The Memory Witch (4 page)

My fury with Tanner dissipated as swiftly as it had arrived. I imagined my reaction to the announcement that he would be gone from my life for a year and how devastated I would be. I also felt like I had painted Tanner as this evolved and perfect boyfriend in my head. In all honesty, he was an eighteen-year-old boy who simply wanted to have sex with his girlfriend. After a year of a string of “nos,” he had been anticipating the moment we took things to the next level.

Maybe it would be best to end things now with him. Another year would probably be too much to ask of him. Despite his flaws though, I loved him and saying goodbye to that relationship was something I wasn’t ready to do.

Instead of worrying about Tanner, Stella, and my year away, I snuggled into my comforter. I closed my eyes and prayed for a dreamless sleep.

“Quinn! You have a delivery!”

My mother’s clear voice rang through my head. I opened my eyes and blinked at the sunlight streaming through my sheer curtains. I glanced at the clock and was shocked to see it was after ten-thirty. I was sleeping away not only my eighteenth birthday, but also my last day in Harveys Lake.

I bounded down the steps and saw my mother bringing in a large bouquet of red roses. They were arranged in a vase with baby’s breath and a large cream bow on the front. The flowers were Tanner’s act of contrition for being such a selfish jerk the night before.

“Thanks,” I replied and took the bouquet from her hands. I set it upon the kitchen table and removed the card. Following Tanner’s apology and birthday wishes was a note inviting me over to his house today to celebrate my birthday.

“Happy Birthday, honey,” my mother said walking up behind me and engulfing me in her warm embrace.

“Thank you,” I answered. I gestured to the flowers. “Tanner wants me to come over to his house at three. Is it okay?”

“Of course. Stella will be here at seven to pick you up, so just be back by then,” she instructed.

“She was serious about not allowing me to take my car? Will I be allowed to come home to visit?” I was genuinely trying to make the best of this situation for the sake of my mother, but it was becoming exceedingly difficult. At each juncture, another curveball was flung at me and I was struggling to keep up.

“No, you won’t be able to leave her estate for the year.” My mother failed to meet my eyes and instead busied herself with arranging my flowers. After the flowers were displayed to her liking, she pulled at a thread on the hem of her dark green skirt.

“So, basically I’m a prisoner?”

“Stella has learned her craft over the course of decades. Her reasoning behind keeping you isolated is that you need to learn every thing within the span of a year,” my mother said.

“I just have to keep repeating to myself, it’s only one year, it’s only one year,” I said when I noticed her torn expression.

“That’s the best attitude to have. Stella may be old, but she’s formidable. I wouldn’t test her patience too much. Just go along with whatever she has to say and then in July of next year, you’ll be back home where you belong.”

I smiled hesitantly and nodded. A year didn’t sound long, but a lot of things could change in a year. First off, I had no idea what to expect at Stella’s. I couldn’t imagine what my tutelage would involve and that scared me more than anything. I’ve never studied the occult and had no idea the type of spells a witch could cast. Maybe a year working under a witch would change me irrevocably and I wouldn’t be able to resume my normal life.

I wished Tanner would be there for support throughout it all, but I had no illusions over the hardships our relationship would face. Who knew if my high school romance with Tanner could survive with limited contact? Going away to college was going to be a struggle enough. Did we love each other enough to be able to reunite after a year apart?

“Stop worrying and enjoy your day. No daughter of mine is going to spend her eighteenth birthday moping.” My mother had put on her no nonsense voice and sent me a measured look.

“Agreed,” I replied. “I’m going to live up my day since this may be the last chance to have fun in a long time.”

***

“How can you leave me alone, Quinn? I’m going to spend the summer alone, babysitting those two jokers,” my best friend Amber whined and sent me a forlorn look.

Tanner had thrown me an impromptu farewell/birthday party. Mark and Amber along with about a half-dozen of our other friends were hanging out on the Black’s expansive deck. Tanner and Mark were over by the grill trying to prove their manliness by seeing who could make the best burger. Everyone else was coming up to me and lamenting over my sudden departure for parts unknown. Amber had taken the news the worse.

“It’s not by choice, Amber. I have to go.” I repeated for what seemed like the thousandth time.

“You’re such a good girl, Quinn. You help your mom out by working all the time and now you’re going to live with a grandmother you never even met. Throw in the virgin thing and you’re pretty much destined for sainthood,” Amber joked.

Although I was trying to have fun, I felt my anxiety worsening the later it got. I wished Tanner hadn’t decided to hold a party. It was hard to keep my spirits up when all I could think about was that I wouldn’t be in my own bed that night.

“Does Tanner have his parent’s liquor cabinet opened?” I questioned.

The query took Amber by surprise. I wasn’t known for drinking. My friends were heavy drinkers and I typically volunteered for designated driver duty by choice. A few sips from Tanner’s beer were typically as wild as I would get at his parties.

“Yes, I just made me and Mark a couple of drinks. Do you want something?”

“I think so. I’m going to grab Tanner and see if he wants a drink. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes,” I said and rose from the patio chair. I slinked behind Tanner and grabbed the spatula out of his hand and gave it to Mark. “I’m stealing my boyfriend for a couple of minutes.”

Tanner shrugged at Mark and followed me as I pulled him into his house. I led him to the rear of the house. The Blacks had a wing of their home exclusively for entertaining. The bar area had marble countertops and a half dozen bar stools lined up against it. Unlike the art deco posters we had plastered at my house, the walls of the Black household were covered with original pieces. Tanner said that his parents kept the bar stocked with only top shelf liquor and pricey bottles of wine. He was certain his parents didn’t suspect he watered down the liquor to fill the bottles after one of his parties.

