A/N: Sorry for the delay…I had hoped to be so much further along by the end of the Halloween Bash but unfortunately I got covid and all my plans went down the drain. I'm better now and while this chapter has been an incredible pain, I'm ready to get back into the swing of things!

Chapter 2

The next afternoon, Johanna shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket, shivering a little as a crisp breeze blew across her face. Last night's storm had left a nip in the air; one she wasn't enjoying as she lagged behind her friends, looking over a few items at a craft booth. She wasn't one of those people who welcomed the change of summer into autumn. She hated that the days grew shorter, darkness arriving earlier, making her feel as though she was deprived of sunlight while cooped up in the office. She didn't like the grey clouds…or the wild swings in weather where the mornings were cold and she dressed warmly only to end up being too warm in the afternoon when the temperature rose. She didn't like having the windows closed…didn't like the odd quiet eeriness of autumn air. Johanna shivered once more…it just wasn't her season. She was a summer type of girl; liked her windows open, liked it still being light outside late into the evening, preferred her sandals and not worrying about where she put her coat. No, autumn wasn't her thing except for enjoying the colorful leaves on the trees.

Johanna pushed back a lock of hair that the breeze had blown across her face and then shoved her hand back into her pocket, wishing that she had stayed home and played with Spooky as her friends seemed to be absorbed in their own thoughts today. It was a bit of a quiet outing…odd feeling to say the least but she didn't dare voice the opinion aloud. Her thoughts drifted to her husband and she wondered if Jim was having a better time than she was. They had both agreed that they needed space and time with their friends today…but she missed him anyway. She missed Jim and she missed the kitten that she had spent the morning cuddling and playing with after a quick run to the store; she hoped Spooky was doing alright by herself while they were out…at least she was much safer in the apartment than abandoned on the street. She stepped closer to the items on display; the festival was nice but still, she'd rather be home, cozy and warm with her kitten and her husband. She frowned a little; for someone who had thought space would be a good idea, she sure was missing Jim. Was she losing her sense of self now that she was married? Was that why she missed him so easily today…or was it that she felt lonely since her friends didn't seem to be themselves today? Whatever the case, she wished she had stayed home.

"What's the problem, Johanna?" Sharon asked as she stepped up next to her.

Johanna shook her head. "Nothing, why?"

"You've been brooding."

Her brow knitted with offense. "I have not!"

"You have to; you've barely said anything all day."

"Neither have you or Maggie," she remarked. "It kind of makes for a dull day."

Sharon scoffed. "You're just pining for Jim because he's the only one who gives you constant attention."

"I don't need constant attention," Johanna replied. "I'm just not having a good time, that's all. You two are off in your own worlds and I'm cold and bored, wishing I would've stayed home with my kitten."

"I don't think you should get too attached to that kitten, Jo," Maggie said gently. "Jim may be right and you won't be able to keep it."

"That doesn't mean I can't enjoy her while I have her," she told her. "Why is everyone so against me loving a little kitten?"

"I'm not against it," Maggie replied. "I'm just saying, if you get so attached so quickly; it'll be hard for you to give her up…and it'll be hard on her too. You might want to stay a little detached from her."

"Why don't you just take it to a shelter?" Sharon asked. "You're not supposed to have a pet so why would you set yourself up for trouble? Do yourself a favor and get rid of it."

"I took her in because she was abandoned," Johanna retorted. "If I eventually have to give her up, then I will find her a proper home where I know she'll be loved and taken care of…I'm not taking her to a damn shelter and that's the end of it."

"You're awful touchy today," Sharon stated.

"How can you say that when you said I hadn't said much all day?" Johanna asked. "What's going on with you?"

"Nothing; just got things on my mind, and no I don't want to discuss it right now."

"Okay. Maggie, what's your issue today?"

Maggie shook her head. "Nothing…I mean…well…I guess I have things on my mind too but we'll discuss them another time."

