After her husband’s funeral, the stepmother left her mute stepdaughter to die in the forest swamp… But a year later, a surprise awaited everyone…
«You have connections there, don’t you?» Mary felt Kevin freeze suddenly. «We won’t discuss that,» he said, sounding hushed, but making Grandma Karen drop her teasing tone. «Will you take care of the girl, or do I have to take her back to the forest?» Grandma remained silent for a moment, then pursed her lips.
«You’re a fool, Kevin. Well, it’s your business. Even I wouldn’t treat her.»
She finally said, «Okay, I’ll see what can be done; leave the girl.» Mary trembled, and Kevin let out a sigh of relief. «Thank you; God bless you,» he said emotionally.
«I brought some gifts from the forest; enjoy.» Grandma Karen’s eyes twinkled, but her expression remained stern. «Unload the gifts in the barn,» she ordered.
«And you, dear, come to me,» she said unexpectedly tenderly to the girl. «Go on, go on; I don’t eat children, and my teeth aren’t what they used to be.» Mary felt like she might be winking, although it was hard to tell from that distance.
Kevin nudged her towards the porch and followed Grandma into the house. The girl hesitated, standing by the porch. Should I run back to the forest? The mischievous thought crossed her mind again.
And then she felt Leshy nudge her with its nose, as if urging her to obey. Mary turned and looked at the creature. It was whimpering, trying to wag its tail, and it seemed to be smiling.
Deciding it was a definite sign, Mary, taking a deep breath, climbed the creaky steps onto the porch and opened the door. Inside, it was interesting. She couldn’t find another word for it immediately because her eyes were darting in all directions.
And there was plenty to see, as this house seemed to host the most extraordinary things. For example, a samovar and a laptop, bundles of herbs on the walls, and numerous flasks similar to the ones Mary had seen in her chemistry class. Upon seeing the girl’s astonished expression, Kevin and Grandma Karen burst into laughter.
«That’s me, a modern-day Baba Yaga,» the witch proclaimed proudly, surveying her laboratory. «Don’t judge me by the fact that I live in the woods. I chose it myself, to get away from the hustle and closer to nature.»
«Karen defended her doctorate in herbs, and not just one,» Kevin added. «People come from all over the country for consultations and treatment with her. She even got me back on my feet once.»
«She got you back on your feet, but didn’t fix your brain,» Grandma Karen grumbled. Kevin tried to say something, but she cut off the conversation.
«And since you don’t want to listen to anything, our conversation will be brief. Leave the girl and go on your way. We’ll sort this out without you.»
Kevin laughed again, winked at Mary, as if to say, «Look how tough she is,» and began to prepare to leave. Sitting down beside the girl, he wiped away her involuntary tears and said, «Don’t be afraid. Listen to Grandma Karen.»
«She won’t let anything happen to you. Leshy and I will come visit you soon; you’ll see. By that time, you’ll even start talking.»
Still, the girl turned pale, being left alone with Grandma Karen. The old woman observed her closely, then approached and hugged her shoulders tightly. «I can see life has been hard on you, leaving you with little faith in people.»
«Just like Kevin when we first met him here in the woods. He came here to die, among other things. I healed his body, but I couldn’t heal his soul.»
«Now, I look at you, and I wonder, maybe this is your purpose.» Mary stared at the old woman, bewildered. «Alright, let’s have a tea party.»
«We’ll put these berries to good use. Do you like berries?» Mary nodded instinctively, and Karen chuckled while looking at the girl’s messy mouth and hands. «It’s obvious.»
«Look in the cupboard over there,» Grandma Karen encouraged Mary. Mary reached out, opened the door, and gasped.
There stood a complete set of unimaginably beautiful porcelain teacups, delicate and transparent. «Bring them over. They’re meant for practical use, not just admiration,» Grandma Karen urged her.
Still, Mary handled the teacups carefully with two fingers, fearing to damage such wonders. However, the tea tasted a hundred times better in them, especially with crushed berries. It had the aroma of summer steeped in a teapot.
With every sip, the girl felt her breathing becoming easier, her fears and worries slipping away. Mary looked up at the old woman sitting across from her. She was smiling.
«So, how’s the tea? Magical, isn’t it?» Grandma Karen asked. Mary nodded and timidly smiled in response. «Do you know about living water?» Grandma Karen continued the leisurely conversation.
«Well, we have it right here. It helps not everyone, only the good and kind, and those who are willing to heal themselves. Are you ready?» Mary nodded again.
She liked this fairytale-like grandma, even though she seemed like a Baba Yaga at first. «Good,» Grandma Karen approved. «We’ll finish our tea, clean up the dishes, and then we’ll start driving the sickness out of you.»
Mary looked a bit wary. She wondered how they were going to drive the sickness out of her. However, after thinking it over, she decided not to be afraid.
It couldn’t be worse than living with her stepmother. After clearing the table and washing the dishes in a large basin, they headed down a path through the field. Mary walked alongside Grandma Karen, admiring the wild herbs and flowers.
With Karen’s approving glance, she wove a beautiful wreath for herself and placed it on her head. «You look beautiful.» Her companion complimented her, and Mary felt her spirits lift.
Maybe everything will be fine, just like in a fairytale. Right now, she wanted to believe in that. The path led to a river lined with water lilies…
