A cautionary tale with a modern twist?
Written by:
Jolene Rice
Michael Raven
Peggy walked down the path of random-patterned slate from her home to the steel pole barn semi-hidden within a grove of trees behind her home. Judy followed behind, surprised that the building had not been visible from her parking place up the hill. The winding path was lined with all kinds of herbs and flowers that Judy could not identify. Her mother and grandmother had not been blessed with green thumbs and both avoided anything that might be construed as gardening as a result. Bright blossoms in brilliant reds, bright yellows, rich purples and pale whites hung over the path so far as Peggy’s passing skirt would knock little yellow puffs of pollen into the air that lingered only as long as they escaped the drip drops of rain that still fell from the sky.
“So,” said Peggy as she opened the service door to the pole barn and ushered Judy inside. “What brings you here again? You were somewhat circumspect in your message about what, exactly, you were looking to purchase. It’s no problem, of course, as a lot of my first-time clientele can be shy about what ails them.”
Peggy gestured to a comfy chair in an area of the pole barn meant to resemble a living room. There was an oriental rug on a low platform of engineered wood flooring laid over the concrete floor of the pole barn. The chair itself was overstuffed with deep burgundy brocade for the fabric, Between the chair and another one that was quite obviously intended for Peggy, was a short oak coffee table with a few fliers in natural wood holders and a pile of business cards.
Behind the consulting area were neat rows of small tinctures and jars of dried herbs for sale on wooden shelves. Along the length of the shelves was a counter which sported an old-fashioned steel balance and an aluminum bowl resting on that. There were stone mortars and pestles of various sizes and capacities placed strategically along the length of the counter.
In the back of the barn, there was a low wall blocking a view of the rear. Judy could make out a small column of steam rising over the wall, from which an earthy smell emanated. The smell was not unpleasant, but it made Judy wrinkle her nose all the same.
“Sorry about the current brew,” said Peggy. “Kava kava has a distinct odor, but there is nothing quite like it for someone looking to do a little amateur oneiromancy in their spare time. I can open up the big doors if the smell bothers you.”
Judy shook her head as she sat down.
“Fantastic!” said Peggy. “We’ll make a witch of you yet.” She chuckled in a way that Judy could tell meant she had no such intention. Competition, she supposed. “What was it then, that you are looking to solve?”
“Umm…,” said Judy. “Well… It’s just that I, umm…”
“C’mon, deary. I’m a professional. You don’t have to worry about me judging your needs. But we need to know what they are before I can assist you to cure what ails you.”
Judy blurted it out in the way one rips off a bandage. “I’m so very tired of being ignored because I’m no longer young and beautiful.” Her voice caught a bit on the last word and she was afraid she would break down into tears. To keep that from happening, she interrupted the impending sob by quickly adding, “I want people to notice me like they did back when I was still twenty-five.”
Peggy sat back in her own chair, nodding throughout the scene. “You’re not alone, dear. There are plenty of people out there who ask for the same or similar from me. So, first off, you are in good company. Men and women alike come to me, hoping to drive away the loneliness that seems to plague people these days. Too often, it is because they feel unattractive or old. It’s not uncommon for them to tell me they feel ignored.”
“Yes,” breathed out Judy in agreement. “I hate how the world seems to ignore me these days.”
“Well, lucky for you, the treatment is somewhat straight-forward for such things.” She got up and walked behind the counter to grab a small amber bottle and came back to place it in Judy’s hand.
Judy’s face lit up. “It is?”
“Very straight-forward,” replied Peggy. “However… I should warn you.”
Judy’s growing excitement collapsed out of her. “What’s that?”
Part five
