Chapter Five

Summer was fading into a rain-drenched fall when Rowan looked out his shop window and into the smiling eyes he remembered so well. Jessie! He was so glad to see her that he forgot to be surprised that she had found her way to his shop once again. She waved and he beckoned her in.

“What a nice surprise to see you! But you’re all wet. Come over here by the stove and dry off. My goodness young lady, what are you doing out on a day like this?” Rowan chattered on as he ushered her to the warm back room.

“I just couldn’t get y-- this shop out of my mind. I’ve replayed that afternoon over and over until today, I just found myself walking here.” Jessie seemed surprised to be back in the ‘Books and Oddment, Apothecary and Tea Shop.’

“I’d almost convinced myself that I’d dreamed it.” She smiled and ducked her head at such silliness.

“Well, you found me, didn’t you? Remarkable.” Rowan mused. Shaking himself out of his reverie, he said, “Let me get us some tea and we’ll get you warm and dry in no time.” He quickly produced a steaming pot of tea and added biscuits and raspberry jam.
         
“How do you do that so quickly? Some kind of magic?” Jessie laughed at her joke.

Rowan froze, but then, realizing that she was only playing, he did a theatrical flourish and produced a cozy wool lap robe.
“Ta-da! Magic for my lady.”

She laughed with delight and clapped enthusiastically. Rowan took a bow and tucked the robe around her.  On rising, he saw Illianna standing behind Jessie, her silence accusing him.  Illianna turned and flew back to the front of the shop.

“Jessie, can you excuse me for a moment? Drink your tea. I’ll be right back.”

“Illianna. What brings you to my shop this dreary afternoon?”

“Has it escaped your attention that the woman sitting in your back room is a mortal? What do you think you are doing?"

“Quite honestly, she surprised me by returning here. She happened on the store several weeks ago. Today, since she was wet, I offered her tea and some time to dry off.” Rowan shrugged.

“She doesn’t belong here Rowan. You know that. And you’re showing off for her like a schoolboy. Do you forget your responsibilities to our people?”

“Would that I could forget them for a bit. Are you never weary, Illianna?”

The fairy queen softened. The burden of leadership did weigh heavily at times. “Just keep this visit brief.”

“I grow tired of lacking companionship. This girl amuses me. What is that to you?” snapped Rowan.

“The freedom for such amusements comes with a very high price.” Illianna replied.

“You need not fear. I would never jeopardize my beloved Otherlings.” Rowan said.

“That is exactly what I do fear.” She wheeled and left the shop, and stiffly strode down the street, too heavy with ill will to fly.

Sighing, Rowan watched her go. “She is right,” Rowan thought. “I am not free.” When he returned to the back room, he intended to dismiss Jessie and end the flirtation.  She was standing and reading a book. Her hair curled softly around her ear, and the afternoon sun highlighted her profile.

“Rowan, do you remember this? I love the poetry of Shakespeare. Listen to this.

‘I do wander everywhere, swifter than the moon’s sphere;
And I serve the fairy queen,
To dew her orbs upon the green.
The cowslips tall her pensioners be:
In their gold coats spots you see;
Those be rubies, fairy favors,
In those freckles live their savors:
I must go seek some dewdrops here,
And hang a pearl in every cowslip’s ear,’"

“I am particularly fond of that piece. Let me read you another favorite.” Rowan said.  He instantly forgot his intentions.  It was four hours later before Jessie left for home.

At the shop door, Jessie paused.  Turning to Rowan, she gathered all her courage. “I was wondering…Tomorrow night the Fairmont Art Museum is having an opening of some local woman’s art.  It’s a fund raiser.  Would you like to go?”

“Is it a formal affair?  I’m not sure I’m up for anything formal…”

“Oh no, nothing like that.  It’s totally casual.  But I understand if you’d rather not.”

“No, no, I’d love to come.  Shall I meet you there?”

“That’d be great.  About eight o’clock ,okay?” Rowan assured her that was perfect.

Before she opened the door, she looked at the many choices.  “You must have some interesting customers, Rowan.  Who uses this giant door?”

Rowan considered her, debating his answer.  “I’m just prepared, I guess. Would you like to try it?”  He pulled open the giant door for her, and it sounded a deep slow bong…bong as it swung open.

