Laughing Down the Moon Read Free

than I had been. Just as the water began to boil, I poured it over the herbs I’d picked for the floor wash. I’d let it steep for an hour before straining and using it. The scent was calming, so I breathed deeply over the bowl before addressing the paperwork piles I’d created.
    With my arms full of the office-bound debris, I headed up the narrow staircase, noting on the landing halfway up that the window needed cleaning. I’d catch that on the way down. I pushed open the door to my office and felt the familiar dread when I entered the room. There was nothing wrong with the room itself; in fact, it was one of my favorites with its built-in dark wood bookshelves, the oversized window that faced the park across the street, the light wood floor, the heavy desk that sat right in the middle of the room like an invitation, and the dark green swivel chair parked at the desk. It was exactly the room I envisioned as I was going through my master’s degree program for journalism. It was still my ideal place from which to conduct my career, even if the career was no longer ideal. I sighed and set the load of papers and notebooks on the desk. I planted my butt and spun around a few times before stopping the spiraling with my foot against the windowsill.
    Despite the gray cold and the post-Halloween sugar hangover most youngsters would be suffering today, a few kids played soccer in the middle of the park, a couple of preteen girls jumped rope and an even younger boy attempted to make some shots at the basketball hoop. I toyed with the amber beads at my neck. The little boy failed time and time again.
    I’d dashed right by the park but hadn’t noticed anyone as I fled the laugh yoga crime scene. Now one of the jump rope girls put down her rope, scooted the little boy closer toward the basket and showed him how to hold the ball. She took a shot and made it. The little boy held up his hand to high-five her and then retrieved the ball to try it for himself. I pushed my foot hard against the sill so that I didn’t have to witness his imminent failure. I spun the chair toward the desk and its new pile. Ugh. Watching the kid fail would be better than dealing with that, so I spun back in time to see the ball shimmy through the hoop. It didn’t even hit the rim; it was all net. How do you like that? I attacked the pile of papers.

 
    Book of Shadows
    Spell for Dispelling Embarrassment
     
    Cast the circle.
    “Blessed be Creatures of Light.”
    Light white candles in brass holders to bring protection and love.
    “Thank you, paper and pen, for allowing me to cast my negative energy onto you
    as I write, thereby freeing myself from the shadows I have created.”
    Greet and honor the four directions and the universal elements.
    “I’m writing to Mother Earth, God, and Goddess to
    request relief from the embarrassing laugh-non-laugh yoga class.
    I may have ruined some people’s morning,
    and I definitely made my own morning uncomfortable, regardless of how comfortable it was before I knew I was in the wrong place.
    I’m asking for assistance in being able to forget about this little incident.
    Thank you.”
    Written on paper from my desk. Washed in salt water until the words run together.
    Soaked in same salt water until softened. Torn into shreds.
    “Embarrassment, like this paper, will be shredded.
    To ease and comfort, am I now headed.”
    Thank the four directions and the universal elements.
    “Blessed be Creatures of Light.”
    Extinguish candles.
    Open the circle.

Chapter Two
    All Samhain’s Silent Supper
    “You said I needed a few big, deep laughs, but all I got was a melodramatic crying spree on the fainting couch!” I said.
    “Yeah, but don’t you feel better?” Patrick asked.
    We were sitting on the floor with our elbows on the low oak coffee table in his and Trisha’s living room. Their house was a welcoming arts and crafts bungalow in a friendly neighborhood in south Minneapolis. An abundance of rich colors,