Inside a massive castle in Wisconsin, the lady of the house busied herself with weaving her thick auburn and plum hair into a gigantic French braid. She hummed a little as she did this.
The young woman wore her favorite sunflower yellow dress with lavender trim. Her favorite pair of golden cross earrings and necklaces glimmered in the early morning light.
She then noticed the door to her bedroom open up, and her husband walked in. "Morning, Vlad. How are you today?" Magdalene asked, not looking up from braiding her hair.
"I'm wonderful, and so are the children if you're curious. Jasmine already locked herself in the library while Daniel busy printing his latest moonscape photos the telescope took last night."
"What about Danielle? What's she up to?"
"She's not even up yet. She's decided to sleep in as its Saturday. I can't blame her given how exhausted she must be from all her gymnastic lessons."
"Too true, they've been working extra hard to hopefully win at regional," as his wife finished her braid. Then, turning around, she asked, "How do I look?"
"Perfectly angelic like always. Care to tell me why you're up so early? I mean, sunrise was only twenty minutes ago?"
"You know I've got a long trip, honey. Leta and I are heading upstate to a rehab center. We're hoping to help people in rehab overcome their addictions."
Her handsome husband frowned. "I understand as a Christian you feel the need to spread God's message of love everywhere you go. But it troubles me when you've chosen to help inmates at the jail or people at rehab."
"Why? Don't you think those people deserve a second chance? Or do you truly find them the drudges of society?"
"I only worry about your safety, beloved. It makes me nervous, is all."
"I'll be fine. But, again, I do have my ghostly powers in case of an emergency. Otherwise, I'm perfectly capable of defending myself. I did take self-defense classes after all."
"I know you can protect yourself, Mag. But I wouldn't be a good husband if I didn't worry about your, now would I?"
"True enough, my love. I'll be back by the end of the weekend. Call me if you need anything. Also, please don't forget to take care of Eleanor!
She's a spectral pet, yes. Nevertheless, she still needs love and attention and the litter box cleaned. I don't understand how a ghostly pet needs to use the little box, but they do."
"Well, ghosts aren't the souls of dead people for the most part. So they do need food and water."
"Understood," as she kissed him. "Tell the children I love them, and yes, I'll call to check on you all." Then, she turned intangible and fell through the floor to get to the waiting limo.
She found her driver had already picked up her best friend/adopted sister, Leta Morgenstern. The biracial Jewish lady seemed happy to see her as well. They hugged each other tightly before the driver took off to head upstate to Green Heavens Rehab Center. "So, Leta, did you make sure to bring everything you need?" meaning she brought the meds she needed for her diabetes.
"You know me well enough by now. I'm always prepared to manage my diabetes."
"You know I can't help but ask. After all, you're my best friend and sister," Mag reminded her.
"What about you? Did you bring what you need to remain healthy?" Mag nodded. Mag had been born with a weakened immune system and was a chronic anemic. Thus she always had medication to treat it. Plus, she required ghost vitamins due to her hybrid nature.
The ladies began to chat about a game plan for helping those in rehab. It wouldn't be easy even to begin rehabilitation. First, you've to admit you have a problem. Then be willing to stick to the program. The sisters could only hope they had all they needed. After a four-hour drive, they arrived at the lakeside center bustling with plenty of people.
"The head of the rehab was supposed to meet us. Do you think she'll show up soon?" Leta inquired nervously.
"You only have to ask to receive," spoke a kindly voice as they turned to see a tall brunette greeting them. "Hello, I'm Gwen Chumming. I'm happy to see the famous Magdalene Masters and her best friend here to help."
"It's a great pleasure to be here, Ms. Chumming. At Vladco, we intend to help everyone high and low in life. I hope the donation we made last month has been put to good use."
"Yes, it truly helped us rebuild after the unexpected fire two months ago, plus helped us get better assets to run the place. Might I show you to your rooms?"
"Are they in the same dorm rooms as the patients?" Leta asked nervously, and the brunette shook her head.
"All staff and overnight guests stay in a set of villas on the other side of the lake. So they're protected but still can get here quickly for work. So come, I'll take you there.
They loaded up a small golf cart before traveling the path to the villas. Mag and Leta were given quite a nice one. "I know you're only going to be here for the long weekend.
But I still hope everything is to your satisfaction," the director asked nervously, to which the women assured her it was. Then, after they settled in and had a quick meal, they promised they'd be ready to come over and help.
"I hope things work out well," Leta stated as she put her clothes neatly away. She noticed Mag seemed a tad distracted. "Mag, are you alright?" Her friend shook herself out of her trance.
"I'm sorry, Leta, I couldn't help but think of my beloved family. Also, the real reason Vlad doesn't want me here."
"Let me guess? It's because his abusive father was an addict? And he doesn't want you near those kinds of people?"
She nodded but replied, "I still have to do as God commands and help those who cannot help themselves. I'd fail in my duty as a follower of Christ if I didn't do my part."
"Well, I don't want to fail God either. However, even I know that everyone has free will, and its ultimately up to them to choose their path in life."
"I nevertheless hope I can help others find their way. Particular the younger patients as they can have patients here as young as fifteen admitted."
"We can only do our best," to which again Mag nodded. Then, after they settled and had quick but healthy lunch, they headed over to the main building to help the troubled youths.
Currently, the rehab has three adolescent patients. A fifteen-year-old Irish red-haired girl named Dana. The other teens were a light black-skinned fifteen-year-old named Noah. Finally, a seventeen-year-old pretty brunette named Lisa.
They'd all come from different walks of life. However, each had turned to substance abuse because of their broken homes. As a result, they took some time to get to know each other. Dana had been kicked out of her home by her stepmom for being transgender and bisexual.
Noah's reason for becoming homeless was his different beliefs then his family. First, his family disowned him because they didn't believe in modern medicine. So when Noah went to get his broken wrist treated after wiping out on his bike? His family had his bags already packed for him by the time he'd gotten home.
Lisa had the saddest story. She'd been an unplanned child that her parents treated like a non-entity while spoiling her younger sister Veronica to the extreme. She'd left home a few years back. It wasn't long before she'd gotten drawn into drugs.
Either way, the young women were ready to help the children. It wouldn't be easy, but they're determined to help these three youths. The first step was to help them realize none of them were at fault for what their families did to them.
Second step: is making sure they understand their self-worth. They deserved love like any other person, and they shouldn't try to change themselves to please others. The third step was to open up more about what led them on this path. Once again, assuring them none of this was their fault.
They worked tirelessly to help the three teens and promised they'd be back soon to continue to help them heal. So for the next three months, on the weekend, Mag and Leta were there to help the three teens.
Eventually, the teens recovered enough that Mag helped them find good families who would accept them for who there were. Parents who would give them the love, attention, and support needed to get by in this world. At least it was a happy ending for these three young ones who had gotten a rare second chance to start over. They're fortunate indeed.
Magdalene- Julie Bowen- Queen Arianna Tangled the Series
Leta- Zoe Kravitz- Leta Lestrange- Fantastic Beasts
When I need Healing
"The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness. You will sustain him on his sickbed." Psalm 41:3
When I need Acceptance
"Walk with the wise and become wise, for the companion of fools suffer harm" Proverbs 13: 20
When I need Hope
"Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:5
When I long to be Loved
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God!" 1 John 3:1
