Part 20A - A Sorcerers' Pre-Birthday Celebration

Amanda sipped her second cup of morning coffee while keeping an ear out for any sounds of Christie stirring. She smiled as she realized that this was the first cup of morning coffee she'd had made for herself since Charlie, now Christie's last birthday. Eggs and omelet fixings were prepared and ready to cook since her daughter had missed her dinner yesterday. That her girl would wake up ravenously hungry was at least partly her fault, so Mom was ready to dish up Christie's favorite breakfast treat. After all, Amanda had been the one to place a heavy-duty sleep spell on Christie before turning off her alarm.

Arriving home last night, Amanda had found Christie's car in the driveway but no obvious sign of her presence in the house. A quick mental scan found her sound asleep in her bedroom - at six pm in the evening. Switching her scanning to her healer sight, Amanda had been relieved to find nothing physically wrong - the girl was just fast asleep. Amanda had almost awakened Christie to find out why she was sleeping so early but had hesitated. Maybe she really needed it, but why?

Rather than disturb Christie to get her answers, she'd called Papa Kim to see if he had any idea why her daughter would be dead to the world so early in the evening. Amanda gave a soft chuckle. Wow, had he ever! Papa Kim had given her chapter and verse of Christie's performance issues at the dojang class and how he'd pulled her aside for 'a bit of a chat,' as he'd called it.

Amanda had been dumbstruck by the revelations Papa Kim had drawn out of her daughter. Oh, she'd known that the girl had a great deal on her mind just now. For goodness sake, her birthday decision would be required the day after tomorrow. Ordinarily, the issue that would concern most young sorcerers the most was whether or not their trial goals had been accomplished. If so, they would be able to transform back to their birth gender and come fully into their power. Evidently, that concern wasn't even a phantom blip on Christie's mental radar. However, the worries and concerns on her daughter's mind had very little in common with her peers' problems. Considered as a whole? Amanda thought Christie's problems were almost overwhelming.

"But she's never even hinted that those things were weighing on her. We've talked through most of them, and I thought she had put them all to rest. Heavens, Papa, I'm her Mother! Why didn't I know about this? Why did she tell you and not me??"

"Maybe because I cheated?" A soft, comforting chuckle sounded in her ear. "Let's just say that I covertly and subtly encouraged her to unburden herself to me. I'm sure you could have done the same with your abilities, but you are her Mother. You probably have some sorcerer's code about such things. I'm just an interfering old Grandfather who can always get away with manipulating a favorite granddaughter. Although I will admit, I don't think I will be able to do my 'Jedi Mind Tricks' on her in the future. I think she's ready for the transformation you told me about."

"I think so, too, Papa, and more importantly, Christie thinks so as well. She as much told me that yesterday."

"I see. Well, Amanda, as to your concern about her sleeping, I must take credit or blame for that, too. She was mentally and emotionally exhausted, so I strongly encouraged her to go home and rest."

"Well, thanks for talking with me, Papa, and explaining what happened. I'm going to reinforce your encouragement with a little sleep aid of my own to ensure she sleeps herself out. Then, we'll see, won't we? Any bets on who shows up at your dojang next week?"

"Your child will, Amanda. And as I told Christie, we will be there to help either Charlie or Christie as needed. Good night, Amanda."

After hanging up on Papa Kim, Amanda had sat and considered what she'd learned. Then, she'd made calls to her Mother, Renee and her boss before going back upstairs to ensure Christie got the rest she needed.

~-~

"OH SSHHHHIII. . . .UGAR!!!"

Amanda grinned as she stood up to head over to her refrigerator. Someone had just woken up and looked at her bedside clock. Christie would typically have left for her morning dance class half an hour ago. If she was going. Which she was not. Not today, in any case.

Thundering steps rumbled the stairs just before a bed-hair disheveled Christie burst into the kitchen. "I'M LATE!! My alarm got turned off somehow. Madame Rene will have a cow. I've got to . . ."

Amanda stepped in front of her dithering daughter and put a hand over her mouth. "What you have to do, Missy, is go back upstairs, take a shower and dress for a shopping day and other such genteel activities."

"But Madame Renee . . .

"Knows that you won't be there today because you've been overdoing it since your release from the hospital. I called your dance mistress last night to let her know I was keeping you today, and of course, being the marvelously compliant woman she is, there was no problem with that. Now, run along and make yourself presentable. Your hair is a disaster. I'll have your favorite egg white omelet ready to plate when you come back down. And Christie?"

