by Meltem Y. K
CHAPTER 16
I wonder what’s taking Pavlina so long to get here, Jayna wondered. They were planning to go see a movie, but at this rate they would not make it. Jayna had been sitting on the porch steps waiting for her friend to come pick her up.
It was a hot summer evening. After taking care of active children all day, Jayna was looking forward to some girl time with her best friend.
I should remind Pav about looking for a rental place to move, Jayna thought. If Pavlina was serious about moving out before school started in September, she should get going. Soon there would be a lot of out of town students competing for lodgings in the rental housing market. Waterloo boasted not one, but two world class universities.
Jayna caught site of Pavlina’s car turning around the corner. She got up to meet her friend at the curb. Pavlina parked her car and got out. She was a mess.
What’s wrong with Pav? She looks upset, Jayna thought.
“Hi Pav,” she said as she walked towards her friend. “What’s up? You seem a little frazzled.”
Pavlina burst into tears.
“Oh my God, Pav. What happened? Are you okay?” Jayna looked directly at Pavlina’s belly. “Is everything okay with the baby?”
Pavlina nodded.
“The baby’s fine, Jay, but my world is coming apart.”
Jayna gave her friend a hug, and held her for a moment.
“As long as you and the baby are okay, we’ll deal with the rest,” she said. “Let’s go sit at the back. I’ll get us some lemonade.”
Jayna poured them each a tall glass of lemonade and they settled on the patio chairs on the back deck.
“Now, tell me why your world is coming apart,” Jayna said.
Pavlina patted her eyes with the tissue Jayna had given her. “My parents are separating. One is moving to the East coast, the other to the West. I am responsible for their break-up.”
Just like Ayshen said they would, Jayna thought. She tried to keep a straight face.
Pavlina looked at Jayna with suspicion. “Why aren’t you freaking out at my news?”
Jayna hesitated before she spoke. She wasn’t sure if she should confess that she had prior warning about Pavlina’s parents. She decided to approach the issue from a different angle.
“Pav, I am heartbroken that your parents decided to call it quits, but I don’t see how you are responsible for their decision. They are two, mature people who both love you very much. Their decision is not a reflection on you.” Jayna took a sip of her drink and swallowed, hoping that Pavlina bought her explanation.
“You don’t think it’s bizarre that my parents want to go their separate ways after all these years?”
“No, not really; people do grow apart sometimes, Pav.” Jayna said.
“And you don’t really think that I have anything to do with their decision?”
“How could you? People separate all the time, I never heard of anyone blaming it on their kids.”
Jayna hoped that what she was saying made sense to Pavlina.
“I was actually going to remind you about looking for a place; you don’t want to leave it to last minute.”
Pavlina nodded, apparently Jayna’s logic about her parents’ separation made sense to her too.
“My parents said that they will support my education. They were putting money away for medical school, so there is more than enough to put me through four years of university. Mom said I can take whatever furniture I want, they’ll sell the rest. The house is going on the market tomorrow.”
Jayna took a deep breath and sighed. Pavlina was going to be okay, just like Ayshen had seen. Pav just needed to have her little cry on her friend’s shoulder. Having done that, she was already planning her own life.
“How about we forget about going to the theatre tonight, and look for a house for you?” Jayna suggested.
“You’re right; I am not in a mood for the theatre anymore. We might as well spend the time checking the FOR RENT ads.”
Jayna stood up. “Let me go get my laptop, and the phone. We can do it right now.”
Pavlina stared at the pool while Jayna went inside to get her laptop. She felt a lot better having unloaded her grief over her parents’ separation. Pavlina could not imagine life without Jayna. They were sisters in every sense of the word; they just didn’t share the same set of parents in this lifetime.
Jayna came back with her laptop, the phone, a pad and pen for making notes.
“Okay, this is serious business,” she said. “Let’s see what we can find.”
“We are going to look for a detached home where the basement is being rented as a separate unit. It must have a separate door to the unit, a kitchen and a full bathroom. How is that for starters,” Jayna asked.
“Sounds good; let’s see what we can find.”
