I take a bite, surprised to find it isn’t very sweet, but has a very mild, honey flavor. The rough mixture is full of nuts and coconut. It settles my stomach straight away.
“Wow,” I mutter. “These are good.”
“I call it energy cake,” Grace says. “One little slice is enough to keep you going all day. Try the tea.”
I take a big sip of iced tea to wash down the cake, and it has a strong flavor, offset by generous amounts of lemon juice and an herbal tang.
“It’s good,” I say.
“Another special recipe,” she answers. “Now, you have a furry familiar comforting you, and your electrolytes replaced as well as some decent sustenance and sugar in you. Are you okay to talk, or would you like a bit more time to rest?”
Grace’s voice is somewhere between gentle and firm. It’s like being scolded by a loving older sister, and I find I appreciate it very much.
“I’m okay,” I say softly. “Thank you for letting me come over.”
“That’s no trouble at all,” Grace answers. “Stay as long as you like. But please, tell me what you were running from.”
“Nothing,” I mutter.
Sabrina raises her head and fixes me with her huge green eyes. She yawns, making a little meow sound. Grace laughs.
“That means you’re lying,” Grace says.
“So, your cat is a soothsayer?”
“Most of them are,” Grace answers wryly. “Come on, out with it. What were you running from?”
“Everything!” I cry, feeling my chest filling with sorrow again. “I can’t stay here. I’ve been so happy the last few days, but none of it is real. I have to leave.”
“Why?” Grace asks, watching me with a soft expression.
“It’s Brad,” I mutter. “He lied to me!”
“Oh, my dear,” Grace says, hugging me. “How bad is it?”
“Apparently, he’s some sort of secret agent,” I blurt out. “Or, he was. That’s why he left me all those years ago. I tried to give him space to talk about that, expecting him to give me some story about being emotionally immature and not ready to settle down at best, and severe personal tragedy at worst. I never imagined I could be part of some secret mission!”
“But were you?” she asks. “Like, do you know for sure if he was using you?”
“No,” I whisper.
Grace nods. “Well, I think you'd better find out.”
“What does that mean?”
Grace sighs. “Can you really just go, without hearing his side of the story? I know you want to run, and I understand you perfectly. I’ll help you, if it’s what you decide to do. But if you go, won’t you always wonder what his reasons were?”
“No,” I say bitterly, and Sabrina gives me another hard stare.
Grace chuckles. “The cat has spoken.”
“Does she speak?” I gasp.
Grace shrugs. “I understand her well enough that it seems like she does. You’ll probably have the same ability as you grow into your powers.”
I stroke Sabrina’s soft fur, letting the humming of her purr soothe me. “Okay,” I admit. “I do want to hear what he has to say. I just can’t face him right now. I’m too angry, and too tired.”
“Yes, dear, what happened this morning?” Grace asks. “I was surprised to hear you were unwell. You seem to radiate good health most of the time.”