"Yes, Mom?"

"Come down the stairs like a young lady this time, please?"

Christie swallowed back a gulp and nodded. "Yes, Mom. Ten minutes, okay?" And she was off before her Mother could reply.

"Harrumph," Amanda growled. "What young lady takes ONLY ten minutes to complete her morning toilette?" Her daughter's bedroom door opened ten minutes later, followed by gentle footfalls tiptoeing down the stairs. "Evidently, my young lady, it would seem." She smiled as she answered her own rhetorical question.

Finding an overstuffed omelet and coffee waiting for her on the breakfast bar, Christie slid onto her stool and took her first sip of coffee. "What's up, Mom? Why the big breakfast and calling off my dance class? In fact, what's with turning off my alarm clock? God, I never sleep . . . this . . . late . . ." Christie's fork stopped halfway to her plate when she suddenly fixed her Mother with a steely glare. "You did it!" She said accusingly. "You turned off my alarm, and you put some kind of sleep charm on me! I haven't slept this late in YEARS!!"

"Oh, stop glowering at me and eat your breakfast before it gets cold. Yes, I turned off your alarm and zapped you with a sleep spell. You were sound asleep when I got home last night. Sound asleep before six pm, I might add! When I called Grandfather Kim, he gave me the story of your little meltdown yesterday. You NEEDED sleep. I AM the Mother, and I made sure you got some badly needed sleep. End of THAT discussion, young lady."

A forkful of omelet deflected what was sure to have been an injudicious and smart-ass retort. "Take another bite," Amanda ordered, "And swallow. THEN you may ask a question if you like."

Christie thought furiously as she chewed the ordered second bite. "You said 'shopping and other activities?' Since when? I didn't know you planned a shopping day. What do you need?"

Amanda refilled her coffee cup without answering her daughter. She was heading back to her own seat when their front door opened. A familiar voice called out, "Hello, the house!"

Delighted, Christie started to stand, calling out, "Grandma!" Only to be gestured firmly back into her seat by Amanda.

"You haven't eaten since lunch yesterday. Eat your omelet. My Mom knows where the kitchen is."

Rebekah Hanson bustled into the kitchen, stopping to give Christie a quick peck on the cheek before embracing her daughter. "Sit, Amanda, sit. Your old Mother can pour her own coffee."

Almost finished with her breakfast, Christie looked at her Mother and then her Grandmother. "Grandma Bekka, are you here for whatever mysterious outing Mom just laid on me out of the blue?"

"Why, of course, I am, sweetie. I wouldn't miss your special day for anything."

"Ummm, what special day, Gran? My birthday is Sunday. I have no idea why today would be my day, special or otherwise. Mom? What's going on?"

"Yes, your birthday is Sunday. According to family lore, that is the first day you will be able to attempt the retransformation and thus come into your full power. Our family has a long-standing tradition for candidates who have undergone a change of sex trial. The family gets together the day before your birthday for a sort of Pre-Birthday Celebration. And yes, I know, it should be Saturday, but SOMEbody," and here Amanda cast a gimlet eye on her suddenly bashful daughter, "Made other commitments for us all on Saturday, which your Grandmother and I agree are important for us to keep."

"You said 'shopping,'" Christie said a little warily. Female or not, shopping was not something Charlie or Christie particularly enjoyed. It was a task to be completed, not an adventure to be savored. Just another of those shadows of masculinity that got in her daughter's way sometimes - like dressing.

"One of our traditions is that we buy the candidate some suitable outfits for their new station in life as a full-fledged sorcerer. It was like buying a young man his first pair of long pants or a girl her first formal adult gown back in the old days. Sort of a change of life statement."

Christie considered that and frowned. "But, how does that work if the candidate is going to change sex on his or her birthday? I don't think you could fit Charlie in something purchased for me or vice versa."

Rebekah laughed and patted her granddaughter's hand. "It's magic, darling. It will work out."

Grinning, Amanda agreed. "On my day, Aaron got a brand new suit and all the extras, complete with leather briefcase and shoes. When I woke up as Amanda, my closet held the perfect prom dress, shoes, purse and accessories. Like Mom says, it's magic."

"That's just . . .well, I almost said weird, but I have a new standard for 'weird' after the day before yesterday, so I'll just say that's confusing. So okay, that should take us about half an hour. What else is on the docket?"

