though. I'll need to get the recipe. Marina is always begging me to make
something with her." My mother sighed dramatically and rolled her eyes. “Five
began her needy year, and I hoped by six it would have passed. I can't bear another year like this one. This phase has to end.”
Hearing her words gave me a sinking feeling in my heart.
“So, what brings you here, today, Eliza? It's been a long time since you've just stopped by to say hello.” Sarah changed the subject. “The last time I saw you was at Cole's seventh birthday party, months ago.”
“I know. I know. I have been meaning to come over more often. You just
know how it is with children. Marina keeps me so busy." Eliza sat down on the
kitchen stool as if even talking about me exhausted her.
Sarah sat next to my mother. “I understand. They do keep us busy. Still, she
is such a darling child and definitely smart for her age.”
“Oh, yes, she’s very bright but so demanding.” Eliza released another
dramatic sigh.
I had an urge to blast her off of her seat and onto the floor.
“Lately, it's always 'Mommy, look at me. Mommy, I need you.' Honestly, this
is the first moment of relief I have had from her incessant need for attention today. So, I took my opportunity for freedom, and I thought I'd come to talk with
you."
Her comments stung like a slap across the face. Was I really that needy as a
child? Being away from me was freeing?
Eliza leaned closer to her friend. “Sarah, a mutual friend of ours is in need and I hope you will help."
“Which friend?” she asked guardedly.
“Don't play dumb, Sarah. You know who I'm talking about,” Eliza snapped.
Again, my mother quickly composed herself, and then she sweetly began once
more, “He just needs a small favor, which we both can provide. All he needs is
for us to create a small, tiny spell that requires magic from Water and Fire.”
“I'm not going to help him. He will just use it to hurt someone.” Sarah's eyes
blazed with anger.
“Don't tell me you believe all of the lies spread about him, too,” Eliza said in
a soft, convincing tone. “You have the wrong idea about him. He has always been persecuted here because of his family name.”
Sarah firmly maintained, “Eliza, I'll not help Cedric Drygen.”
Taking a new tactic, my mother put her hand on her friend’s. “Sarah, it's a small favor. If you help me, just this once, I'll never ask you to help him again.
Besides, it’s a small spell to shield him from harm. Now, isn't that what our magic is for? Aren't we supposed to protect people?”
“He needs protection from harm? I find that hard to believe,” Sarah scoffed.
“What does he really need it for?”
“Well,” Eliza hesitated.
I could see the wheels in her mind spinning as she tried to figure out how to
convince Sarah to submit.
“It’s a protection of sorts. Cedric needs to protect what is rightfully his. As I
already said, all he needs is a small Fire and Water spell. Obviously, he’ll compensate us greatly for our efforts. Wouldn't you like more than what you have here? He can make our lives so much easier.”
“Eliza, I'm happy with my life. There's nothing I need that Cedric can get me,” Sarah insisted. “Aren't you happy? You have Elliott and a beautiful, healthy
daughter. What more can you want?”
