by Elena Carter
“You could. And the strong positive energy carnelian has also won’t hurt. So, before you go to the hotel, can you come by my place and pick up the stone?”
“Hotel? What hotel?” Tina’s eyebrows went up.
“I figured if you follow my advice to sleep in a different place, you’d go to a hotel. I would gladly invite you over, but you know they’re painting the walls in the guest room. Plus, it’s better for you to have the least number of distractions possible. A new unfamiliar environment would be ideal.”
“Oh, that’s what you mean! I haven't even thought about it. Yeah, I guess I could … I don’t know. It does feel kind of weird staying in a hotel without traveling. It also sounds kind of fun, though.”
“Of course it does. Also, you could practice sleeping in the day,” Alice said.
“That might be a bit problematic, considering I have work to do.” Tina sighed. “I have to finish two articles Mike assigned to me last week. Don’t want to let him down. And I need the money.”
She sighed again and reached for her coffee. As she took a sip and was about to put the mug back down, a big black fly buzzed by her face. With a yelp, Tina sat up straight and whipped her hand back, knocking her elbow against her chest and sloshing coffee all over her lap, the desk, and the laptop.
“Crap!” She jumped up.
“What happened, dear? Are you okay?”
“Just spilled my coffee all over myself and my work place.” Tina put the mug down with a moan, looking around for a box of tissues.
“Oh, no! Did you burn yourself?”
“No, thank God. It was already cold.”
“Thank God indeed.”
“But my computer. I can’t believe I spilled it on my computer!” Tina bit her lip, blinking back the tears.
“It’s okay, dear. Everything will be all right. I’m sure it’s fixable. You need to turn it off now, though. It was an accident. Don’t be too hard on yourself. On the bright side …” Alice hesitated, “You’re going to hate me for this, but I’ll still say it.”
“Yes?”
“Since you can’t work right now anyway, maybe you’d consider booking a hotel room?”
The Ferris wheel cabin climbed slowly, revealing stunning mountain views on one side and a long, curved coastline on the other.
Tina gazed at the scenery in awe. Her fear of heights seemed to have disappeared, or at least to have been paused.
The views were breathtaking. The dark green fur of the forest against the bright blue silk of the sky looked soft and fluffy, like a stuffed animal. Tina wanted to reach out and touch it—to stroke it like a little kitten. The thought filled her heart with warmth.
“I love seeing you happy,” Greg said, covering her hand with his. “I’ve missed it so much.”
Startled, Tina jumped, her eyes widening. She stared at Greg, sitting next to her in the cabin. She’d forgotten they were on that Ferris wheel together, too absorbed in the views.
The feeling of peace and calmness returned to her, accompanied by the melodic chirping of birds in the branches of the trees. A mild breeze played with her hair as the setting sun reflected off the still surface of the water, painting it rose gold.
She looked at Greg again, taking in every detail of the familiar features she loved so much. The soft waves of his untrimmed chestnut hair, the hazel eyes and the dimples peeking through the stubble. She felt the warmth of his palm on her hand. Happiness bubbled inside her, ready to overflow, but it was confronted by the complete calmness Tina wasn’t used to. The rising tsunami of emotions steadied, and the corners of her lips curved up again.
“I am very happy. I don’t even have words to describe it. And at the same time I’m … at peace,” she said. “Do you know what I mean?”
“I do. And I’m glad it worked.” Greg chuckled.
“What worked?”
“This place. Actually, never mind. I’ll try to explain later. So, you like it here, huh?” He gazed around with an approving smile, as if enjoying the result of his own creation. “I thought you would.”
“It’s amazing. The mountains and the sea, everything I love in one place. A dream come true. Although, I’ve never pictured it exactly like this. Maybe because I’ve never imagined looking at it from above.” Tina glanced down, wondering where her fear of heights had disappeared.
“This place does not allow any negative emotions. Including fears.” Greg seemed to have read her mind.
