Fire Hill Farm and the Farmerette

The witching hour is every minute for that worrisome rabbit. Upon dusk he worries about the carrots being stolen out of their beds , even if he is the primary culprit. The eggs from Miss Lily’s henhouse tend to disappear when Crow stops over with the pair of raccoons as they sit idle until after sunset. The farm dogs are consistently in heat nightly at all the wrong times of the hour and seasons. They are so stupid.

Crow laughs. He is only seeking the friendship of his friend Warren, a brownish grey fluff of cuteness wolf pup. He really doesn’t steal the eggs; he jests and gets the raccoons all worked up. He doesn’t want to see the eggs go away. After all, Miss Lily’s family puts some of the eggs out for Crow after they had their share. It is something about raccoons that piss humans off. The farm family won’t feed them and raccoons don’t clean up after themselves even after a dumpster dive.

Warren is the new visitor on the farm and he runs after Rabbit. Now that is where Rabbit should be worrisome. All wild pups see rabbits and varmints as perfect prey and play. Warren seeks Crow out and they play, and what better place than the local farm that smells of horse manure and apples. Much like a human coffee shop, although I’ve never seen one.

Rabbit fights with the frivolities of his fears when there are so many other problems on the farm. He thinks as if it is his own farm, but it isn’t as he lives under the Oak tree, glasses and all.

The family farm kids grew up and went on to college or the city to work. Miss Lily and Pa now have to get everything done on their own, save the help that comes and goes like a windy day filled with promise.

And Miss Lily and Pa are not young anymore.

Miss Lily, although quite stoic, was very sweet with me when her youngest son found me. She loved my color and yellow eyes and let him keep me, as long as I had a job. I did and still do. It was too difficult for me when he left the farm to begin a life anew. Why couldn’t I go with him? Well, had to stay here and do my job until he comes back for me. 

That’s when I thought to help them.

Thinking back a few months ago, I drew a circle and some of those X’s, like witchcrafty-ish. My claws were very long so they made that scratchy noise across the dirt outside the kitchen where Miss Lily and Pa were eating. They had a candle in the window, maybe to summon up help or prayers or both. Anyway, I did a spell of sorts after reading my tarot cards. I knew I had to reach out for help.

***

Weeks later, I saw a young lady dressed in black. She knocked on the front door and when Miss Lily approached, there was a wind that slammed the screen door wide open. They both shuddered and had a quick, awkward laugh. She asked Miss Lily if she had jobs for her.

No Car, no bicycle so how did she get here?

Miss Lily was aghast at her outfit and tattoos, but when Pa saw her, he was well pleased. She seemed strong, smart and spoke well.

That was the morning I met her. She liked my Smokey black color, my tail and my hissing. She doesn’t know me yet, and I will not let her know who I really am. She needs to be the farm help. All I do is catch mice, eat them, and snuggle up to Pa with my organ meat breath. He loves me, I know he does.

And so, the relationship began. Pa seemed happy and now tended to close their bedroom door with the stupid dogs and Miss lily after she came to stay with us. They offered her room and board and she worked her butt off from 4:30 am until 3:30pm. That is when she took a bath and slept until dinner. She had no social or personal life that I know of. I was with her almost 10 hours a day in between her work with Cow, Pig family and the horny hens as I called them. Those roosters roosted and the hens gave in.

There was much farm work to do. She assisted with the messy stuff as Pa did his work and Miss Lilly did hers. It was a nice interdependent lifestyle for a while. We all helped each other. Rabbit suddenly seemed less stressed, and Crow kept his friendship distant with Warren while on the farm, who was getting big, to keep him safe from any rifles if he went near the henhouse.  His parents didn’t want him playing in a place where they may triumph death over the life of a wolf pup.

Crow then took a liking to this helper, her colors the same as him, and her singing quite squawky like his family’s. Cow was so happy with her, as she milked her daily and was petted as many times as she gave milk. The Pig family felt great but kept thinking of the amazing smell that came from the kitchen ever since this girl came to help. It was always made with eggs on Sunday mornings.  

And, how many times did Miss Lily trip on the young darling’s  “favorite” broom. Why leave your broom across the doorway?

Miss Lily refused to pick it up and yelled at the young darling many times to remove it.

I knew she was a witch.

But not just A witch, but THE witch.

The witch I summoned months ago.

