Bewitched
Chapter 8
Oh Lord, I am so happy. CeeCee and Adam are coming back today. CeeCee sent me a letter not too long ago, saying she would be back on the 27th of September. And that was today.
I woke up early and did my daily morning routine, but I dressed up nice today. My mother had went to the tailor's house a few days ago and asked her to make me a new dress, Andy's wishes. When I asked Andy why he wanted me to get a new dress, he simply said, "because you deserve something new, Suze," which made me smile.
This new dress I had was a plain cream color, but it fit my form perfectly. It showed my curves spectacularly and made my bosom seem bigger than it really was. I think I would prefer to have Jesse see me in this than CeeCee and Adam, because maybe it would make him kiss me like that again . . .
I shook my head and continued to get myself ready. By the time I was finished, the sun was almost a sixth of the way to the west, meaning it was roughly seven-thirty.
I finished brushing my hair and then went to go put my shoes on.
After I was finished with everything, I went downstairs and helped my mom prepare the rest of breakfast. We put the food on the table, just as the boys were coming down the stairs to eat and Andy was coming in from the plantation — he's always up extra early on Sundays for town meetings and church.
We let them sit first before we took our seats, and, in turn, they let us take our food first, since my step-brothers had a habit of devouring all the food in one bite each. It was kind of amazing actually.
By the time we were finished eating, it was almost nine o'clock. I helped my mother clean the dishes and prepare the ingredients for lunch. She would watch the food as it was cooking and I could go out and see CeeCee and Adam for the first time in . . . a very long time.
I walked out of my house and walked down the gravel road to where CeeCee's house was. I saw her father outside near the barn grooming his horse, and her brother was gathering the eggs from the hens' nests.
Her father saw me and smiled. "Go right in, Suze. She's just unpacking right now."
I nodded and walked in. I pounded up the steps to her room. I knocked and she said to come in. I walked in, and when she saw me, she squealed in delight. She came over and wrapped her arms around me.
"Oh, my Lord, Suze!" she exclaimed. "I can't believe I'm finally back!"
I smiled. "I know. Me either. I've been so lonely without you guys. And Gina is still with her father over in Dorchester."
CeeCee gasped. "Oh dear . . ." she said. "Have you heard anything about them?"
I shook my head. "She sent me one letter about a month ago, saying that her father survived through the surgery, but I haven't heard anything since."
She sighed. "I wonder how they're doing . . ."
"Me too," I said. Then I shook my head. "We shouldn't be sad today. You have no idea how happy I am that you and Adam are back. I - I have a lot to tell you."
Now, before you start making assumptions, CeeCee, Adam and Gina are not mediators. CeeCee and Adam don't even really believe in ghosts, but Gina does. And I have not told them about my . . . abilities. I don't think they would ever understand if I did.
CeeCee nodded. "All right, then. Let's go get Adam," she said with a smile on her face.
She always smiles when it concerns Adam. I assume you can guess what that means.
- § -
"Suze!" was the last thing I heard before I was tackled by someone who I could only associate as Adam.
He wrapped his arms around me affectionately. "God, Suze, I've missed you so much!" he said. Then he let go. "You have no idea what its like to be with Webb and her family for 3 months straight without someone who has a level head."
CeeCee raised her eyebrow at Adam. Then she proceeded to whack him on the back of the head with her hand.
"Ouch!" he exclaimed and held the spot where CeeCee hit him. "God, Cee, you didn't have to hit that hard!"
She smirked. "I would have hit harder, but I know how much of a weakling you are."
He narrowed his eyes at you. "If I didn't love you like I do, I would definitely have gotten rid of you by now."
CeeCee grinned. She always does when Adam says something like that, even if it is somewhat insulting. It's the fact that he said he loved her that makes her smile.
I wish I had something like that with someone. Someone who I could love with all my heart and vice versa; someone who would risk their life for me if it came down to that; some who would always be there for me; and someone who would be my best friend.
However, considering my current status with men, I'm not so sure that would happen anytime soon.
