“I’ll make the bed and some treats for your guests.”
“Um, sure. That’d be great.”
“Shall I admit them?”
“You mean let them in? If they arrive before I’m ready? Geez, Olivia. Now that you’re finally talking, you’re not going to start sounding like a butler are you?”
Her blank expression told me she had no idea what I meant. “Okay.”
“Sure. Why not? Everybody here knows everything about everything.” At that moment I was finally gripped by both guilt and good manners. “Oh golly. I’m sorry for acting like that. Got no excuse except that it’s early, I haven’t had coffee, and I’m working through the new info that I’m really not a first-thing-in-the-morning surprise party kind of person.”
“Okay.”
“What I meant to say is that dinner last night was scrumptious, the table was divine, and you were so thoughtful to get here first and make things presentable. I’m so lucky to have you.”
Her uncertainty turned to a radiant smile and I made a mental note to treat Olivia like a delicate flower since she was expressing every indication of typical feminine sensitivity.
I had just stepped out of the shower when I realized that I had interacted with Olivia, in her true, magical form. And I was barefoot.
It seemed the thing my guides had predicted, that the magic would ‘settle on me’ had come to pass. I could see without the shoes. I was dying to call Keir and tell him the news.
I thought I heard strains of “Der Kommissar” while I was brushing my teeth, but decided it was my imagination. I wound my damp hair into a messy bun, pulled on at-leisure pants and a long sweater then took a last look in the mirror. I hadn’t put on makeup, but I looked pretty good without it. Not younger so much, but… slap me for saying this. Glowing. Maybe the great health I was promised was making me look presentable at nine in the morning with no coffee, much less breakfast.
The living room was practically full when I stepped in. Brad, Lily, Dolan, Molly, Jeff, Esmerelda, Lochlan, Ivy, Keir and the mayor were milling about, commenting on this and that.
When my guests looked up and saw me, they yelled, “SURPRISE!” in unison.
I smiled and waved. “What’s this? It’s not my birthday.”
Maggie said, “Housewarmin’. Your present’s in the kitchen.”
“Well,” I said, “let’s go see what it is.”
Olivia handed me a mug of coffee as I entered the kitchen, which smelled like homemade donuts. Gods Bless Olivia.
My little crowd followed along into the kitchen and gathered around my Arthurian table recreation. I had time for three sips of coffee before turning my attention to my impatient company.
The package wrapping was sublime enough to be called magical. And probably was.
I tore through paper, ribbons, and outer boxing to reveal a true treasure. A vintage tea kettle that was also a replica of a train engine. If it was like the one I’d seen as a child, it would whistle like a train and the wheels would go faster as the water heated.
Looking around at the expectant faces of people who wanted me to be pleased, I suddenly felt very lucky.
“How did you know?” The same way they knew everything else I supposed. “I always wanted one of these and was never able to find one in decent condition. I LOVE it!”
My ‘guests’ gave each other self-congratulatory looks then moved on to sample home-made donuts. I handed my gift over to Olivia.
“Would you rinse this out and fill it with water? Let’s put it on the stove and take it for a spin.” Olivia smiled at my joke as she took the kettle. It was a good day indeed.
As Keir returned from admiring Romeo with Dolan, I leaned into him and said, “Did you know about this?” He smiled. “And you didn’t warn me?’
“What fun would that be?”
I shook my head and went off to find Maggie. Pulling her to the side, I said, “Did somebody think to invite John David?”
She pulled back like she hadn’t heard me right. “Why no. No’ so far as I know.”
“Why not?”
“It did no’ come to mind. He keeps to himself, ye know.”
“He keeps to himself because he’s been marginalized by this community. I want him here for this.”
“I do no’ know if we can get him here in time. We all have businesses to open shortly.” She looked toward the light coming in from the windows. “If it was dark, I could fly there. As a blackbird.”