A Cup of Coffee I Heated Myself, Perenelle Said

Funny to think that I invited the great, wise and old Perenelle Flamel, the widely known and feared sorceress for a cup of tea or coffee. She would be here any minute now; I asked her presence exactly three in the afternoon in my house somewhere south of Alaska. I believe she still resides in San Francisco. This very moment I was waiting for my kettles to boil, one filled with tea and the other filled with coffee. Well I was a bit early; it was only quarter till two in the afternoon. Maybe I was too excited. I feel sleepy watching over the kettles to boil. I turn off the furnace and slept in the couch.

I think I over slept. I woke up it was two fifty-seven! “Good God!” I said to myself in shock. I quickly turned to my furnace and saw the kettle. I took the lid of the kettle and saw both of the tea and coffee are both solid ice. “How cold is it?” I asked myself while looking for the thermostat. The reading says -30° Centigrade! Golly! I looked again at the time; it was exactly … 3’o clock! Goodness me! Then I heard a knock on my door. Maybe it’s Mrs. Flamel or not. I opened the door and saw a tall, beautiful and elegant looking lady, who I think is in here thirties.

“Hello there.” She said and I saw that she was dressed in thin clothing that won’t help her in the cold. “Would you mind letting me in?” she said smiling. “Oh by the way, I am the only Mrs. Perenelle Flamel.” She said with a strong French accent.

“I wasn’t expecting you this early and prompt.” Said with a wry smile. “And aren’t you cold?” I ask as she seemed to have no regard to the surrounding snow and temperature.

“Well, not much,” she said while going inside. “I feel quite comfortably warm.” She was heading for the tea kettle and touched it; she instantly pulled her hand in contact. “Is it solid ice?”

“Well… yes.” I said meekly. I was so shocked and trance that she doesn’t feel a tinge of coldness. “Are you really sure that you are not cold?” I ask persistently. She shook her head in response.

“I am fine. I’m a sorceress, dear. I have ways to keep myself warm. And ask me how I ended up here?” she said cheerfully.

“How? And let me guess, you took an airplane?”

“Better than that!” she exclaimed. “I froze the sea to build a bridge going here. Well I froze only little portion of the sea to get here.” I was taken by her words, but I shouldn’t be that shocked, I mean she is a sorceress. I must ready myself for more shocking things she could do or say.

“Ok then, a cup of tea or coffee? But we would wait for a while before it boils again.” Buy before I could walk to the stove she tapped my shoulder and I looked at her raising my eyebrows as a gesture of curiosity.

“I have a better idea!” she said cheerfully and walked to the stove and took the two kettles and placed them both on the dining table. She then asked for two pieces of cloth. I was shocked and gave her two old rags. She then placed both kettles on top of the two rugs. Then she sat on front of the two kettles.

“You know there’s an easier way to heat these kettles.” She said surely and confident, “You would witness my sorcery!” she added then I raised my brows in protest to the idea.

“How do you insist in heating them?” I asked then she smiled and she placed her hands on the sides of the kettle with coffee. Then it started to shake and shake! Then steam blew from the nose and she removed her hand. There were a print left by her hand, it was glowing hot!

“There’s your coffee.” She said and placed her hands then in the tea kettle. And same as the coffee, it was boiling warm! “There you go!” jaw dropping sight took place and I was left in gaze.

“How on Earth did you do that?” I exclaimed wildly. She simply smiled in amusement.

“It is magic dear, and magic is like a way for us to change reality or manipulate it, to make it simple.” She then looked grim. “And magic has a price to pay; it needs energy, fuel to make it work.”

“Uhhmm… Mrs. Perene…”

“Just call me Perry, dear.” She cut in.

“Oh. Ok, Perry, I always wanted a small garden here in Alaska.” I asked and looked at her expression. “Maybe, you could teach me how?” she looked at me then thought of it.

“Well I could make you a garden but I can’t teach you.” She stood and walked towards the door and stopped. She gestured her hands to follow her. “Are you coming or not?” then I stood and followed her outside. I felt the Alaskan breeze under the clothing so thick while she was totally comfortable under her satin thin clothing. Then unnatural breeze blew and her hair started to stand up and warmth started to flow out form her. The surrounding snow melted and the earth started to grow grass. And she walked slowly, taking few steps, slowly making a grassy path in front of my house. Then she stopped and a circle of grass formed around her and then flowers sprouted. Different flowers of different colors. I was amazed by how she did it, later a tall cherry blossom tree. She looked back at me and smiled.

“I bid you farewell my friend!” she said and as a powerful wind blew. “I hope you never forget about this short meeting of ours.” She steadily said in the powerful wind. “And oh, I almost forgot, thank you for that wonderful tea and coffee.” and I somehow shaded my eyes with my hand while she was talking. Then I saw the freezing cold Alaskan air blew to her and gone without a trace, only her small round garden she left to me as a beautiful present. And up till know it still stood against the harsh winter wind of Alaska, thanks to you Mrs. Perenelle, Perry.

And by the way, when I went inside my house; the tea and coffee kettle were both empty, she sure does drink a lot of coffee and tea.