Chapter Six
I learned a great deal that night, listening to the three women sitting around and getting drunk together. I never knew that all the witches in North America were distantly related and that their collective memories only went back about four hundred years. Apparently, someone slept with a king in England. Before that, nobody in England seemed to have magical powers.
However, when the royals’ mistresses began having children with exceptional talents, even the government grew concerned. Their solution was to deport them all to the Americas. Along with these young people, a crowd of haters was also put on board the ship just to control their population. The haters and the witches had to fight to survive the harsh conditions in the new world, and everyone became responsible citizens of the New York Colony.
I learned that covens worldwide have a longer history. Although they spoke different languages, the witches could all communicate telepathically.
My grandmother joked that Witches and Warlocks seem to appear out of nowhere, like mushrooms popping up in the forest after heavy rain. I learned that thousands of years’ worth of magic are woven into the world’s history, and the result was Witches. Unfortunately, the people of the world were superstitious of powers, and both Witches and Warlocks were worshiped or murdered.
My Grandmother, Polly, said that Witches survive more easily in society than Warlocks. Everyone loves an attractive female, but extremely handsome men make crowds nervous, and men feel threatened, especially when these superior men were screwing everyone they could.
Mom had to wake me up to go to bed. I was so tired that I slept in my clothes. I woke up feeling better, but then I looked in the bathroom mirror in the daylight. Anna was still there even after eight hours of rest. She wasn’t simply a bad dream.
Behind the locked bathroom door, I stripped and stared at myself. Doug’s mind enjoyed touching Anna’s body. The whole experience felt unreal. After getting too heated inside, I stepped into the shower, used body wash, hot water, and ten fingers to explore until I was out of breath and energy. Still wet, I collapsed under the covers and slept soundly until hours later, Mom gently shook me awake.
I smiled sheepishly, looking up at her face. Of course, Mom knew what I’d been doing, but she greeted me with a loving kiss on the lips.
“Good morning, honey. A hearty breakfast, new clothes, and a brush will get you up and ready for your day. How are you doing?
I shook my head. “I’m stiff and feeling achy.”
Mom gave me a hug. “Your conscious mind and physical body are still adjusting to the lifting of the charm. But now, let’s get you dressed. Polly is taking you shopping this afternoon. And if you just do what you’re told and don’t be a smart ass, everything should be fine. Understand that Pollyanna can snap her fingers and turn you into a gerbil if she doesn’t think you’re behaving. Oh, and moisturize,” she pointed to a bottle.
My jaw dropped. “But she wouldn’t, right? Right? Mom?” I was trying to get dressed, but the process wasn’t as simple as dressing Doug. The boy's clothes are baggy, and Doug liked looking as if he'd just slept in them. But Anna's clothes were body-hugging. After pulling and pushing, this outfit seemed determined to show off my hips, boobs, and butt. I felt like I was plastered up on a billboard for the world to see. I wasn’t stealthy.
I whispered, “Mom, everyone’s going to be looking at me. I’m going to stick out, not hide!”
Mom chuckled and twirled her fingers, giving me a neatly brushed high ponytail and long bangs. I raised my hand to signal her to stop. “Stop. And no makeup, please.”
“Why, baby?” She said as she did my makeup.
“It’s that girly thing. I feel like I have a sign around my neck that says Look At Me.”
Mom smiled. “It’s just a touch of mascara and lip stain. I’ve barely given you a scent. Baby, that’s the way girls blend in. And maybe give you a few accessories as well. I heard you tell Polly you wanted to play soccer.”
I sighed, feeling earrings and bracelets brush against my skin. “Uh-huh. I know how to fit in on the playing field. And maybe I can make some friends, too. I’m comfortable talking sports.”
Mom nodded. “Good thinking. But don’t try to hide your beauty. Be a soccer fashionista, not a wanna-be boy.”
I looked in the mirror and frowned. Looking back at me was a stunning girl, almost like a princess. Her hair, skin, face, and body were flawless. I smiled, showing pearl white teeth in a perfect smile. All I could think was that I was flawless and maybe a little too perfect. I was a doll, an AI creation. I needed some flaws—perhaps a broken nose or a black eye.
Yeah, a black eye. People wouldn’t look at me; they’d just see a bruised and swollen eye, maybe blackened, dark blue, or purple, with an eye that was blood-red.
