The Ignited Willow

It was a terribly early morning, but she’d be hard pressed even after the worst of happenings to stop Tanah up from a tea party, or to stop herself up from drinking tea she’d already made.

That was often what it meant to care for oneself. 

Of course, it wasn’t everyday that the thing worrying her was just outside, or for her own safety something she couldn’t share it with.

She’s worried for the willow before, a blight in its branches, pruned, culled and burned was the answer there. She could wait if the man were as such, it wasn’t as if she’d needed to be all that harsh with the willow back then.

Though she wasn’t above it.

But even back then she hadn't been barred from her own yard. She distinctly remembers drinking tea outside during that time when Tanah was an infant.

She was so tiny back then. Tanah was still tiny, but Charnetta could really blame her age for that, or stress or really anything. Maybe she’d been tiny too, though her parents may’ve neglected to mention how small.

She wasn’t the only child in the house, so it was mostly comparisons that were drawn. Age means so much those first twelve years, but the thought was rare if it were mentioned at all.

She took a moment to drink her tea, sparing a thought to her parents. They’d be of little use to her, as distant as they’d been since Tanah’s birth, she didn’t think they’d be prepared to help her. Even since.

Tanah had spilled a little tea attempting to dunk her oat bar in her cup, dribbling the tiniest bit down faded floral porcelain. The age of the second hand piece was never something she worried about, but she remembered when the flowers were just a touch more vibrant, and it left her nostalgic. 

“Do you remember being smaller than this?”, she asked, since she needed a distraction. It would be a while yet before the spiritualist appeared, and she didn’t want-

Tanah, thought for a moment licking the edge of her cup, as fastidious as expected she responded, “A little bit.”

“Well, I remember. You were so tiny, when she handed you to me,” she motioned Tanah’s size from memory, as if she was telling the exact opposite of a big fish story. “I remember thinking you were the smallest thing in the world.”

“That’s silly.”

“It is, but that’s just how mother’s think when they have a new baby. I think Father’s feel like that too if they're close,” she picked up her cup. “you’re getting bigger, but you’re still so small.”

“Am not.”

“Oh, you are. And there’s nothing wrong with that.” she turned her attention over to her oat bar. She had to eat quickly if she wanted to keep her mind about her, she didn’t exactly enjoy the notion of inviting anybody into her house on an empty stomach.

“Ants are still smaller.” Charnetta simply smiled at this as they finished their small breakfast.

Tanah would be playing inside at least until the spiritualist came and fixed their predicament, settling into her room with a coloring board.

Soon there was a knock at the door, and Charnetta checked the peephole to find nothing amiss. Maybe the man from outside had attempted contact and scurried off.

She soon walked off and heard a second set of knocks and recognizing the time, Charnetta opened the door. Finding the spiritualist she’d called, a rather short older woman.

The woman offered her hand. “Hello, I’m Madinia, the acting spiritualist in your district. Are you aware of the man in your yard?”

“I’m surprised that it counts as a man to an apparent expert.” 

“Ah, a domestic.” Madinia said under her breath.

“Not exactly, I’ve never seen that man before today.” she responded, she really didn’t need an expert downplaying her concern. “Do you want some tea?”

“Of course, nice to meet someone who offers.”

“Right, I’ll go set the kettle.” She moved from the door to the sink filling the kettle.

“Is there a child living here?” Madinia asked, seeing toys and such, as well as an assortment of secondhand books at least somewhat appropriate for a child. 

“Yes, were you not informed?” she asked, setting the pot for the second time that day.

“No, I wasn’t. Strange. How old are they?” she asked. 

“Tanah’s five, and two months this week.”

“That’s nice.” Madinia thought over her next question, “So, what made you worried enough to call us?”

“Well, that’s why I thought you’d be told. Tanah’s dream catcher snapped two nights ago.”

“Really? How old was it?”

“Well, I’d gotten it new when I was pregnant with Tanah.” it had been a gift from her aunt.

“Only sixish years?”

“Yes.”

“Have you replaced it?”

“Yes, I even reused the string.”

“So, what's the issue?”

“I-” she didn’t know what she’d seen the night before by her daughter’s side, “I saw a-”

She heard yet another knock. It was definitely the man in her yard, “I’m sorry, I have to ask. How physical are they? Spirits I mean.”

“You’re worried about the man?”

“No- I.” she took a breath, the willow was too new, it didn’t snap and she just couldn’t be sure. Madinia didn’t know what was going on, and Charnetta wasn’t sure of her expertise.

She got up, and opened the door.

“Can I have some tea too?” the man asked.

“no.”

“Why not?”

“I really can’t, you might never leave if I feed you.”

“I’m not a scoundrel. And it’s hardly a proposal. I’d be happy to drink outside if you’d prefer.”

“What and have you living in my yard? I’d really rather not.”

“You think the underbrush ain’t nice enough on its own?”

“I think you can let him in, if you’re talking to him in broad daylight.”

“That isn’t sensible in any other case.”

“I’d like cookies.” the man said unprompted.

“I really don’t think any of this is sensible.” the woman was seriously saying that.

The man’s face lit up at her snide comment, this person seemed like an agent of chaos, “This is a curious place, why would this be insensible? I mean, don’t let strange men in the house of course. But what’s insensible about this if you’re inviting me in?”

“Wa- well.”

She heard a scream from Tanah’s room, and ran over to find the dream catcher on fire.