Chapter 17

The lavender smell is becoming sickening as I notice a small container with liquid in it. The scent seems to be pouring from the container. I lean down to read the engraved label, and think to myself "What is scentsy?" I just want to get out of here, back to Freddie, Betsie, and the Warner's. I turn leaving the room, to find the front door. More strange decor fills the parlor and I am feeling quite overwhelmed trying to make sense of it all. Then I see the front door and dash towards it.

I yank open the front door quickly, but stand in awe at what I see in front of me. Daylight shines on a busy side walk just outside the threshold, and an even busier street with the strangest vehicles I have ever seen zooming down the road. A young woman walks past me in slightly more than her underclothes and I let out a gasp. I notice a man standing next to me and it appears he is trying to talk to me because he asks "Are you going tonight?" Uncertainly I say, "I'm sorry but I don't understand." "Hold on a minute James, some crazy lady is trying to talk to me" he says. "Sorry lady, I'm on the phone" he tells me and walks off. "On the phone!?" I call after him, "How can you be on the phone when you are outdoors?"

All of the people are wearing the strangest clothes, and ladies wearing pants. "Well, I never.." I say aloud. I just don't understand what is happening, and feel myself becoming light headed. Just as I am about to pass out, I feel someone's arm's grasping my shoulders, pulling me back into the building. 

Resting on a sofa I see a beautiful young lady with bouncy auburn hair and bright green eyes looking at me. Her face is sprinkled with many freckles and her skin seems to radiate beauty. "Are you alright? What were you doing in my house?" she asks. 

"I...I don't know. I would tell you what happened, but you will think I've lost my marbles" I manage to say. The young lady reassures me and asks that I simply tell her what has happened. I explain about the heated argument and the strange events that followed it. The girl gasps "Oh my gosh! That's horrible, but how? How could this happen?" she asks staring at me. "I have no idea, could witches really exist? If so, where has she sent me!?" I ask. The girl takes a deep breath and then slightly giggles as she says, "Ok let's slow down, we'll figure this out. I don't even know your name or age or anything!" "Oh, right. I'm 18 and my name is Nora Warner, and you are?" I reply sitting up on the sofa. "My name is Bonnie Richardson and I'm 20 she tells me. 

My eyes begin to sting, and I can feel tears forming at the sound of the name Bonnie. "I had a daughter named Bonnie..." I say almost in a whisper. The tears come pouring out and Bonnie Richardson hands me a tissue. "You've been through a horrible time, why don't you try to rest a bit. When you wake up we can get a bite to eat and sort this all out ok?" she offers. I nod in agreement, and lay down on the sofa. 

Hours later I awake to the smell of something delicious cooking. I find my way over to the kitchen where I find Bonnie cooking up some food. "Well good morning! Or, afternoon I should say. You must have been tired to sleep so long. How are you feeling?" she asks. "I'm feeling fine, just confused still. I miss Freddie, and Betsie, and my in-laws. I wonder if I might give them a call?" I ask. After making a few calls, I'm no better off, none of the numbers were working. 

"I could take you to your old house if you like? Where do you live?" Ms. Richardson asks me. Bonnie goes over to her desk and takes a seat. In front of her sits a small black box, and another flat one with a series of buttons that are marked with the letters of the alphabet. "What in the world? What is that?" I blurt out. Bonnie turns and gives me a strange look. "You mean to tell me you've never seen a computer before? Where have you been hiding! They have only been around for a couple decades" she says.   

Staring blankly at her, she realizes that I actually haven't seen a computer. Surely by now she must think I've lost my wits. She glances down slightly then asks, "You're seriously, aren't you?" I nod and she continues well that could take quite awhile to explain. For now I will tell you that this is a device that allows me to look up addresses of people, and see it on a map." "Gee whiz! That's amazing! How truly convenient, let's get to it" I exclaim. "Yea...gee whiz. You're a funny girl Nora, I haven't heard someone say gee whiz in a long time" she says in a friendly manner. I shrug and respond, "Why it's just what folks say."

"Alright, let's have that address. I'm going to check mapquest, and see where it's located" she says as she presses the alphabet buttons rapidly. "246 Streamside Lane" I tell her. "So, I just put in your address and..." she begins to say. "Is, everything alright?" I wonder aloud. Bonnie stands turning and faces me with a strange look upon her face. "You're a long way from home Nora" she says bewildered. I lean down to look at the computer screen, to see what she was looking at. I gulp and scan the computer screen for more information to confirm it is correct. Then I let out a gasp of surprise at my findings. Bonnie states, "Yea I don't know how that is pos-" "Is this correct?" I say loudly, "What year is it!?" Bonnie raises her eyebrow and replies, "Yes it's right, it's 2017. Why?" 

