April Witch - REVIEW THIS STORY

Written by Stella
Last updated: 01/02/2007 02:01:11 AM

Chapter 4

Lined ‘em all up an’ touched each one just ta make sure they were real: the wrapper from the pastry, a plastic harmonica in the shape o’ a crawfish, matchbook from “Checkpoint Charlie’s,” a magnet in the shape o’ Louisiana, a paper coaster from a place called “The Dungeon” (that one had a glass stain on it an’ a note askin’ if Ah could hold my liquor as good as always), an’ so the last object didn’t fit. Ah picked it up an’ turned it carefully in my hands so it’d catch the light. Even though it was dark out, the motel curtains were thin enough ta let in some o’ the halogen light from the street.

The box had come that mornin’, well packed. Ah’d thought a lot ‘bout how a girl could get used ta that kind o’ consideration (the harmonica had made me laugh out loud an’ Ah’d made Logan promise ta teach me how ta play), but Ah hadn’t been ready ta see what was inside that last box.

Because it was a serious present. It was a Bobby and Peggy Sue go steady and she wears his ring and his sweater kind o’ present.

Perfume.

But not just any kinda perfume, not just Obsession or Confession or Repression or anythin’ like that. The bottle was red with a small cork stopper, no label. The card at the bottom had explained everythin’ Ah needed ta know ‘bout Bourbon French Parfums, ‘bout how they’d been around since 1843 an’ specialized in custom-blended scents like the one Ah was holdin’. The one Ah’d almost dropped when Ah read what it was.

Luckily, Kitty had been readin’ over my shoulder an’ breathin’ down my neck. Her hand shot out an’ she snapped it outta the air.

“Watch it, Rogue!” she exclaimed. For a few breathless seconds, the bottle teetered on the edge o’ her fingers, but she steadied it an’ held it up ta her face for examination. “This is so totally cool!”

“Ya want it?”

“Uh uh.” Kitty shook her head violently, forcin’ the bottle back into my hands. “No way. It’s all yours. It’s a gift, Rogue. You’re supposed to enjoy it.”

“Ah don’t even know if Ah want it,” Ah mumbled.

“Are you crazy?”

“See? It’s better if you have it.” Ah tried ta make her take it back, but she just phased through my hands. “That’s not fair.”

“What’s wrong, you don’t like the guy anymore?”

“No, that’s not it. It’s just that Ah...”

Kitty’s face softened and Ah just knew Ah was gonna regret whatever she was about ta say. “It’s okay to be scared about a new relationship, Rogue. I know with me and Lance...”

“Ah’m not scared!” Ah felt my face get hot.

She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Look, I’m just trying to give you advice. You don’t have to bite my head off.”

Ah hadn’t smelled it yet. Much as Ah hated ta admit it, Ah was scared. Seemed like Remy was takin’ the thing awfully serious. “This is you,” he’d written on the back o’ the card. Guess Ah’d half-believed he’d never really want ta waste time with someone he couldn’t touch. Ah smoothed my hands across my stomach and swept them up ta my neck. My skin was hot. Ah uncorked the bottle an’ breathed deeply, lettin’ the scent fill my nose.

Spicy like cloves an’ somethin’ sweet too. Maybe jasmine. Ah felt dizzy. Ah took some onto my fingertips an’ rolled it across my skin, over my neck an’ wrists. Closed my eyes an’ imagined Remy’s hands there. Tried ta remember what it’d felt like ta touch him in Genosha. Everythin’ was tumbled. Felt his hands above my knees, skatin’ up my thighs, but that was never him. Felt the fine luxury o’ soft sheets braided ‘round our legs first thing in the mornin’. That was never us. Ah tried ta remember his face and was frightened when Ah couldn’t.

Next mornin’ Ah woke up beside the motel pool with no idea o’ how Ah got there.