Some moments are magical, like the moment a ladybug lands on your hand. Or the moment a butterfly emerges from its chrysalis and stretches out its wings. The moment a frog’s tadpole tail is gone forever, and its legs have fully grown. The moment Bella met the kitchen witch was a moment like that.

The kitchen witch looked like any other mom. She tied her hair in a ponytail, she was taller than the refrigerator, and she was wearing yoga pants with a loose shirt. She welcomed Bella and her mother, then she rushed around the kitchen opening the oven, stirring this, sprinkling salt on that, shaking frying pans.

She smiled and said, “Don’t touch a thing, it will all be ready on time.” She disappeared. Bella looked at the pictures in her favorite book about fairies and butterflies. Her mother sipped a glass of wine. When the kitchen witch reappeared, she was wearing a pretty dress, her earrings were swinging, and her hair was combed around her face. She had transformed, just like a butterfly.

The house slowly filled with cousins and kids. Adults scooped up guacamole and salsa with fresh tortilla chips. Kids ate cheese in phyllo dough and declared it good. The kitchen witch always had time to answer the door, offer wine, and then rush back into the kitchen to move this or adjust that.

Then the feast was served. All those dishes, steaming and smelling divine were plated or served in pretty bowls. The tablecloth had swirls of color. Bella was full quickly. No one noticed when she slid down her chair under the long table. Everyone looked different under here, visible only from the knees down.

A white cat joined her, purring and rubbing under her chin.“I’m Alabastor. Was the food purr-fect?”

The cat spoke! His breath smelled like tunafish. Bella whispered back: “I’ve always wanted to meet an animal who could talk. Yes, the food was amazing.” That made two magical moments so far, the transformation of the kitchen witch and a talking cat! “Do you live here with the kitchen witch?” Bella asked. “Mmmm, yes,” purred the cat, looking as smug as only a cat can look.

The most magical moment of all was dessert, when Bella tasted a chocolate chip cookie, still soft from the oven. She closed her eyes and let the taste make her happy from head to toe. When she opened her eyes, her face was transformed. She had the biggest smile of the whole day shining there.

It could have been a day like any other day. But instead, it was a day of magic. Bella knew where to look for the magic.

Copyright 2013 Brenda Davis Harsham