As predicted, it was raining the next morning, so I got as close to Debbie’s house as I could. She ran out and jumped in the truck.

“So how did your night go?” I asked her. “Anything interesting?”

“In my life? I’m not the one with precognitive visions and major magical abilities! Until the weekend, I am the definition of boredom. TV and homework are my life, leftovers are my dinner. I didn’t even see Mom last night, which is the way things have been lately. How about your evening?”

“She’s never given you any kind of clue as to what the project is she’s working on?”

“No, it’s all hush-hush. She doesn’t even let me discuss it on those rare times that I do see her. Usually, the only way I know she’s home is that her car is in the driveway.”

I wonder what this mysterious project is, I’ll have to ask Grandma. Umm...maybe not, I don't want to get Debbie in any trouble.

“Emily, you’re avoiding my question for some reason. Is everything all right?”

I sighed. “No, something is going on with my Grandma, and it has me worried. When I was meditating last night, I focused on my vision, like you suggested. Grandma used her telepathy to see the vision for herself, and something about it made her very upset. She hasn’t talked to me since!”

“Did you ask your Mom about it?”

“Yeah, I think she knows what the problem is, but she just said that Grandma wanted some time to figure out what she saw. Mom looked like she wanted to cry when she told me, and it’s driving me crazy! If I knew where that room was, I might have a clue, but I don’t remember seeing a room like that!”

“Maybe it’s not a real room, but it could be symbolic. The important thing could be what you were doing in there; maybe the whole thing represents something important to you in some way.”

“Maybe, although the visions I’ve seen seem to be pretty literal. All I know is that I’m going to drive myself nuts trying to figure it out. I feel like I’m right at the edge of knowing something important.”

We got to school, and nothing unusual happened. I was too involved in trying to understand my vision to even think about mind-reading. I was so distracted that I almost missed seeing Tim after school. It was only by chance that I heard him calling me, but as he walked up, we both smiled happily. I held his hand as we walked out to the parking lot, and as soon as we were outside, I planted a kiss on him that made him dizzy.

“Wow! What did I do for that?” He asked with a huge smile. “Not that I’m complaining, you understand, I’d just like to make sure I do it again!”

“I don’t know. You just make me feel so happy!”

“Emily, you make me feel good just seeing you,” he admitted. “And even though it’s going to sound horribly sexist, I’ve gotta tell you, that skirt the other day? Capital H, Capital O, Capital T!”

I blushed, but I was pleased he’d liked it. “Hmm. Maybe I should wear it tomorrow night?”

“Oh, definitely!” He said. “You’re going to want to look your very best. I’m going to commit a cardinal dating sin, and I’m not telling you where I’m going to take you.”

“Oh?”

“No, you challenged me to find something different, so I’ve done my best, and I really hope you like it.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure it’ll be at least interesting, and I know and appreciate that you cared enough to work at this.” I kissed him again. “I hate to do this, but I know Deb is waiting, and I have some things to do at home.” I kissed him again, and this time I really kissed him. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“Uh, s-sure...” he said with a really goofy look. “I-um, I have to go Dad for my work, I mean, work for my Dad, too. I’ll see you, Em.”

I waved sweetly as I walked to my truck. He waved back, then disappeared from my view as he sat in his TA. I thought Debbie was going to be waiting, but I saw her and Larry enjoying each other a couple of cars away by his Beetle. I started my truck, and she gave him a quick kiss and a pat on his cheek, then ran over and jumped in the door.

“You and Larry?” I asked. “Pretty nice, but I would never have seen that one coming.”

“Geeks may not be cool, but they get paid really well.” She said. “It doesn’t hurt that he’s cute and, let’s face it, very well built.”

We laughed, and I pulled out onto the street. At the next light some kid in a ratty looking little Toyota Celica pulled up, revving his engine like he wanted to race. I let my 455 speak up like I had accepted his challenge.

