One by one, Bev turned over each card and explained its meaning. The first six cards indicated strong conflict, possible loss of finances or friendships, an unexpected turn of events including some new evidence that could be harmful if misinterpreted, and the need for careful research into various legal technicalities.
The seventh (and centrally placed) card had an eerie appearance. It revealed a standing skeleton holding a scythe as if harvesting wheat. Michelle detected a brief change in Bev’s countenance when she turned over that card. Her eyes registered concern, which was quickly replaced by what appeared to be a forced or artificial calm.
“This card represents change, Michelle. It is called the death card, but it usually signals the death of an old way of doing things or a change of path,” she explained reassuringly. “Perhaps your father is on the brink of some career changes or philosophical alterations.”
Monica broke in. “I’m sure that’s it, Michelle. Remember how you said he always wanted to start his own business? Maybe this lawsuit will end his relationship with Mathers, Inc. and open the door for him to follow that dream.”
“It would take something pretty divisive to get him to leave Mathers after all these years,” Michelle conceded. “But this lawsuit could do it, I guess.”
“We should get going,” said Monica. “Your mom’s waiting.”
“We’ll have more time for the cards later, Michelle,” Bev promised. “Bring your mom to yoga on Thursday. I’d love to meet her.”
“Okay. I’ll see if she’s interested,” Michelle replied.
As the girls drove home, Michelle kept thinking about the cards, especially the death card. Bev seemed reassuring about it, but a nagging sense of anxiety left Michelle wondering if the card’s meaning hadn’t been more ominous than her teacher had shared.
CHAPTER FIVE
In the quiet, little town of Mariposa, California, Michelle’s grandparents, Phil and Joan Walker, were enjoying a cup of tea and some homemade biscuits. They lived in a simple A-frame, wooden house painted white with black trim. This was the home they’d shared for fifty years. It was where they had raised their daughter, Sheila.
Phil pastored a small church in this rural community, until a stroke pulled him out of full-time ministry. Having recovered everything but his stamina, and remaining passionate about his faith, he continued to teach a home Bible study twice a month. Both he and his wife helped out around church as much as they could. And he still clung to the idea of possibly returning to a pastoral position someday.
Overall, the years had been kind to these gentle folks. Although Phil’s gray hair was thinning and his face was creased, he had a youthful vitality that communicated itself in his countenance and his sparkling blue eyes. Always quick with a joke or a little limerick, he could bring a smile to almost anyone’s face.
Joan seemed almost childlike beside him, her tiny five-foot-tall body dwarfed by Phil’s tall, lanky frame. Today she was wearing a casual floral dress that complemented her soft white curls and light gray eyes. As she sipped on her tea, she heard Phil sigh.
“What is it, Phil?” she asked noticing her husband's frown.
“I just can’t stop thinking about Michelle,” he answered. “She’s been on my mind all week. I can’t help wondering if something is wrong.” He ran his fingers through his hair.
“Shall we call them tonight? I think Sheila was planning to fly up to see her this week,” Joan added, studying her husband’s expression.
“I don’t know about calling her. Let’s pray and see what the Lord has in mind,” he suggested.
They hadn’t talked to their granddaughter for a while. She seemed distant in more ways than just geographically since her move to Oregon. The last time they called, Michelle seemed glad to hear from them, but kept the conversation on a very surface level and didn’t stay on the phone for long.
Joan understood her husband’s reluctance to interfere in their grandchildren’s lives. Perhaps someday the close relationship they once had with Michelle would be restored. In the meantime, she agreed with his suggestion to commit the matter to prayer. Clasping their hands together and bowing their heads, Phil interceded on behalf of his granddaughter.
“Lord, you know how much we love Michelle. She has always been such a sensitive and sweet girl. Please guard her, Lord. Watch over her and give her wisdom. Help her to see how much you love her. Show her the path that leads to you. We know that you have a plan for her and we just want to recommit her to you now. Help us know when and how to reach out to her. Give us patience and discernment as you show us your hand working in and through her life. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Amen,” echoed Joan as she squeezed her husband’s hand. Gratitude swelled in her heart as she silently thanked God for bringing Phil into her life. His strong faith and steadfast relationship with God had carried them through many difficulties and concerns. Even in moments of intense crisis, his prayers had been a safe haven, separating her from the storm. His kind of faith was what she hoped her children and grandchildren would discover.
She thought about how Sheila’s marriage to John had driven a wedge between their daughter and their God. Much as she loved John, Joan continuously prayed that he would see the emptiness of his philosophical ramblings, and that Sheila would be reconciled to her faith. The ramifications of their lack of spiritual leadership had affected both Michelle and Tim. Neither of them seemed to have any solid footing of faith, and she had watched them try to build lives for themselves based on the self-sufficiency and independence John promoted.
Phil reached over and stroked her soft cheek. “God will take care of it, honey.”
“I know, Phil.” She smiled and sighed.
As Michelle dropped Monica off at her house, they decided to try to set up a lunch date with Sheila and Beth.
“I’ll talk to Beth about it and call you in the morning,” Monica promised.
