Miss Enchanter - Ophelia's Story

by Carol Colbert

  Luna and Thelma confirmed that fact.

  “Well, then I was thinking that I would like to put in a small self-serve coffee machine in the lounge area where the customers could enjoy a cup of Thelma’s coffee as well as herbal teas.” Ophelia said.

  “That is a great idea!” Luna and Thelma both agreed. “It is nice to have a fresh perspective.”

  “I can get on that right away for you.” Sebastian offered.

  “Thanks, but why don’t we wait for a bit. I want to pick out a color scheme for the new lounge area and entire Spa first. I don’t know if I should keep it in all shades of the same color, like it is now with the red, or if I should give each room a theme, or its own colors.” Ophelia said. “Maybe put one of those flat screen TVs in there.”

  Sebastian looked puzzled and Thelma jumped up and said “Sebastian, did you unload all of the baking goods and canned foods into the kitchen of the other house?”

  “I got it all in the door, I wanted to make sure I got all this stuff to you as soon as possible.” He said.

  “Let’s go take a look, I am sure you have my full order, but maybe you can help me with the larger bags of flour and sugar.” Thelma said, standing up and making it clear that they were to attend to it immediately.

  “Of course” Sebastian said. I need to get back soon, the snow is not letting up any out there. I want to make sure Zippy can get me back to the hill and him back to the barn again for the night before long. Good night, Luna, Ophelia.”

  “Was it something I said?” Ophelia asked Luna as soon as Sebastian and Thelma left through the back door to go down the path and to the smaller house in the back.

  “As a matter of fact, yes. You mentioned television. We have no televisions here, nor internet access.” Luna told her.

  “I know we had none in this house, but not in the entire Village? Why not?”

  “Because Enchanted needs to stay the way it is. Why bring all that talk of crime and wars, politics and despair into our lives?”

  “I miss television, Mrs. Johnson and I watched it all the time. Thelma loved playing with the computer over the Gaunter’s house while she was there. She used the internet to map out our way back here. Don’t you want to know what is going on with the rest of the world?”

  “Why would that be necessary, dear? We have everything we need right here. To have internet would put us on the radar and this way we remain safe and able to help people. Enchanted is for reflection and hope, a place to heal. We have no crime here, everything you need is provided.” Luna explained.

  “Then why make everyone work, if everything is provided for you?” Ophelia said.

  “We all work. We operate on the old barter system.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The history of bartering dates all the way back to 6000 BC. People would exchange goods or services for food, spices, tea, and even weapons. At times, human skulls were used as well. Salt was another popular item exchanged. Salt was so valuable that Roman soldiers' salaries were paid with it. In this country during the Great Depression, it was used to obtain food and various other services. We prefer the barter system here in Enchanted, although we have cash available as well.” Luna explained to Ophelia.

  “What does any of that have to do with me?”

  “Have you ever paid a penny for anything when you were in the Village? No, you haven’t. Catherine, Sebastian, Tom, London and many others are paid a wage, we do have a bank here.”

  “Wait – are you saying that I will not be paid for managing The Spa?” Ophelia asked.

  “You can pay yourself, you own it, remember? When you have The Spa painted, the paint will be provided to you at no cost, as will the labor that Tom and Sebastian put into making your changes for you.”

  “You said they get paid a wage.”

  “They do, but that does not come directly from you. The Village of Enchanted has accounts set up in the bank and all transactions go through there. Not everyone is meant to stay here permanently. Those who will eventually leave must have the means to be able to leave and start fresh elsewhere.” Luna said.

  “I asked Thelma this earlier, about people who live here but leave. I asked her if you wipe their minds clean before they leave so they will not remember. Is that why Sebastian had that look on his face when I mentioned the flat screen television?” Ophelia asked.

