Seasons of Change - Springtime of Youth 2a

                The sun was shining bright when she walked down the sidewalk. There were other pedestrians walking along it but she paid them no heed. In fact she was callously forcing them to move to avoid her. Not even showing any basic courtesy to where she was going. Some of them shot her mean glare and some even verbally complained.

                But she did not hear any of it. She did not care at the time about their concerns at all. Nothing about them matter to her too engrossed with herself and the music playing through the headphones.

                A familiar song filled her mind. The actual lyrics were pretty appealing and the tune was catchy. It was a popular song at the time and one she listened on the walkman frequently. Thinking about it she probably listened to it enough times to sing it perfectly. But that only reminded her how long ago it has been since she last heard the song. Time and circumstances made her discard the song along with many other indulgences as bitter reminders of the follies of youth.

                She knew that this was a dream. Because what was happening now was something she experience before in the past. A bitter memory that could never be forgotten nor should it be. Yet knowing that did not make having to experience it all again any less bitter.

                This was the moments when Margaret Winston’s life would change forever. Before this she was merely another arrogant and bratty teenager. Utterly convinced of her own self-worth, she lacked any empathy or concern for anyone else. Sure what happened next would be consider fitting karmic punishment for what a terrible person she had been and nowadays she would agree.

                At the time it was simply another day like any other for Margaret. School was out and Margaret was off to meet up with some friends at the park. All the while she was pumping the music from the walkman and moving her body to the beat. Unconcern what a nuisance she was being to others trying to walk down the same side of the sidewalk.

                So engrossed in the music that when she finally collided with another pedestrian, all she felt was outrage at how someone had the gall to interrupt her fun times. In her mind it was the other person’s fault for not getting out of her way. That was when she said the words that she wished could had taken back.

                But this was merely a memory of the past and nothing could change what would follow.

                “Watch it you airhead! I’m walking here!” She cursed out the other individual.

                The individual made no response simply lying there sprawl on the ground next to her.

                Strange that she could not remember how the person looked like anymore. It was like her memories of their appearance were purposely muddled. Regardless she knew their identity and that could never be forgotten ever.

                Glaring angrily at them, Margaret got up and shouted, “You’re such a stupid spaz.”

                Unconcern about the other’s wellbeing, Margaret turned to leave when she was stopped. That person had grabbed Margaret’s hand and stopped her from leaving. Despite expectation the grip was incredibly strong managing to hold her in place. The initial grab surprised her, but she tried to shake the hand loose only to find that impossible.

                “Let go of me!” Margaret yelled while she struggled.

                It was weird how the person simply stood there and took the verbal abuse doing nothing more then hold Margaret’s hand to prevent the girl from leaving. Thinking back there were obvious signs of something odd, but at the time she did not notice any of it. Struggling to no avail against the grip she finally lost her patience and tried to kick the individual only to suddenly be sent sprawling face first into the ground.

                The shock and pain of the sudden impact into the pavement caught Margaret by surprise. But then she felt the weight of the person pressing down on her back pinning her in place. She tried to get up, but found her arms too were locked in place. Margaret wanted to yell out for help, but looking around she was shocked by her surroundings.

                Everything was frozen in place. All the other pedestrians along the sidewalks were frozen some of them even in mid stride. The cars going down both lanes of traffics were frozen too. It was as if time itself had completely stopped all around her. It was eerily surreal.

                Margaret wanted to scream for help, but had no idea if anyone could hear her. Yet all thoughts of resistance immediately left her at the sound of the person’s voice.

                “Such a rude child,” the person whispered into her ear, “Society has been neglectful that they allow such an impudent child like you to carry such an attitude. Thrice you’ve been tested and thrice you’ve failed. It seems punishment is in order.”

                The voice was old and powerful. It carried authority that Margaret never realized could exist and haunted her still to this day. Simply recalling it would her tremble again like she did that day. But still Margaret tried to act tough in face of such pressure.

                “I don’t copy, when did we meet before?” Margaret demanded back not understanding what the stranger was telling her.

                “Been watching you for some time child and I have tested you too. And each time found you lacking with failures after failures.” The person spoke again the words both cryptic and sinister.

                “Who are you?” Margaret asked trying to gather up her courage.

                “Names have little meaning to me anymore. But I’m sure there was a title that people still call me, ‘The Mushfen Witch.’ Guess that would suffice don’t you think?”

