The Sea of Change

by Tina Engel

  I started describing the dreams of me at the edge of the ocean; being drawn to the water’s edge by some force, someone calling me home. Albee was there, wanting to take me, but Brett was there to save me.

  Then I was in a boat in the middle of the ocean, being called home from down below, the waters so deep.

  In another dream, I was at home but there was the ocean all around in the front of the house and out back was the wheat field, but far below. The stars, moon and sun were all out at the same time. I wanted to go there, up in the sky, amongst the stars.

  I dreamt of Douglas’s tree, way up above, and the stars calling for me.

  Then the dream of the wheat fields, always starting the same, but with each dream, I saw more. There was a large tree in the middle of the field and Brett there waiting for me.

  In the next dream, the wheat field stopped at the edge of a cliff and the ocean met the cliffs with fury.

  A river ran through the wheat field, becoming a waterfall that went down to meet the ocean below. As I climbed down the path along the waterfall, I saw a landing nearby. Brett was standing on the landing. As he reached towards the falling water, a hand reached out for him. He disappeared into the falls. Stephan’s face then appeared in the pond after Brett disappeared.

  As I dreamt again, I was at the bottom of the falls and walked towards the ocean. I reached the sandy beach and suddenly behind me, Albee appeared. He chased me down the long narrow beach, between the rock wall and the ocean so wild. Kimberlite pulled me into the rocky cliff to save me, I thought, but then he left me alone. Albee appeared beside me, there in the rock prison.

  In every dream I was being called home. I heard the voice so clear, repeating over and over, “Emilee, it’s time to come home!”

  Then I dreamt of a swing attached to a branch on the tree in the middle of the wheat field, and on the seat was a bag with my grandmother’s cameo brooch. Now this latest dream of my grandmother; they’re all the same but I see more with every dream. The ocean, the wheat field, the stars above and the voices, are all a part of something. But what, and how do they all connect with each other?

  After I shared all the dreams, it was quiet. No one spoke for a few minutes but it felt like hours. I just wanted to put the dreams back in my mouth, go upstairs and get to know my new friend, the cat.

  Sara spoke first, “Is the voice you hear, calling you home, a male or female?”

  I thought about this for a second or two before answering. “I never thought about it before. I just assumed it was my father, since that is where, I thought, I was being taken to, by Brett. But now thinking about it, I never thought of the voice in terms of male or female.”

  “Could it be your grandmother’s voice that you hear?” Sara questioned.

  “I don’t know exactly. It may be. But why now am I dreaming of her, and what does she have to do with any of this? I have been hearing the voice calling me home from the beginning of this journey, and have just recently dreamt of my grandmother.”

  Again there was silent. John spoke next, “Emilee, you were young when your grandmother died. Can you tell us what you remember about her?”

  I sat quietly for a bit, thinking, and my head started to hurt. I spoke, but more to myself than to the others. “It’s funny, I remember my grandmother; can see her face so well. Her skin was golden in color, and smooth as porcelain. She had rosy cheeks and the most beautiful blue eyes. She always had her hair up in a bun at the back of her head. She wore emerald earrings and the cameo was always pinned on the left side of her shirt or dress, whichever she was wearing.

  “The memory that’s the clearest was of the last time I saw her. I was out in the woods behind the house, just sitting with my feet in the cool water. She came to me and was dressed in a beautiful, emerald green dress, the color of her earrings. She had her hair down and was so beautiful.

  “She was barefoot and sat, putting her feet in the water too. We didn’t talk, but just sat and enjoyed our surroundings. She then kissed me on the cheeks and told me that we would be together some day and that she loved me.

  “I can only remember the times I spent with her alone. She always seemed to be with me in my bedroom, just she and I. When it was time for me to go downstairs, she would have to leave, and she always left first. I remember thinking that she walked so fast. I would be downstairs just after her, but she was already gone.