“Sounds good. Maybe Thursday would be good. I can pick you guys up if Tony’s car is still on the blink.”
“So, do we have to sign up for that class at the bookstore?” Monica asked.
“I think we can just get there early the day of the first class and sign up then,” she replied.
“Okay, just don’t forget I’m going with you.”
“Like I’d really forget that!” Michelle replied, rolling her eyes.
After leaving Monica’s house, she thought back to the tarot cards and Bev’s interpretations. She couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling about that death card. Why had it appeared in the center of the spread? What did it really mean? Was her dad okay? These questions swam in her mind as she threaded her way back through Sandy Cove to Wayburn Way, her left hand on the steering wheel while her right hand twisted her hair.
Steve’s car pulled in beside hers as she entered the driveway. He smiled and winked at her, and she grinned back. They both drove into the garage and parked, then Steve walked over, holding his right hand behind his back.
“Surprise!” he exclaimed handing Michelle a beautiful bouquet of red roses.
Michelle smiled warmly and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks, Steve! What’s the occasion?” she asked.
“No occasion. I just wanted to bring you something,” he replied. “I’ve been so busy with work and worn out by this cold that I felt like I was neglecting you.”
“Well, I haven’t really felt neglected, but I appreciate the flowers. Mom will be impressed, too,” she said.
“Oh, that’s right! Your mom flew in today,” Steve jokingly exclaimed as if he had forgotten.
“Funny!” Michelle countered, swatting him on the rear end as she laughed and headed into the house with her roses.
Sheila greeted them from the breakfast nook where she was sipping on another cup of tea, and Steve graciously bent down and kissed her cheek.
“Welcome to our humble abode,” he pronounced, gesturing toward the rest of the house.
“Your ‘humble abode’ is really quite nice,” coun
tered Sheila. “And your cat is adorable,” she added as Max leapt from the windowsill where he had been trying to catch a fly.
Michelle showed her mother the roses, and they worked together to arrange them in a tall, glass vase. The conversation among the three of them continued pleasantly through the preparation of dinner.
Seated in the dining room, they enjoyed their meal as Sheila asked Steve questions about his new position. He described his firm and his partner, Roger, then proceeded to explain some of the types of cases they handled.
Michelle listened intently as her mom began explaining to Steve about the lawsuit Michelle’s dad was involved in with Mathers, Inc.
“There are some funds missing. Quite a bit, actually, and John’s being accused of embezzlement,” she began. “I didn’t know this at the time, but apparently he borrowed some money from the company, just temporarily, when we were making all the payments for your wedding,” she explained. “But he paid back the full amount a short time later.”
Steve looked concerned, and Michelle could feel her whole body getting tense.
“So then, after that, a series of similar withdrawals mysteriously began, all of them bearing his signature, but made out to cash rather than to himself. He swears that he had nothing to do with the withdrawals, Steve. And he did pay back all the money he borrowed.”
“Does he have an attorney?” Michelle asked.
“Yes, but I can tell your father’s not happy with the way he’s handling the case.”
“Does he have any idea who might be trying to frame him?” Steve asked in a professional tone that was not familiar to Michelle. He suddenly sounded so much older.
“Well, he does have several highly competitive co-workers all trying for the same promotion, but it’s hard to imagine any of them going to this extreme to vie for the upcoming opening as general manager of the western states.” Sheila stared off into space, as if searching her mind for any other possible culprit.
As her mother and Steve continued to talk, Michelle replayed in her mind the episode with the tarot cards and the final unveiling of the death card in the process. A shadow settled over her as they retreated into the living room for the evening. She wanted to talk to her mom and Steve about it, but figured it would only make the situation seem worse than it already was, or cause them to question her judgment in even participating in the card reading. She knew Steve wasn’t open to anything that seemed mystical or supernatural. And her mom probably wasn’t either. She tried to push it all out of her mind and focus on the television drama they watched until bedtime.
When Michelle awoke the next morning, the sun was streaming into her bedroom window. She quickly looked around for Steve, wondering if he would be late for work. On the nightstand by the bed she spotted a note propped up beside the alarm clock.
Have a great day, Sleeping Beauty! You look so gorgeous when you are asleep. (Pant, Pant) I’ll see you tonight.
Love, Prince Charming
“I can’t believe I didn’t even hear him get up!” Michelle said out loud.
She peeked through the bedroom door to see if she could hear her mom downstairs. Everything seemed quiet, but she knew her mother well enough to know that she was probably up and dressed already. Throwing on her jeans and a sweatshirt, she quickly ran a brush through her hair, then bounded down the stairs.
Sheila was at the kitchen table sipping on her coffee and reading the newspaper. Max looked up from his perch on the stepstool and greeted her as she entered the room.
“Well, you two certainly look content,” Michelle commented.
Her mom smiled. “Good morning, dear. Did you sleep well?”
“Too well. I never even heard Steve get up. How about you? Were you comfortable in that new bed?”
“It was great, Michelle. You and Steve have fixed this house up so nicely. I really love it,” she replied.
Michelle smiled. “Thanks!” She went over to the counter and poured herself a cup of coffee. Before she could sit down, the house phone rang. It was her father. His voice sounded weary. Barely taking time to greet her, he asked to speak to her mother.
