“I know, and if she has these types of powers, we have to teach her the right way to use them before everything in the house goes flying with her every whim.”
“How do we do it?”
“I’m not sure. We’ll talk to her and I’m hoping Magdalena will visit a dream and tell me what to do. Maybe she can speak to Lena in her dreams and help her.”
“I hope someone does. I wonder if her powers will get stronger as she grows. It could be a real problem,” Sam said.
“I don’t know, but Magdalena did say Lena would eventually be able to control them with her mind. I’m not sure if that is better or worse. Hey, what are you doing home at lunch time?”
“I heard about Tim. It’s all over town and I thought you could use a shoulder. Even though you weren’t close, you worked together and you’ve been through enough.”
Annamarie hugged Sam and thanked him for being so considerate. “Elaine is making lunch. Let’s eat together.”
“I’m hungry. C’mon, Lena, it’s time for lunch.”
Lena came running from the parlor, acting as if nothing strange had happened.
* * *
The afternoon was pleasant and Lena didn’t show any signs of having more strange outbursts.
Paula called to let Annamarie know Delores’ eye specialist was at a loss trying to explain how Delores’ sight was restored. Her eye had been damaged permanently in the accident. He could only assume it had slowly been recovering on its own. He couldn’t find any damage whatsoever. She now had perfect 20/20 vision in her eye.
“Mom, how can that happen?” Annamarie asked, shaking her head and looking in Lena’s direction.
“A miracle; what else can it be?” Paula said.
“I don’t know. I’m happy for Delores. She must be so excited.”
“I’m sure she is. I also have some other news. I hear Tim’s mom has decided to have a small funeral on Saturday morning for family and Tim’s friends.”
“I thought she might keep it small, but I’m going. I’ve known Tim for years and he may have bothered me at times, but he was also helpful and we worked together closely quite often.”
“I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you. I’ll come with you. I’m sure Elaine will want to go. Lena can stay with Sam or your dad.”
“Good idea. It would be nice to have the guys watch Lena for a while. She’ll keep them busy.”
Paula laughed at the thought of Theo and Sam chasing Lena around the yard. “I’ll drive, dear. I’ll call you when I know what time.”
“Thanks, Mom. Say ‘hi’ to Dad and I’ll talk to you soon. Bye.”
Annamarie walked into the parlor and watched Lena play with her dolls. Could she have healed Delores’ eye? After witnessing her sparkle power pushing Daniel off of her and the blocks flying through the air when Sam startled her, Annamarie wasn’t sure. What’s next, she wondered?
* * *
Before Annamarie could emotionally prepare herself for another funeral, Saturday arrived. She had burned the black dress she wore to all the funerals three years ago, and had refused to buy another. She wore a navy blue dress she felt made her look presentable. Sam left with Lena. She was excited to spend the day with Sam and her grandpa.
Paula picked Annamarie and Elaine up shortly before ten. It was a five-minute drive to church and they weren’t expecting a lot of people. When Paula pulled into the lot, the ladies were surprised both church lots were nearly full. St. Therese and Good Shepherd shared a large lot and it rarely held as many cars as it did that morning. Paula dropped Annamarie off and asked her to find them a place to sit. Elaine said she’d stay and walk in with Paula.
The last time Annamarie walked into Good Shepherd Church was for Grandpa Logan’s funeral and Daniel had been with her. She opened the door to see the inside was as full as the parking lot. People were talking to Mrs. Noark and Tim’s brothers. She slowly made her way to the front.
Mrs. Noark smiled when she saw Annamarie. “It’s so nice of you to come, dear. Look at all these people. I had no idea so many people cared about my Timmy.”
“We all cared, Mrs. Noark, and if not for Tim’s bravery the day I was attacked at the dairy, I wouldn’t be here. Tim was a hero in my eyes.”
“My Timmy, a hero, how sweet of you to say that.” Tears filled her eyes and Annamarie hugged her. Paula and Elaine walked up and offered their condolences. The three ladies found a seat.
Pastor Anders welcomed everyone and said he was prepared for a small service, but was happy to see everyone there to support Tim’s family.