“Wow!  Well, if someone does decide to use it, you’ll know before you see them, won’t you?”  Jessie waved goodbye and headed off while Rowan watched after her.

As Jessie headed home, the world outside Rowan’s shop seemed newly washed and brighter for it now that the rain had stopped.  The late afternoon sun made rainbows in puddles along the street and the sky had the vivid blue that only happens in the fall, when crisp air sharpens colors and smells.  Jessie dawdled along.  She enjoyed the sunlight and reviewed her visit with Rowan.  She’d never met a man who made her feel this way, as though the world was all new and she was seeing it for the first time. He was enthusiastic about odd little things, such as book-bindings and herbs and doing his magic tricks.  Yet he seemed almost antiquated, as though he’d never reached the 20th century. His shop didn’t even have a cash register, just a money box under the counter.  Absorbed in her thoughts, she never noticed that she had a companion.

Illianna flew above Jessie, wondering her thoughts.  Did she love him?  Surely no; it was unthinkable that she should.  Rowan was such an integral part of the Otherling community.  Without him, could they survive?  And what effect would a love between a mortal and the wizard have on their carefully constructed web?  Illianna could only guess, and worry, for such a love was forbidden.  Why must Rowan play with fire?

Heading down Second Street to the bus stop, Jessie spotted Hattie slumped there on the bench, asleep.  She eased down next to the old woman.  Hattie’s dress was damp, and the wool steamed as the afternoon sun warmed it.  She had dropped her begging hat, and Jessie bent to retrieve it.

“There’s me girl. I dreamed o' you, Hannah luv, that I did.”  Hattie contemplated Jessie through half closed eyes.  “My beautiful girl.”  She cupped her hand beneath Jessie’s chin, not quite touching her, as though she were soap bubble fragile.

“No, Hattie, you’re dreaming.  I’m Jessie.  Who is Hannah?  Is she your daughter?”

Hattie hesitated, confused.  “No, I, no. Oh dear. Oh.”

“Hey, it’s okay.  Don’t worry.  It’s all right.  Have you been sitting here in the rain?”  She fumbled in her purse until she found a five-dollar bill.  “What you need is a good strong cup of coffee.  My treat.  Then go to the shelter tonight, won’t you?”  She pressed the bill into Hannah’s gloved palm.

Hattie smiled, knowing her part in this.  “Thankee, miss.  But I like the fresh air of the out ‘o doors, don’t ya know.”

Illianna watched the exchange, hovering in silent secrecy above.  The girl had innocence about her, and an openness that appealed to Illianna.  She seemed genuinely happy and at peace, which Illianna saw rarely on the faces of mortals.  “If I can see such good in her, no doubt she has won Rowan’s heart,” Illianna thought. Sadness and fear welled up in Illianna, and she flew faster, up and away.  She no longer wanted to see Jessie, suddenly unable to stand the sight of her.  As she flew over her, Jessie felt the breeze and looked up.

“What is that? I must be seeing things.”  Startled, she spoke aloud. Hattie followed her lead and looked up also.

“Holy mother, ‘tis an angel!”

“You saw her too?” Jessie asked.

“I’ve seen the angel a’ fore, I have.  She came fer Benny just a’ for he passed. Hattie crossed herself and kissed a rosary she had around her neck.  “Suppose it’d be my turn t’go.”

Sensing a crisis, Jessie quickly reassured her.  “That angel was a blessing, Hattie, not a warning of death.  Besides, perhaps she was visiting me.”  Hattie seemed soothed, and Jessie’s bus was here, so she jumped aboard and waved a good bye.

Illianna heard their words in horror.  Could they have seen her?  Had something happened to the veil?  She went to work immediately strengthening the veil, but she feared what this meant.  Without wasting a moment she spread the word to be cautious to as many of her charges as she could reach.  Until she understood the situation, she asked the Otherlings she spoke with to keep to themselves and stay in quiet areas such as the less populous wharf.  She hated frightening them, but what else could she do?  It would only be for a brief time, she thought.  “I’ll fix things quickly.  Tomorrow I’ll go see Rowan; together we’ll set things right.”