As Luck Would Have it

Henry followed Betsy out of Alex’s bedroom. “Alex is a good man. Not many people would risk their lives for a total stranger.”

“Mattie and I stopped a bank robbery. A woman was trampled when one of the robbers took out his gun. Alex untwisted her leg with a touch. It was amazing. I don’t think Mary Jane has that kind of power.”

“Frank is so lucky to have you.”

“Alex must think we are both crazy. Now, that Frank has survived his brush with death, you mustn’t take your mother’s predictions so seriously.”

Betsy nodded although Henry was the one uncomfortable with Mrs. Logan’s predictions.

“I took the week off. I’ll clean up the mess my plant managers cause. You aren’t arguing me out of it. I wanted to spend time with my wife and daughter.”

“Darling, do you think Frank has another chance?”

“If he uses it, the ball is in his court.”

“Pop wants to see that glamour potion I made. I would like to give it to Alex.”

“We can stay here. Your parents tolerate me.”

“They adore you.”

“I got their little girl into trouble.”

“I’m no one’s little girl.” Betsy’s face might be more symmetrical, but she was still tall and built more like a man than a woman. A woman should be soft and curved like Mattie. Betsy wouldn’t have Mattie to shave or bleach her hair here. Henry would learn how hairy his wife has become. “We should spend a few days to watch Frank. I don’t know how much healing Alex did before he lost consciousness. I’ll be back in a few hours. Pop wants to examine that glamour potion. He thinks there will be real money to be made. If it’s as profitable as my father imagines; I’ll need to work here full time.”

“Get the carpet and go.” Henry looked at his feet and paced a moment. “Can you bring Cynthia with you?” Henry put the six-month-old infant, Cynthia, in her mother’s arms. The infant snuggled a moment before wiggling free to play wthe the blankets. “I’ll see you both in a few hours.”

Betsy put the baby and her blankets on the carpet. She was glad that the carpet put up a barrier that prevented children from crawling off. Betsy looked at her watch as Cynthia played with the blankets on top of the carpet. It was only eight o’clock; why did it feel like midnight. Cynthia was asleep on the carpet before it arrived at their house.

Betsy ran inside and got the lobster pot that she stored the potion. It seemed heavier than she remembered. She wondered how a woman seven months pregnant could have carried the thing. She then remembered how she struggled with the pot to get it inside after brewing it in the yard. Finally, Betsy used telekinesis to move the pot. The potion had been allowed to dry on the screened in porch for twoths ths before she had brewed it for her use. With the aid of his telekinesis, Betsy put the heavy pot on the carpet on the opposite side of the carpet from the sleeping child.

Betsy decided to carry the sleeping child to her crib. She would fly back in the morning after a good night sleep. Pop always said not to fly a carpet half asleep. Betsy woke at dawn. She packed herself and Henry several days’ worth of clothes. Alex looked to wear about the same size as Betsy did; they were close to the same height and weight. Betsy packed three more changes of her men’s clothes into the suitcase.

Betsy transferred the sleeping child back onto the carpet. She held Cynthia in her arms as she flew back to her parents’ house. Betsy put Cynthia down to crawl on her grandparent’s floor then hugged Henry. “I got the potion. The pot was heavier than a remembered.”

“I’m glad that you’re back.” Henry kissed her and put his arms tightly around her.

“Do you think they should be doing that in front of the baby?” Frank asked.

“They’re her parents,” Mrs. Logan said. “Sugar, help me in the garden.”

Alex walked over to Betsy. “I need some clelothlothes and a bath.”

“I bought you some clothes.” Betsy hugged him. “I’ll get them for you. I need a bath too if you don’t mind me joining you.”

“Your mother’s bath isn’t big enough for both of us,” Alex said.

“You can bathe first. I’ll wait.” Betsy carried the large bag upstairs. “I hope they fit.”

“I\'m sure they’ll be fine.” Alex looked them over. “I wear a 15 but a 15 and half will do. How did you know I wore a 30 waist?”

“Those are my clothes.”

