The Fairy Trail

by Catherine Ras

  “And you’d be bored.”

  Maggie was mindful they were walking around the large belly in the room with their trivial conversation. She was also fully aware of Charlie’s eyes fighting to avoid looking at her stomach.

  Finally, Maggie blurted out, “Yes I’m pregnant. No I’m not married, and the father is nowhere in my present or future.”

  Charlie shifted her weight to her other foot, “Um, congratulations?”

  Maggie was confused by the word in a form of a question. “If you’re asking me if this is a good thing, then you can say it more as a salutation and not as an inquiry because it is a good thing.”

  Charlie clasped her hands in front of her and pointed them at Maggie. “Congratulations! I am happy for you.”

  “Thanks. How’s Olivia?”

  “Right to the point. That’s one thing I always liked about you. She stayed in Europe.”

  “Are you going to move there?”

  “She is. I’m not.”

  “Huh?”

  “Ahem, excuse me. Would you ladies like some lunch? You can’t say no because it’s ready, and I can’t eat all the food alone, sooo….”

  Charlie smiled. “Absolutely, Aunt Agnes, I would love to have some lunch.”

  “Good.” She smiled at both of them, turned on her heels, and Maggie could hear the soft footsteps scurrying down the stairs.

  “Since when did you start calling my aunt Aunt Agnes?”

  “I’ve always called her that. Let’s go. I smell something good.”

  Charlie stepped aside and let Maggie pass.

  For the first time Maggie could remember, there was laughter in the house she grew up in. It came from the kitchen table, from Charlie, Aunt Agnes, and herself. It felt strange but refreshing at the same time.

  As they ate their chicken salad sandwiches, macaroni salad, and fresh fruit, Charlie talked about her studies in London, weaving in stories of her adventures on the subways and during her travels to different parts of England.

  Maggie told her tales of the streets of New York City swarming with people of all shapes, sizes, colors and kinds, and Aunt Agnes—she told the story of how she found the love of her life.

  Maggie would always remember that day as the one when her life really began. Her heart filled with all the good feelings she believed were absent most of her life. She smiled at Charlie.

  “So what are you doing here?”

  “In town? Or in your house?”

  “Both.”

  “I was done with my studies, so I planned on coming home. That’s why I’m in town. I heard about your mom, and I wanted to be here for the funeral, but I couldn’t get a flight home in time. That’s why I’m in your house.”

  “Oh.”

  “Well, young ladies, this old sack of bones is dogged tired. If you would be so kind as to clean up, I’m going up to take a nap. Still lots of painting to do, and I want to have a little energy to do it.”

  Aunt Agnes disappeared from the kitchen as fast as a wizard who snapped his fingers and vanished into thin air.

  Charlie and Maggie looked at each other and burst out laughing.

  “Awkward,” Maggie said in a singing kind of voice.

  “Why?”

  “She hasn’t taken a nap since she’s been here.”

  “Maybe that’s why she’s taking one now—you’ve worn her out.”

  Ignoring Charlie’s reply, Maggie took her dishes to the sink. She started to fill the basin with soap and water. “Well, are you going to help me or not?”

  Charlie joined her at the sink, placing some more dirty dishes on the counter. She grabbed a towel off a hook. “I’ll dry.”

  “Okay.” Maggie began to wash the plates.

  “So, why was that awkward to you? Does she know our history?” Charlie grinned.

  “We don’t have a history.”

  Charlie feigned a knife stabbing her in the chest. “Oh, that hurt.”

  Maggie gave her a light shove. “Cut that out.” She handed a plate to Charlie and continued to wash.

  “Look, we’re both adults who never talked about what really happened between us. Don’t you think it’s time?”

  “What’s there to talk about?” Maggie felt her insides twisting.

  “You left college without saying a word.”

  “My, God, that’s so long ago, besides we’ve talked about it, twice—the day you accused me of leaving because I was jealous and the day you drove me home.”

