The blank screen stared up at me and I did not know what to say. Mom, Dad, I got a job at a magical bookstore and I don’t need to sleep in the basement after all. Somehow, I didn’t think it would go over well. How could it?
Dad would think I was joking and Mom would roll her eyes at the two of us. One of my brothers would show up within twenty-four hours to find out what was really going on. I didn’t need any of that. I leaned back in the wooden chair and closed my eyes. Keeping it simple was going to be key. I nodded my head and my fingers reached for the keyboard.
I got the job I was hoping for. It’s this cute little bookstore in midtown. The espresso maker is to die for. It includes taking care of the cat who is adorable. My first day went well and I think I’m going to love it here.
“That should be perfect,” I muttered to myself.
“It sounds good.” My head spun around so fast I almost tweaked my neck. The cat was sitting near my feet. His green eyes stared up at me. “I wanted to see how you were settling in… and see if you had any questions.”
I’d already put away my clothes and my books lined some bookcases in the room. Artwork had appeared on the walls that I was already in love with. Giant splashes of bold colors of a sunset over some mountains and trees.
“How much can I tell my family?” I ask. “We are close.”
The cat’s tail flicked. “What you have is good.”
“But what about the magic?” I pressed for more.
“Who would believe you?” The cat stood up and padded toward the door. “From your world at least?” He glanced back at me. “Just keep the magic out of it would be my advice.”
I shook my head, wondering how to reply. “So just a boring bookshop with coffee.” I turned to look at the cat but the doorway was empty. He did not know. It would not hold up with my family. Not at all.
I hit send on the email, then set the laptop off to the side and grabbed some hair dye. The goal would be to get it into my hair before they called. My cell phone rang as I pulled on the gloves to keep my hands from turning purple. Thankfully, I hadn’t opened the hair color yet.
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“Hi Mom, warning I’m going to be working on my hair as we chat.”
A smile broke out on my face at the happiness that came over the phone. “I did. It is this cute little bookstore. I love it.”
“You are staying there, too?”
“Yeah, there is a shopkeeper's room on the second floor. I get a day off per week, but the pay makes up for it.”
“What about your roommates?” asked my mom.
“They didn’t care. Everyone is really going their own way, or trying to get into grad school. Which I was not going to do.”
“Schooling was good for you.”
I let the groan of frustration slip through my lips as I separated my hair out into sections.
“I know you didn’t think so… but your brothers can be overbearing and getting away from the family was a learning experience.” Something sounded off, and I paused with my hair.
“I feel like there is a ‘yet’ coming.”
“Well, we all thought you would come home after you got your degree.”
I couldn’t help as the giggles rolled out of me and I had to be careful to not set my blue fingers down on the bathroom vanity. “So let me get this straight. Everyone wanted me to go to school and experience the world. Now I’m finding my own way. You want me back home?”
My dad’s voice came over the line. “That’s not it at all. We miss you.” My dad was ever the joker, but he cared about each of us so much. “You are so far away. When was the last time you visited?”
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“For two days, and you didn’t want us to visit at school.” I got what he was saying. I even knew where it was coming from. My frustration at feeling like they pushed me to go to college rolled into an attitude that I didn’t want to see any of them. I also picked the school the farthest away I could get. “We knew the fab four were going to be breathing down your neck and figured some time away from them would be important, but the assumption was there that you would move back home closer to us afterward.”
“You know what they say about assumptions.” My dad chuckled. I could feel Mom rolling her eyes at him. “It's a year-long contract. Afterward, I will see where it takes me. But I have to warn you, the espresso machine is amazing.” Mom's laughter rolled out from the phone, and I kept working on my hair. They both knew the way to my heart involved food, caffeine and a good book.
Every time I tried to move a paw, the carpet fought against me. The shop wanted me here. Right outside her open door for some reason. So I sat. And listened. My heart ached. She was loved. Her family loved her and wanted her to come home. I understood the feeling when I let myself dwell on the past. I cherished my children, until I didn’t. Obsession, and my ego, had been my downfall. I flicked my tail and brushed the past away, then I padded toward the observatory on the other side of the second floor.
Sable would serve her year. The contract was signed, but she would need to go after she’d fulfilled its terms. Family was important.