                Hearing that title made her blood run cold, every kid in the county heard the local legend of the Mushfen Witch. During the early settlement days there was a vast stretch of swampland that obstructed most attempts to settle in the region. Eventually the settlers decided to drain the swamps in order to create more lands for farming and building. It was then they learned this area was not as uninhabited as previously thought for the Mushfen Witch did not take kindly to this disturbance.

                Since that point there been many stories about the Mushfen Witch. Many stories were cautionary tales told of people being tested and found wanting by the witch. They would always receive an ironic curse for their failures. Others tried to demand or bargain for boons from her. Regardless any meeting with the Witch was sure to end poorly for the other party. Only through massive appeasement was anyone able to avoid a bad fate at the Witch’s hand that was so keen on crafting terrible curses.

                At this point, Margaret should have tried to beg for mercy. But she was too headstrong and arrogant to accept that the legendary Witch was here. Much less that Margaret had done anything wrong to deserve punishment.

                “Buzz off like you’re some stupid witch!” Margaret angrily rebutted.

                “Rude children should be disciplined. Your fate has already been sealed now only punishment awaits you.” The witch remarked while poking Margaret’s cheek with a finger.

                She could feel magic being transferred through the touch. Horrified at what was happening Margaret struggled but could not escape the grip of the Witch. Powerless to escape, Margaret could only look in terror as the Witch finished her curse. The words spoken next would remain with Margaret ever since.

                “You are cursed child, so rudely ignoring the plight of those around you. Now you must help those in need and relieve their suffering in turn. The magic will help you find and assist them but know that you will carry this curse till you pay back your insolence three times over.”

                All Margaret did in response was screamed and the dream ended.

                She woke up after that with a start, before her face winced in pain. This aged body did not take too kindly to such sudden movement. It took a few moments for the pain to go away, but it gave her time to calm back down from the urgency of the dream. Recalling those memories made her tremble and she hugged herself in a vain attempt to alleviate the fear.

                Margaret Winston could never forget she was cursed. The foolish action of her youth had left her burdened with a curse ever since. Still she had managed to endure albeit at great personal cost. Any attempt to find love or happiness was constantly imperiled or interrupted by the demands of the curse. Margaret found it impossible to balance the two together. In the end she finally simply surrendered her life to being an agent for it giving up on any personal happiness.

                She had accepted that lot in life. For decades this had been her lot in life and nothing ever really changed. That was until last night, when something most unexpected had occurred. Something that changed the way she had saw her cursed existence. Perhaps that was the reason why she dreamed up that old memory again tonight. Trying to grasp some meaning to the phenomenon brought about by the curse. 

    She brushed a loose strand of gray hair from the face before stopping to look at the thin strand. It was only last night that the hair was a different color.

                Memories of last night flooded back to Margaret. A night of playing chaperone at the prom changed into something utterly astonishing breaking all prior expectations. The plight of Jeremy Hale had affected her so profoundly in a way that was completely unexpected. Driven by the yearning to help provide a memorable night at the Prom for him, she ended up transforming into the ideal date. A younger lady sporting amazonic proportion with a confident personality called, Melissa. She managed to sweep Jeremy off his feet and gave him the night of bliss that would stay in his memories forever.

                But after returning back home from the Prom, Melissa was seized by a powerful jolt that herald the reversion back to Margaret. Stripped of both the youthful appearance and confidence, Margaret was quite shaken by the entire experience. She still could recall everything that had happened and the emotions still resonated strongly, but she could no longer condone all the actions taken that night.  

                The biggest matter what that she kissed him. Melissa kissed him at the end of that night.

                Touching her lips the sensation of their kiss still lingered. It filled Margaret with embarrassment and concern about such bold action. As Melissa it just seemed natural, but now Margaret was feeling quite conflicted at having kissed one of her students. Relationship between students and teachers needed to be kept on a professional level and that kissed was clearly overstepping the boundary.

                Still the person who did the kiss was not technically Margaret. Also despite Margaret’s reservation, she knew that Jeremy was quite happy for it. The fact that his suffering had been lifted by such actions was a small token of relief even if it still left her conflicted. But it was something she did not need to be concern about any further.

                 Melissa was gone now and Margaret was once again herself. Albeit a bit rattled by the entire experience it still managed to help out Jeremy so she was thankful for it. The questions about what the future would hold For Melissa had been answered now. Ms. Margaret Winston would return back to her duties of teaching and doing her best to support Jeremy in that capacity. The matter of Melissa was settled and if asked Margaret would simply say that she left town.

                What happened at the prom would simply be a magical night shared between the two of them. Hopefully that experience would do Jeremy good.