  “I know it might be hard to understand, but when you mentioned the television, Sebastian had a flicker of recognition, but it’s like a dream that you know you had, but can’t remember the details moments after waking up. The confidence and knowledge people gain while they are here in Enchanted stay with them after they leave, although the actual learning process does not.” Luna tried to explain.

  “So they become ‘DIS-Enchanted?” Ophelia laughed.

  “That is a good way of putting it.” Luna smiled.

  Luna and Ophelia cleaned up the dinner dishes and washed out their wine glasses. They were just finishing up when Sebastian and Thelma walked back into the kitchen.

  “Well, I’d better be going now, it’s getting late. Luna, are you staying here, or would you like me to round up one of the horses for you?”

  “You can pull up one of the other wagons, I need to get going home myself. Thank you Sebastian.” Luna told him.

  Ophelia was disappointed that her talk with Luna and Thelma was cut short. She knew she could probably continue talking about her mother with Thelma, but it was getting late and she preferred having both Luna and Thelma there when they talked about the old country and of the King’s palace. She stood on the porch with Thelma and waved as Sebastian headed towards the hill and Luna’s carriage turned towards the woods.

  Chapter 9

  Ophelia did not sleep well that night. She could not turn her mind off long enough to fall asleep and the few times she drifted off, she had disturbing dreams about her mother.

  There was a definite disconnect between her memories of living with her mother and Donald, living as Snowball the pet cat of Mrs. Johnson, and being herself here in Enchanted. Her thought process was blurred. How could everything be so different between Enchanted and the outside world, and yet in so many ways be exactly the same? Would her memories fade the longer she stayed in Enchanted?

  Ophelia woke up just in time to see Thelma walking to the front door with her coat, hat and gloves on and carrying a large tray. Ophelia looked outside and noticed how deep the snow was this morning. “Thelma, are you really going out into that snow? Can I help you carry anything?”

  “Good morning. Thank you, but Tom is here and he is helping me load these goodies into the sleigh, works well in this weather, better than the wagons. I’ll be gone most of the day.”

  “Are you taking them to your Chocolate Shop?” Ophelia asked.

  “No, the kids have no school today. The snow fell so heavy and it is beautiful. We are going to have sleigh rides and the children will make snowmen and so we are setting up hot chocolate and goodies at the Recreation Center for them to enjoy and have a place to come in from the cold.” Thelma said.

  “You are going to freeze out there, it is beautiful, but it must be very cold. I hope you have help.”

  “Plenty of help, and besides, I am not going to be at the Recreation Center for long. I will just help Tom take these trays there and then I will go to the Chocolate Shop and Catherine will supervise and help the kids with all the outdoor events. They will build forts and have snowball fights and just have fun in the fresh air. Would you like to join us?”

  Ophelia took another look outside. “Naw, I think I will just hang around here today by the fireplace. Too cold for me. Be careful out there. Oh, what a beautiful sleigh, I don’t think I have ever seen one as long or as large as that one.”

  “We have several. Zippy, Caramel and Ace are used to pulling them. It is actually probably easier on them with the blades on the sleigh, the wagon wheels would get stuck quickly, and the snow is very deep.”

  “Good morning,
Ophelia, are you joining us today at the Rec Center? I could come back for you after we take this last load of supplies.” Tom said, walking up to the porch and taking the tray from Thelma’s hands.

  “Good morning, no, you two go ahead. I’m not much one for winter sports. Have fun and be careful, the bridge must be all ice.” Ophelia said.

  “It is fine, the bridge didn’t freeze at all last winter and we had less snow, but colder temperatures. We will be off then, if you change your mind, all you have to do is ring the bell on the porch and someone will be here to take you to the hill.” Tom said, helping Thelma into the sleigh.

  Ophelia waved and then quickly went back into the house and made herself some coffee and breakfast. She ate and cleaned up after herself and then felt at a loss. She sat by the fireplace and wondered what she should do with herself for the rest of the day.