Tina’s eyes widened. “Wow. That’s cool. Actually, I’ve noticed it doesn’t like too positive emotions either, or am I wrong?”
“You’re right. It’s all about equilibrium. A great place to talk. And to have your coffee.”
Tina noticed the small table in the center of the cabin with a cup of cappuccino resting on its surface. The cabin moved so slowly and smoothly that not a single drop of the drink was spilled.
Tina picked up the cup and took a couple of sips. The smell of cinnamon lapped against her nostrils, making her squint with pleasure.
Greg laughed and reached to wipe the foam off her upper lip.
“As always,” he said. There was so much love in his voice and in that little gesture; it wrapped Tina in a warm blanket.
“I miss you. So much.”
“I miss you too, babe.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes. Tina enjoyed her coffee and the newly acquired feeling of inner peace, while Greg waited patiently until she was ready to talk.
“What is this place exactly?” She put her empty cup on the table and looked around.
The cabin had stopped at the top, letting its passengers enjoy the views on both sides. In a similar situation on a normal Ferris wheel, Tina would have panicked, but she was instead absolutely relaxed and even glad it had stopped. She knew it was a dream, and she was using the knowledge to her advantage.
“I’m afraid I can’t tell you exactly, but I’ll try to explain the bare outlines.” He leaned back comfortably. “Basically, it’s one of the amazingly beautiful worlds that people don’t even suspect exist. These worlds exist, they live, they flourish, they have their own rules and laws and peculiarities and inhabitants, and they follow their own timelines and their own logic. I think you’ve already heard a little about it from your new friend.”
Tina nodded.
“You wanna ask me anything?” Greg raised one eyebrow.
“You know, a part of me is stubbornly saying ‘But I’m dreaming, it’s just a dream, right?’, although, I know that’s not the case.”
“That’s already something!” Greg laughed.
“But I’m still confused. Why are you here? Why am I here? How does it work? Is it the afterlife? But I’m still alive, aren’t I? Okay, I’m starting to sound stupid.” She shook her head.
“There’s nothing stupid in what you’re asking. No, it’s not the afterlife. Well, maybe it is, since it’s a strange concept in itself.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Life is endless. There are no afterlives and beforelives. Our souls are immortal. A life cycle in a human body in our particular world is like a drop in the ocean for the soul. When the soul is free from a certain cycle and world, it can roam freely and explore the endless worlds and realities. No borders, no customs, no visas.”
Tina smiled. “No borders. Another dream come true.”
“My love, if only you knew. Life can be one big dream come true, but we don’t have a clue how to make it work. Even worse, we don’t suspect it’s possible.” He shook his head in disapproval. “But that’s a story for another day.”
“Okay, back to the freely roaming souls. Why me then? I mean, how?” Tina shrugged, unable to find the right words.
“Dreams are also an opportunity for some souls to travel. It doesn't work for everyone, but it is possible, and happens more often than you would think. When you sleep, your soul wanders and explores new worlds. Sometimes, they might be too much for your mind to handle, so you end up not remembering some or most of your
adventures after you wake up. Some souls are more ready than others or in more harmony with their bodies. Some are more welcomed, or even wanted, by the other worlds. And some are lucky to have help and guidance.” He winked.
“Connections everywhere.” Tina snorted.
“Yup, there’s no world without them. Gotta know the right people.” Greg rolled his eyes and laughed. “It’s much more complicated and intricate and full of nuances. But I think it answers your first questions, right?”
“Pretty much. I do have a thousand questions, but I don’t feel like asking them yet. This is all really overwhelming, but I’m calm and relaxed about it. A very strange feeling.”
“I needed to talk to you in a place where your emotions wouldn’t get in the way.” Greg gave her an apologetic smile. “Your soul is pretty much ready for traveling, as you might have guessed, but I needed a chance to convey this information to you first. When you know what’s going on, you’ll be more prepared, and you can focus on the right things.”
