Stressed!

by Deborah Martin

  As much as I didn’t like Tony’s monthly problem, I had to admit that I enjoyed spending time with him in his human form. “I’ll think on it but don’t get your hopes up,” I told him. “And don’t call me. I’ll call you.”

  I had some thinking to do so instead of taking any sort of motorized transportation to the mall, I walked the half mile. Once inside, I headed for the food court and grabbed a couple of tacos to absorb the alcohol. Then I started wandering the mall, only half looking in the windows. I wasn’t really in the mood to shop, although I still hadn’t quite replaced the wardrobe Andy had managed to destroy.

  Even though it was only just after Halloween, all the stores had their Christmas decorations out and PA system was playing holiday music. I got even grumpier. Whatever happened to Christmas rolling out the day after Thanksgiving?

  After about an hour of aimless wandering, I finally called Cassandra. I needed a sounding board.

  “Hi,” I said when she answered. “Are you in the mood for some moody company?”

  “I take it you need to talk. Tommy was supposed to come over tonight and we were going to watch a movie but I can easily cancel him. Where are you?” was her reply.

  “Aw crap. Don’t worry about me. Have fun with Tommy, huh?” I said, maybe a little whiny.

  “No. If you called and need to talk, that’s more important than watching a movie we can see anytime – even tomorrow. I repeat: where are you?”

  “I’m at the Mall of America. I can take a taxi and be there in about twenty minutes.”

  “Nope. I’m coming to you. We need a bar. I’ll meet you in the bar at Rodolfo’s in a half hour.” She hung up.

  I killed the thirty minutes by slowly wandering over to where the restaurant was. On the way, I saw a gorgeous teal silk suit in Macy’s window and decided to get it. It would do for the office holiday parties I’d be getting invited to. By the time I got to Rodolfo’s, my feet were sore from so much walking in heels. I really shouldn’t have hoofed it from the hotel to the mall. Two adjoining seats opened up at the bar just as I walked in. I gratefully sat down and had just draped the suit over the other chair to save it for Cassandra when she appeared.

  “Are you saving this seat for someone special?” she asked as she took the suit and hung it from the back of my chair.

  “Yep. Best friend’s coming to be a shoulder,” I grinned. “Drinks are on me so what do you want?”

  The bartender came over and dropped a couple of cocktail napkins down before asking us the same question. Cassandra ordered a chocolate martini, I asked for another gin and tonic. I never did develop a taste for martinis.

  “So, what do you need my shoulder for?” she asked when the drinks arrived.

  I related the recent events with Happy, finishing up with what Tony had said in the hotel lobby.

  “Wow. You’ve certainly got a situation on your hands. Ignoring the issue of Tony for the moment, you need to get this Happy guy out of everyone’s lives.”

  “No shit. I just have no idea how to do it. He’s a demon for chrissake. He can pop in and out whenever he wants, wherever he wants and I have no doubt he could make good on his threats.”

  “Listen. I have a great-uncle in England who loves to do research on magic, spirits, elementals and the like. As a matter of fact, that’s what he spends most of his time doing. If you like, I can email him to see if he’s got any suggestions.”

  At this point, I was willing to entertain any and all suggestions for getting this guy out of my life. OK, out of everyone’s life. But selfishly, I didn’t really care about anyone else at the moment. I was wallowing in self-pity.

  “On to the subject of Tony,” she said after we agreed she’d email her Uncle Morris without going into too much detail to see if he had any ideas.

  “Wait. I just woke up. You said you were going to watch a movie at home with Tommy?” I said.

  Cassandra blushed. I’d never seen her blush. With skin nearly as pale as mine, she did indeed turn radish-red when she was embarrassed.

  “We’ve been sort of seeing each other since the incident with Andy. I’ve been trying to keep it on the QT since he works for me.”

  “I can understand keeping it from Charlie and your customers, but me?” I was put out. “I thought we shared secrets. And he’s been working for you for several years without you looking in his direction. What changed?”