I was happy for CeeCee and Adam, I really was. I knew for them that it was rare to find love so young in life, because, back in England, some of the higher ranked families picked out their child's significant other, whether or not they were in love with them or not.
Here in the colonies, we were trying to not be like England, so most likely they wouldn't force marriage upon us. Although, I do want to get married, but I really doubt that would happen soon enough for my liking.
Yes, I was happy for them, but I was also jealous. Why couldn't I find that, too? How come I couldn't be as lucky as them?
I sighed resignedly as Adam pulled CeeCee in for a quick kiss. Sure, I was happy for them, but I wished they wouldn't do that in front of me. I don't really fancy seeing my best friends lip-locking. It's not the most intriguing sight in the word, believe me.
CeeCee quickly pulled away, remembering that I was there. I smiled reassuringly at her sheepish grin.
"Sorry, Suze," she said. "I know how you feel about this . . ."
I shook my head. "No, it's all right. Just warn me next time, all right?"
She nodded, still grinning. Adam was just staring at CeeCee's behind while her back was turned away from him.
I let loose a snicker and CeeCee raised her eyebrow questioningly. I shook my head. "Nothing," I said. Adam was looking at me with a smile on his face. He knew why I was laughing.
CeeCee just rolled her eyes. "You two are imbeciles."
Adam grinned. "Yes, but that's precisely why you love us."
She rolled her eyes again. "Ah, yes, that's exactly the reason why I love you two."
We both laughed and exchanged humored glances. When we calmed down our laughter, CeeCee turned to me. "So, Suze, what was it that you needed to tell us?"
The smile quickly dropped off of my face. "Oh," I said. I looked from one to the other. "Um, while you were gone, there have been some very . . . interesting things going on." I sighed. "What do you want first? Good news or bad news?"
CeeCee and Adam looked at me expectantly and answered in unison, "Bad first."
I nodded. "You remember Goody Grace, right?" I asked.
They nodded. "Yes, of course. The nice lady that used to make us supper?"
I nodded again. "Well, she's been convicted of witchcraft . . . and the judges said she's guilty. She . . . she was hanged."
Both of their eyes widened. "No . . ." CeeCee said. "No, they couldn't have!"
"They did," I said quietly. "I was there, at the trial. It was . . . Kelly and Debbie convicted her. They said she poisoned their food all because her daughter was supposedly not as pretty as Kelly was."
"That's a load of horse manure," Adam claimed. "How can they convict of something like that? Surely the judges have more common sense than that."
"You're right, Adam. They didn't believe Kelly for a second, but when the chandelier . . . snapped off the ceiling of the building, they immediately turned to her and asked her if she did that. She said no, of course, and they thought she was lying because she did it. And - and she was s-sentenced to d-death."
I felt the tears welling up in my eyes. I tried not to let them spill, but I failed horribly.
CeeCee came over and put her arms around me. "Oh, Suze, that must have been horrible seeing that, knowing you couldn't do anything about it . . ." Then she gasped. "You didn't go to the hanging, did you?"
I shook my head. "My mother wouldn't let me."
"Good," she said. "I don't think you have been able to bare that. Oh, God, Suze, I'm so sorry . . ."
I untangled myself from her. "No, don't be sorry. You did nothing wrong and you shouldn't have to be sorry about it."
She nodded. "Now what's the good news, Suze?" Adam asked.
I managed a smile. "There's a new man in town. He moved here from Virginia."
CeeCee raised her eyebrows. "Virginia? Really?"
I nodded. "His name's Paul. We . . . we're acquaintances. He's nice . . . and very handsome."
CeeCee grinned. "Maybe we've found someone for you after all."
- § -
After supper, I was helping my mother clean up, when I heard a sharp rap on the front door. "I'll go see who it is," I said to my mother. She nodded and went to the front of the house.
I opened the door to see CeeCee there, looking completely frazzled.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
She was out of breath. "There's . . . there's been a . . . another one," she panted.
I looked at her confusedly. "Another what?"
She looked me dead in the eyes and I felt a chill run down my spine. "Another accusation."
