Abby scarcely noticed Gita’s presence on the bench. Instead, her mind was leading her on a merry chase around the fringes of reality, all thanks to spying the cottage photos. Her imagined cottage. She wondered if it was too late to catch a ride with Sander. Driving the loop aimlessly seemed more rational than trying to make sense of the impossible. Abby’s good manners wouldn’t let her ignore the sage any longer. She handed Gita her fan.
“Does this mean you and that logic seeking mind parted ways for the time being?” Gita smoothed a wrinkle from her linen pants.
“Since it failed at supplying answers, yes. I’m back on your proverbial doorstep, asking for more clarity. Do you have time to continue ministering to me?” Abby gazed at the park’s clock.
“I certainly do. My dear, why don’t you tell me what’s got you so ruffled? I like that word and try to use it often. Do you like the sound of ‘ruffle’? Ruffle.”
Abby’s laugh came spontaneously. “I might like it more later on when it stops describing me.”
“Shall we find a word you like?” Gita’s voice carried sincerity.
“What? Right now? When I feel like I’m inhabiting Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland?”
Gita gave a gentle pat to Abby’s arm. “My dearest girl, Charm has so much more to offer than that silly place. Let’s see.” Gita studied Abby’s face. “Yes. Your word this afternoon is attraction. My, attraction suits your situation nicely. Will you allow us to work with attraction and answer more questions?”
From the corner of her eye, Abby saw Sander climb into his expensive sports car. She could bolt, bang on the window, and beg a seat. Riding the loop offered pretty scenery but, no doubt, lousy company. Abby sighed. “I can work with attraction.”
“Very well. Since the lunch crowd has thinned, I think our bench will offer enough solitude. Why don’t you start by telling me what attracted you on that bulletin board?” Gita dug inside her handbag.
Abby gulped. “I attracted—I attracted my ideal dream English cottage. The same one you asked me a moment ago if I recognized. I do. It’s my long-held vision of a dream home. Hey, maybe I’m in la-la-land?”
Gita’s laugh broke through. “You’re exactly where you need to be, and that’s living a charmed life in Charm. How about that sweet cottage? As I said earlier, you’ll need a place to call home. You’ve held the dream of that cottage in your heart. Yes?”
“Yes, I’ve envisioned living in that make-believe cottage. But Gita—”
“Your imagined cottage now has a purpose, a place. We return to your word, attraction. You’ve attracted it to Charm. Isn’t it simply too wonderful how things manifest here?”
“Hold up. Gita, are you saying I ordered—make that attracted—this cottage using Charm’s approved methods? And that it truly exists here?” Abby shook her head in disbelief. “Poor, poor Sander.”
“Sander? What does that man have to do with our conversation?” Gita glanced around.
Abby laughed. Taking a humorous side trip from the whole cottage manifestation discussion, she gathered her words. “I’m feeling sympathy toward Sander and whoever has been chosen to explain the ways of Charm.”
“Goodness, Sander couldn’t possibly absorb these lessons anytime soon. I’m confident he’s been placed on a slow, a very slow track. Don’t worry about him. I promise he’s being cared for in a way best suited for his learning.” Gita gentled a smile on Abby. “Why don’t we return to your attracting such splendid gifts?”
“Okay, but it’s a relief to know Sander won’t drive the loop for the rest of his life.” Abby’s frown returned. “So, back to my conjuring this English cottage.” She’d go along and absorb another incredibility. Charm had no shortage of them. “Where is my little sanctuary hiding? Am I supposed to move there? For how long?” The questions poured forth, along with unexpected excitement.
Gita held up her hand. “One question at a time. First, we must visit William and find out the details. Won’t that be a pleasant visit?”
“If you say so.” Abby’s eleven lines between her brows deepened.
Gita’s eyes sparkled. “Yes, I say so most emphatically. As for how long you might live in the cottage, we’ve covered that ground,” Gita’s softly spoken words reminded Abby.
“Right. I remember. You said it depends on me and how I progress.” Abby hesitated. “Still, I can’t fathom how the cottage exists somewhere in Charm.” Abby stole a breath. “I know. Perhaps my fairy godmother is involved? I’m borrowing your cats’ names for a second here.”
“I sense a dose of your stress-relieving wit is about to befall me.” Gita fluttered her eyes. “Pray, continue.”
Abby couldn’t suppress her laugh—Gita had her number. “Without further ado, I offer you my explanation for the cottage conjuring. I call it levity cloaked in truth.” Abby stood and waved a virtual wand. “Abracadabra, Abby Drake now has a home that lived only in her mind, all compliments of Charm’s busy little fairies.”
“Most entertaining.” Gita applauded and put something in Abby’s hand.
“That’s me. Entertaining. What’s this you gave me?”
“It’s your performance reward. It’s a scrumptious lavender cookie from Mountain Brook Cafe. Shall we partake before visiting William?” Gita took a bite. “I chose the flower cookie for you.”