  Charlie said quietly, “It wasn’t really that long ago. You’ve never told me the real reason you left. I only accused you of it. Was it because of Olivia?”

  “I didn’t and don’t care about Olivia.”

  “Then why did you leave? What did I do?”

  “You didn’t do anything.” She handed another dish to Charlie. “School just wasn’t working out for me.”

  Charlie kept her eyes focused on the plate she was rubbing so hard with the towel that Maggie thought she would wear off the painted design. She spoke softly. “I believe there were feelings there. I know I had them, but you wouldn’t give into yours. I see that now, but back then I just figured you weren’t interested in me.”

  Maggie walked over to the table and picked up the jars of condiments. “Well, that’s just…stupid.”

  “Then why are you running?”

  Maggie moved quickly to the refrigerator and put the jars away. “I’m not running,” she answered realizing she just did.

  Charlie turned around to face her. “Yes, you are. You always run—physically or emotionally, you always run away.”

  Maggie slammed the refrigerator door shut. “Is that why you came here…to admonish me?”

  “Good word. I thought you weren’t interested in school.”

  Maggie folded her arms and leaned back against the fridge. “Come on, Charlie. What is this about?”

  Charlie set the towel and plate down on the counter. She slowly made her way toward Maggie, keeping her eyes locked on the dark green eyes that couldn’t decide which emotion they were feeling.

  She stopped within an inch of touching Maggie’s body that was squirming under the close proximity of another person.

  The last time she was this close to someone, she got pregnant, but this was different. Charlie would never hurt her. She knew that. Then why was the warm breath on her neck so unnerving? Her instincts fought to take over. She forced her feet to stay planted. She would prove to Charlie, and even more so to herself, that she didn’t always run.

  A smile formed on Charlie’s lips, and then she turned and went back to drying the dishes.

  Maggie blew out a breath. Her palms were sweaty, and she felt an odd sensation filling her with a very tingly feeling of warmth. She was shaken out of her pleasurable stupor by Charlie’s voice.

  “You’re avoiding your job. I need more dishes to dry.”

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  When the dishes were done, Maggie fanned herself. “Interested in a walk? I need some fresh air. I’m a little warm.”

  “It is hot in here, isn’t it?” Charlie chided.

  Flustered, Maggie cocked her head. “I just had my hands in warm water, and I’m pregnant—perfect recipe for hot flashes.”

  “Then a walk it is. Should we leave a note for your aunt?”

  “Probably a good idea.” Maggie scribbled a quick note on a piece of paper and left it on the table. “After you,” she nodded toward the front door.

  They meandered through the streets, and before Maggie realized it, they were at the path into the woods. Charlie kept walking, but Maggie held back.

  When Charlie realized Maggie wasn’t following, she stopped. “What’s wrong? Afraid of a few trees?”

  “No, but I wish you would stop teasing me.”

  Charlie’s face softened as she stepped toward her. “I’m sorry. Really. I guess…oh, I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know what.”

  “Walk with me, okay?”

  “
I thought I was.”

  “Now who’s teasing who?”

  They smiled at each other.

  Charlie reached out and took Maggie’s hand. “The real reason I came here was to see you. I…I needed to see you.”

  “Why?”

  Charlie looked around as if the words she needed to say would be written in the sky and she could simply read them. Then she found Maggie’s eyes. “Because I never really stopped thinking about you. I hate to say it, but even when I was with Olivia, I always thought about you. Eventually, she could tell. That’s why she stayed in Europe.”

  “Then why were you with Olivia?”

  “I think you know the answer to that.”

  Maggie turned and walked down the path leading Charlie by the hand. When she felt they were far enough in to be hidden from prying eyes, she pulled Charlie to her and kissed her. It surprised herself as much as it did Charlie, but neither pulled away.

  As they kissed, snippets of colored light filtered in and out of the trees but unnoticed to them. When their lips parted and their eyes opened, the painted rays of light faded into natural sunlight passing through the branches.