Pavlina came around and sat next to Jayna so she could follow the online search. Jayna pulled up Google and listed the parameters for her search. There were many listings, but most were for a room in a house. Nope, that wouldn’t do. She refined her search and came up with three units. The rents were within their range and the information given by the owners sounded solid.
“What next,” Pavlina asked.
“We’ll call them and ask for an appointment to go see each of these units; then you will decide which one you like best.” Jayna handed the phone to Pavlina. “You should make the calls. I am right here holding your hand.”
Pavlina smiled and punched the numbers. “Sure, I can do that.”
Within ten minutes they had appointments to see the rental units that very night.
“I guess we lucked out,” Pavlina said.
“This is way better than watching a movie,” Jayna grabbed her purse. “Let’s go.”
They got into Pavlina’s car and drove to the first house on their list. Pavlina was a little nervous, but Jayna was all business.
“Now, listen Pav; you can’t show how excited you are if you really love the place. You gotta play it cool, and make sure you let them know that you are planning to rent for the next four years, not for September to December. You don’t want them to think you are just another university student.”
Pavlina scrunched up her face. “What about the baby, do I tell them that I will be having a baby?”
Jayna thought about this for a moment, and then nodded. “Yes, I think you should be up front.”
“Yeah, you are right. I have to be honest or they will never trust me again.”
The first two houses they visited did not pan out. Pavlina was getting discouraged.
“Jay, this is harder than I thought. The first house was smelly and the second one, I just couldn’t see myself living there. It didn’t give off the right vibes.”
“That’s why we started looking now and not later. These things take time Pav. You have to be patient; besides, we’ve got one more place on our list.”
“You are right, I have to be patient.” Pavlina played around with the radio buttons until she found a station that played a song she liked.
“Music always cheers me up,” she said.
The girls sang along with the radio. They rolled down the windows and let the air circulate naturally. No need to turn on the AC if they could do without it.
“Oh, turn left right there, Pav,” Jayna pointed out. “Now, we’ll look for number three fifty seven.”
Pavlina drove around the bend and stopped in front of a raised bungalow, with a white picket fence.
“Look Jay, this is the house. Isn’t it cute? I can’t wait to see the inside.”
Jayna crossed her fingers as they got out of the car and walked to the house. Pavlina rang the doorbell.
An elderly couple answered the door.
“Hello, I am Pavlina. I called to see the rental unit.” Pavlina glanced at Jayna. “This is my friend Jayna.”
Both the girls smiled politely.
“Hello dear. We’ve been expecting you. I am Norma and this Jim. We’ll show you the unit.”
&nb
sp; The girls followed the elderly couple to the back of the building. To Pavlina’s delight it was a walkout basement. Jim opened the door and invited the girls to go in.
“This looks brand new,” Jayna said. Pavlina was speechless. Jayna could see that she was mentally moving in and picturing herself living here.
“It is new, sweetie. We just finished renovating it.” Norma was proud of the work they had done on the unit.
Pavlina walked around the small, but entirely perfect basement. The walls were neutral sand beige. There were lots of windows to allow sun light, the bathroom was very tastefully done and the bedroom was spacious enough to fit a double bed and a crib. The floors were hardwood except for the bathroom which was done in tile.
“I absolutely love it,” Pavlina said.
Jayna walked over and held Pavlina’s arm and gave her a squeeze and smiled. Her eyes were saying, what happened to keeping a cool head?
Pavlina tried back pedaling. “I saw a couple of other places tonight and they were all very nice. It will be hard to decide which one I like the most.” She smiled at Jayna. Her eyes said, see, I can keep it cool.
“When are you planning to move, sweetie?” Norma asked.
“Actually I need to be settled in before University starts. I was hoping to move in as soon as possible. What date did you have in mind?”
“The unit is ready to be leased. We are waiting for the right person to come along. We had several people look at it, but we are being careful. We don’t really want a student who will rent only for a term then move out,” Jim explained.
“We are hoping to get someone who will want to live here for a few years. We don’t want any subletting to a third party, either; or wild parties.”
Pavlina looked at Jayna, her eyes pleading. Now what?