She was not your average one. A few months in I saw her grab a pig trough and sit in it and fly away. She didn’t wear a weird black hat but a black Carhartt beanie, black Doc Martin’s, black clothing and her broom with her. And that new way of transportation? She needed a more efficient way to transport herself for the big bonfires in the woods. Brooms can catch fire.

Miss Lily and Pa never noticed her 3 am shenanigans as they went to sleep with the dumb dogs by 8pm.

***

It was time for the big reveal. Hers or mine or both.

I needed to make it natural, or maybe she knew since she was a witch anyway.

I meditated on her bed, kneading it, tossing my scent on her comfy quilt. Her pillows were standing in formation and if the stupid dogs were here, they’d jump all over them and slobber, making a total mess. That’s why I knew she liked me more.

While chilling there on the bed, I noticed a corn dolly. It was a horse, staring right into my eyes. All of a sudden, I saw all of the mystical accoutrements surrounding her lair.

Who summoned who?

In her closet were triplicate outfits of the same thing, with the exception of the most beautiful cape I ever smelled. The brooms hung on the rack. Little did I know she had more than one. The shelf looked like it had an elf on the shelf, instead it was a skull, smiling. A mobile was made out of witch sticks.   The closet was actually an alter or shrine of some sort.

Candles, smelly branches, bottles of potions, and jars filled with jelly like substances. Gross. All she needed was a Familiar.

Hello? Someone in here? She inquired.

I began purring and slipped out of the closet.   

Oh, it’s You! Finally, you’ve decided to snoop around. Enough with the kitty stuff. We know each other, yes?

She pulled off her beanie and out fell the most beautiful red locks, down to her butt.

She walked into the closet and placed her dirty clothing in the hamper and went to draw her bath.

So, I asked, who is the summoner? Me or you?

You are my summoner.

You led me here. I am to do the work you asked me to do, and I am doing it.

It will be my turn soon, for you to do the work I will give you. You will be my Grimalkin.

I knew right there she was from another time, another universe. I had talents and can shapeshift, but that’s about it. I am old school. I don’t want to hurt anyone. I want to see my human brother when he comes back to get me.

Give me my space my black Grimalkin. We will talk soon. I tire of this world for now. It’s my bath time.

She left the bathroom door ajar, just enough for a peak. All I saw was smoke slipping into the hot bath. Was it her or the steam?

My nine lives are not about to be used up. What have I done?

I chose not to sleep in her room that night even if the downstairs is freezing by sunrise.

The next morning, I heard Miss Lily and Pa talking as they got breakfast ready. She wasn’t up yet.

She is a dear, yes Pa? She is doing so much work; I think her hands are plenty and her brooms are her workforce too!

Let’s keep it down Lily. There is something about her, and at first you didn’t like her tattoos. Now?

Oh, they are but holy stains on her white skin. She is a beauty and a magnificent source of help.

Yea, it’s true my love, Pa said, but like the wind, expect that she will change course and leave.

For now, let us enjoy her work and her presence. I miss the boys so much. She seems to take their place, if only for the footsteps in the bedroom.

(Our water bill is sky high with those baths she takes), Pa mumbled.

***

Binxy! My Little Black kitty!

Whatever are you doing in the living room? The fire is out!

 (I’d rather freeze than stay in her room again…Binxy said to himself)

Pa took the hint and fixed the fireplace with fresh wood. He couldn’t find the matches.

Edana! And a fine morning it is!

Yes, Miss Lily just some coffee I have much to do and the sun is almost up. Save me that bacon for later at lunch please! I must tend to my Cow, hens and…Pig family.

Go ahead, here is your Thermos full of hot, black coffee!

Edana walked over to the fireplace and the fire started immediately.

And did you find out what happened to Cousin Pigster of the Pig family? Inquired Miss Lily.

Oh, it may have been those terrible wolves that hang out by the back pond, replied Edana.

I better get my rifle ready, said Pa, we need our pigs.

***

So, a few things came to light aside from the sun and the fireplace.

Her name, Edana. I know that from somewhere and it means little fire.

Uh oh. And, so is that where the bacon came from? Cousin Pigster?

Warren! He will be shot on site! What do I do now?

I led this witch, this abundantly tattooed box of matches onto Miss Lily’s farm, Rabbit’s home, the hens, Happy Cow, Pig family and Crow. I wish my human brothers were here.

It is time to get with it.

I summoned her to help. And now she may want me to hinder the family farm.

