After a while she shifted her chair so she could look outside instead. Gazing through the low window at the end of the attic, she could see the waning moon shining down on Venus Harbor. The sight of it made her wonder where the goddesses were now.
Her reverie was interrupted by a familiar voice calling from behind her, “Hey, Juliet! How ya doin’?”
“Jerome! Is that you?”
“The one and only,” said the rat, scampering around to stand in front of her.
“And me!” added Roxanne, as she joined him.
Juliet felt a moment of worry. “Is anything wrong?”
“Nah, we just came to bring you some news,” said Jerome. “And a present!”
“We don’t always bring trouble, you know,” said Roxanne, sounding slightly offended.
Juliet smiled. “How have you been?”
“Busy,” said Jerome. “The old man really keeps us hopping. Sometimes I miss those wings. It’d make things easier if I could fly around.”
“They were nothing but a good way for you to get into mischief,” said Roxanne tardy. “Anyway, Juliet, the main reason we came by was to tell you that we saw Cupid and Psyche the other day.”
“How are they doing?” asked Juliet eagerly.
“Happy as all get-out,” said Roxanne.
“To tell you the truth, it got a little sickening to watch ’em,” added Jerome. “Too much of that lovey-dovey stuff could make a guy hork up his cheese.”
“Honestly, Jerome, sometimes you are so vulgar! Come on, let’s give Juliet her present.”
“It’s from the old man,” added Jerome. “He said you earned it. And believe me, he don’t say that unless he means it.”
“What is it?” asked Juliet.
“Read it for yourself,” said Jerome. He unstrapped a tiny scroll from his back, then passed it to her.
Juliet unrolled the paper. There, in Mr. Elives’ spidery writing, was an invitation:
To Juliet Dove, Queen of Love—
It is rare for someone to enter my shop and not leave with the item that was intended for them. Yet you did so—and acquitted yourself wonderfully amidst the chaos and discord that followed. In recognition of that, I would like to offer you the chance to visit again, whenever you feel there is something you need that you cannot provide for yourself.
This is a one-time offer, so use it carefully, Juliet Dove.
I shall look forward to seeing you when the time is right.
Sincerely,
S. H. Elives
“I don’t understand,” Juliet said, after a moment. “What good is this?”
“What do you mean?” asked Roxanne.
“You were the ones who told me I can’t get back to the shop. It could be anywhere when I want to use this invitation.”
“Ah, that’s easy,” said Jerome. “You just send a message to me and Roxanne, and we’ll come and get you.”
“And how am I supposed to do that?”
“You’re gonna like this one,” said Roxanne proudly. “Open that trunk over there.” She was pointing at one of Great Aunt Bessie’s old travel trunks.
“Why?”
“Will you just do it?” asked Jerome impatiently.
Juliet crossed to the trunk. She knew it had been around the world several times; it looked as if it had been kicked all the way on the last trip. A pair of tarnished metal latches, each at least two inches wide, held it closed. They creaked as she unfastened them. The hinges in back creaked even louder as she raised the lid.
Inside, on top of a pile of old clothing and papers, was a beautifully wrapped box. Dangling from the box was a tag that said, “For Juliet Dove.”
“How did this get in here?” she asked in amazement.
Roxanne tittered. “you’d think you would have come to expect a little magic by now, Juliet. Go on—open the box!”
Juliet carried the box back to her rocking chair and carefully began to undo the wrapping.
“Cripe, you open packages just like a girl,” said Jerome.
“She is a girl, Jerome! Now be quiet.”
Inside the box was the most beautiful shell Juliet had ever seen, its throat deep rose, its whorls so delicate it seemed as if they were made of spun sugar.
“All you have to do is whisper right in there,” said Roxanne. “Doesn’t make any difference where we are, we’ll hear you, and come and get you.”
“It might take a little while, ’cause, you know, sometimes we’re busy or on assignment,” added Jerome.
“But we’ll come for you,” continued Roxanne, elbowing him in the ribs. “That’s a promise. One all-expenses-paid trip to Mr. Elives’ magic shop, available on request!”
“I don’t want to trouble you,” said Juliet.
“Aw, don’t worry,” said Jerome. “It’ll be our pleasure. In fact, we’d love to do it! Come on, Roxie—we got work to do. See you later, Juliet!”
Juliet watched as the rats scurried over the windowsill and into the night. Then she sat down in the rocker, cradling the shell in her lap. She gazed out the window at the moon, wondering what she might find when she returned to the magic shop.
The possibilities were endless.
From below she heard music and laughter.
Smiling, Juliet Dove went downstairs to join the party.
About the Author
BRUCE COVILLE is the author of over 100 books for children and young adults, including the international bestseller My Teacher Is an Alien, the Unicorn Chronicles series, and the much-beloved Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. His work has appeared in a dozen languages and won children’s choice awards in a dozen states.
Before becoming a full time writer Bruce was a teacher, a toymaker, a magazine editor, a gravedigger, and a cookware salesman. He is also the creator of Full Cast Audio, an audiobook company devoted to producing full cast, unabridged recordings of material for family listening and has produced over a hundred audiobooks, directing and/or acting in most of them.
Bruce lives in Syracuse, New York, with his wife, illustrator and author Katherine Coville.
Visit his website at www.brucecoville.com.
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