Post by StoryGirl83 on Jan 16, 2009 23:59:38 GMT -5
Chapter Three – Piper
The door shut softly behind Piper as she entered the manor after work. She turned around, glaring at it, wishing the door was her boss’s head. Then she could slam it just as hard as she could. But, she sighed to herself, she really liked the door and it just wasn’t fair to take out her annoyance with her boss on such a nice door.
Ever since she had been hired things had been maddening. She was cooking and she loved that, but her new boss seemed determined to push her over the edge.
She remembered when the owner had shown up soon after she had been hired. He’d informed everyone on duty that he had sold the restaurant. One of the waitresses had confided that she heard he lost it gambling. The new owner planned to rename it, something about distancing the restaurant from its former owner’s reputation.
Quake. Perfect for a restaurant in San Francisco Piper had to admit. Now if only a quake would come along and swallow up her new boss, she’d be perfectly happy. Smiling at her own joke, she headed into the living room to see if her sisters were there. The room appeared empty, but something caught her eye. On the coffee table in the middle of the room was a small red box.
Walking over to the couch and sitting down, Piper looked inside, gasping to see a small white envelope lying in stark contrast to the brick red lining, an envelope that had “For Piper” written on it. Surprised, she picked it up then she was even more surprised to see that there was writing on the lining beneath it. “To be opened when the time is right,” she read aloud.
She frowned as she tried to puzzle that out. When is the time right? she thought as she closed the lid and put the box back on the table. She opened the envelope and pulled out a single sheet of rose-colored paper. Silently, she read.
“My Dear Little Piper,Piper smiled to herself. Keeping Prue and Phoebe from killing each other had indeed been her role in the family. She hoped her mother was proud that she had succeeded. After all, had either of them succeeded, there would be no Charmed Ones.
“You are aptly named. Though you do not use a pipe, what the piper did with his pipe, you do with food, even at the tender age of three. I can only imagine what you are doing with this talent of yours now.
“Today I watched you play with Prue and her little friend, Andy. You froze him to give the two of you an advantage. By the time you read this you will have gotten your powers back. How strange it must all seem to you. Mother and I have agreed to keep silent about your powers, so you won’t wonder growing up. I wish things were different, but you will learn, if you haven’t already, that we had our reasons and good ones, to keep you alive, for binding your powers.
“Your baby sister says, ‘hello.’ She just kicked me in the stomach to make sure I told you. Growing up an only child I don’t know what it is like to be the middle child, but I’ve known some. I hope that you don’t feel caught in the middle, too often. There will be times when the few years stretched between your two sisters will seem like an eternity. You may find yourself the only one who understands both sides. You may also find yourself ready to hit them both over the head and lock them out of the house. Don’t let them cause you too much trouble and please, keep them from killing each other.
“I remember when I found out you had my power. I was so excited. It does a mother proud to see her daughter taking after her. You are a beautiful girl and I know you will become a beautiful young lady.Piper’s smile grew larger. Of course she knew her mother had had her power, but she never thought of her mother being proud of that fact. She hoped that she took after mother in every way possible. Prue hated it when people said that she was like her mother; Piper loved it. Phoebe was never sure what to think.
“It is a unique experience being pregnant with a witch whose powers are so different from yours, but your baby sister has shown me that your future shall eventually not include me. I don’t know how long or even if it will be before you read this. I just know it is coming. If I am still around, go find me and give me a hug. If not, I love you, Piper.Piper smiled as she put down the letter. Oh, Mom. I don’t know what Phoebe showed you, but we had so little time with you. I have so few memories of you and Phoebe has none.(Signed)“With all my love,
Mom”
She looked at the now empty box on the coffee table. Might as well do something with this, she thought as she picked up the box. Returning the letter to its envelope and the envelope to the box, Piper headed out of the room and carried the box up the stairs. She didn’t pause as she reached the second floor and instead headed for the attic.
When she reached the top of the stairs and reached for the doorknob, her hand stilled as she reflected on the fact that until a few weeks ago the door wouldn’t budge when she tried to open it.
Piper smiled as she turned the knob. The door opened easily and she stepped into the attic. She looked around and spot a shelf with space on it. Walking over to it, she set down the little red box then took out the envelope. Her letter now clutched in her hand, she walked out of the attic, shutting the door behind her.