Brighton had to pull her out of school immediately. All Kinsley wanted was to go to regular high school, and because of some jerks, it was taken away. I guess you could say that it was her fault as well, but I didn't blame her. I'd sat on her lap many nights while she cried about what those girls said to her. They put gross stuff in her food and piled trash on her desk when the teacher's back was turned.
She had the power to stop them, and she couldn't use it. I believe that had actually been worse for her than if she'd had no magic at all.
And still, my little creature wanted to go out into the world. She wanted to fade into the normal stuff. Kinsley wanted to deal with the crud that comes along with an ordinary life, and she wanted to do it without her secret powers hanging over her head.
She wanted it so badly that she'd enrolled in an online high school secretly so that she could get a real diploma. Kinsley had done so well in her classes that she'd earned a full scholarship to her chosen college. She didn't need anyone's permission to leave, and she didn't need anyone's help either.
"You're not eighteen for a few months," I said. "I could call Gunner. You'll be classified as a runaway."
She smiled softly at me again, and I swear I saw a tear in the corner of her eye. "You know you don't need to do that, Meri, my love. When Daddy discovers I'm gone in the morning, he'll want to call Uncle Gunner. Mom won't let him. You already know that."
"Still..." I started to argue more, but she cut me off.
"I wish you could visit me," Kinsley mused. "I'm going to miss you so much."
"When you see me in your dreams, you'll know it's really me," I said, resigned to the truth.
Kinsley was running away from home to go to college and live a normal life. It was the worst thing ever, but what could I do?
"You'll still be able to do that? Even when my powers fade away?" she asked.
"There will always be a part of you that's a Skeenbauer witch, and a Tuttlesmith too. No matter how far away you get, it will still be inside of you. Like a tiny seed. I'll be able to connect with that," I said.
"Then I suppose I'll see you in my dreams," Kinsley said. "I love you, cat. Goodbye, Meri."
"Whatever," I said and started to turn away.
"Meri..." Her voice hitched, and I could tell she was on the verge of sobbing for real. I turned back to her and did something I never, ever did. I said what was in my heart.
"Goodbye, creature. I'll love you always," I said.
And then she was gone.
Thank you for reading!!!
Your favorite Coventry characters will return in a new series: Familiar Kitten Mysteries. Look for it on Amazon soon!!!
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© Sara Bourgeois 2019
This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons alive or dead is a coincidence.
Baby Broom Page 8