Johanna nodded. "Let's just call it a day and head home; apparently none of us are in the mood for this. Next time, let's figure that out before we get in the car."

"Nobody forced you to get in the car," Sharon remarked.

"I didn't say anyone did…I just said, next time maybe we should just figure out if we really want to go or not before we leave."

"I think you're just afraid to crawl out of that honeymoon bubble," her secretary remarked. "It's been two months, haven't the two of you gotten enough of each other yet?"

Johanna favored her with a sharp look. "Jim is out with his friends…which you should know since your husband is one of the people he's with. I don't have an issue being away from my husband. I'm just bored and cold and you two haven't been much fun to be with so I'd rather be home reading a book or watching something on TV."

"If you had stayed home, Jim probably would have too…you two have been joined at the hip ever since you came back from Hawaii."

"We have not!" she exclaimed. "I was out shopping with my sister last weekend; he was with his brother at a game the other evening. I've been to my parents without him, not to mention other things we've done separately…not that I need to explain myself to you. I'm sorry we enjoy our marriage; considering you have your own, I didn't think you'd have reason to be jealous."

Sharon scoffed. "Believe me, I'm not jealous of anything you have."

"You know, Sharon, ever since you married Phil, you've turned into a snob," Johanna shot back.

"You're the prissy one," her secretary shot back.

"Girls!" Maggie exclaimed. "Can we not do this? I have a hangover and listening to you two bicker isn't helping my head. My God, why are the two of you still friends? You've clearly outgrown each other; kick each other to the curb and move on."

"Hard to do when she's my secretary," Johanna commented.

"Fire her!" Maggie exclaimed. "Just fire her. She'll be fine."

"Thanks a lot, Maggie!" Sharon retorted. "How can you tell her to fire me!?"

"Because she's right; you have turned into a snob! You have to nitpick everyone and everything, especially when it comes to people's relationships. People get tired of it, Sharon…and Jo, you and Jim are a little extra…shall we say, lovey dovey, but I know, you're newlyweds and I overlook it because I know you've overlooked a lot of other people's post honeymoon love bubble glow so I figure someone owes you that favor in return…but you know, maybe you could have lunch with your friends once in awhile and you two don't need to kiss each other goodbye every time you see each other in the breakroom…I mean come on, you live with him, you work with him, you're in the same car on the way to work and back home, I think you can save it for the car. You two are all about each other right now and I get it…but maybe it's time to tone it down…and maybe it's time for you and Sharon to quit calling yourselves friends when you don't exactly seem to be friends anymore."

Johanna shifted awkwardly on her feet, blinking back the sting of tears that Maggie's sharp comments had elicited. Maybe she needed new friends…or maybe she didn't need any at all since apparently they didn't like anything she said or did or the fact that she was happy to be married. "I'm going to head home," she remarked. "You two have a nice afternoon."

"How are you going to get home when I'm the one who drove us here?" Sharon asked.

"I'll walk," Johanna said as she turned away from them.

"It's a hell of a long walk, Jo," the secretary called after her.

For some reason the sound of her nickname on Sharon's lips bothered her…and not for the first time. It was always something in the way she said it…something that made her defenses rise, waiting for an insult or to be demeaned. "Don't call me that," she said sharply as she turned to face her.

Sharon eyed her oddly. "What are you talking about? I've always called you Jo."

"I don't like it," she retorted.

"Everybody calls you Jo! Jim calls you Jo more than he calls you by your given name."

"That's different," Johanna replied; although why she wasn't entirely sure. "My name is Johanna."

"I know what the hell your name is, Jo."

"Johanna," she snapped.

Sharon rolled her eyes. "Fine, Johanna," she said, drawing out each syllable of the name. "Since when do you have a problem with your nickname?"

"I don't have a problem with it…I just don't like when you say it."

"Meaning what!?"

"Oh my God," Maggie said. "My head might literally explode. Call her by her birthname, Sharon. I don't care if it doesn't make sense or not but today she doesn't want to be a Jo, she wants to be Johanna, so just call her by the damn name her mother gave her."

