Your shocked self-examination was interrupted when your doorbell rang. Automatically, you marched to the door and opened it to find a pleasant looking woman holding a pie. She was quite attractive, probably in her late thirties or so, though her dress seemed more fitting for the city than for standing out here in the forest.
“Hello, you must be Karie,” she greeted with a friendly smile. “I’m Lisa Donaldson, your new neighbor. I just dropped by to welcome you to the neighborhood. I hope you like peach cobbler.”
Karie? You opened your mouth to tell this unfamiliar person that she was mistaken and that your name was…what was it again? To your horror, that small but significant detail eluded you. Instead, you found your mouth saying, “Oh, thank you, Mrs. Donaldson. As it happens, peach cobbler’s my favorite.” That much was true, at least. Despite yourself, you felt your mouth watering. “Would you like to come inside? It’s kind of a mess, but…”
“Oh, it’s quite alright. I have to pick up my daughter, Emily, in a few minutes.” Mrs. Donaldson answered. “And please, call me Lisa. It will be so nice to have another bright young face around to talk to. If you need anything, please, give me a call.”
Your smile was genuine this time as you accepted the pie and thanked her again. Inside, you wished you had met this particular neighbor first instead of that wacko down the street. Remembering that earlier exchange, you recalled something. Donaldson. “Um, if you don’t mind my asking, were you looking for a babysitter for your daughter?” At the woman’s surprised expression, you explained that your other neighbor had mentioned her needing just that, though you left out the other more embarrassing details that had been given. Then, before you knew it, you said, “I’d be willing to watch her for you.”
Lisa’s shock turned to joy with a hint of disbelief. “Really? I’d hate to impose on you so soon after you moved in.”
“Oh, it’s no problem,” you laughed. Inside, you were finding this conversation anything but humorous. The pieces had started coming together. All those strange things the other lady had said to you began to make sense. Somehow, this all had to be her doing! She has to be some kind of witch, and she had cursed you or something!
“Well, in that case,” Lisa’s hesitation switched to eagerness in a moment. “Would it be too much to ask if you could come over this evening? I’m sorry for the short notice, and it’s fine you say no. But it would be so helpful, and my husband and I have been all over trying to find a babysitter.”
This woman was far too trusting of someone who had just moved into town. Or too desperate. Thinking on what you had been told about her son, this did not bode well for you. Nevertheless, the unseen forces pulling your strings gave you no opportunity to refuse. “I’d be glad to!”
Together, you swapped information and made the arrangements. After Lisa left, you felt some control return to you. Gripping your head, you curled up in the corner and groaned. “What’s going on here?”