AWAITING IN THE DARK

Chapter 17

I'm still standing in the dining room, staring at the door. Is nobody going to talk about what just happened? Noah sits across from my mom at the table eating a plate of spaghetti. They're conversing like nothing happened. I don't know how long I have been standing here. I think I'm in shock. 

Grabbing a plate from the kitchen, I sit down at the table. I look between Noah and my mother. Is nobody going to mention anything about Mary flying out of our door? Finally, I decided to bring up the subject. 

"So who sent her out of the door?" I ask casually. 

"I did," my mother and Noah say simultaneously.  Surprised, they look at each other and laugh. 

Okay. I guess that would explain why it happened so fast. They were both using magic at the same time to make her leave. It doesn't explain why Noah is here. 

I turn towards Noah and ask, "Why are you here?"

"Am I not allowed to stop by to spend some time with your mother?" He asks with a grin. 

My mom grabs her glass of wine and smiles at him while taking a sip. 

This is weird. No, you're not allowed to do that Noah. You're supposed to be wanting to spend time with me. I thought Noah was my friend, not my mother's. 

He wasn't going to answer my question. How did he know to show up at just the right time? How did he know my mom was going to be okay with it? What was up with Mary? My head is filled with so many questions. 

Stabbing my spaghetti with my fork, I watch as Noah and my mom eat silently now. Occasionally one of them would look up and smile at each other. I was extremely uncomfortable. What are they smiling about? 

I'm busy imagining salt floating over each of their plates and ruining their food when I hear my mom gasp. Looking up, I see salt spilled all over my mom and Noah's plates. Oops. I didn't do that, did I? 

"What is the meaning of this?" My mother glares in my direction. 

"I didn't do it on purpose. " I say innocently. 

"How did it happen? " Noah asks as he clears his throat. 

"I don't know. I was just imagining it!" I say defensively. 

Noah looks taken aback. A few moments go by before he says, "You were imagining pouring salt on my food?"

"Yes. " I say guilty. 

"Apologize!" My mother demands. 

"I'm very sorry. " I say. 

"I believe you have some cleaning up to do Juliet. Noah, come with me. I have something I would like your opinion on. " My mother speaks in a stern tone. 

Sighing, I start to pick up the plates. I place the plates in the dishwasher. How am I going to get this salt off the table? I decide to bring the trash to the table and sweep the salt into the trash can using my hands. Then I'll go over it with a sponge. As I'm dragging the trash can towards the table I look up and see the salt floating in the air.  I looked around and saw Noah's hand sticking out from my mother's workroom. Suddenly, he makes a sweeping motion, and the salt goes into the trash. Show off. 

I wish I could do magic as easily as Noah. Naturally, it happens when I'm not intending for it to. I need to ask Noah when he plans on teaching me. Who knows, maybe one day I'll be better at magic than Noah.  

Noah walks back into the room with a smile on his face. He stands next to me and sighs. Am I that unlikeable to be around? Would he prefer to be spending time with my mother instead?

Why do I feel this way? I feel. . . Jealous. My mother is spending time with Noah like he's a long-lost friend, and he hasn't interacted with me for a significant amount of time today. 

"What's bothering you?" Noah asks. 

"Does it matter?" I ask. 

"You poured salt all over my food. Tell me, what did I do?" 

"You have not answered my question from earlier. "

"I didn't think I had to. I knew you were in danger, so I came to help. "

"How did you know that?" 

Noah just smiles and shrugs his shoulders. 

He doesn't want to tell me. That much is clear. 

"How did you know something was wrong?" I asked again. Pressing the question.  

"I don't want to tell you. "

"Why not?"

"I don't feel you're ready to know yet or I'm not ready for you to know. Possibly both." Noah whispers. 

"That's unfair. " 

"It's my secret. It doesn't have to be fair. "

"It involves me. " I am determined to get answers. 

"It does and I will tell you when the time is right."

Let's try another question. 

"Why did Mary react the way she did when I showed her your phone number in my mom's coven contacts? "

"I have no idea, Juliet. I wasn't there."

"Why would Mary think you being here would mean my mother or myself was trying to replace her as coven leader?" 

"Maybe she thought you were calling outside resources for help?"

"You would be considered an outside resource?"

"There's a good chance. "

"What do you do? I ask feeling myself become frustrated. 

"What do you mean?"

"You're in your hundreds. Why don't you have a job?

"I do have a job. A very important one. "

"What is it?"

"You'll find out one day. Why so many questions?"

"Why are you not working right now? Why are you here teaching me?"

"Just because you don't see me working doesn't mean I am not currently working.  I have the time to help in teaching you, so why wouldn't I?" 

"I don't understand you. " I finally say. 

"What's there not to understand?" 

"Why are you here  if you're not wanting to be a part of the coven? Why you being here sent Mary crazy. There's a lot. "

"I will answer all of those one day, Juliet. Give me some time, please. You should go to bed. I need you well rested tomorrow. I will send it to you in the morning. Be prepared.”