Sharon smirked at Maggie. "Should I call you Margaret?"

"Only if you want to eat your teeth," Maggie answered. "Jo…I mean, Johanna, come on, you can't walk home from here. Let's just walk around a little more."

"What for?" Johanna asked. "No one wants to go on the rides…."

"I would throw up on you," Maggie told her. "I hate to say it, but it's true…I'm in no shape for carnival rides today."

"Carnival rides are for kids anyway," Sharon stated. "Some of us have grown up."

"We know, Sharon," Johanna remarked. "You grew up into the prude Phil wants you to be; we're so proud of you for achieving your goal."

"That's better than being a big baby," Sharon shot back.

"No more fighting!" Maggie demanded. "No more."

"We could get something to eat," Johanna suggested. "They have plenty of food booths."

Sharon shook her head. "No, my stomach is upset, I don't want the greasy food they have here."

"Me neither," Maggie replied. "I don't think it would make me feel any better."

Johanna sighed. "You know, it wasn't my idea to come to this festival…I'm not one of those crazy about fall type of people anyway."

"No one said it was your idea," Maggie stated. "It was Sharon's…but the point is, no one feels like eating. If you want to eat, I'll sit with you but please order something that doesn't have a strong smell."

She shook her head. "I'll eat when I go home. The last thing I need is being accused of eating a French fry that made one of you sick. Can't we just leave?"

"No," Maggie declared. "We haven't had fun yet. We didn't have fun while we were shopping and we haven't had fun here yet."

"We're not going to," Johanna remarked. "Quite frankly, after the little critique session, I don't really want to have fun with either one of you."

"I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings," Maggie replied.

"Oh everything hurts her feelings," Sharon said sharply. "If you tell her the sun is shining in the wrong tone of voice it hurts her feelings."

Johanna gave a slight shake of her head before turning and walking in the opposite direction. Why was it that she was always thought of as the one with the problem? She really didn't think marriage had changed her…she and Jim had always been affectionate with each other…they'd kissed in the breakroom more times that she could count and that was before she had walked down the aisle. Apparently it was an issue though, so she'd tell Jim that if he wanted to kiss her during a break, they'd have to retreat to the car or behind the closed door of his office. This day was so far from what she had hoped it would be, leaving her with that feeling of being on a different page than her friends. Something was off in the atmosphere and it didn't feel like it was going to get any better by sticking around.

She moved along at a leisurely pace, not bothering to look back and see if her friends were watching her because she didn't care either way. She breathed deeply, drifting closer to a table that she had passed earlier; stepping closer to take another look at the handmade jewelry on display. She selected a pair of earrings, the thought in mind that she'd put them away as a Christmas gift for Colleen and then with the thought of gifts in mind, she chose a necklace that felt like it was Madelyn's style to away for her as well, knowing that Jim always struggled with picking out gifts for his sister. She paid for the items and took her bag, moving to the next booth and looking over the collection of colorful scarves and trinkets. She chose a bright pink scarf for herself and a pair of soft, black gloves for Jim.

Johanna continued on, browsing at more stalls before stopping and buying herself a soda…figuring she may as well have a drink to take with her on the long walk home. She sighed a little at the thought; with any luck she'd be able to catch a cab somewhere along the way…if not it wouldn't be the first time she'd taken a longer walk home than usual. She stuck a straw through the lid of her cup and took a drink of her soda before turning and nearly colliding with Maggie. "Sorry, I didn't realize someone was behind me," Johanna said as she moved to step away from her.

"Jo," Maggie said; her tone heavy.

"What?" Johanna asked.

"Come on back with us," her friend implored. "I'm sorry I was a bitch."

"I didn't say you were a bitch."

"I know you didn't…but I hear myself and hungover Maggie is a bitch," her friend declared. "I wish I could deny it but I can't…I'm a total bitch."