  “I don’t know. There was something about the fact that he’s a wizard that made me look at him in a different light. I always thought he was attractive and nice but since I know I’m going to live longer than a normal human, I avoid getting involved with them. I don’t want the heartache of falling in love and watching someone grow old while I stay relatively young.”

  “I thought witches could sense each other. So he’d been working for you and you had no idea?”

  “Tommy had a problem in his prior job and put up strong shielding so no one would know. I sensed the shield but didn’t think much of it because there’s no indication of magic behind it. I can sense yours, too, you know, and you’re not a magic practitioner. He’s good at hiding his capabilities. When he lets his shield weaken, I can sense his strength. He’s scary strong!”

  She took a sip of her drink. “After his last job, he was afraid I’d get worried about him if I knew he was a wizard. It must be a guy thing. His old boss was also a wizard and apparently thought Tommy would be competition or something. Anyways, after the thing with Andy, we did a lot of talking. I like his cooking, he likes the laid-back atmosphere of the deli and we both dig magic. Not to mention that he doesn’t mind watching chick-flicks on occasion. So far it’s working well but it’s only been a couple of months. I’m reserving judgment.”

  “Logical to a fault,” I told her.

  “So blame the Virgo in me. Now, what are you going to do about Tony?”

  I had no idea what I was going to do about Tony. I really did like the guy but the fact that he morphed into a monster thirteen times a year creeped me out. I’d already written my heart out about him in my first book but at least there, the wizard’s potion worked. I couldn’t say the same in real life.

  “You don’t need a potion to make it work,” Cassandra looked thoughtful. “He’s obviously figured a way to deal with it or he wouldn’t be so successful in the business world. I know a lot of weres are Grizzly Adams types or at least have mountain cabins so when they change they’re already in a wild environment. If you really like him, maybe you ought to try again. You know, there’s a reason he came back into your life, even if it was through that creep.”

  “Your sight isn’t telling you anything? I could really use some help here. My emotions are all muddled. I don’t know what to do.” My third drink was taking effect. I was almost in tears.

  “I’m not getting any visions about you two, if that’s what you’re asking. It’s time to get you home. I’ll do a reading tomorrow night when I’m thinking more clearly and see what the cards have to say. C’mon, pay the nice man and let’s get out of here.”

  I paid the tab, Cassandra grabbed my suit and we made our way to the nearest door. She’d taken a taxi instead of driving so all we had to do was hail the first taxi in line at the stand. That was a good thing. I don’t think I could have walked all the way to a car in the parking lot. My feet were killing me.

  Cassandra had the cab driver drop me off first even though her house was closer and I gratefully hobbled down the stairs and into the apartment. I went into the bedroom and while I hung up the new suit, took my shoes off. Flat feet felt like heaven. After changing into my pajamas, I grabbed a basin, Epsom salts and bottles of peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils. I made up my soak and took the basin into the living room. After I’d situated myself on the couch, I gratefully sunk my feet into the warm water. Fudge curled up in my lap and we watched television while the foot soak did its thing. Fifteen minutes later I dried my feet and poured the used liquid out. I could walk again.

  Happy wasn’
t to be deterred. The next afternoon I heard Sally swear and say, “Can’t you just use the door like normal people?” I only knew one person who didn’t come through the door. I sighed and left my desk.

  “What the hell are you doing here again?” I asked Happy.

  “I thought I would see if you had come to any conclusions about Anthony. It was obvious from your facial expressions last night that you have some feelings for the man.”

  “You could have used the phone for that. Simply materializing in the office isn’t polite. What if there had been a client waiting to see me or Ev?”

  “Ah, but I always look before I pop and I assumed you would rather see me here than at your apartment. And there is nothing like a face-to-face conversation to determine how a situation is going.”

  “In answer to your question, I haven’t come to any conclusions. The fact that he changes into a monster and that I’ve seen that transformation up close and personal gives me the willies. It’s hard to become enamored of someone with visions of long, sharp teeth sinking themselves into your flesh. Now, go away. I’m sure you have your ways of finding out if Tony and I see each other again. I have work to do.”

