Jenna's Story (2 page)

As Jenna ran out, Elena spoke to the spirit of a man who appeared in the room.
“They have so much energy now. Don't they?”

“They sure do. It is now your job to protect them with all that you have. You are not alone in this battle. Remember this.”

“I know.” Elena said. “I only wish that they didn't have to have this battle. At least they have time to prepare for it. I'm working on a potion now to protect them.”

Elena knew that she had to get back into her regular life routine. She had a very successful magic shop. Most people in the town thought it was a fun place to buy candles and scents and things. Elena made decent money and it gave her a reason to order supplies for spells and things without drawing attention to herself. She could simply say that it was for the shop. Nobody ever questioned it.

She would be interviewing nannies in a day or two to take care of Jaimie and Jackie. Jenna would go to the shop with Elena where she could be taught more about her gift. She needed to know how to protect herself.

Elena went to the back door. “Girls. It's time to come in and get cleaned up for dinner.”

The girls came running. They never argued about it, which was a nice surprise.

“Grandma, do you need any help with dinner?” Jenna asked.

“Of course my dear. You can always help me.”

Elena put Jackie in the high chair and then the rest of them sat down to a nice dinner. She loved to cook.

Chapter two

Elena’s intuition told her it was time to begin Jenna’s training. She was fifteen and old enough to understand that the impossible could become possible.

Elena dropped Jamie and Jackie off at dance class and her and Jenna drove home. Jenna never showed any interest in dance. Elena knew it was because she had a much bigger purpose in life.

They pulled into the drive. Elena turned to Jenna and said. “Jenna. I think it's time for us to have a long talk.”

“Did I do something wrong Grandma?”

“Oh, no Honey. You could never do anything wrong. I simply want to talk to you about something important.”

Elena put on some tea and got Jenna and herself both a cup. This was going to be a long talk. She was about to explain to her granddaughter that the reason she knew certain things was because she was a witch. She knew her granddaughter was going to look at her oddly. She had never labeled Jenna's gift as being a witch. She grabbed them both some cookies from the cupboard to help ease into the conversation.

Jenna looked up at Elena with a serious look on her face. She could tell that something was wrong. “What is it, Grandma?”

Elena let out a sigh. “Jenna, Honey. You know how you know things and you can think really hard about something and things might move slightly?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Well Honey. The thing is... This is very difficult for me to explain. So I'm just going to blurt it out and then we will go from there. You are a witch. I am a witch and your mother was a witch. There I've said it.”

Jenna looked at her grandmother like she had lost her mind. “Uh, Grandma, are you okay? You are talking crazy. I'm not a witch. I can't do any spells or anything.”

“Jenna. You are only fifteen. I have only begun to show you little things because it will be many years before you can fully use your gift. I will teach you as much as you want to learn. I do promise you that, but there is a catch. You can't tell anyone. This has to be kept a secret. No one must know. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Grandma. I can't think of any reason why I would want to tell people that I'm a witch. I don't need burned at the stake.” She chuckled.

The two sat there for at least an hour talking before they left to go pick up the girls from dance practice.

Elena knew that with the other two girls going to dance practice three days a week, that would allow her and Jenna some time alone for her to teach Jenna how to use her gift.

She spent the next few days in the attic deciding what spells would be the easiest for Jenna to work on. Her skills may not work for another year or more, but Elena had to start somewhere.

She found a few very simple things to start with such as turning a wilted rose back into a healthy rose. She thought that would be perfect. They would start first thing in the morning.

“Girls. It's time for bed.”

The moans and groan from the other room started. They were at the ages that they hated bedtime. It was a choir to get them in bed.

“Oh, can't we finish this movie?” Jamie asked in a whining voice.

“What movie is it?” Elena wanted to know what was so interesting that they couldn't got to bed on time.

Jamie took a minute before answering. “I don't know the name. I just started watching it and I missed the first half, but it looks really good.”

“Okay girls. I think you should probably go ahead and go to bed. We will have to find out what the name of the movie is and rent it if it's that good.”

The girls reluctantly went to bed. They knew it was an argument they wouldn't win anyway.

As Jenna lay in bed that night, she had a hard time falling asleep. Her whole life was about to change. She had always known that she was different, but she would never have guessed how different. Jenna rolled onto her stomach trying to get comfortable. Closing her eyes, she felt a tingle go up her spine. She had felt it many times throughout her life but never the way it felt tonight. Tonight it was almost tangible, like someone was standing right above her with their hand on her back in a comforting gesture. Jenna quickly rolled over to her back, but no one was there.

The next morning Elena got up and fixed the girls a big breakfast. It was Sunday and her shop was closed. She planned to work on spells with Jenna that morning. Jamie and Jackie would be busy practicing for their dance recital.

Jenna came walking down the stairs bright and early. “Good Morning, Grandma. Can I help with breakfast?”

Elena was putting the last of the food onto the table. “I'm all done. I just need to make myself some apple cinnamon tea. I can't have my breakfast without my tea.” She smiled.

Jenna loved the smell of her tea cooking. The aroma filled the house and made her feel safe in some crazy way. She never really understood why.

When they finished breakfast Elena told Jamie and Jackie to go practice and her and Jenna headed to the attic.