"You're not," Johanna told her. "But listen, I'm fine on my own. Maybe a girls day isn't what we all needed after all. Maybe we just needed to go do our own things on our own. I'm going to look at a few more tables and then head home."

Maggie shook her head. "No, come back with us. You don't want to walk all the way home."

Really she didn't want to take that walk…but she also wasn't sure she wanted to spend more time with her friends. "Come on, Jo…Johanna," Maggie said, trying to correct herself.

"I don't have a problem with you calling me Jo as always," Johanna replied. "There's just something about the way Sharon says it that just…"

"Makes you want to punch her?"

"Yes," she said with a nod.

"I understand…I have the urge to punch her today but that might be the hangover talking."

"We should've stayed home," Johanna commented.

"Maybe so," Maggie agreed. "But we didn't, so come on back, let's see if we can salvage this thing and find something we can all do together."

"I don't know," she said, her gut telling her that she should just leave but she didn't want to be seen as the bitch of the group.

"Come on, Johanna," Sharon called out from a short distance away.

"Come on," Maggie cajoled. "Things got out of hand but let's just forget it and see what we can salvage of the day, okay?"

"Fine," she sighed, hoping she wasn't making a mistake as she fell into step with Maggie.

"Here's something we can do," Maggie declared as they paused in front of a tent a short while later. "Let's go see the fortune teller."

"May as well," Sharon remarked. "Maybe she can warn us off from future outings."

"What do you think, Jo?" Maggie asked.

She sighed a little, hearing Jim's words ringing in her ears. "I don't know…I don't really believe in that stuff. I mean how can some carnival woman know the future."

"It's just for fun," Sharon retorted. "Don't be a stick in the mud, Johanna."

Johanna rolled her eyes. "Oh come on, Sharon; you know it's a bunch of nonsense. She'll say we're all going to get rich and live happily ever after. Jim says their all frauds…he told me to stay away from it."

Sharon's brow rose. "Oh so you're not going to go because your husband told you not to? I didn't realize you needed his permission for entertainment…seems a bit controlling and that's funny coming from someone who preaches at me that my husband is controlling."

Johanna's eyes narrowed slightly. "My husband doesn't tell me what I can wear to the beach…that's yours. Not to mention all those other wardrobe approvals you seem to need from him…among other things. Jim knows I do what I want. He told me not to go around the fortune teller but he knows I will if I want to."

"Then what's the problem?" her friend taunted. "Are you afraid?"

"Afraid?" Johanna laughed. "Of what? Some weird woman trying to convince us that she knows the future? Come on, we have to pay to go in, do you think she's going to give anyone a bad fortune when she's making money off people coming inside? It's all a bunch of nonsense."

"What if it isn't?" Sharon asked.

"It is…the only way I'd believe she somehow really can tell things about complete strangers is if she'd somehow guess things right about us without any prompting."

"If you're so sure it's all fake then let's go in and see what she says," Sharon replied.

"Yeah, let's go in, it's just for fun," Maggie agreed. "Maybe she will guess some things right about us."

Johanna hesitated as she clutched her bags; Jim wouldn't want her to go…and really she shouldn't just in case she was wrong about the fortune teller giving bad fortunes but she couldn't stay outside like a coward while her friends went inside. "Fine, we'll go in," Johanna said as she dug a dollar from her purse and dropped it into the box on the small table outside of Madame Zelda's tent. Maggie and Sharon followed suit and waited as the man running the table slipped inside the tent to tell the fortune teller that her next customers were there.

They were shown into the tent where a woman dressed like a gypsy sat at a round table, the top of her jet black curly hair covered with a colorful scarf. Her eyes were dark and piercing, her gaze unnerving Johanna as she sat down at the table. The fortune teller's bracelets jangled as she moved aside a deck of cards; never taking her eyes off of them as she did so.

"What brings you ladies to Madame Zelda?" the fortune teller asked.