He continued, “None of us will ever truly understand the difficulties plaguing Tim’s mind, which caused him to end his life. The Lord knows and I believe Tim is with Him now. Tim was troubled and he’s in a better place. We’ll all miss him, but we should also remember the happy times in Tim’s life.”
Since Mrs. Noark hadn’t expected a large amount of people, she didn’t make any plans. Tim’s brother gave a touching eulogy and the choir sang songs appropriate for a funeral service.
At the end of the service, Pastor Anders spoke again. “Mrs. Noark didn’t expect all of you, as I said earlier, and there is no luncheon planned after the burial. She apologizes to all of you.”
Ray stood up and said, “Excuse me, Pastor, but out annual Labor Day picnic is scheduled in two weeks. I have received my order of hot dogs, burgers, steaks, condiments, and soda syrup cylinders to make soda and floats for the entire town to help celebrate Tim’s life. We can have the luncheon behind my place the way we do on Labor Day. All the tables are set up. I only need two hours to get the grills going and some buns.”
Mr. Hanson stood. “Excuse me, too, but I’ll go into Oaklin and buy enough buns and chips for the celebration of Tim’s life. He was one of my best employees. After Ben died, I’m not sure how I would have kept the dairy running without his help. I’ll also have one of my employees bring enough milk and ice cream for the floats and shakes we make each year. Maybe some of you ladies have cookies at home or pies in your freezers you could bake, and we’ll do Tim proud.”
Ray popped up again. “I also have all the plates, cups, and plastic forks we’ll need. Greta will help.” Greta nodded through her tears.
“Umm, it’s settled then. We’ll have a luncheon behind Ray’s in a little over two hours.”
Mrs. Noark’s head was down and she was sobbing into her hands, covering her face. Her sons did their best to console her. It was time to leave for the cemetery.
It was a short walk from the church, through the trees to the cemetery. Annamarie didn’t want to be there again, but it was an obligation she had to face.
It was short and quick, the way Mrs. Noark had wanted. Pastor Anders said a prayer. Everyone answered, “Amen.”
Annamarie whispered, “Thank you, Tim.”
She heard his voice say her name quietly, louder than a whisper. She thought she was imagining it, but she heard her name again.
She whispered, “What?”
“Don’t worry, Annamarie, I’ll always watch over you. I won’t let Daniel, Garret, and the evil man harm you in any way. I love you, Annamarie, and I always will. Always…” His voice drifted off.
Annamarie shuddered as she felt a tingling run down her spine. She was used to the dead speaking to her in her dreams and hearing Daniel’s voice threaten her, but this was a new voice from beyond the grave; Tim’s voice promising to protect her. How was she going to deal with all of this? She wanted to get to her parents’ home and see Sam and Lena. She hurriedly followed her mom and Elaine to the car.
Chapter Sixteen: A New Battle
Annamarie walked into the kitchen and observed her dad and Sam enjoying a cup of coffee while Lena sat in front of the TV.
“What’s this?” asked Annamarie. “It’s a gorgeous day and you’re drinking coffee while Lena sits and watches TV? What happened to not being able to wait to play with her outside?”
“Well, she pricked her finger on a rose thorn and
somehow knocked over the rose trellis. We thought some TV time might be good. She was screaming, crying, and yelling at the bad flower,” said Theo. “We decided to bring her inside.”
“My big rose trellis? How could she do that?” Paula asked.
“Not sure. I think the ground is soft from all the rain and her foot must have gotten caught. She pulled and down it came.” Theo looked confused.
Sam shrugged.
“I’ll fix it after the barbeque,” added Theo. “By the way, when did her vocabulary change? I know I haven’t seen her in two weeks, but she seems as if she’s six months older. She’s using words I never heard her use before and clearly.”
Annamarie had noticed that her increased vocabulary came along with her “powers,” but was at a loss about how it happened.
“Umm, she spends two hours, three days a week at the church’s bible school for two- and three-year-olds. I’ve noticed a change since she started. Maybe they correct her baby talk or she’s mimicking some of the older kids,” said Annamarie.