  Maggie pulled her eyes from Charlie’s face and looked around. There was no physical sign of the fairies, but it was as if she felt their presence. She stared at the beams of daylight beginning to fade. Had she seen colors just as she opened her eyes?

  “Is everything okay?” Charlie asked

  Maggie found Charlie’s eyes once again. She felt the heat in her own face from a pleasurable sense of embarrassment. Charlie’s lips were much softer than Mikes’ and…she grasped for what she was feeling. “Everything is great. I just…you looked so beautiful when the light was coming in between the trees.” At that moment, Maggie realized that her kiss with Charlie was more meaningful than any kiss she had ever shared with Mike

  Charlie’s face flushed. “Thank you. Then it’s okay?”

  “What’s okay?”

  “Kissing you.”

  “It’s more than okay.” Maggie pulled Charlie to her and kissed her again. She stayed in the kiss longer this time savoring the softness of Charlie’s lips, the taste of her mouth, and the smell of her body. She slowly pulled back. “Is it okay with you?”

  Charlie’s face produced a “shit eating” grin. “Definitely okay. More than okay.”

  They laughed as they exited the woods hand in hand. When they arrived back at Maggie’s house, Aunt Agnes was sitting outside on the front steps. They sat on either side of her, and she put an arm around both of them.

  “Things would have been so much different if you two had done this back in college.”

  “Aunt Agnes!” Maggie exclaimed, but Charlie was laughing.

  “It doesn’t really matter though, because now, things will be okay.” She stood up. “I’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow. I can go home now—it’s time I get back to Tony.”

  “You could have left anytime,” Maggie mildly reprimanded her.

  “Yes, you’re right, but I wasn’t ready. I am now…,” she opened the front door, “after I finish the painting which should take another day. Come in and help when you’re ready. I made some lemonade, and it’s up in the room for when we get thirsty.” She went inside.

  Charlie scooched over to be close to Maggie.

  “You know why she says she can go now, don’t you,” Maggie asked her.

  “Does that bother you?”

  “It’s a lot to assume after one kiss.”

  “It was two kisses, and I’ve been assuming and thinking this for a very long time. The question is, are you open to it?”

  Maggie turned to face Charlie. “Exactly what am I supposed to be open to?”

  “You and me—a couple.”

  A pang of fear gripped Maggie for a moment. “What if it doesn’t work?”

  “Maggie Smith!” she exclaimed, “How could it not? I love you.” She took her hand. “And I’m pretty sure you love me too.”

  “Just pretty sure?”

  “You tell me.”

  “Very sure.” Maggie’s smile lit her face like the beams of sunlight in the woods. “How are you at painting?”

  “A veritable Michelangelo.”

  Maggie got to her feet and extended her hand. “It doesn’t have to be a master piece. Just stay within the lines.”

  Charlie allowed her to pull her to her feet. She touched Maggie’s cheek. “How much fun would that be?”

  ***

  Aunt Agnes waved from the taxi as it pulled away. Her sister’s will was taken care of, the painting and other house repairs were done, and Maggie has starting work again at Leena’s Restaurant. Charlie asked her to wait to go back to work until after the baby was born, but Maggie insisted it was what she needed to do.

  Charlie had applied to several major finance companies and was accepted at three. She took the one that would let her work from home, and she told Maggie the salary was enough to support them both.

  “I want to work. I need to work.”

  “You don’t need to.”

  “Not the financial kind of need. I was thinking of putting the money away to take college courses.”

  “I can pay for those too,” Charlie exclaimed.

  “I’m sure you can, but put the money away for vacations or for something you want. Let me make my way.”

  Charlie touched Maggie’s belly. “How about for a college fund?”

  “Um, yeah, sure,” Maggie teetered.

  “Okay, but if at any time I see you’re overworking yourself, I’m going to make you stay home.”

  “We’ll see.” Maggie went into the house with Charlie following.

  “Would you like to come with me shopping for my office supplies? I start next week, and I have to get it set up as soon as I can.”

