"I'm not going to dismiss a little one trying his best," Charlene says, crossing her arms over her chest, causing her scarves to shift like disturbed plumage. "He only got the place wrong once or twice. That's why I sent her mother's familiar along with him to help."

Deleted scene:

Charming's Delivery Mix-Up

Charming sat on the fire escape, his tiny orange paws gripping the metal grating as he studied the open window three feet above him. The magical discovery letter was tucked securely in his mouth—a pristine envelope sealed with shimmering wax that tasted faintly of starlight and made his whiskers tingle. At barely larger than a human hand, everything in the world seemed enormous to him, but he'd grown used to navigating a giant's world.

The morning sun caught his orange fur, making it glow like burnished copper as he crouched on the narrow metal platform. Below him, the busy street hummed with traffic and pedestrians, none of whom would think twice about a cat so small he could easily be mistaken for a large hamster from this height.

This has to be it, he thought, eyeing the apartment. Third floor, corner unit, just like the address said. His person had given him such careful instructions before sending him out on this important mission, their voice filled with excitement about finally receiving their magical discovery letter.

With a determined mew (muffled by the envelope), Charming bunched his muscles and leaped. The distance that would be a simple step for a full-sized cat required all of his athletic ability. His claws scrabbled against the brick wall for a heart-stopping moment before he managed to hook them over the windowsill. Dangling there, barely the size of a large hamster, his back legs kicked frantically in the empty air until he could haul himself up and over.

The apartment's interior rushed toward him as he tumbled through the window in a graceless orange blur, landing with a soft thump on what felt like plush carpet. The impact knocked the wind out of his tiny lungs and sent the letter flying from his mouth to skitter across the floor like a paper airplane gone astray.

Charming scrambled to his feet, shook himself indignantly, and looked around for the letter. His fur was disheveled from the adventure, sticking up at odd angles that would have made his person laugh affectionately. There—under a coffee table that looked distinctly... ordinary. Suspiciously ordinary, in fact.

No crystal ball sitting on top, no mystical runes carved into the wood, no floating candles or shimmering books of spells. Just a sleek laptop, a half-eaten sandwich on a mundane ceramic plate, and a stack of what appeared to be perfectly normal magazines with titles like "Home & Garden" and "Tech Weekly." Not a single issue of "Practical Potionmaking" or "Modern Witch" in sight.

His tiny heart sank like a stone dropped in a deep well. This was all wrong.

"What the—"

Charming spun around to see a young woman in oversized pajamas standing in a doorway, holding a steaming mug that smelled distinctly of coffee rather than any magical brew. She had shoulder-length brown hair that looked like she'd just rolled out of bed, and the wide-eyed expression of someone who'd just watched a cat the size of a guinea pig break into her apartment through a third-story window. Her fuzzy slippers had cartoon penguins on them, which Charming noted seemed decidedly un-mystical.

"Mrow?" Charming offered hopefully, then darted under the coffee table to retrieve the letter. When he emerged, envelope clamped carefully in his jaws again, the woman was crouched down, staring at him.

"Okay," she said slowly, "either I'm having the weirdest dream, or there's a kitten in my living room who just committed breaking and entering."

Charming sat up as tall as his diminutive frame allowed and placed the letter at her feet with as much dignity as he could muster. The wax seal caught the light and sparkled invitingly, its surface swirling with tiny patterns that seemed to shift when viewed from different angles.

The woman blinked at it, crouching down for a closer look. "Is that... glittery?"

This is all wrong, Charming realized with growing horror. Charlene told me that whoever receives this letter would immediately understand its importance. They're supposed to gasp in recognition and thank me for bringing news of their magical inheritance or prophetic destiny or whatever. They're not supposed to look confused and ask about craft supplies.

He looked around the apartment again, taking in the distinct lack of floating objects, spell books, or even a single cauldron. Everything was aggressively normal—IKEA furniture, mass-produced artwork on the walls, a television that wasn't even enchanted to show other dimensions. The most magical thing in sight was a lava lamp in the corner, and even that was unplugged, its colorful blobs frozen in mundane stillness.

