The Book of Practical Magic

By Mikki Sadil

Lily Leticia is in deep trouble. Of course, that shouldn’t be too surprising. She is only eleven years old, has an IQ of 160, and is in high school. Her classmates ignore her, because, after all, she should still be in elementary school. Kids her own age ignore her, because, after all, she is somewhat of a freak.

Unfortunately, Trouble just seems to follow Lily Leticia around...with only a little help from her. Now, however, Lily Leticia has found an old book, one that her Native American friend, Joseph Spotted Elk, has told her to put back immediately in the trunk where she found it. He claims there are Indian spirits in the book, that it is ancient magic, and she should not even be touching it. Magic? Combined with an IQ higher than most of her teachers? This is right up Lily Leticia’s alley! If she ever thought she was in Trouble before The Book, it was nothing compared to the Trouble she’s going to be in.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.
• Release date: Aug 8, 2015
• ISBN: 9781771453868

Mikki Sadil

Mikki Sadil, wife, mother, grandmother, artist, horse trainer, and author of four books and more than thirty short stories and non-fiction articles, all for kids from ten to sixteen has had a passion for writing since she was ten years old and had her first set of poems published, and that passion has continued her whole life.Mikki lives in a small Victorian town on the beautiful Central Coast of California. She and her husband share their home with an incredibly handsome and intelligent Corgi, Dylan, a lazy Siamese/Himalayan cat, Beaujangles, and their mixed-up little cockatiel, Riley, who can’t decide who in this household is boss...but, as Mikki says, "of course, I am!"To find out more about Mikki's books, click this link to go directly to her blog: http://mikki-wordpainter.blogspot.com/

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The Book of Practical Magic

By Mikki Sadil

Digital ISBNs:

EPUB 978-0-2286-1089-2

Kindle 978-0-2286-1090-8

Web/PDF 978-0-2286-1091-5

Amazon Print 978-0-2286-1092-2

LSI Print 978-0-2286-1093-9

B&N Print 978-0-2286-1094-6

2nd Ed. Copyright 2019 Mikki Sadil

Original Copyright 2015 Mikki Sadil

Cover Art by Michelle Lee

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored into a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

Chapter One:

When the phone rang that night, not even Lily Leticia knew the trouble that was going to rain down on her because of it. Her brother Corey jumped up to answer it, earning a frown from her father and rolled eyes from her sister Lauren. He came back to the table, sat down, and stuffed a piece of chicken in his mouth.

Well, who was on the phone? Father fixed his eyes on Corey, who swallowed with some difficulty, considering that the piece of chicken was twice the size he should put in his mouth.

Oh, yeah, that, he said. It’s some guy for Lauren.

Lauren dropped her fork with a clang and pushed back her chair so fast it toppled to the floor. For crap’s sake, Corey, why didn’t you say so? she exclaimed as she ran out of the room.

Lauren! Come back here and sit down! You know the rule about phone calls at dinner. And do not use that language, young lady. I won’t stand for it. Her mother might have been talking to the wind for all the attention Lauren paid.

She shook her head and looked at Dad. I don’t know why I even try. She’s got that boy on her brain and she doesn’t think about anything else.

Lily Leticia looked down at her plate and smiled. It was nice for someone besides her to be in trouble with her mother. She took a sip of milk and wiped her mouth with her napkin.

Lauren’s got problems. I saw Hunter with another girl yesterday. They were holding hands at the mall, when Hunter was supposed to be at the library.

Corey burped loudly. You’re so nosey, Lily Leticia. How do you even know Hunter was supposed to be in the library?

Because I heard him tell Lauren yesterday morning he couldn’t drive her home from school because he had to study in the library.

Lily Leticia, did you tell Lauren you saw Hunter? Mom put her knife down and raised her eyebrows.

Lily Leticia shrugged. Of course. They’re supposed to be going steady, so she needs to know he is cheating on her.

Cheating on her? Going steady? What are you talking about? Lauren is only sixteen and there is no reason for her to be thinking about a steady boyfriend. It doesn’t matter if he is holding hands with another girl or not. Lily Leticia, you really need to mind your own business.

