Snippets And Conversations

Wind chimes

 "Can I get three bags of that?" Weems pointed to the fresh snap peas behind the glass. She was having Enid and Marilyn over for dinner and figured stir fry would be great. The man behind the stall nodded, grabbing the last of the food she asked for. Going to the swap shop was the best place for fresh produce, unfortunately that meant getting up at 'fuck this o'clock' per Wednesday's words that morning.

Wednesday was at the next stall over, looking at the knives. She made the argument about how dull the cooking tools were at the house, so Larissa allowed the teen to go about finding some new ones.

"Wed's, I still need to grab the meat for the- What do you have there?"

"A knife?" Wednesday said as if it were the most obvious answer. "It's perfect for cutting many food items, and it came with a stone sharpener."

Larissa eyed it, before asking the person behind the stall to put it in a box. Wednesday looked to the side, rolling her eyes.

"You're overbearing."

"It's called protective, darling. Why don't you pick something more appropriate for vegetables? I doubt we need a meat cleaver."

Sighing deeply, Wednesday decided to let her caregiver take over knife duty, focusing her attention on other things. She gazed at the carving knife with yearning eyes, fingers pressed up against the glass.

"Okay, you- away from those! You're going to be the absolute death of me."

Larissa, who had bought a couple of appropriate knives, linked her arm with Wednesday's and led her away from the weapon display. The girl sulked as her caregiver pulled her around the market, Weems making random observations about the stuff around them.

"I don't think I need a new coat but that one's pretty."

"Ooh, perhaps we should get some strawberries whilst they're in season?"

"Look at that! Maybe some new furniture for the outdoor balcony!"

The pair curved to the left where the stall that had patio furniture on display sat. As they walked over Wednesday wasn't really paying attention, just following the lead of the tall woman.

Looking over to the wooden chairs, Wednesday heard a light jingling sound. Her eyes widened in shock. Slowly turning her head, she saw the telltale sign of the glimmering metal.

Tugging at Larissa's coat, she pressed herself closer. "Can we go somewhere else?"

"Hmm? Oh sure, let me check the pricing on these chairs real quick." She flagged the owner of the stall down, who came over and started a conversation with the woman.

The wind blew again, making Wednesday all too aware of the windchimes that were hanging above their heads. "Can you hurry up?"

"One moment, darling."

"Grrr..." Wednesday hid behind Weems, unsure on what to do when the enemy was above them. She should get the knife-

"What's wrong, Wednesday?" Larissa's head turned down when she felt the girl's grip tighten.

"It's the-"

Before she could finish her sentence, the wind blew again, making the chimes jingle again. The teenager practically jumped a metre in the air, whimpering as she launched herself into Weems' arms.

"Darling, what's wrong? What's gotten into you, are you little?"

The girl shook her head, pushing her face into the woman's chest.

"Wind chimes." She said in a muffled voice, fully aware of how silly she sounded.

"What's that?"

"Wind chimes." Wednesday repeated, shaking with fear in Larissa's arms. The owner had long since given them a strange look and snuck away, giving them a bit of privacy.

"What about them? They are beautiful, if you ask me. Maybe we should get some?"

"NO!" Wednesday shouted, trying to leave the stall. But Larissa had her hand on the teen's hoodie, stopping the girl only a step in. "No way in hell are we ever ever getting any-"

"Why not? They make such lovely sounds, and you like music so I figured you would tolerate it, and maybe want some? There's no shame in liking something, Wednesday. Worst I can say is no if you ask me for something."

Wednesday bit her lip, her caretaker didn't understand that wasn't the problem here. She didn't want to be in earshot of these things. The sound grating on her ears, and the light that comes from them in the sun was torturous in a bad way.

"No, Mom, I-"

"Sweetie, it's okay. You're allowed to enjoy things, and they're not expensive." Unhooking one of them from the display, she brought it over to them and held it in the air above Wednesday, inspecting the price tag. "See, it's only- Wednesday?"

The teenager had crumpled to the floor, kneeling with her head held between her hands as she rocked herself back and forth. Abandoning the wind chime, Weems sat down next to her, pulling her into her lap and not caring that they were in the middle of the swap shop.

"What's wrong? Talk to me, honey."

Wednesday sniffled, hiding her face in the shapeshifter's neck. The soothing pattern that Larissa was rubbing into her back did little to calm her nerves. Trying to get a response from her daughter, the woman pried her arms away from her neck, making eye contact.

"Wednesday? I-"

"Mama, No!"

With an angry wiggle, Wednesday pushed herself forwards and towards Weems' chest, face hidden again.

"Is she okay?" The shopkeeper asked, as she rounded her table. Larissa looked towards the woman, mouthing a sorry before walking away from the booth.

Once she found them a more quiet area of the flea market, she sat them down on a bench. "Baby? Come on, speak to me."

"S-Scary-"

"What the wind chimes?" When Wednesday nodded, Larissa felt guilty for bringing them closer. "I'm so sorry, baby I didn't know..."

"'s kay. You didn't know." She sat up, getting fresh air, wiping her stinging eyes. "Can we go home now?"

"I still need one more thing-" The look Wednesday had on her face made her change her mind, "Fine. I'm sure I can ask Marylin to pick some up."

Holding the little on her hip, Larissa texted her friend with her free hand.

"Hey Mary! I know you're somewhere at the market, and whilst I'd love to meet up, I have to take Wends home. Remind me to tell you what she's scared of, you'll never be able to guess it. Also, can you pick up some lamb chops for dinner tonight? You're the best."