Free Miss Enchanter - Ophelia's Story by Carol Colbert Page B

it.
I always wondered if your mom didn’t name you after her out of a
guilty conscious.” Thelma said.
    “Well, that was just plain mean. Why didn’t
anyone ever take the curse off again? Or can that be done?”
    “Your mother wasn’t around when Luna came
along and then after a while everyone just got used to it. Luna
never seemed to be bothered by it and I was very good at biting my
tongue. I never teased her, not even when I was angry.” Thelma
said. “Of course, it is fun to laugh about it every once in a
while. I supposed we have all gotten so used to it that it is a
non-issue anymore.”
    “Speaking of Luna and curses and the likes,
when can the three of us get back together and be able to talk more
about the old county and coming here?” Ophelia asked, hoping that
Thelma would answer that it would be sooner rather than later.
    “In due time dear, you will know everything
that we know. But for right now, how are you doing? Do you like
Enchanted as much as you always thought that you would?”
    “Yes, I do. Of course, it will be nice when
the weather is better and traveling back and forth to the hill and
in the Village will be easier. I do need to get back to The Spa
before too long though, I have a lot I want to accomplish there.”
Ophelia answered her cousin as she took out the bread to make some
toast.
    “I’ve always found sitting by the fire on a
cold day or evening jumpstarts my thoughts and dreams. It is nice
to be alone with your thoughts sometimes. Makes things clearer
somehow, don’t you think?” Thelma asked.
    “Funny you mention that. I had time last
night to myself in front of the fire and I was able to see things
more clearly. I guess I wasted the time though, because my thoughts
were all of Mrs. Johnson and Donald.”
    “Everything needs to be sorted out in your
mind in order to get a fresh perspective and for you to be able to
move on. Did your reminiscing yield any discoveries?”
    “Actually, yes. I always blamed Donald for
mom and me not being able to be alone with each other and for not
being able to come back here. But now I do realize that Donald only
had his father, just like I only had my mom at the time. Neither of
us wanted to share our only parent with each other or anyone else.
I should have been kinder to Donald after he lost his father in the
war, but instead, I was meaner to him and resented him more. I feel
badly about that now.” Ophelia said, handing Thelma the plate of
toast and some jam.
    “What matters is that you realize it now and
that you change your actions so they are not repeated. Looks like
you are starting to change a bit in that direction.”
    “How so?”
    “Only a few days ago when we first got here,
you walked into the kitchen asking me what was for breakfast and
seemed rather taken back that I had not prepared your meal for you.
Now look at you, you made yourself some toast, but also made enough
for me as well. I’d say that is progress.”
    “I just wish my mother could know how sorry I
am for all the grief I gave her about John and his son Donald. I
was such a brat back then.”
    To her surprise and before she could stop
herself, Ophelia started crying. “Oh Thelma, I miss my mom so
much!”
    Thelma put her arms around her cousin. “We
know, Ophelia, we know.”
    Ophelia felt foolish. She could not remember
ever breaking down into tears before, not even after realizing she
was stuck in the car with Adela.
    “Ya think I am starting to grow more mature,
Thelma?” She asked.
    “What are you now, about a hundred? I’d say
it’s about time.” Thelma answered. “I do know that Luna has several
things to attend to today, so why don’t we spend today baking. I
can show you several recipes that are relatively simple, but that
taste so good. Then tomorrow we can take them into town to the
Chocolate Shop and you can spend the rest of the day at The Spa if
you want to.”
    “Sounds like a plan. Thank you, Thelma, for
everything. I know we are