The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic

by Breanne Randall

special things were meant to be used and treasured instead of simply stared at.

there’s a difference between being happy and being fulfilled. Happiness you feel in your skin. Fulfillment you feel in your bones.”

Her mother wanted to be a family: that much was clear, though Sadie doubted she’d ever say it. But what was family other than blood? It was time and love and memories. It was arguments and forgiveness and compromise. Her thoughts drifted unwillingly toward Jake.

“Our family is royally screwed up.” Sadie sighed. “That may be,” Florence agreed with a nod, “but honey, that’s what family is. Every family is messed up in its own way. The drama, the politics of it all, navigating the hurt feelings and the expectations and your place in it all. There are grudges and anger and bitterness, and you say things to your family you’d never say to anyone else because you love them the most, and at the end of the day, you know they’re the ones who will forgive you. You do things for family, things you never thought you’d do.”

She was tired of life happening to her.

Magic wasn’t always spells and curses and charms. Sometimes it was the comfortable silence of a good meal, and smiling eyes that met across the room and spoke more than words.

with Julian,’” her mother quoted softly, “you and your brother would never have been conceived. And I will never, not for a second, regret that vile man coming into my life. Because beauty came from those ashes.”