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Jazmine has yearned for an assignment in the human realm since she was a wee one fairy. To that end, she attends Fairies-in-Training School in Flitter Town. Even after completing her classes and passing all of her tests, she has yet to be selected for assignment. Sadly, she accepts the fact that she'll no doubt be sent back to her clan, the Fragrant Flowers, to resume her duties as a jasmyster. Yes, she loves keeping her namesakes fragrant, but a human assignment has always been her dream. Unexpectedly, she is chosen by Boss-at-the-Top for a most important task.
Ryan Lucas is grieving the loss of his wife and unable to connect emotionally with his eight year old son. Both their hearts have holes the size of the universe in them. During a short drive from his home in Bend, Oregon to his office in Sunriver, he almost crashes into a woman following deer across the highway. He can't believe anyone would be so reckless. He screeches to the side of the road and jumps out of his car to lecture her. Her beautiful eyes keep distracting him. They're not quite blue and not quite lavender. Young Jake Lucas just wants his dad to spend time with him. He desperately misses his mother because she's dead. And although his father is very much alive, he spends more time at his office than with Jake. Since his father ignores him, Jake turns his attention to his new neighbor. After he sees her spying on him, he decides to spy on her. Snagging his dad's binoculars and hiding in his tree house, he watches her through her dining room window. Maybe she's with the FBI or CIA? Actually she's pretty boring until he witnesses an impossible feat. Then he wonders if she's a witch, which makes him wonder if she's a good witch or a bad one. |
Chapter One
Here…here…listen up fairies-in-training, I have your human assignments from Boss-at-the-Top."
At the mention of Boss-at-the-Top's name by Teacher-fairy, the fairies-in-training gasped and rushed to their appointed toadstools—their hard work was about to be rewarded. Ten specially chosen fairies-in-training would receive human assignments. For some, like Jazmine, this was a last chance to visit the human realm. So far, Jazmine was the only fairy from her clan who had succeeded in making it to Fairies-in-Training School in Flitter Town. Even so, making it this far did not guarantee a human assignment. Although Jazmine had completed three trainings, the maximum number allowed, she had yet to be chosen by Boss-at-the-Top for a real assignment. If she wasn't chosen this time, she would be sent back to her clan, the Fragrant Flowers. Home again; she would continue working the fields to ensure that her namesakes maintained their sweet fragrance. It wasn't that Jazmine didn't love her job as a jasmyster; it was just that, in her heart-of-hearts, she had always longed to experience the mysterious world of humans.
Teacher-fairy opened a rose petal and cleared his throat. "Hmm…hmm...."
Jazmine crossed her fingers and held her breath.
He called loudly, "The first assignment goes to…goes to…Honey Dew!"
A squeal erupted from Honey Dew and she jumped off her toadstool to run and stand before Teacher-fairy.
Teacher-fairy squinted at the rose petal again, and said, "Your assignment is in—goodness, goodness—it's in New York City."
Honey Dew let out another squeal because New York City was coveted by all fairies hoping for assignment among humans. Previous fairies who had trans-located to that city had returned with amazing tales of its grandeur, and swore they would always treasure their time spent in the Big Apple.
Honey Dew's face lit with excitement when she was given the details of her assignment by Teacher-fairy.
"You will become a hotel maid at the Waldorf Astoria and befriend a young, single mother working in the laundry room. She is lonely and impoverished. It is up to you to make sure she meets the nephew of the hotel manager. His uncle is training him to assume the running of the hotel. The young man is also lonely. Boss-at-the-Top believes these two will be very happy together. Can you be ready to leave at first-ray-of-sun tomorrow?"
"Oh yes, Teacher-fairy, I'll be ready."
"Good…good. Meet me at the raspberry boundary of Flitter Town." He scanned his pupils. "In fact, anyone who receives an assignment must meet me there at first-ray-of-sun. Understood?"
"Yes, Teacher-fairy," the class replied in unison.
"Good…Good." Teacher-fairy perused another rose petal and called another name. "Pink Petunia, you've been chosen."
Jazmine listened as name after name was called, her heart sinking each time she was passed over. "I guess it's just not meant to be," she sighed, blinking back tears.
"And now…now for the last fairy assignment, Boss-at-the-Top has chosen—Jazmine!"
"Huh?"
"Jazmine, are you coming forward? Do you want to pass on the assignment?" Teacher-fairy furrowed his forehead and squinted at her.
"Yes! I mean, no! I mean, yes. I'm coming forward, and no, I don't want to pass on the assignment." Jazmine slid off her toadstool and missed her footing, landing on her backside and crushing her new tulip-skirt. Ignoring the snickers of the other fairies-in-training, she rushed to stand before Teacher-fairy.
"Now…now, Jazmine, Boss-at-the-Top has given you a very important assignment. You will be trans-located to the town of Bend in the State of Oregon in the United States. There is a boy, eight years of age, whose mother transitioned to the other-realm a year ago. His name is Jake Lucas. He's very precocious, and constantly in trouble. His father has been unable to fill the void left by his mother's transition and the father's own grief has made him incapable of giving his son the guidance and understanding he needs. Your assignment is to help father and son surmount their sorrow and get back on track with each other."