Suddenly, a voice drilled through my head. ’No! My granddaughter will not be making her debut with a black eye. That’s a terrible idea!’
Uh-oh. I forgot that Polly was listening to everything I thought. I blanched for a moment when I realized she knew I’d been fooling around and stimulating myself earlier. No secrets! I briefly wondered if I could eavesdrop on my family, just as they had on me.
‘No, Anna. I’ve suspended your powers until we begin our lessons and have a chance to talk about what’s proper for a young witch. You’ll regain control soon enough.’
I sighed. I’d lost everything - friends, soccer buddies, and even video games. In the past twenty-four hours, I’d ridden all day in the back of a box truck, eaten one meal at a restaurant, and slept in a new bed. And now I had a perfect face and body.
Now, my grandmother was taking me shopping. Mom had told me to behave, or this woman would turn me into a gerbil. I smiled. Maybe a gerbil’s life would be okay.
‘Stop it, Anna. Your pity-me attitude is boring. Lighten up, girl. Try to see the positive side of what's happening. You’re lovely, young, and about to discover enough powers to rock the world. You are very special.’
I shook my head and looked at my Grandmother. “Okay if I talk freely?”
“Yes, dear. I wasn’t planning on transmogrifying you today. “
“I don’t see the upside of what’s happening to me.”
“Oh, you'll see the upside very soon. But one thing you’ve already figured out is your body’s sexual response and pleasure, right? Did you enjoy fooling around in the shower?”
I turned crimson.
“See. You’ve already realized that Anna can enjoy pleasure. Next time, try taking a hot bath with bubbles and scented oils to truly relax. And practice just makes it better.
I was shaking my head. “Uh, should we be having this conversation, Grandma?”
“Sure, Anna. And you need to call me Polly. I don’t look like anyone’s grandma. Now, what else?”
“I’m scared that I can’t fool anyone into thinking I’m female. My Doug brain is going to screw this up, and won’t that all come back on you?”
“No, Anna. You’ll be just fine. When you register on Monday, the secretary will take you to your first class. She’s going to give a copy of your schedule to your teacher and one to you. Your teacher, Mrs. Donnavan, will pair you with another student who will serve as your guide throughout the day. Her name is Becky Davis, and she will be very helpful. She’ll be able to talk to you in your head and steer you through the hard parts.”
“Wait. Is Becky a witch?” I watch Polly nod. Are there a lot of witches in Chicago?
Polly smiled. “Enough to keep you safe and help you adjust. But you will have your Particular at your side at all times.”
“My cat is coming to school?”
“No, silly. Your Particular can stay invisible whenever it wants. And that’s a good name you gave your cat. I like Luna.”
“I don’t understand. Why did I have to be hidden? Did Becky have to be hidden just like me?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Because Becky was born right here in Chicago, not in some backwater town in upstate New York. We were able to protect her from birth.
I heard a chuckle in my ear and realized that my Particular had a sense of humor.
“How old is my Particular?”
Polly smiled. “Particulars are thousands of years old. They’ve been around before the birth of humanity. Remember, there are as many good demons as bad.”
I shook my head. Before today, all of this was just fiction, pure fantasy—none of it was real. “Are there Vampires?”
Polly smiled. “Of course. You have to ask your mom.” She raised an eyebrow to emphasize her point.
Polly had a driver, and we were immediately taken through a dozen stores while Polly pointed out items and I tried them on. The worst part was the bra fitting. Seriously, I was almost naked and measured like a dog at the vet’s office. Luckily, this only had to be done once. After that, all the clothes fit perfectly and were very attractive. The best part was that there were many jeans and regular tops to try on. Luckily, Polly knew what girls wear. I only had to try on a few dresses for restaurants and similar places.
We went directly from shopping to a French restaurant for dinner. Mom and Judith were sitting and waiting for us. They had drinks and small snacks in front of them. I immediately grabbed Mom’s hand and headed toward the Ladies’ Room.
I had to use the bathroom. This time, I did the squat and ignored the possibility that some critter might jump on me and go inside. It was a gross thought but helped me leave some space between me and the seat. I wiped and then washed my hands thoroughly. “Mom, do you have a vampire boyfriend?”
Mom shook her head. “We are very good friends, very good.”
That was it. I turned around and went back into the stall to throw up everything that was in my stomach.