There were houseplants, but they were ordinary ones that stayed firmly planted in their pots instead of swaying to unheard music or reaching out with leafy tendrils to greet visitors. The bookshelf held romance novels and self-help guides, not a single tome on advanced enchantments or mystical creatures.

"I am trying to deliver this very important letter to my person and I've definitely brought it to the wrong place," he said mournfully, his small voice carrying the weight of disappointing someone who trusted him completely.

The woman tilted her head, looking puzzled and slightly concerned. "Mrow? Mrow mew?" she said in what Charming could only describe as a terrible attempt at speaking Cat.

Charming blinked up at her in confusion, his amber eyes wide with bewilderment. Why was she making such awkward cat noises at him? He'd just explained the entire situation perfectly clearly, in plain English, using his most polite tone. His person would have understood him perfectly—every word, every subtle inflection, every worried chirp or happy purr.

"No, no," he said patiently, sitting up straighter and wrapping his fluffy tail around his tiny paws in what he hoped was a dignified manner. "I said I'm trying to deliver this letter to my person. This letter is very important and I've brought it to the wrong apartment entirely. Do you perhaps know where the actual magical household in this building might be? Maybe someone with floating teacups or at least a few spell books lying around?"

"Mrow mrow mew mrow," she replied earnestly, crouching down now and setting her coffee mug on the floor. Her voice had taken on that particular tone humans used when they thought they were communicating with a pet. "Mrow?"

Charming's tiny ears flattened against his head in frustration. This was most peculiar. And deeply troubling. How could someone not understand him? Even the neighborhood pigeons could manage basic conversation when they put their minds to it.

She reached out slowly, as if trying to coax a frightened animal, her fingers extended toward him. "Here, kitty kitty. Are you hurt? How did you even get up here?"

She picked up the letter with careful fingers, turning it over in her hands and examining the shimmering wax seal with curiosity. "Where did you even come from, little guy? And what's with this fancy envelope? Did someone actually train you to deliver mail?" She laughed softly, as if the idea was absurd. "That would be pretty amazing, though I can't imagine how you'd manage it with those tiny paws."

Charming watched in horror as she held his precious delivery so casually, clearly having no idea that she was handling what could very well be someone's destiny, their magical inheritance, their invitation to a world beyond the mundane.

Charming's tail drooped until it nearly touched the floor. Somewhere across the city, his person was probably wondering where their important letter was.

The woman was now examining the envelope more closely, running her thumb along the edge of the wax seal. The magical shimmer seemed to respond to her touch, swirling with deeper colors. "This is really beautiful craftsmanship," she murmured, seemingly to herself. "Almost looks antique. And this wax seal... I've never seen anything like it. It's like it's moving."

Charming perked up slightly, hope flickering in his tiny chest. Maybe she did have some sense of the magical after all? But then she continued, "I wonder if it's from some kind of historical reenactment group or maybe a fancy wedding invitation service? Or one of those escape room places that send elaborate clues?"

His hopes crashed back down to earth. Or rather, to this deploringly ordinary carpet.

He gave a small, apologetic chirp—the universal cat sound for "I have made a terrible mistake and am very sorry"—and began calculating whether he could fit back through that window with his dignity intact. The return journey would be even more challenging than the entry, especially with the weight of failure on his tiny shoulders and his person's disappointment weighing heavy on his heart.

But first, he had to figure out how to get that letter back without seeming like he was stealing it from this nice, if thoroughly non-magical, human. His person was counting on him, and he'd already proven himself to be about as reliable as a chocolate teapot. Maybe he could create a distraction? Did non-magical people get distracted by laser pointers, or was that just cats? The whole situation was turning into the kind of disaster that would require either a very good explanation or a very good hiding place.

In the time since I last chatted, I’ve had two breakdowns, saw a new movie and celebrated finishing the updated rough draft of book 2, ‘Twice Charmed’. Which means I get to work on the new fresh meat of ‘Third Time is a Charming.’ I love writing Charming, and Maori’s characters so much, their based on my own past kitties.

The process of getting the medications was a nightmare. My wife makes her best sophisticated guess of where the appointment is, and it ends up being wrong. She had to do that because the psychiatrist never sent her the location. Well long story short we go to the wrong location and end up having the reschedule it for 2pm instead of the usual noon. At this point my wife’s whole day is set on fire, we have a beer, go to the location that is sent to us…which ended up being a mistake on Googles part, because in a heat exhaustion we could not find it, and a police officer came by and informed us we were in the wrong part of town.

