Familiars and French Roast Read online

“Oh, look!” Maddie heard someone say. “Isn’t she pretty?”

  “Hi.” Maddie entered the room. “I think Trixie would like to try some yoga.”

  “Excellent.” Autumn smiled. “We’ve just finished our breathing session. I’ll get the mats and then we can begin.”

  As Autumn left the room, the attendees came up to Maddie, Suzanne, and of course, Trixie.

  “Ohhh.” Edith smiled shyly at Trixie – and Maddie. “She’s gorgeous.”

  “Thanks,” Maddie replied.

  “Is she really going to do yoga with us?” Brenda asked.

  “I think so,” Maddie replied.

  “I definitely am,” Suzanne added.

  “She is cute – for a cat,” Hailey said, peering over at the Persian.

  “I think she’s very pretty,” Jenna commented.

  “Here we are.” Autumn appeared covered in a pile of yoga mats. Maddie and Suzanne rushed to help her.

  “Thanks,” Autumn said gratefully. “There’s one mat for everyone and I’ve got Trixie one too – although she might prefer the carpet.”

  “I’m sure she’ll tell us.” Suzanne giggled.

  Everyone placed their mats on the floor. Somehow, Maddie, Trixie, and Suzanne found themselves in the first row.

  “And now, we will start with the mountain pose,” Autumn said. “Everyone, take a cleansing breath and stand straight and tall.”

  Maddie watched Trixie stand on her four paws on the pink yoga mat, then tried the carpet instead. The Persian looked up at Autumn, as if waiting for her next move.

  “And now, we will try the child’s pose – or perhaps today we should call it the cat stretch pose. Trixie, I’m sure you’re wonderful at this.”

  “Mrrow,” Trixie agreed, placing her front paws in front of her, and stretching her back.

  “Everyone, look at Trixie! This is what we should aspire to. Her form is natural, yet elegant. Comfortable, yet flexible. I’m sure there isn’t one ounce of negativity in her right now.” Autumn beamed at the Persian.

  Maddie heard murmurs of agreement – and some muttering. She turned her head, but couldn’t work out who sounded unhappy.

  “Of course Trixie is a natural – she does this all the time,” Suzanne puffed as she struggled to copy the group leader – and Trixie.

  “I don’t think I’m very limber,” Maddie mumbled. She didn’t think her attempts at the child’s pose were any better than her friend’s.

  “And now, we will try a gentle seated forward bend,” Autumn announced. Just as she sat down on the mat with her legs stretched out in front, her cell phone rang.

  “Oops.” Autumn bit her lip. “I’m sorry, ladies. I thought I’d turned it off.”

  “You told us we had to turn ours off,” Hailey grumbled as she effortlessly twisted her body into the pose.

  “I do apologize.” Autumn plucked her phone out of her pocket and glanced at the display. “I have to take this.” She didn’t sound happy.

  The group leader scanned the room, her gaze coming back to the Persian. “Trixie, would you like to take charge of the class?”

  “Mrrow!” Trixie stood up and took Autumn’s place, facing the participants. Then she eased onto her back and lifted her hind leg into the air.

  “Everyone, try to follow Trixie’s moves as best you can,” Autumn said as she strode from the room. “I’ll return in a jiffy.”

  “This is the weirdest yoga class I’ve ever been to,” Hailey muttered.

  Maddie attempted to follow her familiar’s next pose. It involved lying flat on her back and raising her leg even higher in the air. For a second, Maddie wondered if Trixie was going to start grooming her fur, as she had often see the cat do at home, but Trixie resisted.

  “I thought I was more flexible than this,” Suzanne gasped, as she followed Trixie’s next move. It involved sitting up with the cat’s hind legs stretched out on either side, then slowly lifting the left leg forty-five degrees from the floor.

  “Is this yoga?” Maddie heard Linda ask.

  “Cat yoga?” she heard Brenda suggest.

  Maddie and Suzanne looked at each other with one of their legs slightly in the air and laughed.

  “Mrrow!” Trixie looked pleased at the suggestion.

  “Thank you, Trixie.” Autumn swept into the room, a frown marring her brow. She looked at the participants, noting their poses. “You’ve done a wonderful job.”