Jazmine inhaled sharply—Boss-at-the-Top had entrusted her with the care of a little boy! She was truly blessed.
"I'll see you at first-ray-of-sun, Jazmine."
"Oh, yes, sir. I'll be there!"
Chapter Two
Jazmine was so excited she slept very little. Long into the night, she read and reread her assignment from Boss-at-the-Top. Since her youth as a wee-one fairy she had devoured writings describing the human-realm. Throughout Fairies-in-Training School, she had diligently listened to Teacher-fairy and passed all of her exams. Yes, she felt confident she had learned her skills well.
She unfolded the rose petal Teacher-fairy had given her and whispered to her friend, a firefly-nightlight, "Will you please shine one more time, Phossy?"
Phossy yawned loudly before flying directly above Jazmine's head. He lit his abdomen and aimed it toward the rose petal.
Jazmine said, "I know you're tired, but this is the last time I'll ask you to light up," she promised.
"You go ahead and read to your heart's content, Jazzy. I know what a momentous occasion this is for you."
"Thanks, Phossy. If you don't mind, I'll read my assignment aloud again."
"I'd like that."
Jazmine focused on the rose petal and read:
1. Your assignment is Jake Lucas, an eight year old boy who needs reconciliation with his father.
2. Jake's father, Ryan Lucas, is just as emotionally vulnerable as his son.
3. Jake's mother, Annie Lucas, made her transition to the other-realm a year ago.
4. Jake misses his mother and is unable to connect emotionally with his father. This has caused mischievous behavior and tension between father and son.
5. You will be living in the house next door to Jake and his father. In an effort to make your move into the house appear normal, a moving van has already delivered furniture and household goods.
6. Your trans-location drop point will be in Deschutes State Park just outside of Bend, Oregon. A deer family will lead you to the parking lot of the High Desert Museum where a taxi will pick you up and drive you to your assigned home. For your transportation throughout the city, a bicycle is available in the garage of your new home. Riding a bicycle is similar to riding a pinwheel flower. You should have no difficulty learning this skill.
7. Your assignment will last four months of human time, which will bring you through the holiday seasons of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; special times for families.
8. On the morning after Christmas a taxi will pick you up at ten and return you to the High Desert Museum parking lot. The same deer family will guide you to your trans-location spot to be returned to Flitter Town. Upon your return, you will report to Teacher-fairy and discuss the outcome of your assignment.
9. It is no accident that you are being sent to accomplish your mission during the holidays. It is hoped that by combining your skills with these special seasons, reconciliation between father and son will be accomplished.
10. Remember, fairy magic can only be used without human knowledge. It goes without saying that you are aware of the dire consequences of breaking that rule. Best wishes for a successful assignment!
"Ah, that sounds so exciting, Jazzy!" said Phossy.
"Just think, Phossy, I'll be helping a child!"
"Boss-at-the-Top must have a lot of confidence in you to give you such an important assignment."
"Phossy, what if I fail…"
"Impossible! Jazzy, you've been preparing for an assignment like this all your life."
"Thank you for your vote of confidence, Phossy."
"Jazzy, you must get some sleep."
"You're right. Rooster flower promised to wake us before first-ray-of-sun. Sweet dreams, my friend."
Here…here…listen up fairies-in-training, I have your human assignments from Boss-at-the-Top."
At the mention of Boss-at-the-Top's name by Teacher-fairy, the fairies-in-training gasped and rushed to their appointed toadstools—their hard work was about to be rewarded. Ten specially chosen fairies-in-training would receive human assignments. For some, like Jazmine, this was a last chance to visit the human realm. So far, Jazmine was the only fairy from her clan who had succeeded in making it to Fairies-in-Training School in Flitter Town. Even so, making it this far did not guarantee a human assignment. Although Jazmine had completed three trainings, the maximum number allowed, she had yet to be chosen by Boss-at-the-Top for a real assignment. If she wasn't chosen this time, she would be sent back to her clan, the Fragrant Flowers. Home again; she would continue working the fields to ensure that her namesakes maintained their sweet fragrance. It wasn't that Jazmine didn't love her job as a jasmyster; it was just that, in her heart-of-hearts, she had always longed to experience the mysterious world of humans.
Teacher-fairy opened a rose petal and cleared his throat. "Hmm…hmm...."
Jazmine crossed her fingers and held her breath.
He called loudly, "The first assignment goes to…goes to…Honey Dew!"
A squeal erupted from Honey Dew and she jumped off her toadstool to run and stand before Teacher-fairy.
Teacher-fairy squinted at the rose petal again, and said, "Your assignment is in—goodness, goodness—it's in New York City."
Honey Dew let out another squeal because New York City was coveted by all fairies hoping for assignment among humans. Previous fairies who had trans-located to that city had returned with amazing tales of its grandeur, and swore they would always treasure their time spent in the Big Apple.
Honey Dew's face lit with excitement when she was given the details of her assignment by Teacher-fairy.