Lily Leticia smiled to herself. She knew most sixteen year old girls did go steady and there were even a couple at school who were pregnant. She wondered how her mother could possibly be so naïve. Didn’t she know about the parenting classes held after regular school hours?

Corey swallowed and hiccupped loudly. Lily Leticia never minds her own business, Mom. You’d be surprised at all the things she does at school. She’s the nosiest person there.

Before anyone could reply, a shriek came from the family room, followed by a crash, and the sound of pounding footsteps up the stairs.

Mom sighed. I guess that means another phone is broken. Honestly, if you kids don’t learn to control your tempers, I’m going to have all the phones in this house removed.

"No one breaks the phones except Lauren and Corey. I have better control when someone upsets me. It would solve the problem if you’d just tell them they can only talk on their cell

phones." Lily Leticia daintily wiped her fingers with her napkin.

Corey snickered, which caused a major distress when his mashed potatoes lodged in his throat. He gasped, sputtered, and coughed. This, in turn, caused a blob of gravy-soaked potato to land in the middle of the table.

Eeuww, Corey! How gross! If you didn’t eat like a pig, such disgusting things wouldn’t happen at the dinner table. Lily Leticia glared at her brother.

Dad threw down his napkin and pushed his chair back. "You know, I just got home from a

ten day business trip, and it sure would be nice to have a little peace and quiet at the dinner table."

Mom got up quickly. Chris, I’m sorry. Why don’t you go into your study, and I’ll bring you a fresh plate of food? How about a cup of coffee to go with it?

Food would be good, so long as I can eat in quiet. Coffee is fine, but I also want a glass of wine. I need to relax.

Dad glared at Corey and Lily Leticia. It’s bad enough that Lauren has to run out of here like the house was on fire, but you two do nothing but argue and create a mess. It seems to me that when I’ve been gone, you would be glad enough to see me that you could behave, at least for dinner.

He turned his back and stalked out of the dining room. A moment later, his study door slammed. Corey and Lily Leticia looked at each other. Corey shrugged. "Well, if it wasn’t

because of something that happens at dinner, it would be something else, right?"

Lily Leticia’s brown eyes filled with tears, which she hastily wiped with the back of her hand, but not before Corey saw them. Aw, look, Lily Leticia, Dad’s always a grouch when he comes home from a business trip. Don’t cry. He’s mad at both of us.

I’m not crying. It’s just not fair that he always yells at us when he comes home. If he wants us to be glad he’s home, why doesn’t he ever seem glad to see us? And Mom waits on him all the time, like he was a king or something.

Corey chewed on another piece of chicken. Ha ha. Maybe he thinks he is. One time I heard him tell Mom that a man is king of his castle.

Mom came back to the table. All right, you two. I want you to finish your dinner without any more discussion. I’m going upstairs to talk to Lauren. Lily Leticia, when you are through, you can clear the table, put the dishes in the dishwasher, and clean the counters. And I want to talk to you before bed, also.

Lily Leticia groaned under her breath. She knew that meant Mom was going to get on her case because she told Lauren about Hunter, but Mom didn’t know Lily Leticia had a plan. If Lauren would listen to her for once, she could get Hunter under control. That is, if she really wanted to. Lily Leticia couldn’t understand why she would want to bother with Hunter if he was going to two-time her, but then, who could understand teen-age girls who thought they were ‘in love.’ Lily Leticia knew she had better sense than her sister. She was never going to mess around with stupid boys.

She finished the kitchen chores, watched TV for a couple of hours, and went upstairs to her room. Mom knocked on her door as she was changing into her pajamas, and as usual, marched in and sat down on the bed.

Now, Lily Leticia, I want to know what business you have spying on your sister, and why you are involved in talking to her about her boyfriend?

Lily Leticia sighed. "Mom, what’s the big deal? I wasn’t spying on Lauren, I don’t care what she says. I just overheard Hunter telling her why he wasn’t going to drive her home. But

later, when Heather and I were at the mall, he was there holding hands with this other girl."

