THE INHERITANCE - part thirty-six

THE INHERITANCE – part thirty-six ………

Welcome home

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A few weeks later:

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Kate answered her phone, “Hi, mom. How’s your decorating coming along? When can I see what you’ve done with your new apartment?”

“That’s why I’m calling, mo chailin milis. If you have time, please stop by so I can show you everything.”

“Oh, mom, abso…., wait, what did you just call me?” Kate started laughing.

“Kate, you know that old saying, ‘When in Rome,’”

“Yeah, but I never expected you to start speaking in Gaelic! Wow, surprise, surprise!”

Kate arrived at her mother’s apartment within the hour. She climbed the stairs but before she knocked on the door, she looked around at the view her mother would see from her parlor window. The door opened and Patti pulled her daughter inside.

“Oh, Kate! Isn’t it wonderful? Just look! All this living space is mine! All my workspace is downstairs and not cluttered in my bedroom! Come! Look at my kitchen!”

Because Patti’s apartment was an open-floor-plan studio design, Kate could see the kitchen from where she stood but, enjoying her mother’s excitement, followed her to the kitchen.

While it wasn’t large, it would suit Patti perfectly.

“I know the first thing you’re going to say. Everything seems so small in relation to the apartment in New York. But, Kate, I don’t need that much room. Don’t forget, I had nowhere to store my photography tools but now I do. I have that fantastic studio/dark room. Then, there’s the shop. I have more room here than I had in New York. I can’t even begin to tell you how happy this apartment makes me.”

“Mom, if you’re happy, that’s all that matters. Has Kieran seen it yet?”

“No, he’ll see it, oh, probably in about half an hour. I wanted to show it you to first. He’ll bringing the furniture I bought.”

“I’m really looking forward to seeing it furnished but I love how you decorated the walls and windows, but isn’t that kind of backwards? Most people put the furniture in first.”

“Oh, Kate, you should know by now; I’m not like most people.”

Two days later, Kate’s mother was almost on her way back to New York. “Mom, I’m really going to miss you.”

“Kate, I’ll be back in less than a week. I need to pack up my apartment, get my furniture placed in a consignment shop, pack the clothes I want and transfer my accounts to Terry’s bank. I’ve already called my attorney and he’s handling as much as he can before I get there. I’ve got too much here waiting for me to delay my return.”

“Mom, I know you’ve traveled to so many countries, and you never had a problem but, now that I know I can do this, I made you something.” She held out a small three-inch square box.

As Patti opened it, Kate told her about the gift. “It’s not much, mom. It’s a protection talisman bracelet to keep you safe while you travel.”

“Oh, Kate, it’s beautiful.” Then she took a closer look at the little piece of jewelry. “Did you make this?”

“Yes, mom, I went to the small shop that Katerine O’Leary owns and told her what I wanted to do. She showed me what stone to use and wrote down a spell for the bracelet. It’ll keep you safe in every way.”

“Oh, Kate, it’s more special now, just knowing that you made it for me.” She removed the bracelet from the box and slid it on her wrist, then pulled the strings to tighten it.

“You’ll need to explain what each stone means. Oh, Kate, is it supposed to vibrate?”

“Yes, mom. It won’t vibrate for long. Since I made the bracelet specifically for you, the vibration was, well, I guess you could say, activating. It won’t work for anyone but you and once you’re back, I’ll explain it all.”

Patti had already accepted the fact that her daughter was a witch but never thought she’d enjoy that part of her life. Now, she smiled as she thought, “Not only do I accept her life, and not only am I a part in it, but now, I find myself relishing with pride at who and what she is.” She hugged her daughter and said, “Huh, my daughter, the witch. Oh, how love her.”

Less than two weeks later, Patti’s plane landed at the Kerry airport and as she walked towards the terminal exit, wasn’t surprised to see Kate waiting for her but she was surprised to see Kieran standing next to Kate holding a bouquet of pink and yellow roses. He kissed her cheek as he handed her the flowers.

As Patti smiled at Kieran, Kate said, “I’m glad you’re back safely. So, no problems?”

“Kate, I do believe the bracelet you made for me helped make everything so much easier than I anticipated. I’m all set! Everything in New York is either on the way here or gone! What a relief. Can we go to Paddy’s to celebrate? You can tell me what you’ve been up to?”

Kate smiled as she began telling her mother of the renovations that had begun at her cottage. “Mom, at Ryan’s suggestion, I’ve hired Lynch Construction. The owner, Seamus has drawn up the most amazing plans. Come for supper tonight and I’ll show you what we’re doing.”

“Kate that would be fantastic.”

Kate turned to Kieran and said, “Kieran, I’d like you to join us.”

“Aw, Katie, that would be grand but ‘tis your mam’s first night back. You should spend it together. We’ll have lunch now and then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

They walked inside the pub, and heard Paddy’s deep laughing voice, “Ah, ‘tis two lovely ladies come to pay old Paddy a visit.”