  “I would visit with her on the porch, but she would leave just before my mom or dad came out to check on me. I never went to her home, even though I was told she lived nearby.

  “At times, she would show up in the woods when I was out there with my friends, and they would disappear when she approached.

  “I never asked my parents why we never visited her. When I would ask when grandma was coming over to see us, they just smiled and told me she would come over when she wanted.

  “There were no pictures of my grandmother in the house, and when she died there was no funeral. My mother just came to me the day after I had seen her last and told me that she had gone away. I assumed that she had died.

  “My grandmother wanted me to have her cameo. I put it in my jewelry box and would take it out and put it on, every once in a while, and stand in front of the mirror and admire it. I always put it on the left side, just like it is now.

  “My parents never talked about her and I never asked. How strange this is, now that I’m thinking about it.”

  Sara put her hand on mine, and said, “Your grandmother is part of this mystery and journey that you are on. Keep your mind open and it will all become clear, when the time is right. You need to continue to heal and learn more about your powers, and how to use them. Tomorrow we will start with your ability to see the fey reality more clearly. For now you need to eat and then rest. As for the cat, I believe it’s here for a reason and I have a good feeling about this.”

  At that remark, Sara had to put her hand up, to stop Rose from disagreeing. Rose only let out an elongated sigh and made a very unpleasant face.

  Sara continued, “I don’t know why the cat is here or how it fits into this puzzle, but we should keep it close. I think, however, it should be kept in an animal crate in your room when you are sleeping or alone.

  “It is fey, but since it refuses to change, we must keep it contained in the crate so it can’t change when we are not watching. It may be a good idea to keep the cat in the living room for the night, keeping it away from everyone.”

  I thought about this poor cat locked up in a small wire jail of sorts. How is it going to go to the bathroom, and what happens when it needs to eat and drink? I brought this up with as little argumentative attitude as possible.

  John got up and went into the house. When he came back outside he had a small dog collar and leash in his hand.

  “When you think the cat needs to go out, you put the collar and leash on it. It will just have to get used to it.” John said.

  At this, Brett started to chuckle, and Eagle and Kimberlite joined in. Brett said that it had to be this way, or he would be sleeping on my bedroom floor.

  I actually thought about this with a twinkle in my eyes and a wicked smile on my lips, but then decided that wouldn’t be a good idea. I didn’t need any added tension between us, so sleeping in the same room probably wasn’t a good idea.

  I stood up and took the collar and leash from John’s hands, as I said, “I’ll take the cat out for a bit, before dinner, if that’s okay with all of you?” And I went inside and up the stairs without waiting for an answer.

  I could hear Rose disagreeing strongly, but as I climbed the stairs the talking became just a jumbled sound. As I came to the door, I remembered I didn’t have the key, and just then I knew Brett was standing behind me. I could feel that wonderful connection that we had when we were close; that vibration deep in my soul.

  He gave me a cocky smile and said, “You still need me!”

  I gently smacked him in the side of his arm, to lighten the atmosphere around us. />
  Brett acted like I wounded him severely, and held the key up over his head, refusing to open the door. It was easier to be silly around each other, otherwise the need we felt was almost painful.

  I stood there looking at Brett with mischief written all over my face, and said, “I wonder if I have the power to melt this doorknob?” As I started to reach for the knob, Brett reached out and took my hand.

  “Let’s not try that today, Emilee. You need to save your energy for lessons tomorrow.”

  Brett smiled a sincere smile as he put the key in the lock and opened the door for me. Brett continued to hold my hand as we entered the room. The cat was still sleeping on the end of my bed. I suspected she wasn’t really asleep but sure was acting like it. She hadn’t moved from the spot she was in when we left her over an hour ago. I sat down on the bed next to the cat and Brett stood nearby. I could tell that Brett didn’t trust this feline any more than Rose, but I wasn’t concerned. Should I have been, maybe, but I wasn’t.

