Cassie’s Potion, Part Two

Note to the reader. This is the second part of Cassie’s story, Cassie’s Potion.To read part one, click here.

Cassie copied all the names and phone numbers of the folks she met at Stark’s Pub onto a piece of paper. Her heart skipped a beat—ten names—the most potential dates she’d had in years. Her potion worked, just like she thought it would, but she was still impressed with the result, proud of her power. Now she knew how other people felt when her magic helped them.

But now what? Was there any magic to help me sort the names? She considered a clarity potion, a tarot reading, or some other spell that would give her the answer. But each person deserved a chance. She tapped the list of names with her finger. Maybe eeny, meeny, miny, moe?

The little wren who had followed her home hopped onto the table and pecked at the paper. “Hungry?” Cassie asked and pulled a few sunflowers out of the jar on the table. Then she looked at the paper again. The bird had pecked at every single name on the page, one little dent next to each name. That was the sign.

Cassie picked up the phone and started texting. One coffee date at Toast & Eggs with each person. Ten mornings of coffee and conversation. The little wren chirped her approval at either the seeds or her texting; she wasn’t sure.

***

Twelve days later, after all the coffee dates had been held, Cassie had notes on each person. Over the phone with her best friend, Emma, she shared the results.

“How did it go?” Emma asked.

“Well…two never responded, but I did meet eight of them…” Cassie started.

“And?”

“And…well, it was a diverse group, and I hate to judge people after one coffee, and —”

“Spit it out, Cassie,” Emma said. “You’ve got to go on real dates with your favorites. They won’t be waiting around, you know.”

“I know, and the potion from Stark’s would have worn off after the first hour, so…”

“So what?” Emma inhaled and slowed her speech. “Come on, Cassie.”

“I just don’t want to disappoint anyone,” Cassie said.

“Wow, that’s some ego,” Emma said.

“Ouch.” Cassie paused. “You’re right. Maybe they didn’t have a great time either.”

“List ‘em,” Emma said. “I’ve got to drive the soccer pickup in ten minutes, so go.”

 “Okay, here we go, here’s my notes. 

The first was an environmental studies major at UVM: adorable, earnest, but way too young.

Number two, a rescue dog guy: I loved his scarf, but five dogs is too many, and he’s already fostering a sixth.

Number three, a cerebral artist who made his own paper from birch and then drew pictures of the tree…I mean, he was really interesting…but a little too esoteric for me.

Number four, a bald bongo player who was in four different bands. He played me a clip of his music, so great! But he was married, although separated, and that’s just a deal breaker.

Number five was a visiting chairlift salesman from Austria, here for a few weeks to write up a proposal. But I can’t imagine leaving the Valley. And he couldn’t imagine staying.

Number six had potential, a bartender from Burlington, but he worked nights, so we couldn’t even find a time for another coffee.”

“Wow,” Emma said. “None of them worked out?”

“I saved the best for last,” Cassie said. “Adele was number seven. She has two jobs: bike repair and being a nanny. And number eight, Caleb, a True North trip leader and guide. I actually liked both of them.”

“Well, there you go. Two. Two is a great start.”

In the background, Cassie heard a shout of “Mom! We gotta go.”

“Cass, I gotta go,” Emma said. “Next steps—call both of them. Time for dates.”

“I know, it’s the right thing, but it’s been a while, Em. I mean, coffee is one thing, but a date. Where would we even go?”

“Have them make the plan. Let them impress you. You deserve it.” The “Mom!” yelled again. “Make it happen, Cass. You can do this.”

Cassie hung up the phone. Emma’s voice boosted her confidence. “I can do this.” She picked up the phone and dialed again. First Adele. Then Caleb.

***

The date with Adele happened first. As Emma suggested, Cassie asked Adele to arrange something for them to do. Something casual and fun.

Cassie smiled as she pulled into the grass parking lot at Knoll Farm. Adele had planned an outdoor concert and picnic. Perfect! Cassie smoothed her flowing skirt and navigated the muddy path, carrying a bottle of wine, her folding chair, and plenty of homemade bug spray. She spotted Adele immediately, already spread out with a blanket on the hillside facing the outdoor stage. The warm evening air drifted around them, the views of the greening hills lending a romantic and hazy setting.

