“Catch them!” Annamarie screamed into the air. She turned and walked back into the house.
* * *
The rain stopped quickly and Annamarie felt the need to get out of the house. She told Elaine she would do the weekly shopping and took the list off the refrigerator door. She and Lena headed toward the large market in Oaklin. Annamarie felt a bit of freedom as she left the pines behind her.
When Annamarie struggled to pull a grocery cart out from the mass of carts at the front of the store, she heard a familiar voice.
“Hi, Annamarie.”
“Tim, it’s nice to see you. You’re using crutches instead of a wheelchair. How are you doing?”
“Better. I’ll never be back to normal the way I was before the accident, but I can walk around most of the day using the crutches instead of the chair.”
“It’s a good step in the right direction. I know they miss you at the plant. I’m not working there any longer either.”
“When the insurance company denied my claim for injuries, saying it wasn’t my job description to climb on the machines, John let me work on paperwork one day each week. He has free milk and other dairy products delivered to my mom’s once a week. It’s where I live now--at Mom’s. At least my medical bills were covered. They didn’t have a choice. It was an accident, but I have no additional funds to live on.”
“I’m sorry to hear what you’ve been through. Mr. Hanson’s a good man and I’m sure he’ll have you working there as long as you want. Perhaps you’ll get better and can work more hours.”
“Maybe. I heard you remarried.”
“Yes, Sam and I are happy. I wasn’t sure how life would be after Daniel.”
“I would have married you, Annamarie, and taken good care of you and Lena.”
“I know, Tim, but the feelings weren’t there. You’re a good friend and will be always. I’m sure there’s a nice girl out there looking for someone like you.”
“Someone like me? My brother has dragged me to bars and dances, but who wants a cripple?”
“Don’t say that; you’ll find the right person when you least expect it. I’m sure of it.”
“You were the right person.”
Annamarie was at a loss for words when she heard Tim’s mom. “Are you ready, Timmy? Oh, hello, Annamarie. How are you?”
“I’m doing well, thank you, Mrs. Noark.”
“We must be going. Come along, Timmy.”
Lena waved at Tim as he sulked behind his mother.
Annamarie thought this is all Daniel’s fault. He pushed Tim off the ladder. She wondered if Mr. Townsend or Father Mueller could find a way to make an anonymous donation to the family to help out. Her heart broke for Tim and the unfortunate man still loved her.
She smiled at Lena and began her shopping. Thirty minutes later, their cart was full and they headed for the checkout. Annamarie saw only one lane was open and Delores was working. She was a sweet woman in her fifties, but had been blinded in one eye approximately thirty years ago. She wasn’t sure how Lena would react to someone who had one eye that seldom moved.
Annamarie checked out and paid her bill. Her bags were packed and placed in her cart by a young boy who was no more than sixteen.
Delores smiled at Lena and asked, “Would you like a lollipop?”
Lena shook her head “yes.”
Delores looked through her stash of goodies and found a bright red one for Lena. Lena took it and said, “Thank you.”
“What a nice little girl you are, Lena.”
Lena reached out and touched Delores’ face and said, “Owie all better.”
Delores smiled at her and answered, “Yes, my owie is all better. Thank you, Lena.”
Lena blew her a kiss.
“What a sweet child,” Delores said as Lena and Annamarie walked toward the door.
Annamarie strapped Lena into the back seatbelt while Lena tried to pull off the wrapper.
“No lollipops in the car. You can have it when we get home.” Annamarie took the lollipop and Lena did her best to pout.
“Don’t use your pouty face on me, Lena Grace., You have to wait.” Lena smiled and they headed home.
* * *
Elaine met the car when Annamarie arrived home. Lena wasn’t out of the car yet, when she began to ask for her lollipop.
“When we get in the house, Lena.” Lena ran for the door.
Elaine and Annamarie carried the groceries into the house. Elaine said, “I’ll put them away. Your mom called while you were out and she sounded happy and excited.”
“Thanks. I’ll call her right now.”
“Hello,” Paula answered.
“Mom, what’s going on? Elaine said you sounded excited.”
“Carl called. He received his discharge papers this morning. Bonnie has one more week of her special nursing training and they’ll be home for good in two weeks.”
Happy tears streamed down Annamarie’s checks. She missed her brother and her best friend more than she could say.
“I can’t believe they’ll be home. I’ve missed them so much. With all the problems Maureen tried to cause, I was always afraid to leave town. We never did make it out to San Diego.”
“No, we didn’t dear, but we could all go away for a week when they get home. We could head for that nice lake north of here you always loved. The one with the amusement park and all the fun places to explore. Lena would love it and I know you don’t like your Uncle Frank’s cabin, but they have built a beautiful Holiday Inn a few minutes from the lake that I’m sure would meet your tastes.” Paula laughed.
“Count us in.”
“I’ll ask them tonight. I promised to call them back and let them know if there are homes for sale here in town. I know there is one house on Sycamore Drive. Bonnie has a job lined up at the hospital and they want to stay in town. Dad said he can get Carl a job where he works and Carl can use his VA loan. It would be wonderful to have them close.”