  I reached over and stroked the cat on the top if its head and she stretched and purred. I scooped her up then and put her on my lap. She was submissive and didn’t seem to mind me putting the collar around her neck. The cat looked up at Brett and I swear it gave him a mischievous look. I chuckled just a bit and hooked the leash to the collar. I stood and walked out the bedroom door.

  Down the stairs I went with Brett following close behind. I couldn’t see, but I could feel the tension and annoyance that was going on between the two of them. This was going to add to the challenges of my already complicated journey, but I welcomed this additional piece of the puzzle that was now my life.

  So out the door we went and I put the cat down in the grass. She seemed fine with the collar and leash as I walked her around the yard. She did her business and investigated some. She then looked up at me and jumped into my arms.

  I looked up at Brett and smiled, saying, “Well so far this is easy.”

  “Don’t be so sure, Princess.” Brett said. “I think she’s on her best behavior. I know now, more than ever, that this feline is going to be trouble.”

  “So what name do I give her?” I said. “If she won’t turn into her true fey self and talk, I will just have to give her a name, myself.”

  “How about trouble?” Rose said, as she came out from around the house. “I will be sleeping in your room with you Princess, just so you know.”

  I chuckled at this and commented that the bed was plenty big enough for the both of us, and Brett started to open his mouth to say something, but closed it then, thinking better of it.

  “What?” I said. “Do you want to stay in my room too? You can sleep on the floor and we can have a slumber party. You both worry too much. I will be fine. I’ll keep Lily in her cage, I promise.”

  Rose and Brett both looked at me very odd then. “What?” I said. I’m serious, I will behave!”

  Rose then said, “Princess, you called her Lily?”

  “So I did; now that’s interesting.” I looked down at the cat as she looked up at me. “Is that your name?” And at that, the cat started to purr and rub against my chest.

  “Well I guess that’s her name. Lily it is.”

  We all went into the house for dinner. I removed the leash from Lily, and Sara got her some cat food, which they fed their barn cats with. She didn’t seem real interested in it, but ate a little. When I sat down at my chair, Lily jumped up in my lap, curled up and purred quietly.

  I didn’t think that a pet at the table was allowed here, the way the children all looked at me, but I am a princess after all, so no one argued, but Rose gave me a look of distain.

  We had a nice dinner and Lily lay still in my lap the entire time. I did feed her a little off of my plate and she seemed to enjoy it. There was something familiar about this cat, and I planned on keeping her close by, until I could figure it out.

  Brett was sitting across from me and would give me looks that I couldn’t quite figure out. It wasn’t fear or concern that would cross his face, but every time I fed Lily, he would give this look. By the end of the meal I finally realized that it was a look of jealousy. Yes, Brett was jealous of this small cat. I found this very interesting and a small smirk crossed my face.

  Brett saw the smirk on my face and I realized that he was in my mind again. He then changed his look to disgust and didn’t pay me much attention while we ate dessert.

  After dinner I took Lily for another walk, before bed, and the children all went with me. They were so excited to have a cat in the house, and to have it sleep in my bedroom, was just so thrilling for them.

  We walked around the big tree that Brett stayed in, and walked out close to the wheat field where I felt something lurked. I didn’t have the feeling anymore and my diamond was calm, so I wondered if Lily was the thing in the wheat field that I felt earlier. I couldn’t imagine this, because I didn’t have that same feeling when Lily showed up, as I did standing out next to the field earlier in the day.

  Lily jumped into my arms as we headed in the direction of the house. I guessed she had enough of being outside. As we walked by the tree, Brett came out and reminded me to put the cat in the cage before bed. He would be on high alert tonight, and would be in the room at the first sign of trouble. Whatever high alert was, I didn’t know, and giggled a little when he said this.

  Brett, however, didn’t find this a bit funny, and holding onto my arm to keep me there with him, he told the children to head into the house.

