Page 42 of Cursed
“Oh my.” Mom rushed into the kitchen, eyes wide and a bright smile lifting her lips, her arms outstretched toward me. “You look gorgeous—an angel in disguise.”
Heat flooded my cheeks, and I giggled. “Yeah, that’s the point. It’s a Heaven and Hell themed masquerade.”
She wrapped me in a tight, warm hug, the faintest scent of cigarette smoke tickling my nose. Pulling back, she sniffled. Her eyes shone with unshed tears.
“Mom, if you start bawling, you’ll make me cry and ruin my smoky eyes.”
Beaming, with one hand wrapped around my upper arm, she squeezed. “You’re so beautiful, just like your father. For a moment...” She gave a little shake to her head and peered at my face. “With the light angled the way it is, I can almost see him standing here with you. I wish he could see how smart and kind you are.”
She never held back when she believed something, and I loved her fiercely for it.
“Thank you.” I blinked away hot tears forming at the inner corners of my eyes.
“Do you...” She loosened her hold, dropping her fingers to mine and lifting them up. “Do you remember what your dad used to say when you were little?” A tentative smile danced across her lips.
The soft pang of remembrance settled in and I clenched my eyes shut. “It doesn’t cost anything to be nice. True beauty always starts with kindness.” I could almost imagine him whispering those words into my ear. Bittersweet emotion coiled inside my chest, squeezing, squeezing, squeezing, threatening to drown me in remembrance.
Oh, Daddy.
Her stare softened, and she nodded. “Well, enough of memory lane. The dress looks great. And those wings...” She brushed the tips of the white feathers spread outward behind my back. “They’re so cute. You girls should think about starting your own costume business.”
Tara and I had put more effort into our wings than the masks since we were nearly broke. The premade sets at the Halloween store had been so far over our budget we would’ve had an easier time flying to the moon.
Watching a few DIY videos online, we ended up cutting old wire coat hangers then shaped them into wing outlines. After taping and stapling poster board over the frames, we’d plastered them with feathers. To wear the wings, Tara had come up with the idea of pinning thin cloth ribbons to our bras, over and under our shoulders, to anchor the contraptions to our backs.
“Thanks, Mom.” I shrugged, and the wings bobbed gently. “Not bad for less than twenty bucks, huh?”
“Not at all, hon. If the costume doesn’t get you a boyfriend”—Mom stepped back and grinned—“I don’t know what will.”
“Hey.” Relieved her somber mood had lightened, I still couldn’t stop a tiny spike of annoyance. “I have the rest of my life for that.” An image of Cain flashed in my head. His strange, silvery-blue eyes and strong jaw came to mind.
“I’m sorry. I forget you young people aren’t interested in love before a career.”
I snorted. “We’re still interested, but we don’t let our whole world revolve around finding love.”Liar. Why do you keep thinking about Cain?With a quick smack against myinvisible head, I stuffed my voice of conscience away.
“Your daughter can speak for herself. As for me...” Tara smoothed her skirt then grabbed her purse from the table. “I plan on having a little fun before I shrivel up and die.” She turned to me. “Come on. Let’s go find some demon to dance with.”
I hugged Mom around the neck then kissed her cheek. “Don’t stay up too late waiting on me.”
“Go on, Phoebe.” She returned the kiss then pushed me toward the front door. “You two have fun but be careful. Remember not to take any drinks from people you don’t know, and if you need a ride home, you call me, okay? I remember how college parties can get, especially when someone gets the bright idea to spike the punch.”
My mother. Always so pragmatic. Most parents would admonish and berate us at even the thought of underage drinking, but her? She wanted to make sure we were safe.
“We’ll be careful. I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Giving the doorhandle a gentle tug and closing the door behind me, I followed Tara outside. The cool night air had finally brought the first true taste of crisp autumn with the cool caress of a soft breeze.
A change of season and a little fun is exactly what I need tonight.