“Are the two of you planning to move in together, girls?” Norma asked.
“No ma’am. I will be living on my own. Although I will be attending university, I prefer to find a suitable place and stay there until I am done my schooling.”
Norma’s face lit up. “That’s the kind of tenant we are looking for; but remember – no parties and absolutely no drugs. Most university students go crazy when they live on their own. We won’t have any of that.”
“Will you be requiring a lease or would it be by the month?” Pavlina asked.
“We will want a twelve month lease; then it will be by the month. However, we will have some conditions in the lease that if you break them, we’d ask you to leave.”
Pavlina nodded her understanding.
“I will come back with my parents and show them this place. They can also sign the lease for me as I am not eighteen yet. You can put the lease in my name, once I turn eighteen in September.”
“That will be great, sweetie. You look like a smart girl with a good head on your shoulders. I have a feeling we’ll get along just fine.”
I wonder if they will still like me when I tell them I am pregnant, Pavlina thought.
“Do you object to children?” Pavlina asked the elderly couple, looking both of them straight in the face.
They were taken aback by this question. They were obviously not expecting it from Pavlina.
“What do you mean dear?” Norma asked somewhat hesitantly.
“I think it’s only fair to be tell you that I am expecting a baby in March.”
Norma and Jim were quiet. They weren’t sure what to say.
“You will be having a baby in March?” Norma asked to confirm that she heard it right.
“Yes, ma’am, I am. I will be also going to school. I already have someone lined up who will watch the baby for me when I am in school.”
“Do you work?” Jim asked, obviously wondering if she could afford to go to school, have a baby, and pay the rent.
“Yes, sir, I do. I can bring you a letter of reference if you like. My parents will also be helping with my education expenses. You don’t have to worry about my paying the rent on time. If it makes you feel better, I can pay this year’s rent up front. I would have had to do it that way if I were to live in a dorm.”
The atmosphere had gone from light to serious.
The elderly coupled looked at each other and nodded together. “That won’t be necessary dear. You can pay first and last month’s rent when you sign the lease. The rent is due on the first day of the month after that.”
“I have one more thing to ask you,” Pavlina said. “Will you allow me to bring my cat here?”
I might as well lay all my chips on the table, she thought. I really like this place and can see myself living here for a long time. Lucky is my cat, I don’t have the heart to give her away.
She took a calming breath and continued. “My parents are separating and moving away. I would very much like to keep my cat.”
Jayna was standing on the sidelines, keeping her fingers crossed and praying that everything would work out. She noticed how Norma’s facial expressions softened and understanding dawned in her eyes.
“I don’t see how that would be a problem, dear. You can bring your cat.”
Pavlina’s face broke into a huge smile. She couldn’t stop herself; she turned and hugged Jayna with relief.
“Thank you so much,” she said to Norma and Jim. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“When can you come back with your parents to sign the lease?” Jim asked, back to business.
“If you are home tomorrow, we’ll drop by. I’ll call you first.”
Norma and Jim looked pleased. “We’ll see you tomorrow then, with your parents.”
“That went rather well, don’t you think,” Pavlina asked as she pulled out of the driveway waving good-bye to the elderly couple.
“I have a good feeling about this place, too,” Jayna said. “It’s very tastefully done, no one’s lived there before you; you’ll be moving into a new place. Norma and Jim definitely give off good vibes. They are happy they found a suitable tenant. It’s a win-win situation all the way around.”
“Have you thought about what you would take from your parents’ house,” Jayna asked.
“Honestly, I think my mom wants to give me everything in the house. She would rather give it to me than sell it or ship it.”
“Maybe you should take what you could use and if there are things that you want to keep for the future, put them in storage” Jayna suggested.
Pavlina nodded. “That’s a really good idea Jay. There is no way I can take everything at this point, but I will consider storage for the items that I want to save for the future.”
Pavlina played around with the radio buttons again and tuned into a station that was playing music she liked. Pavlina’s mood was restored.
“I am so glad we found this place.”
