sent Lauren, catching the byplay. How'd we end up with a mind-witch showdown at the O. K. Corral?
No idea. Jennie shook her head slowly, eyes and mind intent on the sudden, silent drama. But Lizard's not blocking her. Caro's send was just a shade short of forced entry - with enough effort, Lizard could have kept her out. Instead, teeth gritted - she listened.
And finally, grudgingly, nodded.
Something big had been decided. Jennie just had no idea what.
Lizard turned to the room, struck a pose - and recited poetry.
Roses are red, violets are blue,
This room's a psycho shopping zoo.
The fashion's a disaster, the mirrors are large,
And somebody left a crazy lady with needles in charge.
The room exploded in giggles from those who knew Lizard only casually - and utter, silent shock from those who knew her best. Of the latter group, only Caro stood unsurprised, the gleam of victory in her eyes. Jennie sent her a look of immense respect. She still had no idea what had been said, but Caro had just pushed a flower through a mountainside.
Now they just had to survive the aftermath, which was in serious doubt for a few nerve-wracking moments. And then the crazy lady targeted in the poem leaned over and adjusted Lizard's beret. "Your delivery is excellent, my dear. And there's more of your heart in that poem than you think."
Lizard spluttered. And reddened. And couldn't hold back her punk grin.
Jennie shook her head. A room full of mind witches, and it was the little old knitting lady with all the right answers. That just figured.
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To: veronica.liantro@witchlight.org
From: Jennie Adams
Subject: Any lighter, and they'll be floating.
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Dear Vero,
My darkroom calls - I know I caught truth in my camera lens today, and I can't wait to see it.
It all started when Elsie went shopping for clothes to match Gertrude Geronimo. Whoever added a bike ride to her Silly Jar was either mystically lucky or very wise. If it was the latter, I want to know how Melvin guesses these things.
Buoyed by the joys of a fast set of wheels, she went looking to buy the right self-decoration for freedom - and then danced for us all. I'll send you the picture as soon as I have it, but you'll see something of yourself in it, I think. That bewitching stage presence of yours comes from the same taproot as what we saw in Elsie today.
She was magic in a yellow dress and red shoes.
This one, I will have to print in color.
The rest of us just got caught up in the enchantment - and the Helga typhoon. I should know better than to underestimate my elders by now, but she was a force. Even Lizard got swept up.
Sometimes forces of nature can get it really wrong, but Helga has either uncanny insight or really good sources. Or both.
And Lizard recited her first poetry in public. It was intentional silliness, of the kind that makes small children and witches giggle. No matter. It was poetry.
That, too, I have on film. And I'd print it in black and white, to catch that edgy humor at work - but I can't possibly leave Helga's purple miracle hidden. Color it will be.
There were chains thrown off today. Big, fat, heavy ones.
And apparently, even my darkroom will be festooned in color to celebrate.
With love,
Jennie
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To: jennie.adams@bythelight.com
From: Vero Liantro
Subject: Re: Any lighter, and they'll be floating.
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Jennie dearest,
Ah, such cause for celebration. I must see pictures of our girls in their finery, especially my lovely Elsie. I have very fond memories of a yellow dress from my younger days that always made me feel as if I were floating on sunshine. I wish such feelings for her.
Melvin says he's not the one who added the bike ride to Elsie's jar, and that you should seek the wise writer of those words in her yogic realm. He claims