Michelle watched her mom’s expression change as she talked to her dad. Sheila’s furrowed brow and silent nods revealed the concern she was feeling. Since the conversation she heard was one-sided, Michelle was unable to decipher what they were talking about. But she felt a heaviness settling into her spirit as her own level of concern rose.
Finally, her mother ended the conversation, reassuring him that she would be home as planned on Sunday afternoon. Looking a little lost, she handed the phone back to Michelle.
“Well, Mom? What is it? Is Dad alright?” Michelle asked.
“I don’t know, honey. He doesn’t sound right to me. This whole lawsuit thing is really getting to him.” Her voice was tense and serious. “Maybe I should go home sooner.”
“How could anyone believe that Dad would do something like that?” Michelle asked. “He’s been with Mathers for years. Surely they know him well enough to know this can’t be him.”
Sheila turned and looked into her eyes. “I don’t know, Mimi. All I know is that your father is afraid. I’ve never heard him sound like that before. It’s really got me worried.”
Michelle reached out to her mom, and they wrapped their arms around each other. Sheila had always seemed so strong and optimistic to Michelle. Now the roles were momentarily reversed, and Michelle felt her mother’s vulnerability. She held her tightly, trying to comfort and reassure her.
An image of Michelle’s dad darted through her mind. It was a disturbing picture of him sitting alone in a prison cell. That can’t happen, she thought.
CHAPTER SIX
Grandpa Phil was reading his Bible, when suddenly his son-in-law’s face appeared clearly in his mind. Whenever someone came into his thoughts like that, Phil believed it was God nudging him to pray. Closing his eyes, he began to intercede for John. Not knowing what to pray, he began by praying for God’s presence in John’s life. He asked that God would make Himself known to John.
The more Phil prayed, the more concerned he became. Reaching over to the phone on the counter, Phil began to dial the number for Mathers, Inc. Rarely did he ever call John at work. But he could not shake this ominous feeling that John needed him.
The receptionist greeted Phil and told him that John was not feeling well and had taken the day off. Now Phil was even more disturbed. It wasn’t like John to miss a day of work. He quickly dialed John and Sheila’s home number, praying that God would give him wisdom about whatever John was going through.
The phone rang five times before the answering machine responded. Phil felt awkward talking to a machine, but he left a message asking John to return his call. Again he committed John’s life into God’s hands and then picked up his Bible and walked out the front door. Thumper, their aging golden retriever, pounded his tail on the wooden porch as Phil approached.
Sitting down on the top step, Phil reached over and scratched him behind the ears. Thumper gratefully nudged his owner’s hand with his nose. There was comfort in this relationship, and Phil felt his peace returning as he reopened the scriptures and resumed his reading.
Michelle’s mother tried to reschedule her flight but was unsuccessful. As the two of them were trying to figure out what to do, Monica called.
“Beth and I are thinking about going shopping for a while and maybe picking up some lunch,” she said. “Would you and your mom like to join us?”
Michelle presented the idea to her mother. “What do you think, Mom?”
“It doesn’t look like I’m going to be getting a flight any sooner, so I guess we might as well go,” she replied. “The diversion will be good for me.”
They agreed to meet Monica and Beth at an antique store on Main Street. Michelle finished straightening up the kitchen, and she and her mom headed to town.
The four women roamed through antique and gift shops and enjoyed a casual lunch at The Omelet Maker. Michelle
was glad to see how well her mother and Beth seemed to get along. Aside from the under-riding current of concern about Michelle’s dad, the day turned out to be a happily memorable one.
Before parting to go their separate ways, Monica asked her about carpooling to yoga the following day. “Would you like to join us?” she asked Sheila.
“I don’t want to intrude,” Michelle’s mother replied.
“It’s no intrusion, Mom. We’d be happy to have you along.” Although she couldn’t really picture her mother in the class, she didn’t want her to feel unwelcome.
“Okay. I’ll think about it,” Sheila said.
Although they also encouraged Beth to join them, she politely bowed out, mentioning her desire to spend some quiet time catching up on her reading.
As Michelle and her mom drove back to the house, Sheila expressed her enjoyment of the day. “I’m pleased that you’ve found such a nice friend, Michelle. I know it’s been an adjustment living so far from all of us,” she added.
“Monica’s great,” Michelle agreed. Then she added, “You seemed to really hit it off with Beth. Isn’t she sweet?”
Her mother smiled. “Something about that lady reminds me of my mom. I guess it’s her gentleness and the peace she radiates.”
“I know what you mean. I really expected her to be more melancholy after the death of her husband. But she really does seem peaceful, doesn’t she?” Michelle concurred.
When they arrived home, Michelle was surprised to see that Steve was already there. He had begun making one of his famous pots of chili, and the fragrance in the kitchen smelled delicious. She gave him a hug and chatted with him about their day, while her mother retreated to the bedroom to freshen up. By the time Sheila rejoined them, cornbread was cooking in the oven and Steve was grating cheese to top the chili.
Out of a Dream (Sandy Cove Series Book 1) Page 5