We were watching the family of three play joyfully together on the green grass when Grandma Flaire turned to me and quietly said, “Thank you, Meg. You could tell that I missed them, couldn’t you?”
“I remember every night you let me stay with you and every meal and cookie you shared with me. I just hope this wasn’t all a bother.”
“Don’t worry about that. This has made me so happy.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Grandma Flaire had a nice big smile on her face. Seeing her this happy took some of the weight off my heavy heart.
“Meg, I just know that you’ll be the world’s best witch one day.”
“You really think so?”
“I’m certain of it. You have my word.”
“Well, your word means the world to me.”
I smiled, and Grandma Flaire continued to look at me with her friendly gaze.
“I’m so glad we met, Meg.”
“Well, that came from nowhere, didn’t it?”
“I’ve lived a long life, and I’ve met more than my fair share of witches. But it was you who gave me the most, Meg. I can tell you have the ability to fill the holes in the hearts of those close to you… That’s the kind of witch you are.”
“That’s a bit of a stretch.”
“It really isn’t. It was you and you alone who let me spend such a wonderful day like this with my beloved family. To be together with them, and with you, is more than I could ever ask for.”
Her eyes grew teary, and with a smile, she looked out at the park—at the world.
“To think I could see something so beautiful this late in my life…”
“What are ya talkin’ about? This is barely scratching the surface. Once I’m a real witch, I’ll be able to show you much, much more.”
“Will you?”
“For sure. Right now, one of the Seven Sages wants me to become her assistant. Once I graduate from my teacher’s tutelage, I’ll see the world. I’ll get all the training I need there and be able to use even more incredible magic.”
“Wow, that does sound nice…”
“Her name is Inori, and she’s a witch from the East. She knows everything there is to know about plants. Actually, when she first came to visit us at the manor…I don’t know if it was because she was busy with the conference or what, but her feet reeked, and—”
That’s when it happened—a clink.
What was that?
Strangely enough, I felt it on my waist. I took out the bottle, and lo and behold; it was a tear of joy. But whose?
“Is this…?”
I looked over at Grandma Flaire. She had her eyes closed as she quietly basked in the warm sun. She looked so peaceful, almost like she was sleeping.
“Grandma Flaire? Did you fall sleep?”
She didn’t respond. Her eyes remained closed, as peacefully as could be.
“Granny?”
Then it hit me.
My breathing became unsteady, and I couldn’t speak. My trembling increased, little by little. I couldn’t think straight, and then—
“She’s asleep and at peace.”
It was the Eternal Witch. She was standing in front of me with a sincerely affectionate, sad look on her face as she said this.
“To be at such peace when she fell into her final sleep meant that she was truly happy.”
“Teacher…”
“To change the end, Meg, isn’t something anyone can do. You, however, learned of hers, and you acted. For her sake and her sake alone. Thanks to you, Mrs. Flaire was able to spend her final moments with her precious family. Though it isn’t possible to change the outcome, you can change its manifestation…just like you did today.”
My teacher then gently embraced me.
“You did well, Meg…”
My teacher likely knew this would be the outcome from the very beginning. That I couldn’t save her, and that I’d be with her in her final moments. Which was why she told me that the more I tried to fight fate, the more I would be the one who ended up getting hurt.
I could only imagine that my teacher had gone through a similar experience herself. That she didn’t want me to suffer the same pain she did.
“The weight of the day many people will never get the chance to see—you carry that weight on your shoulders. This is why you must live on. For those who’ve died, and those who are still here. This is your duty as someone who knows the dead.”
“Yes…”
“We should tell the family.”
“I’ll go.”
I looked my teacher straight in the eyes. I’m sure my face was all scrunched up, as I tried to control my emotions. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if some snot managed to escape. Nevertheless, I managed to hold back my tears.
“It’s something I should do.”
I’d yet to find a real purpose in my life. By seeing someone important to me leave this world, though, I felt like I’d finally realized it.
The sunlight was warm as it shone down on us, and the air was filled with a child’s laughter. With a blue sky and a soft breeze, it was one of the best days in what was normally a cold month—and as good a day as there could be for a nice old lady to pass away.
Her name was Flaire. She loved gardening and was like a grandmother to me. She was always nice to everyone and took me in generously whenever I needed her.
I’ll live a full life, for both of us. I’ll start by deciding tonight’s dinner: a nice warm pot of beef stew. Tomorrow, I think I’ll make some rosemary cookies. We can enjoy them together because your memory will always live on inside me.
For as long as I live, we’ll be together.