Mostly just a filler today.

I awoke this morning, and I felt very good. I became concerned that whoever had been playing with my emotions was at it again. Grandma said no, the amulet was working well. By that time, my good mood was ruined. I have to check with my grandmother to see if I’m happy?

Someone is seriously going to pay.

I walked into the kitchen, and I was almost immediately pounced on by my mother. As she did her best to smother me in a hug, my bad mood disappeared.

Note to self, hugs are enormously powerful, highly addictive and, considering their immediate effectiveness, extremely inexpensive. I wonder if anyone has locked down the patent? Naah, the FDA probably considers them hazardous in some form. Otherwise some pervert could approach people, groping them and claiming they were offering first aid.

“Good morning, Mom. I love you, too.” I said, happily.

“Emily, I think we need to see somebody about your crazy mood swings!” She said, smiling to show she was joking...I think. “Seriously, sweetheart, one minute you’re almost suicidal, then a couple of hours later, you’re incredibly giddy, happily bouncing around trying to help everybody, then this morning you’re almost angry at the world.

You wouldn’t be the first witch to need a little counseling, and with what you’re going through, I keep asking my self why we haven’t started already. I guess I relied too much on Grandma.
Sometimes, the people we love are the last to see things. She had even mentioned it, but I guess I thought you were so strong you wouldn’t need any help.”

“We’ve talked about this, Jenny.” Grandma said as she came into the kitchen. “I’ve been trying to help where I could, but a therapist needs to be someone who can see things with a different perception than family would. She smiled at me as she lovingly touched my cheek. “I’m afraid that I love my grand-child far too much."

“Whoa!” I called. “I don’t think I need counseling, I just had a bad thought this morning. I think overall, I’m handling this pretty well. Yes, I had a little incident, but I’m over that now. I’ve been like this for weeks, and now you want to call a therapist?”

“Honey, it doesn’t mean you’re insane because you see a counselor. I did suggest you see a friend of mine after your change, but I think your mom just thought all you needed was love, and not a therapist. She wasn’t trying to hurt you, but, as I said before, sometimes you need a new prospective.”

I thought about it while I ate some of Dad’s raisin bran. “Okay, I confess, I don’t see anything wonderful about counseling, but I don’t see any big downside either. If you would please set me up with your friend, I would appreciate it.”

“Good choice, Emily. I really think it might be a good thing.” Grandma said.

“Well, we’ll see.” I said. I kissed her cheek, and then hugged Mom. “I’ve got to get to school, see you this afternoon.”

I jumped into my truck and headed for the school. I was actually looking forward to school today. I was hoping to see Tim, and looking forward to seeing Debbie. The weather was a little wet, and I watched for Debbie along the way. Fortunately, I saw her not far from her house, and I honked to let her know I was there.

“Hi. Em, thanks! I hate the rainy season-unless I’m sleeping in. Then it just makes me more relaxed.”

“I know, it’s like the ultimate weekend relaxer. You party a little, sleep in the next day while the rain cleans the air and the sound of the rain falling outside your window-“

Debbie interrupted. “Stop, please, you’re making me sleepy! So how was your night?”

“Well, let’s see. I went home, and my mom and grandma told me they were going
to test my powers. I went out to discover that they had cut down q 40 foot tree. It took me less than 15 minutes to strip and clean he tree, slice it up, and put it neatly away, and I never broke a sweat or a nail, and I wasn’t even breathing hard.

I got scared, panicked and got very upset, because I believed that I wouldn’t be allowed to see my friends anymore. I misunderstood some things and overreacted. My grandma set me straight.”

“Wow, honey, it sounds like you didn’t have a good night!”

“Once Grandma calmed me down, I got a little silly, but I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and I think I’m starting to understand who I am, and who I’ll have to be in the future.”

“Oh? Is there anything you want to share?”

“Have patience, Grasshopper. There is still much to learn yet.”

“Yes, oh wise and powerful one.” She put her hands together and bowed. “And when may I learn these things?”

“Right here, Debbie, " I said as I pulled into the school parking lot. "Gee, ain’t ya never heard of school?”

She hit me.

"You are so strange, Emily!”

“Hm, let’s see, you’re a trainee witch, and your best friend is another trainee witch, who used to be your ex-boyfriend, who was changed into a girl by wild magic, and then discovered she’s the most powerful witch of this generation, and we have to wear these amulets so that we can stop someone from trying to control our minds...yeah, you might get the idea I’m not the only strange one here.”

“Okay, okay, so we’re both strange. I get it!” She said with a giggle, as we got out of the truck and then we ran for the doors.

Tim had seen us, and was holding the door open. We hurried in, and before he could say anything I gave him a very quick kiss. I wasn’t sure if he would feel me, but I tried to read his mind a little as I kissed him. I didn’t go very deep, but he certainly seemed to share the love I felt, which didn’t hurt my feelings at all!

He smiled. “Wow, you know just how to start my day!”

“Yeah, our new school motto. ‘Start your day with a PDA’-no, it’ll never fly.” Larry Nash said from beside us, smiling. Tim gave him a smile and a friendly shove, which got all of us laughing.

“I’ll see you later, okay?” He said, and I flashed him a smile.

“I sure hope so!”