He looked like an idiot, revving his engine and kind of jumping around in his seat. The light turned green and he stomped his accelerator, burning rubber like crazy. I calmly accelerated as I usually did. As he zipped past me, the Police cruiser I had noticed approaching the intersection turned his lights and sirens on and took off in pursuit. He caught the little squirrel fairly quickly. We waved as we passed him sitting on the side of the road with the officer. After we passed them, we broke into laughter, and eventually had to pull over to catch our breath. I had truly needed to laugh like that.

We talked about school and stuff, and then I dropped her off and headed home. Mom was waiting for me, and she smiled as I walked in the door.

“Emily, Grandma wants to talk to you in her rooms, please. She’s concerned about what you saw in your vision, and she needs to talk to you about it.”

I was surprised. Ever since Grandma moved in with us after Grandpa died, I haven’t been into her rooms. She has her own small kitchen and bathroom; I think it’s called an en suite or something French like that. I’ve never had any reason to visit her rooms, because she’s usually in the main part of the house anyway. When she’s in her rooms, she likes her privacy, and I respect that.

I walked back to her rooms and knocked on the door. I felt her touch my mind as I got closer. *Come on in, Emily, and don’t be too surprised.*

It’s really strange to some people to have someone talk to you telepathically, but Grandma’s been doing it for so long that I hardly notice the difference when she’s mind talking.

I walked into her main room, and it did surprise me when I saw that it was the room of my vision. Grandma sat behind the nice oak desk, and she smiled at my reaction.

“Yes, it’s very interesting, isn’t it? Precognition is a funny thing, and you have to be very careful in your interpretation of what the vision is trying to tell you. I’ll admit my first interpretation was that I had died and passed the Coven’s administration to you.”

“Wha-No! Grandma, I’m not ready! I’m not ready to lose you, and I’m not ready to lead the coven!” I started to get upset, but she smiled and took my hand.

“I agree with you on both counts, dear. Your Mom did a full check on me today, and I’m fine. That led me to think that I had misinterpreted the vision. Instead, I believe that your vision is a warning that some person or group is trying to push you into taking over the coven, believing they can manipulate you into changing some things to their favor.

You need to understand something, Emily. You are my heir. Your mother doesn’t have the temperament to deal with the hassles, which is why she’s a nurse, and not a doctor, like I tried to push her into. I’ll admit, she was right, she is an excellent nurse and she uses her abilities with a subtlety I admire.

The leadership of a coven traditionally goes to the strongest, most powerful witch of that generation, something I find very ‘male’, but there are reasons. You are the strongest witch of this time, and quite possibly the strongest ever. You have a good heart, and the intelligence to handle the coven well. I know you’ve been at loose ends since your transformation, and I would like you to consider taking some business administration courses. I realize that being my heir is an imposition, but I feel you were given your talents and your strength for a reason.”

“Who was going to be your heir if I hadn’t been changed?” I asked her.

“I have to admit, I’m very egotistical. I’d like to keep the leadership in my family. I know, it’s a silly weakness of mine, but there you have it. You also need to understand, there were no particularly strong witches at the time. When you and Debbie Holloway first started dating, I noticed she had good potential, though she was very raw. I thought that once you two were committed to each other, I would work with her to find her talent, and bring out some real strength, but I was worried after she broke up with you and went after Tim Davies. She showed poor judgment there, but I thought she would eventually understand that you and she were much more compatible.

After your transformation, when you linked with Debbie, I...”

“Wait, linked? What’s that?”

She smiled. “You didn’t even know? I’m quite surprised; I really thought you were aware of it. Honey, when you healed Debbie, you went much further than you needed to. You not only healed her, but you linked your life with hers.”

“You mean I’m a lesbian?” I said in shock, but Grandma just laughed.

“That has happened before, but it usually means you will be more than merely friends for the rest of your lives. You will always be very close to her, and she will always be faithful to you. You could never hurt each other intentionally, and your hurts will be hers, and vice versa.

Even if you and Tim marry and have a wonderful relationship all your lives, you will still never be as close as you and Debbie are. In a very real way, the two of you are like twin sisters, with a connection that will only be severed in Death...if then.”

“I’m going to have a fun time explaining this to her.” I said.

“Oh, Sweetie, I’m sure she’s known all along,” Grandma said. “She’s really quite bright, you know.”