“Hi,” Cassie said. “This is amazing, thank you.” She spread her arms wide over the blanket, picnic basket, and setting. 

“Hi to you, too.” Adele stood up and kissed her on the lips.

Their lips touched for a mere second. Adele’s rose-scented perfume swirled around Cassie, and her eyeshadow glimmered with a silver dust. Cassie raised her hand to touch the lip gloss Adele had left behind. Her heart beat harder for a few seconds. 

My first kiss from a woman. 

Cassie took a step backward, not sure how to respond. Kissing Adele felt like…well…kissing. Except with softer lips.  

Adele peered at her. “Everything okay?”

“Yes,” Cassie said, thrusting the bottle of wine toward her. “That was just my first kiss.”

“From a woman, you mean?” Adele asked. She sighed and patted the blanket next to her. “It’s been a while since I was someone’s first. Sorry if I assumed you were ready.”

“I am. I mean, I think I am,” Cassie said. “Let’s start over.” She used her corkscrew to open the wine and poured them each a glass. “Cheers, and thanks for arranging this perfect night.”

The first notes from the band floated in the air, and Adele and Cassie listened, cramming in conversation between the songs.

Cassie told Adele she was a Wiccan, and Adele asked questions about potions and spells, leaning in, listening intently, finishing with, “I don’t really know much about it, but I’m open to learning. I very much doubt we know everything about the universe.”

Cassie asked Adele about her tattoo of “Heather” visible on her ankle. “Heather was my first love,” Adele said, flexing her ankle. “I got this when I thought we were forever.”

“What happened?”

“It’s a long story,” Adele said. “Maybe another time. I can tell you it ended badly.”

Cassie’s imagination listed all types of bad options: infidelity, abuse, fraud, death… maybe murder. Okay, not that. She told her brain to behave itself; this woman seemed genuine and caring. And they were outdoors in a field surrounded by other people after all.

As the music tempo ramped up, Cassie pulled Adele up to dance, even though she protested she wasn’t very good. Adele’s long dark hair mingled with Cassie’s red curls. Cassie’s skirt swirled around Adele’s jeans.

As the evening wore on, Cassie relaxed. She enjoyed talking with Adele and hearing her laugh that bordered on a honk. Every time their hands brushed, Cassie felt a rush of tingles. When she waved to a few people she knew, no one seemed surprised that she was sitting next to a woman. If anyone saw the kiss, they didn’t comment on it, or maybe they didn’t think it was odd. But a date with a woman felt unusual to Cassie. Better than most of her first dates with men, but different.

They took turns serving from the picnic spread Adele had brought: cheeses, crackers, grapes, a quiche she confessed she had bought already-made at Kitchenette. Cassie reached into the basket and came up with a jar of olives. “These are my favorite. I can’t believe you brought them!” She struggled to open them, but eventually the suction released with a pop.

“Mine, too,” Adele said, opening wide, and Cassie placed one on her tongue.

At the end of the evening, as they stood to leave, Cassie leaned toward Adele and brushed her lips with her own. The kiss was warm. Solid. Tender. And it sent a tingle up her spine.

***

A few days later, the date with Caleb was on her calendar. The date with Adele was wonderful, and they’d been texting, but she’d promised to give Caleb a chance.

Once again, following Emma’s suggestion, Cassie asked Caleb to plan the date. She was surprised when he asked her to meet at Knoll Farm, the same place Adele had picked for their first date. Cassie didn’t really believe in coincidence, so what was the universe trying to tell her? To follow this band and buy their CDs? That first-date picnicking was the new rage? Naw, the universe just knew that there aren’t many first-date locations in the Valley.

Thank goodness, the weather was once again gorgeous. A warm breeze stirred the blueberry bush branches, just leafing out with buds. The new lambs penned close to the barn bleated their presence. It was a perfect setting.