The big deal is that it is not your business to tell Lauren anything about that boy. What if he was holding hands with another girl? He is almost eighteen and he probably has a lot of girlfriends. Lauren is too young to get serious about any boy and I do not want you adding to this situation for any reason, do you understand?

Yes, ma’am. Lily Leticia crossed her fingers behind her back, and tried not to let her mother see her smile.

Good. Now get to bed.

Mom stood and headed for the door when Lily Leticia said, Wait, Mom. I, um, I want to ask you a question. About Dad. I mean, well, why does he always seem so angry when he comes home…

Mom turned around with a frown. Lily Leticia,’ she interrupted, I don’t want to hear anything about your father being angry when he comes home. He is tired and deserves to have a nice dinner in a quiet atmosphere. First Lauren runs out like a wild child, then you and your brother get into it, so it’s no wonder he wants to eat in his study. Now, no more talk. Go to sleep."

* * *

When Lily Leticia walked up to the bus stop the next morning, Corey was already there with his friends, one of whom, Jed, was always sniping at Lily Leticia. This morning was no different. Aw, Corey, do we have to put up with your sister again? Why can’t she walk to school with her mama, like all the little kids do?

Jed’s friends burst out laughing. Corey started to laugh until he looked over at Lily Leticia, who was ignoring them all. He said, rather half-heartedly, Okay, you guys, quit laughing at my sister. She’s okay.

Yeah, right, Corey. She’s a stuck-up brat who belongs in grade school. Even my mom thinks it’s strange that she’s in the same freshman class we’re in.

Lily Leticia sniffed. It’s all right, Corey. Jed is such a snarf. I don’t pay any attention to him.

Jed turned around with a scowl on his face just as the old school bus rumbled to a stop. He satisfied himself with elbowing Lily Leticia out of the way so he could board first.

She boarded and walked down the aisle to sit down next to her best girlfriend, Heather Andrews. Heather was looking out the window and didn’t speak or even look at Lily Leticia.

Hey, Heather.

Heather turned to Lily Leticia with big blue eyes full of tears. She started to speak, but only a small squeak came out of her mouth. She put a hand over her mouth and tried to slip further down in the seat.

Heather whispered, Don’t say anything, please. She brushed at the tears on her cheeks, and scrunched down even further.

Lily Leticia’s gold-flecked hazel eyes were full of concern for her friend. She laid her head against Heather’s and whispered, What’s wrong? Tell me, and maybe I can help.

Heather sat up and blew her nose. I don’t know what to do! I think Alyssa Monroe is trying to steal my boyfriend away! She started to sob again.

Lily Leticia glanced around the bus, but no one was paying any attention to either of them. She patted Heather on the shoulder and said, Shh, Heather, stop crying. You don’t want everyone on the bus to know something’s wrong, do you?

Heather took a deep breath, pulled out a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose again. She sat up, wiped her cheeks, and said shakily, No, of course I don’t. You won’t say anything, will you?

Lily Leticia snorted. I don’t waste my time talking about anything with these Neanderthals. You should know that. It’s too noisy to talk about personal stuff, so you can tell me everything at lunch. I’m sure I can figure out something to help the situation, okay?

Heather nodded, and continued to wipe her eyes. When the bus rumbled to a halt in front of Troy High School, she was under control. She gave Lily Leticia a shaky smile and the girls parted company.

As Lily Leticia walked to class, she reflected on the boy problems of her sister and her best friend. What was it about boys that drew some girls to them? In elementary school, all they thought about was dropping frogs or stink bugs on the girls’ desks and laughing hysterically at their reactions. In middle school, they had graduated to the burp-and-fart routine they all thought was so amusing. Now in high school, they had simply become loud-mouthed and egotistical, thinking that every girl who walked by would immediately fall under their godly spell. She didn’t understand how any self-respecting girl would willingly be a party to that nonsense.