“Instead of freaking out.”
“Exactly.” Greg nodded. “Honey, you are brave and strong and absolutely amazing. You are a dreamer and an explorer. And you’re perfect for this. I wanted to see you, of course, because I miss you so much, but there’s more to it. I wanted to show you these amazing places. I wanted to teach you how to travel around these worlds, how to open these doors, how to navigate through them. I wanted to give you this gift. I think it’s the best gift anyone can give.”
“It is.” Tina’s eyes were watering, but the place of equilibrium wasn’t going to let her release those emotions. “I love you so much, honey. Can you give me a hug?”
“Come here.” Greg got up and stretched his arms.
He stepped closer and held her tightly for a few moments. They stood there silently, listening to the wind, to the birds, and to each other’s heartbeats.
All the stress and pain and fears of the past months were washed out from Tina’s soul. She felt clean and clear, empty and light, as if she could float like a feather over the mountain tops and toward the crimson clouds.
“I feel like flying,” she whispered.
“Let’s do it then,” he whispered back.
Greg let go of the embrace, but kept hold of her hands. He gazed into her eyes and said, “Are you ready? No fears, no doubts, just trust me and enjoy the moment, okay?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but okay.” Tina laughed.
He let go of one of her hands and led her to the rails of the cabin.
He reached for the latch securing the cabin entrance and opened it.
Tina stepped toward the edge and peered down at the sandy shore spreading beneath them.
“Ready?” Greg asked.
She clenched his hand. “Of course not.”
They jumped out of the cabin.
Tina and Greg landed on the sand on their feet and hands. Tina felt as if they had jumped off a table, or maybe a closet, but definitely not a Ferris wheel cabin towering above the tallest of treetops.
“Wow!” She looked around her with wide eyes fascinated not only by the fact she’d jumped from a great height without any fear whatsoever, but also because they were in a totally different location.
The beach wasn’t the one they saw from the Ferris wheel. There were no mountains around it. It was a vast beach—completely empty—and colorful pebbles, which sparkled like gemstones when the sun hit them, separated the turquoise sea from the sand.
The sun was high in the clear sky, but it wasn’t hot. Tina kicked her shoes off and took a few steps onto the warm sand.
“Like it?” Greg asked.
“Love it.!” Tina smiled. “You know how much I love walking barefoot on the sand. I want to dance.”
She whirled around with her shoes in one hand, and reached out to Greg, inviting him to join her.
He laughed softly and took her hand to dance with her to the music only they could hear.
He twirled Tina to the imaginary melody for a few minutes before pulling her close and hugging her from the back. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his head on her shoulder.
“Let’s go check that out.” He pointed at the strand of colorful stones.
“Looks interesting!”
As the couple approached the pebbles, they found they were in fact smooth polished pieces of sea glass. There were some pebbles among them, but the beach mostly consisted of an array of glass, varying in colors.
“I’ve never seen anything like this. Look at these colors. I mean, I’ve seen sea glass before, but it’s usually green or brown. Blue and pink are rare, but purple? Orange? That bright red over there? It’s amazing!” Tina waived her hands.
Greg could see the delight in Tina’s eyes.
“Can I?” She pointed at the glass, not sure if she could touch the treasure.
“Why not?” Greg laughed. “Grab a handful. In fact, so will I.”
They knelt over the scattering. Tina caught herself regretting not carrying a purse, but then, she didn’t have any idea of how to bring a purse into a dream.
She picked up the shiny pieces of glass, one after the other. They were all smooth, perfectly polished by the sea, and had various shapes and bright colors. She found some pebbles of unusual colors too. Her hands were getting full, but she couldn’t let go because they were beautiful. She felt like a little girl, a very happy little girl. She didn’t remember the last time a simple action or object made her so happy.
She glanced at Greg, only to find him watching her closely.
“Remember Marble Beach?” His eyes sparkled.
