Sweet Menace (7 page)

“I’ll never get enough.”

Three o’clock already and Sam was back as offered. I had made a double batch of sweet chickpeas and also made a cloud cake with whipped frosting. Sugar-free sugar, just to pamper him. Sitting in the table, I watched Sam eating an easy lunch I made for two. I couldn’t help but wonder why I had chosen that menu when I love carbs so much. His face filled with satiated happiness forced me to reconsider my goals. Kill this crazy bad people, avenge my family, make them pay for all the mockery they had put me on, or stay here, feeding with happiness this crazy gorgeous cop. Marry him soon. Maybe have a baby or two. Live happily ever after.

Morgan, Wake up! Witches don’t live happy forever. They kill and eat children alive. What, no. Not that. Maybe. But, even so, here you are. Growing false illusions.

I know by now that my mind is sometimes my worst enemy. Treacherous and full of envy. In a constant battle with my heart. They hate each other. My brain, so rational. My heart, so emotional. They don’t want to live together. But they live in a house that cannot be split in two. So the only option was to bring it down.

Of course I didn’t have quinoa on hand but with some Maghik I grew some fast in my private orchard. Harvesting the little grains and make them ready to cook was the funny part. Maybe it would have been easier to maghikally appear a bag of ready to cook quinoa but that’s just not my style. I’m a complicated person.

Fresh veggies, ginger and beef made a delicious stir-fry to accompany the quinoa. I ate it all while Sam savored and tried to name what he was eating. Sometimes he guessed right. Other times he was way too far. Talking to him was very easy and comforting. He somehow made it all full of sense and also made me meaningful and distant from the empty vengeance I had planned all my life. I could only think on why I had planned doing bad to people, if I come to think deeply, I had never met my real family. As far as I know I was left abandoned close a water well when I was just a premature baby.

“If you keep doing this,” -My mind drifted back to real time when Sam talked again. -“I’ll make a camp for myself right outside this house just to smell when you’re cooking. I’ll imitate a puppy in your window to make you feed me every meal.”

The idea made me smile. A camp outside? Maybe I should use his idea for the next date. I can invite him to a picnic close to the lily pond I love.

“Well, beautiful. Ready to go?” -He asked while extending his hand to grab mine.

“Where are we going?” -I asked full of doubt and fear. Maybe I shouldn’t be so hesitant. This man offered to wash the dishes! And he did it!

“
It'
s
a surprise. If I tell you, you’ll say no. I’m not risking losing the opportunity.” -He answered back.

“In that case, we’ll take my van. For if I need an escape. I’ll leave you abandoned there.” -Humorously, I said with a grin.

While he held my hand I felt so secure. I was certain I didn’t have to flee from him today or ever.

“Then I drive.” -He assured.

“Why? Don’t you trust my driving? I’m very sober now.” -I protested smiling.

“I trust you my life if you want. But where we’re going, you don’t know the way. So let me be your guide and enjoy the trip, beautiful girl.” -He closed my door and got behind the wheel, turned the engine on and rolled down the window glasses. -“And don’t hide from me those delicious crunchiness you bake. I smelled them on my way to your house. So pass them over!”

We both laugh so hard. Tears escaped my eyes. Tears of happiness that soon became tears of sadness and sorrow. Stopping the van in the side of the road, Sam turned to me, wiping my tears away.

“Why are you crying, Morgan? Are you feeling alright? Did I say something that bothered you?” -Soon I was tucked in a warm embrace. Oh, I needed it so bad.

“No. You’re perfect. I’m so evil. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have such a good friend.” -After I said those words I regretted everything. Each and every letter. I wanted to die that very moment.

Sam’s eyes reflected how sad he suddenly felt for me. He was such an angel. Really. I didn’t deserve him.

“First, you’re not evil. You’re very kind. Otherwise, you would have let me die the other night when my sugar levels wen
t
dow
n
. Second, and most important, if it makes you feel better, we are not friends. We are just two people trying to know each other. I’m aiming for something bigger than friendship. Something deeper.”

