Paranormal Summer (Indigo Moon Rising)

by Sherry Guyberson

  “I'm over here,” the voice said from a branch near Illianna. Jillian looked closer. There was a pair of large, red eyes staring back at her. It was a tree frog! He jumped down onto Illianna's back

  “Oh! Wow!” Jillian said, awe struck. His eyes were red, and he had a lime green face, and orange toes.

  “A pleasure to meet you,” he said, bowing. “I am Raoul.”

  He started to climb up Illianna's neck and finally reached her head, where he sat and looked at Jillian. “Illianna and I go way back. I can remember one time…” he started to say.

  “Raoul, focus on Jillian,” Elora said.

  “Oh yes, Jillian's quest to find the secret to the stone,” he said, sticking his tongue out at Illianna. She, in turn, started shaking her head as if to knock him off, but as he started to fall, he caught her mane and found himself hanging upside down by one leg.

  “Yes, I am here to find out why my aunt says the stone will change my life!”

  “Isn't it exciting?" Raoul said.

  “Yes, it is,” she said, surprised that he knew what was happening.

  “You should always check your tum-o-meter before you make a decision. Always pretend beforehand what you want to do, and your gut will tell you which the best choice is. You will find that you have much more fun following what your soul feels is right for you. You know what my mama always told me? You can buy the outside, but not who you are inside. Everything and everyone is connected. You may not realize it, but others can feel it when you are not being honest, you feel it from others too, like trust. So, be your original self. Be totally honest and open about everything. Then, you will be in harmony with all of the things that resonate with who you are. You will grow and become more!" He was then standing on his hind legs and acting as if he were dancing the tango. Jillian laughed, how carefree and confident he is. Kinda like my aunts.

  “Jillian, you are finding out what compassion is,” Elora said as she landed on Illianna's head and looked into her eyes. “It is understanding someone’s suffering or discomfort and wanting to help, if you can. It is a magnificent gift, to imagine yourself in someone else’s shoes and see how it feels. It is a magnificent gift to put others before yourself. That is what will move your soul. That is why you are here with your friends and family at this time. Help others and you will help yourself.”

  “Thank you, “Jillian said, thinking about what she was remembering. “It's like I knew all of this but it just all slipped my mind. You have helped me to focus on focusing! Especially when it’s right in front of me. All I have to do is remember that all of the answers are in here," she said putting her hand over her heart. "Not out there.”

  The light from above the rainforest seemed to get brighter and brighter, almost blinding.

  Illianna said, “Put your hand on my mane and close your eyes. Free your mind and just ‘be.’ Send your mind to where it knows it must go, and your body will follow. What you are seeking, you will find!” Jillian took a deep breath and began to relax. To just ‘be.’ In her mind’s eye she could see the tall trees and flowers of the rainforest. She could hear the birds in the distance. She began to feel the rumbling again, and then it stopped. She opened her eyes, and Tiffany Marie was staring at her, the furry little face and brick red nose, only inches away. Jillian began to laugh. Do you have these dreams with me, too? She kissed her head and rubbed her face on her cheek and walked to the bookshelf where she had hidden her journal. She stuck Amanda's there and took hers out. She felt that she had to write it all out before she forgot anything. “Oh, I hope nobody ever sees this,” she thought.

  After writing in her journal about meeting Elora and Raoul, Jillian turned on her tablet. “Yeah! Messages!’ she thought. She couldn't read it fast enough. From Ryan, You are invited to a get together at GG's this afternoon, 4:00. Bring a dish to pass. Your aunt and uncle have already accepted their invite. Later tonight we can go to the cabin; we will try to find Elizabeth. Tomorrow is the grand opening of the What Not Shop, all kinds of things to do, including free introductory classes. Don't worry, I already signed you up. “Well, it's about time things started to get exciting around here!” she laughed.