“Oh.”

“I dressed as a man for a few weeks. It’s no big deal. Since I’m no longer working for Paul, I plan to do it again.” Betsy went upstairs. “You bathe first.”

“You shouldn’t see a man other than your husband undressed.”

“Henry, do you mind?” Betsy asked.

“No, I’ll watch Cynthia; keep the man company.” Henry sat on the floor and watched Cynthia pulled herself up on the furniture. “You watch Cynthia all day. You need a break.”

Betsy helped Alex in the bathtub. Naked he looked like a little boy. As she washed his back then chest and arms, he didn’t appear embarrassed by having a strange woman wash him. As a healer, he probably had plenty of strangers care for him since regularly gave his health to others. Alex took one of her father’s bathrobes and went back to his room on his own power.

Betsy used his water to wash herself then dried and put on a shirt and trousers and fixed her suspenders. She touched above her upper lip, feeling the few hairs there.

Alex took her hand. “You look good in men’s clothes.”

“Henry said the same thing.”

“I need a little time alone.”

“I understand.”

After putting on her socks and shoes, Betsy put on her waistcoat and jacket then went over her parents’ yard. Betsy walked over to her mother in the garden. “Mom, Henry took some time off. Would you mind watching Cynthia a few hours?”

“I would love to.” Mrs. Logan kissed her daughter’s face.

“I hate when Frank teases me.”

“All big brothers tease their little sisters. Ignore him.”

“It hurts because I know everyone else looks at me the same way he does.”

Mrs. Logan hugged Betsy. “You have to be bigger than them.”

“Annabel said that I was a mouse when I met Henry. I don’t want to return to being a mouse.”

“Then, don’t.”

Betsy put her arms around Henry. “We can take the carpet out for a few hours. Mum will watch Cynthia.” Betsy landed the carpet in a woodena nea near a waterfall. The sound of roaring water filled their ears. The air smelled of spring flowers and clean crisp water. Betsy leaned against Henry’s larger chest and soaked in the sun and air.

Henry placed his arms around her and turned to look into Betsy’s eyes. “Maybe we make our own future.”

“Frank did get sick just as mother predicted.”

“She didn’t predict that Alex would risk his life for him.” Henry kissed Betsy.

“Don’t look at me that way.”

Henry touched both of Betsy’s hands. “You’re beautiful.”

“I saw the way Frank looked at me. A potion that I took almost five months ago gave me this normal body.”

Henry put his hand up Betsy’s chin. “Physical attractiveness grants you more opportunities in this world.”

“I need more than this illusion.”

“Honey, everything is an illusion. We make our own reality. Enjoy your illusion.” Henry lifted her chin slightly and kissed her.

“Do you think time itself is illusion and that is why my mother can see past its veil?”

“That is an interesting concept. What’s in that potion you took?”

“Herbs, animal hair, mashed clam shell. You know ‘wool of bat and tongue of dog.’” Betsy crackled. “You really don’t want to know.”

“Betsy, you’re much more beautiful since you used that potion. You haven’t had an attack of sporadic magic since using it. Can you make it again?”

“Sure. I’m afraid to take it.”

“Why? Research it. This potion might counteract your curse. It’s amazing you haven’t had an attack of sporadic magic since taking it.”

Betsy smiled broadly. “I could be rid of this curse.”

“We’ll have to test it. Alex’s facial paralysis looks like a curse. Did you get your pot of witches’ brew to test him?” Henry kissed her again.

“I was never this beautiful before, even when taking my potion. I’ve improved it over the years, but I never guessed. Henry, imagine.”

“Maybe you should make the new potion. knowknow what you did better than anyone else.”

“I made the glamour potion in the backyard in a fit of passion during my seventh month of pregnancy.”

“Think about. Did you at least write down your ingredients?”

“I always write downingringredients and proportions. I now know what angered Frank. I don’t look cursed. I look normal for the first time in my life. I’m so happy.”

“Test it on Alex.”

“We shouldn’t test it on him. He risked his life to save my brother. What if something went wrong?”