“I’m so excited, Mom. Please call me when you hear more. I love you. Bye.”
* * *
Annamarie told Sam all about Carl coming home, and their plans for a trip in one long breath.
“Breathe, Annamarie, I know you’re excited, but you need to slow down.”
Annamarie fell back onto the sofa and laughed. “I know, but this is the best news.”
“I hope your brother likes me.”
“He will. Dad does.”
“I’ll trust you on this one. How was your day?”
“Great. Lena and I went grocery shopping and played outside before the rain.” She intentionally left out the spirit near-rape she endured with Daniel. She knew it would drive Sam mad to think he couldn’t protect her.
Lena came bounding into the room and said, “Sam, Daddy wanted to hurt Mommy, but I made him go away with magic sparkles.”
“I’m proud of you for doing that.” He hugged Lena and looked at Annamarie. “Anything you forgot to tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to worry.”
“Spill it.”
“Daniel grabbed me, but Lena can see him. She touched him and told him to leave me alone. Colored sparkles flew out of her fingertips and covered Daniel. He flew in the air and disappeared when the sparkles faded. I don’t understand it. Lena said Magdalena told her she can use the sparkles to make anyone stop hurting her or me.”
“Well, it’s more than a boring day grocery shopping.”
“I know, but I wasn’t sure how to tell you.”
“From now on tell me straight out. If we’re going to beat Daniel, we need to share everything and plan together.”
“I promise.”
“Anyone hungry?” Elaine’s voice called from the kitchen. Everyone sat down to a wonderful meal of spaghetti, meatballs, and peppers in marinara sauce and homemade garlic bread along with a triple layer chocolate cake.
Paula called back after supper to let Annamarie know Carl and Bonnie would love to take a vacation when they got home and the
house on Sycamore was available. It was similar to Annamarie’s old house and perfect for Carl and Bonnie to start. Plus, it would keep them in town.
Annamarie hung up happy, knowing things were working out well.
* * *
Annamarie heard the soft sounds of violin music as she walked through the meadow toward the pines. Magdalena emerged from the pines and met her in the meadow. They sat together on the grass. Annamarie let her emotions out and cried when she asked why Daniel was so strong he could physically attack her. Magdalena held her and stroked her hair, trying to calm her.
“My child, Daniel is gathering strength from another besides Garret. I believe you know him as the man who helped kill your friend.”
“The madman who helped kill Ben is now helping Daniel? Why?”
“He knows the spirits in the pines caused him to fall off the bluff and die, but he blames you for bringing us here. He has aligned himself with Daniel and Garret to bring you to justice. He means to kill you, but is frustrated he is not able to harm you. He is helping Daniel grow stronger. He wants to torment you and will help Daniel do what he wants.”
“What am I going to do? I know inside the house is safe and Lena is safe, but what about Sam and me?”
“Georg, Josef’s son, is going to watch over Sam at all times. He will watch him at work and follow him wherever he goes. I will watch over you. We will fight Daniel, but the evil in the heart of the madman is strong and worries us all.”
“You said Georg is Josef’s son. Is he my grandfather? His name was Georg and died young in the war?”
“Yes, he has joined us to protect your family. Tell Sam he has a guardian.”
“Will we be completely safe, or do they have strength equal to yours?”
“We are stronger, but their ways are devious and they attack when we do not see. When we hear you call or sense you are in trouble, we will come.”
“What about Lena? She has those sparkles and fought off Daniel.”
“Lena has connected with all of us. It is rare, but she has the ability of sight and connection. She gathers her strength from us and she can see and speak with us. I think she has powers we are not yet aware of. You must watch her and teach her to use them only when needed. When she matures, she will be able to use only her mind to control her powers. Now, it is best for her to see the sparkles. She thinks they are magic.”
“I will, I promise. Thank you for keeping us safe. I love you.”
Magdalena stroked her hair and kissed her forehead.
The music drifted away and Annamarie slept peacefully.
* * *
When Annamarie awoke, she cuddled close to Sam and relayed everything from her dream. He was shocked by what he heard and was surprised he had his own guardian.
“Your grandfather is going to watch over me?”
“Yes, Magdalena is concerned Daniel and Garret are communing with the madman.”
“When will this end? Did she say?”
“No, but we’re safe in the house. Lena is safe at all times and we each have a personal guardian. It should help. Daniel is a young spirit. He will lose.”
“I hope you’re right.” He hugged his wife tight and kissed her. She kissed him back and his hand slipped under her nightgown. She moaned in pleasure and he continued. A half hour later, they were in the shower, continuing their morning lovemaking.
“I need to eat and get to work.”
“I know, but I love being so close to your naked body.”
“I know what you mean.” He picked her up and kissed her again.
“Morning, Mommy and Sam.”
Sam smiled and set Annamarie down, reached for a towel, and said, “Good morning, Lena.”
“I’m hungry, bye.” Lena rushed out of the bathroom.
Annamarie couldn’t control her glee at Sam’s embarrassment and doubled over in laughter.