“Maybe. Sure is strange,” said Theo.
Sam and Annamarie exchanged quick glances. Both were worried this was only the beginning.
* * *
It seemed the entire town turned out for Tim’s funeral lunch. Mrs. Noark cried and smiled and cried again. She told Annamarie, “I didn’t know so many people cared about my Timmy. After he … umm died the way he did, I thought everyone would stay home.”
“People liked Tim, he was an honest, hard worker and I think everyone understand why Tim left us the way he did. He must have been distraught. His life was difficult for a formally energetic young man.”
“It was and it’s kind of you to say that. You are a dear and I see why Timmy talked about you so often.”
Annamarie hugged Mrs. Noark. She didn’t know what else to say to Tim’s grieving mom.
* * *
After the barbeque, Sam helped Theo repair the trellis and Annamarie told her mom about Lena’s newest “powers” while they loaded the dishwasher.
“Do you have any idea what you’re saying? She’s still a toddler. There has to be an answer. She couldn’t knock down my trellis, much less heal Delores’ eye.” Paula stared at her daughter.
“Maybe, but how do you explain how she tossed Daniel’s spirit off of me and threw blocks all over the parlor. It looked as if a tornado hit the room. What about the sparkles that flew out of her fingertips? I can’t explain it.”
“I can’t believe I’m asking this, but have you had any dreams about your great-grandmother and has she explained any of this?”
“No, but I heard Tim’s voice at the cemetery. He said he would always love me and protect me. He said I’d be safe. Mom, I don’t understand.” Annamarie strolled to the kitchen window and saw Sam and her dad hard at work fixing the trellis while Lena watched.
“I don’t either. I have heard stories of people who connect to a loved one who has passed on, but you seem to have connected with a large group of our ancestors, Daniel, his friends, and now Tim.”
“I’m doomed,” said Annamarie as she dropped into a kitchen chair.
“You’re not doomed. You need to find the answers and maybe all the spirits will be happy and quiet. Maybe they’ll settle peacefully in the woods or go home. Better yet, maybe they will follow Ben into the light.”
“I hope so. The only place I’m not bothered is at home. Your suggestion to have Father Mueller bless the house was great. No more voices or things moving. Daniel was becoming a real problem and I worried Lena could be hurt.”
“What about outside? Is Lena safe?”
“I think so, since Daniel can’t take her now since she has discovered her ‘powers.’ She told me no one can hurt her or me. When we’re away from the area near the pines, we’re not bothered except by Lena’s newly found talent.”
“I still find it hard to believe she can do that, but I believe you. My grandmother used to tell me about healing with herbs and how a few people could heal with touch. Perhaps Lena is one of those with the touch for healing.”
“Yes, and for causing a mess when angry. How will I teach her to control her temper? She can be quite stubborn and right now it seems she’s not aware of what she does when she’s threatened or hurt.”
Annamarie placed her elbow on the table and supported her head with her hand. Her face showed her frustration and worry.
Paula suggested, “Lena could spend a few days with us. If things are quiet away from the house she won’t need her ‘powers.’ You could visit and try to explain things to her.”
“Mom, you’re brilliant. You could take her home after church tomorrow.” Annamarie threw her arms around her mom, grateful for the suggestion.
“What are we missing?” Sam asked when he, Theo, and Lena came in.
“Mom’s going to watch Lena for a few days to get her away from home and the pines. It may help.”
“Help what?” asked Theo while he washed his hands.
“I’ll explain later, dear,” said Paula.
After a short visit, Sam, Annamarie, and Lena headed home.
* * *
Lena was sitting on her bed while Annamarie packed the clothes she would need for a few days with her parents. She appeared to be talking to the air.
“What are you doing, Lena?”
“Talking to Gamma Lena.”
“Right now? You can see her and talk to her?”
“Yes, she’s sitting on my bed. Can’t you see her, Mommy?”
“No, honey, I can’t.”
Lena jumped off the bed and took Annamarie’s hand. “Try hard, Mommy. Can you see her now?”
Annamarie concentrated and slowly the image of Magdalena appeared before her. She wasn’t solid, but appeared as a soft mist.
