[Hope, Friendly]

  “She’s going to be fine, she’s one hundred percent better today than she was yesterday. But it’s going to be a long road of recovery, you need to force her to rest and eat, eat lots of good healthy foods. How did she get so thin.”

  “She was in foster care, I just found her again about a month ago.”

  “She’s severely underweight so get her to eat her favorite foods and lots of them. Stay the whole week in bed, next week half bed and half that chair by the window. Then will see how she’s coming along. Rose if you’d come and get me in a week, I’d like to see her again. If she suddenly gets sick again, come get me right away, but I truly don't expect that to happen. Could you pop me back Rose?”

  “Sure Dr Denton.”

  I jumped us to his home, thanked him and asked if I could do anything for him. He said I already had. His kids love the new playground and the school and library almost as much.

  I jumped back and I didn’t startle Ruby, nearly as much as I had yesterday jumping around.

  “Rose, we can't stay that long. If Opal can walk by next week, we’ll leave.”

  “Ruby you can stay here for years if that’s what it takes to put some weight on. No one will care. Are you worried about your job? I’m sure they’ll be alright with you caring for your sister. If you have a critical delivery I could do it for you.”

  “You don’t understand, the Fey may be after us right now. Full bloods are required by Fey Law to reside in Quintessence for a period of ten years, for magical training, starting at age ten, Opal is eleven. She’s not a full blooded fey but that doesn’t matter if she looks full blooded they assume that she is.”

  “Don’t you have any paperwork proving your parents weren’t full blooded so how could Opal be?”

  “My parents died in a house fire, the same fire destroyed all family records and my little brother. I was eight at the time and somehow managed to save Opal. They split us up and sent us to care and foster homes. When I got out of care when I turned eighteen, I searched for Opal. They turned over custody to me but told me she probably had to remain in a Fey magical boarding school until she turned twenty. I grabbed her and fled.”

  “I would have done the same thing, it was just me and my ma, when I was growing up and I dearly wanted a baby sister. Ruby you and your sister are probably safer here then anywhere in Emain Ablach when it comes right down to it. Plus the fact if anyone did come looking for you I could stash you in over a hundred thousand worlds. When Opal is well and truly healthy we can talk about where you’d like to live. You’ll always be welcome in Dr Denton’s world. But that’s week’s away. If you want I can write to your company and tell them I found the wagon and horse abandoned and fear you kidnapped.”

  “That’s kind of you Rose, let me think about what we should do, for another day. But your idea probably has the best chance of success.”

  Opal woke up around noon time and was hungry so we gave her pizza and for dessert she had cake and cookies. A little while later she was right back to sleep again. When she woke up around seven she was only a little hungry so it was cake with ice cream.

  The next morning when she woke up, her cheeks had a little color, she got up and walked to the privy with Ruby holding her hand all the way. She loved pushing the button on the privy that makes everything disappear. We gave her a giant stack of pancakes drenched in butter and syrup. She ate about two pancakes but she looked like she was making some progress. After a nap and some pizza she wanted to get up but Ruby and I told her what the doctor had said.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Opal, Would you like a book?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “What’s your favorite book?”

  “The Hobbit”

  When I asked Doug for a nice illustrated edition of the Hobbit.

  “No I have a better idea, one you are going to love I promise, after I shrink down just take me into their bedroom. Turn me sideways and prop me up so that Opal can see the mirror while lying down OK?”

  “Fine but this better not be a trick.”

  “No trick I promise.”

  I brought him, turned him landscape, long side down, then instead of a book coming out of the mirror I got to see my first movie. A TV movie whatever that means, but it was a drawing that came to life with music and songs and Opal adored it as much as I did. As soon as it was over Opal and I wanted to watch it again. It wasn’t as good as the book, but it was magical. When it was over for the second time it was time for supper. But after dinner we all gathered in Opal’s room and watched it for the third time. By now Opal was properly tired falling asleep during the credits all those names it took to make. But the Professor's name was the most important of all. You can’t make a movie without a proper story.

  The next morning after breakfast we asked Doug to play it again. He refused.

  “You two have to try something else. If after twenty minutes you don’t want to watch it any more I’ll put the Hobbit on all right?”

  Then there were real people on the screen in black and white not color and a pretty girl named Dorthy Gale. A mean old lady hated Dorothy’s little dog, Toto. Then they were caught in a wind storm and when the storm had blown itself out, they were in color in the land of Oz. We loved it, even Ruby who’d been getting a little tired of watching the Hobbit over and over again.

  After it was over, Opal was ready to watch again and I would have to, but Sparky told Lu for me to show up today or else. So I walked over to the store.

  “Well the apprentice who never does any work. Thanks for coming in today.”

  “I’m sorry Sparky but that little girl was this close to not making it, and I know I’ve been hovering, it’s just like having the baby sister I’d wished for when I was a kid. I’ll be back to work full time starting tomorrow. Is there something you need me to do this afternoon.”

  “No. Is there any reason that the wagon is hidden behind my tower?”

  “None that I can talk about.”

  “Where’s the rest of my paper, I only got two cases I was supposed to get five.”

  “I’ll sort it out this afternoon. I might have to portal it here OK?”

  “That’s fine. Go on then, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  Ruby and I portaled the three remaining cases to Sparky at the shop.

  “Ruby, did you think at all about what to do with the wagon? I’m still happy to write to your company.”

  “Thanks Rose, I want to find somewhere for Opal and I to live where we’re not looking over our shoulders all the time.”

  “OK good, I’ll write the letter this afternoon, then the company might report you missing and hopefully no one will ever come looking for you. Did you watch the Wizard of Oz again?”

  “Yes, it’s amazing. But everything has been amazing since I met you.”