“Many reasons. She was born with powers of her own. Your mother has the ability to know things before they happen, you have always known when you were in an unsafe situation. Lena has those characteristics plus her own. Hers are strong. Daniel had some power; he was able to see spirits and Lena can also see spirits. When Daniel tried to steal her as a baby, I connected with her and Lena now also shares my powers. They have grown in strength and will continue. I have never known someone with her abilities and she is still a baby.”
“What does this mean? Can it bring her harm?”
“No, my child, it will never bring her harm. The only trouble which might come her way is if her anger causes her powers to emerge without her control. You have seen it. I will teach her to keep it under control and how to use it.”
“Yes, her blocks flew all over the room. Can you teach her quickly before someone besides the family sees her do it?”
“Yes, children learn quickly. We talk every day. She is learning well.”
“All right, I trust you, but what will she be able to do with the amulet? How strong is her power?”
“The strongest I have ever seen. She will not be hurt by anyone and may develop more powers than we are aware of.”
Annamarie nodded and Magdalena touched her cheek. “Do not worry, my child. I will always be here to watch over her.”
The music and firelight faded and Annamarie woke. It was nearly five in the morning. She saw Sam sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Sam, are you all right?”
“I think so. I had a dream and long talk with Josef about Lena. He explained everything about the amulet and told me no matter what may happen I should stay with you and Lena. You both will need me and no one will ever love me more than you do.”
Annamarie scooted across the bed and hugged him. “He was right about that. I love you more than I can say. If it helps, I had a similar dream with Magdalena. Not about you, but lots of information about Lena and the amulet.”
They compared facts from their dreams and were comforted they learned the same things while dreaming.
“Daniel and I once had the same dream, so I’m not surprised you and I had a similar dream. Don’t let it get to you.”
“I’m not. I’m worried what may happen that would cause me to wonder if I should stay with you and Lena or leave. I can’t imagine life without the two of you.”
“I think there’s a battle coming--a spirit battle, a big one. Since Lena can see the spirits, Daniel may try to pull her in. It may be frightening and Josef wanted to assure you that we’d all be safe.”
Sam pulled her close and said, “Spirit battle or any other, I’ll be here. I’m not going to let Daniel scare me off. You’re my wife now and no one, human or spirit, can take you from me.”
“I’m glad you feel that way. Let’s try to get a little more sleep. We have to get up for church in a couple hours and go to my parents after. Lena’s coming home. No more sleeping in.”
He smiled at her and pulled her down on the bed. Cuddling, they fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
Annamarie, Sam. Theo, Paula, and Lena enjoyed a lovely lunch after church. Paula had made sauerbraten and dumplings, which Annamarie and Theo loved. Sam, never having tried it before, was a bit skeptical, but after one bite cleaned his plate and ate a second helping. Lena wasn’t fond of the meat, but she ate her fill of dumplings, dipping them into the gravy with her fingers. Chocolate cake for dessert topped off a perfect family lunch.
The adults were comfortable and talked in the living room while Lena played with her dollhouse.
Paula said, “I spoke to Maureen and she would love to have another lunch with you and Lena.” She looked directly at Annamarie.
“I don’t mind, providing she doesn’t try to take Lena from me again. I meant what I said. It will be the end of our relationship.”
“Maureen understands and she said she would also love to have all of us over for Sunday lunch in the near future. She said she would leave the date up to you and we could invite Carl, Bonnie and Bonnie’s dad. I think Maureen needs to find some normalcy in her life, too. Her health scare changed her. I think George would love to see us, too”
Annamarie thought, I’ll bet my visit to her in the hospital scared her more. “Okay, Mom, I’ll try for Lena’s sake. I know she loves her.”
Annamarie, Sam, and Lena headed home and enjoyed the rest of Sunday together.
* * *
Monday morning found Maureen singing and dancing around her kitchen while she prepared breakfast. George watched her for a moment, remembering the doctor telling him that she could have terribly bad days and wonderfully good days. He worried about her.
“How are you feeling this morning?” he asked.