“We got lost, and then the car broke down. We had to sleep in it, fighting with the mosquitoes the whole night, because if we rolled the windows up it would be too hot.” Tina laughed. “How could I ever forget?”
Greg chuckled. “But it was worth it, wasn’t it? When we finally made it to the beach the next day?”
Tina smiled, recalling their funny, yet romantic, getaway.
“Of course it was. That sunset. I’ll always remember it.”
“Remember how we made a mosaic of pebbles on the sand?” Greg raised his eyebrow.
“Oh, my God, this is gonna be terrific. Can you imagine what we can do with these beauties?” Tina jumped up and her treasures started slipping from her hands.
“We’ll need more of these,” she said as she lifted the hem of her dress, using it as a makeshift bag to carry pebbles and glasses.
Greg laughed and got up too. “Here, let me help you. Let’s get as many as we can.” He shoveled a handful of glasses into the hem of Tina’s dress.
When they had collected a huge pile, the couple moved over to the sandy part of the beach.
For a few moments, they sat there in silence, watching the waves and taking in the beauty of their surroundings. Tina played with the smooth beach glasses, burying her hand in the pile and lifting a handful without looking. She transferred them to the other hand and enjoyed the way the cool smooth glass felt in her hands.
Greg started sorting the pile, picking out colors for his mosaic.
“Yeah, that sunset …” Tina said.
“One of the best. Unforgettable.” Greg nodded, while working on his mosaic.
“They all were, you know. Every trip. Every sunset. Every sunrise. Each one special and unforgettable.”
“You’re right, baby. They were.”
“God, I’ve missed you. You have no idea. You can’t even imagine what I went through.”
Greg glanced at her. “In fact, I do. I can. I don’t know how to explain it to you, but I felt your pain. I felt every tear. And it was destroying me. I didn’t know what to do at first. Didn’t know how to help you or make it better.”
“Were you watching me?” Tina turned to look at him.
“I was. I was always with you. It hurt me so much to see your pain. Your grief. It was killing me.” Greg winced. “Well, kind of a wrong word choice there. Gotta laugh, though.”
“Babe …”
“Sometimes, I think a part of me broke that day. And it can’t be fixed. I can’t be fixed. I tried, Greg, I really did.”
“I know you did.” He put his hand on hers.
“But nothing is working. I don’t believe anything will work. I mean, I learned to live without you, but it’s not really me anymore. I’m damaged. Irreparable.” A lump was forming in her throat. She thought for a second that she would love to be back on the Ferris wheel, where her emotions were under control. This place was obviously something different.
“You’ve given up way too early, love.” Greg pointed to the side of her. “Could you pass me that dark blue one, please?”
Tina reached for the glass Greg wanted and handed it to him. “Really?”
“Do you know how much I love you, Tina?”
A tear escaped and trickled down her cheek. She didn’t say anything.
“Not everyone gets the chance I have. Yes, the soul is free to travel, to rest, to be anywhere and everywhere at the same time. Some just rest. Some go to a new world and stay there, getting a new life. Some have memories of the last incarnation, some don’t. But not many get a chance to actually contact their loved ones. And to help them. To teach them.”
Tina listened closely.
“Your pain didn’t let me go. Loss is always harder for those who stay. The souls of those who pass don’t feel it as much. They do feel it when their loved ones suffer, though. You were heartbroken, my love. I just couldn’t take it.” He shook his head as if chasing the memories away, and continued with the mosaic.
“All I wanted was to be with you. If only I knew you were watching. If only I knew you could feel what I was feeling.”
“I was watching. And I was feeling. And I was crying with you. All I wanted was to be near you. To hold you. To stroke your hair. To kiss you and to tell you everything will be all right. So I started looking for ways.” He reached for another glass and fitted it into the mosaic. “I wanted to show you it wasn’t the end. That there is so much more out there, waiting to be discovered and enjoyed by you.”