  “Before you go back to work, I have one suggestion,” Happy said before I could even turn around. “I can make you forgot those teeth if you will allow me.”

  “Let you into my head? No way in hell. I like all my memories intact, thank you. If I decide to see Tony again, it will be with full knowledge of his faults. Otherwise, the relationship would be built on a lie and those don’t last very long. That wouldn’t be in accordance with your plans and hopes, would it?”

  Happy pouted. “But it would only be temporary, I assure you. It would help you get over the hump, so to speak.”

  “No, no, and hell no again. Go away, Happy and do your plotting elsewhere.”

  “I will see you again. Enjoy the rest of your day.” With that and a small smile, Happy dematerialized.

  “Man, that guy is getting more than irritating,” Sally said. “I’m so glad I’m happily married. Do you know how to shield? If he’s thinking about messing with your mind, you ought to learn if you don’t.”

  “Cassandra already taught me the basics a few years ago after she noticed I was getting all jittery at those damned parties. She said it would help with all the paranormal types I was around. Apparently, they put out weird energies.”

  “That’s what Jack says and he taught me years ago, too. But I think you ought to check into shielding against mind attacks. That’s completely different than warding off unwanted energy.”

  “I’ll ask Cassandra, then. I’m supposed to talk with her tonight anyways. Thanks for the info.”

  I walked back into my office and tried to get back to work. I was still having difficulty concentrating. There was too much drama going on in my life and I couldn’t quit chewing on it. I finally gave it up and left work a little early.

  Chapter 13

  I ducked into the deli on my way home. I wanted to talk with Cassandra about the shielding issue. As always, she was busy helping customers get their afternoon caffeine and sugar fix so I waited at a table until she had a free moment. She brought a couple of cups of coffee over to the table with her.

  “What’s up?” she asked. “I was going to call you tonight after I had a chance to do a reading for you.”

  “I have more immediate issues,” I replied, then told her about what Happy had said about making me forget Tony’s teeth.

  “This guy is really getting to be a major pain in the ass,” she said. “Hang on a sec.” She left the table and went back into the kitchen. A minute or two later, she came back out with Tommy in tow.

  “Tommy’s a lot better at shielding than I am,” Cassandra said. “I hope you don’t mind but I’ve already told him about your demon problem and just told him about the latest issue.”

  “No, I don’t mind. At this point, I’ll take as many people thinking on it as I can get. Do you have any ideas, Tommy?”

  “About how to get rid of him, no, but keeping him out of your brain, yes. Shielding your mind is a lot more difficult than simply blocking unwanted energy,” Tommy told me. “I think you can do it. You’ve got a strong mind but it will take some work on your part.”

  “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep this sleaze out of my head. Will you teach me?” I asked.

  Tommy looked at Cassandra and she nodded. “Sure. Come over to Cassandra’s house about seven. We’ll order dinner in and then get to work.”

  With that, I was content. They went back to work and I went home. I wanted to get another part of a chapter written in my latest book but my mind just wouldn’t focus on the characters’ lives. I was too caught up in my own at the moment. Once again, I killed a couple of hours playing mahjong and flipping between social networking sites. Just before seven, I walked over to Cassandra’s house.

  The weather matched my mood. It was late in the year and already dark outside. There was a hint of snow in the air. Unless I missed my guess, we’d be getting an early winter. I shoved my already-gloved hands in my jacket pockets and snuggled down into the collar of my jacket.

  As I walked, I became more and more determined to thwart Happy’s attempts at interference. Step number one was the shielding. I would do whatever Tommy said, no matter how strange it seemed or how difficult it was. Step number two was figuring out how to get rid of him altogether. I had a lot of people thinking about that problem. Thus far no one had come up with a solution, and if no one did, push come to shove, he could out my writing. I’d have to figure out a way to deal with it. The threats he’d made to others were their problems, although I’d feel bad if Tony lost his business.