"We want to hear what the future has in store for us," Maggie stated.

"And are you all believers in Madame Zelda's powers to tell you the future?" she asked.

"All of us except Johanna," Sharon stated with a nod at her friend. "She claims it's a bunch of nonsense and just for entertainment."

Madame Zelda turned her gaze to Johanna. "Is that true?"

Johanna shrugged. "I said it would depend."

"And what would it depend on?"

"If you give me reason to believe," Johanna replied.

Madame Zelda's features turned hard. "I'll give you reason to believe, mark my words."

Johanna couldn't help but smile; the woman was clearly trying to intimidate her with her sharp look and menacing tone. "I guess we'll see about that."

"Oh we will," she declared. "Who would like to be first?"

"Me," Sharon stated. "What does the future hold for me, Madame Zelda?"

Madame Zelda moved her hands over the old crystal ball that set in front of her. "I see a big change coming to you…"

"Is it good or bad?" Sharon asked.

"I suppose that depends on you. I see…I see a small bundle…a baby. I see a baby in the near future."

"Should we get you a pregnancy test on the way home?" Maggie asked.

Sharon smiled a little. "No need for that. I already know I'm pregnant."

Johanna's brow rose. "You are?"

Sharon nodded. "Yes. I found out last week."

"And you didn't tell us?" Maggie asked.

"No, I wasn't ready yet."

"Why?" Johanna asked. "As soon as you got engaged you were telling the world."

"Yes, and you all got jealous…I thought I'd wait a little while before telling you about this. I know how much you've always wanted a baby and I didn't want to put up with the jealousy."

"Jealousy?" Johanna replied. "I wasn't jealous of your engagement and I'm not jealous that you're pregnant. I've made it clear that I'm not looking to have a baby right now so I don't know why you'd think I'd possibly have a problem with your news."

"Because you always do," Sharon stated. "You'll be jealous because I'm having a baby before you."

"No…I would just be happy for you like any friend would be, but thanks for your vote of confidence, Sharon."

"Wow, Sharon," Maggie added. "You think so highly of your friends."

"It's not the only reason I didn't tell," Sharon huffed.

"What's the other reason?" Johanna asked.

"It doesn't matter. I want to hear what else Madame Zelda has to say. Please go on, Madame Zelda."

The fortune teller nodded. "You have big change coming with a baby…and someone close to you isn't sure it's a good thing."

"Johanna?" Sharon asked.

Madame Zelda shook her head, her hoop earrings swaying with the motion. "No…a man…your husband?"

Sharon shifted awkwardly. "Phil was just caught off guard…he'll be happy eventually…won't he?"

"It will take time," Madame Zelda stated.

Sharon sighed a little. "Can you tell me if it's a boy or a girl?"

Madame Zelda moved her hands over the ball once more. "I see a boy; a very strong boy…"

"Clearly she's never met Phil," Maggie whispered, making Johanna laugh.

"Silence!" Madame Zelda demanded. "A strong, handsome boy, very intelligent."

Sharon smiled. "A boy would be perfect. Phil will be happy with a boy. What else can you tell me?"

"You will gain many things in the near future…fortune is on your side."

"Wonderful," Sharon remarked, "Anything about my family?"

"A troublesome relative will go away for awhile, leaving you with much peace."

"That must be my mother-in-law…maybe she's going to stay in Florida longer than planned."

Madame Zelda nodded. "Yes, she will extend her visit."

"Oh good, this will all be so much better with her in Florida."

"Bet she comes home as soon as she finds out your pregnant," Johanna remarked. "She's not going to stay away when a grandchild is on the way."

Sharon cut her a sharp look. "You just have to ruin my hopes, don't you?"

"No, just making a statement."

"Enough about Sharon," Maggie stated. "What about me, Madame Zelda?"

The fortune teller looked at Maggie and then into her crystal ball. "You've had a lot of success professionally recently, correct?"

"Yes," Maggie answered.

