I had a wonderful all-day co-coven retreat day. Great rituals, excellent workshops and discussions, awesome food, terrific company!

Then I came home and checked my e-mail — not only am I negotiating to buy someone’s semi-soft case but I also have a lead on a hard case! — and discovered that the luthier had finally e-mailed me a quote for the repair of the mystery cello.

It will cost far beyond what I was originally quoted. Even half of it is far more than I can afford, more than I have put aside. Even if I could somehow magically conjure a high-paying job for the next month or so, I couldn’t make up the missing amount.

It looks like this isn’t going to happen after all.

I’m numb.