TUS NUA - ch 26

TUS NUA – ch 26

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

Tauri volunteered to help Sybil and her family transition to Ireland. “It’ll be fun,” she said. “Piece of cake!”

Now coming to the realization and acceptance that Tauri and her family were witches, they didn’t doubt her for second.

Finola stood abruptly and said, “Dara, let’s open the door to our new guests.”

Mia looked quizzickly at her great aunt since she her powers were still being blocked.

Finola opened the door as a woman who appeared to be in her mid-thirties eased herself from the front seat of her car. She then opened the back door and after reaching in, pulled a young girl out.

Without releasing the girls wrist, she all but stomped to the door that Finola held open.

“Welcome to Tus Nua, the house of New Beginnings. Please come in. Sit, we’ll have tea as you tell me what we can do for you.”

Finola spared Sybil and her family a quick glance and saw they were huddled in a corner making a list of what to bring from New York and what to either sell or donate before they left. Sybil’s brother, John said he’d need two weeks to give his employer notice. She heard Sybil ask, “Johnny, are you really sure you want to leave the police force?” He answered, “Sybbie, there is no doubt in my mind. Look, sis, I love being a cop but to be totally honest with you? Well, I only joined the force so I’d have the necessary resources to find you. I don’t need those tool any longer, so leaving will be easy, as long as I know I’ll be near you. I have no words to describe how I felt when you disappeared and now that you’re back in my life? Well, nothing else matters, now, does it?”

Finola turned her attention back to the new arrivals as Tauri brought in some tea and chocolate chip cookies.

“Ms. Finola, I’m sorry to barge in on you like this. I’m Rose McGovern and this is my daughter, Lyra, “ before she could continue, Lyra interrupted, “Mom, knock it off. Don’t you think they know who we are and why you dragged me here? Just go.”

Finola said mentally to her nieces, “Dara, Tauri, we are going to have our hands full.”

She smiled at Rose and commented, “Rose, first of all, please call me Finola. We’re not formal here.” Then she turned to Lyra and said, “Lyra? You have a choice. Call me Finola or Aintin which is Gaelic for aunt.”

Lyra crossed her arms across her chest and replied curtly, “You’re not my aunt and I have no intention of staying. My mom can walk out on me, but that doesn’t mean I have to stay!”

Dara asked, “Rose, is she always as contrary as this?”

The woman answered sadly, “This is nothing compared to how she is at home. She’s been like this ever since her father left. Before you ask, we have no idea where he is but I did receive a notice in the post that he’s petitioned for divorce. Since then, Lyra just hasn’t been the same. I need to work, sometimes very late and leave Lyra alone. Sometimes she takes off for hours. A few times, she didn’t come home for a day or two. She’ll never tells me where she goes or who she’s with. I’m worried sick but I can’t afford to quit work. I’m at a loss as to what to do.”

She rubbed her hands over her face and continued. “Word of mouth says you help young women find themselves. I know Lyra is probably the youngest you’ve ever encounted and she’s not the kind of person you help. Yes, word gets around, but please, I don’t know what to do or where else to turn. Even if she can’t stay here, perhaps you could give me some advice.”

Her eyes held pleas of desperation as she looked at Finola.

Mia, looked at Midnight and nodded. She thought, “Well, at least my cat can still hear me!”

Midnight slipped through the feline door that Finola placed in the back mudroom. Within five minutes, she was back followed by a kitten like none she’d ever seen. Mia looked at the kitten and said to herself, “Hmph! She’s black, brown, orange, white, gray. Wow, a cat of many colors!”

Midnight nudged the kitten toward Lyra, then helped her to leap in the young girls lap.

Unconsciously, Lyra began stroking the kitten’s head. Although the teen seemed to relax while holding the kitten, she stared at her mother and angrily said, “Dad left and you’re never home. At least if I’m on the streets, there are people I can talk to. I have company. When you are home, it’s always ‘Lyra do this! Lyra do that!’ Always demanding me to do stuff that’s supposed to be your job! You’re the mother but you never act like one.”

Dara asked, “Ms. McGovern, may I?”

With teary eyes, the woman nodded her head, then Dara turned her attention to the teen.

“Well, now, Lyra, can I ask you a few questions?”

Still absent-mindedly petting the kitten, she snarled, “Yeah, whatever!”

Dara began, “So now, it’s a bit chilly outside, do you agree?”

“Yeah, so what?”

“Hmm. Your jacket seems new. Did you steal it?”

Lyra’s eyes opened with shock, then she looked fiercely at Dara. “No, I did not! I’m not a theif!”

“Ah, then, if you didn’t steal it, where did you get it? I know it’s an expensive jacket.”

In definace, Lyra, again snarled, “My ma gave it to me for my birthday last month, not that it’s any of your business!”

“Ah, and your new shoes? I guess then, since your ma doesn’t have a lot of money, you must have stolen them. Right?”

“Again, I’m no theif. Ma gave them to me last week. Guess she saw how worn the soles were.”

“Oh, Lyra, I love your earrings. Where on earth did you get such expensive jewelry? I know they cost a lot since I have a very similar pair.”

More quietly, Lyra said, “She gave them to me for Christmas.”

“Oh, I think I understand now. Your mom cooks, cleans, does the laundry, keeps the house clean, and on top of that, works way too long hours so she can give you nice gifts like what you’re wearing. All this and you never once bothered to help her around the house? Well, I have one thing to say to you. Lyra, you are a spoiled, selfish, ungrateful, lazy little girl who needs to grow up and accept some responsibility or one day, your ma will get sick and die and then you won’t have anyone. Think about that!”

Dara stood and walked away from the table where she left Lyra on the verge of tears.