1104 words Chapter 6 Okay, thought Misty. Three down, one to go. But, how was she going to do it? The last name was blotted out. There was a sound like a twig snapping, and Misty found herself back in the forest. “Good job,” said Ginger. “How do you feel?” Misty stood staring at the small creature floating in front of her. 'How did she feel?' It seemed like a century since this morning and the fight with her sister. 'That must have been yesterday morning by now.' “I guess I missed Christmas,” she said. “I guess that's why the last name is blotted out. I didn't get to all of them. I'm sorry, I failed, I guess.” “No, That's part of the magic,” said Ginger. “It is still Christmas. You have time to resolve the last name. So, how do you feel?” Misty thought back over the recent events. “Well,” she said. “The first boy's family got the money to pay off the medical bills, and have a special dinner at a fancy restaurant. That seemed to be a good Christmas for them. They were together, and they saw that being together was more important than presents. The grandmother and Gary got to spend Christmas dinner together. It wasn't a fancy expensive meal, but the grandmother, I think, is going to be able to come to the rescue of her grandson. The nurse didn't have to spend Christmas alone, and she was able to help a family come together. I sort of sensed that was important to her.” “Look at the last name,” said Ginger. Misty continued to stare at Ginger in bewilderment for a few seconds, then shrugged and looked at the last name. She gasped. It was Connie Parker. She looked up at Ginger. “Time to go home.” With that, the faery put her finger beside her nose and flipped, and Misty found herself standing just outside the kitchen door. Her parents were talking. “What are we going to do about Misty?” asked her mother. “Misty will come home eventually, I'm more concerned about the fight they had. Any idea what it was about, Alice?” asked her Dad. “I think Connie may have overheard me talking to your mother.” “About the plan?” “Yes.” “Not good. Has she said anything?” “No, she's been hiding out in her room ever sense.” Misty felt a fist like grip on her midsection. She tried to remember what Connie had said before and during their fight. Focusing on the fourth name, and putting her finger beside her nose, she transported herself to the bedroom she shared with her sister. Connie was sitting at her desk writing in her diary. Misty peered over her shoulder and read. “Dear Francene, “I overheard Mom on the phone with Grandmother Parker. She was talking about giving Misty and me to her after Christmas. “Mom and Dad don't want us anymore. “I accused Misty of it being her fault, but I didn't really mean it. Now Misty is gone. Probably forever. I know Mom and Dad will blame me for it. Misty remembered something like that, but she hadn’t known what her sister meant at the time. Things were starting to make sense. But, what were Mom and Dad planning? She couldn't believe their parents didn't love them. She reached out to touch Connie but Connie didn't respond. “Connie,” she said. But, her sister didn't hear her. The phone began to ring. Misty walked down the hall to the kitchen. “It's Mom,” she heard her mother say. “Mom, John is here. I'm going to put you on speaker.” “Merry Christmas, Grandmother Conner,” said John. “I wish it could be a Merry Christmas. Are the two of you sure you can't work this out? There are rough spots in every marriage. Pat and I certainly had them, but we were always able to work it out.” “I know, Mom, but John and I have already talked about this. We both agree that it would be best for the girls not to be placed with either of us, and we don't want to put them through shared custody, or split them up. We were hoping you would be willing to take them. We will ask the judge to award you custody and both of us visitation rights. The lawyer says this is possible. If you don't feel you can take them, we'll ask his parent’s, but our first choice is you.” “I see you have been working on this for a while. If Pat was still here...” Her voice trailed off. “Both of John's parents are still living aren’t they?” “We thought about that,” said John, “but, my father isn't well, and we would rather not put this additional burden on them.” “I see,” said Grandmother Conner. “Well,” she hesitated, then continued. “if the two of you are determined, Yes, I would be happy to take the girls assuming the girls agree. I think they are old enough to have something to say about this” “Thank you, Mom.” she looked up and smiled at John. then spoke to the phone. “Are you coming for Christmas?” “Peter said he would drive me out,” she said. “Can you stay until New Year's? We thought we would wait until after the holiday to tell them, and then they could pack up their things and go back with you.” “We can work that all out later,” Grandmother Conner said. “I'll see you soon.” They said their goodbyes and disconnected the call. Misty tried to touch and talk to them, but they could neither hear or feel her presents. She stomped her foot. What was she going to do. The most important name on the list and there was nothing she could do. They were all going to have a perfectly Miserable Christmas followed by a perfectly miserable life. A Misty Christmas is what they would call it after she messed it up like she did everything else. She heard a twig snap, and she was back in the woods. Ginger floated in front of her. Misty grabbed at Ginger who continued to stay out of reach. “This is all your fault!” she shouted “when I get my hands on you...” Ginger floated up out of reach. Misty jumped and grabbed. Found a stick and tried to knock the faery down. All without success. Finally she sank to her knees, her face in her hands, and sobbed. “I know,” said Ginger. “It looks pretty hopeless, doesn't it?” Misty nodded. “What am I going to do?” she sobbed. “You're going to get up, dry your tears, and go home,” said Ginger.