The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic

by Breanne Randall

“So, what we’re going to do now is enjoy our time together. I’ll have no fussing and no hysterics.” She looked pointedly to Aunt Kay. “Everybody hear me?” They all nodded. Uncle Brian cleared his throat. “Is there a time frame?” he asked, his voice gritty as muscovado sugar. “Whenever the good Lord calls me home. But I’d say sooner rather than later.” Everyone was crying. Jake was squeezing her thigh under the table so hard Sadie was sure it would leave a bruise, but she couldn’t bear to push him away. Instead, she grabbed onto his hand like an anchor and squeezed back. Tava’s tears came out turquoise. Anne was trying to be stoic, but her shoulders were shaking. Raquel’s face was buried in Seth’s shoulder, and he ran a soothing hand over her back, his own tears refusing to fall. And then, in the silence, the television turned on of its own accord and John Wayne’s voice filtered through to the kitchen. “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway,” he said in that trademark twang.