for hinges and axles of wagons.
“He was describing oil,” said Frank. “There’s oil on this property?” he asked Mara.
“Yes” said Mara, and remembering the directions that Robert had given to her, she led everyone to a pile of rocks, a short distance away. After Mara rolled some of the large rocks out of the way, they all saw a small pool of black oil.
While everyone was staring in amazement, Mara asked; “If there is enough oil, can you build the western town?” Craig and Frank promised that if there as much oil as they thought there was, they would begin making plans for the town.
Kirk was released from the hospital on the day that Mara was flying back to Baltimore. Kirk and his mother and the entire King family went to the airport with Mara, to see her off.
As Kirk was saying goodbye to Mara, he suddenly hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you for saving my life, Mara” he said. “I shall never forget you.”
Mara blushed and then told Kirk, “Karen really likes you and I know that you like her. Make sure that you treat her right. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, Mara” Kirk replied. “Don’t worry. I am a gentleman”
Mara hugged all of the adults and then she hugged Karen. Jake helped carry Mara’s suitcases to the check-in counter, and waited while her bags were checked. Jake then walked Mara to the boarding area. When he could escort her no further, he turned to Mara and said; “Mara, I really like you. I have never met a girl like you before.” Then, he reached over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Mara gave him a peck on his cheek as well and said; “I like you too, Jake”. Then, after giving him a hug, she headed for the boarding gate.
As Mara got on the plane, she reflected on the two weeks she had spent in Texas. She had made new friends, solved a mystery and found a way to help teens with the Western town that would be built. She was sad to be leaving. She cheered herself up, by remembering that she had exchanged phone numbers, email and snail mail addresses with Jake, Karen and Kirk.
When Mara got off the plane in Baltimore, her parents met her. “How was your vacation in Texas?” asked her mother.
“Oh, pretty uneventful,” said Mara with a mischievous grin.
Several days later, Mara got together with Scott, Betsy and Tony, at the White House to celebrate her thirteenth birthday. Mara’s mother agreed that it would be easier to have the party in the White House, than to have Secret Service agents around their own neighborhood.
When Mara and her friends were alone, she told them about her adventure at the Red Rock Ranch. Tony was a little upset when Mara mentioned kissing Jake at the airport, but he said nothing. He did not want Mara thinking that he was jealous.
The four friends had a wonderful time. They talked and laughed all afternoon, and ate pizza and birthday cake for dinner. That evening, they had a slumber party in the presidential living room.
The next morning, Mara said goodbye to Scott when his parents came to pick him up. Before Tony drove off with his parents, he gave Mara a big hug and did not want to let go. He kissed Mara on the cheek, and Mara pulled away embarrassed. Tony told Mara that he really liked her a lot.
On the ride home, Mara could not get Tony out of her mind. She wondered why she felt funny inside, every time she was with him. She was smiling, as she fell into a peaceful slumber.
The Magical Mystery
Fall break had officially begun. It was very early on Thursday morning. Mara and her parents were packing the car, for their three-day trip to New York City.
Mara was in the eighth grade. Her friends Scott, Betsy and Tony were now in high school and Mara sometimes felt all alone. She called them on the phone, texted them and talked with them on Facebook, but it just was not the same as seeing them in person.
Mara was still in contact with Jake, Karen and Kirk, the friends that she had made in Houston over the summer. When Karen’s mother called Mara’s mother to tell her how grateful her family was to Mara, Mrs. Louis was somewhat confused. After she got off the phone, she asked Mara why she did not tell her about the excitement she had at the Red Rock Ranch. Mara told her mother that she did not want to worry her.
Mrs. Louis had a long talk with Mara, telling her that she could tell her parents anything. “I know that you were given your gift for a reason” said Mrs. Louis, “and we accept the fact that you can’t ignore your visions. But, we need for you to tell us what’s going on.” Mara promised that she would not keep any more secrets from her parents.