  Jillian headed down the hallway to talk to her Aunt Jana about what dish she could take to the picnic this afternoon. She saw the truffle bowl next to the large apron sink. Jillian knew that this was going to be one of her layer salads; they were always so pretty. The way she would layer the colors, it seemed a shame to have to dig in and ruin it!

  Jillian loved this room. She didn't particularly like to cook, but she loved to eat. The room had a high ceiling. It was so big, country-ish, and white. One countertop was made with gray granite. Gramma Adeline used to use it a lot when she baked, rolling out dough and cutting cookies. Next to the kitchen was the apothecary, where Gramma used to spend a lot of her time. Grampa, too. It was lined with cupboards that had glass doors, inside there all kinds of jars and containers filled with things she used to make home remedies. Aunt Jana used it now, and when Jillian was younger, Uncle Tim would take out the bottles and read the labels and quiz Aunt Jana about what they were used for. Sometimes he would throw in an eye of newt, hair of dog, or bat wings just for fun.

  Gramma Adeline learned most of what she knew from her mom and her gramma. There was never a need for the drug store, They did it all naturally. What they weren't already growing in the green house and gardens, they could get out in the woods or by the stream. Jillian would ask silly things like, Gramma Adeline do you need this Rolly Polly? Or should we keep this caterpillar, I accidentally stepped on him. She never knew what they might need, recycling everything, coffee grounds, egg shells, all the seeds from the flowers and vegetables at the end of their seasons, to replant the next year.

  Her grandparents, Adeline and Seymour, met in high school and started courting in their senior year. Gramma Adeline thought he was too dorky when he asked her out on a double date. But she accepted. And they went to the fair and then spent time down by the lake, having a sunset picnic with her cousin Susie and her beau. Adeline fell head over heels in love. He was so warm, understanding, and compassionate. He was a respectable, shiny- faced, dark-haired, green-eyed dreamboat. After that, he would take her for rides in his convertible. On their third date, they left on a Saturday morning, driving for hours along the coast, stopping wherever they wanted and came home late that night. No plans, rules or restrictions. There were two pictures in the hallway of her in pedal pushers and a scarf sitting on the hood of his convertible. On their fourth date, Seymour told her he had been accepted into college and he was going to get a pharmacology degree. Adeline told him that was a silly waste of time and money, and that she could teach him everything he needed to know. Seymour still left for college in Ohio that fall. They missed each other so much that while on summer break his first year, they got married. And while he was attending his second year she had the first of their 6 babies, Monica. Then Faye, Meryl, Jana, her mom Heather, and Amanda was their last baby.

  All of these thoughts were running though Jillian's head as she walked from the kitchen, apothecary, greenhouse and out to the gardens. What it must have been like back then. So clean, innocent. They didn't lock their doors, a simpler time, a time of trust. She was thinking about school and dating. Is that when rock and roll was thought to be the devils music? That's just wrong.

  "Did you want something to eat?” Aunt Jana said, startling her.

  "Oh! Well, yeah, but I have to take something to the picnic this afternoon," she said, hoping she had time to help her with whatever she could make.

  "There are fresh croissants on the counter and cinnamon butter in the crock if you want some for breakfast. What were you thinking to make for the picnic?" Aunt Jana asked, knowing that she probably had no clue.

  Jillian's eyes got quite big and looked at her aunt, "I have no clue."

  Her aunt giggled and shook her head. "I have an idea or two. Do you want to wow them with your culinary talents, or do you want something
scrumptious and quick?"

  "What do you think? Jillian said, now shaking her head.

  "How about individual strawberry cheesecakes?"

  "How long is that gonna take?" Jillian asked.

  "They are quick and you don't have to bake. We need hulled strawberries, cream cheese, powered sugar, vanilla and graham cracker crumbs. Let me call Monica. She has the recipe, and I'll meet you in the kitchen in about a half hour," Jana said as she walked back into the greenhouse.