“Don’t worry, my child. I am always near and you are safe. Little Lena has the gift and the touch of healing. She is special. Her gift allows her to see us and talk with us anytime she wishes. We all love her as much as we love you. I will visit your dreams soon and tell you our plans for defeating Daniel.”
She reached for Annamarie’s cheek. Annamarie felt a flutter, as if kissed by butterfly wings, and then Magdalena was gone.
“Where did she go, Mommy? We always have fun when she visits.”
“She’s been here before?” Annamarie dropped down onto Lena’s bed. Her legs felt like rubber.
“Lots of times, Mommy. She sometimes sings me a lullaby when I can’t sleep.”
Annamarie was trying to picture her great-grandmother popping in and out of her house at will. Sam appeared in the doorway and asked, “Hey, what’re doing?”
Annamarie jumped and Lena stared at him with her little hands on her hips saying, “Don’t scare us, Sam. We’re talking to Gamma Lena.”
“What?”
“She’s not kidding. She can see her and when she takes my hand, I can see her slightly, too. She wasn’t a clear image. A bit misty, but clear enough for me to know it’s her and see what she’s doing and I could hear her. I wasn’t asleep and I could hear her.”
Sam could only stare at his wife.
Annamarie stood and said, “Okay, enough excitement for this morning. Lena’s bag is packed and I’m going to water my plants before we go to church. It’ll be too hot later.”
“I’ll help. It’s humid outside.”
“Thanks.”
“Me, too, Mommy?”
“No, you may watch, but I don’t want you to get your pretty dress dirty before church.”
Lena didn’t answer. She pouted and followed her mom to the backyard.
Sam grabbed the hose and said, “I’ll water the beds if you want to do the window boxes.”
“Great idea,” Annamarie answered as she picked up her watering can and walked to the rain barrel.
She preferred the rainwater for the delicate flowers she had planted in the baskets and window boxes. When she dipped the can into the water, she saw Daniel’s image rippling in the water, and then his
voice behind her. She spun to see nothing there.
“Hi, baby. I’m back to tell you I’m still going to take Lena and you can’t stop me. No one can.”
Tim’s voice, loud and clear, responded to Daniel’s threat. “You’ll never touch Annamarie or Lena. I’ll protect them.”
“She’s my wife. Get the hell away from her.”
“She’s not your wife. She’s Sam’s, but she should have been mine. If you touch her, it’ll be the last time.”
Lena voice stopped their argument. “Daddy, leave Mommy alone now. Hi, Tim.”
There was a low rumble of thunder headed toward the pines and a loud crash. Annamarie knew the spirits were fighting again.
“What was that?” Sam said as he ran up, hose still in hand.
“Daddy was trying to talk to Mommy, but Tim came and they got in a fight and went home.” She walked off toward the swing set.
“Tell me what happened.”
“It’s exactly the way she said. Daniel was trying to annoy me verbally and then I heard Tim’s voice and they argued and left. The thunder was the two of them fighting on their way back to the pines. What confuses me is Lena knew it was Tim. Can she see all the spirits?”
“Maybe you can get some answers next week when she’s away from here. Let’s finish watering and get to church. I think we need to be there today and get Lena to your parents’.”
“Agreed.” She hugged him and went back to the rain barrel, peeking at the edge before lowering her watering can.
* * *
Lena hurried out of the car, headed for her grandpa who was waiting for her near the breezeway door.
“Gampa, Gampa,” she said as she leaped into his arms.
Theo looked at Annamarie and said, “You can leave this little one with us for a month. I remember when you used to jump into my arms. I miss it.”
“Want me to try it now, Dad?” Annamarie laughed.
“I’ll stick with Lena.”
Paula asked if Annamarie and Sam would like to stay for lunch, but Annamarie explained she and Sam wanted to discuss the things going on at home. They were going to have lunch in Oaklin.
“A pleasant drive away from where our thoughts can’t be heard will be nice, and we want to go back to the restaurant where we had dinner on New Year’s Eve.”
Annamarie and Magdalena (Gypsy Spirits Book 2) Page 22