She turned and her eyes showed happiness he hadn’t seen in as long as he could remember.
“I feel wonderful. I have an appointment with Dr. Norse at nine. Would you come along? I think I’m cured.”
George readily agreed. He needed to understand this change in Maureen. After breakfast, they headed to Dr. Norse’s office.
“Hmmm, according to my nurse’s notes, you’re doing much better, Maureen. You think you feel cured,” Dr. Norse said, looking over the top of the chart directly into Maureen’s eyes.
“I know I am. I feel better than I did before I lost Daniel. Annamarie is letting me see Lena and she’s the best medicine for me.”
“Emotionally, I’m sure Lena is a big help, but she can’t cure you physically.”
“I think she did. She knew I was hurting and told me my owie was gone. Since then, I’ve felt wonderful. I need an x-ray. I have to be certain.”
Dr. Norse knew he’d never be able to convince Maureen that her condition was permanent without proof and ordered the x-ray.
* * *
Lena was eating breakfast when she looked at her mom and said, “Gamma is at the doctor. He’s going to tell her she’s all better.”
“Which grandma, Lena?”
“Gamma Maureen. She’s all better now. I made her better. Can we play in the sandbox after breakfast?”
Annamarie pondered Maureen’s health.
“Mommy, can we play outside?”
“Yes, sweetie, as soon as you finish breakfast and get dressed.”
* * *
Dr. Norse walked into his office with the x-ray film in his hand. George’s face showed concern, but Dr. Norse said not to worry.
He placed the x-ray on the light screen and asked Maureen and George to look at it. The radiologist had circled the area of concern.
“This is where Maureen’s spot was.”
“Was?” George asked.
“The radiologist can’t find it and he’s compared this x-ray to every one Maureen has had. He’s not sure if it shrunk to the point he can’t see it or if it’s gone. He wants to send it to the neurologist she saw for another opinion.”
“By all means, send it,” Maureen said. “I would like a second opinion confirming I’m cured.”
“I never mentioned ‘cured.’ The reason for the spot occurring in the first place may still be in your system. It’s also possible the spot is so tiny, we can’t see it. X-rays have limitations. They can occasionally miss things. I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
“I don’t need to hope. I know I’m cured. Thanks, Dr. Norse. C’mon, George. Let’s go home.”
George looked hopelessly at the doctor and shrugged.
“Watch her for any strange symptoms and call me immediately day or night. For now, enjoy her seemingly good health and happiness. Her lack of stress may be helping. Stress always caused it to worsen.”
George nodded and followed Maureen out of the doctor’s office.
* * *
Lena ran out the back door, straight for the sandbox. Annamarie looked apprehensively around the yard for anything out of place. She glanced toward the hill, wondering if the cement Sam added to the slab was still there or if Daniel and Garret had removed it. She would
wait for Sam to come home and Elaine could watch Lena before they walked up to check on it.
“Quiet, I’m playing,” Lena shouted.
“I didn’t say anything.” Annamarie looked at Lena, wondering who she was hearing.
“Not you, Mommy. Daddy and his friends are arguing in the oak trees by the cabin.”
“You can hear them.”
“Yup, Daddy’s afraid of Gampa Josef. Isn’t that silly, Mommy? Gampa Josef is so nice.”
Annamarie sat in a lawn chair while her mind tried to understand what her daughter had said. She knew she spoke with Magdalena, but had no idea she also spoke to Josef or she could hear Daniel in the woods.
“Lena, does your daddy know you can hear him?”
“No, and don’t tell him. Gampa Josef said it’s our secret and he can keep you safe if Daddy doesn’t know.”
Her mind whirling, Annamarie wasn’t sure if she should be concerned or happy Lena was able to communicate with all the spirits and could help Josef.
Her thoughts were broken by Elaine. “Your mom’s on the phone.”
“I’ll take it. Would you please watch Lena?”
Annamarie hurried into the house.
“Hi, Mom, what’s up?”