“Pour us a drink,” I commanded and scooted onto one of the bar stools.

He grinned. “Planning to get drunk on your birthday?”

“Well, I only have until seven, so make me something strong,” I replied.

“How about a shot?”

“Sure, whatever,” I agreed. He could have been offering me rubbing alcohol and I would be game at that point.

He poured an amber colored liquid into two double shot glasses. I shuddered as I looked at the amount of alcohol in the glass. I recoiled when I saw the bottle was Jack Daniels. I should have requested something a little less hardcore.

Tanner handed me the shot and we clinked glasses. I cringed as I brought the glass to my lips and took a hesitant sip. As the alcohol burned my throat, I began to sputter and barely managed to keep the drink down. Tanner laughed and began to pat me on the back as I settled into a coughing fit.

“Babe, you just gulp it down. You don’t sip it like you’re at afternoon tea,” he teased.

I glared at him and grabbed the glass again once my coughing subsided. I swallowed the rest of the shot in a single long sip. “Ugh,” I said with a rapid shake of my head.

Moving back behind the bar, he pulled out a tumbler. He mixed together a drink and then handed a crimson concoction to me. “What is it?” I inquired.

“Vodka and cranberry. Probably more of your speed instead of shots of Jack,” he explained. Walking over to me, he cupped my face in his hands. “I’m sorry again about last night. I just can’t picture not seeing your beautiful face every day.”

It was hard to not feel flattered when Tanner laid on the charm. Maybe I was hasty in deciding that things wouldn’t be able to work out between them. Wasn’t love supposed to conquer all?

Tanner situated his body between my knees while I still sat on the barstool. I leaned into him and rubbed my hand across the small amount of blond scruff on his cheek. His eyes darkened with desire and he covered my mouth with his. Instead of tensing up, I felt swept away by the raw emotion of the moment. I gripped the back of his head and deepened the kiss. Hurriedly I kissed him with the knowledge this would be one of our last kisses for a long time.

He jerked away as he heard the backdoor open and Amber’s voice call out. “Quinn, where the hell are you? The guest of honor isn’t allowed to disappear for the entire time.”

Amber marched into the bar area and placed her arm through mine. Tanner made a sound of protest as she pulled me out of the room. I turned to face Tanner and gave him an apologetic smirk. He shook his head in mock anger and motioned me away. As Amber led me back to the party, I began to guzzle down my drink.

***

“Quinn, I should’ve known you would be a lightweight. I can’t believe I’m bringing you home like this. Your mom is going to kill me,” Tanner muttered as he sped through Harveys Lake.

My intoxication had led me to lose track of time. Not only would my drunkenness be a strike against me, but the fact that I was almost an hour late as well. I had stopped caring about two drinks earlier.

My fingers caressed Tanner’s leg as he drove. His jaw was set in a tense line and his knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel. “Let’s not bring up my mom right now.”

As he pulled down my street, I felt myself grow emboldened. I wanted to make these last few minutes to stay in his mind while I was away. At my request, he pulled over his SUV a couple of houses away from my own. He looked over at me and didn’t say a word.

“Are you just going to sit there? Or are you planning to give me a proper goodbye?” I whispered.

That was all the invitation he needed as he climbed over to the passenger seat. We both grew breathless as he rained urgent kisses on my lips and my neck. I kissed him back and grazed his strong back with my fingertips. His hands reached under my shirt and I felt an ache as he caressed me. Before I could think about how far I was really going to go with Tanner in his car, I felt his left hand begin to undo the buttons on my shirt. I ran my hand over the waistband of his jeans, a move that had him moaning softly into my mouth.

We both froze as an urgent knock sounded on the glass of his car. My mother’s voice was unmistakable as she called out, “Tanner Black, if you don’t get my daughter out of your car right now, I swear to God, I’ll be taking a baseball bat to your Range Rover.”

My mother’s fury had an instant sobering effect on Tanner. I was still feeling loopy as I hastily straightened out my shirt. Tanner returned to his seat and gave me a beseeching look. I shrugged and gave him a gentle kiss. “I love you. I’ll call you when I can.”

“I love you too,” he said softly. I exited the car where my mother was waiting with her arms crossed.

She shot Tanner a deathly stare. “Don’t think I’m going to forget about this. You have some nerve pawing my daughter in front of my house. Especially after not bringing her home the other night.”

“I’m really sorry…” Tanner began.

“Goodbye, Tanner.” My mother’s tone left no room for rebuttal. Before I knew it, she was leading me away from his truck and towards our house. I waved to Tanner and watched despondent as he drove away. My mother forced my attention back to her.

With frantic movements, she attempted to smooth out my hair that had turned into a frazzled mess due to my impromptu make-out session. “They have been here over an hour waiting for you! I warned you this morning to not cross her. Stella could make that boy of yours infertile with a snap of her fingers.” She exemplified her point by snapping her fingers and glaring at me.

“You told me to have fun,” I reminded her. Although I was making a concentrated effort to walk straight and speak coherently, I had a feeling I was failing miserably. My mother turned to me with sharpened features.

“Quinn Jacobs, have you been drinking?”

“Yes.” It didn’t matter at this point what I admitted to. No punishment could be worse than the one I was facing now.

My mother shot me daggers as she opened the front door. I was slow on the uptake, but finally managed to realize what she had said. “Wait a minute…they?”