“What are we doing Grandma?”

Elena looked over at her granddaughter. “I want to show you something. Remember what I've said before though. Never tell a soul about the things I show you.”

Jenna had no idea what was going on but she nodded in agreement.

“Okay, Honey. See this wilted dying rose?”

Jenna looked at the saddest thing she had ever seen. It was a wilted red rose. It didn't look happy or loved anymore. It almost brought a tear to her eye. “Yes, I see it. What about it?”

“Jenna. I want you to look at it very hard. With all of your heart and mind, I want you to tell this flower that you love it and it needs to come back to you now.”

Jenna thought her grandma was crazy. Did she honestly believe that she was going to be able to bring this flower back to life. Jenna didn't want to disappoint her grandma so she looked at the rose.

Jenna stared at it and truly with all of her heart she said. “You are the most beautiful rose that I have ever seen. You are loved and it's not your time to die. Come back to me.”

Before Jenna's very eyes the rose started lifting . It was actually coming back to life. After just seconds, it was sitting straight up full of life.

“Wow! Did I do that?” Jenna was overjoyed with emotions at that very moment.

“Yes, my dear. You did.” Elena said with a smile. She knew that Jenna was a very special girl.

Chapter 3

Jenna was growing into a beautiful young woman over the years and was very excited about her first real date. She had boyfriends before, but this was the first time that she was actually going out with a boy. She was going to the movies with Todd Meads. He was only the cutest boy in her entire school. At least that's what all the other girls thought.

Jenna spent hours getting ready. She stood in front of her mirror changing outfit after outfit.

Jamie sat on the bed watching her sister going crazy over the date. “Jenna. You look great. Don't worry.”

Jenna looked over at her sister. “Thanks, Jamie. I just want everything to be perfect.”

When it finally was , at least in her own mind, she went downstairs to wait. She waited for what seemed like hours when in all actuality it was only minutes. Then finally the door bell rang.

She was more nervous than she had ever been. They were only going to a movie and then to grab an ice cream with friends before coming back home. It wasn't a big deal and she had to be home by nine o'clock, but she was still nervous.

“Hi Todd. Come on in and meet my grandmother before we go.”

“Okay Jenna, but we need to get going soon if we are going to make the movie on time.” Todd said as he glanced at his watch.

“Grandma. Would you like to meet Todd before we go.”

This was bitter sweet for Elena. Her little girl was growing up. She walked in to meet the boy. “Hello. It's very nice to meet you. You two be careful tonight and be home on time.”

“Yes, maam. We won't be late. I promise.”

The two of them went out to Todd's car and headed to the movies as far as Jenna knew.

They drove for a little while and then Todd turned down the road leading out of town.

Jenna glanced out the window with a feeling of uneasiness. “Todd. Where are we going? I thought we were going to a movie.”

“I thought we would get to know each other a little better. There weren't any good movies playing anyway.” He smiled over at her.

Jenna didn't like this at all. It made her very uncomfortable to lie to her grandmother and she didn't like not knowing where they were going.

Todd turned down an old dirt road that led down by the river. He brought the car to a stop and turned off the engine.

“Isn't it beautiful out tonight, Jenna?”

Jenna looked out the car window and had to agree, but it didn't mean she wasn't still nervous.

Todd leaned over to turn the radio on a slow music playing station. He was setting the mood. Then he scooted closer to Jenna.

“Todd, maybe we should.....”

Before she could finish, Todd leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. He kissed her a couple of more times and then he moved to her neck.

“Todd, stop. We can't do this. I'm not ready for this step. It's our first date. I think we should go back into town.”

Todd stopped and looked up at her. “Jenna. Are you going to stay a baby forever. I mean come on. All the other kids are doing it. What's the problem? We aren't little kids anymore. ” He leaned in to kiss her again.

“Todd. I said, I'm not doing this. Take me home.”

“I didn't know that you were such a child. I never would have asked you out. The whole school is going to hear about this tomorrow. You're reputation will be ruined. No guy will ever ask you out again.”

Jenna felt the air around her begin to chill. A tingle crawled up her spine and she turned to Todd. Todd’s face was ashen.

“
Todd? Todd, are you okay?”

Todd slowly turned his head toward her.

“
I’m fine Jenna. I must apologize for the things I did and said to you.”

“
Okay…Are you sure you’re okay?”

Jenna was frightened by the absence of emotion on Todd’s face. He spoke as if he was a robot.

“
I’m fine. But I’m a jerk and I intend to tell that to the whole school on Monday. I’m also going to tell them that you are too good for the likes of me.”

Todd started the car and the air began to warm but not before Jenna felt a slight tingle on her scalp and sensation that almost felt like a caress on her hair.

Todd was quiet on the ride home but thankfully not catatonic like he was previously. Arriving back home, he quickly got out and ran around the car to open the door for Jenna. He walked her to the front door and said, “Thank you Jenna for a great evening.”

With that, he turned and walked back to his car, got in and drove away.

Jenna stared after him trying to make sense when her Grandma came out and joined her.

“
Was that the same guy who picked you up earlier?”

“
I think so Grandma. It was weird. He tried to kiss me and all of a sudden he got a blank look on his face and said he was sorry and brought me home. I’m not sure what happened.”