TUS NUA - ch 9

TUS NUA – ch 9

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

When Mia declared her witchy status, Nora Green’s excitement came to a screeching halt. Shock was an understatement as she stood as still as a stone monument, even to the point, she wasn’t sure if she was still breathing.

Her husband, Sam, slowly nodded. “When you think about it, it sort of makes a bit of sense. You found the girls on Long Island, took them safely to Ireland, now you’re here to take us to them. All this in, what’d you say? Four days?”

Nora slowly turned to her husband. “You’re not going to sit there and seriously tell me you believe she’s a witch, are you?”

His eyes looked at her in a pleading way as if to beg her to understand. “Nora, honey, I’m Irish. How else can all this be happening?”

Mia reached up and took hold of Nora’s hand. “Mrs. Green. Please listen to me. There is way more to your girls’ story than I’m prepared to say. I’d rather you hear it from them and my aunt. Once we arrive in Ireland, Aunt Finola will explain everything. Please, you need to trust me. Your girls need you. Please let me take you to them.”

Nora ever-so-slowly sat down. Looking from Mia to Sam and back to Mia, she asked, “How long will it take to get to where they are?”

If she looked shocked before, Mia’s answer had Nora look like she was about to melt into a puddle of water. “Mrs. Green, I can get you and your husband to Greenan as soon as you’re ready to leave. Just pack a small bag – your basic essentials. If you need more, we can get whatever you need in Ireland.”

Nora looked at her husband when he said, “I’ll go upstairs and pack. We’ll only take one small travel case. She’s right, my love. The lighter we pack, the faster we travel. Nora, please trust Mia. Trust me.”

Nora still held Mia’s hand and looked pleadingly into her eyes. “Please, tell me this isn’t a scam. Please be honest. Do you know where my girls are? Are they safe?” Mia heard and felt the desperation in Nora’s voice.

Mia took a deep breath, stood and pulled Nora into the kitchen. “Mrs. Green, bear with me. I haven’t done this often. My aunt is an expert at this, but I’m going to try. Can I use a mixing bowl?”

Nora thought it was a strange request but opened the door to the pantry and pulled out a stainless-steel bowl. “Will this do?”

“It’s perfect. Before I try my hand at my aunt’s magic, would you please call Mr. Green?”

Nora walked to the staircase and called out, “Sam, can you come into the kitchen for a minute? Mia is up to something, and I don’t understand it.”

As she turned to walk to the back of the house, she heard Sam’s feet pounce on every step.

Mia had filled the bowl with water and set it on the table. “Keep in mind, I don’t have my mirror with me, and I’ve never used a bowl of water but I’m going to try. Please concentrate on your daughters.”

Mia placed her hands over the bowl of water and said, “By the moon and the earth and the elements that be, by the air that I breathe and the tide and the sea, show us what is hidden from me. So, I desire it; so, mote it be!”

Nora and Sam were silent and a bit frightened when the water began to bubble, fog, then suddenly clear as an image appeared. They saw their daughters, Laura and Mary huddled together on a stone bench in a beautiful flower garden. They held tightly to each other. Mia waved her left hand over the bowl. Nora and Sam heard Mary say, “Finola said Mia went to get our parents. I want to go home so badly. I hope they come soon.” Laura comforted her sister. “Look, Mary, they’ve been nothing but kind and truthful with us. I feel it in my heart that we’ll be seeing mom and dad soon. Hey, Finola said there’s a stream just up ahead. Let’s take a walk. I’m just tired of sitting on this bench all day.”

Nora laughed. “Oh my lord, that is definitely Laura. And yes, Mary’s the worrywart.”

She turned to her husband, “Honey, all I want to take is my wallet and hairbrush. I don’t care about the rest. Let’s just go!”

He kissed the top of his wife’s mass of red curls and said, “Give me a few seconds to run upstand and grab our travel case; then we’re gone. Mia, will that give you enough time to make our arrangements?”

Mia smiled. “Your arrangements are sitting in my pocket. Whenever you’re ready. Lock up your house, let your neighbors know you’ll be gone a few days, then before you know it, we’ll be in Ireland.”

Neither Nora nor Sam understood what Mia meant about their arrangements sitting in her pocket, but they’d already stopped doubting her.

“Mia, one more thing, please, if you don’t mind. Is there anything the girls need that we should bring?”

Mia’s grin grew. “Not one thing. Remember, Ireland is the land of magic. Whatever they needed, we’ve already supplied. Now, if your ready, Mr. Green, please hold your wife’s hand and don’t let go. Place the travel case at your feet. Mrs. Green, hold my hand and don’t let go. Ready?” Mia almost laughed when she said, “Ireland, here we come!”

She pulled the small glowing orb from her pocket and gave it a gently toss in the air. As it descended, it grew into a large oval and swallowed the trio.

In seconds, they stood inside Tus Nua where they were greeted by Finola.

“Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Green. Wonderful to meet you. I’ve the kettle to boil and while we have tea, before I call your girls, there are things you need to know that they have forgotten. What they remember might be too embarrassing for them to say aloud. Please have a seat.”

She led them to a small sitting area in the corner of the gathering room. Julie brought a tray with the teapot, cups, sugar, and milk.

Midnight, realizing the fear that still sat in Nora’s heart, jumped in her lap and began softly mewing.

Finola began telling the Greens about their daughters.