STORIES
302 - Tea Party
Grace Fin
Wednesday afternoon in the living room …
GRACE:
… I’m so happy you joined me for my
tea party with Hello Kitty. Isn’t this fun?I think it is.
GRACE:
… One lump or two?
FIN:
One. Well Grace, we need to have a real grown up talk about Io
and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
GRACE:
Io’s my genie, yes he is.
FIN:
He’s your friend too, and don’t you want to make sure he’s happy?
GRACE:
That’s a silly question, of course I do. And I know what you’re
thinking, yes I do - you want to make it so
he’s not my genie any more.
FIN:
Just because he won’t be your genie
doesn’t mean he won’t be your friend.
GRACE:
But then he won’t have to do stuff for me, and I like it
when he does stuff for me, yes I do.
FIN:
I think if you ask him nicely, he’ll still do stuff for you,
and I think you know that too.
GRACE:
Daprima said it would be good for him to be free
- but why can’t he be my genie for a little while longer?
FIN:
Because we know that when everyone returns
from the Elvin realm, Io will be stolen from us,
and we don’t want that to happen.
GRACE:
And I know that too, but since no one’s come back yet
- why can’t we just wait some more?
FIN:
Karanthir contacted me this morning and they’re leaving
today. Just think how happy you’ll be to see Syrrah again.
GRACE:
I miss Syrrah. She’s my best friend, yes she is.
FIN:
And she’ll be returning with Vanni and little Pica,
my brothers, Zyfan, Phae and Wysh.
GRACE:
Wysh, who’s Wysh?
FIN:
Phae’s fairy.
GRACE:
A fairy? Phae has a fairy! Oh isn’t she the luckiest!
A real life fairy - coming here?
FIN:
That’s right. They’ll be home this weekend. So it’s important
that Io is free before then. And between you and me - Daprima
doesn’t want to make the wish until you give her your OK.
GRACE:
You mean she’s waiting for my permission?
FIN:
Something like that. I mean, the lamp was given to you, right?
So, you should have a say, just remember that Io’s served you well.
Don’t you think it’s time you do what’s best for him?
GRACE:
But if I let Daprima free him - then I won’t be the only girl
in my class with a genie anymore.
FIN:
True, but - you’ll be the only girl in your class with an ex-genie.
How many people can say that?
GRACE
You’re right. I will - won’t I?
FIN:
Plus you’ll be like … a hero, cause if Io’s not a genie
- there’s no reason for anyone to steal him and he’ll be safe.
GRACE:
Me - a hero? I like that, yes I do. Actually Fin,
I’d be a heroine because I’m a girl-hero.
FIN:
Right. Forgive me.
GRACE:
And I really don’t want anything bad to happen to Io.
He’s my friend, yes he is. So what do you think I should do?
FIN:
Tell Daprima it’s OK to free him - and let him know it too.
This is a big step for him and I think he’s a little scared.
GRACE:
I can do that, yes I can.
GRACE:
… Do you want some more tea? There’s plenty, yes there is.
FIN:
Why yes, thank you. It’s delicious.
I think our little talk went really well.
GRACE:
Me too.
GRACE:
… Hey Fin, I was just thinking … since I’m not going to have a
genie any more - can I have a fairy, like Phae? I think
that would be wonderful to have my own fairy, yes I do.
FIN:
I don’t think so …
GRACE:
… Then I’ll be the only girl in my class with a fairy! Yes I would.
You’ll be sure to OK it with Daprima now - won’t you?
FIN:
Grace, I never said you could have a …
GRACE:
… Oh just think of it! My very own fairy. Why, she’ll be so little -
I’ll be able to sneak her into school and everything, yes I will ….
O M A K E
Grace’s new faceup by Jay’s Petite Salon