YOU'RE ALL MINE - ch 10

YOU’RE ALL MINE - ch 10

(the magic of Midnight)

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“YOU DID WHAT?” Mia’s dad, Brian shouted as he looked at her scratched and bloody face.

“Brian,” Morena said softly, “she’s hurting. Let’s ease the physical, first, then you can bash in her emotions.”

Mia sat at the kitchen table while Finola spoke. “Brian, your da was just like Mia, always wanting to try something new, always adventurous.”

Brian’s head spun quickly. “And you, Aunt Finola! You knew she was going, and didn’t say anything. You said you watched her in the mirror. You allowed harm to come to my daughter. Look at her! She’s bruised, scraped, bloody! And that’s fine with you?”

Finola, then took the seat next to her nephew and accepted his rage. “Brian, she has the Diehl spirit in her, as did your da and you. She’ll want to explore. She’ll heal and the only scars she’ll have are the ones on her hand and in her heart. But, if you think this is the end of her explorations, you’re wrong. Your, ah, well, her fun is just beginning. Brace yourself. Your little girl is growing up.” She patted his hand, stood, then walked to Mia.

“Mo stor, do us all a favor, and allow me to go with you until you’re more proficient with the leys.” She glanced at Brian, “I’m afraid if you continue to go alone, your father might have a heart attack.”

She smiled, walked out the front door and vanished.

Brian turned to Morena, “See? See what she’s done? Why did I ever agree to move all of you here! We should have stayed in American where there are no ley lines. Mia wouldn’t have gotten hurt, then.”

Mia, while quiet all this time, finally spoke. “Dad, what makes you think I’d be safe in New York? No matter where we might live, I could have walked in the street and gotten hit by a car. You said you were glad to get us out of a crime-ridden area. The only crime I’ve seen here is when Francis O’Malley is tearing up the road making deliveries for his dad. Have you forgotten the latitudes and longitudes? They are the ley lines, dad! Sooner or later, I’d have figured it out and learned on my own to use them.”

She placed her hand on her father’s. “Dad, all your life, you’ve hidden what you are from me. I only found out because of Mo deas and since then, I’ve grown and will continue to grow. I’ll become! Why are you so afraid?”

He kept his eyes staring at the table and Mia gently pulled his chin and forced him to look at her. “Dad, you’re the witch in the family. You know I’ve inherited your abilities although I’m still learning them. Dad, I’ll be fine. Just wait and see.”

Brian hugged his daughter, sighed and responded, “Oh, Mia, when did you get so grown up? When I saw Finola bring you in with your face all bloodied and your jeans torn, I, well, I thought the worst.”

Morena eased her hand down the back of Mia’s hair. “Come, sweetheart, let’s get you cleaned then I’ll treat your wounds. I think under the circumstances, your dad might consider driving to town and bringing back a large sack of fish and chips. How do you feel about that?”

“Mom, Midnight tried to stop me, but I wouldn’t listen. I kept thinking, ‘she’s a cat, what does she know?’ Mom, she knows more than I do. From now on, I’ll trust her instincts.”

Brian looked down at Midnight who sat quietly at Mia’s feet. He reached down and gently picked her up. “Midnight, I know I can’t understand you, but I also know you can understand me. So, if you were hurt during Mia’s fiasco, please give me a soft purr. If you’re ok, can you give me a loud screech?”

Brian laughed. “Yikes! Midnight, when I said a loud screech, I didn’t mean loud enough to wake the dead in the next town. You almost blew a hole in my ear drum.” He hugged the feline. “Thank you for at least trying to keep Mia safe. You’re good girl. I’ll make sure I bring home some fresh fish for you.”

Midnight rubbed her head under his chin. Brian placed her in his daughter’s lap, stood and headed for the door. “Morena, when I come home, how about if we open that bottle of Hennessey. After this, I think we’re really going to need some.” Morena laughed and nodded.

Morena noticed that her daughter was trying to disguise a slight limp. “Mia, once we get into the bathroom, take off those jeans. I need to see how badly you hurt your knees. You’ll stand in the shower while I wash you and there will be no argument. As your mother and a nurse, I will wash you, from head to toe. I need to see what other parts of your body you injured.”

Mia leaned on her mother’s arm. “Thanks, mom. I really appreciate this. I didn’t want to upset dad more than he is, but I really still feel a bit shaky. Smashing to the ground so suddenly, then getting lost? Mom, I really scared myself. I feel …” Mia rushed to the toilet and violently vomited.

“There, there, my darling.” Morena said as she stroked the back of her daughter’s head.

Morena turned the shower water to about ninety-degrees, and as Mia stepped inside, Morena stripped down to her underwear.

Squirting a dollop of antibacterial soap in her hand, Morena began gently washing her daughter while, also feeling for other injuries. Each time Mia gasped, Morena checked deeper.

Once satisfied that her daughter’s injuries were not serious, she rinsed off the soap, turned off the water and handed Mia a towel.

“When you’re dry, I’ll bandage up the more serious cuts and we’ll go downstairs and wait for your dad to bring home supper.”

As she turned to gather the bandages, she never noticed the tears slide down Mia’s face.