  “Mrrow.” Trixie looked up at the group leader as if to say thank you. After a second, she added “Mrrow?” seeming to ask Autumn a question.

  “It’s nothing, dear,” Autumn bent down to speak to the cat. “I’m sure it will resolve itself.”

  Trixie cast a look at Autumn over her shoulder as she returned to her place on the carpet. The feline looked a little doubtful.

  “I wonder what that was all about?” Suzanne whispered to Maddie as they stood on their mats.

  “Maybe Autumn’s phone call wasn’t exactly positive?” Maddie hazarded a guess.

  “We’ll have to ask Trixie later.” Suzanne’s ponytail bobbed.

  “And now, we’ll try the tree pose,” Autumn announced.

  As Maddie stood on one leg, large drops of rain pelted the windows of the great room.

  The sky was practically black, and a faint rumble of thunder filled the air.

  “I hope Ramon got home safely,” Suzanne murmured as she balanced herself on her left leg.

  “He must have.” Maddie peeked at her watch. The Spaniard had had plenty of time to drive back to Estherville.

  To Maddie’s relief, there was no more thunder as they completed the yoga session. When they lay down to cool off, the rain cascaded even harder against the windows.

  “It looks like we’re in for a summer storm, ladies.” Autumn glanced at the rain lashing the window. “But let’s not worry. This might be nature’s way of expelling all the negativity around us. Tomorrow, we’ll be bathing in positivity!”

  “I hope so,” Suzanne muttered.

  “I’m going to call Luke,” Maddie said as the group leader signaled that the yoga class was finished.

  “Good idea.” Suzanne followed Maddie and Trixie as they climbed the stairs.

  Trixie ran on ahead, with a “What’s taking you so long?” look on her face as she waited for them at the top. Maddie’s legs wobbled as she climbed the last few stairs. Was she really this unfit? She was of average size and shape, and according to the mirror, it didn’t look like she’d put on weight recently. Maybe she should go for a walk before work every morning, or join the sweaty joggers in Estherville’s town square, some of whom always forgot to carry a water bottle and ended up buying one from her and Suzanne.

  She started to giggle.

  “What’s so funny?” Suzanne expelled a loud breath.

  “Nothing,” Maddie answered with a grin. A low rumble sounded. “I better call Luke now before it gets too dangerous to use the phone.”

  They hurried to their room, Trixie jumping up on the bed. Maddie dug her phone out of her bag and speed-dialed Luke.

  Nothing. No sound of ringing in her ear. She stared at the phone. The display said it was calling Luke. Then … no signal.

  Maddie made a face and put the phone on the bed.

  “It must be the storm,” she told Suzanne and Trixie.

  Trixie jumped from Maddie’s bed to Suzanne’s and then onto the window ledge. There was just enough space on the sill for the Persian to sit. She peered out through the window.

  “Mrrow,” she said knowingly.

  “I guess that means there’s going to be a storm – or at least no cell phone signal.” Maddie sighed.

  “Pooh.” Suzanne flumped down on the bed.

  A crack of lightning filled the sky – and the room.

  They shrieked.

  “Get down, Trixie!” Maddie hurried over to her familiar, but Trixie had already jumped down from the window.

  “Broomf!” Trixie leaped onto Maddie’s bed, a pout on her
face.

  “I don’t think even Trixie knew lightning was coming,” Suzanne remarked.

  There was a knock on their door. “Are you girls okay?” Autumn asked.

  “We’re fine.” Maddie opened the door and smiled reassuringly at the group leader. “We just got a shock when we saw and heard the lightning.”

  “I know what you mean.” Autumn nodded. “I thought we could gather everyone together with a few minutes of meditation, then have an early night. Tomorrow, our first yoga session will start at seven o’clock, and we’ll have breakfast afterwards.”

  “Sure,” she agreed.

  “Maybe Maddie and I should skip yoga so we can prepare breakfast.” There was a hopeful note in Suzanne’s voice.

  Autumn waved away that suggestion. “I’d love for you girls to join us at yoga. That includes you too, Trixie.” She smiled at the cat.

  “Mrrow!” Trixie made it sound as if she would love to practice more yoga.

  “Wonderful!” Autumn softly clapped her hands. “Now, we’ll go down to the great room again, have our meditation, and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.”