Our eyes met and he closed the space between us. He was going to kiss me. I was going to kiss him.
No, Morgan. Stop! A kiss closes the deal. You want to end the chapter and jump the page already?

I returned to my previous position, putting distance between us again.

“Okay.” -Sam said with hoarse voice and his tone was defiant, as if he considered me a challenge. His shoulders shrugged nervously. -“I can wait forever. I swear.”

Soon he parked my minivan in a residential area. Houses with nice gardens and green grass at both sides of the street. Happy kids playing with balls and blowing bubbles.

“Look, mommy! Uncle Sam the Jam is here.” -One of the girls yelled from the front patio. I had my door already opened when Sam came to my side.

“Where are we?” -I whispered the question close to his ear. He grabbed my hand strongly and I noticed he was sweaty and cold.

“Visiting family, baby.” -He answered almost kissing my neck. -“Why? Want to leave already?”

“I don’t feel comfortable in crowds. People make me nervous.” -I confessed.

“That’s why I didn’t tel
l
you. I can’t deny I’m very nervous as well. That’s a first. Again. But that’s off record.”

The cute little girl jumped over Sam who was ready to grab her and swing her in the air. The girl’s giggles were pure and came from deep inside her heart. Hugging Sam firmly, she yelled in his cheeks:
I love u
at least ten times.

“Look who’s home! The city cop!” -A woman walked toward us, kissing Sam in both cheeks. Then she looked at me. I was so nervous I cannot manage to pronounce a single word. -“Hi.”

“Hi.” -I repeated back.

“Elizabeth, this is my…” -Sam paused, thinking on the right way of introducing me to his family. -“My friend Morgan. Morgan, this is my sister Elizabeth and my niece Lilly, the birthday girl.”

“
It'
s
a pleasure to meet you, Morgan. Welcome home!” -Elizabeth welcomed me by hugging me very hard.

“The pleasure is all mine.” -I answered, trying to offer my kindest smile.

“Mom!” -Elizabeth yelled towards the house. She smiled widely while looked at Sam with conspiracy eyes. -“Mom! Sam brought a girl!”

Soon, an old lady supported with a wooden cane left the house walking towards us.

“What? Sammy brought a girl? Are you sure? Or are you kidding me again?”

Sam looked very embarrassed but didn’t dare to release the firm grip in my hand.

“You still have time to escape.” -He whispered.

“Come on, this is getting interesting.” -I riposted, refusing his offer. While Sam’s mother walked at easy pace, Lilly held my free hand and I squatted down to be at her height.

“So, beautiful Lilly, how old are you now?” -I asked the girl.

“I’m a big girl now. I’m three!” -Lilly said showing me three fingers.

“
Wo
w
! Three? You are really big!” -I praised her and she made a funny dance. -“And what you wish as present?”

Coming close to me she shared a secret in my ear. What a clever girl!

“Sammy, baby, come to Mamma!” -The mother called while she was a few steps away from us. Sam helped me to straighten up and together we walked to her. -“Oh my God, Sam Whilhey. It seems that I saw you just a week ago.”

“It was a week, mother.” -Sam answered hugging her with his free hand.

“Yes, and yet you were so tiny then. But look at you now. A grownup man.” -His mother continued, pinching his cheeks hard.

“You’re embarrassing me!” -He joked.

“And you must be Sam’s girlfriend!” -She addressed at me now. Cold sweat slid down my spine. My fast heartbeats promised a massive heart attack. So, this is what it feels like being in love?

Standing in front of Sam’s mother I couldn’t help but think on walking backwards and climb in my van and drive home at high speed.
Girlfriend?

“I’m Morgan.” -I merely said. -“Is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Whilhey.”

“Come here sweetheart. You call me Mamma.” -And grabbing me, Sam’s Mamma gave me a suffocating hug, strong like a bear. Her smell of mentholated alcohol tickled my nose. -“I’m so happy today. A whole happy family. Come, come. Let’s meet the rest of the family. There’s a big family waiting.”

