Back inside the Cauldron, Violet was busy taking orders and serving food. Fridays were always crazy, but this one kept every table and seat filled. Tomorrow though the special would be prime rib with a baked potato and green beans-- Hunter's favorite. It was Celeste's way of honoring her best friend's dad. The entire Thorn clan would come and enjoy it, as always.
Violet worked tirelessly until three o'clock. She lamented leaving before Aiden's shift started, but she quickly folded her apron into her locker and grabbed her purse. Celeste was there outside the metal door. Her arms were crossed over her yellow tiedyed tank top with her keys jingling in her right hand.
"Need a ride?" Asked Celeste. She always seemed to know what Violet was thinking; she had ever since junior high.
"At least until my jeep is fixed, but shouldn't you be running the kitchen?" Violet countered.
"Mike's not that bad a cook and where's the fun in being the boss if you can't play hooky from time to time?" Celeste laughed. "Besides, Selphie let her permit expire last month and she doesn't want Dad to know."
"So, you're being the helpful big sister today."
"Considering you toted a huge box of books across town on foot, I think both of us are a little too nice."Celeste led Violet over to an orange sedan. They climbed in the car.
"Henry?" Violet clicked her seat belt.
"Dad told me when he got back from his delivery." Answered Celeste. She turned the ignition switch and entered traffic. "He said Elizabeth will be spending alot of time in the Archive for the next few months."
"I'll ask her when I get home." Violet sank into the seat. Part of her didn't want to know and part of her was glad Elizabeth would be getting out of the house. . . if only to spend hours in the dusty library. . . That the Mayor had consistently delayed repairs on for the last two years; Suddenly, Violet was more concerned about the mysterious projects her crippled little sister was getting ready to undertake than her self imposed hermitage. Violet was going to have a long talk with Mayor Rosa later.
"So, do you think Edith will take a walk in?" Asked Celeste. Violet snapped back from her worries about the library as they turned into the parking lot.
"She should. You thinking about donating blood?" Violet asked. They got walk to the glass door on the old brink building. Purple and yellow pansies decorated the side walk in the front. The door opened and an blonde nurse took them on back. Her hair was put up in a bun and she smiled sweetly at them.
"Somethings never change, do they?" The nurse said. Edith was just starting to get strands of white in her hair. Nearly fifteen years ago, she almost became Violet's stepmother . . . Or had been the closest to becoming Hunter's second wife anyway. Hunter had never been much of a romantic even before his wife left and his daughters had been given whatever time the Guild allowed him. Violet regretted the relationship hadn't worked out, but the Thorns lived in a world of supernatural horrors and Edith refused to believe in such things. Ironically though, Edith was also the daughter of a hunter, she just never acknowledged it or didn't know. It was hard to tell. "Celeste and Violet. Hardly ever see one without the other."
"To be fair, I miss her Dad too. I decided to invite myself on her tradition this year." Celeste added as they filled out the paperwork. Violet quickly finished hers. She remembered how Edith had changed how her family acted around company. For a brief time, Violet thought her father would leave the Guild for Edith. He didn't wanted to take away her peace of mind and had tried to ease her into their world, however even with undeniable evidence or a creature staring her in the face Edith refused to believe. " I can't believe it's been ten years."
"Me either. I miss him and his crazy stories of monsters." Edith sighed. That was what had ended it, though she had remained friends with Hunter. She had even bandaged him up afew times, often more concerned over his claims than the actual wounds. Edith worried about him up until the end. She had been there the day after he died with pasta, pound cakes and all of their favorite foods. She had even organized Violet's welcome home party when she returned from her last tour in Iraq. "Come on, girls. I've got two chairs already set up."
"So, Edith, I haven't seen you at the Cauldron in a while. Is everything okay?" Asked Violet. The young women sat down in the blue vinyl chairs as Edith tied a turnacut around their forearms. Skillfully, she stuck the needle into Violet's vein; the younger woman winced and blood began to flow into a glass vial.
"We have a new watchman. He's always late, but I can't be too mad at him." Edith confessed. She then did Celeste's arm and bright red blood began flowing in another vial before changing Violet's. "His wife just had twins. Even the bags under his eyes have bags everytime I see him. Can I get you ladies any frosty sodas?"
"Yes. Anything not diet." Violet answered. She glanced at Celeste as Edith left to get them some drinks. "You know you're not getting out of training for the charity run, right?"
"I know. Can we at least push back the practice run to ten?" Celeste asked. She sank into the chair. "Dad and Selphie should be able to handle the last bit of the breakfast rush by then."
"Alright. But I'm buying us ice cream after this." Violet smirked. She remembered how Andra always rewarded them with an ice cream sundae every Friday.
Celeste laughed. "Not going to argue with you on that. But I want to check on my Mom's wreath and make sure it's still in tack. Based on what Mike said happened last night, we might need to start testing old wards throughout town."