Step Three

            The formalwear the witch stuck me with was like wearing carpet, but it was much better than those awful jeans. My change in hair surprised me. At first, I thought she’d been merciful and given me a chance to have a less raggedy cut. Then I noticed how pronounced my ears were and became sure that was the haircut’s intent. No matter, it was still a slight improvement. I felt the silly need to gussy up before I adventured out to find the man to complete step two.

            “So witchy,” I said out loud, patting the potion I tucked away in my pocket. “I’m about to complete your request. What’s next?”

“You’re a cheater,” she sighed into my head.

I nearly laughed. “You never said I couldn’t have a little help.”

“Step Three, obviously, is to conceive a child.”

Well, that would be easy enough.

            I ventured to my go-to place in the hick town. Just as I was coming through the gate, I saw a perfect candidate. I followed him into the restroom building and crept in for a closer look. He was tall and strong and had gorgeous eyes. I knew I’d found him.

            I whipped out the potion and threw it down at his feet. He was about to become one of the luckiest men in the world; he was about to romance Vienna DeMarco.

            A glowing blue fog came between us for a few moments. I could feel my brain being littered with useless facts about the man, Elliot Parr. He was quite the heartbreaker around town, although he was a bit on the nutty side.

            I waved like the close chums we now were and he snarled at me. It was possible he knew exactly what I’d done to him, but I didn’t care much as long as he did his duty.

            To test the waters, I broke into his personal space. He didn’t push me away, so I took the opportunity to whisper in his ear. “I have an idea of how to put those hay bales outside to good use.”

            Then he really did push me a bit.

            “You’re insane!” he shouted. “What did you throw at me?”

“You needn’t be so rude to your best friend! I just thought we could turn the heat up a few notches.”

“I don’t know you! You’re… you’re some kind of freak!”

            Fed up with how I’d given up my floating spirits for a piece of junk potion, I had the nerve to give him a quick slap. Nobody needed to speak to me like that. “I am Vienna DeMarco!”

            Next thing I know, he’s groping me passionately in front of a crowd of festival goers. Maybe getting him angry was the heat he needed? It didn’t matter, just so long as I could get him to give me a baby.

            I marched out to the stacks of hay off to the side of the park. He lingered behind, checking for any curious eyes.

            When the coast was clear, I pleasantly learned that the witch had not taken everything away from me. I still had a particular skillset that I’d spent years perfecting.

            Elliot seemed to enjoy himself well enough. And I felt the best that I had since the curse, striding with pride. Even the thought that I might be pregnant couldn’t harm my mood.

            I parted ways with the man, no longer having use for him, and wandered the park for a bit. I ignored all the stares and glares, knowing that I was one step closer to being better than everyone in that hick town combined. As a memento, I picked another flower before heading back to my shed. It smelled sweeter than the rest.