Grandma made a telephone call to Debbie’s Mom. “Gwen said that Debbie came home light-headed and confused. She was surprised at our theory of the girls being influenced, but she agreed that it was a definite possibility.”

Meanwhile, Mom was doing her best to talk me down. I was so angry I was shaking. It was a serious crime to use magic to “influence” someone, but the fact that we had no way to track the culprit made me even angrier.

Who knows-that person or persons could be working to re-establish control at this very minute! How did we stop it earlier?

I was tired, angry and frightened. As I began to lose the adrenalin from my anger, I began to bawl. This was a first for me, but I just cuddled into my Mom’s arms and held on for dear life. I didn’t see it, but Grandma must have come up behind me and given me a whammy. I just remember waking up in my bed, calm and rested. I checked the clock, and Tim was going to be here in just less than an hour.

I got dressed, and went to the living room. My Dad was sitting at the desk top computer, and he turned and whistled at my outfit. I’d worn my sexiest underwear, then a plain white blouse under a medium blue denim vest, followed by a calf length denim skirt, split at the left side. I had on my new, brown leather boots with the 3” stiletto heels, then slapped on a subtle bit of makeup and some spicy perfume Mom thought I would like (and she was right!), and I thought I was all set.

Grandma met me in the living room with a very pretty amulet and neck chain. The amulet was small and silver, with a heart made from a beautiful saphire. The chain was also silver and very thin and delicate.

"We know how you and Debbie were able to break the spell, now. When you went into Mrs. Andrews’ house, her protective wards didn’t allow the controlling spell to connect any longer. Using that information, I made this for you, and it will protect you from any outside influences. I’ve made one for Debbie as well, and sent it to the Holloway’s already.”

I smiled gratefully as I put it on. Immediately I sensed a confident peace settle over me. It was almost like holding Grandma’s loving hands, and nothing could break that protection.

“I love it so much!” I told her, my eyes a little wet. She quickly grabbed a tissue and dabbed at the moisture.

“None of that now, you’ll ruin your makeup, sweetie. I need to ask you a question though, and I want you to answer me honestly. How do you feel about Tim, right now?”

“Oh Grandma, I really like him, and I hope he likes me as much.” I told her. “I’m afraid that those feelings might just be false, that the controlling influence made me feel that way. I-I’m a little scared, Grandma.”

“Well, since you are wearing my amulet, that control can have no bearing on your feelings now.”

You could have knocked me over with a gentle breeze. I hadn’t realized that this meant I really did feel good about Tim. I truly relaxed for the first time since I went into Mrs. Andrews’ house. I had been very worried that it was all a lie, just a disaster waiting to happen. I hugged Grandma.

“Thank you.” I whispered to her. “That may have been the best gift I’ve ever received.”

We hugged each other tightly, and then the doorbell rang. Mom called out that she had it. I looked at Grandma. “Do I look all right?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, my dear, but you only look gorgeous. Go, have fun.”

I smiled and kissed her cheek.“Thanks, Grandma, I will.”

I loved the look on Tim’s face when I stepped out. It felt so wonderful to see the surprise on his face. He wore some gray jeans with a dark blue short sleeve pullover and some black trainers, Very handsome, I thought.

“Ahoy, Sailor, would ye be needin’ a date then?” I said, striking a sexy pose and winking at him.

He smilede that devastating smile, and he was so handsome my heart started melting. “Oh, aye, indeed! Ye looks like a fair wench, how'd ye loike to see me vessel?”

His accent was horribly bad. I smiled then stared suspisciously at him. “Aye, ye’d best be referring to yer transportation, mate.”

My mom looked at us as if we were both insane.

“Avast, set sail, the two of ye!” She giggled. “Afore ye drives me to drink.”

We both saluted. “Aye, Cap’n!” I could hear her laughter as we went out to Tim’s bright red Trans Am.

He opened the door for me and bowed deeply. “Welcome, Milady.”

I bowed in return and made a cute curtsey. “Why thank you, good sir.”

I sat in the comfortable black leather seat. “Tim?”

“Yeah, Emily?”

“Do you think we’ll ever have a normal conversation?” I asked with a smile.

He closed the door, laughing. He took his seat behind the wheel, put on his seat belt and looked at me for a few seconds.

“Emily, I get the feeling that nothing will ever be the same again, and I like it.”

I thought he was making fun of me, but I saw that he was serious. I put my hand on his as he prepared to shift, and looked him in the eye.

“Tim, I think you are absolutely right.” We stared into each other’s eyes. I don’t know what he saw in mine, but I was amazed at what I saw in his.

If they could bottle the energy that was passing between us, Tim would have saved a great deal on fuel.

They say you just know when you’ve found the perfect one for you, and everything just clicks together? That’s exactly how I felt, and I could almost hear the clicks as my life fell into place. I couldn’t tell Tim yet, but I knew, and I was absolutely positive I was going to grow old with him.

I released his hand, sat back and put on my seat belt, realizing that I was quite possibly the happiest I had ever been. I was also starting to feel a warm, tingling feeling that excited me.

Of course, with my luck, it’s probably my period.