The next few days were tense, so I decided to purr, and sleep with her. I was really warmer in her lair. And, oh hell, I liked her too. Her long red tresses kept me warm. Her body was heavy with heat and she’d throw her covers off in the middle of the night, especially during that full moon.

After much contemplation, I shapeshifted into a crow to Crow’s nest. We had a big talk and his family along with Warren, now a teen wolf said they will help me.  

The next few days, Crow slipped in and out of the hen house, the pig pens and the dairy barn. He asked the questions about Edana. Everyone loved her, well except Rabbit, as she pulled the carrots out before he can steal them. All in all, there wasn’t a bad word said about her.

Next, the humans needed to be asked, but how?

I went through their library but didn’t find much in the way of witches. All he saw was the Farmer’s Almanac, an ancient Sears book and books on poetry, fiction and farming.

There was, however, a few interesting books and a Ouija board in the boys’ room. He needed Crow to use his beak and toss the book on witchcraft, called “Elements of Witchcraft: Natural Magick for Teens” down the stairs. That’ll do it! Said Binxy. Why did they have this book, anyway, I thought.

No, it won’t! What if she wakes up and sees the fallen book? You will get your tail pulled at least! Crow, exclaimed. I will place it under the kitchen table, if I can.

Days passed. Then, one evening I was pretending to be a cute kitty and was purring. The closet door was wide open, and there were no brooms to be found, no smiling skeleton. What is up?

Edana was finished in the bath and had a white turban on her head. She still looked beautiful, but sad.

Meow?

Oh stop.

What’s going on?

Binxy, I’m leaving tonight at 3am. Almost done packing. I may steal that pig trough, though. Think they’ll miss it?

NO! THEY WILL MISS YOU, I WILL MISS YOU. WHAT ABOUT COW? SHE LOVES YOU!

That’s not what Rabbit told me.

You are all ganging up on me to kick me out so I will leave on my own terms.

Edana, NO! I think it is me. You told me I must be your Grimalkin, and I will have to do your work.

Do you really think I killed Cousin Pigster? Miss Lily has a ton of bacon in the freezer. And that is from past pig families that do just that; grow for the farm and the farmers. We all do what needs to be done. Sometimes it’s tough and other times it’s Thanksgiving. I found out that Pa traded Cousin Pigster for two turkeys and the horse that is coming for Miss Lily! It’s a secret. He’d never hurt Warren and his pack of wolves, especially that they support the farm by acting as security during the important months.

I’m sorry Edana.

I wanted you to be my Familiar, my Grimalkin, she said. My family had them handed down and I was left with none. That is why when you, the spirited black cat of the north east country summoned me I was proud to come and help.

They heard a knocking on the window. It was Crow.

Edana, Crow said, you must not leave! You offer a balance, and Miss Lily loves you. I guess Binxy over thought as usual, what with the smell of bacon and how you get everything done and the fires are the best, Hell, please don’t leave. Binxy misses his human brothers too, so maybe he is a bit emotional lately.

They all took a breather, and they heard footsteps coming up the stairs.

Edana? Are you still in your bath? Said Miss Lily.

No Miss Lily. I’ll be right down.

Okay, I found a book in the kitchen, I kind of think it might be yours.

Uh oh, Binxy and Crow thought. What do we do now?

Edana, take at least the rest of this week, and truly I tell you, it was my fault and I’d love to be your Familiar. I will be your Grimalkin.

Edana petted Binxy but grabbed his tail and pulled hard on it, exactly what Crow said would happen. All three snickered.

After a month or so, the farm family got used to Harry the horse and Miss Lily let Edana ride him. She looked like a perfectly fine specimen of a good witch with her long red hair flowing in back of her. Again, shenanigans or myth, we thought we saw her riding Harry at 3am, naked save for her long tresses, much like Godiva!

Rabbit apologized to Binxy saying that he knew it wasn’t true that Edana was a bad witch.

The hard work continued, and the farm team did their thing.

Early one morning, Binxy woke up under Edana’s covers.

Edana, so, what was that thing I owe you to do for you? Remember, when you said, “It will be my turn soon, for you to do the work I will give you. You will be my Grimalkin.”

Slowly, Edana turned her head towards Binxy.

She pulled away her long red locks exposing her steaming ruby red eyes and her hair ignited on fire.

You’ll see, my Grimalkin, you’ll see.