We eventually find the right part of town but are at a loss because we can’t see the building. The physiatrist ends up meeting us outside and turned out we were on the wrong side of the road.

When I get to the appointment I’m super stressed and anxious. My mind goes into default cat mode.

Therapist: Tell me about yourself

Me: I like cats…and dogs

Therapist: what drew you to Phoebe?

Me: She had a cat.

That is 100% not the real reason I was drawn to Phoebe. Or why we’ve been together for the better part of 6 years. But that’s another story for another day. Overall, we were happy when it was over, and we could have our celebratory drinks. Splitting a sandwich and potatoes bravas. Later to go home have a few more drinks, and binge Ironheart. That show is a delight!

The movie I saw with the family was the new and exciting Superman. Loved it, Krypto stole all the scenes he was in. He reminded me of my dog Boots. Because Boots was a good girl as in loving and stuff but could also be very naughty.

I’ve been off my mood stabilizer for a few days, and it sucks. It’s like my emotions range from:

a) Why am I alive?

b) Everything annoys me

c) Phoebekins is the best

d) I love everyone and everything

e) The most recent one…wanting to start some bs

Keep in mind I’m usually cheerful little Freya, shy, nice, talking about her past animals too much. Especially Boots; I miss her body slams and snuggles.

Now I’m not. I’m in Spain, and Phoebekins is trying to desperately find a way to get me back on my meds. It’s not working out so well, the office is impossible to get a hold of.

Some history…

I’ve been on a mood stabilizer for about 2-3 years, though I should have been on them for 15 because signs started showing when I was in high school.

I lost my long-time job as a manager at a game store, and that’s what started the mood stabilizer journey. I lost my other job as well, and things took a dip down at first.

Then everything started to get better, I was on the mood stabilizer. I was on an anti-depressant the year before, and I was more on then off with my then gf, now wife. We moved to Santa Fe; I got a steady job that I liked. We had 4 pets that we adored. 9 months later we moved to Spain.

Now…

I’m living my dream life of being a full-time writer. But it was lonelier then expected, and I didn’t realize I was running out of meds. I don’t even have a Spain crush. I don’t know anyone well enough to have a crush on them in Spain.

This weekend I run out of meds.

Saturday is fine with our Magic The Gathering group. Maybe laugh more at jokes than I would have but nothing too bad.

Sunday…Phoebe makes the mistake of not counting me in the head count on accident during D&D. I say a nasty comment I don’t remember and run off to cry. With how I’m feeling that changes the mood for me of the whole night. From then on out I just want snuggles.

Today wake up early to get more nicotine juice for my vape. Take a comment the wrong way and hide back in bed. Then I’m a grump all the way to the nicotine store. Once we stop by Consum on the way back I’m perky again until I crash from being depresso. Now I’m writing this article, hopefully the odyssey of not being on my mood stabilizer doesn’t last long.

Boots found a forever home, along with Mabel. That leaves us with one pet left to find a home Jordan.

She is a Great Pyrenees/Golden mix. The body of a black Golden Retriever and a voice of a Great Pyrenees. She loves other dogs to an extreme. Cautious of new people, unless they have a dog.

The first dog I’ve ever had. And the dog that truly made me a dog person.

When she first moved in my brother Colin would take her everywhere (after she got her vaccines). She got to see parks, libraries, got treated, plus many more excursions while I was at work. After I got off work she would jump up, happy to greet me. The three of us would get in an uber and go home.

The first day she moved in she was so shy, but she quickly grew into herself. Eventually Colin had to stop taking her to the library because she was growing into her Great Pyrenees voice.

Fast forward to December 2024, Colin was moving back in with dad and I was moving in with my girlfriend at the time (now wife). She ended up becoming “my dog” and had a Boxer dog (Mabel) to play with. Now every day was like daycare because she had a constant buddy to play with, and she became more well-behaved since she had an alpha character in her life. I created an Instagram of them, where there would be videos of them playing in the dog park.