  Jillian was thinking about what she should do now. I want to go up to Cemetery Hill. I want to go back to Amanda's room. I want to make sure I have something to wear this afternoon. "Growwlll." “I guess my tummy wins! “she thought as she headed to the kitchen for a fresh croissant and cinnamon butter breakfast.

  After she had finished the second croissant, she sat there on the barstool, her eyes closed, licking the butter from her fingers. Her aunt walked in.

  "Pretty yummy, huh? Do you think they would be good enough to buy? I am thinking about selling them in the shop," Jana said smiling, knowing that Jillian was in another world.

  "Oh, they are delicious. What shop?" Jillian asked getting up to wash her hands.

  "At the What Not Shop. My business won't be just online anymore. Doreen is giving me space to display my herbal products. So now I will have a store front. I can also make some homemade foods to sell," Jana said, doing a sort of happy dance.

  Jillian stared laughing. "Oh, what a terrific idea! Sonya got to help them the other day; she was putting things in storage for them. Do you think there is anything I can do? Well, including taste testing?"

  "You can ask her yourself this afternoon. She will be at the picnic. Would you get the strawberries out of the fridge? We are going to make your dish," she said as got the mixer out of the cabinet.

  "Can you ask her?" Jillian asked as she brought out a large bowl of fresh strawberries and stuck one in her mouth before her aunt could protest.

  "No, I most certainly cannot. You are old enough. You can ask her yourself," Aunt Jana said. “Now let's make these and get them in the fridge to chill,” she said, showing Jillian a picture of what they were going to make. Jillian's jaw dropped and she smiled.

  This was the first time since she moved in that Jillian had ridden in a car. Walking was the only way for her to get to where she wanted to go. She forgot how much she liked riding, watching everything, in another world.

  She recognized the dirt road called "Wicked Way" as they passed it. Did her aunt and uncle know about the cabin? Did GG? As they drove down the winding road lined with fresh mowed grass, she could see the old farmhouse where Ryan lived most of the time. She didn't know why he never stayed with his mom and dad. There are just some things you don't ask about.

  Under a large shade tree next to the house, tables were covered with red and white checkered tablecloths. It looked like everything was set up. People were already there. Her heart raced. She had no idea who was invited. As they parked the car, she watched the people in the distance, looking for familiar faces. It is nerve-wracking when I feel shy. Why is that? Sonya, Ryan, Doreen, and Thomas. She sighed

  They joined the others under the towering poplar tree. Ryan introduced Jillian, Aunt Jana and Uncle Tim to Lois, and she introduced everyone else. There was Elise and her 18 year old daughter, Seelie. They were friends of Doreen's, returning to this area where they were originally from to help with the shop. Seelie was born here on a reservation, and at eight, moved out west for “educational purposes” is what Elise said. Seelie was extremely outgoing and friendly. She kept blinking when she looked at Jillian, and that made her laugh. Was she doing that to be funny? Jillian felt good about her and wanted to get to know her better. Sonya had called her the “Spirit Whisperer” because she could talk to the spirit of anyone, or anything, even plants and animals. Jillian thought that was fascinating.

  Then there was Eldon. A delightful grandpa type of guy, he was a butcher that owned his own ranch. He was wearing a bright yellow t-shirt that said “Yes, I said BINGO again” and sporting a cowboy hat. He began naming off scary movies to Jillian, asking what ones she had seen. Which was none; Jillian didn't like scary movies, because they usually were also gory. Eldon was Grandma Hilde's friend, and the two smiled at each other in a special sort of way. They looked right together; Jillian thought it was very sweet.

  Lois introduced them to Enrique and Jorge. This was the boy Ryan was talking about, huh? They talked a few minutes about the restaurant, Enrique’s family and some troubles they had encountered. Jillian acted like she was listening, but she actually wasn't. She was watching Jorge watching another older girl. When they were introduced, she found out her name was Allison, and she worked at the salon and the garage in town. Jillian thought, “How strange. Salon and mechanic, she feels extremely tight, not mean, but on the lookout. Maybe it's because Jorge is watching her, even though they don't seem to be making eye contact. I bet there is some history there, like they were going together and now they can't stand each other.”