“I am definitely relieved that our little mission was successfully accomplished tonight. You see Pav, everything is falling into place. If you remember, you are the one who said you wanted to raise Hope on your own. In a strange way, you got your wish. Your parents being physically that far away from you will give you all the space you need to be free of their influence.”
“I certainly did not wish them to separate and move to the opposite ends of the country, but that is how the dice rolled. We’ll make sure that we get together….” Pavlina’s voice trailed off and a blank look came over her face.
As Jayna was closely watching her friend’s face, she immediately noticed that something had just happened to Pavlina.
“Pav, what’s the matter?” Jayna tried to keep her voice calm.
Pavlina shook her head in an effort to clear her thoughts. She slowed down and pulled to the side of the road behind a car that was already parked by the curb.
“Why did you pull over?”
“Jayna, I just had a vision: I saw a horrible accident up at the lights and a flashing stop sign. I think I am being told not to proceed in that direction. I didn’t know what else to do but pull to the side.” Pavlina was shaken up.
“I haven
’t had a vision since the incident in the pizza place.”
Jayna felt a buzz running through her spine; she had Goosebumps all over.
“I feel something too, Pav.”
They heard the sound of metal crushing and cars blowing their horns before Jayna could finish her sentence. There was a five car pileup.
“Oh my God, if I hadn’t pulled to the side, we would have been in the middle of that accident.”
Jayna and Pavlina were staring at each other’s ghost white faces. Thanks to Pavlina’s vision, they were spared from an accident.
“That was very good, Pav. You were quick to act. I guess it takes a split second to get into an accident and a split second to avoid one.”
“We were lucky.”
Jayna shook her head. “Luck had nothing to do with that Pav. You were given a clear warning not to proceed into the lights. That was divine intervention.”
“I guess it was.”
The girls walked towards the pile up to see if anyone needed help. The people involved in the accident were coming out of their cars, some of them dazed, everyone in shock. Several of the women threw themselves on the grass by the curb. The calmest one in the group was on her cell calling the Police to report the accident.
“Does anyone need an ambulance?” Jayna asked.
It didn’t look like anyone was bleeding; everyone was able to walk out of their cars unassisted. They were trying to figure out what had just happened. The first two cars in the pile up had the worst damage. A black pickup truck had rear ended the car in front of him and that car in turn had run into the one in front of it, until there were five cars in total that were hit.
Other passers bye had also stopped to see if anyone needed help. How nice that they care, Jayna thought.
Soon a Police cruiser arrived. Jayna and Pavlina decided it was time for them to leave. They had not witnessed the accident; they had nothing to say to the Police that would help in any way. Thankfully, no one was hurt, only the vehicles were damaged.
“I could use something sweet,” Jayna said. “How about you, Pav? You feel like an ice cream?”
“Sounds good to me. I need some comfort food after all this excitement.”
They drove to the nearest Dairy Queen. Jayna got pistachio ice cream in a sugar cone, Pavlina wanted black cherry.
They took their cones and sat on the benches outside the shop. There were a lot of teenagers in and outside of the shop. Everyone was out to get an ice cream on a hot summer night. It wasn’t dark yet, but the sun was going down quickly.
Jayna looked at her watch. Pavlina did not miss it, she checked her own watch.
“It’s only nine o’clock, Jay. You got a few more hours before you meet up with Ethan.”
“I know. Sometimes I wonder what he is doing.”
“You guys do that telepathy thing, so ask him.”
Jayna shrugged. “Yeah, we do the telepathy thing, but I don’t want to be clingy.”
Pavlina smiled. “Wise decision, Jay. Look what being clingy did to me. He decided I was taking up too much of his time – but I think it just wasn’t mean to be.
Oops, I hope I didn’t hurt Pav’s feelings.
“No, you didn’t hurt my feelings.”
Jayna did a double take. “You can read minds?”
“No, silly, I read your face.” Pavlina was laughing at Jayna’s horrified expression.
“Relax, Jay; I am over Darren. I am sure we would have broken up sooner or later. That was just the reason he came up with at the time. If I were meant to be with him, I would be. Fate, Kismet and Karma, right?”
“Right.”
