He's a Witch!
Chapter 2
Copyright 2023 by Heather Rose Brown

In this chapter, our witch in training learns a little about being a witch, and couple of very special wishes are shared.

Miz Charmandine linked arms with me, then led the way to the entrance of the cramped alley we were in while saying, "Come along, Philbert."

I blinked a few times while ze guided us around the splintered remains of a wooden crate, then asked, "How'd you--"

"Oh wait," ze said, then squinted at me for a second. "You go by ... Bert ... right?"

"Actually, I prefer Bertie, but ... how in the world did you know my name?"

Ze smiled while tapping my nose with the tip of zer finger, then asked, "Did you already forget I'm a witch?"

I shook my head, then said, "I guess I have a lot to learn about being a witch."

Zer smile grew when ze said, "I'm looking forward to teaching you."

As we moved from the shadows of the alley to a sunny sidewalk, Miz Charmandine asked, "Which way would we need to go to visit your home?"

I skidded to a stop, then asked, "My ... home?"

The witch let go of my arm before turning to me, then said, "Of course. We need to let your parents or guardians know the good news."

A chill ran through me. "I ... I'm not sure if Mama will consider this a *good* thing."

Ze looked to the well paved street beside us when a magic carriage rumbled past, then turned back to me and asked, "Is she a witch hater, or a separatist, or something similar?"

"Oh no," I said while waving my hands. "It's nothing like that. It's just ... after my da was lost at sea a few years ago, rumors started going around. Some folk were saying the cargo ship he'd been on had been cursed by a witch. Since then, she's been afraid of witches."

Ze guided a long strand of hair over my ear, then asked, "Would you rather not tell her?"

My heart sank when I tried to imagine a way of telling my mother about my witch training without frightening her. Eventually, I asked, "Would it be okay if I didn't?"

Miz Charmandine nodded and said, "Of course." Zer expression flitted from worried, to something unreadable. "We'll just have to be careful."

When I saw the change, I crossed my arms, ignoring the mild pain that caused, and asked, "What do we need to be careful of?"

Instead of answering my question, ze asked, "Are they getting tender?"

I raised my arms to better hide my chest, then tried not to wince while asking, "What 'they' are you talking about?"

"Dearheart," ze said while resting a hand on my shoulder, "I've gone through all the changes you're going through, and I can help."

I stopped breathing for a moment, then asked, "Can you ... fix me?"

There was regret in zer eyes when ze let go of my shoulder and said, "If you mean what I think you mean, then ... no. On the other hand, I do have something back at my shop which can relieve the physical discomfort you're experiencing."

Disappointment battled with a sliver of hope when I asked, "How much will it cost?"

Ze clicked zer tongue, then said, "Witches don't charge other witches for helping them."

"Wow!" I said while lowering my arms. "I'd really appreciate that."

The witch smiled and said, "Then follow me," before leading the way down the street.

After several minutes of walking, we approached a dark green door. The wrought iron sign above it read 'Apothecary' beside a stained glass mortar and pestle image. A cloying, flowery perfume wafted towards us when we got closer to the older woman waiting in front of the door.

"Good afternoon, Madam Brekstone," Miz Charmandine said when we stopped near her.

The woman turned to us and said, "Oh, finally." She gave the witch a strained smile before saying, "I'm glad you're back." She studied me from head to toe and back again, then frowned and mumbled something under her breath.

"I beg your pardon," the witch said as zer brows rose. "What was that?"

"I just ..." the woman said while turning her attention back to Miz Charmandine. She huffed while patting some of the black and silver curls framing her face, then said, "I'm still trying to get used to seeing girls in trousers."

My stomach tightened. While bullies at school often called me a girl, this was the first time an adult had done that.

My soon-to-be teacher frowned and said, "We're in a new age, Madam."

"I know," the woman answered while brushing at her skirt. "Ladies are receiving real educations, husbands are caring for their children, and laws are being overturned by an enlightened society. None the less," she said before turning to me, "wouldn't you rather be wearing a pretty dress?"

I tried to answer, but all I could manage were half-formed stuttering noises. Miz Charmandine lifted a hand, then stroked the back of my head while making a shushing sound. My scalp tingled where ze touched it, and my terror faded away.

While I was trying to figure out what happened, the witch asked, "Had there been something specific you wanted to see me about, Madam Brekstone?"

"Well ... yes," the woman said, then blushed while glancing between me and Miz Charmandine. "I was just hoping you might have more of that wonderful ... product you provided last month."

"You poor thing," the witch said while lowering zer hand from the back of my head. "Have you run out already?"

"Not quite yet, but I didn't want to wait too long, and risk ... those symptoms again."

"Perfectly understandable. Do you you have enough to last you through today?"

"Oh yes, but I won't be able to come back for a refill tomorrow, because I'll be acting as hostess for my husbands debate club then."

"I see," the witch said, then draped an arm across my shoulders while adding, "I do have a client at the moment, but if you're willing to wait until we're done, I can see you next."

Madam Brekstone looked to me, peeked at my chest, then looked back up and asked, "Have you started to--" She covered her mouth with well manicured fingers, then said, "I beg your pardon, sweetheart." She turned to Miz Charmandine and said, "I'll try coming back later."

The witch's brows were pinched with worry when ze asked, "Are you sure?"

The woman grinned at zer and said, "Of course. My husband thinks I'm shopping for a new gown, so he won't be expecting me home for quite a while." Her grin turned into a warm smile when she looked at me and said, "Don't worry, young lady. You're in good hands."

While I was closing the shop door behind me, Miz Charmandine flung open a pair of red velvet drapes. All the bottles and jars lining the shelves sparkled in the golden sunlight coming through the uncovered window. I looked up, and found bundles of dried plants hanging from the rafters.

I breathed in the scent of sage, as well as some less familiar herbs, then asked, "Why are people starting to think I'm a girl?"

The witch picked up a squat, light-purple jar from one of the lower shelves, then turned to me and said, "When witchlings hit puberty, some of the ways they develop is very similar to what happens with girls."

Zer answer brought up a number of questions, but I settled on asking, "What's a witchling?"

"A witchling is many things," ze said. "One of which is someone who could make use of this," ze added while holding the jar out to me.

A variation of an old question hovered at the back of my mind as I accepted the gift. I opened my mouth, let it close again, then lowered my head and sighed.

"Go ahead and ask your question," Miz Charmandine said in a quiet voice.

My eyes were stinging when I looked up and asked, "Do you know what my question is?"

The witch nodded and said, "I think I do, but it's also something you need to say out loud."

I nodded back, then asked, "Can a witchling ... become a girl?"

Ze took in a deep breath, then said, "Just as there are things only witchlings can do, there's also things only girls can do." A damp, crystal bead slid down zer cheek. "There's also some things only women are allowed to do, which a few very stubborn witches wish they could do as well."

The tears I'd been trying to hold back started leaking when I asked, "Is there really no hope?"

Ze sniffled, then gave me a wide, if somewhat watery smile, and said, "We're in a new age. Old assumptions are being questioned. Incredible discoveries are being made." Ze brushed my bangs out of my eyes, then said, "Perhaps, if we're lucky, both of our wishes will come true."