  Ryan bumped into Jillian. Watching her watching them, he said, “I’ll tell you about them later, but I would stop staring if I were you.”

  GG asked if there was anything Ryan could get anyone from inside the house. Everyone shook their heads. It was evident that everything was well planned out and organized, and the food looked sensational. "Well, let’s all sit!" GG said, taking the lead at the table.

  Jillian and Sonya sat next to each other, next to Hilde, Doreen, and Thomas. The other people who Jillian had been introduced to were on the opposite end with Ryan. They had all just sat down when Ryan's phone went off. "Excuse me." He said turning away from the table. He turned back around and looked at his grandparents, "Uh, mom and dad will be here later,” he said. GG shook his head and waved it off, as if he knew that was coming. He put his elbows on the table, put his hands together, bowed his head and closed his eyes. Everyone else followed, including Jillian. But nobody said anything. A few seconds later GG said, "Let's dig in, and if anyone is interested, we will be holding gatherings here on Sunday mornings at 10:00, nothing fancy. Just a time for introspection and gratitude if you'd like to join us.”

  The table itself was so packed with food; there was barely room for the plates. All of the food got passed around once, and then you could start to eat. Jillian felt she was doing remarkably well, going with the flow of the new stuff. And as she ate, she started thinking about family rituals. How they had never said a prayer before they ate at home, and here, it was just a moment of silence. Maybe they expected everybody to have their own things to say to God in their own way. She liked that. She hated being put on the spot.

  Sonya was quietly telling Jillian about things at the B&B and that she had spent time at Doreen's store helping to arrange things earlier. Doreen and Thomas were talking about all they still had to do before the opening tomorrow, but said it was okay because they didn't expect too many visitors the first few days, and all would be worked out in time.

  Jillian noticed that Aunt Jana was looking at her. So she mouthed, “What?” to her. Her aunt nodded towards Doreen. Jillian was feeling shy. She would wait till she got to know Doreen before she asked. But she wanted to help out too. But what if she said no? But she said she needed help, she just said it. Jillian was having an argument with herself inside her own head.

  Doreen had finished talking and looked over to Jillian, "You know Jillian, if you have any free time, and if you wanted to, I could always find some things for you to do at the shop. But since it is summer you are probably pretty busy. "

  Jillian about choked on her brownie. "Oh no, I have time. I can come down whenever you want," she said delighted. She looked further down the table. Aunt Jana winked at her, and Sonya elbowed her in the arm.

  "All right!" Sonya said, getting up from the table. She grabbed her plate and Jillian’s and took them to the trash can. She kissed her Grandma Hilde on the back of the head. "Need anything?”

  "No, you go
play with your friends. You have a day off! Enjoy it," Grandma Hilde said.

  "You heard it, let's go!" She said running to the front of the house to another large tree with a tire swing. She got in, "Push me!" she demanded of Jillian.

  "Gladly," Jillian said, grabbing it by the bottom and pulling it as high as she could, trying to twist and spin it at the same time.

  Ryan came walking towards them. Today he was wearing a white stretchy tank top tucked into black jeans, wristlets and sunglasses. Jillian did not like sunglasses. It was almost like she threw a bolt of lightning between them when she tried to look at his eyes. She thought that some people try to hide behind them. Ryan grabbed the tire swing and started spinning it around in a circle, Sonya laughing. He stopped abruptly and walked away and sat down in a lawn chair. The swing started to unwind, and picked up speed. Sonya started screaming! Jillian was laughing at her, knowing when it stopped the one direction, it had enough momentum to start winding the other way!

  She looked up at Ryan. He had taken his sunglasses off and was looking at her, smiling.

  "This was a neat idea. And my tummy’s so full, I could use a nap right now," Jillian said, lying down in the lush, green grass. “So what is the story behind those two at the table? I didn't realize I was staring.”