"You really are a witch, Charly. And there's nothing you can say now that will convince me otherwise." He was staring at her again, with an expression of amused bafflement.
"What made you say that? I just asked if you knew of a house I could rent." She frowned at him, confused.
"Remember what you told me about writing out something I wanted every night for thirty-three nights?" Charly had forgotten, but she smiled and asked, "What's that got to do with anything?"
"Open this and read it." Taking a small envelope from his inside breast pocket, he handed it to her. Wednesday's date was written on the outside of it and the envelope was sealed.
"You sure you want me to open this?"
"Indeed, I do. In fact, I wish you would hurry up."
Shrugging her shoulders, Charly tore the end from the envelope. She pulled out a slip of paper and unfolded it. The words jumped from the page.
`I have a responsible, reliable tenant for the dwelling on my second farm', the affirmation stated, written in a bold hand. She read it, then read it again.
"Now do you see what I mean? Pure witchcraft. The house was obviously meant for you." He looked at her with an accusatory grin. "I thought you said this would take thirty-three days."
"Usually, but not always. It depends on the circumstances, your ability to believe, and the needs of any other people involved in your request." She stopped speaking suddenly and then asked, "Are you saying that you have accommodation for me?"
"Available immediately, reasonable rent, major appliances included, and all utilities paid. You see, the former owners spent most of their capital fixing up the house. It's a thirty-year old bungalow, and they renovated it completely. Then they had a couple of poor years with their cash crops, and finally had to think about declaring bankruptcy. I happened to hear that they were in trouble, so offered to buy them out for a fair market price. They accepted, and there I was with a beautiful second home sitting empty. I was almost ready to pay someone to look after it for me. When can you move in?"
"How about Sunday afternoon? I don't have much except my clothes and a few necessary items like bed, kitchen table and chairs, etc., left over from my apartment days in Guelph. I think my mother has some furniture she's been saving in the basement for a few years in case I ever did move out."