Shaking her head sadly, Amanda signed in resignation at her poor, deluded child. "If we start when the stores open at ten o'clock? We MIGHT be finished in time to put on our glad rags for our dinner celebration. Your Grandmother has made eight PM reservations for us at her favorite dining establishment."

Christie felt her cheek starting to twitch. "TEN hours? To buy one outfit? You're not serious."

"No, no, of course not," Amanda said in a sickly sweet reassuring tone. "We have to be done shopping by four so that you'll have plenty of time to get all sleek and beautiful before we head off to dinner."

Both Mothers laughed at the look of abject horror that crossed Christie's face. Standing, she brought her right fist to her heart in a Roman gladiator-style salute. "We who are about to shop till we drop, salute you!"

Then started to leave the kitchen, only to stop at the doorway. Grinning evilly, Christie turned and looked at her Grandmother. "Grandma Bekka. Did you know your daughter thinks snakes are sexy??" And then tore from the room before either woman could react.

~-~

It was nearly midnight when a bone-tired Christie finally got ready for bed. Her new LBD and her new business suit were hung in her closet with the matching shoes racked beneath them. How had she EVER let her Mother talk her into delicate black sandals with four-inch heels for the LBD? The two-inch heels on the conservative business pumps were bad enough, but those stilettos were killers. So what if she regularly danced on point. Those definitely went on the list of negatives for Christie, positives for Charlie.

Truth to tell, it had been a pretty great day - dinner especially. Even the shopping hadn't been TOO awful. Grandma had really helped there as she'd kept Mom on a reasonably tight leash and focused on what they were there to do. Even so? Amanda must have had her daughter try on more than a dozen different outfits. The first two they'd found would have been fine. Although, truth time again, the ones they eventually bought just MIGHT have been a little cuter and more comfortable.

The last thing Christie did before lights out was to check her alarm clock was set for her preferred wake-up time. She would get her workout in tomorrow, and that was that! And she wouldn't make coffee! So there! Take that, Mom!

Except that she knew she would make the coffee for her Mom. Sighing happily, Christie turned out her light and was almost instantly asleep.

~-~

Part 20B - Birthday Celebrations with Friends

It was Saturday, but it wasn't anything like a 'Normal Saturday.' For one thing, this wasn't a 'Normal Saturday Class Day at the Dojang.' It was Test Day, and there was basically nothing for Christie to do for it. She wouldn't be testing as often as she had been now that she was working towards her upper-level belts. Charlie had this same experience in his timeline. However, he'd still always been able to come to test day excited about participating in someone else's testing. Charlie had been allowed to spar. On the other hand, Christie was restricted to only sparring with Grandfather Kim. So, it was test day, but that meant no class, no testing, no sparring for poor little Christie. Bummer.

Still, she was determined to hold to her usual routine as much as possible. Yes, it was her 17th birthday - happy birthday to her - and yes, it might be the last day she would ever have as Christie. When she thought carefully about those issues, they were really just more reasons to enjoy being 'Christie' to the absolute fullest. What could possibly be better? Coming to one of her favorite places, filled with some of her favorite people and enjoying watching some of her favorite activities? If tomorrow was to become Charlie's time, then by God, he'd remember today as Christie fondly!

So, she'd arrived early - just like always. She'd changed into her gear and come out to stretch and warm up - just like always. She was practicing the Poomsae required for her next belt when she saw her girls rush into the studio ahead of their Mothers. They scurried into the dressing room but were back out again in mere minutes. They rushed over to Christie and attacked her with an enthusiastic group hug.

"You guys ready?" She asked, trying to sound stern. The three girls all nodded vigorously, making Christie laugh. "That's RIGHT! You darn sure are, and don't you forget it! C'mon over to the corner of the mat. Let's get loose." And again, just like always? Christie began leading her young friends through a complete warm-up that looked remarkably like the testing they'd be doing only a short time later.

Finished, Christie gathered them around her, with her in the center of their little circle. "You guys are ready. You just did every drill, every Poomsae that the Masters could ask of you, and you were all dead on the money. Just keep your heads during the sparring. Remember, try to score, try to stop the other person from scoring, but try not to hurt. You're all gonna do GREAT, and your Moms and I will all be so proud when they tie that new belt around you before the party. Okay?" They all nodded. "Okay, group hug, then go kick belt!"

She watched as they ran off to the side of the studio where the instructors were handing out test assignments. Turning to the audience, she caught sight of the girls' Mothers, waved and gave them the 'A-OK' high sign.

