Her gaze drifted back to the yarns, seeing them now not just as beautiful objects, but as symbols of hope and transformation. Each skein represented someone's chance at a better life, at dignity and independence.
"One of my granddaughters knits," she told Kieran absently, as she took a basket from the stack beside the display. Mandy gathered six skeins of the shimmering yarn, letting her fingers linger over each selection as she put them into the basket. The purple-blue that had first caught her eye, the autumn-hued blend, a deep emerald that reminded her of forest shadows, two skeins in complementary shades of rose and coral, and finally a delicate silvery-white that seemed to capture moonlight. "She makes the most beautiful shawls. Just wait until she sees these! They'll make a wonderful Christmas present."
Kieran's deep voice carried a rare note of warmth. "I'm certain she'll create something magnificent."
Near the register, Mandy spotted a sleek digital kiosk with a touch screen. She moved closer, intrigued. The screen displayed options to sign up for the Uncommon Threads newsletter and make additional donations to their charitable projects.
"Oh, perfect!" Her fingers flew across the screen, entering her email address. A separate form allowed her to add a donation amount of her choosing. Mandy typed in a number that made her heart feel warm, knowing it would help someone build a better life.
"You know," she said, looking up at Kieran, "I've always believed in the ripple effect of kindness. One small act can spread outward in ways we never expect." She gestured at the stunning textiles surrounding them. "Like all of this - the creation of such exquisite beauty, just having them here, displaying them, in turn helps even more people."
She lingered a few more minutes, taking mental snapshots of the stunning textiles and intricate embroidery work. Each piece told a story - of artistry, of hope, of lives transformed. Finally, knowing she couldn't delay forever, Mandy gathered her selections and walked to the front counter, savoring each pain-free step across the polished floor.
The yarn purchase took only moments - Laura efficiently rang up her selections and carefully wrapped each skein in tissue paper before placing them in an elegant shopping bag with the Uncommon Threads logo.
As Mandy tucked her credit card back into her wallet, Kieran stepped closer. "Since we're already here, would you like to see more of the city? The National Mall is quite close."
Her heart leaped at the suggestion. "I've never been to DC before," she admitted, clutching her shopping bag. "I'd love to see it!"
They stepped out into the humid afternoon air. Mandy's hair immediately began to frizz again, but she couldn't bring herselfto care. The iconic Washington Monument pierced the sky ahead of them, its white stone gleaming in the sunlight.
Walking along the Mall's wide paths, Mandy breathed in the historic atmosphere. Families sprawled on blankets across the grass while tourists snapped photos. The scent of grilling meat and spices drew her attention to a cluster of food trucks parked nearby.
The aroma of freshly fried corn batter drew Mandy toward one particular food truck. Her mouth watered at the sight of golden-brown corn dogs being dipped into bubbling oil, the batter forming a perfect crispy shell around each hot dog.
"Oh! Real hand-dipped corn dogs!" She tugged at Kieran's sleeve in excitement. "Not those frozen ones - these are made fresh. You have to try one!"
Before he could protest, she'd already stepped up to order. "Two please!"
Kieran accepted the offered corn dog with the same wary dignity he might show a peasant's dubious gift. His elegant fingers held the wooden stick at arm's length, studying it with wary disdain. The sight of the ancient Djinn prince confronting a corn dog made Mandy giggle.
"You survived tacos earlier," she reminded him. Mandy bit into her corn dog with enthusiasm, savoring the perfect contrast between the crispy exterior and fluffy cornbread interior. "Mmm! Just try it!"
With visible reluctance, Kieran took a careful bite. His blue eyes widened in surprise, and his stern expression softened. "This is... unexpectedly pleasant," he admitted, taking another, larger bite.
Mandy grinned in triumph. "See? Sometimes the best things come in humble packages."
After exploring more of the Mall and seeing the monuments lit up as dusk approached, Mandy's feet began to ache - areminder that even Kieran's magical healing was temporary. The humidity had turned her hair into a frizzy mess, but she couldn't stop smiling. What an incredible afternoon.
"Time to return, I think," Kieran said, leading her to a secluded spot behind some trees.
His hand clasped hers, warm and steady. The world spun and blurred around them. Mandy's stomach lurched as reality shifted, then snapped back into focus. They stood in her living room, where Mozart and Bach lounged on the cat tree as if they'd never left.
The clock on her microwave showed 3:47 PM - exactly the same time they'd left, despite spending hours in DC. Mandy blinked in amazement.
"Did we... travel through time too?" She clutched her Uncommon Threads shopping bag, the tissue-wrapped yarn inside proving it hadn't been a dream.
"It seemed simpler," Kieran replied. "This way your cats haven't missed a meal."
Mandy laughed, touched by his consideration for her pets. "Thank you," she said softly. "For everything. It was wonderful."
"You need not worry about any adverse effects when the healing spell fades," he assured her, his deep voice gentle. "Your body will simply return to its previous state - no worse, no better."
Mandy sank into her favorite recliner, her mind still processing the incredible afternoon they'd shared. Walking in the park, seeing Uncommon Threads, walking along the National Mall…
"Has today helped you decide about your wish?" Kieran asked, settling gracefully into the chair across from her.
"Yes." The word came out firm and clear. No hesitation, no doubt. "Being able to walk without pain, to move freely again..." Her voice caught as she remembered the simple joy of strollingthrough the park, of exploring the textile showroom without worrying about her back or her knees. "This is absolutely what I want."