“Nothing will go wrong. What did you and Alex talk about?”

“Nothing.\" Betsy took a deep breath. \"That I look beautiful dressed as a man.”

“You do.”

“Let’s use the glamour potion on him first.” Betsy put her hands on her waist, looked at the water and took a deep breath. “I don’t need a new potion. Everyone knows once a curse is broken it is broken forever.”

Henry and Betsy went for a walk in the woods. After enjoying the woods and each other, they returned to the Logans’ house.

Betsy hugged Frank upon entering the house. “My curse is gone,” Betsy shouted.

“Never did find the one responsible. Maybe it’s one of those hideous creature has a baby and curse is lifted curses,” Frank splat out with his tobacco juice.

“Mom, I haven’t had an attack since before the baby was born,” Betsy said. “Look at my face. Look at my smile. I’m beautiful.”

Betsy’s mother looked at her face. “What does that mean?”

“r alr all these years, my curse has been finally lifted. Henry wants to test it but I’m sure because people no longer advert their eyes from me. I was hired as a saleswoman. If I was still cursed, I couldn’t sell anybody anything. Why didn’t I realize this earlier?”

“Sometimes, we totally miss the obvious. I’m happy for you. We should tell your father. Let Henry do his test, give the poor man his science.”

“Where is Pop?”

“I should have noticed the last time you visited, butas sas so overwhelmed by the baby; I’m ashamed to say I didn’t look at you. Now, that I’m looking at you, it’s so obvious. Your face has a sparkle that it lacked before. By the way, Pop is in the garden.”

“Pop, I have great news.” Betsy bent down and took the spade to help plant.

“I heard your scream. Congratulations.” Thad hugged her.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m free. Pop, we should give Mr. Gardener the beauty potion. Where’s he?”

“Resting. He tried to heal Frank again. He insisted that Frank would be benefit another healing session. He almost died from the first.”

“I like his character,” Betsy said.

“So do I. Maybe yourmourmour potion will heal his facial paralysis. It must have been caused by a curse or his healing abilities would have repaired it.” Thad continued his gardening.

“I was thinking the same thing,” said Betsy.

“Mr. Gardener, I don’t know how to thank you,” said Thad. “I know. Betsy, make up your beauty potion.”

“I can’t use glamour,” said Alex. “I’m probably immune because of my healing ability.”

Betsy brewed some of her potion then handed the mug to Alex. “Drink up. I’ll work on the taste later.”

Alex took a large sip. “This stuff tastes awful.”

Betsy smiled at Alex. “Look in the mirror. You look great.”

“I’m a handsome man. I have some facial paralysis. It is no big deal.”

Thad said, “When did you get this facial paralysis?”

“As a child,” said Alex. “What are you two smiling at?”

Betsy hands him the mirror.

Alex touched his face. “My skin feels softer. What you done? I can’t go back to work looking like this.”

“You’re a healer. Your face froze without you getting a fever, didn’t it?” said Thad.

Alex blinked at himself in the mirror. “This is amazing. I can’t go back to the bank. I’m not Stoneface Alex anymore. Why did Betsy’s formula work when other glamour potions couldn’t cure my paralysis?” asked Alex.

“Did anyone say anything to you the day you had paralysis?” asked Thad.

“My aunt told me not to frown. She said my face would freeze like that,” said Alex. “Adults say things like that to children all the time.”

“Ever since Behas has taken her beauty potion, her magic hasn’t gone crazy,” said Thad. “People should be more careful about what they say.”

“You can work as a healer,” said Betsy. “No one with talent like yours should be working in a bank.”

“I can’t work as a healer becawomewomen don’t want men touching them and men don’t want men touching them, especially not a man like me,” explained Alex. “You remember how Frank acted toward me.”

“If this potion does what I think it does, you’ll have a job with us,” Thad said.

Henry returned to the room. “Alex, your girl friend won’t believe it\'s you. You look fantastic.”

“I don’t have a girl friend. I rarely took the time to date. I can’t remember the last time I had a second date.”