After they arrived in New York City, they checked into a hotel, and then they went to see some of the sights. They rode buses and trains around the city. They visited Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building. They also visited the site of the Trade Center explosion where Mara placed some flowers in honor of the many people who lost their lives there on September 11, 2001.
After eating dinner in a fancy Greek restaurant, Mara’s parents surprised her, by taking her to a magic show, as Mara was fascinated by magic. She owned several books on the subject, as well as books on Harry Houdini, who Mara considered the greatest magician of all time.
Mara thoroughly enjoyed the magic show. She thought that the magician; ‘Mark the Magnificent’ lived up to his name. After the show, he handed out autographed photos to the children. Mara got in line and when she received the picture, she shook the magician’s hand.
When their hands touched, Mara’s mind was filled with a flood of mental images. Besides the photo, the magician handed Mara a packet of information about becoming a good magician.
As soon as Mara and her parents were in a cab headed back to the hotel, Mara began writing down as many of the images as she could remember from her vision.
Mrs. Louis glanced down at Mara’s notebook and was puzzled by the list of words that Mara had written down. The list included; desk, paper, notebooks, handcuffs, secrets, trunk, ropes, Houdini, and Museum of Magic. “What’s that you are writing, Mara?” she asked.
Mara hesitated for a second, but she had promised to keep no more secrets from her parents. “When I shook that magician’s hand” said Mara “I had a vision and these are the images that I can remember from my vision. I think that there is a mystery that I need to solve for him.”
Mara saw the look that her parents were giving each other, and she said, “Mom, we talked about my responsibilities that come with my psychic gift. I have the visions for a reason, and I have to help in any way that I can. Besides, you and Dad will be with me.”
When they were back in their hotel room, Mara began reading the packet that the magician had given her. Mostly, it was a collection of beginner magic tricks that kids could perform for their friends and families. Then, Mara came to a page that listed advice for aspiring magicians. Mara read them very carefully.
“These are pearls of wisdom that were given to me when I was a small child. My father gave them to me, and he got them from his uncle. Over the years, this advice has helped me immensely. I hope that it may help you as well: ‘Learn by using all of your senses. Observe every detail of life. Open your mind to all possibilities. Keep the secrets of magic to yourself. Investigate all possible solutions to your problems. Never doubt your abilities. Meditate daily, to clear the mind and heal the body. Your reputation is always on the line. Dexterity is very important. Entertaining others can be hard work, but also fun. Suspense is vital to any trick. Keep your mind sharp and clear. Be polite at all times. Expect the unexpected. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. Ignore the skeptics. Never turn your back on your friends or family. Dazzle the crowds with your magic. Take people at face value. Have faith in God, yourself, and family. End your show with a big finish. Do not reveal your secrets to anyone. Remember that your fans are everything. Always respect your colleagues. Work hard and play hard. Earn the respect of your audience. React to criticism in a positive manne
r. Study the art of magic your entire life’”
After Mara read the advice, she felt that there was a clue in it somewhere, but she could not figure it out that night, as she was very tired. Later, while Mara slept, she dreamed that she was a magician’s assistant, assisting the great Harry Houdini. In the dream, Mr. Houdini told Mara that he regretted that he never had the chance to publish his memoirs. He wanted the world to know and understand the real Harry Houdini. Mara asked Mr. Houdini if he had a message for her. Harry thought for a moment and finally, he said; “The beginnings are much more important that the ends.”
When Mara woke up the next morning, she remembered her dream. She got out of bed and looked at the advice that she had gotten from Mark the Magnificent. She remembered Houdini’s advice and she began writing down the first word from every sentence. When she looked at the list, it made no sense.
Mara looked at the list, and the first letters from each sentence were almost jumping out at her. When she wrote down the first letters, Mara realized that it spelled out a message.
Mara was so excited, that she screamed, waking her parents up as she did so. Mara told her parents that she needed to speak to Mark the Magnificent. She looked through the packet and there was an address of a magic shop in New York
Mara Louis; Girl of Mystery Page 22