                Fortunately it was the weekends so she had till Monday before seeing Jeremy once again. The gap would give Margaret some time to come to terms with all the emotions and memories that were stirred up because of Melissa. Despite the matter being settled, Margaret could not quite forget what had transpired or how it made her feel. An unpleasant side effect of the experience, but one reluctantly accepted.

                Checking the clock the morning was getting late and she should really not be idling any longer.

                She sighed before getting out of bed. Her vision had returned back to being blurry so she put on her glasses and headed to the washroom. Returning to her morning routine will give her something to do while she let the mind settled. After washing the face, she looked at herself in the mirror. It was hard to imagine that last night, the tired and weary face reflected was once youthful and eager. The thought of how Melissa appeared reminded Margaret at how different the two of them were both physically and emotionally.

                Examining the worn hand, she remembered at how muscular the arms were for Melissa. The thought of those muscles made Margaret wondered about just how much strength rested in them. Still it was foolish for her to fantasize about Melissa. That person only existed to help Jeremy in that time of need. Melissa was not something for Margaret to recapture her lost youth. The only one who should be benefiting from Melissa should be Jeremy, not Margaret. Turning away from the mirror, she headed into the closet to get changed putting those foolish thoughts to the back of her mind.

                Inside the closet she slipped out of the night wear and into some casual attire before exiting the bedroom to make some breakfast in the kitchen. While she ate, she also took the time to review the messages that been left on the answering machine.

                One of them was from Mr. Zeddemore obviously checking up to make sure she arrives back at home fine and whether it is expected she might need some sick leave. Margaret noted she would have to call him back about her condition just to dispel any concerns about it. She certainly did not expect to be using any sick leave either.

                The other message was a surprise being from her younger sister, Janine Weaver.

                Unlike Margaret, Janine lived a perfectly normal and mundane life. Frankly their relationship during childhood was rather bad with Margaret always exploiting her younger sister. It was not till after Margaret had gone through a complete paradigm shift because of the curse did they start getting along cordially. Janine got a job working as a receptionist and even got married with a kid. Certainly a more normal life then Margaret could ever experience.   

    Janine wants to talk with Margaret about the matters regarding summer. This reminded her that the two of them did have discussions earlier about some arrangements. Given that that summer was only barely two months away, Margaret figured Janine wanted to check up on the details.

                Breakfast finished, she cleaned the dishes and put them away. Done with the chores Margaret picked up the phone and called her sister. It took a few rings before someone picked it up on the other end from the sound of the voice it was clearly Janine.

                “Hello this is the Weaver’s Residence. How may I help you?” Janine answered in the same upbeat manner probably used at work.

                “Good morning, Janine, it is Margaret. I am just returning your message.” Margaret replied back.

                “Ah big sis, it was surprise that you did not answer my call. What were you doing that kept you busy last night? Finally enjoying some night life there?” Her sister giggled back. Despite their age, Janine never seemed to have lost her rather childish enthusiasm.

                Sighing at her sister’s mockery, Margaret explained, “It was the school’s prom last night. You know I handle chaperone duty for it.”

                “Oh so that was last night,” Janine mused disappointed at the answer, “Did you have a good time? Enjoy a dance with any of the students?”

                That tease was not meant to be serious, but Janine little joke hit Margaret a bit close to home. Her hand trembled a bit holding the phone, while she tried to reign in the turbulent emotions stirred up. Luckily Janine was busy laughing to herself to notice the abrupt pause from Margaret.

                “You know that is not considered appropriate for teacher and students.” Margaret finally replied even if the answer felt a bit hypocritical now.

                “Always such a prude,” Janine sighed across the line, “All work and no play will make Margaret such a dull big sister. You use to be so much livelier back when we were young.”

                “I was also a lot ruder too. Or have you forgotten about that?” Margaret reminded her sister.

                “True, you were downright abusive some times. But still you had more zest in life. Whatever happened to that?” Janine admitted before turning the question back at Margaret.

                “I got cursed.” She answered completely serious.

                Laughter came across the other line as Janine chuckled, “Always with that same line. And who said you still cannot crack a joke. No matter how many times you deliver it still just as funny.”

                The matter of being cursed was not something Margaret would usually advertise. It is a bit of an embarrassment and shame to her. Not to mention despite the local notoriety of the Mushfen Witch few actually believed she actually existed. Few would put much stake in anyone claiming to have been cursed by the witch. Still when it came to Janine, Margaret was fine with telling the truth. Since Janine has never once believed that answer no matter how many times Margaret had repeated it.

