Womby's School for Wayward Witches Series, #6-10

by Sarina Dorie

She wore my mom’s Kiss Me, I’m Irish apron while my mom instructed her in pie making. Chase towered over my petite fairy godmother, her brilliant orchid hair making the auburn of my mom’s appear dull by comparison. Even when my mom made us all kale smoothies for breakfast, Chase said, “I’ve never had so many good foods in my life!” The other girls sipped their smoothies without protest, but they weren’t quite as enthusiastic. I could tell Imani was trying hard not to retch. Kale wasn’t my favorite either. “It’s still better than school food,” Hailey said. “I love kale,” Chase said. “My mom used to make me kale smoothies all the time! She used to grow it in her garden.” I wondered if her mom had used magic in her smoothies to make her complacent. “You’re so good with herbs in Grandmother Bluehorse’s classes, I always assumed you were Amni Plandai, not Elementia.” I said. “My mom is. Was.” Chase pushed her half-finished drink aside, her smile fading. “She had an affinity with herbs.” No one spoke. The other girls sat around the breakfast table, eyes downcast. As usual, I had said the wrong thing. Mom placed her hand on Chase’s shoulder. “When did it happen, dear?” “Last year in the spring. The farm is out past Lachlan Falls. When the house caught fire, she got out okay, but she didn’t want to leave the goats to burn in the barn, and she ran in after them. The roof collapsed on her.” She covered her face and sobbed. “I didn’t even know it had happened until two weeks later be...