“How thoughtful. These taste amazing.” Abby broke off another piece. “Since I’ve tossed my wand aside for the moment, is there anything you need to share before we surprise William with my personage?”
Gita patted Abby’s hand once again. “I can’t think of a thing. Except a kind reminder to suspend judgment and stay in acceptance and gratitude. If you do that, more happiness and blessings await you, my dear.”
“You make those steps sound effortless. They aren’t. Yes, I know it’s my mind sabotaging and telling me none of this exists in reality. But then my mind fails at offering rational explanations and a way out. It’s a real roundabout.” Abby shrugged and finished her cookie.
“Roundabout. What a perfect word to add to my teaching list.” Gita repeated the word again, nodding to herself. “Most satisfactory.”
“Happy to give a little something back.” Abby rose from the bench. “Guess I’m ready to meet this William character.”
~*~
Abby sat across a conference table from William. Words like big, bald, and burly came closest to describing the foremost purveyor of Charm properties. After making the introductions, Gita had excused herself to run an errand, leaving Abby to navigate her way. She waited in silence while a flushed-faced William separated papers into two stacks. She wondered if he missed having a computer but thought better of firing up her question generator.
“There we go. Sorry to keep you waiting. It’s been a fruitfully engaging day.” William moved one stack across to Abby.
“Please don’t apologize. I showed up without an appointment. I appreciate your accommodating me.” She glanced at the top sheet of paper and saw a map.
William awarded a pleasant expression to Abby. “Whenever Gita brings her latest learner by, we like to smooth the home attainment, so to say. May I call you Abby?”
“Please.”
Fanning out the first few pages, William repeated the action on Abby’s side of the table. “So, what you’re looking at are the particulars on the cottage. I must compliment you on the design and overall layout. Charm doesn’t have anything like this. It’s making a nice addition to our village.”
Abby didn’t know how to respond. She hadn’t constructed the cottage except in her head. She had nothing to do with the particulars around its arrival. The whole experience smacked of—well, there wasn’t a word. She canceled the thought and replaced it with Gita’s teachings of don’t judge, better to accept and feel gratitude. She realized William was waiting for her to say something. “Thank you, William, though I can’t take credit for anything other than envisioning the English cottage. Could you possibly share the process of how it came to Charm? You’ve no idea how helpful—”
“Yes, yes, I can provide a very brief explanation, but caveat that with what I do here involves using my gifts so—”
“I’m beginning to grasp some of Charm’s methods, as Gita calls them. Meaning, please don’t feel the least obligated to explain the how. I’m fine with having you detail what I’m supposed to do.” Abby picked up the map. “Is this where the cottage now resides?”
William set his glasses atop his head and leaned back in his chair. “Nash was right. You’re a breath of fresh air in Charm. He’s quite taken by you, but then so are Gita, Bob, and Bill. Yes, Abby, you made quite a splash Monday.”
“I had no idea that my name had been making the rounds. Guess I should feel special.”
“Indeed, you should.” William’s deep chuckle caused his chair legs to creak. “Back to those papers in front of you. Yes, you’re holding the map and directions to the home. Estimating, I’d say you’re a fifteen-minute walk from here, give or take. The setting is as enchanting as your design. It’s on a flat lot that backs up to Angel Cascade’s property lines. Have you been there yet?”
Abby nodded, smiling. “Nash was kind enough to take me when I arrived. It’s breathtaking.”
“Yes, I try to get over at least once a week to catch the changes. That’s a painting of the falls that a client did for me.” William pointed to a framed watercolor on the nearby wall.
“It’s lovely. Did you say ‘catch the changes’? I don’t understand.”
“Yes, the falls and flora change their show very often. It’s extraordinary. I’m sure you’ll get to witness that one day soon. Anyway, back to your cottage’s location. I hope you like flowers, Abby, for when I stopped by this morning to check on things, they were blooming everywhere.”
Abby tried to find her voice. “Flowers everywhere—”
“Blooming all over the property, carpets of them. I saw a few of your neighbors stop to admire them. Go see for yourself.” William slid a packet across the table and smiled. “I call this the Welcome Home Guide. It answers a lot of questions regarding your new home.”
Abby peered inside the large envelope. Numbness replaced rational thought.
“I almost forgot. Here’s the key.” William moved an antique filigree brass key toward Abby. “Of course, this isn’t a key to unlock the cottage door. You’re completely safe in Charm. It’s a key to your portals.”
“To my portals?” Abby croaked. No amount of mind-numbing could have prepared her to receive a key to some mysterious sounding portals. Her tenuous hold on composure was slipping into the abyss. “Um, William, do you have a soda? I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. But hey, plenty accepting and grateful, should anyone ask,” Abby hurried to add, remembering Gita’s pep talk.
William’s face took on a father-like essence. “You do look a touch washed out. Soda coming up. Any preference?”