I feel myself collapsing to the floor, but Bonnie grabs me just in time and helps me to the floor to have a seat. "That can't be right. It's 1945" I say breathlessly. She gives me a cool cloth for my head and we discuss the matter for the next few hours. We swap stories of things of her time and mine, and we come to a conclusion, a very bizarre conclusion. Margo truly must be a witch after all, and has somehow managed to send me through time to another land. Bonnie and I agreed that we should keep this to ourselves so I wouldn't be shoved into some mental asylum. "Well she wasn't lying when she said she would send me far away, I'll give her that" I say trying to find humor in this outlandish circumstance. 

"First things first, if you're going to be in 2017 you need to look the part" Bonnie states. "We will get this figured out, but in the meantime you'll look a lot less conspicuous in some other clothes. Follow me" she says and begins up the large spiral staircase leading upstairs. In her room she digs through dresser drawers and a large closet, searching for clothes. "Aha! This will be perfect, try it on" she says excitedly, handing me some clothing. Once I have everything on, and in the proper way (I had some trouble figuring out how some of it goes on), Bonnie suggests that we do my hair. "I've always had a well kept hair do" I tell her. "Yes, I'm sure you do, but in 2017 no one wears their hair like that" she tells me giggling a little. I chuckle and express that everything is so strange to me, and it takes some adjusting. "There now, all done!" Bonnie says as she turns me toward the mirror.

I stand in front of the mirror in awe. I look like a different person, these clothes, this hair, it's almost comical. "I feel ridiculous Bonnie. I don't know how I feel about the length of this skirt. Won't people think I'm some kind of brazen hussy? Pardon me for being so bold, but you are wearing pants! Imagine a lady in pants" I tell her. Bonnie laughs, "You must mean promiscuous, and no, I have dressed you pretty modestly. Aw, c'mon you look great. It's just how people dress nowadays. Lot's of women wear pants" Astounded I repeat, "Modest. This is modest?" "I wouldn't worry about it too much Nora. Hey! How about I make you something to eat, I know I'm hungry! Bonnie suggests changing the subject.

As Bonnie and I are about to eat the meal she has prepared, a song begins to play. "Sorry I've got to take this Nora, it's my boyfriend" Bonnie says and pulls a small black box from her pocket. "Hello? Hey sweetness...I just haven't had time to call you. Yes, I have been with a friend of mine. You don't know her, she's a new friend. Of course! Tomorrow would be fine babe. Ok see ya then. Big kiss" Bonnie chats. "Must be some sort of portable phone! My word! I don't know if I am ready for all these modern inventions, there is so much to learn" I think to myself as I eat. "That was my boyfriend Jax. He was wondering if I wanted to hang out tomorrow. He will probably come over early. I think it will be ok to tell him what's going on, if you are ok with that" Bonnie asks. I agree and we both take our plates to the kitchen. After cleaning up the kitchen I decide to do some reading while Bonnie takes a bath. She shows me to the guest room and I turn in for the night.

Next morning I hear voices coming from the living room. After I dress, I join Bonnie and her boyfriend Jax, who are lounging on the sofa. "Oh good morning! Hope you slept well" Bonnie greets. Jax rises to his feet and extends a hand politely. "Hey there! I'm Jax, you must be Nora?" he asks with a large smile on his face. I smile and politely shake his hand. "Pleasure. I slept just fine Bonnie, thank you" I tell them. 

Jax heads into the kitchen and calls out, "Anyone for a coffee?" Bonnie and I both agree and Jax raises a mug into the air and with a grin he replies, "Two coffee's comin' up!" As I take a seat next to Bonnie and discuss the situation, she leans over and whispers, "He's all caught up, don't worry, he won't say anything. Might even be able to help actually" she tells me. "Oh really how can he-" I start but Jax interrupts me. "How can who, what?" he chuckles passing out the coffee's. "I was just telling Nora that you might be able to help her" Bonnie interjects.

"Bonnie told me about your predicament. I think I may know someone who can help, but it's kinda pricey, and it's.. um .. a little strange. Well, Ms. Parfon is anyhow, but she's helped alot of people with odd circumstances. Thought we might give her a try if you're up for it?" Jax explains. Bonnie chimes in, "She's a a little cuckoo, but I agree with Jax though, not alot of options for the situation you're in. It's up to you though." Feeling slightly nervous, I'm not sure I should go see this woman. "I mean what if I end up worse off than I am now? On the other hand, I don't know how much worse it could be getting sent through time and space to another state" I think to myself. I decide that it would be a good idea to at least try and tell Bonnie and Jax I'm in. "That settles that then. Ready to take off?" Jax says standing up. "I'll get everything ready to go" Bonnie says and parts the room to gather up some belongings.