  A growl of thunder split the air, as if making a mockery of the group leader’s words.

  “More cleansing by nature,” Autumn said brightly, but her forehead was furrowed.

  They trooped down to the great room, Maddie wondering if she should try to call Luke again afterward. She didn’t want him to worry when she knew he was expecting her call.

  The rest of the attendees were already there, sitting on the sofas.

  Maddie, Trixie, and Suzanne sat next to Edith. Maddie smiled at her, while Trixie sat on the floor. Maddie realized she’d forgotten to put Trixie’s harness on, but nobody seemed to be bothered.

  “Is Trixie going to be at yoga tomorrow?” Brenda asked as she smiled at the cat.

  “Yes,” Maddie and Autumn answered at the same time.

  “It was fun,” Brenda enthused.

  “I must show you photos of my kids before we start.” Jenna pulled out a digital brag book and passed it to Linda. “That’s Carly, and that’s Jodie, and that’s Mikey, my youngest.”

  “They look like you.” Linda smiled at Jenna, then passed the screen to Brenda.

  “Jenna, you’re holding up the meditation,” Hailey grumbled. “You’ve probably shown everyone their photos already.” She turned to the others. “That’s the first thing she does whenever she meets anyone new.” She tsked. “I’ve already seen those images a million times.”

  There was an awkward silence. Jenna flushed.

  Brenda passed the brag book to Edith, seeming not to notice Hailey’s glare.

  Edith timidly gave Autumn the photos.

  “They look very happy,” Autumn told Jenna, who looked gratified before she put the screen back in her purse.

  Autumn clapped her hands softly. “Now, we’re going to meditate for a few minutes.”

  The rain continued to splash against the windows. Another rumble of thunder accompanied the group leader’s words.

  “If we can concentrate with all that racket going on,” Hailey grumbled. Jenna jabbed her in the ribs.

  “Close your eyes, everyone.” Autumn shut her eyes. Maddie obediently closed hers, then after a few seconds, opened them in curiosity. Everyone had theirs closed apart from Suzanne, who winked at her.

  Maddie stifled a smile, giving her friend a “We better close them” expression. Suzanne scrunched her nose, but flickered her eyelids closed. So did Maddie.

  She could only guess that Trixie had followed Autumn’s instructions as her familiar sat quietly by Maddie’s feet.

  “Try not to think of anything,” Autumn told them. “Make your mind a blank canvas.” Her tone was hushed. “Quiet your mind. If you find it difficult to focus, concentrate on the sound of the rain outside. The rain is washing away all the negativity in the air.”

  Maddie found her mind drifting. What would Luke think if he didn’t hear from her tonight? Would he assume she’d forgotten to call him, or would he worry that something was wrong? Was there a storm in Estherville as well?

  Suddenly, a picture rose in her mind of Trixie primly making a shushing gesture with her paw on her mouth. Had her familiar been able to read her thoughts? It hadn’t been the first time. Had she been disturbing Trixie’s concentration?

  “Sorry.” Maddie formed the words in her mind, then tried to make her brain totally blank.

  After a while, she heard Autumn say quietly, “Now, we will come back to the world in a minute. Slowly start to think of something positive, then flutter your eyes open. Take a deep cleansing breath, and return to your surroundings.”

  Maddie followed the instructions, blinking a few times as the room swam into focus. All the other participants seemed to do likewise.

  “Mrrow,” Trixie said softly, jumping into Maddie’s lap.

  “You were right to reproach me,” Maddie whispered to the Persian, stroking her fluffy white fur.

  Trixie patted her knee, as if to say, “I know.”

  “I hope everyone is feeling refreshed.” Autumn beamed at them. “I think we’ll get an early night. Yoga tomorrow at seven, before breakfast.” A couple of groans sounded. “You know you really want to,” Autumn encouraged them.

  A loud crack of thunder accompanied her words. Someone screamed.

  Trixie half jumped in Maddie’s lap at the noise – although Maddie thought it might have been the scream that had startled her familiar, and not the thunder.

  The soft lighting in the great room vanished.

  “It’s a black out!” someone cried.

  “Stay calm, everyone,” Autumn soothed.

  “Is this nature’s way of telling us to go to bed?” Hailey asked sarcastically.

