Page 53 of Big Witch Energy

“And while Mr. Plover and Dad were negotiating, I was just studying ‘ghostly communication skills’ with Riley,” Josh said, slinging a backpack over his shoulder.

“No fair!” Mina huffed.

“Well, I didn’t run a human being down with a small personal motor vehicle,” Josh countered. “So, my work schedule is a little more flexible.”

“Fiiiiine,” she sighed, rolling her eyes. “Can I come over tomorrow, Riley? I have the day off.”

Riley nodded. “Um, sure.”

“And I better get these two home and fed, otherwise, people in authority start making calls.” Ben kissed Caroline quickly, with a casual air that made her heart quiver. Had they arrived there so quickly? These thoughtless gestures of affection?

And then he followed it up with a deeper, longer kiss that made her knees do this weird wobbly jelly thing. When she finally came up for air and managed to focus both eyes, she saw Mina and Josh exchange meaningful looks. But they didn’t seem upset. Caroline chose to see that as a positive sign.

“Elevate that ankle and stay off of it,” Ben told her as he hustled the kids out the door. “I saw you limping.”

“Told you!” Josh crowed as he walked out.

“Spirited, but very polite young people,” Plover announced with approval, smiling after them.

“Hi, everybody! I came as soon as I could close the shop.” Alice came through the front door, all smiles until she took in Riley’s unsettled expression. “Riley, are you OK?”

Riley’s eyes were wide, and she was sinking onto the bottom step. “I don’t know what to do. The kids are always at the house. They don’t ever seem to want to leave. They’re just here. All the time.”

Alice looked to Plover, who shook his head. “Well, if they’re annoying you, just send them back home to Ben. I’m sure he would understand. He’s a loving father, but he’s not one of those ‘smiles beatifically while his children damage valuable items’ fathers.”

“Speaking from shop experience?” Caroline asked. Alice arched a brow and nodded.

Riley threw her hands up. “They’re not being annoying. That’s the thing. They’re actually delightful company. They’re smart. They’re helpful. They clean up after themselves, which I never expected. It’s just…that they want to spend time with me.”

Caroline gasped, all fake indignation. “Those little bastards.” Plover’s gasp was real, so she added, “Sorry, Plover. Just a joke. Look, this is normal, developmentally speaking. They’re seeking you out as a cool older person.”

“And that alone, I find suspect. I don’t know how to handle it!” Riley exclaimed. “I was summarily rejected by pretty much every member of my family, including my mom and…in some instances, my dad, though that was more of a matter of indirect convenience because my half siblings refused to see him if I was around. I don’t know how to handle people who seek my company intentionally. People who aren’t you, Alice, Edison, or a bunch of dead people.”

Caroline tilted her head, staring at Riley, prompting her to exclaim, “They’re calling me ‘Aunt Riley’!”

“I think that’s very sweet,” Caroline told her.

“OK, but what do I do? Everything I learned about intergenerational relationships comes from my extremely unhealthy repressed family dynamic or after-school specials!” Riley exclaimed.

“Riley, they’re just people,” Caroline told her. “Just talk to them like they’re people. Terrifying and incredibly smart people, who will outlive us by about ten, twenty years. I mean, between the two of us, I should probably be more afraid of them. If things progress with Ben, they could just decide they don’t want me around, which is a valid choice. Then, I lose the relationship with Ben and with them. And worse, if they do want me around, I could end up being a stepmom. Oh…oh, wait.” Caroline swallowed heavily and suddenly, giving Riley an imploring look. “That’s terrifying. What if I’m a bad one? Like in one of the fairy tales? I don’t want to end up wearing red-hot iron shoes and dancing at Mina’s wedding.”

“It’s possible you’re getting ahead of yourself,” Alice told her.

“You could also choose not to be an asshole to two innocent children,” Riley added. “That is always an option.”

“I don’t know if people go into those relationships planning to be an asshole, and that’s what so scary about it! What if my intentions are good and I still end up hurting them?” Caroline asked.

“Well, I’m still…undecided about the kids issue,” Riley said. “And I feel unqualified to give you advice, but I guess the best thing I can tell you is that you’re one of the most thoughtful, deliberate people I know. If you approach this relationship, reminding yourself of how much you love Ben and how much you don’t want to hurt them, I think you’ll manage it.”

“It’s not a bad thing, to gather people who like you, especially if you like them in return,” Alice told them both. “Some people might even call that a family.”

“Point taken.” Riley’s lips tilted, and she put her chin on Caroline’s shoulder. Alice patted their shoulders. “Thanks, you two.”

“It’s what we do,” Alice said.

“So, on to less fraught matters. What are our plans for the evening?” Alice asked.

“I think we should break into Clark Graves’s office,” Riley said, reaching into a nearby credenza and pulling out three gray woolen ski masks.

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