“It isn’t that funny.”
“Yes it is. You should see your face. Lena didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.”
“Wait until we’re having supper with your folks and Lena tells your dad I was kissing you in the shower. How funny is that?”
“Shhh, don’t give her ideas. If it happens, we’ll deal with it then.”
They dressed quickly and went down to breakfast. Lena never mentioned the kiss or the shower. She was babbling over her cereal and milk. Sam kissed Lena and Annamarie and headed out the door to work.
* * *
The morning passed pleasantly. The phone rang close to eleven.
“I’ll get it,” Annamarie called to Elaine. “Hello.”
It was Paula. “Annamarie, I’m glad you’re home. I have something to tell you. One is good news and one is not.”
“Are Dad, Carl, and Bonnie okay?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then tell me some good news first. Things have been stressful lately.”
“This is secondhand information, coming from my friend Helen. Her neighbor works at the grocery store and everyone is talking about Delores.”
“Delores? Why? I saw her yesterday.”
“From what Helen told me, Delores woke this morning and can see out of her blind eye. She rushed to see Dr. Norse and he sent her to an eye specialist to have an exam and see what is going on.”
“That would be wonderful, but how can it happen overnight?”
“No one is sure. Helen’s going to call when she hears from Delores.”
Annamarie’s mind flashed to Lena and when she touched Delores’ face, saying, “Owie all better.” She couldn’t have caused her sight to return even if Magdalena said Lena had special powers. Was it possible? She could see Lena playing with blocks in the parlor and couldn’t believe her little girl was responsible.
“Umm, I hope you hear soon, Mom, and please let me know.”
“I will dear, but there is also sad news to tell you. I’m surprised you haven’t heard any commotion since it’s so close to you.”
“We’ve been inside playing music all day, Mom. What happened now?”
“I’m sorry to tell you, but your friend Tim from work killed himself this morning. He drove to the pines and jumped off the bluff. They found his body on the rocks near the river.”
“Oh no, no, no. That can’t be. I saw him at the grocery store yesterday, too. He didn’t seem happy living at home with his mom, but suicide? I didn’t see it coming. He told me he still cared and would have married me. You don’t think his broken heart caused this? I can’t handle feeling responsible for someone else being gone.”
“Dear, no matter why he did it, it isn’t your fault. He tried to date you before you married Daniel, but I think what made him unhappy was the accident. He couldn’t work and you said he moved back with his mom. It must have been hard.”
Annamarie paced back and forth as far as the phone cord would allow and said, “This is horrible. Another funeral to attend. I was hoping there wouldn’t be one for a long time.”
“I know, but I’m sure since it was a suicide, his mom will have a simple service. She may opt out of a public funeral,” Paula said.
“Maybe. This is all too sad.”
“At least there was good news with the bad. Annamarie, try to concentrate on the good. A loss of life is terrible, but think how much better Delores’ life will be if she truly has her sight back in both eyes.”
Annamarie agreed and said bye to her mom. She wondered since Tim died at the bluff, would he move on immediately or would Daniel try to pull him into his strange band of spirits. If he did, would Tim help Daniel because he was upset with her, or if he loved her would he disagree with Daniel?
“Stop it, Annamarie,” she said aloud. “Don’t borrow trouble.”
She tried to put her fears away and joined Lena to play with the blocks.
* * *
Annamarie explained Delores’ good news to Elaine.
“Delores and I went to school together. I remember the accident that took her sight. Her boyfriend broke up w
ith her when he found out she would be blind in one eye. It was so sad, but when she met her current hubby five years later, it was wonderful. He loved her for her and never mentioned her eye even when they quarreled. Their match was made in heaven.”
“I hope she does get her sight back permanently. It would be a wonderful gift. I believe in miracles.”
“I do, too, Annamarie. It is nearly lunchtime. I should start our lunch.”
“Okay, I’ll be in the parlor with Lena.”
Annamarie sat on the floor and helped Lena build her block castle.
“Lena, do you remember when you told the nice lady at the grocery store that her owie was better?”
Lena accidentally knocked over the castle, began gathering the blocks to rebuild, and said, without looking at Annamarie, “Gamma Lena said I can make bad people go away and do nice things for good people. She was good. She gave me a red lollipop. I made her eye better.” She continued building with her blocks.
Annamarie sat there, stunned, but didn’t want to question Lena any further. She was afraid of confusing her. It boggled her mind, thinking her child had these powers simply because she had connected with the Gypsy spirits in the woods.
Sam snuck up behind Annamarie, grabbed her shoulders, and said, “Gotcha.” Annamarie screamed and Lena burst into tears. She threw her small hands into the air and blocks flew in every direction across the room.
“What the …” said Sam.
Annamarie soothed Lena, told her to play with her blocks, and that she would be right back. She took Sam by the hand, led him into the study, and explained the morning’s events.
A stunned Sam shook his head and said, “Remind me to never scare Lena again.”
Annamarie and Magdalena (Gypsy Spirits Book 2) Page 21