  Her thoughts drifted back to her mother and how many years it had been since she had seen her. Ophelia wished now that she would have been nicer to her. Ophelia had been so rebellious and so annoyed that they had to have that Donald kid live with them.

  She realized now though that Donald didn’t have it easy himself. There he was, no mother and his father going off to war like he did and never coming back. He was stuck with his father’s girlfriend and her daughter. Gertie had been nice to Donald and treated him as if he were her own son. Ophelia had to admit to herself that she was just angry that Donald was there, because as long as he was there, she could not openly explore whatever powers she had.

  Worse of all was that they could not come to Enchanted as long as Donald was with them. It made Ophelia shed a tear to realize that now her mother would never be able to enjoy Enchanted again.

  Ophelia had thought for a while that her troubles would be over when this young woman named Adela Johnson started hanging around. She and Donald went to the same school and that Adela had a crush on him. Donald was either clueless or he just didn’t care, because although they went out a few times together, nothing came of it.

  Ophelia had tried to help. She told Adela that she should give Donald a test and tell him that she was moving out of the state and hopefully then Donald would see what he would be missing and leave with her, which would have been the perfect solution to Ophelia’s troubles.

  But stupid Adela took it too far and actually had her car packed and ready to leave the state and when Donald acted like he could not care less, Adela actually did leave.

  Ophelia had been furious that Adela was unable to convince Donald to leave with her. Not only would she still be stuck with Donald, but there goes any chance of him leaving the house now. Donald did not seem to be interested in anyone else. Ophelia had argued with Adela and tried to get her to stay and fight for Donald to leave with her, but she would not.

  It was then that Ophelia had turned herself into feline form and jumped into Adela’s car. Fully intending on scratching up the leather seats and doing the most damage she could. Ophelia knew how foolish that was now, for her to believe that Adela Johnson would run back to Donald to tell him about her car. That did not happen. Instead, Adela had thrown her purse and coat in the backseat and taken off.

  The purse hit Ophelia in the head and the coat covered her so that Adela did not know she was not alone in the car. Ophelia did not know how long she was out of it, but when she came to, there was Adela looking at her and holding out a piece of chocolate.

  Apparently, Adela found her in the car and decided to keep her for now Ophelia was in the front seat of the car, wrapped in the coat for warmth and Adela was saying what a pretty white kitty she was and calling her Snowball.

  Adela had driven from Tennessee to somewhere in Michigan and life went on. Ophelia’s days and nights were spent watching television with Adela and all she was expected to do was to look cute and keep Adela company. Time moves very differently for mortals and although many years must have gone by, Ophelia was still a small kitty even though Adela Johnson was now an old lady.

  Adela had never married and at first Ophelia would run in circles turning very fast and creating the blue mist that turned her back into a young woman every chance she got. She did not get many chances though because Adela rarely left the house and slept with her arm around Ophelia. Ophelia planned her escape for a few years, but she did not know where she was or how to get back. She missed her mother and wondered how she would ever find her again.

  Then one day Adela went into the backyard and when she came in she was carrying not only the little dog from next door, Cooper, but a larger white cat as well.

  Ophelia stared at the other cat and wondered what she was doing there. The other cat looked bored and shut her eyes as if to sleep. Ophelia had been bored and she did not like the presence of another cat and the chance that this new one would take anything away from the cushy life she was living in the house. When Ophelia walked up to the other cat and said out loud in human words “Who the hell are you?” She was beyond shocked when the other cat actually answered her saying “Who the hell are YOU?”

  Turned out Thelma was the other cat and when they found out they were actually cousins, their quest began to find their way back here to Enchanted.

  Ophelia’s thoughts were interrupted when she heard the front door open. Sebastian walked in, his arms full of wood.

  “Hi Ophelia, have a supply of wood for the fireplace. It would not do to run out in this weather.” Sebastian said.

  “Oh, hi, thanks. Can I get you a cup of coffee or hot chocolate or anything?” Ophelia offered.