Colin would still visit every other month and Boots would go insane happy when she saw him. Doing her little “happy dance”.

Fast forward a bit more, Phoebe and I got married and moved with our two cats, two dogs, and belongings to Santa Fe. Ohio wasn’t as safe anymore, and we needed to get to a sanctuary state.

The dogs had a hard time adjusting at first, but soon they came to love it; especially Boots. We had a small fenced in back yard there, and Boots would love to dig a hole there when no one was watching.

In December of 2024 Colin moved in with us in Santa Fe, and Boots dream life came true. She was with her mama, the dude, the boy, and her cat and dog buddies.

Unfortunately we had to surrender the pets to a no-kill shelter in Santa Fe in May 2025. It is the best shelter I’ve ever seen by far, they have 5 dog parks. It broke our hearts to leave them behind. But we saw no feasible way to take them with us with how short the time-line was, and we couldn’t find a place that would accept pets. Plus what if we didn’t get the visa, what would we do then?

We sponsored their adoptions. And if we don’t see them again I wish them the happiest times.

https://www.petfinder.com/dog/boots-76461426/nm/santa-fe/santa-fe-animal-shelter-humane-society-nm41/

I have recently made some big changes in my life. I’m now a full-time writer and living in Spain. Living the dream life.

Why you ask?

My wife is a trans woman. My brother is special needs, and I wanted to keep us all safe with what’s currently going on in the US. Trans people are being erased from existence, and it’s only a matter of time before they go after special needs people, who they would consider more of a drain on the economy.

This was a big change from a woman who spent her whole life in Ohio, then went to New Mexico in September of last year.

That big of change came with some sacrifices. The big one being the pets. We surrendered them to a no-kill animal shelter in Santa Fe. It tore us apart to do that; we were sobbing messes. But I’ve been keeping updates on them, and they seem to be doing relatively well. Charming was adopted right away.

I created this substack to be a creative outlet.

Enjoy!

Peppermint bounded over, her golden coat shimmering in the light, tail wagging with infectious enthusiasm. She nudged the ball with her nose, sending it rolling toward her feline friend.

"Come on, Charming! Let's play!" she barked cheerfully, dropping into a play bow.

Charming's ears perked forward and his tail started twitching with excitement. "Ooh, yes yes yes! I love this game!" he chirped, pouncing on the ball with both front paws. He batted at it enthusiastically, sending it bouncing wildly in all directions. It bounced once, twice, then landed squarely on Peppermint's head.

The golden retriever's eyes crossed comically as she tried to look at the ball balanced between her ears. Her tail wagged harder, and she shook her head, sending the ball flying into the nearby herb garden.

"Whee! Did you see that bounce? That was amazing!" Peppermint laughed, spinning in a happy circle.

Peppermint tilted her head, then suddenly pounced toward the garden, her large paws thundering across the grass. She emerged moments later with the ball in her mouth, along with a sprig of mint that had gotten tangled in her fur.

She dropped the ball at Charming's feet and sat, panting happily. "Got it! Though I think I brought back half the garden with me."

Charming immediately pounced on the ball again, then noticed the mint sprig tangled in Peppermint's fur. His eyes went wide with delight. "Ooh! You're decorated! You look like a garden fairy!" He carefully pulled the mint free with his teeth, then playfully tossed it in the air, trying to catch it. "Mint! Minty mint! Just like your name!"

The orange tabby bounced on his toes, eyes bright with mischief. "Ooh! Ooh! I know where it went!" he meowed excitedly. "Race you to the garden!"

He took off like a fuzzy orange rocket, his paws barely touching the ground as he zigzagged playfully across the yard.

Peppermint's tail thumped against the ground as she giggled. "You're so silly, Charming! Want to play chase now? I bet I can catch you!"

"Bet you can't!" Charming squeaked with glee, already crouching in a playful pounce position. "I'm super fast! Like lightning! Like... like a fuzzy orange lightning bolt!"

"We'll see about that!" Peppermint barked happily, and they both took off running around the garden, their laughter mixing with the warm afternoon air.

The afternoon stretched before them, filled with the promise of more games, more gentle teasing, and the warm comfort of their unlikely but perfect friendship.

Subscribe now