“I spoke to Maureen. She had an appointment with Dr. Norse this morning. Her x-ray no longer shows the spot. Maureen thinks she’s cured. She feels wonderful. The doctor is cautious, but Maureen’s certain she’s fine. You don’t suppose Lena…?”
“Mom, I don’t know, but I wouldn’t say ‘no.’ We were playing out back and she told me she could hear Daniel arguing with Garret in the woods. She told me her Grandpa Josef said it’s a secret and she shouldn’t tell Daniel she can hear him. If she keeps the secret she can help Josef keep all of us safe. Mom, what do I do? Lena is two; she’s not an adult. She’s not strong. What if Daniel’s hatred of me turns on her? I’m scared.”
“I can’t believe I am asking this, but have you dreamed about Magdalena lately?”
“Yes, both Sam and I did. Well, I did. Sam dreamed about Josef, but we received the same message. We’ll be fine and the stone Lena wears has strong magic and Lena has her own magic. She has powers stronger than Magdalena has ever seen, which is why she has the amulet. Evidently, it’s a family heirloom. Have you ever heard of any of this?”
“No, this is all a surprise to me. What are you going to do?”
“What can I do? The amulet can’t be removed. Lena has powers I can’t control and I don’t understand them all. I can only watch her closely and listen to what she says. She knows more than I do right now.”
“Okay, please keep me informed and let me know if I can help.”
“I will, Mom.”
Chapter Eighteen – The Battle Begins
Sam and Annamarie walked up the hill into the meadow. Sam took her hand as she slowed her pace, the closer they got to the concrete slab. Annamarie pulled her hand away.
“You go first,” she said.
Sam approached the slab and called to Annamarie.
“Come here. It’s okay. The slab is the way I left it.”
She approached slowly and saw the additional cement Sam added looked the same as it did the night he added it. She let out a cleansing sigh. She wasn’t sure what to expect.
Sam put his arm around her and said, “You did it. You sprinkled the holy water and the cement is exactly the way we left it. I think this is the first step in the right direction.”
They both heard the loud howl and crash coming from the woods behind them.
“Daniel’s angry that we repaired what he tried to ruin.”
“I agree. That’s in our favor. Daniel’s not infallible. We’ll do what we can and let Josef do the rest. Let’s go home.”
Annamarie told Sam she’d be in the house in a few minutes. She wanted to gather up Lena’s toys first. When she stood up after gathering a few toys, she felt a tug on her hair. She spun around and said, “Stop it, Daniel.” She turned her back and felt a harder tug. She spun again and said, “Stop…” In front of her stood Daniel. His blue eyes turned black, his skin was gray and sagging, and he smelled worse than her compost pile. He reached for her shoulders and she screamed. Sam ran out the back door, yelling at Daniel to leave her alone. Immediately, Daniel was pulled away from Annamarie. He disappeared from view and Annamarie heard a loud crack of thunder.
“Josef,” Annamarie and Sam said at the same time.
* * *
It had been a quiet week and Annamarie decided to thank her parents for watching Lena. She invited them to supper Friday evening and gave Elaine the weekend off. She was hoping a nice quiet supper would help everyone’s nerves. Cooking wasn’t her favorite pastime, but she was a good cook. She made lasagna, salad, and garlic bread, planning on chocolate mousse for dessert.
Her parents arrived a few minutes before six. Sam had finished showering and joined them in the parlor. Lena was sitting, quietly coloring pictures of trees and lightning. No one noticed.
Their first indication anything was amiss was the loud crack of thunder and the lightning that lit up the room.
“It’s starting,” Lena mumbled. No one heard her.
Theo walked to the front door. He wanted to know from which way the storm was approaching.
“No!” screamed Lena. “We can’t go outside. Gampa Josef said to stay inside when the storm comes.”
“You knew a storm was coming?” asked Annamarie.
Lena nodded, handing her mom the picture she had drawn.
“Gampa Josef said when I hear loud thunder not to be afraid. It’s only him and Daddy fighting.”
“Josef and Daniel are fighting,” Sam said.
“Yes, Daddy was bad to Mommy and Gampa Josef is going to make him stop.”
“Do you know where, dear?” asked Paula.