“How did your visit go at the Optometrist? You were there earlier this afternoon, weren’t you?” Pavlina asked.
“Yeah, I was, but will all the excitement since then I forgot about it. The doctor was quite baffled. He said I don’t need corrective lenses anymore.”
“Aren’t you wearing your contact lenses now?”
“No. Apparently, I have better than twenty-twenty vision.” Jayna opened her eyes wide to show Pavlina she was not wearing contact lenses.
“He can’t figure it out, but I think I know what happened,” Jayna said.
“Okay, what happened?”
“Oh, nothing I could have told him. I am sure it’s my nightly trips to the Astral dimension and working with the entities there that corrected my eye sight. When I left, he was still scratching his head trying to figure out how my vision improved overnight,” Jayna chuckled softly.
Pavlina listened intently to Jayna’s story.
“Wow, Jay. This is terrific. Anything else you want to tell me?”
Jayna shrugged. “There is an entirely different existence out there, Pav. Every night, I see something different, I learn something new. I’ve been practicing something. Let me see if I can show you.”
Jayna looked around their bench. She found a small twig on the ground that must have fallen from the tree near bye. She bent down and picked it up; held it in her hand while she focused her attention on it.
Pavlina watched carefully, not having a clue where this was heading. A small plume of smoke started to rise from the tip of the twig. Pavlina ‘s eyes popped open.
Suddenly a flame appeared; Jayna let it burn for a few seconds before she blew it off.
“That was double WOW,” Pavlina said. “You can start fire just by staring at something,” she whispered.
Jayna shook her head.
“No, I raised the internal temperature of the twig; that’s what started the fire.”
“You can affect the internal temperature of objects with your mind,” Pavlina asked in a whisper.
Jayna nodded.
“Can you also lower the temperature of an object,” Pavlina asked.
Jayna nodded again. “You are fast at figuring things out.”
“Have you turned water into ice?”
“Aha.”
“What else have you done, Jay?” Pavlina’s mind was going a mile a minute.
“Hmmm, let’s see. Just give me a minute and see what I can come up with. These things are better demonstrated than told.”
“Okay.”
“Lick your ice cream, it’s melting.” Jayna said to her friend, licking her own.
Pavlina busied herself eating her ice cream before it made a mess. From the corner of her eye she saw a couple of squirrels shyly inching their way towards them. Jayna was calmly eating her ice cream, but there was something about her eyes that gave her away. She was using telepathy.
The squirrels joined them on the bench, Jayna gently moved aside to make room for the little puff balls of fur. She cut a few small pieces from her cone and put it on the bench. The squirrels took them with their human like hands and ate them, looking for more.
“They are so cute,” Pavlina said. “And they are not afraid. What did you tell them Jay?”
Jayna smiled. “I told them I would give them some treats if they came up on the bench, and not to be afraid of us.”
“Let me see if I can get them to take the cone pieces directly from my hand.”
Jayna took a calming breath and slowly blew it out as she sent another telepathic message to the squirrels.
She cut two more pieces of cone and held out her hand. The squirrels reached and each took a piece of the ice cream cone directly from Jayna.
“They like the sweet cone,” Jayna said. “They want to take some back to their nest. I can hear their thoughts to each other. They have babies.”
“Jay, everyone’s looking at us,” Pavlina whispered.
People enjoying their ice creams outside had noticed the interaction between the two girlfriends sitting on the bench and the squirrels who had joined them. Someone yelled out, “Hey, girls. Do you mind if I take a picture of you with the squirrels? I want to send it to the newspaper.”
Jayna and Pavlina looked at each other. They shrugged at the same time.
“Sure,” Jayna said. Permission granted, several
other people pulled out their cell phones to take photos of the friendly squirrels.
Jayna gave the squirrels some more treats and then telepathically told them to take the treats back to their nest. Once the squirrels left, everyone went back to what they were doing.
“I better be careful where I do my little demonstrations from now on,” Jayna said.
“No kidding; or you’ll have your picture in the paper every day. How is that for anonymity?”
PART II
The Dream
FOUR YEARS LATER