Grandma had a stroke.
Rosie's reply was fast. I hadn’t had time to tell her where I was going before I left work.
Rosie: I'm finishing my shift and I'll be right there!
Me: No, there's no need, really. I'm here, and it's fine.
Rosie: Absolutely not. End of discussion.
Me: It’s okay. I’m waiting for the doctor to come and tell me what to do.
Rosie: Then I'll wait with you. Coffee? Or tea?
My heart swells with warmth as I read her message. In moments like this, I thank the universe for bringing me and Rosie together. I don't consider myself that much of a believer—maybe because my family was cursed generations before me. But I do know there is a higher power, which some call the stars and some call the sun or God. I'm just thankful that power didn't leave me alone in the world .
Me: Coffee.
I reply and add a red heart. Sprawling back, I let out a sigh. My eyes lock on Grandma’s form, debating whether I should text my mother about her condition.
It’s not like I believe she’ll just appear, but I guess a small part of me wishes she would come. If not for me then for her mother.
A shiver runs down my spine. I feel him even before I see him. My eyes are fixed on the entrance to the room. He enters with a calculated and steady walk.
"Hailey.” The vampire nods in my direction.
Jumping to my feet, I say, “What are you doing here? And how did you know I was here?”
“I came for you. You should know by now that I find what I want, and I want you.”
“I’m sorry, but that isn’t going to happen,” I reply, needing him gone. This is just too much. I need to focus on my grandma, and he’s too much of a distraction. “I can’t do this now.” Blowing out a breath, I snap, “Don’t you see that my grandma is in the hospital? Don’t you have something else to do instead of harassing people?”
“I do see that your grandma isn’t doing well. That’s why I came. And I’m hardly harassing you. I just came to remind you of my offer.”
“And I’m still declining it,” I say, mimicking his voice .
“Even if getting your power back can give your grandmother her life back?”
What?
Seeing my confusion, he continues, “Getting your power and breaking the curse will awaken her power.”
“There is no way to break the curse.” There isn’t. I’ve tried everything . I repeat my knowledge to myself, even though a glimpse of hope breaks in. “And besides I don’t know you enough to trust you.”
“We can fix that. My name is John and with my help, you could kill the coven that cursed you and break the curse forever.”
“Why do you want to help me? What’s in it for you?”
“I have my reasons, but that shouldn’t matter to you because you will get your powers. That’s what is important, is it not?”
The temptation is stronger than me. I close my eyes and breathe deeply. When I open them, I sneak a look at Grandma before saying, "Okay. I agree."