“You’ll have trouble keeping the ladies away,” Henry said.

“You destroyed my life,” Alex said, touching the lines on his face. His finger ran along the contours. “I’m not me, anymore.”

“I can use your help with my formula,” Thad said. “You’ll never be unemployed. Can you fly a broom?”

Alex nodded. “However, I use a carpet for most of my long distance travel.”

“Great, I can use another salesman,” Thad said.

“I have two textile mills. I have just taken over a carpet factory and won a shoe factory during a poker game. I always use new help,” Henry said. “Alex, let me take you out for dinner and tell you the benefits of working for me.”

“Thank you, but I rather work for Mr. Logan,” Alex said. “Betsy, you have something with that potion.”

“Would you like to accompany me to dinner? Henry never lets me spend my money. I worked two months at the magic shop and I never got to spend a dime,” Betsy said.

“Take him out,” Henry said.

Betsy touched Alex’s hand. “You’ll kill yourself trying to heal my stupid brother.”

“I didn’t risk my life the second time. A man in such bad health as Frank would need several healing sessions. I can’t stay here and finish the job,” Alex said.

“I’ll pay you,” Thad said. “You’re a healer. I could use your help making my potions. Once we get Betsy’s new potion on the market, I’ll need more salesmen. Until then, I’ll need an assistant to help me with my product line and gettingsy’ssy’s potion ready for market.”

“Are you hiring me?” Alex asked.

“Yes, I pay my salesmen commission but if you working in research, I can pay you a comparable salary.”

“What do you pay your salesman?”

“Ten percent plus flying time. You can’t get a better deal,” Thad said.

“And you would like me to continue to heal your son while I’m here?” Alex asked.

“No, you healed him enough. Give him the information he needs to take care of himself and after that he’s on his own.”

“I’ll talk him about his drinking and poor eating habits,” Alex said. “I don’t need to talk to him about exercise. If he collects firewood and does the other choreoundound the house, he would get more than enough exercise.”

“You could stay here while I was training you,” Mr. Logan said.

“It’s nice country out here.”

“Alex, join me for a walk. We can eat at the spitfire grill and I can tell you about my father’s business.”

“We should take the baby with us. She could use the fresh air.” Alex picked up Cynthia who was crawling on the floor.

“You need shoes.” Betsy took the baby.

Alex put his shoes back on. “I’ll carry her. I’m a healer; I have held babies before.”

“You look very good in my clothes.”

“Thank you.” They walked up a path to a grove of pine trees. Pinecones and needles covered the ground.

Betsy breathed in the pine air and walked close to Alex without touched him. Although Betsy knew Alex was holding Cynthia right and Cynthia was happy enough on Alex’s arm and shoulder, Betsy wanted her baby back in her arms. He put the hand not holding the baby on Betsy’s shoulder.

Betsy pulled the men’s floppy hat over her face. “Let’s go to the grill.”

Alex took off the hat and put Cynthia down on the pine leaves then put a hand on Betsy\'sr face. “Look at me.”

“Do you want to carry Cynthia home?” Betsy turned away from Alex. “How can you stand to be with me? I ruined your life.”

“Betsy, it isn’t a glamour spell. You’ll never be that ugly girl again and I no longer have facial paralysis. You created something wonderful.”

“My mother told me when I was a little girl that my name would go down in history.”

“If this potion works out, it will.” Alex opened the door to the small restaurant with seven hard wood tables and benches.

“Seat yourself. There is only two people that work here,” Betsy said. “Marge and her sister, Ethel.” Alex sat at closest table to the kitchen and Betsy sat beside him.

Marge came to the table. “Meatloaf is the special for the day.”

“Can you make me some eggs and potatoes?” Alex asked.

“Sure. Would you like toast?”

“Yes,” Alex said.

“Miss?” Marge asked.

“I’m Betsy, Thad’s little girl. I’ll have the special. Do you have apple cider?”

“Fresh.”

“Two glasses of that, please,” Betsy added.

Marge went back the kitchen.