Poppy entered the living room, as composed as a wet cat could, and sat at Daisy’s bare feet. It took a while for her to notice, but Poppy continued to stare ‘till she did.

Daisy looked over the top of her book and adjusted her glasses. What she saw was Poppy’s narrowed eyes peering through sticky multi colored fur.

Well, the cat thought out loud. What you do about this?

“Frank!” Daisy called.

“What?” Frank yelled back from the kitchen.

“What did you do to my cat?”

“I wasn’t done yet.”

You nephew make me a clown. I suppose be scary cat.

“Some people are afraid of clowns.” Daisy said trying not to laugh.

Frank rolled his wheelchair into the living room, color soaked from his shoes to his hair .

“I hope my kitchen doesn’t look like the two of you.”

“Don’t worry I’ll clean it.” Frank said. “I tried to turn her black but, It’s hard to make black. The best I could to was purple. I added more colors and I think that made it worse.”

He admit his crime.

“I was going to wash her out and start over but she got away.”

Next time he pick me up, I bite him.

“Is she talking again?”

“She never shuts up.”

And scratch his face.

“That’s enough. Poppy, go to your quiet place.”

Poppy plodded out. pull his mustache off.

“Honestly that cat…”

“I’m really sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry I’ll clean her up later. You’d better clean up or you’ll be late for work.”

Frank fidgeted with his chair then looked up, “I was thinking of quitting.”

“Quitting? But you love teaching.”

Frank looked down at his legs again. The accident had taken more than his ability to walk.

“I don’t know if that’s true anymore. I guess I’m just burned out. The kids are rude and don’t listen to me anymore. And it’s not just them. The monitors don’t even visit my class anymore. It’s like I’ve become invisible.”

Daisy put down her book on the couch next to her pile of other book and rose. She looked intently at him without saying anything making him a little self-conscious.

“Okay,” she said. “But what are you going to do instead? I don’t want you moping around here all the time. Just because you can’t walk doesn’t mean you’re useless.”

“I don’t know what I want to do yet.” He looked out the window. It was a nice day. “I was thinking. Maybe doing some studies in… magic, like you.”

She sighed, “You know, the best minds have been working on walking injuries for a long time-”

“I don’t mean for that. I just thought, maybe, since you already know so much you can be my teacher.”

“I’m not accredited.”

“I know. Just informally.”

“That’s illegal and you know it.”

Frank had the most pitiful frown and she new what was going on in his head. She wanted so much to help him but in her heart she knew the dark place he was at and that the only way out is by your own strength. But maybe she could lend him some.

“Wait here,” she said and left the room.

A moment later she returned with poppy in her arms. Still wet and clearly unhappy.

Put me down. I no do it.

“Come on Poppy. He really needs this.”

No!

“What are you doing?” Frank asked.

“Well-”

“Hissss.”

“Believe it or not. Poppy is accredited.”

Frank flinched, “Your cat? I don’t think she likes me.”

He right. I- no- like- him.

“It’ll be fine. Poppy, you’ll do this or so help me, I’ll switch to the dry food.”

Poppy went limp.

“Good. Now just do this.” She put Poppy on his lap and her eyes looked up at him, narrow and deadly. Frank was afraid to move.

“Just clear your mind Frank. Just, listen to the sound of the room. The sounds of the day outside. Don’t think about them just… listen.”

Frank looked around the room and heard the ticking of the clock, the drip of water from the leaky sink, the birds tweeting outside. It was like trying to hold his breath while at the edge of his mind he could feel his thoughts, muffled. There was just a single thought that wanted so much to be there. He ignored it and listened instead to a motorcycle passing and shouts of the children next door. The thought pushed against his will and the more he tried to listen the louder it got until finally-

You hear me? You- hear- me? Hey dummy!

“I- I hear her.” he said astonished, but her voice faded. “I lost it.”

“It will take some practice but eventually you’ll be able to listen and think at the same time. That’s your first lesson.”

Poppy jumped down and hissed at him. Can’t believe I do this.

“I heard that too.” Frank beamed.

Poppy puffed eyes wide and ran out of the room.

“It might be a good idea to only listen when she wants you to.”

“How am I supposed to know that?”

“Let’s call that lesson two. Now clean my kitchen.”