TUS NUA - ch 37

TUS NUA – ch 37

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

Finola smiled at Nora and remarked, “Well, daughter, it seems as though our new guest must either be filthier than we thought or he’s thoroughly enjoying the hot shower.”

Nora chuckled and replied, “I’ve a feeling it’s both. I don’t imagine the boy has had a hot shower in some time. Once he’s clean and has seen that the girls are safe, I’ll give him a cup of soothing tea that will help him finally have the peaceful sleep he’s needed for so long.”

Dara joined the group. “Tomorrow will be a busy day, eh, Finola? With us going to America to bring back Sybil’s family, getting young Kevin and the girl reunited, our regular household chores, not to mention keeping an eye on Alistar and Neil. What else have you got planned?”

“We’ll see to our new guests first since they’re children, then once they’re settled, we’ll leave. Between all the adults still here, I’ve no worries.” Finola looked around, added, “We still need to find Ali’s sister. But that can wait a bit. She doesn’t seem to be a hurry and I’m sure Sybil will pop in here and there.”

Mia responded, “I’m sure of it. Sybil’s just as enthusiastic to get her family here as they are to get here. And speaking of Ali, while the rest of you are busy, I can begin an internet search for her sister. I won’t probe into her mind unless it’s necessary.”

They felt his presence before they saw him. Kevin felt grateful but completely awkward joining the group who sat around the table. Nora turned, “Ah, and who might this clean and handsome young lad be?” She walked to where he was trying to look inconspicuous and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Come, Kevin. I’ll take you upstairs to see the girls. If they’re still asleep, how about if we leave them be until the morning? But you can still walk over to them and ease your mind.”

“I’d like that,” he answered as they began to climb the stairs.

He was, to say the least, amazed. “Nora, this door has their names written on it. Have they been with you that long?”

She smiled and explained, “No, mo stor. Remember I told you we are a clan of witches? Alistar, who is also a witch built this house for the purpose of caring for those in need. Each time a guest stays, their name appears on the door of their choosing. It only disappears when the guest leaves permanently. These upper floors are for our female guests, who mostly are young adults and children. Although calling them young adults seems a bit unfair to them. Their ages are between 18 and 28 but they’ve lost much of their childhood. We try to help them find their way in life. The first floor is for us older adults and any male guests we might invite. I’d say the way Alistar built it, it’s a special, magical house.”

With awe still showing in his eyes, he said, “Wow, I’ll say!”

As Nora turned the doorknob, she whispered, “Remember, it they’re asleep, let’s leave them for tonight. They’ve had quite the experience in the last two days. And, well, I’m sure in the last few years. Are you ready, then?”

Kevin nodded and Nora opened the door.

The young boy quietly tiptoed inside and still in bare feet, made his way to the single bed the girls shared. He wanted desperately to soothe their hair and kiss the top of their heads, like most parents do when their children are sleeping, like he did the many months he watched over them. Yet, as much as he felt the need to reassure himself in that way, he hesitated.

“It’s fine, Kevin. You can kiss them goodnight. I sincerely doubt you’ll awaken either of them.”

He first leaned over Caroleena and after brushing a curl from her forehead, kissed the top her head gently. Then after walking to the other side of the bed, did the same to her sister, Jenny. Without taking his eyes off the young girls, he silently walked backwards and slipped outside the room.

“Oh, Nora, they look so peaceful. I wish I could take care of them forever, but I’m sure they’ve got parents who are looking for them. I guess since I met them, I’ve felt sort of responsible for them. Nora, so much has happened, I can’t even remember how long ago it was that I found them.”

After they descended the stairs, Nora looked at Finola and silently requested, “Cousin, read my thoughts.”

Finola nodded her approval and heard Nora say, “Kevin, let’s take a walk outside. Then I’ll brew you a cup of tea before you lay your own head down to rest.”

Once outside, she told him what information they’d so far found out, saying how the wait is the hardest.

“But you said you and your family are witches,” he started. “Isn’t there any way you could, well, hurry things?”

“Yes, we could, but if witches always did what they wanted and when, we’d have no use for anyone to have jobs, now would we? The guarda (police) and laboratory people studied hard to get where they are. It wouldn’t be fair to them to just, well, snap our fingers and take away what they’ve worked so hard to learn. The girls are fine and will be and once we’re sure who their grandparents are, we’ll bring them here for a few days. If all goes as well as we hope, we’ll take them all back to, well, wherever their grandparents live.”

Kevin suddenly looked unhappy. “Will you allow me to stay here until then? No matter how long it takes? Please?”

Nora put her arms around him and uttered, “Oh, mo stor, of course. You can stay here as long as you’d like. We never set a time limit for those who live here. But, while we are working on helping the girls, what about you? Isn’t there anyone in your life that we can contact?”

Trying to hide the misty water in his eyes, he whispered, “The only I ever remember having was my maam. And well, you know what happened, there.”