Page 84 of All My Witches
Something occurred to me and I leaned forward. I had an idea. It might not work, of course, but if it did we might be able to go through the rest of the story on fast forward. That’s what we all wanted. Well, except for AuntTillie.
Still, if I gave her the proper opening she’d most likely take advantage ofit.
“We simply want you to tell the truth, Aunt Tillie.” I fought to contain my smirk when I saw the keen light enter her eyes. “I want the truth!” I yelled, gathering my courage. That was all it took to spur her toaction.
“You can’t handle the truth!” Aunt Tillie barked, hopping to herfeet.
“And here we go.” Landon smacked his hand to his forehead. “You knew exactly how to baither.”
“Idid.”
“That must be why you’re the leading lady,” Thistle groused, crossing her arms over her chest as she threw herself on the wooden bench. “I hate this world. I want to gohome.”
“We just have to listen to a speech first.” I gestured toward Aunt Tillie. “Hitit.”
Aunt Tillie ignored my sarcasm and strolled to the center of the courtroom so she’d be certain to be the center ofattention.
“I’m going to tell you the truth,” she announced. “I’m going to say it, and you’re going to have no choice but to believeit.”
“How long do you think this will take?” Landon asked, glancing at the clock on thewall.
“Whoknows.”
“I’m considering taking anap.”
I grinned. “That sounds like a goodidea.”
“Wake me when it’s over.” Landon leaned back and closed his eyes, something I’m sure irritated Aunt Tillie to no end. She refused to acknowledge his attitude, though. She had the floor, and there was no way she was going to cedeit.
“The truth is, I’m better than all of you.” Aunt Tillie added a bit of swish to her hips as she stalked back and forth in front of the wooden bench where we sat. “I’m better than you.” She pointed at Sam. “I’m better than you.” She pointed at Thistle. “I’m definitely better than you.” She used her middle finger to point at Aunt Willa. “I am the queen of the world, ladies andgentlemen.”
“Oh, this is such crap,” Thistle complained loud enough to draw Aunt Tillie’s attention. “Is this really what you’ve been building toward all night? This is what you want? You want to take the stage in front of all of us and force us to listen to yourcrap?”
“That’s exactly what Iwant.”
“Well, fine.” Thistle threw up her hands. “Have at it. But remember, however long you make us sit here, I’m going to make you do something you hate for twice as long. I don’t know what that is yet, but I’ll make it my life’s mission to terrorize you. That’s my solemnvow.”
Aunt Tillie snorted. “Yes, that wasterrifying.”
“Let her finish her speech,” Clove ordered. “She won’t let us escape until she gets what she wants. I don’t know about you, but all I care about is getting out ofhere.”
“That’s like letting her win, though,” Thistle complained. “I don’t want to let herwin.”
“She’s already won,” I pointed out. “We’re at the end. She’s going to get to make her speech no matter what. We have to let her doit.”
“But … .” Thistle wasn’t one to give up. Conceding went against her verynature.
“We have no choice,” Landon said. “Let her get whatever she wants to off her chest. The sooner she does, the sooner we’ll wake up in our own beds … er, at least the inn’sbeds.”
“Fine.” Thistle was furious, but she did as instructed. “I’m going to make you pay, old lady. Just rememberthat.”
Aunt Tillie wasn’t bothered. “Now, where wasI?”
“You’re better than everyone,” Aunt Willaprodded.
“Thank you, Ms. Doodyhead.” Aunt Tillie beamed. “So, that’s right. I’m better than everyone. I’m smarter than everyone. Whenever you think you’re smarter than me, you should know it’s not true. It can’t be true, because I’m clearly smarter than you. Heck, I’m smarter than all of youcombined.”
Her voice turned to a drone as I rested my head against Landon’s shoulder. “I’mtired.”
