Pumpkin Hijinks
1. Lisette
Chapter 1
Lisette
B eing a witch and single on Halloween was the pits.
It didn’t help that I was newly officially divorced. The separation had been hard and a struggle. I should be happy and grateful, but loneliness etched into my skin. The years of loneliness in my failing marriage made this time even harder. Didn’t I deserve to be happy?
I kicked my legs on the old stone wall that overlooked the pumpkin patch. Did I only grow them to be a stereotypical witch during October? Or was it for a small side hustle when I took them to the farmers' market and my vegetable stand? I sighed as I looked at the twining and growing vines. Who would I pick this week to take with me? Who will continue to grow underneath the moon and sunlight? What little kid would leap through the vines and find the perfect one. I laughed at the thought. It’s not like they were sentient or even a ‘they.’
I slipped off the wall and stood between the vines. “Gods, where the fuck is my love? I’m a pretty decent person. Why am I single?” I screamed at the moon. I wasn’t sure why I was in this weird ass mood. Was it because the last blind date I was on was a failure? I didn’t need someone. I could be a hot ass bitch on my own. But…I was lonely.
The sounds of nature surrounded me. The loud croaking of frogs in the trees by the pond at the neighbors, a soft sound of birds in the distance, and crickets chirping. A bat swooped by the pumpkin headed scarecrow in the middle of the pumpkin patch. Everything was normal tonight, except for my rotten mood. I meandered through the vines, careful to avoid falling onto any of the pumpkins. In a brief second, something brushed against the back of my calf. I stilled and swallowed. I looked down and furrowed my brow. A pumpkin vine wrapped around my boot and a leaf flapped against the exposed skin of my calf. That’s weird.
I lifted my foot and shook off the vine. It didn’t budge. I flicked it off with some magic and it slithered away. Weird. I shook my head and marched forward. The sound of crunching gravel rang through the air. Magic sizzled on my hands as I prepared to defend myself. The closer I got to my house, I realized who it was. A frown etched into my face as I walked towards my small house and deepened as I approached the orange SUV. I opened the door with indignant anger.
“What are you doing here, Julian?” I hissed.
He smirked and leaned forward. He was too damn handsome, and he knew it. “Just checkin’ in on how my wife is settling with her new . . . circumstances.”
My fingers curled into a fist. “We’re divorced, Julian.”
“I told you I didn’t want the divorce. We were meant to be,” he hissed.
“The court granted it without your approval. Leave me alone. This proves why I wanted the divorce. You’re harassing me. Get off my property.”
A sneer spread across his face. I can’t believe that I used to think he was handsome. He repulsed me now. “You’re making a mistake. You’ll be begging for me back.”
“No fucking way. Go to hell, Julian.”
“You’ll regret this, Lisette,” he sneered as he hit the gas and sped away. Rocks kicked behind him and one hit my forehead. Pain shot through me and I winced. Holding my hand to my face while tears streamed down my cheeks, I realized hot liquid dripped into my fingers. I stumbled as I looked at my fingers. Red fresh blood covered them. Fuck. I walked past the pumpkin patch and leaned over the wall. Body wrenching sobs filled the air as I cried and bled over some vines in the pumpkin patch. On the edge of my mind, a tingle of magic filled the air, but I ignored it. Nothing had spiked my wards. I was safe here. Hopefully. It was merely the magic that lived in everything. I wiped my tears and blood before straightening up. Everything would be fine. They were empty threats. Tomorrow would be a better day.