The Cracked Wizards

A server brought Khaat a new salad Rob had designed especially for her that he was anxious for her to try. It was loaded with all sorts of fruits, vegetables, and vegetarian proteins. And he'd even remembered how she liked tangy salad dressings and had made a special new vinaigrette to go with it. He insisted on her having herbal tea--a special blend Robert had made and had given to Rob that were infused both with Khaat's favorite flavors and with megavitamins for her and Abbey. Khaat, for some reason, sensed her father had instructed Rob may a little too much on how critical her diet was for the time being.

But, much to her surprise, her first bite of the salad told her that she was going to like it. She took a sip of her tea, and just as she did, Jack and Jessica came and joined her. "I'm glad you could make it," Khaat said. "Rob has me on a very short leash these days. I can't say as I blame him much. My magic still isn't right. I need his help to get any place these days unless I walk. But he does allow me to come here when he's here, for short periods. Actually, I think its so he can feed me. Sit. This is his new, meganutritious salad. Its a new special item here. It's quite good. I am surprised. And, Jack, Rob makes a perfect steak. He's a real pro at that."

"It was too much, Jess., "Khaat said softly. "I couldn't lose the one I cared about the most one more time. I just didn't have it in me. I didn't plan on all of this. Really. I thought Rob was seeing some Lestrange woman even before he married me. Turns out her sister made that little insinuation and she and Rob let me buy it. Well, then he got all harffed up and left. So, I thought he was gone for good. I went to Knockturn Alley because I wanted just to numb the pain. I knew if I'd gone to my father he'd have denied me. I know him too well. So, I started with one bottle of potion and then pretty soon, I was buying endless bottles of it and was losing my wits at the same time. If it hadn't been for Rob, I might be a vegetable at St. Mungos by now."

She paused thoughtfully before responding. "I wasn't able to think of that. I probably would have, if I had thought of that. II don't know what I expected anyone to do, though. All I could think about was that I had this crushing emotional pain and no way to cope with it. I resorted to that potion because I didn't know of any other way. I didn't mean to hurt anybody else in the process. Honest. You two are my best friends--outside of Rob, of course. But I really just was so lost. I just stopped thinking. Altogether. I just didn't want to hurt. I know that's a pitiful explanation. But its the truth. Its all I've got."

"I'll be there. Don't worry," Khaat said. "You know, don't you, that Daddy is probably tougher on the ones he loves the most. So, no matter what, I will get the worst of it. That's fine by me. And yes, if I ever get into a spot again, I will come to you. Lesson learned. I promise." She smiled, grateful for their friendship.

"Rob thinks he's taken me off French Roast altogether. But, I do confess to zapping up a cup every so often. I can't help it. Once a coffee addict, always a coffee addict. I do have it down to hardly any, at least for now, though. Probably because if I zapped up any more, he'd catch me." She laughed. "That, I think, might be really bad. I must have overdone the french roast thing with the potions because it makes him crazy now just a bit. He thinks I"m going to live on pumpkin juice and herb tea for the next 7 months. He really is crazy if he thinks he can get away with that, you know that, right?