“It’s on my picture.”
Annamarie looked at a simple square with trees and what appeared to be lightning.
“Lena, what’s this in the picture?”
“Daddy’s cabin and oak trees and lightning.”
Lena had never been to the cabin. After Ben’s murder, no one spoke of it. Annamarie looked around the room at the others and said, “How could she know?”
None of them had an answer. Thunder shook the windows and the wind howled.
Theo said, “I think we should head for the basement.”
Sam picked up Lena and Annamarie turned off the oven as she ran past toward the basement door.
When they were settled and safe, Lena looked at her mom and said, “Don’t worry Mommy. Gamma Lena said when Gampa Josef and Daddy fight, we’ll be safe in the house.” She was right. After another ten minutes of extremely bright lightning and window-rattling thunder, it was over.
“All done,” said Lena. “I’m hungry. Can we eat?”
Sam went upstairs first and noticed not a drop of rain had fallen and none of the trees had lost leaves. He couldn’t understand how it was possible from the amount of wind they had heard.
Paula set the table, Sam settled Lena in her booster seat, and Theo helped Annamarie put the food on the table. Sam said grace and they began eating.
Lena, trying her best to eat an entire piece of garlic bread at one time, looked at Annamarie and said, “Daddy and Garret are okay. Was there a bad man with them?”
“How do you know about the bad man?”
“Gampa Josef whispered in my ear. Daddy and Garret ran away, but Gampa got the bad man and he’s gone now forever and ever.”
Theo, with a fork full of lasagna halfway to his mouth, said, “Do you believe what she’s saying? Does she know these things?”
“Yes, Dad, she does. I don’t know how, but she can hear Magdalena and Josef and all the spirits. She can hear Daniel and Garret, too.”
Lena said, “I hear Tim, too. He walks around the house a lot, keeping Mommy safe. He loves her, too, like me.” She grinned at Annamarie.
Annamarie smiled back at her innocent child, wondering how
she was going to help her understand her abilities and how much Lena knew that she hadn’t shared with her.
They were finishing supper when they heard a loud knock at the front door.
Lena said, “Dep’ty Steve is here.”
Sam raised his eyebrows and walked to the front door. Lena was right. Steve stood outside on the porch.
“Hi, Sam, there were reports of a tornado and I’m driving around town checking for damage. I can’t find any, but the department’s phone was flooded with calls. People said they saw it in the sky and some said it seemed to go down near the Logan cabin, but there’s nothing there either.”
“I’m not surprised, Steve. You know what’s going on around here and Lena said her great-grandfather was fighting Daniel. We don’t know how she knows. She said the madman with Daniel and Garret is gone. I hope she’s right. It’s one less spirit to deal with.”
“Okay, I hope you’re right. I’m going to report no tornado damage here and that’s all. If you know more, call me, but call me at home. Deb knows what’s going on, but if the sheriff gets wind I’m working with you trying to rid the town of spirits, he’ll have me committed.”
“I understand.”
The two men shook hands and Sam returned to his supper.
“It was Steve. He’s driving around checking for storm damage. It seems he can’t find any.”
“Yup,” said Lena. “No storm, only Gampa Josef.”
* * *
Theo and Paula decided to go home shortly after supper in case another storm or battle interrupted their evening.
“We’re all safer in our own homes,” said Theo.
Annamarie couldn’t argue with his logic and they said “goodnight.”
Sam said, “Your dad was worried for your mom. He knows we’re safe here, but has his doubts about others. He also knows they’re safe in their own home. Daniel is zeroing in on this area and our home.”
“I know. I only wish I knew things the way Lena does. I would like to know what happened. I’m worried about asking her and having her recall things she doesn’t understand. Maybe we’ll dream the answers tonight.”
Lena, sensing her mother’s confusion, walked into the kitchen and said, “Mommy, it’s okay. Gampa Josef used his magic to make the bad man turn into tiny plants. They’re going to live under a tree by Gampa’s wagon.”
Annamarie and Magdalena (Gypsy Spirits Book 2) Page 25