                She was torn between being relieved or disappointed by the consistent reaction from her sister.

                “It always great talking with you sis,” Janine finished laughing before getting back to the point, “but we should get back to the reason I called.”

                “You wanted to discuss matter regard summer?”

                “Yup,” Janine nodded, “So still no plans for the summer outside your usual teacher preparation matters?”

                “No,” Margaret said just waiting for what Janine was leading into with that question.

                “Excellent, because Katie would not stop about wanting to spend the summer with you again,” Janine declared happily, “since you got no other commitment there should not be any problem!”

                Most people would typically wait for the other party’s agreement before so boldly declaring that. But Margaret could not deny that she had no good reason to refuse this. If it would help matters out for her sister then letting her niece stay over for part of the summer was fine. Margaret wondered how much Katie had grown since last summer.

                Last summer Katie was sent over to stay with Margaret as a punishment. The young girl at only eleven years old was proving to be quite a troublemaker. Completely disregarding any authority, she apparently caused quite a lot of headaches for her parents and school. In hope that Margaret could instill some discipline to Katie. She was sent over to stay with Margaret for the summer.

                The decision was not taken well by Katie who fought tooth and nail the entire time she was brought over to Margaret’s place. And even more after the parents had left. Needless to say the first few days proved to be quite demanding to Margaret in trying to handle the willful spirit of Katie. Still after some rough patches, Katie seemed to have calmed down enough to not cause as much trouble. Margaret did in fact felt a bit lonely after Katie had left at the end of summer.

                So maybe it would not be so bad to reconnect with her niece again. Much as Janine pointed out, Margaret did not have any other pressing plans for the summer.

                “Sure that be fine, I hope Katie been doing well.” Margaret said after thinking about it.

                “Katie been simply great since she came back from the last summer,” Janine praised, “she hardly been getting into any trouble anymore. Her grades been improving too, I cannot wait to see how she is after this summer.”

                “You think too highly of me,” Margaret said.

                “Listen you were able to finally get that girl to settle down. So you deserve any praise, frankly I am failure here as the parent.” Janine lamented.

                Margaret neither confirmed nor denied that last statement.

                Annoyed at Margaret’s lack of response, Janine sighed, “Guess we will settle the duration later. Just want to confirm it so we can plan accordingly. I’ll let you get back to your rest. Sure you had a busy Prom night.”

                The truth of that statement was not lost on Margaret. Janine probably had no idea the full extent of it.

                “Goodbye, Janine.” Margaret said.

                “Bye there, big Sis!” Janine exclaimed before the call ended.

                Despite her age, that woman still could act so lively. It was a sharp contrast to Margaret who gave an impression of someone much older than her actual age. Putting the phone away she made a mental note to prepare things for Katie this summer. Margaret did not have any plans for the moment, but there were probably some activities the two of them could share together.

                She headed back into the bedroom to clean up a bit. After what happened last night, the place was in a bit more disarray then Margaret usually would leave it. Discarded clothing lay all over the place. With a sigh she went about the task of picking them up. The dress that Melissa wore last night was quite voluminous in Margaret’s hands, not surprisingly given how much was necessary to cover that impressive figure. Along with the shoes Margaret was not sure what do with these.

                She could not imagine that situation where she would need to use them again. They were after all way too big for Margaret to ever hope to fit. Only Melissa could wear them and there was no way she would be returning again now that the prom was over. Still it felt disrespectful to simply throw them away given the memories and significance they represented.  But just looking at them reminded Margaret of Melissa’s affection and that caused Margaret’s heart to race a bit.

                Reluctantly despite some personal discomfort, these articles represent an important moment in Jeremy’s life. In respect to him, she decided to simply store them away. A memento of that magical night for the both of them even if will probably seem like nothing more than a pleasant dream. Placing them reverently in the closest this reminded Margaret that she needed to bring a garbage bag to the garage.

    Her car was still filled with the torn remains of the clothing from last night. If there was one downside to the whole affair was the loss of some clothing because of the transformation. It was fortunate being a onetime occurrence there was no risk of any further lost. And she was not particular attach to any clothing too. It was still another mess that had to be cleaned up. Afterwards she guessed it would be fine to take small break.

    Before she could head to the garage, she heard the doorbell ring. Not expecting any company today this surprised her. Wondering if perhaps a concerned teacher had come to pay her checkup, Margaret was quite taken aback to see Jeremy standing outside.