Cassie waved to Caleb, who was already seated on the hill, a pile of items next to him. “Hi,” Cassie said.

“Great! You made it just in time to help set up,” Caleb said and stood to greet her with a hug. While a hug was actually more appropriate, Cassie wondered why Adele had kissed her and Caleb hadn’t. Shit. I will be comparing them all night. She told her brain to stop. Enjoy Caleb.

Together they spread the blanket and set up the chairs. Cassie picked up the wine bottle, and Caleb held out his hand. “Let me,” he said, opening the bottle and pouring two cups. Cassie enjoyed the band even more now that she knew the set list. When the music grew peppier, Caleb held out his hand. “Let’s dance,” he said, pulling Cassie onto the dance floor in front of the band. Cassie leaned into his wiry body, and they swayed to a slow song. His arms hugged her tightly. He spun her around slowly, and her skirt flared in the breeze. “Where did you learn to dance?” she asked.

“Mom made us take lessons between every sports season. As a way to tire us out, I think,” Caleb answered with a little blush.

“Well, I owe your mom some thanks then.” Cassie smiled up at him, and he wrapped her into a small dip.

“I love dancing with you,” he said.

Back on the blanket, Cassie reached into the basket and fished out a jar of pickles. “Oh, I love these,” she said. 

“I’ve got you,” Caleb said and opened the jar before popping one in his mouth. “Quality control.” He laughed and then fished one out for Cassie.

Cassie told him about her Wiccan practice, and he furrowed his brow. “Do you like camping?” he asked.

“I was going to tell you about…” Cassie trailed off. “Well, sure, camping yes, and—”

He launched into a description of his job, which demanded days on the trail, helping kids learn. Learn to make fires, to set up tents, and to take responsibility for themselves. “The camping part is great. The night stars are so vibrant. I could show you everything; we’d have a blast.”

“I spent a summer in a yurt a few years ago,” Cassie said. “It was great. The stars, especially.”

“If you liked the yurt, you’ll love a tent. I’d bet on it,” Caleb said and pulled another pickle out of the jar.

The band played the last song, and the evening ended. As they said goodbye, Caleb leaned down and kissed her. His lips weren’t as soft, but his pine scent reminded her of camping and stars. Cassie felt her spine tingle.

***

The whole night, Cassie tossed and turned, trying to decide between Adele and Caleb. At four a.m., she finally turned on her bedside light. The little wren, now named Robin, squawked in displeasure before ruffling its feathers and burrowing her head under her wing.

“Well, you’re no help, Robin. And it’s too early to call Emma.”

Cassie got up and made herself a cup of peppermint tea. For concentration.

How would she decide? She needed to pick one. Dating two wasn’t an option. She wanted one special person. And to be that special person back. 

Adele and she had a spark. So did she and Caleb. Caleb was a better dancer. Adele was a better listener. They both packed a good picnic basket. She sighed. Years with no good options, and now she had two.

She looked out the window at the rising sun; the first streaks of dawn lit the grass, sparkling the dew drops into prisms. In her heart, she already knew the answer. But was she brave enough to try something completely new? It scared her. With Caleb, the path was well-worn—camping, dancing. Her mom would love him. 

But she had tried dating men, only men, for years. And Caleb was great. Nothing wrong with him, on the surface. But underneath, men always had expectations for her. Expectations of what she could or couldn’t accomplish by herself. What she should or should not try.

And Adele. Adele was special. She was willing to pause, to listen. She laughed with that honking sound. And she was a woman, yes. Cassie envisioned challenges, learning a new way to be in a relationship. It would take time. And effort. 

And how would her mom react? Emma would be supportive, as would most of her friends; she knew that. But not everyone would be; she wasn’t that naïve.

Cassie stood up and opened her front door to breathe in the morning air. She was almost 40 years old. It was time. Time to try a new path.

The little wren flew into the kitchen, landed on Cassie’s shoulder, and nestled her head against Cassie’s neck, chirping a morning greeting. 

“It’s a good thing that love comes in all forms, isn’t it, little one?”

Cassie picked up her phone.