Christie's Mom wasn't there, although she did plan to come to the combination graduation and birthday party later in the morning. That really wasn't unusual for a Test Day when Charlie or Christie was not one of the students getting tested, but Christie still missed her right now. Just one more missing something. This day already had too many of those.

"Your protegees look to be in top form today, Jeja," Grandfather Kim appeared at her shoulder. "After that workout you called a warm-up, I don't know why we should even bother testing them. They all did very well."

Christie smiled at her mentor. "For the memories that they'll make doing the test, Grandfather. I guess I'm a little focused on memories today, but there you have it. Sure, I've already told them they will pass, but sometime in the future, they will treasure the memory of having a Master tell them they DID pass. I think it is particularly important today for Cindy."

"Oh? And why is that, Jeja?"

"Madame Coulter is trying to set up some special auditions for her over in Philadelphia. If they go well for her, there could likely be some amazing opportunities opening up to her soon. The downside would be a greatly increased time commitment to the dancing. Cindy and her Mom may have to make some difficult choices this summer."

"Whatever is best for the child, Jeja. She has that type of potential, then?"

"She's so much better than I was at the same age, Grandfather, and she doesn't have my growth gene. She could be very, very special if she just gets the chance."

"Your other girls?" He asked gently.

"They're staying here. Those girls did ballet because that is what 'little girls do.' They are much better at Taekwondo than at ballet, and they like it better, especially that little hellion Carly. That pair may give you future Brenda Sell or two, Grandfather."

"Oh, a challenge! Excellent. What about you, Jeja? Will you pursue a Mastery in the Taekwondo?"

"Have to wait and see about that, Sa Bum Nim. A lot will depend on who's taking classes with you after tonight."

"Ah, yes. As I understand from your Mother, you will face a significant milestone tonight. How are you handling that? Do you believe you have accomplished what was required of you and learned what you needed to know?"

"We'll find out for sure tonight, but I really think I have, Grandfather. The single most important thing I've learned about myself really has nothing to do with power. I am going to be, no, scratch that! I NEED to be a healer. Honestly? I could lose all my powers tonight when I do whatever I'm called on to do, but I still have this unquenchable NEED to be a healer. If that need requires that I go to medical school? I WILL go to medical school. That's no longer optional for me."

"A true vocation, so basic to your true self, is hard to ignore. Is being here today difficult for you, Christie? I know we told you that you would have a party today, but we could change that. Would you rather go home and prepare yourself for tonight?"

"Honestly, part of me wants to run away and hide, but I won't. This might well be my last memory of this place and these friends as Christie. I want to cheer for my girls and celebrate with everyone who passes. Even if they don't know exactly why I'm celebrating."

"Excellent, Jeja. Well, my grandson is gesturing frantically for me to come to the judges' table, so I must leave you for a while. Find a seat and enjoy watching your girls - how did you put it? Oh, yes. Enjoy watching your girls 'kick belt!' I really must remember that phrase for the future. See you at the party, birthday girl!"

~-~

Amanda arrived as the last set of sparring bouts was ending. She saw Christie, surrounded by young girls and their Mothers, all talking at once - likely about the test results. As Amanda approached the group, Christie saw her Mother and almost ran over to sweep her up in a bear hug. "I'm so glad you're here," She whispered into her Mom's ear. "If this is my last Christie day at the dojang, I am so happy you'll be a part of my memories. Love you, Mom!"

Amanda almost burst into tears as she hugged her child and shielded her face in her daughter's hair. And maybe wiped a surreptitious tear or two into that mop of hair in the process. When she was sure she had control of her own emotions, she gave Christie one more squeezing hug, then put her arm around her to lead her back to her pack. "Let's go wait for the good news with your girls, okay?"

~-~

Of course, Cindy, Kelly and Carly all passed. In fact, all the yellow belts that Christie had been helping Wilma teach advanced to the 7th Geup Green. She was so proud of them, too. The party was fun, especially with the addition of a decorated birthday cake for Christie's celebration.

Amanda and Christie had left a little early, wanting to have a light lunch before seeing Valerie in the hospital. They had pointedly avoided talking about Valerie or what they were going to do with her, just as they avoided any discussion of what would happen later that night. As a result, what conversation they did manage over lunch was somewhat more stilted and stiff than their usual easy banter. In the end, they realized that they really weren't all that hungry. They packed their leftovers into containers provided by the restaurant and then left for the hospital.

