YOU'RE ALL MINE - ch 8

YOU’RE ALL MINE - ch 8

(the magic of Midnight)

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“Don’t rush fitting Midnight inside the pouch. You want to be sure she’s comfortable, not squashed.”

“That’s right, Mia, you break one of my legs, I can’t promise how gentle I’ll be when I wake you in the morning.”

Mia, with frustration, shut her eyes tightly and after a few seconds, opened them and replied, “Midnight, hush and stop fidgeting.”

Finally getting her familiar in her pouch, Mia did as instructed and was able to tie the papoose on her back.

“Mia, mo chailin daor (my dear girl), how does it feel?” asked Finola.

“Aintin, it feels, well, like it’s not even there. It’s so light and comfortable.”

“Good, that’s exactly the way I designed it. Midnight looks, maybe not so much at ease, but at least secure. Let’s go jump that line to the fish store.”

They heard Midnight purr contentedly and Mia felt the rub of the cat’s nose on her back.”

Finola walked out her door first, then motioned to Mia to follow. “Hold my arm and step right next to me” As Mia stood close to her aunt, without warning, the world seemed to spin. Then, as quickly as the motion began, it stopped, and they were at the edge of town.”

“Wow! Aintin, that was some ride! I really need to sit down,” and she staggered to and sat on the nearest seat.

She eased the papoose off her back to check Midnight.

“Midnight. Are you okay?” The cat didn’t immediately answer and when she finally opened her eyes, they were wider than normal and seemed as though they were swimming in their sockets.

Mia gently lifted her familiar out of the papoose and placed the cat on the ground, upon which the wobbly feline immediately vomited.

“Hmm, guess she’ll have to get use this, won’t she, Aintin?”

Finola chuckled and said, “From the greenish look on your face, mo chailin daor (my dear girl), she’s not the only one. Let’s sit for a while. I have an idea that might help Midnight.”

After retrieving her small sewing kit from the sack she always carried, and after working on the papoose for close to thirty minutes, she held it up and asked, “Mia, mo ghra, what do you think?”

“Aintin, while it looks like a papoose, in a way, it doesn’t. How do I wear it and how does Midnight fit in it?”

“My original design had your familiar sitting at your back facing away. Being a kitten, I didn’t think it would bother her but apparently, I was wrong. This one is more like a pillow. Midnight will be in an almost standing upright position, between the padded material. The papoose will now sit on your chest with Midnight facing towards where you’re going. I think that’ll work better for her. Let’s have lunch, then we’ll walk a while so our food can digest, then we’ll try this new gadget out. How does that sound?”

“Aintin? It sounds awesome – I mean all of it, even how Midnight will fit in the papoose. I can hardly wait to try it out.”

Midnight rubbed her head against Finola’s ankle and purred, then turned to Mia and said, “You’re right, mo stor, but let’s hit the fish market first.”

Mia laughed and replied, “Guess it didn’t take long for your stomach to settle, huh, Midnight? Aintin, guess you can imagine where our first stop will be.”

Finola looked at Midnight and although she spoke in Gaelic, Mia understood each word. “Midnight, you silly little girl. Have you forgotten that I’m a witch? I may not demonstrate that I understand every word you say, but trust me, my little one. I do. There’s no need to try and hide your words or emotions from me. After all, I am gifted with the sight.”

Midnight jumped into Mia’s lap but stood as still as a stone. Finola reached over and began to rub the feline’s back. “Oh, Midnight, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. It’s just that since you’re Mia’s familiar, I just assumed you’d know who and what I am.”

The young kitten relaxed and answered in Gaelic, “I had just gotten so used to people not understanding me, that I thought you didn’t either. Guess, like me, you’re quiet about your gifts.”

Midnight jumped from Mia’s lap into Finola’s and licked her cheek. More relaxed now, she looked up at Mia and her aunt and said, “So, ladies, can we please get food! I hear the hake is delicious this time of year.”

Mia laughed and said, just give me a minute. She pulled her phone from her pocket and called her mother. “Mom, we’re in town. How about if I bring home fish for supper?”

Morena, laughed at her daughter’s suggestion. “Mia, honey, are your reading minds now? I was going to head there as soon as I left the clinic. Yes, please by all means, get what looks good and have fun with your aunt.”

The woman who ran the counter at the fish market greeted them with a smile. “Good afternoon, to ya, Mia, and you also, Finola. What perfect timing. The boats came in about half an hour ago and are almost finished unloading their catch. What are you looking for?”

Mia asked about the hake and the woman agreed. “Excellent choice, my dear. I’ll go wrap it up and get a small dish for Midnight.”

After they made their purchases, ate lunch, and wandered around town, it was time to head home. Mia placed Midnight in the improved papoose then with her aunt by her side, stepped on the ley line and vanished.

Seconds later, they were at Finola’s door with Mia laughing heartedly. “Oh, Aintin! What a rush. I love this.”

She looked down at Midnight and heard her say with delight, “Oh my lordie! That was fun! Can we do it again? Please? Soon? I want to do it again!”