Arrival in Cleveland
After disembarking the plane with the strap of my small carry on held lightly within the grasp of my fingers I headed toward the baggage claim area. I stood for I don't know how long before I saw my luggage appear on the conveyor belt. I eased the strap of my carry on on my shoulder as my other luggage drew slowly closer, once within my reach I grabbed the handle of one of my suitcases, pulling it off the conveyor, setting it down at my feet before reaching for the other, I snatched the handle just before it would have moved out of my reach. Having possession of the two pieces of luggage I started from the baggage claim area, following the signs that would take me out of the airport.
Once outside I found it easy to get a taxi as there were quite a few lining the curb outside the airport. After my luggage was loaded into the trunk of the vehicle I climbed into the cab giving the driver the address of where I wished to be taken, I settled back and looked out the window taking in the scenery as the taxi moved at a steady rate down one street to the next.
The driver finally pulled to a stop outside a bookstore, Mystique's Reading Place, and got out to retrieve my bags from the trunk. I slowly exited the taxi and stood a moment looking at the building. After the driver placed the bags down near me I fished out a few bills from my pants pocket, giving the crumpled bills to the man who thanked me with a nod of his head before returning to his cab and in no time he had taken off down the street, most likely headed toward his next fare.
As I eased the door to the shop open the bell that hung above it gave a little ring as I stepped inside. Just as I set down my bags I saw a woman emerge from the back room of the bookstore.
"You must be Maida." the woman said, speaking with a slight English accent.
"Yes," was the single word response I gave in return with a smile of my own given.
"I'm Mystique. When Agatha informed me that one of the coven was coming and would need a place to stay for a few days I was more then happy to offer a place for you to stay. I am sure you must be tired from the long plane ride. I'll show you which room you will be using during your stay," Mystique reached for one of my bags, lifting it up she then headed toward the back of the store, taking up the other, my carry on bag still hung from my shoulder as I followed Mystique to the back, then up the stairs to where I would be staying for a short time.
Once outside I found it easy to get a taxi as there were quite a few lining the curb outside the airport. After my luggage was loaded into the trunk of the vehicle I climbed into the cab giving the driver the address of where I wished to be taken, I settled back and looked out the window taking in the scenery as the taxi moved at a steady rate down one street to the next.
The driver finally pulled to a stop outside a bookstore, Mystique's Reading Place, and got out to retrieve my bags from the trunk. I slowly exited the taxi and stood a moment looking at the building. After the driver placed the bags down near me I fished out a few bills from my pants pocket, giving the crumpled bills to the man who thanked me with a nod of his head before returning to his cab and in no time he had taken off down the street, most likely headed toward his next fare.
As I eased the door to the shop open the bell that hung above it gave a little ring as I stepped inside. Just as I set down my bags I saw a woman emerge from the back room of the bookstore.
"You must be Maida." the woman said, speaking with a slight English accent.
"Yes," was the single word response I gave in return with a smile of my own given.
"I'm Mystique. When Agatha informed me that one of the coven was coming and would need a place to stay for a few days I was more then happy to offer a place for you to stay. I am sure you must be tired from the long plane ride. I'll show you which room you will be using during your stay," Mystique reached for one of my bags, lifting it up she then headed toward the back of the store, taking up the other, my carry on bag still hung from my shoulder as I followed Mystique to the back, then up the stairs to where I would be staying for a short time.