NOVEL FROG Chapter Four
This was amazing. Half the time I wrote something down on my pad of paper, it would magically show up in the next cupboard. Or in the fridge. Weird, but kind of cool. But not everything showed up. Avocados never arrived, nor did a fancy cheese I once saw on a menu. So there had to be limitations. It would take time to find out what they were. First was snacks, like crackers and cereal. Then I tried things like milk and steak. Like, a really expensive steak.
It showed up in the fridge wrapped in butcher paper. It was crazy. Or I was, and it was worth it. I currently had a plate of chocolate chip cookies, cheese crackers, and some iced tea on the counter. Best nibbles ever. It was all pre-made snack food. Nothing that was healthy for me in any way. The amount of sugar on my plate was concerning, but for a reward it was fine.
The grocery list on the pad of paper was simple. Avocados, cheese, bread, and lunchmeat. Sandwiches would be an easy lunch. Dinner was a little more complicated since I didn’t really cook. I’d have to figure out what to do about that.
“Hey, cat?” I called out. No response. That was not helpful. I didn’t know what he ate or didn’t eat. Since he drank espresso, I wasn’t sure if cat food or people food should be on the list. Then again, should I cook for him? It depended on what the contract said. I signed it, so I guess I was stuck with it. Having to look at the paperwork made me feel like I did when I got the first notice for my student loans. Like I had screwed up, and now needed to figure out how bad of a hole I was in.
I grabbed the plate and the list and headed to the counter in the shop. I opened the grocery section and added what was on my list. It was like any other grocery app. A stool was off to one side and I pulled it closer to the counter.
“Alright, let's get this done.” I grabbed the stack of papers and started reading.
It was exactly what I had signed yesterday, as far as I could tell. The owner’s signature line was signed. It did not mention the talking cat, magic, or being stuck here, though, it said to remain on the premises for the year. Yesterday, I thought that just meant living here. Now, I knew better. “Remain on the premises” really meant “never leave.” I shook my head and headed back to the kitchen to refill my plate. I set it back on the counter and took a step backward.
"Can those be moved up to my room? Like the suitcases?" I whispered into the kitchen. Then I stared. They didn't move but when I glanced away and back, they were gone. Time to go unpack and see what other magical secrets I could uncover.
#
This human was strange. I tried to not creep around and stare at her, but the smallest of magics seemed to bring her such joy. Her emotions radiated outward and rippled through the shop. Arnold had been different. His fear and need to leave made the shop almost unbearable. I endured. I had no other choice. This one was different.
She was motivated by food. It was easy enough to provide. The shop needed someone to take care of and it was bringing them so much joy having this human here. Not human. Sable. I needed to get her name in my head. The shopkeeper had to be on the ‘must not let die list’ since the shop must have a keeper. If something happened to her, it would not go well. I needed to make sure nothing happened to… Sable.
The shop was already feeling different. The last one had ignored the magic as much as possible. I knew it was time for a change when the coffee machine appeared. Arnold hadn't made coffee like that and I knew he didn't want to renew his contract. He didn’t even need to say anything. I thought he had been a perfect fit at the beginning. Someone older, retired, who didn’t have enough money and was looking for somewhere to stay. The shop was a perfect fit, perfect for him. I was wrong.
So on to yet another human. Someone else would need to learn and bumble around. They always took so long to figure things out. Or understand their part in the order of this place.
Sunlight drenched the chair in the front window. It was the shop's way of trying to put me in a better mood. I padded in that direction. A spot of warm sunlight after a wonderful coffee was perfection. Tomorrow we had much to do, appointments to keep, and things to check off in the book. But for now, a warm nap would be perfect.