TUS NUA - ch 15

TUS NUA – ch 15

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

Finola led the young girls up to the second floor. The door that led to the room that Mary and Laura shared returned to its natural white. Finola said, “Merry, Noel, this will be your room. What is your favorite color?.”

Noel shyly smiled and said, “There isn’t one special color but I love unicorns.”

Merry commented, “Unicorns are her favorite animals. She loves to dream about riding on one.”

“Noel, think of a unicorn drawing, then touch the doorknob,” Finola suggested.

When the young girl placed her hand around the knob, she and her sister jumped back. They weren’t sure if they were more frghtened or surprised as a picture of a snow while unicorn stood near a stream in front of a sky blue background.

With eyes wide, Merry asked, “How did you do that?”

“My cousin, Alistar is a white which with many magical atributes. He built this house and designed it so whatever room is chosen, designes itself to the wishes of its occupants.” She pointed at the names above the unicorn.

Noel almost screeched with delight as she pointed. “Merry, Merry, look. Our names are on the door! Oh, Merry, I’m going to like staying ..”

Merry looked at Finola and fearfully asked as she interrupted her sister, “Uh, Ms Finola, how long would we be allowed to stay?”

Finola wraped an arm around each girl, leaned over and kissed the tops of their heads. “First of all, you can call me Finola. Or, do as my niece does and call me Aintin. That’s the Gaelic word for aunt. And as far as your staying here? Well, that depends on both of you, now doesn’t it? You can stay a night, a week, a month, or well, however long you please. We only ask that you relax, enjoy yourself, and help out as often as you can.”

She nudged the girls inside and finished, “I’ll be downstairs if you need me. Oh and should you need the bathroom, you’ll see the word ‘relief” written on it.”

Finola turned and walked towards the steps but mumbled to herself, “I really need to get Alistar into putting in an elevator. I’m too old to be tackling these stairs.”

Merry and Noel smiled as they gently closed the door to their new room.

Beverly was finishing her statement as Finola walked back into the gathering room. Seeing her, Beverly smiled and said, “And now that Finola is here, there is one more thing I’d like to add. With the permission of Finola, I’d like to continue to stay here and help care for anyone who comes here seeking help. I may not have been able to give all of you what you needed and when you needed it, but now that I’m free, I feel it’s only right that I atone for my negligence and help where I can.”

All the young women tried to speak at the same time to reassure Beverly that she did what she had the ability to do but it was Finola who made the decision. “Ladies, Beverly has a point but only in how she feels and feelings are important. In our hearts, we all know Beverly did what she could. She was hindered by a family of bullies but, she did her best. Beverly? As far as you staying here and helping? I would be honored if you would. You have the ability now, to help when needed. You have the instinct to know that’s needed and when. Yes, you would be a wonderful addtion to Tus Nua.”

As tears welled up in Beverly’s eyes, everyone cheered and applauded, more to show Beverly how grateful they were that they had her in their lives.

Jules hugged Beverly and mentioned that while she knew several of the young women in the group would eventually move on, there would be others, for various reasons that would find their ways to Tus Nua. “Beverly, I can almost promise that you’ll have plenty to do. This house will never be empty.”

Heads turned as Mia walked in from outside with mud covering her jeans. “Sorry, Aintin, didn’t mean to interrupt.” She looked at Annora. “Annora, didn’t you say you might be interested in gardneing?”

Annora nodded. “I am, absolutely. Flowers, vegetables, fruits. Whatever grows from the ground grabs my interest.”

“Good, I can use you outside, if you’re free but I must warn you, you’ll get plenty of mud on you.”

The young woman stood. “I’m all for mud. Let’s go, oh, Aintin, do you need me for anything?”

Finola smiled as the young girl called her aunt. “No, mo stor. Go! Help Mia.” Turning to Annora’s sister, she said, “CC, in the drawer over there,” she pointed to a table near the door, “you’ll find a few pencils and a sketch pad. Why not go and see how you can draw those two getting themselves full of mud?” CC laughed but jumped up from her seat and all but ran to the table.

“Finola, uh, I mean, Aintin, can I ask a question?”

The white witch looked at Liz Waters and answered, “Of course, mo stor. Ask anything you’d like.”

“Well, just like Mary and Laura, many of us were taken either before we graduated from high school or immediately afterwards. I’m sure I was seventeen when I was taken but my memory is still sketchy. Is there any way to find out how old I was? Did I graduate from high school? Had I made any plans for college?”

“Hmm, Liz, we can but it would mean digging into your mind and I can’t predict what I might find. You’d have to be completely open and willing and not afraid or embarrased at what I might discover.”

“Oh, Aintin, after all I’ve been through, I doubt that anything else could shock me. Hurt me? Maybe. But I need to know. I’ve decided what I’d like to do with my life but can’t until I know what I left behind.”

“Can I ask what choice you’ve made?”

“Yes. I’ve been here four days now and had the opportunity to, I’m almost embarased to say this, but I’ve eavesdropped on a few conversations your nephews had with their wives. I wanted to try and find a future for myself and listening to them, I’ve decided that if at all possible, I’d like to go to school and become a veteranarian and maybe work with Ian and Mickey. That is, if they’d allow it.”

Finola smiled and offered, “Take my hand. We’ll use my orb and go to my home where we’ll have more privacy.”