They'd planned their arrival to be after the lunch trays had been cleared away and the nurses' afternoon rounds finished. Amanda warded the nurses' station to be aware when any duty nurses went out onto the floor. At the same time, Christie headed for Valerie's room.

"Hey, Valerie," she called as she moved inside. "How're you doing?"

"You don't happen to have a pizza, extra cheese hidden in your backpack, do you? I'm getting really tired of all this no-salt, low fat, no flavor, healthy food in this place!"

"Sorry, girlfriend, I was afraid I would be strip-searched for contraband on the way in, so I left the cake with a hacksaw baked inside behind, too."

Amanda came in then and warded the hallway outside the room so that she'd know if someone was approaching the room. Then, she set her 'Cone of Silence' spell around Valerie's bed before taking one of the seats there.

"Mrs. M?" Valerie said, her eyes on Amanda, "You're aware of this crazy mental telephone line between us, right? As a result, Chris believes she needs to reveal some big McKellar family secrets to me. Just want you to know, Mrs. McKellar, that Christie is the best friend I've ever had! I'd never do anything to hurt her or abuse our relationship. If it's a secret, it will stay a secret, even if I know it through this strange link between us."

"Thank you, Val. I appreciate you saying that, but I already knew it. You're special. My daughter's BFF would have to be. I trust you completely on these issues."

"So, girl, make with the big reveal, Valerie ordered, turning her attention to Christie. "I'll keep the secrets, but my curiosity is raising my blood pressure! That's not good for me right now. DEETS, McKellar! All of them!"

"Guess you've been watching the same Netflix soap operas for teens that my Mom has. Deets? Did you really just say that, Stevens? Okay, all of them, then. Detail One and this is a biggie, okay? Magic. Is. Real."

Valerie shook her head as if trying to clear it. "Umm, THAT's Detail One? You're kidding. What's the real story, Mrs. McKellar? Your daughter is messing with the mind of the sick girl! Don't make me push the crash cart button, Christie! Stop playing and give me some truth!"

Amanda held up her hand and, having gotten both girls' attention, said, "She's not messing with you, Val. Magic. Is. Real."

"And we're both sorceresses," Christie added quickly.

Disbelief and the first hint of anger darkened her face. "Prove it, then!"

Christie shrugged. "Well, I'm still at the starting out, apprentice level, but okay. Watch this." She lifted her hand up with her fingers rigidly pointing upward and lit them all on fire.

Val's eyes widened but then narrowed. "One of the kids in my science class did something like that with her chemistry lab starter kit. Got anything better?"

Amanda laughed and said, "I've got this, Christie." Closing her eyes, she concentrated and then fixed a challenging gaze on Valerie. "All right, Miss Unbeliever. Tell me your name."

"My name? Really?" At Amanda's quiet nod, it was Valerie's turn to shrug. "Okay, as you both very well know, my name is Pippi Longstocking. . . NO! Wait, I don't know why I said that! It's really Tinker Bell . . . Oh hell!"

"Oh hell? No, that's not your name, either," Amanda chided playfully. "C'mon, girl, what's your name?"

"Darn it! It's Truly Scrumptious. Oh, man! Honest, my name is Smurfette . . .oh, now that's just embarrassing. I quit. Magic is Real, and you're a sorceress. Now, Can I PLEASE have my name BACK?!?"

"Of course," Amanda said generously as she waved her hand at Valerie. "And what's your name, little girl? What's your name?" She sang.

"That was a song? Okay, let's give this a try. My name is . . . VALERIE! Oh, thank goodness."

"A simple compulsion spell. It made you substitute the name of a childhood story character for yours whenever you tried to say your name. Simple, effective and evidently quite convincing, eh?"

"Well, Chris, that's one heck of a Detail One. What's Detail Two?"

"I think magic might be easier to accept because I can't prove this one to you. I swear the following is true on my honor and on my friendship with you. Last year, to the day, in fact, I was a guy named Charlie McKellar."

Valerie only stared for almost a minute before her mouth opened and then shut again. She stared a bit longer until she took a deep breath and asked, "On your honor? And on our friendship?" Christie nodded, holding her right hand up, palm towards Valerie and crossed her heart with her left hand. "Wow. Okay, that is going to take some explaining. Should I take notes?"

"We'd prefer you didn't, dear," Amanda said dryly. "I've been doing this for longer than my child, so why don't I try to explain first. You can ask questions as we go along or at the end, whichever suits you best. Okay?"

