MIDNIGHT MAGIC - ch 5

MIDNIGHT MAGIC – ch 5

Julie

(*)(*)(*)

Morena spoke. “Mia, go! I’ll wrap up dinner and bring it to Finola’s. See you in a bit.”

Mia didn’t hesitate. She stood and grabbed her friend’s hand. “Julie, hold on to me and don’t let go. No matter what you feel, hold on tight.” She looked at her cat, “Midnight, ready?”

Midnight, in one leap, landed on Mia’s shoulders and wrapped her little furry body around Mia’s neck.

Outside, Mia pulled Julie two steps to her right, then said, “Julie, when I say ‘go,’ step once more the right. Ready?”

In shock and stunned to silence, she only nodded and tightened her grip on her friend’s hand. She heard Mia say, “Go!”

Within a heartbeat, they were standing at Finola’s front door. Julie’s knees buckled but she didn’t fall. Instead, she remarked, “Mia, what the heck was that? What happened? I feel like I’m going to throw up!”

Mia placed a hand gently on her friend’s back and guided her to the side of the house and encouraged Julie to bend over and relieve herself. The cat meowed, “Mia, mo stor (my dear), I really feel bad for her. I remember my first line ride.”

Mia smiled at her cat and replied, “Yeah, Midnight, I remember that as well. It took you hours before your stomach settled.”

As Julie wiped her mouth on the tissue Mia handed her, she said, “That was one heck of a ride. You’re going to have to explain that to me.”

“Later, Jules. We need to get inside.”

Finola looked at Julie. “Sorry, Julie, I’m so used the leys that I forgot many people have trouble with their first ride. Sit. Here’s some tea.”

Mia gave her great-aunt a questionable look to which Finola subtly nodded. Mia understood that Finola added a tasteless herb that would calm Julie’s queasiness.

As Julie settled, Finola sat and began asking, “Tell me, Julie. I know you think talking about it will upset you, but believe me, you’ll feel greatly relieved once you’re finished. Tell me what he was like when you met him, how and when you saw him change.”

Although she left out no details, it didn’t take her long to relate her story. Finola sat quietly and listened intently as Julie spoke. Every now and then, Mia noticed her friend’s eyes begin to mist. Finola gave Mia a ‘leave her alone’ look and knowing her great-aunt understood that look. Julie needed to find her own strength. Showing her sympathy, while offering her comfort, would weaken rather than strengthen her. Mia backed away.

Once Julie had completed her story, Finola stood and said, “Girls, come with me. We need to go upstairs for a bit. Midnight, you come, too, but stay alert.” Midnight’s ears picked up and she meowed, “Aintin, I’m always alert.” Finola smiled at the cat’s tenacity.

“In here,” Finola said as she opened a bedroom door and led them to a large table on which were many items, some of which Mia recognized, and many she did not.

“First, thing, Julie, I need to ask. Do you have anything that had belonged to your ex-fiancé?”

Julie thought about the things she packed and quickly, her eyes widened. “OMG! I’d forgotten all about that. Yes, I have an old t-shirt of his. I used it as a nightgown.”

Finola didn’t need to ask but Mia inquired, “Julie, do you have any objection if I race home to get it? We’re going to need it.”

Her friend looked confused. “I can’t imagine how a raggedy old t-shirt can be of help but, Mia, you don’t have to ask. Please, go, get what you need.”

Finola placed her hand on Mia’s arm and using the strength of her thoughts told Mia to bring whatever belongings Julie had, to her house. Mia nodded and flew, really flew down the stairs. As she did, she said, “Midnight, I’m going to ask you for a very special favor. I won’t be long but while I’m gone, please keep watch. Your ears are incredibly special, and your intuition is impeccable. Thake care of my friend.”

Midnight rubbed her head on Mia’s leg and meowed, “Not to worry, mo ghra (my love). I may be a cat, but I am tough. Go!”

With that, Mia smiled, stepped outside and onto the ley line that took her home.

Midnight trotted up the stairs and quietly walked to where Finola and Julie were sitting. She rubbed her head on Finola’s leg and meowed.

“Ah, draiocht an mhean oiche, mo stor, Ta bro norm. Rinne me dearmad. Socroidh me e seo.”

Finola didn’t wait for Julie to ask but said, “It’s Gaelic for ‘Ah, Midnight Magic, my dear, I am sorry. I forgot. I will fix this.’ With all the excitement, I forgot to give Mia’s familiar her treat. I’ll be right back.”

Julie asked, “Aintin, can I walk downstairs with you? Uh, oh, can I call you Aintin?”

Finola smiled and said, “I would like that very much.”

Together, while they waited for Mia, they headed toward the kitchen to give Midnight a small dish of fresh haddock.

When Mia returned a few minutes later, Julie saw her luggage and backpack sitting on the floor where Mia now stood.

Finola placed her arm around Julie’s shoulders and as she hugged the girl, declared, “Julie, my girl, for the next few weeks, you’ll be living here, with me. The Diehl family is determined to keep you safe. We all work together.”

For the first time in days, as her eyes filled with tears, Julie actually began to relax.