Johanna shifted in her seat a little…how could Madame Zelda know that Sharon was pregnant and that Maggie had won a large case earlier in the week?

"You're going to continue to be rewarded professionally," Madame Zelda remarked. "I see a lot of fortune coming to you…you are in your element. I see money…a great deal of money and acknowledgement coming to you."

"That will be great," Maggie remarked. "What about my personal life?"

"I see a vision," Madame Zelda told her. "I see…a man…a man and a ring, a beautiful diamond ring."

"Maybe Jeff's finally going to propose," Sharon declared. "God knows he's been stringing you along long enough."

Maggie's jaw tightened. "For your information, Jeff proposed to me last night."

"He did?" Johanna asked.

"Yes," she said with a nod.

"Where's the ring?" Sharon asked.

"It was kind of a spur of the moment thing," she admitted. "He didn't have a ring…he said he couldn't decide, he wants me to help pick it out. We looked at a jewelry store this morning but we couldn't find one that we felt was right."

"You will find it," Madame Zelda declared. "At the third store…a beautiful diamond."

"Why didn't you say anything about him proposing?" Johanna asked.

Maggie sighed a little. "It was so sudden and unexpected that part of me wonders if he really meant it. We had a few drinks…I mean we weren't drunk when he proposed, we got drunk afterwards…but he was very pensive this morning so I'm wondering if maybe he wants to take it back."

"He doesn't," Madame Zelda. "He wants to marry you and make you happy for the rest of your life."

"He didn't seem so sure this morning," Maggie murmured.

"He fears he can't give you all that you deserve…that is why he can't find the perfect ring."

"But he already gives me what I deserve."

"Then you need to find a way to reassure him of that…but he does want to marry you…and you will marry within the year. It's going to be a big year for you; professionally and personally. Much fortune is in store for you."

"Good to know," Maggie said with a smile. "Your turn, Jo. Let's see what good things are coming to you."

She gave a half hearted smile; wondering why her friends had chosen to leave her in the dark when they would've confided in her any other time…or at least Maggie would have but she figured it didn't really matter.

"You," Madame Zelda said, her tone low and menacing as her dark eyes narrowed into a pointed gaze as she turned toward Johanna. "I have no good fortune for you…you have darkness in your soul."

Johanna laughed. "Oh really? It's news to me."

"How dare you laugh!" Madame Zelda thundered. "We shall see how much you laugh when misfortune begins to find you…and believe me, it will find you and your ugliness."

Johanna's brow rose. "All because I laughed?"

"Not just your laughter…but because you're a non-believer…but I will make you a believer, trust my word on that. You who has no respect for my powers. You will pay. I've put a curse upon your blackened soul! You will know nothing but misery and misfortune in the coming days…in all aspects of your life. Misfortune like you've never known…you'll wish you hadn't laughed when you lose something you hold dear. You will not laugh as the curse takes hold of you; misfortunes piling up around you…all leading up to Halloween night."

"What happens on Halloween night?" Johanna asked.

Madame Zelda's gaze pierced hers. "At the stroke of midnight on Halloween night…you will be no more!"

"What do you mean by that?" Johanna replied, a chill going down her spine.

Madame Zelda smiled. "It means exactly what it sounds like."

"Are you threatening me?" she retorted.

"No; I have no need to threaten you…you're cursed. The curse will take care of you and your disrespect."

"What if I promise not to laugh anymore?"

"Too late for that! The curse is active and in effect…and it will move quickly. You will not know a moment's peace because it will find you in ways you can't imagine. There will be many downfalls coming for you and they will come swiftly."

"Isn't cursing me a little extreme?" Johanna replied. "I mean it seems a bit much. If you really wanted to hurt me you could've said my mother-in-law was moving in with us or something."

"See, there you are, disrespecting my power once more," Madame Zelda stated. "The curse is exactly what you deserve."

"Why do they get good fortunes and I only get cursed?" Johanna asked, feeling slightly uneasy although she kept telling herself that it was ridiculous.