At Valerie's nod, Amanda launched into a 'Reader's Digest Condensed Version' of the McKellar family history of sorcery. When Amanda attempted to explain that some family members did the gender change when they turned sixteen, Valerie pounced. Biology major Val wanted detailed biology and genetic answers. All Amanda could give her were vague explanations based on family historical and empirical data.

Amanda continued the story, getting into the particulars of Charlie's transformation into Christie and the challenges Christie had met and overcome so far on her trial.

"So, let me see if I understand at least some of that. Tonight is the first night you can change back, right?"

"Right," Christie answered.

"But you won't know until you try whether you've actually finished this trial thing which is the requirement for you to be able to do the switch-back?"

"Right again!"

"And if you change back to Charlie, I won't remember any of this?"

Christie frowned at that. "That's been the family experience to date. Remember, however, that you and I are linked. We have no idea what will happen to that link when or if I change back to Charlie. If we're still linked, I don't think there's any way I can keep you from learning any of our secrets. That's why we're talking now so that if I do change back into Charlie and we're still linked, you will have access to my memory and know that I tried to explain it to you."

"You know? That's just weird, McKellar. Trying to keep that line of logic straight is making my head hurt. Leaving that aside, I'm guessing, what did you call it? Oh yeah, in this other timeline, we're still friends?"

Christie blushed bright red at that, and Valerie pounced again. "What?!? What's got you turning red as a sunset?"

"Umm, well, ya see, Val . . Umm, I think you were going to become Charlie's girlfriend."

"Girlfriend? As in dating kind of girlfriend? You're not kidding?"

"I think so. You see, at Charlie's birthday party last year at the dojang? You fed me. . .errr him his piece of birthday cake while sitting on . . .his lap."

"I DID? You're not making that up?!"

"Nope, and it was a little more than that, too."

"More than me feeding you like some harem girl feeding her sultan? Oh, tell me more, o great storyteller."

"Weeellll, Charlie couldn't eat his cake by himself because . . . Hewassaranwrappedtoachairandcouldn'tmovehisarms,handsorlegs!" Christie blurted out in a rush.

"WHAT?? What was THAT? Slower this time!"

"Charlie was tied to a chair, wrapped in Saran-Wrap, kinda like a dobok clad mummy and couldn't move his legs or arms. So you volunteered to help him. Only you meant you'd help him eat, not get loose."

The appraising look that came into Valerie's eyes as she considered her best friend's words was . . .kinda scary, actually, Christie thought.

"A little consensual bondage between lovers can be great fun, Valerie," Amanda put in, just to tweak at her daughter a little bit more.

"It does seem to have. . .possibilities," Val said smiling.

"So, to change the subject - please! Are we ready to check Valerie out now?"

"Of course. Valerie, I will use what we call 'Healer's Sight' to look at the injured part of your brain. I will usually know if I can do anything to help when I do. If I see something I can fix, I will. Now, you just need to lie still for me."

Amanda began to link and explore the injury. Shortly after she'd started, she became aware of Christie laying her hands on Amanda's bare arms. The bright light of her daughter's emerging power acted as a drop-light, further illuminating the injured places in Valerie's brain. With the extra focus, she could sense a small area where the damage had not been arrested by her previous attempts at healing. The site was small, and she was concerned she might not have enough power or sufficient control to effect a repair.

Suddenly, she felt extra power coming into her, enhancing her own, and even focusing it into a more narrow tool. Carefully, she went after the damaged site and was able to arrest the spreading. She still couldn't repair the damage already done, but at least she'd stopped it from getting any worse. With a sigh of satisfaction, she broke the link.

After Amanda had explained to Val what she'd found and done, Valerie yawned deeply. "All of a sudden, I'm really sleepy," she told her two guests.

"Go to sleep, Valerie. We'll be back to see you tomorrow or the next day. Get some rest now."

"'K. See ya, Chris. Helluva story, girlfriend. 'Night."

~-~

"What now, Christie?" Amanda asked as she started the car. "Anywhere you want to go? Anything you want to do?"

Yawning herself, Christie sat back in her seat and laid her head against the headrest. "Home, I think, Mom. I have no idea what's in store for me tonight or even if I'll get any rest. I think I want to try to take a nap so I'll be as ready as possible for whatever fate has in store for me."

"Probably wise. I can give you a mild sleep charm if you like. Nothing so strong you won't be able to wake up if you need to, but enough so you could drop off."

"Let me try without first. If I'm awake after half an hour, I'll take you up on it then."

~-~