2Eddie Fuller sat at his kitchen table surrounded by noisy kids throwing overcooked biscuits. The three older children had already headed off for secondary school. Ginger and Vivian worked on cleaning up while Collie tried to calm down their children. No one seemed especially happy to be there. Ginger hated the way Vivian smelled with all the layers of perfume. Collie wondered why every time they met she would oversee the younger kids. Especially Vivian's sons who lacked the ability to chew with their mouths closed. Eddie put his dishes in the sink then peeked out the window. Still there was no sign of his wife and elder son. Trying to remain calm Eddie walked over to the closet and put on his ragged army jacket. His first wife Deanne came up behind him. She like her son towered over Eddie.
"What do you want Dee?" He asked while zipping up his coat. "Something might have happened Freda and Eric. I need to go find them."
"They are both grown." Deanne wrapped her arm around him. Eddie pushed her back. She straightened his collar. "Are you suspicious of Freda? I mean she does seem the sort to break her vows. She is one of your wives."
Eddie sighed, "Everyone in here is the sort to do that Dee. But, I don't think Freda is an adulterer. She isn't like the rest of us. She's different. It's just our child was supposed to be due weeks ago. I want to be there."
"Was it due? Poor child's been cursed before conception." Deanne scowled before stepping into the living room for a drink. She poured two glasses of whiskey. "Come on. While the other women are in there working let's have a drink."
Eddie snatched the glass from her and sat down in his plush armchair. Deanne sat opposite of him and slowly sipped her drink. The only thing he liked about her was how she seemed above it all. Deanne carried herself like an aristocrat, but she was truly a brute.
"Having more than one wife is against the law."
"Okay." Eddie swallowed the scorching liquid.
"Did you want to re-marry me? I think you do."
"Well you thought wrong." Eddie knocked back his drink then handed the empty glass to his ex. She left it on the edge of her chair.
"Why did you marry that little girl?" Deanne stared him in eye. "Didn't you have enough kids?"
"It seems like you have something you want to tell me." Eddie hoped this was not some weak attempt to salvage their relationship. "I have no interest in getting back with you."
The other ex-wives peeked past the archway, while the kids started putting on their coats for school. Ginger stepped forward. "You are so damn conceited Eddie. If you want to see the kids, come and get them yourself. Stop trying to torture us, normal people Eddie, they don't do this."
Eddie went into a stupor.
"This charade needs to stop. We were never some happy family. Freda will find out about you sooner or later and she too will want to leave." Deanne dropped her glass on the floor.
Eddie hit the arm of his chair, "Is that how all of you feel?"
"Ladies, it's fine." Deanne gave them a reassuring nod. "Take your kids to school. I'll finish up in here."
The women hurried and pushed their children out the front door. Deanne followed behind them and stood at the door. Eddie shut his eyes and screamed.
"You won't take my family away from me!"
"No?" Deanne crossed her arms. "I will take everything from you."
Eddie rushed to confront Deanne but she vanished before him. His eyes darted around the walls. Soft growls echoed from the ceiling. Eddie almost ran it to the door but was grabbed by his neck and slammed to the ground.
"Bottomless Vials: Potion Crafts since 1508." Every time she looked at the sign, Samantha felt a strong sense of pride.
After getting inside the store, she did a long stretch. Samantha straightened her skirt and flipped the closed sign to open. She went behind the counter and put on her apron.
Taking over the shop for her parents so they could have some alone time did not matter. She knew they were going to need a drink after having to restrain themselves at the final exam. At least she was trusted to run the shop, even if it was only a few hours. Sam did not know how long it would suffice. Samantha wanted to run things just like her parents. She slumped against the counter and stared at the empty store. Then she reminded herself that Leslie showed up. The last two times he ignored her request, what happened? Was he finally warming up to her? A smile grew on her face. Today had one wonderful moment and she could only dream of what a lifetime could be. Samantha imagined Leslie stocking the shelves. Little Hughes children running across the store as their grandparents chased them. Nate then much older would be sitting on the steps trying to pick out a college to attend. It made her cheese until her cheeks hurt. Hours passed and the daydreams only got more vivid.
Samantha rubbed her facial expression to normal when a customer walked in.
"Welcome to Bottomless Vials."
"Hmm, it is quaint." The man slid his card across the counter.
Never in her life had she seen a man wearing better clothes than the king does. His fingers were full of elaborate rings and he wore a scarf made with dead furry creatures. A cane rested in his armpit. The cologne he wore was strong enough to gag a dead man. Samantha pinched her nose and picked up his card.
"Gerald Spelling CEO of Spell Co.; wow the Spelling!" She released her nose.
"Yes I am the one and only." He gave a crooked smile. "Are you the owner of this establishment?"
"Not yet. I am next in line." Samantha stated more hopefully than assuredly.
"Ah, well when the owner comes in could you give them this." He removed a pamphlet from his breast pocket. "It explains everything about my little magic business."
"To call your business little is like calling Geneva a town. You own thousands of stores across the world."
Mr. Spelling stroked his goatee slowly, "Yes well who knows, it may soon be a thousand and one. Good day."
He walked out of Bottomless Vials leaving most his fragrance behind. Samantha followed him out the door.
"A car that isn't black!" Samantha stood there soaking up his golden luxury vehicle. Mr. Spelling tipped his hat with his cane before driving into the steady traffic of the road. She quickly opened the pamphlet and began to read it.
Samantha did not notice when she sat down. The more she read, the faster her breathing got.
"What an ass hole!" Samantha looked around to make sure her parents did not hear what she said. "That bastard just propositioned to buy Bottomless Vials. Why didn't I realize?"
"Who are you talking to?" Her brother Nate asked.
"No one, did you just get out of school?" Samantha asked the obvious while ripping up the pamphlet.
"What was that?" Nate wondered if she had not received another late notice.
"This is just toilet paper." She tossed it over her lap.
"Mom is just going to make you sweep that up."
"Go inside and mind your own business."
Nate mumbled something while going into the store; his older sister followed close behind. Samantha sat at the stool behind the counter. Her brother pretended to be shopping there.
"How was school today?"
"It sucked, a bunch of kids missed class. I was stuck with a bunch of jerks for my group project. None of them are gonna do any work, I know they won't."
"Well before you accuse them, give them a chance Nate."
"Some people you just don't give second chances to. Some people just deserve to be thrown out."
"Ugh, have you been hanging around Leslie?" Samantha sneered.
"I know you have." Nate stuck his tongue out.
"What? He teaches me stuff about potions and magic." She stood up.
"I bet. You know you can get pregnant that way."
Samantha tossed a book at him. Nate ducked and the book knocked over two potion bottles. Luckily, they were empty.
"Damn sis, you sure do have a lot to clean up." He snickered before making a run for the stairs.
"I swear I'll kick your ass." Samantha rushed after him. "Come back here and clean up this mess!"