  “Thanks, but Tom and I cut the wood and so we also took some to my sister’s house, his wife, Isabel. Isabel makes the chocolates for Thelma’s Chocolate Shop, so I got my fill of both hot chocolate and her freshly baked blueberry muffins.”

  “Thelma still at her Chocolate Shop now?” Ophelia asked Sebastian.

  “Yeah, but the kids are pretty much tired already from sledding, snowball fights and making snowmen, so Catherine should be heading back soon to relieve Thelma there. Don’t know what Thelma’s plans for after that though, I mean if she will come back home right away or not.” Sebastian said.

  “Well, as you can see, there is nothing much going on here. I’m a bit embarrassed to still be in my pajamas. You must think I am a real slug or something.” Ophelia said.

  “Not a bit, it’s a good day for it. Well, I’ll be going, unless there is anything I can do for you here.”

  “No, thanks for bringing the wood. Tell Catherine I said hello and maybe one day soon I will get to meet Cody.” Ophelia told him.

  “He is right there with the other kids having a ball, a snowball.” He added, laughing.

  I could tell you a few things about Snowball. Ophelia thought to herself, thinking of Adela again. “Take care in all that snow, Sebastian, bye.”

  Chapter 10

  When Ophelia woke up the next morning, she noticed that the weather was much calmer outside now than when she had gone to bed. She had made herself a sandwich for dinner after waiting for Thelma to come back. When Thelma wasn’t back after Ophelia had taken a good long hot bubble bath, Ophelia gave up waiting and had gone to bed.

  “Coffee, dear?” Thelma offered when Ophelia walked into the kitchen.

  “Yes please. I tried to wait up for you last night, but I guess the hot suds from the tub relaxed me so much I just wanted to sleep.”

  “Good thing you didn’t. I didn’t get back here until this morning. I stayed in town all day and then Luna and I went back to her house and I spent the night there.”

  “Oh. Luna was in town too? I guess I was the only one who was too chicken to brave that snow yesterday.”

  “It was a fun day. Actually, Luna, Hugo and I are not usually here in the winter. As you know, or did I tell you – we were actually leaving here when I somehow found myself on that expressway and started our adventure.” Thelma said.

  “I think you did, I believe you said that it was Luna’s rather, hum, healthy, backside, that bumped you off of your r
ide and then you wandered onto the I-75 Expressway.” Ophelia said, trying to be diplomatic.

  “You can say it, Luna’s big ole bubble butt!” Thelma laughed.

  “Sounds so mean though. I would never say anything like that in front of her. I would not hurt her feelings for the world.”

  “Luna know she has a big butt. It was actually your mother who gave her that big backside, did you know that?” Thelma asked.

  “How would that even be possible?”

  “Your mother and ours were sisters, as you know. You never had a sister, but believe me, there can be competition and jealously and petty fights between sisters all the time.”

  “No sister, but we had that Donald kid living in our house and although we were not related, he was raised as if we were. So, I know what you mean, but what happened with your mother and mine to produce such an attribute?”

  “Your mother put a curse on her. She said that our mother Ophelia’s first born daughter would have a butt as big as the watermelon that they were fighting over. I lucked out that Luna was born before me, or I would have gotten stuck with it. I always wondered if your mom didn’t name you after her out of a guilty conscious.” Thelma said.

  “Well, that was just plain mean. Why didn’t anyone ever take the curse off again? Or can that be done?”

  “Your mother wasn’t around when Luna came along and then after a while everyone just got used to it. Luna never seemed to be bothered by it and I was very good at biting my tongue. I never teased her, not even when I was angry.” Thelma said. “Of course, it is fun to laugh about it every once in a while. I supposed we have all gotten so used to it that it is a non-issue anymore.”

  “Speaking of Luna and curses and the likes, when can the three of us get back together and be able to talk more about the old county and coming here?” Ophelia asked, hoping that Thelma would answer that it would be sooner rather than later.