Page 126 of Charmed, I'm Sure
I sighed. “I have no idea what you’re trying to say, but I’m pretty sure that was a threat. One I’d be inclined to heed, if it weren’t for the fact that your mother sent me here to get her migraine medicine.”
A smaller mewl came from the stairs. Shifting my gaze, I spotted an orange version of the marshmallow at my feet, tail flicking side to side as it studied me… curiously?I don’t know. I don’t understand cats.
“Hermeownie, I presume?” I asked as I stepped over my arch-nemesis.
Naturally, Meowfoy took offense—swatting at my shoe, trying to bite my pants, hissing like a damn snake.
“Would you stop it? I’m just trying to help.”
A delicatemrrowsounded from the staircase before Hermeownie stood, arching into that signature feline stretch, before turning to head up the stairs.
Taking the cue, I hastened my steps away from her angry counterpart and followed.
The upstairs was bright and colorful, the walls adorned with countless frames—artwork, family photos, snapshots of life frozen in time. I wanted to take it all in, to see Magnolia at every stage, to glimpse the childhood that had shaped her. My gaze snagged on a blonde-haired Magnolia, head thrown back in laughter as she swung on a tire swing tied to an old oak tree—
An impatient yowl snapped me out of it.
“All right, all right, I’m coming.”Geez, these cats are bossy, I thought as I made my way to where she seemed to be sitting sentinel outside a door.
Don’t ask me why, but as I pushed the door open, I glanced down at her and asked, “Do you know where Mags keeps her meds?”
She gave me what looked like a curt nod before sashaying into the room.
Flicking the light on, I took a moment to take in Magnolia’s space. Jewel tones mingled with bright colors, soft surfaces met hard edges, books and knickknacks and art covered the walls and tables. It was an amalgamation of everythingher,and I just wanted to soak it in.
Hermeownie jumped onto the bed, padded to the nightstand, and pawed at the covers before spinning in a circle and sitting down. Her expression—shockingly expressive for a cat—seemed to screamstop gawking and look over here, idiot.
Sure enough, three orange bottles caught my eye.
Picking them up, I checked the labels—Propranolol, a preventative, and two pain relievers, the generic versions of Fioricet and Maxalt.
“Damn, baby. How do you live like that?” I muttered, searching for something to carry them in. Finding a bag, I tossed the bottles inside and turned back to the cat. “Wanna help me find her some clothes?”
I had officially lost my mind. Or maybe I was turning into a Disney princess. Either way, I went with it.
To my increasing amazement, Hermeownie led me around the room, meowing at drawers and pawing at closet doors, directing me to what she apparently deemed acceptable options. I packed a small overnight bag, then asked, “Do you know where her cold cap is?”
With an exasperated huff—finally, you idiot—Hermeownie strutted back to the nightstand and brushed against it.
My confusion vanished when I opened the door and a blast of cool air hit me.
She had amini fridgebuilt into her nightstand.
Genius.
Grabbing two caps, I tossed them into the bag. “Thank you,” I said genuinely.
To my surprise, she brushed against my knee, nuzzling into my hand. Her purrs vibrated up my arm.
“I like you more than the other one,” I whispered, scratching behind her ear.
“Brrrow.”
The trip had taken longer than I’d intended, but when Magnolia didn’t respond to my text, I took it as a sign she was still asleep. With that in mind, I decided to take the long way home—swing by the supermarket.
She’d said chocolate and Coke helped her migraines, so I was going to get her some, dammit. Stock every nook and cranny with whatever she needed. Tampons, disks, liners? Just tell me the brand and size. Hell, if she had a condom preference, I’d switch in a heartbeat.
But as I turned down the street, my eyes locked onto a different destination.