That was way too much family talk.

We went to the backyard where the birthday party was in full swing and more guests and family were dancing and chatting happily. Mamma went to the DJ and took the microphone.

“Hey, everyone. Say hello to Sam.” -She yelled hard. All of them turned around to see us. They all said hello or waved hands. Kids ran to him, hugging him whenever they could grab. People waved at us and Sam turned red in shame. I was more embarrassed than him while people’s gaze was fixed on us, on his hand holding mine like if we belonged together. -“And meet Morgan, Sam’s girlfriend.”

An echo of awe ran from side to side, like people doing the wave in a sport event. Tens of eyes watched me curious and some of them approached us to give congratulations. An uproarious applause broke, cheering Sam for the acquisition of a girlfriend. This was starting to get much more uncomfortable than what I thought. I was about to run and disappear but Sam was still holding me strongly. I felt sad for his shame, but at least he had a family who waited for him. Gratefully, everything came back to normal after a minute and we were free to move from the throne in which Sam’s mother had him.

Lilly came to me and pulled me with her to inside the house. There, she showed me a few photo albums where Sam was the center of attention. One of the pictures in particular caught my interest. He was dressing very formal, a red boutonniere in his suit. I compared the picture with the one of Elizabeth’s wedding and it wasn’t the same dress so it was another wedding. Was he married? I haven’t asked but he had mentioned something about singleness.

Elizabeth came inside the house accompanied with her mother. They sat close to me, explaining me those pictures. When I pointed the one with him in dressing suite they looked at each other- gaze of conspiracy- and lowered their eyes.

“That was a sad day for all of us. Sam was getting married to a woman he loved madly. Long story short, she didn’t show up to the church, just sent a friend of her apologizing. She had run away with another man.” -Mamma said in a hush voice.

“He’s been a loner since. That was three years ago, before Lilly’s birth. But now you’re here. It looks like he’s reshaping his life.” -Elizabeth was interrupted by the phone ringing. She apologized to answer the call. Mamma sat close to me, resting her head on my shoulder and patting my hand with a delighted smile.

“I’ll do anything to see him happy again. No matter what it costs, I want to see him radiant and happy. No matter what it takes, Sam needs to be loved. I’m getting too old and I want to see more grandchildren.”

I turned purple from her statement. At that precise moment Sam entered the house.

“Here you are! I’ve been looking for you everywhere. I was calling the cops to report your kidnap!” -Sam quipped.

“Don’t worry, son. I’ll be stealing her quite often, so get used to it.” -Mamma said, making me smile with a feeling I could compare with happiness. Real happiness. A sense of belonging.

“What a problem!” -Elizabeth said after she hung the phone. -“Anais, the girl who made the cake had an accident and the cake is a complete mess. What I’m going to do now?”

Oh, no! I told myself. Poor little Lilly. A cute birthday cake was one of her wishes for today and she wasn’t getting it. That was not fair.

“If I go to the closest store, they’ll make a cake for us soon?” -Everybody looked at Elizabeth. The answer was obvious. No.

Lilly covered her face with both hands and I heard her little sobs through her tiny fingers. Fat tears ran across her pink cheeks and my heart gave a painful flip.

“Hey, Lilly. You want to know a secret?” -I called her and she came to me with sad face. Her lower lip was trembling and she was about to burst in another cry any moment. -“You want to know what I do for living?”

Nodding with her head, Lilly’s eyes turned bright.

“You know that van we parked outside? It has a refrigerated rear section for something very cool. I do cakes. Pretty cakes. Is very possible I have some fresh baked cakes there. We just have to glaze and decorate them.” -I tried to cheer her up. It was a risk I was running. There was nothing in my coolers right now, but that was about to change.

“Oh, really?” -Lilly asked full of emotion.

“Yes. Do you want to help me glaze an awesome cake? I’ll give you sprinkles! And chocolate chips too!” -I promised. After asking Elizabeth for her permission to take Lilly with me, we stood up, hands to work.