She shook her head, and decided that she would have to delve deep into her inner resources to come up with plans for both Lauren and Heather. She stopped walking as an unwelcome thought popped into her head. Hadn’t she told her mom that she wouldn’t interfere with Lauren anymore? But she wasn’t interfering, she was helping, and Lauren would appreciate that fact just as soon as she found a solution.

When Lily Leticia came into the cafeteria, Heather waved frantically from the back of the room. She was hiding at a small table just big enough for the two of them.

Lily Leticia set her tray down carefully, and said, Hey, why are you back here? This table’s not big enough for Kyle and Joseph, too.

I know that. I don’t want them here. It’s weird enough for me to be talking to you about this, I sure don’t want the guys around, too.

Oh, come on. Kyle and Joseph aren’t just guys, they’re friends.

It doesn’t matter, they’re guys!

Lily Leticia sighed loudly. Oh, all right. What do you mean that it’s weird talking to me? Don’t you usually talk to me about things?

Heather’s eyebrows plunged together. Yes, I do, but not about…you know, about guys. You may be a freshman in high school, Lily Leticia, but you’re still just a kid. You don’t know much about guys. That’s why it’s weird.

Well, frankly, I’d just as soon not know much about them. But we’re wasting time. Why do you think Alyssa is trying to steal Kevin away? Anyway, since when did you and Kevin become an item? I didn’t even know you were going out, Heather.

Oh…um…well, we’re not going out or anything like that. My mother would have an aneurysm if I asked her to let me date. I’m almost fifteen, and Mom swears I can’t date until I’m sixteen. I tell her some of my friends are dating already, but she just gives me that look. Anyway, I know Kevin likes me. He’s always talking to me, and when we have the same class, he sits next to me, and sometimes he walks down the hall with me. And…he even called me a couple of days ago.

Wow! He called you? What did you talk about?

Heather lowered her eyes. Umm, well, he wanted to know if he could borrow my notes for our Algebra class. But…

But nothing, Heather! He wanted to borrow your notes, probably ‘cause he doesn’t take any. That’s not the same as calling to talk to you!

Oh, Lily Leticia, don’t be so clueless! He wouldn’t have called me at all if he didn’t like me. He could have gotten the notes from his friends!

Lily Leticia pushed her hair back from her face impatiently. Heather, for crap’s sake! Kevin called you because you’re the second smartest person in our class. As for his friends, Jed and Tyler and those guys, they’re dumber than Kevin is.

Heather slammed her soda glass down on the table. Just stop it. Kevin is not dumb! I know he likes me, and now Alyssa is trying to get him away. And I haven’t even told you about her, yet!

At this point, the noise level became intolerable, as the cheerleaders came up on the stage to pump everyone up for the football game that night. By the time they left, the bell had rung for the next class.

As the girls stood up with their trays, Lily Leticia said, Well, that was just great. Those girls have no respect for anyone who’s not a fan of football. Since we didn’t get to talk now, why don’t you come over this afternoon? We can do our homework, and then you’ll tell me about Alyssa and I’ll tell you how to get rid of her!

Chapter Two:

When Lily Leticia walked out to the bus stop after school, Joseph and Kyle were already waiting, but Heather was nowhere around. Kyle said, Hey, how come you and Heather were sitting in the back by yourselves at lunch today? You keeping secrets from us? He looked over at Joseph and laughed.

Lily Leticia shifted her books from one arm to the other. Heather had something to talk to me about, and it wouldn’t have been of interest to you guys, anyway. It was, uh, you know, girl stuff.

Well, I guess you didn’t hear about what happened at gym today, did you? Look at Joseph’s face.

Joseph was Joseph Spotted Elk, an Abenaki Indian. Most of the Abenaki Indians who lived around Belfast, Maine, went to their own schools on their reservation. Joseph had always gone to public schools, since his mother lived in town and worked for a dentist. He had been teased in elementary school about being an Indian, but by middle school it had escalated to bullying, and it continued into high school.

Lily Leticia said gently, Joseph, let me see. When he raised his face to look at her, she gasped. One eye was bruised and turning purple, his nose was swollen and his