"You will become a hotel maid at the Waldorf Astoria and befriend a young, single mother working in the laundry room. She is lonely and impoverished. It is up to you to make sure she meets the nephew of the hotel manager. His uncle is training him to assume the running of the hotel. The young man is also lonely. Boss-at-the-Top believes these two will be very happy together. Can you be ready to leave at first-ray-of-sun tomorrow?"
"Oh yes, Teacher-fairy, I'll be ready."
"Good…good. Meet me at the raspberry boundary of Flitter Town." He scanned his pupils. "In fact, anyone who receives an assignment must meet me there at first-ray-of-sun. Understood?"
"Yes, Teacher-fairy," the class replied in unison.
"Good…Good." Teacher-fairy perused another rose petal and called another name. "Pink Petunia, you've been chosen."
Jazmine listened as name after name was called, her heart sinking each time she was passed over. "I guess it's just not meant to be," she sighed, blinking back tears.
"And now…now for the last fairy assignment, Boss-at-the-Top has chosen—Jazmine!"
"Huh?"
"Jazmine, are you coming forward? Do you want to pass on the assignment?" Teacher-fairy furrowed his forehead and squinted at her.
"Yes! I mean, no! I mean, yes. I'm coming forward, and no, I don't want to pass on the assignment." Jazmine slid off her toadstool and missed her footing, landing on her backside and crushing her new tulip-skirt. Ignoring the snickers of the other fairies-in-training, she rushed to stand before Teacher-fairy.
"Now…now, Jazmine, Boss-at-the-Top has given you a very important assignment. You will be trans-located to the town of Bend in the State of Oregon in the United States. There is a boy, eight years of age, whose mother transitioned to the other-realm a year ago. His name is Jake Lucas. He's very precocious, and constantly in trouble. His father has been unable to fill the void left by his mother's transition and the father's own grief has made him incapable of giving his son the guidance and understanding he needs. Your assignment is to help father and son surmount their sorrow and get back on track with each other."
Jazmine inhaled sharply—Boss-at-the-Top had entrusted her with the care of a little boy! She was truly blessed.
"I'll see you at first-ray-of-sun, Jazmine."
"Oh, yes, sir. I'll be there!"
Chapter Two
Jazmine was so excited she slept very little. Long into the night, she read and reread her assignment from Boss-at-the-Top. Since her youth as a wee-one fairy she had devoured writings describing the human-realm. Throughout Fairies-in-Training School, she had diligently listened to Teacher-fairy and passed all of her exams. Yes, she felt confident she had learned her skills well.
She unfolded the rose petal Teacher-fairy had given her and whispered to her friend, a firefly-nightlight, "Will you please shine one more time, Phossy?"
Phossy yawned loudly before flying directly above Jazmine's head. He lit his abdomen and aimed it toward the rose petal.
Jazmine said, "I know you're tired, but this is the last time I'll ask you to light up," she promised.
"You go ahead and read to your heart's content, Jazzy. I know what a momentous occasion this is for you."
"Thanks, Phossy. If you don't mind, I'll read my assignment aloud again."
"I'd like that."
Jazmine focused on the rose petal and read:
1. Your assignment is Jake Lucas, an eight year old boy who needs reconciliation with his father.
2. Jake's father, Ryan Lucas, is just as emotionally vulnerable as his son.
3. Jake's mother, Annie Lucas, made her transition to the other-realm a year ago.
4. Jake misses his mother and is unable to connect emotionally with his father. This has caused mischievous behavior and tension between father and son.
5. You will be living in the house next door to Jake and his father. In an effort to make your move into the house appear normal, a moving van has already delivered furniture and household goods.
6. Your trans-location drop point will be in Deschutes State Park just outside of Bend, Oregon. A deer family will lead you to the parking lot of the High Desert Museum where a taxi will pick you up and drive you to your assigned home. For your transportation throughout the city, a bicycle is available in the garage of your new home. Riding a bicycle is similar to riding a pinwheel flower. You should have no difficulty learning this skill.
7. Your assignment will last four months of human time, which will bring you through the holiday seasons of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; special times for families.
8. On the morning after Christmas a taxi will pick you up at ten and return you to the High Desert Museum parking lot. The same deer family will guide you to your trans-location spot to be returned to Flitter Town. Upon your return, you will report to Teacher-fairy and discuss the outcome of your assignment.
9. It is no accident that you are being sent to accomplish your mission during the holidays. It is hoped that by combining your skills with these special seasons, reconciliation between father and son will be accomplished.
10. Remember, fairy magic can only be used without human knowledge. It goes without saying that you are aware of the dire consequences of breaking that rule. Best wishes for a successful assignment!
"Ah, that sounds so exciting, Jazzy!" said Phossy.
"Just think, Phossy, I'll be helping a child!"
"Boss-at-the-Top must have a lot of confidence in you to give you such an important assignment."
"Phossy, what if I fail…"
"Impossible! Jazzy, you've been preparing for an assignment like this all your life."
"Thank you for your vote of confidence, Phossy."
"Jazzy, you must get some sleep."
"You're right. Rooster flower promised to wake us before first-ray-of-sun. Sweet dreams, my friend."