  I was also curious and would ask Tommy tonight: I didn’t think Happy could get through the wards on my building. Otherwise, he’d probably already have visited me at home. Was there a way to shield the office in the same way?

  Cassandra had the door open before I could even raise my hand to knock. She had a grin on her face. “We’ve already ordered pizza and it should be here shortly. Are you ready for a witchy evening?”

  “I’ve never had it described to me in quite that way. Yes, I think I’m ready. Determined, anyways. Hi, Tommy,” I greeted him as I hung up my coat. “Hi to you, too, Merlin.” I couldn’t get away without greeting the true master of the house who had come up to check out my pants and shoes. I reached down and rubbed his ears until he was satisfied with my efforts and walked off.

  Tommy had just handed me a glass of wine when a knock at the door announced the arrival of dinner. The guy from Pizza And More greeted Cassandra and seeing me, smiled. “Do you two spend every Friday night eating pizza at one of your places?” he asked. (We’d had the same delivery person for about three years.)

  “Not every Friday night. Just a lot of them,” Cassandra laughed as she handed him the money and took the boxes out of his hands. “Go on with you. See you in a couple of weeks.”

  We four promptly devoured the pizzas. (Merlin, just like Fudge, received the first piece.) Talk was minimal since our mouths were full most of the time. Once the boxes had been thrown into the fire roaring in the fireplace, Tommy told Cassandra to go ahead and do her reading. He thought I’d be too tired to absorb what she said later on.

  She went into her workroom and came back with a box in one hand and a small piece of black velvet in the other. After spreading the velvet on the floor in front of the fireplace, she gestured for me to sit opposite her. Tommy leaned forward from his spot on the couch.

  Merlin crawled into Cassandra’s lap. She opened the box and pulled out a deck of cards. They were beautifully illustrated, not cartoon-y like some decks I’d seen, and visibly well-used.

  After shuffling the cards a bit, she asked me to cut them, concentrating on my relationship with Tony. I gave the cards back to her and she fanned them out on the velvet. “Still keeping Tony in mind, pick five cards,” she instructed. I selected five, handing them to her as I pulled th
em out.

  Cassandra looked at the cards for a minute after she’d laid them all out and then blew out a breath. “Wow. So, let me tell you what I’m seeing.”

  She pointed to one of the cards. “This first card in the middle signifies what’s happening right now. It is the Page of Wands, but it’s upside down. We call that reversed. It signifies confusion or indecision. Usually when someone is undecided about something, their entire life is unstable. I knew that already but this confirms it.

  “The second card over here to the left of the first is about something in the past that’s still having an influence on the present. It is, obviously, The Moon. Normally it means a period of change but in this case, I think we can take it literally. Tony’s little problem is made evident by the moon and his problem is what’s kept you apart.”

  She paused for a moment, then pointed at another card. “The third card, to the right of the first is about the future. You drew the Two of Cups, reversed. The suit of cups has to do with love or relationships. This card in this position I’m reading as love with some disruptions along the way. In other words, you and Tony can have a relationship but it’s not going to be an easy one. If you choose to get involved with him again, be aware that you’re going to experience problems. But like in most relationships, you can work through a lot of those problems.

  “The fourth card, here, is about the underlying reason for your question. You’re a pretty analytical person so you already know why you’re asking but the card you drew is the Knight of Swords, reversed. It indicates someone not to be trusted. I’d say that would be Happy. And I’d say you already know not to trust the creep, huh?”

  At the mention of Happy’s name, my stomach tensed and my fist curled. I took a huge breath to relax myself.

  I must have made a noise. A look of concern crossed Cassandra’s face but after seeing me relax, she continued, “This last card speaks to the potential of the situation you’re asking about. It’s the World, reversed. It means that whatever you’re working on, in this case, your relationship with Tony, will be delayed. However, the delay is temporary and everything will eventually work out.