October 2020

Candle- Practical Magic

"Okay, open your eyes." Toby did as she was told, and when Sally removed her hands Toby saw the birthday cake in front of her. The girls had obviously helped decorate it, because it was lumpy and covered in sprinkles, but that made it the best birthday cake Toby had ever had.
"Blow out your candles, Toby," Antonia said. She was very eager to dig into the chocolate cake. Toby closed her eyes and took a big breath, than blew out the ten candles barely standing in the lumps of frosting.
"What'd you wish for?" Kylie asked, also eyeing the cake.
"You know she can't tell you that," Sally reprimanded, picking off the candles so she could cut into the cake. "It won't come true if she does."
"I know," Kylie whispered. Sally silently cut into the cake, making sure to give Toby the biggest piece, and letting the girls have the slices with the most icing.
"Which present was your favorite?" Antonia asked, once her mouth was full of chocolate. Sally made a face at her.
"I think it was... the necklace." The girls (in some combination with their mother, she was sure) had made Toby a horseshoe necklace, because, "she's a cowgirl and it will keep her safe." It was one of the most thoughtful gifts she had ever received. Of course, the matching ring from Sally, given in private with an accompanying declaration of love that wasn't quite a proposal, probably topped it. Sally had also gotten her two new hats, so she could have something else to open in front of the girls. The typical black pointed witches hat, which the Owen's women only wore to appease the townspeople on Halloween, currently sat on top of her head as she ate her birthday cake.
"Mom," Kylie asked, rather seriously. "Is anything bad going to happen to Toby?"
"What makes you ask that," Sally wondered, concerned.
"Well, she's not a boy, so that means the curse can't hurt her, right?" Sally looked over to Toby, and Toby raised her eyebrows, waiting for her answer.
"I guess you're right, baby. No man means no curse."
"I told you I'm the best thing that's ever happened to you," Toby joked.