"Because you deserve the curse," she said sharply. "You will be sorry that you doubted Madame Zelda."

Sharon smirked at Johanna. "I always said your mouth would get you in trouble one day."

"Shut up, Sharon," she muttered, trying to shake off the feeling of doom that Zelda had cast upon her.

"Do not be angry with her for your bad aura," Madame Zelda declared. "You've brought it upon yourself and you will suffer!"

"I think I'm done here," Johanna said as she pushed away from the table. "I want my money back."

"No refunds!" Madame Zelda declared. "You paid for the knowledge and you can not change it. The curse is upon you…you'll be a believer."

"Okay," she said with a nod as she tried to shake off the feeling of doom. "Let's go, I'm done now."

Maggie and Sharon got up from the table and followed her outside; Sharon laughing the whole way. "It just figures you'd be the one to be cursed, Johanna. Your mouth always has gotten you in trouble."

"Sharon, the only reason I'm not going to hit you for the next eight or nine months, depending on how far along you are, is because you're pregnant…that is unless you really push me," Johanna remarked.

"Oh come on, what happened to you saying it was all for entertainment and a bunch of nonsense? Are you feeling nervous about your curse?" Sharon asked.

"No, I'm not. Can we just go home now? None of us have enjoyed the day and I'm tired of trying to. I'm ready to go home."

"Yeah, let's go home," Maggie agreed. "I just want to take something for my headache and go to bed."

"Fine, let's go," Sharon replied.

"Thank you," Johanna muttered; wishing for the thousandth time that day that she had just stayed home.

"This is all your fault, Johanna," Sharon stated later on as they stood on the side of the road.

"How is it my fault that you got a flat tire?" she asked.

"Because you're the one who's cursed!" Sharon exclaimed.

"If I am cursed, it's because you're the one who told Zelda what I said!" Johanna yelled. "Thank you so much for that, Sharon."

"She asked!"

"You didn't have to tell her!"

"She'd probably know if I was lying…I mean look at the facts, Jo. You said you'd only believe if she got things right. She knew I was pregnant and she knew Maggie got engaged…you're cursed and now I have to suffer too because it's my car your curse took hold of!"

Johanna glared at her. "I hope your baby's a girl."

"Don't say that! I know Phil will be happier with a son."

"I hope it's twin girls!" she yelled.

"Triplets," Maggie stated. "Let's make it triplets…because thanks to Sharon getting you cursed, I have to walk home with a hangover and I think she needs to be punished."

"I can't walk home," Sharon cried. "I'm pregnant."

"Oh God," Johanna said. "That's all we're going to hear about every single thing until she goes into labor."

Maggie nodded. "Yeah, I have that feeling too…so much for the future looking bright like Zelda claimed."

Johanna scoffed. "At least she said you have a future."

"Nothing's going to happen on Halloween, Jo," Maggie assured. "She just wanted to scare you."

"Maybe she should be scared…looks like the curse has started," Sharon declared. "What are we going to do?"

Johanna sighed deeply. "We're going to walk until we find a phone…and then we're going to call a tow truck for your car and someone to pick us up. Let's go."

"This is just great," Sharon muttered. "Phil's going to love paying for a tow truck and a new tire…especially when he just had those tires put on over the summer. You just had to start being cursed while in my car, Johanna."

"Sharon, you bring up that curse one more time and I'm going to forget you're pregnant and deck you," Johanna told her.

"We really should've stayed him," Maggie stated as they began walking.

Johanna nodded. "Believe me, the next time I'm invited to girls day, I'm not going…because the last thing I need is people getting me cursed…thank you so much, Sharon."

"You brought it on yourself," Sharon shot back.

She fell silent…she had brought it on herself by not listening to Jim…and now, whenever she made it home, she'd have to tell her husband that she was a marked woman living under the dark cloud of a curse. He'd say 'I told you so'…and she was already dreading it.