That simple question was Abby’s catalyst. “It’s Charm. Bring me your latest rainbow soda, which no doubt got delivered by fairies and gnomes. Yes, that should do the trick. Get me right as rain in no time.” Abby gave a thumbs up to William standing in the doorway.
He didn’t budge. William’s expression appeared confused and nonplussed.
Abby squinted. “You look ruffled. That’s Gita’s word which clearly, describes what I’ve been busy doing without knowing. You know, attracting things like English cottages with portal keys? Yes, it’s all quite merry, this attracting business. Wait. I mustn’t forget Gita’s Prism candy. Then there are the gratis clothes, food, everything coming my way. Yes, and I’m sure you know all about those lessons I’m tasked to learn. This brings me back to my waiting flowered-up dream cottage if I’ll but walk those few blocks. Yes, it’s all so…merry.” Abby exhaled loudly and offered a lopsided grin.
“Well, okay,” said William, drawing out the okay. “You take a few breaths and relax. We’ll soon get you sorted. Yes, we will.” He backed out of the room.
She heard William direct someone to find Gita post haste. Hysterical laughter kept Abby company for the next few minutes. The sound was comforting. It was a normal sound. One that she’d seldom drawn upon but familiar enough. Abby thumbed through the stack of papers. At first blush, they looked typical for a transfer of property. She had a lovely survey showing the lot was almost an acre, and the deed was made out in her correct name. There were even a few pages of restrictions, which weren’t close to typical. She must allow all birds to nest in trees of their choosing. She must dedicate equal time to the different flowering species. She must tend the weeds with forgiveness.
Hearing Gita’s voice outside the door, she stopped reading. The hyperventilating could continue to keep her mind occupied.
William entered first with some purple fizzy drink in one hand and tugging Gita in with the other. “I’m going to leave this glass on the table. You and Gita take all the time you need.” William bobbed his bald head like a cork and departed.
Gita draped her shopping bag over the chair back and sat next to Abby. “So, my dear, I understand the cottage particulars were, shall we say, off-putting? And you’ve had a little spell? Are we feeling better?”
“Better? What’s better mean in Charm? Gita, I’m sorry, but this has become too much for me to absorb. I’m trying, but none of this is real. It’s not possible, or should I say plausible?” Abby waved her hand in dismissal of the thought. “I feel like I tripped the light fandango a few minutes ago.” Her voice sounded pleading, and it was. If only Gita would talk straight with her. Offer some logic to apply. “Say something. I’d even welcome you reciting a nursery rhyme or the pledge of allegiance. Anything relatable.”
Gita lifted Abby’s hand and held it. “See it this way. You’re in Charm, where things operate differently than you’re used to. It’s really that simple, but the mind wants you to make much more of matters. I grant you that our principles and methods take a bit of getting used to. In time, they’ll seem customary and agreeable. What you’re feeling is normal as you move toward adaption and adoption of life here. Hold to this truth. You’re real, and so is Charm.” Gita gave a pat to Abby’s hand before releasing it. “Now then, does that relieve some of your distress?”
“Some, I suppose. I’m happy to hear I’m alive, but my problem remains. I’m where I don’t belong, Gita. Please, can you talk to the Charm Powers, or whatever they’re called, and convince them to release me? Maybe they could open that loop for two shakes so I can slip out?”
Gitta shook her head.
Abby felt the tears gathering. Her throat tightened. “Can we go? I’m about to have the biggest cry of my life, and I think I’ve embarrassed myself sufficiently to William.” Abby clutched her tote and moved toward the door.
“Of course, dear one. We shall leave this very minute.” Gita put her arm around Abby’s shoulder and walked her down the hall. “William, thank you. We’ll return later and finish things. Abby requires another day or so to settle.”
“No problem at all. Abby, you take as long as you need. We’ll take good care of your cottage and tend to those flowers.”
“I’m grateful and so sorry to have caused you trouble.” Abby clasped William’s hand briefly before walking outside. Sucking in the mountain air, she felt more herself again, whatever that had come to mean. She exhaled slowly.
“Do you feel up to walking to my car, or should I come for you?” Gita touched Abby’s shoulder.
“If we walk, will I have to meet more people or go inside other hoodoo stores?” Abby’s voice broke with emotion.
“Not if you don’t choose to.” Gita glanced at the gathering clouds and released her arm from Abby’s shoulder. “Gracious me, but Charm’s about to get cleansed.”
Abby followed the woman’s gaze. “If we walk fast, maybe we’ll avoid a drenching. I’ve got my own waterworks ready to burst. Inside of me, I’m a real mess.”
“No, dearest Abby, you’re not a real mess or any other kind. Let’s hurry. I feel my hair bun about to release. And that’s a sight no one should witness.” Gita’s smile broke through.
Neither woman spoke when they saw Sander’s vehicle make another pass through Charm.