An African Wizarding World Story

Chapter 2 - The Aftermath

The funeral came and went, a small get together with people all saying how sorry they are. Not sure why they are sorry, it wasn't their fault, and Jono repeating the same words over and over, "if only I was fast enough." Turns out they were ambushed from behind, struck Garth dead with the killing curse and whoever did it ran for it.  Garth's mother was going on like she was the only one that lost someone, making it all about her and liking every bit of attention like usual.

After a week or two, I was back at work but my mind kept wandering back to that day. What could I have done, what should I have done, why was it all feeling so odd, who would have wanted to hurt Garth that badly. None of it made sense.

I found myself staring at my pc screen again and not hearing my colleague's complaints next to me. If it's one thing he loves it's complaining. "Oh shut-up, Gert." I blurt out. He looks at me all shocked. "Excuse me?" he masters up after a few seconds. "I said, shut-up." Saying it more loudly than intended, while packing up. "You complain non-stop about things as if you are some spoilt child not getting your way. Maybe if you shut-up you can get some work done for a change and I would not have to do it!"

The office went dead quiet and I stormed out there as fast as I could.

Livid I stomped back to my car while banging everything. I could not believe how much Gert was capable of complaining, he never stops. Suddenly something came straight at me. I ducked, rolled, and had my wand in hand before I could think.

Just an owl. That's all it was. An owl trying to get my attention since I had not noticed it and walk right past it. Looking around to see if anyone noticed my wand, I quickly put it back into my pocket. Ever since Garth's death, I have been more high strung and jumpy. There is something about an outright attack on your loved ones that just gets to you. I walked to the letter it dropped, picked it up, and looked around to see the owl And shocked to see that owl right here... out of all the owls I would never have suspected this one. It had been 6 years but I still recognized him. Rika's owl.

Hesitant, I stared at it, then opened it slowly, the words came as even more of a shock.

Dear Alicia,

I am sorry for only sending condolences now but have been struggling to find the right words. This is no excuse, I know.

I would like to meet up and chat, even if you do not want to let me help you in any way I can. We aren't the best of friends and I would understand if you ignore this but considering what you are going through and knowing what it feels like to lose a person so close to you I want to put everything as a side and be there.

Love and hugs

Rika

Why would she want to do this to herself? I had hurt her so badly. If I was in her shoes I would never lose sleep if I heard her loved ones had died. Why would she do this? I was in awe... and confused. It didn't make any sense and yet I was yearning to make things right.

Maybe this was my chance.

After all these years, Garth's death would help me make things right with her. I wish there was another way and before I knew it I was in tears yet again and stubbornly trying to get to my car and drive home. Trying to distract my thoughts, I tried to think of why she would contact me now. Was she also looking for company? Did she need anything? She was never really good with finances so maybe she needs help with that? At the same time I felt bad for doubting her, how could I, she contacted me to be there for me, and here I am judging her motives. But I couldn't help feeling suspicious. Maybe I should contact La.

That's exactly what I did when I got home, the traffic had gotten me thinking more, and leaving me to my own thoughts was never a good thing. It's how I messed things up with Rika after all. Garth always had a good way of keeping my mind occupied and he knew when to do it too. Since he's gone I have been going back more and more to my bad old habits of overthinking and analyzing. I hated it but could not help myself.

I set everything up to contact La by the fireplace or with us it was more like a charcoal cooking stove. "Hey Alicia, haven't heard from you this week. I was getting worried." La exclaimed. Smiling at the sight of her comforting expression, I responded, "Sorry work has been busy and thought you might need a break from my depressing state." "From you, never." She said without hesitation. "Before I get sidetracked, I got a letter from Rika," I said letting the sentence hang in anticipation. "Interesting" she looked puzzled. "Sorry, she usually speaks to you about these things and I know I should not pry but I thought maybe you knew." I felt half bad for asking about the information I knew I had no right to. "No need to apologize, I can understand it can come as a bit of a shock but take it as it is. Maybe this is a chance for both of you to fix things." She tried to reassure me. "So she didn't talk to you about this?" I asked a bit confused and disbelieving. "To be honest, Rika has been a bit scarce in the last couple of months but she has her ups and downs and I'm sure she will come back when she is ready," La said.

Rika was known for her emotional mood swings and the two of us together were always a recipe for a disaster. I was never sure how La put up with both of us. One minute you could not pull us apart and the next we were trying to kill each other.

Something was off though. "How long?"

"Sorry?" "How long since you have seen her?" "3 to 4 months" "La, that's pretty long and you never said anything?!" I said accusingly. "Alicia, the less you know of each other the better. It's what's kept the two of you on the right path so far." She was right but still, I was angry that she has not supported La.

La was the mother I never had, she knew how to handle my idiosyncrasies, moods, and she has been there for me since I was a headstrong teen who thought she could conquer the world... Literally. She taught me patience, love without conditions, and many lessons my parents should have taught me because she saw that I was good and had the potential for better. She did this to many so-called orphans, who was lost and helped them find their own path. She had no children of her own, we few that went through her live altering training were her children.

She did it for Rika as well and as high as a standard that I always had for myself and held everyone else to, I expected us, orphans, to owe La our lives, to pay her back by being there for her and supporting her in any way we could give back.

And Rika had not done this for 3 to 4 months. As much as she needed space or whatever she was going through she owed La to at least chat every once and a while. "No, letters? No, texted? No, quick-fire call? "I said boiling not expecting any response. "Alicia, not everyone does things the way you do it..." but before she could be finished I lashed out. "For 3 to 4 months? You have to be kidding me." I started pacing up and down. Now meeting up seemed like a must since I need to crap her out for not being there for La... But that thought got interrupted when what La said a few seconds ago. "Wait, you said the least we know of each other the better but at the same time that fixing things should be good?" "Alicia, you are over-analyzing things." She said in one of her tutoring tones. "You don't need to be in each other's faces to at least be in speaking terms and having a semi-good relationship. The two of you were great friends when you weren't that close. Remember there are boundaries even in close friendships to prevent it from becoming unbalanced and co-dependant." She was right I was picking. "Ok, I will try. Here is to hoping for the best." "Alicia, you have a good heart and so does she. If all means well, it will end well." "Yeah, you are right. Thank you. Chat soon?" I tried to fob her off "Of course, always ready when you are." "Bye," The figure in the fire was gone and I was back to just me myself and I.

Maybe she is right, it will help me think of something else instead of the stupid day and Garth. I was pacing again. I had my quill in hand and ready to write but I didn't know what to say.

Then it struck me... It didn't matter if I wrote to her, how was I going to send it? I don't have an owl. How far has my life drifted that I didn't have an owl? It's been six years since my last owl died but I never replaced him... I was giving myself time to grieve the loss but still. A witch should at least have an owl.

My word! What has become of me? How could I have strayed so far? I looked around the house and could not see much magic, no flare or the usual magic fun...

I'm buying an owl right now. I grabbed my jacket and headed out. There is only one place that can help me with this and it's in Short Road just off Main.