  Maggie didn’t answer right away. She walked into the kitchen, opened the cabinet, and took out the garbage.

  “You do want me to move in, don’t you? I was thinking that room you and your aunt were working on would make a great office.”

  In Maggie’s thoughts, the idea that it would be her office when she went back to school faded. She turned to face Charlie, forcing the best and brightest smile she could fake. “Of course I do.”

  Charlie took her in her arms. “Awesome. I’m so excited. So let’s go shopping!”

  “No, you go. I’m actually going to take it easy.” She patted her stomach. “The little bugger is acting up today.”

  It wasn’t a lie. She did feel the baby moving a lot, and her stomach was uneasy, but she was afraid of the reason why.

  Charlie kissed her. “Then get some rest. I’ll see you later.”

  When she was sure Charlie was gone, Maggie grabbed a coat and headed out the door. She walked with a purpose built from a growing fear and uncertainty driving her toward the woods.

  This…love was new to her. Real relationships were new to her. She had just accepted and learned to live with the one she developed with her aunt, but this…this was different.

  They hadn’t talked about it; they just threw themselves into it, and it was causing Maggie to feel panicked.

  Maggie didn’t stop until she was standing in the middle of the woods. By then she was breathing hard, almost hyperventilating. She leaned over, put her hands on her knees and forced herself to take long breaths in and blow them out in equal time.

  When she felt calm in her mind and her body, she slowly stood up. There was a tree directly in front of her, and in a large knot on the bark was a blue door. A rope ladder was attached to the bottom of the knot and extended down the tree to the ground.

  Halfway down the ladder a fairy was dressed in a purple smock top and a pair of black jeans. Her hair was brown and short, very different from all of the other fairies she had met. But the most unusual thing about this fairy was the aura that surrounded her. It was a rainbow.

  “Oh, my, you’re there, aren’t you? Well, just give me a few more minutes to get down, will you?”

 
Maggie wanted to ask why the fairy didn’t just use her wings to fly down, but decided against it. Being used to the unusual behavior of the fairies in the woods, she sat down on a log and waited.

  When the fairy got down, she brushed herself off and faced Maggie. “From everything my sisters

  have told me, you want to know my name. It is Apsara—means Celestial Maiden.” She swiped her arms down her body. “Who would name me Celestial Maiden? Really. Oh well, I guess we go with the name we’re given whether it’s the one we want or not.”

  Maggie laughed. “Tell me about it.”

  Apsara looked confused. “If I understand how this works, you’re supposed to tell me about it.”

  “I really don’t even know what I’m doing here?”

  “You don’t? Really. Then why did you come?” Apsara turned around and started to climb up the ladder.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Back to my house, of course. You don’t know why you came or what you want, so there is no sense wasting my time.”

  Maggie jumped up. “No, wait! Stop! Please!”

  The fairy hesitated but didn’t reply.

  “I…I’m scared.”

  “Go on.”

  Maggie began to pace. “Charlie is moving so fast. She wants to move in, be together, be a family with the baby. She doesn’t care about the father, but I don’t even know who he is and don’t want to know, and she wants to take care of us so I don’t have to work, but I want to work and she keeps trying to get me to eat more vegetables, and….” Maggie stopped when she noticed Apsara on the ground, her hands on her hips with her lips drawn in a tight, thin line. Her eyes were focused on Maggie, firm disappointment flickering in her bright blue

  irises. Worst of all, she was tapping her foot.

  Maggie threw her hands up in the air. “I don’t know how to do this,” she cried.

  “Let me get this straight. Things are going really good for you, and you don’t like that. Maybe you’re thinking of running away like you always do, right?”

  “I don’t run,” she said incredulously. “You don’t know me at all.”

  “Is that so? What are you doing here?”

  “I told you,” Maggie answered in an exasperated voice. She rubbed her hands together, twisting them in and out and around each other. “Can’t you give me that gift of seeing the future again? Then I would know if she was going to stay or leave like she did before.”