  “Emilee” Brett started, “you have got to be careful. You don’t know what this cat is here for, and you are taking this all too laidback.” He and the cat just looked at each other with distain on both their faces.

  “Ok you two; I have had enough of this. You will get along because you are both continuing this journey with me.” I said.

  I held Lily up, just under her front legs, and looking at her face to face, I continued, “Lily, until you chose to show yourself to us and tell us what you are doing here and what you want, you will be locked up and I won’t trust you. Do you understand?”

  Lily just looked at me like a cat will, all innocent and sweet, but all who have owned cats know, this look is usually deceiving.

  Just then Eagle came down from the tree and Lily freaked out. She climbed up onto my shoulders and around my neck, where she hid just under my hair. Well she tried to hide under my hair. She scratched my neck as she did this.

  Brett started to grab for her, but I held up one of my hands and grabbed his hand as he did this. We just stood there for a moment or two with our fingers intertwined with one another. Our eyes met and I smiled and said, “It’s okay Brett, Eagle unnerved her.” And I looked at Eagle for a little help.

  “Sorry Princess, I guess birds and cats don’t get along real well, but it is usually the bird who doesn’t like the cat much. I don’t have a problem with her.” Eagle chuckled.

  Lily hissed at this and I let go of Brett’s hand, reached up and taped her on the nose, as if to scold her. She buried her face in my hair again and was quiet once more.

  Brett inspected the scratches on my neck. I took his hand and placed it palm side against the scratch. I placed my hand over his and looking into his eyes again, I smiled. I could feel the pulsing between us and my skin started to tingle under the pressure of his hand. When we removed our hands, the scratch was just a light pink line that looked like it had been healed for days.

  Eagle cleared his throat as if to say, “I am still here!” I blushed some and turned to face Eagle, “Good night.” I said.

  I turned back to Brett, and said, “Don’t worry so much, I’m fine and remember, Rose will be right next to me. I doubt I will get much sleep. I wonder if she’s a bed hog.” I smiled, as I said this, and then headed to the house.

  I could feel both of them staring at me as I walked to the house. Lily came around my neck and dropped back into my arms. She had her front paws, however, up on my shoulder and was looking at the guys. I could only imagine the l
ook of victory that she was giving them. I chuckled again, and she rubbed her nose against my neck as if to laugh with me.

  As I reached the steps to the porch, there was Rose, sitting in the rocker waiting for me. “If you’re done fussing over the cat, I think it’s time for bed. Sara and John have put the children to bed and turned in themselves. I promised that I would lock the door when you came in.” Rose said, in an irritated tone.

  We went inside and Rose did just that, locked the door and followed me up the stairs. I put Lily into her cage and she went willingly. I took a quick shower, and I do mean quick, because Rose was not at all happy to be alone with Lily even for a minute. I set Lily’s cage down next to my side of the bed and Rose and I got comfortable. It was definitely a little crowded in the double bed, but if it made Rose happy, then so be it. If I don’t sleep then I will go one night without dreams. But then, I did want to dream more. What does my grandmother have to do with all of this anyway?

  And so I slept…….

  Chapter two

  What is real?

  What is imaginary?

  What is truth?

  What is fiction?

  Your real, may be my imagination!

  Your truth may be my fiction!

  It is all relevant.

  The sun was shining high in the sky. The sky was intensely blue with large, puffy, white clouds meandering ever so slowly. The stars were out there somewhere, I knew, even though I couldn’t see them. The wheat fields below were golden in color and smelled so fresh and earthy.

  I was sitting up in the tree between the sky and the earth and a gentle breeze was blowing through the branches. I saw movement just over to my right and up a branch or two.

  There was Lily, sitting quietly, just cleaning her face with her paw. She paid no attention to me or anything else for that matter. She just continued to clean herself.

  I could smell the ocean in the distance and heard birds singing all around. I was at peace here in this tree and had no desire to leave. Why am I here though, I wondered.