  “Good thought, Hailey,” Autumn responded, although Maddie detected a hint of worry in her tone. “I’ll check if the light in the kitchen has gone out as well.”

  Maddie’s eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. She could barely make out Autumn as she walked slowly to the doorway.

  “I’m afraid there’s no light in the kitchen,” Autumn announced. Maddie knew from where the group leader stood, she could see the yellow glow from the kitchen – if the electricity was still working. Maddie had noticed she and Suzanne had left the light on when they came down for the meditation session.

  “What about the fuse box?” Linda suggested. “Maybe it’s just a blown circuit and not a total power failure.”

  “Good thinking,” Autumn praised. “But I’m afraid I don’t know where the fuse box is, and—” there was another crash of thunder “–it’s too dangerous for us to go outside now. I think the best thing to do is go to bed.”

  “But how we will find our way up the stairs?” Jenna asked.

  “We could go up in pairs,” Brenda proposed.

  “Or use a flashlight app,” Edith suggested. Suddenly a white light swung around the room.

  “Excellent, Edith,” Autumn approved. “Ladies, if you have your phones with you, see if you can do the same.”

  A light shone from Autumn’s direction, and one from Brenda’s.

  “Now we’ll be able to make our way up the stairs. I’ll lead the way, Edith can go in the middle and Brenda, if you don’t mind bringing up the rear?”

  “I’ll carry you, Trix,” Maddie told the Persian. She didn’t want anyone to accidentally step on her familiar’s tail.

  “Mrrow!” Trixie had other ideas. She jumped off Maddie’s lap and disappeared in the darkness.

  “Trixie!” Maddie whispered.

  “Let’s go, ladies.” Autumn stood and led the way to the stairs. She started laughing. “It looks like Trixie has already beaten us.”

  Trixie stood at the top of the stairs, a triumphant expression on her face.

  Maddie shook her head at her cat’s antics.

  “Do you think Trixie is showing off a little?” Suzanne whispered.

  “Maybe,” Maddie agreed. “But it is unusual circumstances.
”

  Everyone walked up the stairs, With the three small torch beams, there was just enough light for Maddie to see her way up the stairs without treading on anyone’s heels.

  When they were safely at the top, Trixie brushed against Maddie’s legs.

  “What are you up to?” she murmured.

  “Mrrow.” Trixie sounded innocent.

  They said good night to Edith, Hailey, Jenna, Brenda, and Linda. Then it was only the four of them – Maddie, Trixie, Suzanne, and Autumn.

  Maddie would have to check if her phone had a flashlight app on it. She just wished she’d brought it down to the meditation session.

  “I’ll walk you girls to your room.” Autumn accompanied them a few steps down from Linda’s bedroom.

  “Thanks,” Suzanne said, her voice subdued.

  A crack of lightning lit the hall. All three stared at each other with wide eyes. The only one who didn’t seem perturbed was Trixie, who waited for them at the bedroom door.

  “I’m sure the weather will be better in the morning,” Autumn said, as if trying to convince herself.

  “I hope so,” Maddie replied.

  They said goodnight to Autumn. Maddie shut the door, realizing too late that now the three of them were in total darkness in their room.

  “I bet I’ve got a flashlight app too.” Sounds of rummaging by Suzanne. “Yep!” A small ray of white light appeared.

  “Phew. That will make things easier.” Maddie sat on the bed.

  “Trixie is the only one of us who doesn’t need a light. Isn’t that right, Trix?” Suzanne asked.

  “Mrrow,” Trixie agreed. Maddie made out her familiar’s turquoise eyes glowing in the dark.

  Maddie and Suzanne got ready for bed, going together to the bathroom for moral support.

  When they returned to their room, Maddie checked her phone, aided by Suzanne’s flashlight app, but discovered she didn’t have the same app on her phone. Darn.

  “As soon as we can get a signal, we’ll download one for your cell,” Suzanne promised as she got into bed.

  “Deal.” Maddie slid beneath the covers. Trixie landed next to her and turned around in a circle near Maddie’s knees.

  “I’ve set the alarm for six,” Suzanne said sleepily. “Good night.”

  “Night,” Maddie echoed, finding herself drifting off to sleep despite the steady drumbeat of the rain outside and the occasional growl of thunder. She just hoped the storm would be over by tomorrow morning.