The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic

by Breanne Randall

The bells were meant to be rung when visitors arrived, as a sign of welcome and gratitude for friendship. Sadie had dipped them in violet-infused water under a full moon, to ensure peace during the visit.

“You know, baby, family is everything. Sometimes they’re awful. And you want nothing more than to cut them out of your life like cancer, but you can’t. Because that kind of loyalty, that kind of dedication, it won’t wash out in the water. It’s in the blood.”

“Sometimes it’s easier to serve than it is to sit.”

And every hour, more people stopped by with flowers and food and words that were meant to bring comfort but usually didn’t, because comfort is an impossible task in the face of fresh grief.

A legacy without love ain’t worth a damn, sugar.’”