circular staircase

Amethyst, rose, and amber colored crystals shimmered all around Maura. Candles, some tapers others squat flickered in the heavily incensed air. In awe Maura took in the shop’s wondrous treasures. At the cash register, she yelped. Behind the counter, a greasy teen boy in full clown makeup nodded his head toward a velvet curtain without looking up from his phone.

“Hello, I’m here to see Gaia. I have a two o’clock—“ Maura said, stopping at the clerk’s annoyed hand motion.

The velvet curtains parted revealing a door marked Appointments Only. Maura picked her way around the broomsticks and cauldrons. Hesitating before touching the doorknob, Maura crossed her heart and opened the door.

Behind the door sat an exquisitely carved round table, a crystal ball, and a half eaten chicken salad sandwich. Maura looked around and turned to leave. Eating a spicy pickle Gaia walked in from the back.

“You’re early. Merlin was supposed to let me—never mind Merlin he’s as useful as nipples on a bowling ball. Maura, please sit down. You’re here for a bespoke love potion. What can I do you for?” Gaia asked whilst gnawing on the pickle.

Maura sat down nervously. Gaia took a generous bit of her sandwich and pulled a marker from her bun.

“I want what everyone wants in a relationship, I guess. Sense of humor, intelligent, romantic, passionate …”

Maura’s face flushed dusky rose. On the sandwich wrapper in Sharpie Maura could see that Gaia had written: gentleman in the streets/freak in the streets.

“Not just physical attraction. I like what’s inside a person. I’m into art films, true crime podcasts, gourmet cupcakes and curling up on rainy afternoons under cozy blankets,” Maura said.

“Creepy homebody, check,” Gaia mumbled around another bite.

“Um. My perfect guy can have different interests than mine but I’m looking for acceptance. I have lots of plants and a cat or four.”

Gaia raised a pierced eyebrow but continued taking notes. She waved her hand with a dramatic flourish. Salty sweet energy sizzled across Maura’s tongue. A bag of bbq chips appeared next to the witch’s half sandwich.

“Magic comes with a price, are you willing to pay?”

The hair bristled on Maura’s arms. Dread prickled at the edges of her vision. The thoughts of no more lonely days made her heart race. She pushed the doubts away.

“Cash, Zelle, Venmo, eye of newt, what do you take. I got a groupon.”